“What should I load on my new Windows computer?” asked a friend, knowing I would have an opinion. I started to make a list, then realized, I could do one better. In this blog entry, find my list of preferred
- Windows tools,
- Browser extensions, and
- iOS smartphone apps.
Feel free to post @mguhlin@zirk.us if you have some suggestions of your own.
A Bit of Nostalgia
When I look at this list, I’m taken back in time to my Apple //e days, when I had a few 5 and a quarter floppy disks loaded with some of my favorite tools. I took to calling those miscellaneous utilities “MISCUT” for short. The name stuck, and I grew up with 3.5 inch disks, and USB drives named MISCUT. I even had different numbers assigned to MISCUT media, denoting their function.
At 13 years of age, I had come up with a simple way to organize the world around me. Funny that at 55+ years of age, I’m still relying on that system.
Windows Programs
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| 7-Zip | File archiver with high compression ratio |
| ATube Catcher | Download videos and convert to variety of formats |
| Audacity | Free, open-source audio editor and recorder |
| Canva App | Graphic design and visual content creation platform |
| Free Commander | Free version of a professional file manager |
| HandBrake | Free, open-source video converter |
| Hemingway App | Writing analyzer app for improving writing clarity |
| IrfanView | Fast and compact image viewer and editor |
| Lightshot | Image and screenshot capture and annotation tool |
| MP4 Splitter | Simple tool for splitting videos quickly and easily |
| Mullvad VPN | VPN service for secure browsing on multiple platforms |
| OBS Studio | Free, open-source screencasting and streaming software |
| OnlyOffice | Free, open-source office suite for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations |
| OpenShot Video Editor | Free, open-source video editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux |
| ParanoiaWorks Secure Space Encryptor | File and text encryption tool with steganography feature |
| PDF Reader by Xodo | Free PDF editor, organizer, and annotator |
| PDFSam Visual | Powerful tool for editing and modifying PDF files |
| Shotcut Video Editor | Free, open-source video editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux |
| Signal | Private messaging app with end-to-end encryption |
| Sumatra PDF | Free, open-source PDF viewer |
| Thorium | Open-source, customizable web browser |
Web Browser Extensions
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Bitwarden Password Manager | Make password management easy |
| CSV Editor | View, Upload, Edit Comma-Separated Values (CSV) files in the browser |
| Custom Scrollbars | Get colorful scrollbars that are wider and bigger than usual scroll bars on your browser |
| Fireshot | Take screenshots of any webpage, including ones you have to scroll down and output in any format, like PDF, PNG, whatever |
| Lightshot Screenshot and Annotation tool | Screenshots and annotations |
| Copy selection as Markdown | Copy any webpage as markdown |
| OneTab | Manage your tab clutter |
| PixelBlock | Block unwanted tracking attempts in your email |
| Reader View | Get rid of clutter when viewing a webpage, simplifying look |
| Ugly Email | Stop email tracking |
| Video Download Helper | Download video from websites |
| Xbrowser Sync | Sync up your bookmarks and extensions across browsers easily |
iOS Smartphone Apps
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Action Movie FX | Add Hollywood FX to iPhone and iPad movies that you shoot. |
| AESCrypt | Secure file encryption app for iOS. |
| Audible | Listen to audiobooks while commuting, exercising, relaxing at home, or anywhere else you go. |
| Authy | Two-factor authentication (2FA) app for securing your accounts. |
| Bitmoji | Create personalized emojis and use them in various messaging apps. |
| Canva | Free-to-use online graphic design tool for creating social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos, and more. |
| CapCut | Free all-in-one video editing app for creating stunning videos. |
| ChatGPT | AI-powered chatbot that helps with writing, learning, brainstorming, and more. |
| Chirp | Free, open-source tool for programming your radio, supporting a large number of manufacturers and models. |
| Claude | AI-based assistant for brainstorming ideas, getting quick answers, and analyzing scenes and images. |
| Disney+ | Stream new releases, timeless classics, and past seasons of your favorite TV shows. |
| DuckDuckGo Browser | Privacy-focused web browser that helps you search and browse more privately. |
| eBoox | Free, ad-free book reader supporting various formats like fb2, epub, pdf, doc, and more. |
| Epilogue | Companion app for Micro.blog to track books you are reading or want to read. |
| Social networking app to connect with friends and family. | |
| FE File Explorer | Powerful file manager app that can access files on local storage, computers, NAS, and cloud storages. |
| Social magazine app that curates content on thousands of topics from world-renowned publishers and the community. | |
| FxGuru | Create Hollywood sci-fi and action movie special effects for mobile videos. |
| Green Screen by Do Ink | Create videos, images, and GIFs by combining visual elements such as photos, videos, text, drawings, animations, and the live camera. |
| Hulu | Stream TV shows and movies, including award-winning classics, blockbuster movies, and exclusive Originals. |
| Social networking app for sharing photos and videos. | |
| Joplin Notes | Open-source note-taking app with support for multimedia notes and end-to-end encryption. |
| Kindle | App for reading millions of books, magazines, newspapers, comics, and manga. |
| Mammoth | Social networking app for Mastodon, helping you find friends and people to follow based on your interests. |
| Meta AI | AI-based chatbot for quick and accurate answers to a wide range of questions. |
| Micro.blog | Social networking app for microblogging. |
| Mimi | Hearing test app that provides understandable results in just 5 minutes. |
| Mullvad VPN | VPN service for secure browsing on multiple platforms, protecting your privacy online. |
| Netflix | Stream movies, TV shows, and documentaries. |
| NetNewsWire | Free and open-source RSS reader for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. |
| Paramount+ | Stream hit movies, exclusive originals, live sports, and more. |
| Peacock | Stream new movies, hit TV shows, Originals, live sports, news, and more. |
| Perplexity | AI-powered answer engine that provides accurate, trusted, and real-time answers to any question. |
| P.F.E. | Professional file encryption app for iOS. |
| P.T.E. | Professional text encryption app for iOS. |
| Prime Video | Stream movies, TV shows, and sports, including Amazon Originals. |
| ProMovie Recorder | Feature-rich video camera app for iPhone and iPad. |
| Proton Drive | Secure cloud storage service that allows you to access your files anywhere. |
| Proton Mail | End-to-end encrypted email service that is private by default. |
| Rotate & Flip | Simple tool for rotating and flipping videos. |
| Strata for Micro.blog | Encrypted note-taking app |
| Super Power FX | Add comic book-inspired visual effects to your videos. |
| Threads | Social networking app for sharing text updates and joining public conversations. |
| TikTok | Short-form video platform for creating and sharing videos. |
| Voice Recorder Pro | Free, full-featured audio recording app for Android with high-quality recordings. |
| Wavelength | Party game app for playing remotely or in person. |
| Waze | GPS navigation app that provides real-time traffic updates and route guidance. |
Micro.blog Specific Apps
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Epilogue | Companion app for Micro.blog to track books you are reading or want to read. |
| Micro.blog | Social networking app for microblogging. |
| Mimi | Hearing test app that provides understandable results in just 5 minutes. |
| Strata for Micro.blog | Encrypted note-taking app |
| Wavelength | Party game app for playing remotely or in person. |
What would you add to these lists?