As a new Windows user, you may be overwhelmed by a ton of apps available in the market. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know which ones are essential and which ones you can skip. This article will provide you with a list of the five best free apps for Windows, along with a brief overview of their features and benefits.
What Are the Essential Apps for Windows PC
There are many apps that people use in their life. Normally we can categorize it into a few categories.
The following are the five category most commonly used apps on Windows:
Productivity apps
These apps help you to get work done, such as word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
Productivity apps
Web browsers
These apps allow you to browse the internet and access websites.
Multimedia apps
These apps help you to play and create audio and video files.
File management apps
These apps help you to organize and manage your files.
Education and learning apps
These apps help you to learn new skills and knowledge.
Best 5 Windows Apps for Beginners - Free Download
Here are five of the best free Windows apps for beginners:
1. Productivity App: WPS Office
WPS Office is a free and open-source office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet program, and presentation software. Beside that, It is also a powerful project management tool, with a variety of templates and features that can help users to plan and manage events.
WPS Office is a great alternative to Microsoft Office, especially for users who are looking for a free and easy-to-use solution. It offers a variety of advantages, including:
● Free download and free to use Word, Excel, and PPT: WPS Office is completely free to use, with no hidden fees or subscriptions.
● Powerful PDF toolkit: WPS Office includes a powerful PDF toolkit that allows users to create, edit, and convert PDF files.
● Rich template store: WPS Office has a rich template store with over 10,000 templates to choose from, including a variety of scheduling templates.
● Rich functions: WPS Office offers a wide range of features and functions, including the ability to collaborate with others online and to create and edit documents on the go.
● Light weight: WPS Office is a lightweight application that takes up very little space on your computer.
● Support online documents: WPS Office allows users to save and access documents online, making it easy to collaborate with others and to access your files from anywhere.
● Safe and stable: WPS Office is a safe and stable application that has been used by millions of people around the world.
2. Web Browser App: Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a popular web browser known for its speed, security, and user-friendly interface. It dominates the browser market due to its seamless integration with Google services and a vast library of extensions.
Features:
Speed: Chrome is renowned for its fast page loading and efficient performance.
Extensions: A wide range of extensions and add-ons are available for customization.
Security: Frequent updates and built-in protection against phishing and malware.
Cross-Platform: Synchronizes bookmarks, history, and settings across devices.
Voice Search: Utilizes voice commands for search and navigation.
Pros:
Speedy performance and minimalistic design.
Extensive library of extensions for enhanced functionality.
Strong security features and frequent updates.
Cross-device synchronization for a seamless browsing experience.
Cons:
Can be resource-intensive, particularly with multiple tabs open.
Privacy concerns due to Google's data collection practices.
Some users may prefer more privacy-focused browsers.
Pricing:
Google Chrome is completely free to download and use.
3. Multimedia App: VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a versatile and open-source multimedia player renowned for its ability to play virtually any audio or video format.Furthermore, it is also a go-to choice for users seeking a lightweight, feature-rich media player.
Features:
Wide Format Support: VLC supports an extensive range of multimedia formats, including obscure ones.
Customizable: Offers extensive customization options, from skins to advanced settings.
Cross-Platform: Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, and more.
Streaming: Allows streaming of online content and media from various sources.
Subtitle Support: Easily add and customize subtitles.
Pros:
Plays almost any media file you throw at it, eliminating the need for multiple players.
Minimalistic interface with powerful functionality.
Completely free and open-source with no ads or spyware.
Regular updates and a strong user community ensure ongoing improvements.
Robust playback options, including the ability to adjust audio and video settings.
Cons:
Interface design may seem dated compared to modern media players.
Advanced features can be overwhelming for casual users.
Limited organizational tools for media libraries.
Pricing:
VLC Media Player is entirely free to download and use.
4.File Management App: 7-Zip
7-Zip is a renowned open-source file archiver and compression utility for Windows. It excels in compressing and extracting files while offering a simple and user-friendly interface.
Features:
High Compression Ratio: 7-Zip provides excellent compression rates, helping save storage space.
Wide Format Support: Supports various archive formats, including ZIP, RAR, and more.
Password Protection: Allows you to secure your compressed files with passwords.
Integration: Integrates seamlessly with Windows File Explorer.
Command-Line Support: Offers advanced users command-line options for automation.
Pros:
Exceptional compression and decompression performance.
Lightweight and fast, making it an ideal choice for resource-conscious users.
Open-source and completely free with no hidden costs.
Supports encryption and password protection for added security.
Reliable and stable software with regular updates.
Cons:
Basic interface without advanced file management features.
Lacks the visual polish of some paid alternatives.
Pricing:
7-Zip is open-source software and is entirely free to use.
5. Educational App: Grammarly
Grammarly is a highly acclaimed educational app and writing assistant that helps users enhance their writing skills by providing real-time grammar and spell-check suggestions, as well as style and tone improvements.
Features:
Grammar and Spell Check: Detects and corrects grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Style and Clarity: Offers suggestions to improve writing style, tone, and clarity.
Plagiarism Checker: Scans text for potential plagiarism issues.
Browser Extension: Integrates with web browsers for real-time corrections.
Cross-Platform: Access Grammarly on Windows and other devices.
Pros:
Effective and accurate grammar and spell-checking capabilities.
Enhances writing quality for professionals, students, and anyone who writes.
Provides valuable feedback to help users become better writers.
Browser extensions make it convenient for online writing tasks.
User-friendly interface and easy integration into various writing platforms.
Cons:
Some advanced features are only available with a premium subscription.
The plagiarism checker may require a premium account for full functionality.
Pricing:
Grammarly offers a free version with basic grammar and spell-checking. Premium plans with advanced features are available at a monthly or annual subscription fee.
User Feedback:
I have used all of the apps listed above and I highly recommend them to all Windows users, especially beginners. They are all free, easy to use, and have a wide range of features.
Here are some practical tricks for using these apps:
WPS Office: You can use WPS Office to collaborate on documents with other people in real time. To do this, simply click the "Share" button and select the people you want to collaborate with.
Google Chrome: You can use Chrome to save your favorite websites so that you can easily access them later. To do this, click the star icon next to the website's address in the address bar.
VLC Media Player: You can use VLC Media Player to stream videos and music from the internet. To do this, click the "Media" menu and select "Open Network Stream".
7-Zip: You can use 7-Zip to create password-protected archives. To do this, right-click on the files you want to archive and select "Add to archive". In the archive options dialog box, enter a password and click "OK".
Grammarly: You can use Grammarly to check your grammar and spelling in real time as you write in any text editor or web browser. To do this, simply create a Grammarly account and install the Grammarly extension.
In summary, these five apps are not only beginner-friendly but also essential for enhancing productivity, browsing, media playback, file management, and writing. Incorporating them into your Windows PC experience can greatly streamline tasks and improve overall efficiency.
FAQs
Which Microsoft app is most used?
The most used Microsoft app is Microsoft Teams, followed by Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
How do I install WPS Office for my Windows PC?
To install WPS Office for your Windows PC, follow these steps:
Go to the WPS Office download page and click the "Free Download" button.
Run the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions.
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Once WPS Office is installed, you can launch it from the Start menu or by double-clicking the WPS Office icon on your desktop.
How do I prevent viruses on my Windows PC?
There are a number of things you can do to prevent viruses on your Windows PC, including:
Keep your Windows operating system and software up to date.
Use a strong antivirus program and keep it up to date.
Be careful about what emails you open and what attachments you download.
Avoid clicking on links in unknown emails or on websites.
Be careful about what websites you visit.
Summary
The article titled "Best 5 Free Must-Install Apps for Windows PC - The Beginner's Guide" highlights essential software for Windows beginners. Among the featured applications, WPS Office stands out as a top recommendation.
WPS Office is praised for its user-friendly interface, productivity features, and the inclusion of valuable tools like PDF editing and a template store, making it a compelling alternative to Microsoft Office. Beside that, this versatile productivity suite is particularly appealing for its ability to meet the needs of both students and professionals.
