Free Windows applications are different software and programs that can be downloaded without any cost and used absolutely for free. These applications offer various functionalities, from productivity tools to entertainment and utility programs. Let’s learn about some of the top free Window applications out there, what they offer, and how you can use them effectively on your PC.
Part 1. Top 8 Free Window Applications
Keep reading the below-mentioned paragraphs to find some of the most used free Window applications. We will mention the top 8 of these applications and how you can download and use them on your PC.
Moreover, we will list the advantages and disadvantages of each application and the best alternative that can be used in place of these applications. Let’s find some useful insights.
#1. WPS Office
WPS Office is a comprehensive office suite software that falls into the same category as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. It is known for being one of the most popular office software among college students due to its user-friendly interface, robust feature set, and cost-effective options.
The best part about this software program is that it is completely free to download and use on Windows PCs. That’s why it is known as one of the best free Window applications out there.
Features:
Word processor that supports a wide range of document formats like DOC, DOCX, RTF, and TXT.
Presentation software that allows users to create visually appealing presentations with slide templates. It is compatible with presentation file formats like PPT, PPTX, and DPS.
Spreadsheets software with data analysis tools, including functions, formulas, and tables. This application also supports file formats like XLS, XLSX, and CSV.
The PDF tools provided by WPS Office Suite allow users to view, edit, and share PDF files. Users can also use these tools to convert documents to and from PDF format.
WPS Office offers cloud storage integration with services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, allowing easy access to documents from any device.
Pros:
WPS Office offers a free version with basic features, making it accessible to students on a budget.
The interface is intuitive and resembles Microsoft Office, making it easy for users to adapt.
WPS Office supports a wide range of file formats, ensuring compatibility with other office suites.
It is relatively lightweight compared to some competitors, meaning it doesn't consume as many system resources.
WPS Office has mobile apps for Android and iOS, allowing users to work on their documents while on the go.
Cons:
While it covers most basic office needs, it may lack some of the more advanced features.
There are occasional compatibility issues with complex documents, especially if they were created in a different office suite.
The free version of WPS Office may include ads, which could be an inconvenience for some users.
Keep in mind that the suitability of the WPS Office for college students may vary depending on specific requirements and preferences. It's a good idea to try out the free version first to see if it meets your needs before considering any premium options.
#2. Netflix
As you already know, Netflix is a streaming service that allows people to watch movies and television shows online. But only a handful of people know that along with having a website, Netflix also has a desktop application that is considered one of the best free Windows applications for PC.
To use this application, you will need to download it for free from the browser and then install it on your PC. After installing it, you will need to sign in to your account using a subscription plan you may already have.
Features:
Netflix offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content across various genres.
Subscribers can create separate profiles for different users within a single account, allowing for personalized recommendations and viewing histories.
Unlike traditional TV, Netflix does not have ads interrupting content.
Netflix can be accessed on various devices including PCs, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
Pros:
Netflix has a vast and diverse selection of movies, TV shows, and original content.
It offers high-definition and even 4K streaming quality for compatible devices.
The platform is easy to navigate, with intuitive menus and a simple search function.
It allows users to download certain content for later viewing without an internet connection.
Cons:
Requires a paid monthly subscription, which may not be affordable for everyone.
Some movies or TV shows may be removed from the platform due to licensing agreements, so not all content is available permanently.
The available content library may vary depending on the user's location due to regional licensing agreements.
Requires a stable internet connection to stream the content. It can be a problem for people with slow internet speeds.
Netflix does not offer live TV features where you can watch live events like TV shows or sports.
#3. PDFCreator
PDFCreator is a widely used application for Windows that allows users to create PDF documents from various file formats. It acts as a virtual printer, enabling users to "print" documents into PDF format. PDFCreator is known for its user-friendly interface and ability to customize PDF settings.
This makes it a useful tool to deal with PDFs both in home and professional environments.
Features:
It has the ability to convert documents from various formats (e.g., Word, Excel, images, etc.) into PDF files.
You can merge and combine multiple documents into a single PDF file. Find the screenshot below to see the interface.
This software tool offers options for password protection, encryption, and digital signatures to secure PDF documents.
It supports automatic saving and sending of created PDFs to specified locations (e.g., email, folders).
This software tool is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to a global user base.
Pros:
PDFCreator offers a free version with basic features, making it accessible to users on a budget.
The software is known for its intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
Users can save custom settings for different types of PDFs.
Provides options for password protection, encryption, and digital signatures for sensitive documents.
The OCR feature enhances the utility of PDFCreator by enabling the conversion of scanned documents into editable text.
Cons:
The free version may lack some advanced features available in the paid version.
The free version may include ads, which could be a minor inconvenience for some users.
PDFCreator primarily focuses on PDF creation and conversion and does not offer advanced editing features.
This software application to Mac and Linux users.
#4. Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a popular web browser used across various platforms, including Windows. It's known for its speed, privacy features, and extensive customization options that it provides its users.
Firefox is an open-source browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation, and it’s one of the main competitors to browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Refer below to find some useful features and pros and cons of this software.
Features:
Offers a private mode that doesn’t save browsing history, cookies, or other information.
Users can customize the look and feel of Firefox with themes and extensions.
It includes features like phishing protection, malware detection, and regular security updates.
You can synchronize Bookmarks, history, passwords, and other data across multiple devices.
Offers a password manager for securely storing and auto-filling passwords.
Provides a wide range of extensions and add-ons to enhance functionality.
Pros:
Firefox has a strong focus on user privacy, offering features like Enhanced Tracking Protection to block third-party trackers.
Users can personalize Firefox with themes and a vast library of extensions for added functionality.
Being open-source means its source code is available for public scrutiny, which can enhance security and transparency.
Firefox is known for being relatively lightweight and consuming fewer system resources compared to some other browsers like Google Chrome.
Cons:
For users who are used to Google Chrome's ecosystem, it might not provide a more seamless experience.
Some websites or web applications may be optimized for specific browsers, potentially leading to compatibility problems on occasion.
While there are many extensions available, the quality and security of some add-ons may not be as consistent as those in other browsers.
#5. Notepad++:
Notepad++ is a highly popular and versatile text editor for Windows. It is known for its lightweight nature, extensive feature set, and support for a wide range of programming languages. Notepad++ is particularly favored by developers and power users for its functionality and flexibility.
From basic HTML to more complex languages, it offers a text editor for multiple programming languages.
Features:
Automatically highlights the syntax of various programming languages, making code more readable and arranged.
Allows users to work on multiple documents simultaneously, each in its own tab, as you can see in the screenshot below.
Offers powerful search and replace functionality, including support for regular expressions included in programming languages.
Provides suggestions for auto-completion of code snippets. Have a look below for an example.
Allows users to customize the look and feel with themes and various options.
Pros:
Notepad++ is very light on system resources, making it a fast text editor.
Supports a vast array of programming languages and provides syntax highlighting for each.
Offers a range of customization options, including themes, syntax highlighting, and more.
Notepad++ can be used in a portable mode, which doesn't require installation and can be run from a USB drive.
Cons:
Notepad++ is primarily designed for Windows, so it's not available for other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
While it's an excellent text editor, Notepad++ does not have the comprehensive features of a full-fledged Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for specific languages.
Some users, especially those new to coding, might find the extensive options and features overwhelming.
#6.7-Zip
7-Zip is a widely used file compression and decompression software program for Windows. It is known for its high compression ratio, open-source nature, and support for a wide range of archive formats and is considered one of the best free Windows applications.
7-Zip is a versatile tool that is used to compress and decompress files and folders, making them easier to manage, store, and share. Let’s see some of the features and functionalities of 7-Zip.
Features:
7-Zip provides one of the highest compression ratios among similar compression tools, which can lead to smaller file sizes.
It can create and extract files in a variety of archive formats, including 7z, ZIP, GZIP, and more.
Allows users to create self-extracting executable files, which can be opened without the need for a compression tool.
Users can right-click on files or folders to compress or extract them directly from the Windows context menu.
Enables users to split large files into smaller, more manageable parts. Refer to the screenshot below to find out how.
Pros:
7-Zip is completely free to use and is open-source software, which means its source code is available for public access.
7-Zip can handle a broad range of archive formats, both for compression and extraction.
It provides robust encryption options to protect sensitive data.
Easy to download, install, and use.
It's a lightweight program that doesn't consume much system resources and operates quickly.
Cons:
While it is functional, the GUI (Graphic User Interface) of 7-Zip might not be as intuitive or user-friendly as some other compression tools.
Unlike some other compression tools, 7-Zip doesn't have built-in support for cloud storage services.
7-Zip is primarily designed for Windows, so it's not available for other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
#7. GIMP
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful and widely used free and open-source raster graphics editor. It is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, and is often considered a strong alternative to commercial software like Adobe Photoshop.
GIMP is renowned for its versatility, extensive feature set, and active community of users and developers, so you can consider it a safe and reliable software program to use.
Features:
Offers a wide range of tools for photo editing tasks like retouching, resizing, cropping, and color adjustment.
Allows for the creation and manipulation of multiple layers within a single image.
Provides a variety of tools for making precise selections and creating masks.
Supports text layers, allowing users to add and manipulate text within images.
GIMP supports a wide range of image file formats, including popular ones like JPEG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF.
Pros:
GIMP is completely free to use, and its source code is available for public access.
Offers a comprehensive set of tools and features comparable to many paid image editing software.
GIMP is available on Windows, macOS, and various Linux builds, making it accessible to a wide user base.
Due to the large and active user community, you can have access to plenty of tutorials, forums, and resources available for help and guidance.
Users can customize the layout and arrangement of tools and panels to suit their workflow.
Cons:
While powerful, GIMP may not have some of the advanced features found in other software applications like Adobe Photoshop.
Some users, especially those new to image editing, might find the extensive options and features overwhelming.
#8. Paint.NET:
Paint.NET is a popular raster graphics editing software for Windows. It's known for its user-friendly interface, powerful features, and accessibility for both beginners and more advanced users. Paint.NET is often considered a great alternative to basic image editing programs like Microsoft Paint.
This is because it offers more advanced capabilities without the complexity of professional software like Adobe Photoshop.
Features:
Paint.NET provides an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible to users of all levels.
You can create and manipulate multiple layers within a single image.
It offers a range of brushes, shapes, and other tools for creating and editing images.
You can have tools for adjusting brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, and more.
Includes a variety of special effects and filters you can use to enhance your images.
Pros:
The software is designed with simplicity and even general users can use it easily.
Due to its large user base and developer community, it receives regular updates to further enhance its functionality.
It has a large library of plugins to help you add extra features and functionalities.
Cons:
Paint.NET is only designed for Windows, so it's not available for other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
It lacks some advanced features that are available in professional and commercial software applications like Adobe Photoshop.
FAQs
How do I avoid paying for Windows?
There are many ways you can avoid paying for Windows. Some these include:
Upgrade from a Prior Windows Version
Use an Old Windows 7, 8 or 10 Key from Another PC
Don't Activate Windows 10 or 11
Microsoft Student or Teacher Discount
Is Windows subscription only now?
Windows 11 Enterprise can't be purchased as a standalone license. A computer must already be running a qualified, licensed OS to apply for an Enterprise license. Windows 11 Enterprise is licensed on a subscription basis only.
Exploring More About Free Window Applications
Till now, we have learned about the top 8 free Window applications you can use on your PC. These were some of the applications that can be used on Windows PC without paying any additional subscription fee.
All of these applications serve different purposes and can be used to do multiple tasks. While some applications may not allow you to do more than one task, WPS Office Suite is an application that carries different programs to edit text files, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs.
No other office suite has this range of flexibility and compellability. And the best part is that WPS Office is absolutely free to download and use without providing any additional fee.
