Better Alternatives to Default Windows 11 Apps

Windows 11 comes with a slew of default apps that are, for the most part, pretty decent. However, there are some alternative apps out there that are much better than the default ones.

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best alternatives to Windows 11’s default apps.

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Why Use Windows’s Alternate Apps?

For starters, alternative apps for Windows 11 offer more features than the default apps. They give users more control over how they use their devices and can even help them work faster and more efficiently.

Additionally, some of these alternatives are open-source, which means that users have the option to customize them to their liking.

In addition to this, some of these alternate apps are better in terms of security and privacy. This can be beneficial for those who want to keep their data safe from hackers or other malicious actors.

Finally, many of the Windows 11 alternative apps are free, which means users don’t have to spend money on software just to get the features they need.

Now that we’ve established why you should use Windows 11’s alternative apps, let’s look at some of the best ones.

Better Alternatives to Default Windows 11 Apps

#1. Notepad ++: Alternative for Notepad

notepad ++

Notepad ++ is a great alternative to Notepad. It offers more features, such as syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and file comparison. Due to the limitations of Notepad, it is often not the best choice for developers and power users. Notepad ++ is the perfect alternative for those who need a more powerful text editor.

Notepad++ is an open-source Notepad replacement with a tonne of features. It is an effective tool for coders because it supports more than 50 programming and scripting languages.

To make coding quicker and simpler, Notepad++ also provides a variety of auto-completion capabilities and keyboard shortcuts. The software also offers the option to use macros and add plugins, both of which increase its functionality.


#2. VLC Media Player: Alternative for Windows Media Player

VLC Media Player

Windows Media Player is the default media player on Windows 11, but it offers limited features and lacks support for certain audio/video formats. On the other hand, VLC Media Player is a great alternative that offers more features and supports a wider range of audio/video formats.

It also offers better usability than Windows Media Player. For example, it has an intuitive user interface and allows users to customize their experience by adding plugins, skins, and other tweaks.

Moreover, the software is free and open-source, which means users can customize it to their liking. Though Windows 11 comes with various media players like the Groove Music player, Movies & TV app, and Windows Media Player, the VLC Media player is still the best option for playing audio/video files.


#3. Mozilla Firefox: Alternative for Edge Browser

firefox browser

Microsoft Edge is the default browser on Windows 11, but it can be slow and lacks features like tab grouping, picture-in-picture mode, and an ad blocker.

Mozilla Firefox is a great alternative that offers all of these features along with other useful ones, such as private browsing, tracking protection, and sync across multiple devices. It is faster than Edge and also supports a wide range of extensions. Plus, it is open-source and completely free.

Though Microsoft has made it difficult to change the default web browser in Windows 11, users can still change it manually. Thus, if you’re looking for a better browser than Edge, Mozilla Firefox is a great alternative.


#4. Paint.net: Alternative for Paint

Paint.net

Paint.net is a free, open-source alternative to Microsoft Paint that offers more features than the default paint program. It has basic image editing capabilities such as cropping and resizing images, but it also includes advanced tools like layers, gradients, and brushes.

Additionally, unlike Microsoft Paint, which only supports a limited number of file formats, Paint.net supports a wide range of image file formats. Microsoft may have deprecated the classic version of Paint in Windows 11, but users can still get the same functionality using Paint.net or other alternatives like GIMP or Krita.


#5. Everything: Alternative for File Explorer

Everything

Everything is a great alternative to the Windows 11 file explorer. It offers faster search capabilities and allows users to find their files with just a few keystrokes quickly.

The software also provides detailed information about each file or folder, such as its size, path, and other attributes. Plus, it displays the total number of files and folders in the system as well.

For users who have to search through large numbers of files frequently, Everything is a great alternative to the Windows 11 File Explorer.


#6. TeraCopy: Alternative for File Copying

TeraCopy

TeraCopy is a great alternative to the default file-copying process in Windows 11. It offers faster speeds and allows users to pause and resume transfers, which can be helpful when dealing with large files or slow networks.

The software also provides detailed information about each transfer, such as its size, time elapsed, and more. Plus, it supports a wide range of file formats and can be used to move files from multiple sources to one location.

Though Windows 11 comes with the default file-copying process, TeraCopy is still a great alternative for users who need faster speeds or more advanced features.


#7. Speedcrunch: Alternative for Calculator

Speedcrunch

Speedcrunch is a great alternative to the Windows 11 calculator. It offers various features like unit conversions, scientific functions, and graphing capabilities.

The software also has an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to use. Additionally, Speedcrunch supports both keyboard and mouse inputs, which can be helpful for users who want to use shortcuts or perform calculations quickly.

Overall, Speedcrunch is a great alternative to the Windows 11 calculator and can help users save time when doing calculations.


#8. Inkscape: Alternative for Paint 3D

Inkscape

Paint 3D is the default image editor in Windows 11, but it lacks some of the features that are available in more advanced image editors like Inkscape.

Inkscape provides more features than Paint 3D, such as the ability to create complex vector graphics and use multiple layers. Additionally, it supports various formats of images and can be used to create logos, icons, banners, and other designs.

Overall, if you’re looking for an image editor with more features than Paint 3D, Inkscape is a great alternative.


#9. HWiNFO: Alternative for System Information

HWiNFO

HWiNFO is a great alternative to the Windows 11 system information tool. It provides detailed information about hardware components in the system, such as processor speed, RAM usage, and more.

The software also includes real-time monitoring that allows users to track their system performance over time. In addition, HWiNFO supports a wide range of hardware components and offers accurate reports of system performance.

HWiNFO is a great alternative to the Windows 11 system information tool that can help users diagnose issues or monitor their systems more effectively.


#10. LibreOffice: Alternative for Microsoft Office

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a great alternative to Microsoft Office in Windows 11. It offers all the basic features of MS Office, such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.

The software also supports various file formats and can open documents created with other programs like Word or Excel. Additionally, LibreOffice provides advanced features, such as macros and automatic formatting.

All in all, LibreOffice is an excellent alternative to Microsoft Office in Windows 11 that provides all the basic features and some advanced ones as well.


#11. Process Explorer: Alternative for Task Manager

Process Explorer

Process Explorer is a great alternative to the Windows 11 task manager. It allows users to view detailed information about programs that are running in their system, such as memory and CPU usage.

The software also has a feature that can be used to terminate processes that are not responding. Additionally, Process Explorer provides real-time monitoring of system performance and can be used to track resource usage over time.

Overall, Process Explorer is a great alternative to the Windows 11 task manager that can help users troubleshoot system issues or optimize their computers for better performance.


#12. IrfanView: Alternative for Photo Viewer

IrfanView

IrfanView is a great alternative to the Windows 11 photo viewer. It supports various image formats, and lets users quickly view, edit, and convert images.

The software also has a range of advanced features such as batch processing, effects, filters, and more. Additionally, Irfanview can be used to create slideshows, capture screenshots, and even edit videos.

IrfanView is a great alternative to the Windows 11 photo viewer that can help users easily view and manage their images.


#13. DisplayFusion: Alternative for Display Settings

DisplayFusion

DisplayFusion is a great alternative to the Windows 11 display settings in Control Panel. It provides advanced features for customizing and managing multiple monitors, such as arranging windows across multiple screens and setting different wallpapers on each one.

The software also includes extra tools, such as an application launcher and hotkeys for quickly performing common tasks. Additionally, DisplayFusion supports various themes and allows users to customize their window borders.

In conclusion, DisplayFusion is a great alternative to the Windows 11 display settings in Control Panel that offers advanced features for managing multiple monitors.


#14. ShareX: Alternative for Snipping Tool

ShareX

ShareX is a great alternative to the Windows 11 snipping tool. It has a range of features for capturing and managing screenshots, such as screen recording, image editing, and more.

The software also allows users to upload their images directly to various online services or save them in local folders. Additionally, ShareX supports hotkeys and offers tools for quickly performing basic tasks.

All in all, ShareX is a great alternative to the Windows 11 snipping tool that can help users capture and manage screenshots more efficiently.


#15. CCleaner: Alternative for Disk Cleanup

CCleaner

CCleaner is a great alternative to the Windows 11 disk cleanup tool. It can be used to quickly delete temporary files, clean up junk data, and manage startup items.

The software also has an optimization feature that can be used to disable unnecessary programs or services that are running in the background. Additionally, CCleaner supports scheduling tasks and can be used to clean up the system on a regular basis automatically.

Overall, CCleaner is a great alternative to the Windows 11 disk cleanup tool that can help users keep their systems running smoothly.


Summing Up

With the right alternatives to default Windows 11 apps, users can easily find the software they need for day-to-day tasks. Whether it’s an image editor, system information tool, Microsoft Office alternative, task manager alternative, or photo viewer alternative – there are plenty of options available that can help you get the most out of your Windows 11 operating system.

We hope this article has provided you with enough information to make an informed decision about the best alternatives for default Windows 11 apps.

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