When you think of Microsoft apps, staples like Edge and Teams likely come to mind. However, beyond the pre-installed software, there are hidden gems that can enhance your everyday PC experience.
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Microsoft PowerToys
As great as Windows is, it lacks several features that most people find useful. For instance, there’s no built-in way to remap keyboard keys, pin windows to stay on top, or quickly preview images like you can on macOS.
Instead of relying on multiple third-party apps to fill these gaps, Microsoft PowerToys provides a seamless, all-in-one solution. It offers several handy features, such as resizing images directly from the right-click menu or renaming multiple files at once.
Another particularly handy tool is Awake, which prevents your PC from going to sleep without having to modify system settings. This is perfect for long downloads, presentations, or remote access, where you need your PC to stay active without interruptions.
And that’s just a few of its features. With frequent updates and a growing list of features, PowerToys continues to add useful tools that every Windows user should take advantage of.
Download: Microsoft PowerToys (Free)
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Microsoft PC Manager
No matter how powerful your PC’s hardware is, occasional performance slowdowns are inevitable. Similarly, monitoring storage space and managing apps is something you need to do regularly. Microsoft’s PC Manager is a hidden gem that can simplify these tasks.
One of its most useful features is PC Boost, which lets you free up RAM and clear temporary files instantly with a single click. You can even set it to run automatically when RAM usage spikes or temporary files exceed 1GB. This is a convenient solution if your Windows PC frequently struggles with high memory usage.
When it comes to storage management, PC Manager provides multiple tools to keep your drive clutter-free. With just a few clicks, you can sort through downloaded files and identify large files to free up space without the hassle of manually searching through folders.
However, the most impressive feature is duplicate file detection. You can use it to quickly scan your system for duplicate files and remove them easily.
PC Manager also simplifies app management. Under its Apps tab, it lets you view and terminate running processes, manage startup programs, and uninstall apps without leaving leftover files or registry entries.
All of these features make it effortless to maintain your PC’s performance and storage health, which is why PC Manager is a must-have for your system.
Download: Microsoft PC Manager (Free)
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Microsoft Designer
This may not be for everyone, but if you rely on apps like Canva to design graphics and create stunning visuals, Microsoft Designer is a solid alternative. It’s just as intuitive and easy to use, and you can access most of its features for free with a Microsoft account.
Microsoft has integrated several useful Designer features into the Photos app, such as background removal and image enhancement. However, to unlock its full potential, you need to download the standalone Microsoft Designer app.
Whether you want to create a logo, background, image, sticker, or emoji, you can do it all with a simple prompt, thanks to Microsoft Designer’s AI-powered design capabilities. Beyond that, the tool also offers options to craft posters, collages, banners, and social media posts, making it a versatile choice for all your creative needs.
The app also provides a collection of ready-made templates, allowing you to get started quickly and have your designs ready in minutes. Plus, its intuitive interface ensures that even if you’re new to design tools, you’ll have no trouble navigating and creating stunning visuals effortlessly.
Download: Microsoft Designer (Free)
Windows computers come loaded with all kinds of bloatware, yet surprisingly, Microsoft leaves out a few genuinely useful apps that deserve a spot on your system. I highly recommend giving them a try if you haven’t already. They might just become your new favorite tools!
