If it is true that Windows is an operating system full of functions and tools very open to customization, it is also true that it is possible to install some software to improve it. In particular, we see here some programs that can improve the basic functions of Windows, which are worth adding on every PC to make Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 a better system . These are software to improve the default functions of Windows, which can be left running in the background which can replace the main system management tools and integrated programs .
READ ALSO: The 10 Programs to be installed always and immediately on Windows PC
1) Improve the Start menu
Microsoft with the Start menu has had a lot to work on in recent years.
The original one in Windows XP had been well improved in Windows 7, and then removed in Windows 8.1 causing protests around the world.
Partially returned to Windows 8.1, it has been permanently restored to Windows 10, albeit in a very different way than Windows 7.
Whichever version you use, you can instead install the free Classic Shell program for maximum freedom of customization according to your tastes.
Not only can you use Classic Shell to bring the Windows 7 Start menu back to Windows 10, but also in Windows 7 you can change the behavior and graphics of the Start menu by returning to the appearance of XP or whatever you prefer.
2) Improve file search
Even with Windows 10, Microsoft has not yet managed to speed up the file search function on the computer.
A simple tool like Everything makes searching much faster and more efficient, with a simple interface that can also be used by less experienced people.
We talk about Everything and other programs in another article on programs to search files on the PC faster
3) Improve the functions of the Windows taskbar
With the 7+ Taskbar Tweaker program you can improve the taskbar of the Windows desktop, which has never changed too radically in 20 years.
With this tool, you can customize the distribution of icons on the desktop bar, to make a better order and add more shortcuts and functions, making the bar much more useful and personal.
4) Improve folders
In Windows 10 the explorer resources, that is the interface that appears when opening a folder, has certainly improved compared to Windows 7 and 8, but still it is not comfortable when you have to manage two or more windows.
There are therefore programs like Clover that in addition to making the appearance of the folders similar to that of Chrome, also allows you to open the folders in different tabs and can support them vertically or horizontally.
Clover is among the best programs to open folders with tabbed file explorer on Windows
5) Improve the Task Manager
In Windows 10 and Windows 8, the task manager has improved a lot compared to other editions and has a more detailed and easier to understand view.
However, an overview of everything that happens on the computer is missing and, above all, it is difficult to use to understand if there are hidden malware.
Process Explorer is among the best substitutes for the original Task Manager, complete and also with the possibility of knowing whether a process is good or a possible virus.
Process Explorer, which is also a Microsoft program, is discussed in the article on the best Task managers to manage processes and activities on Windows
6) Improve the management of the automatic start of programs
In the Task Manager of Windows 10 and 8 a tab has finally been put to see which programs start when the computer is turned on in order to disable the automatic executions if you want.
A replacement program like Autoruns, however, is much more complete, covers all boot areas and provides all the information needed to enable or disable entries.
Autoruns, from Microsoft (because it does not integrate it into Windows "> programs to manage the startup of Windows and the computer
7) Improve the tool to uninstall programs
Even the default tool to uninstall programs in Windows has never changed in 20 years.
It's not that it doesn't go well, but it always has the defect of leaving traces and residual files of the programs removed.
If you want to do a complete cleaning of the software you want to remove, there are some programs to uninstall software on Windows much more powerful, such as Geek Uninstaller.
8) Improve copy and paste management
In Windows, when you copy a text or a file, it is saved in memory through the management tool "Clipboard" or Clipboard . The problem is that this tool always remains invisible and hidden and therefore does not allow you to look inside it or perhaps save several notes together.
You can then use a program like Ditto to manage the Windows clipboard.
Those who work with copy and paste every day cannot fail to install this free software.
9) Improve window management
The AquaSnap program is used to manage 4 windows on the screen in a better way than can also be done in Windows 10.
When working with many open windows it is important to keep them under control simultaneously and move them without missing anything.
AquaSnap is available for free, but offers limited functionality and only works on one monitor. You'll have to purchase an $ 18 upgrade for extras such as window tiling and use on multiple monitors.
10) Improve the updating of programs
Windows Update reports system patches and updates, but says nothing about installed programs.
To check for new software updates so that users know when new versions of a program are available it takes an external tool such as SUMO, to automatically update installed programs .
11) Improve the opening of archives
Windows can handle zip files as compressed folders, but it doesn't support other archive formats like 7z or rar.
Among the programs to open and extract files from zip and rar archives we must always install 7Zip .
12) Improve burning discs
Windows supports basic mastering and ISO mastering, but lacks many features and customizations.
A program like Burnaware adds these additional features to Windows and supports all major disc image formats in addition to burning Audio CDs and DVDs.
In another article, the best programs to burn discs on Windows .
13) Improve watching videos
For watching videos and movies on a Windows PC, the Windows Media Player program is absolutely insufficient because it is unable to read many common video formats (it is also no longer updated by Microsoft).
To be sure to open any type of video on your computer, you need a different program which can be VLC, one of the most complete.
14) Improve the Notepad
Since the text editor built into Windows is too basic to write notes and texts, it is much better to replace it with Notepad ++, one of the best programs to write text files, used by millions of programmers to write all kinds of code.
Notepad ++ also supports the reading of even very large files, allows you to count lines, highlight words, make word replacements quickly, search within text and much more.
15) Alternative for Cortana
Cortana voice assistant is a bit slow and not too practical to use unless you really always use voice commands.
Much better, however, to install Listary, a program that allows you to search for anything on your computer just by typing letters on the keyboard. It can be called with a double touch of the CTRL key and it becomes possible to receive instant results when searching for files inside folders, installed apps and Windows functions.
16) Improve the defragmentation feature of Windows
Windows' built-in disk defragmenter tool does reliable work, but doesn't offer much control and advanced features. Much better then to replace it with a defragmentation program such as Defraggler and Smart Defrag with IObit.
17) Improve the Windows registry editor
If we often make changes to the Windows registry keys, given the delicacy of that tool and its unfriendly interface, it is better to use an alternative program to make changes to the registry, such as O&O RegEditor, which has many more functions., facilitates the search for keys, makes everything simpler and any modification safer.
18) Improve the Firewall
Integrated Windows Firewall can suffice in most cases, live hidden in the system and work in silence protecting the computer from external connections.
But if you want more control in deciding which program can access the internet and which one cannot and which can receive and send data externally and have multiple security functions against threats of all kinds, you can install another program.
As a tip, among the best firewalls for Windows, I can recommend Glaswire or Zonealarm.
19) Improve Windows Disk Cleanup
With the Windows internal cleaning tool, you can delete temporary files and installation residues of updates, but it is not possible to delete the traces left by the programs used.
So here comes Ccleaner, a mandatory program for all Windows PC owners.
20) Improve disk space analysis
The disk space analyzer is a feature of Windows 10 that serves to quickly find larger folders with files that take up more space.
There are, however, better programs than the internal Windows tool, to see the space occupied by any folder or file on disk, such as Windirstat, which displays a graph to easily and quickly locate where you can free up space.
Finally, I remember the programs to change everything in Windows 10, which then work in every version of Windows, even 7 and 8.1
