Windows does not have default programs to achieve specialized tasks. We have to install specialty programs from third-party sources. Most Windows software requires a paid subscription. Instead of paying for those programs, I found free alternatives to the premium Windows software. This guide walks you through the programs I use instead of premium options.
1. BleachBit
I use BleachBit as a replacement for CCleaner Pro. While CCleaner is available for free, deep-cleaning features require a paid subscription. BleachBit is a free alternative to CCleaner that you can use to clean your Windows PC.
BleachBit improves the performance of your PC by cleaning browser data, temporary files related to the PC, backed up files, and everything that is not required to run on the PC.
Microsoft does not recommend using programs that clean or tweak Registry entries. BleachBit fits the bill, as it does not access registries in any way. Though I can use the built-in tools to clean and recover space on my C drive, I have to manually run commands to overwrite free space. Even with the CCleaner’s Drive Wiper feature, it is a manual process, while BleachBit automatically overwrites data after cleaning the PC.
2. Bulk Crap Uninstaller
To uninstall programs or the bloatware that comes with Windows, I use Bulk Crap Uninstaller (BCUninstaller). It is a replacement for paid programs like Revo Uninstaller. It allows me to find all the installed programs on my PC, select them, and choose to uninstall them if I do not find them useful.
When I uninstall a program with BCUninstaller, it also searches for leftover files and offers to delete them. It lessens the hassle of clearing those files manually.
The filtering options in BCUninstaller make it easy to find and delete unnecessary programs. Using the filters, I can hide Microsoft programs, necessary system components, Windows store apps, etc., and find programs that are safe to uninstall.
Additionally, I can easily find programs that are potentially harmful with the colors they are listed with on BCUninstaller.
3. Google Docs
A subscription to Microsoft 365 is good, but I prefer to use yet another free Windows software alternative, Google Docs. Though I have a choice to use Microsoft 365 web apps for free, there is no pressure with Google Docs to get a subscription to use all the features, and it works out well for me.
The first thing that led me to Google Docs was its accessibility on my PC and phone. I can seamlessly access my documents, be it on the PC, or on the move. Microsoft 365, however, requires me to log in with a Microsoft account separately.
As we all know, Google gives free 15 GB of storage for each Gmail account. It gives me extra space to create more documents and store them as long as I want. The 5 GB of free storage offered with a Microsoft/Outlook account fills up too quickly with documents, emails, and attachments.
Tip: use LibreOffice over Microsoft 365 apps if you need standalone programs on your PC.
4. GIMP
I use GIMP as a free alternative to the expensive Adobe Photoshop. Except for the neural filters and AI features, GIMP has everything that is in Photoshop. I am able to color-correct images, add text to them, and improve the looks on GIMP.
In addition, Adobe Photoshop takes up tons of system resources, with many processes, like Adobe Creative Cloud running in the background. GIMP uses less system resources and doesn’t cause the computer to slow down or hang.
5. Kdenlive
I edit videos that have simple transitions, titles, tracking, and a few video-stabilization requirements. For this, I shifted from Premiere Pro to Kdenlive, a free video editor. It uses fewer resources and can run on low-end PCs, unlike resource-hungry Adobe Premiere Pro.
I tried other free video editors, but I found them incomplete with their features. Some lack the intuitiveness of professional programs, some lack regular updates, and some lack the features to make a video better, like tracking tools. Kdenlive has all of those features and can handle many video and audio formats.
Kdenlive has an active developer community around the world that makes it better every day without making it hard to run on any computer.
6. Audacity
I sometimes edit audio for the videos I make. The edit requires removing background noises, fixing audio levels, and making the vocals sound better by removing the hicks, adding bass, etc. Audacity is a perfect program for any kind of audio editing from basic to professional-level usage.
I can record vocals, and use the gaps in the track to make the Audacity program learn about the possible noise in my recording environment, and then choose to remove the noise in a few clicks. Whatever I want to do with the audio recording, Audacity has the features.
When I struggle to find a feature or learn how to do some audio effects using Audacity, I can easily find a tutorial on the web because of the large user base.
7. 7-Zip
For all the compression and file archiving needs on my PC, I use 7-Zip, a lightweight program that works well on my PC.
I used other programs like WinRAR a few years back and were tired of seeing their pop-ups whenever I tried to do an archiving. 7-Zip works silently when I require it, and I do not feel its presence otherwise.
To archive a folder, I can simply right-click on it and select to archive with 7-Zip. It does not open the 7-Zip file manager to complete the tasks – just a tiny window is enough to see the progress.
Working silently in the background when I require it, having better compression, and archiving features with the ability to set passwords and compress large files into multiple smaller files, made 7-Zip a default archiving program on my PC.
Wrapping Up
I am an advocate of free software. I also hate to find paid programs running tons of process in the background and cause my laptop to run slow. If you are looking for free Windows software alternatives with better performance on low-end PCs, start with these seven.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Guru Prasad.
