Technically, an operating system is only the software you need to run your computer and install software that you can use, but Microsoft has been bundling apps with Windows from the start.While we all appreciated , the company has been criticized for its included software before.I'm looking at , Internet Explorer.
Somehow, Microsoft has managed to both make apps that don't have all the features you actually want, but are also bloated with features no one needs (Copilot, ), or advertising for subscriptions.So how about a nice open-source alternative instead? One without ulterior motives.Microsoft Edge → Use Firefox instead Sometimes losing your edge is the right move I don't want to be too hard on Microsoft Edge.
After all, without it, downloading a better browser would be slightly more involved.You need to access the internet long enough to get the browser you really want, after all.Jokes aside, Edge is far better than Internet Explorer ever was, and it is a modern Chromium-based browser that you absolutely can use as your daily web-browsing app.
Millions of people use Edge every day because it is already on their computer, and they can't be bothered to install something else.However, open a fresh installation of Edge, and you'll find a sidebar packed with Microsoft services, and it's got that Copilot chat button right there at the top too.Yikes.
Worst of all, if you go to the Chrome download page, Edge injects this desperate-sounding popup, or has an actual paid ad when you Google how to download Chrome.Close Somehow, the "added trust of Microsoft" rings hollow when the browser watches what you do to try and influence your decisions at the last moment.But, I'm not suggesting you swap Edge for Chrome.
It's the popular choice, but Firefox or one of its derivatives are in many ways the better option.Mozilla's browser is focused on browsing first.Offers excellent privacy controls, extensive customization, support for thousands of extensions, and a clean interface.
OneDrive → Use Syncthing instead Be out of sync with the masses If you didn't know about OneDrive, Microsoft sure changed that fast as soon as you log into Windows.It's relentless in its efforts to get you to use OneDrive and tries to persuade you with 5GB of free space.Of course, what Microsoft really wants is that you subscribe to Microsoft 365 and get that sweet included 1TB of space.
We actually quite like Syncthing here at How-To Geek and quite a few of us use it.One of my editors, Rich Hein, wrote about how Syncthing helped him ditch OneDrive.To be clear, this isn't a replacement for cloud storage, but if you aren't a paying customer you're probably not using the small amount of free storage in OneDrive to store files in the cloud, but might like to use it to sync files between your devices.
Syncthing will do that for you privately, securely, and for free.UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Plus 4-Bay Desktop NASync CPU Intel Pentium Gold 8505 5-Core Memory 8GB DDR5 With 4 bays available to add up to 136TB of storage, the UGREEN NAS DXP4800 can store all of your data safely and securely.Drive Bays 4 Dimensions 10.14"D x 7.01"W x 7.01"H Weight 3.79 Kilograms $657 at Amazon Expand Collapse Outlook (new) → Use Thunderbird instead Or just use a web-based client? Microsoft's new Outlook attempts to unify email, calendars, contacts, tasks, and cloud services into a single application.
That sounds good on paper, but is less so in practice.My colleague Patrick Campanale was less than lyrical about this new version of the email client everyone's IT department makes mandatory.He calls out confusing settings, ads in his inbox, and recommends everyone give it a skip and find a better client.
That client is another Mozilla banger in the form of Thunderbird.My editor, Rich, also made the switch to Thunderbird and observed that "Thunderbird gets the basics right without the extra noise and urgency." Clipchamp → Use Kdenlive instead A no-clip cheat Clipchamp was never exactly iMovie or anything, but it's free, and you can edit clips with it, so what's there to complain about? Lots, as it turns out.Microsoft bought Clipchamp back in 2021 to "empower creators", but loading the app up today feels more like another space to fit ads for Microsoft 365.
I actually quite liked Clipchamp before Microsoft made it what it is today, but now it just feels clunky and not as simple as it should be.Also, why on earth do I have to be signed in to this app if I just want to trim a video game clip? If you're going to get a free video editing app for your Windows PC, download Kdenlive instead.It's a proper multi-track editor that's more in line with the features you get with iMovie and a little beyond that even.
Sure, it's got a bit more of a learning curve to it than Clipchamp, but in the end you'll get more value from it.My colleague Nick Lewis likes it so much, he installs it on every PC, plus it also runs on Linux and macOS.Why not go open source all the way? You know, if you're going to replace a bunch of apps with open-source alternatives, why not try going all the way? Linux is easier to use than ever, and there are even distros of Linux specifically designed for former Windows users, such as Zorin OS.
We've already ditched plenty of other apps for polished open-source alternatives too.So come on over to the FOSS side, it's nice.
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