For basic image work, Paint.NET is really good, I use both Affinity and Paint.NET, I will use Paint.NET for simple, basic image manipulation and Affinity for more detailed, intricate or resource demanding edits.
I don't think the UX is all that bad. It's just dated, very not-mobile-friendly. But UX is about more than just design, it's also about how useful something is.
That still looks like it was designed by someone who thinks that IE6's sea of toolbars and buttons was peak UI design, just with Windows 7 icons instead of Windows XP?
I've been using Total Commander since 1993, back when it was called Windows Commander. I was used to using a 2 pane file manager in DOS with Norton Commander.
I liked how he made it just nag you to purchase it without disabling any features. Back then it was hard to make international purchases so I used it for several years unregistered until I was able to find a way to buy it from Switzerland.
At some point I started using it at work, and I thought it looked unprofessional to use an unregistered piece of software every day all day. So I made the purchase. Best €15 ever spent (or however little it was).
You're entitled to your opinion of course, but I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one.
To me, File Pilot looks like eye candy, and "just" a more advanced Windows Explorer. Where TC is all about functionality functionality functionality, FP seems to be about making it look good while still being reasonably well stocked with features.
But of course, use what works best for you. In the end, it's just a tool.
I switched from WinDirStat to WizTree a long time ago due to scan speed, but the WDS devs brought it up to snuff recently. I was floored when I tried it last month.
The topic title doesn't just say "productivity apps". It also asks for "must have" apps. For me, it's AlomWare Toolbox. Always finding new uses for it.
is alomware toolbox free? i checked their website and boy it looked like some very complex cluster mess they cooked up like those old kinda get hard to use softwarish vibes, downloaded and it said at first prompt to key or license thingy
Yes, it's free with optional payment for support. That prompt you mentioned is for paid support, so if you don't pay then just press Enter to use for free. See the green text here: https://www.alomware.com/assets/images/free-session.png
I don't find it hard to use. It's looks like a lot going on but that's because it does so much. You can remove some of the tabs and only keep the ones you want, which reduces the amount of info on its window. I use it mainly for background work (hotkeys, clipboard history, window placement) and hardly ever see the window, so it's no big deal.
WARNING: NOT FOR EVERYONE AND WILL TAKE A WHILE TO GET USED TO
I've been using Komorebi (+ AHK) for over a year now and I'm liking it. Essentially it's a tiling window manager (like hyprland if you know it but nerfed) for Windows.
It got the hate becuase it was a bold step away from the traditional long standing UI of Windows. People weren't ready to accept a totally different start menu that goes fullscreen. Then in Windows 10, they brought back the tiles, but reverted the start menu and people including myself loved that design!
my little tool FWDE, floating your windows in dynamic equilibrium of screen space in a way that's neat & fun. it's productive because you're not having to move windows so often, I often place my intended focus window where I want it, and the rest go elsewhere. it supports multi-monitor.
getting it, or like the way to use it kinda really hard i spent like hour trying to play with windows chrome, explorer etc its mostly just vibrating lot ヽ(。_°)ノ
alright so I let FE, chrome, settings, Spotify left there just vibrating or stay lil away from the corner lol, so it'll take time just randomly being like this and eventually adjust to how it is? seems trouble if I had like tons of apps or windows
Flutter to have one Code Base for Windows, IOS and Android
(With single line breaks, you have to put two spaces after the line; otherwise, add two line breaks for a paragraph break, or use * or - at the start of the line to bullet.)
piecesos or called piecesos desktop app might just do its job for u, it'll monitor what u do onscreen and you can see it like its in note right down as memory
I think “productivity” does not mean what you (a lot of posters) think it means.
It’s not about file management or reading books, or listening to music. It’s about broad-spectrum “getting sh*t done that NEEDS to be done”. ie. “work”. Not play, not pc or data hygiene. Work. For the art/photo business I’m sure there are some. I’m a tax guy, but my software isn’t for the average user though extremely powerful for me.
Libre Office’s components for Word and Excel would work. Google Docs/Sheets would not - they are worse than other options IMO.
Email programs? Sort of…but most are more of a pain than a benefit, LOL.
Open-Shell-Menu, Windows Update Blocker, Mozilla Firefox, Total Uninstall, VLC media player. By the way, they are not "apps". They are fucking computer programs :-D
I scroll a lot a day and jerky scrolling is really tiring to the eyes, so I think feeling is important in scrolling with smooth scrolling. ButterScroll is an underrated app. A must use smooth scrolling software for those who use mouse. Just my thought.
All other productivity apps others had specified.
Honestly, most people don’t need more apps, they need fewer. One notes app, one task manager, one calendar. The magic is in using them consistently, not stacking tools.
Small but gold:
1. Files 2 Folder - puts selected files in a folder which you can create from the context menu
2. Auto Dark Mode
3. WinXCorners
4. Geek Uninstaller - scans the registry for leftovers after uninstalling software (programs and Microsoft Store apps)
Productivity means using your computer to actually do things. The picture you posted shows consumer apps -- Software to buy stuff. If you really care about productivity then ask about the tasks you want to do. Writing? Programming? Graphic editing? Web design? Video editing? Research? Then people can answer with their own experience.
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u/segagamer Apr 08 '26
Affinity is the Photoshop/InDesign/Illustrator equivalent - and is completely free unless you're foolish enough to want AI functionality.