Windows is a great operating system, but it is not perfect. That is exactly what we are changing. The internet is full of freeware, but which free software for Windows 10 is actually useful and shouldn’t be missing on your PC? An overview.
Although Windows has matured in recent years, there are still parts that the operating system falls short of. Enthusiastic developers have responded to this and released programs that provide these missing functions. We selected nine pieces.
Better privacy management with R&D ShutUp10
Admittedly, the makers of Windows 10 have worked a lot on the privacy settings in recent updates, so that they are now more organized than in the first versions of Windows 10. Still, things can be done better, the makers of R&D ShutUp 10 have thought. This program gives you extensive control over the privacy settings in Windows 10. It is also nice that you can use the program for free.
In the main window you will find all settings in a row. There are several categories, including for apps and the browser. In the column Recommended see if it is recommended to enable the setting. For example, it is recommended to enable ad blocking via Bluetooth, but the app indicates that it is less useful to always enable camera blocking. click on Actions, Apply only recommended settings to curtail Windows’ privacy options all at once.
Returning to the original situation is possible at any time: choose Actions, Undo all changes (“factory settings”). Important: Make a backup of your system before making the changes. In R&D ShutUp10 you choose this Actions, Create a system restoration point.
Encrypt files with VeraCrypt
Time to put our personal files and folders under lock and key. We do that with VeraCrypt. The files are made illegible using a unique “identifier” (such as a password) and an encryption algorithm. You specify which files should be encrypted. For example, you can choose to encrypt a specific partition or folder and store your personal files in it. The files are housed in an “encrypted file container”, to which only you have access.
Back up your files before encrypting them; also make sure you are completely familiar with the operation of VeraCrypt. Then you choose Create Volume and follow the wizard steps to determine which parts you want to shield. Choose Create an encrypted file container or – when shielding an entire partition or disk – for Encrypt a non-system partition / drive. Follow the further steps of the wizard to encrypt the files.
Manage passwords with KeePass
A good password manager should not be missing in Windows 10. Time to add it yourself. We choose KeePass. This is a free and open source manager that is regularly updated. In the main KeePass window you will find the different password categories, while on the right the services and associated login details are shown. Choose to create a new group Group, Add group. Give the group an appropriate name (for example, Business Passwords or Private Passwords). Then fill the group with the registration details of your services. Choose Entry, Add entry.
Interesting is the wizard with which you can generate strong passwords. You can find it via Tools, Generate password. On the Settings tab you can specify the conditions that new passwords must meet. Always make sure that you have printed an emergency sheet and that you keep it safe: in case of emergency you (or someone you have designated) will find the most important data for accessing the information. Then choose for File, Print, Print emergency sheet.
Dive deeper into Windows 10 and completely customize the operating system using our Tech Academy. Check the Windows 10 Manage online course or go for the Windows 10 Management bundle including technique and practice book.
Recover deleted files with Recuva
The Trash can of course be a nice safety net if you have removed something and you change your mind later, but you can do better. With Recuva you can recover files that you really deleted by accident. A free variant is available; which is satisfactory in many cases for file recovery. In the main window, choose the disk (or partition) on which the files were originally located and indicate which file formats to search for. The search results are shown in a list, after which you can select which files to restore.
Via the preview you can see which file it concerns before you restore it. This is especially useful for photos. The program works as a two-stage rocket: if the file is not found in the normal scan, you can always use the Deep Scan insert: the disc is checked even more thoroughly. The wizard is useful for novice users. This helps with the steps required to retrieve a file.
Programs in tabs with Groupy
Microsoft gave it a try in test versions of Windows 10, but the company has retired the functionality lastly: tabs of different programs in one window. For example, if you are working on a report, you can create one window with a tab with Word, another tab with Chrome and the websites you need for the report, and a tab with Spotify for the necessary relaxation. This way you have one window in which everything is collected for your current work session.
Fortunately offers Groupy this functionality and you are no longer dependent on Microsoft. You can use this to create windows with different programs. Also handy: simply open the window the next day and continue where you left off, including any programs you had open at the time. You can also save the groups of programs to recall them later.
Fix common problems with FixWin
Is Windows not doing what you want and is it showing annoying cures? Windows’ built-in troubleshooters soon fall short. With FixWin you have access to a large list of common and annoying problems for which the program has an automated solution. Consider, for example, thumbnails of documents that suddenly no longer appear in the Explorer or the icon of the Recycle Bin that is no longer refreshed once the Recycle Bin is filled or properly emptied.
The problems are divided into six categories. Open the category to see all problems. If you recognize a problem, click on the button Fix to fix the problem automatically. Sometimes multiple solutions are available for a problem. click on Fix 2 to try the second solution.
Always remember to create a restore point first so that you can return to a point in the past in an emergency. This option is also offered by FixWin.
Drivers up to date with Snappy Driver Installer
With Snappy Driver Installer you can keep the drivers of the system up to date. This program makes an analysis of your system and lists which drivers are needed. It then automatically downloads the latest versions of the drivers. We like to be in control ourselves, so we choose to see a list of available drivers and make a selection of drivers to install eventually. In the main window you can choose from three options: Download All DriverPacks, Download Network Drivers Only and Download Indexes Only. We choose the latter option.
Always back up the computer before installing the drivers. This option is offered by Snappy Driver Installer. Then click on Install. It is nice that the drivers can also be installed offline, so that you are not always dependent on an internet connection. It is a pity that the software does not offer the possibility to add drivers yourself, but otherwise the program is a valuable addition to the standard Windows functionality.
Windows in a virtual machine with Sandboxie
The latest version of Windows 10 Professional introduces Windows Sandbox: a built-in shielded environment in which you can test samples, for example, without affecting the rest of the computer. Such a built-in virtual machine is of course a welcome addition, but unfortunately Windows 10 Home users are not included. No problem: we will add the free program Sandboxie to our own Windows installation.
Sandboxie allows you to run programs in an isolated environment. It is also nice that Sandboxie is not only suitable for Windows 10, but also for earlier Windows versions. To create a new sandbox, choose Sandbox, Create New Sandbox. Provide the group with an appropriate name. Look at DefaultBox for shortcuts to frequently used programs and add new programs yourself. Choose from this Any Program, From Start Menu or Windows Explorer. To show that a program is running in a sandbox environment, the # sign appears.
Remove duplicate files with Auslogics Duplicate File Finder
Finally, keep the Windows environment tidy and avoid filling the system with duplicate files. Identical files are not only redundant, but also take up valuable disk space. For example, several photo folders, in which the photos are duplicated because you have backed up the photo folder of your mobile phone more often. With Duplicate File Finder you will automatically search for such files.
For example, you can have files of a certain type detected, such as music files or photos. Convenient is the option to exclude specific periods or file names. Duplicate File Finder also has a built-in backup function; not an unnecessary luxury if you are going to work hard on thinning the files.
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