Introduction

A roundup of useful, mostly free desktop applications that make work more efficient and less frustrating.

Microsoft PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of productivity-enhancing tools for Windows, allowing users to manage windows, pin applications, and remap keys.

FancyZones

Is it possible to use a 21:9 monitor without this tool? It allows you to configure custom window layouts, set shortcuts, and override Windows 11's default window-switching shortcuts. You can also create different window layouts for various work scenarios.

AlwaysOnTop

Keep a window (e.g., a terminal) always visible on top of other applications.

File Locksmith

Unlock files that are being used by system processes.

Workspaces

Group applications into predefined environments that can be launched with a single click.

Keyboard Manager

Remap keys for a more customized experience. Particularly useful for minimalist keyboards like the MS Designer.

Other Tools

Stickies

An advanced sticky notes app for quick, temporary notes.
Official Website

Epic Pen

A screen annotation tool, great for presentations, streaming, and quick notes.

WinMerge

Compare files side-by-side.

AutoHotkey

A well-known automation tool with nearly limitless possibilities. Requires some learning.

Espanso

An auto-expander for text replacement and automation.

Tabby

A visually pleasing and highly customizable terminal manager.

Flameshot

My favorite screenshot tool:

• Anonymization features,
• Color inversion,
• Many other options.

RoboBasket

A paid automation tool that categorizes files automatically.

ActivityWatch

A self-hosted work-tracking tool. Logs time spent on tasks, focus levels per window, and allows category assignment based on names or keywords.

Obsidian

A powerful note-taking app. Its main advantage is independence—Vaults are based on plain Markdown files. It supports linking between notes and generating a knowledge graph, making organization easier. Alternatively, you can try Logseq.

Le Dimmer

A primitive app that dims all windows except the one in focus. Unfortunately, there’s nothing better for Windows.