Windows Tools Every Power User Should Know
Windows is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world, not necessarily because it is the most powerful or professional, but because it’s the system most users grew up with and the one that runs on computers across the globe. This makes it difficult for many people to switch to another operating system. If we can’t abandon Windows, the least we can do is improve it.
There’s no need to look for an alternative OS with fewer features or less bloatware. Thanks to a variety of advanced tools, it’s now possible to gain greater control over Windows and shape it according to your own vision of a clean, efficient, and professional operating system.
In this article, we share a curated selection of the best Windows tools and utilities that can completely change the way you use and experience Windows.
1. Microsoft PowerToys
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| Microsoft PowerToys |
Free and open-source, Microsoft PowerToys is one of the most powerful tools Microsoft has developed in recent years to add new features and significantly improve the overall Windows experience.
PowerToys is designed to give users advanced customization options far beyond the default Windows settings. It does this through a powerful collection of smart utilities that can completely change how you interact with the operating system.
PowerToys includes a large and constantly growing set of tools, with new utilities added in almost every update. Some of the most notable ones include:
- FancyZones: Allows flexible window and screen layouts, far more advanced than Windows’ default snapping system.
- Workspaces (a personal favorite): Lets you create custom workspaces that launch multiple apps at once. With a single click, all your predefined applications open together.
- Keyboard Manager: A powerful alternative to AutoHotkey for remapping keyboard keys and assigning custom actions.
- PowerToys Run: An advanced system-wide search tool (similar to Spotlight on macOS) for quickly finding files, apps, and system commands.
With regular updates and continuous feature additions, PowerToys stands out as one of the most essential productivity and customization tools for Windows power users.
2. Explorer Patcher
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| Explorer Patcher |
Tired of extra software and built-in bloatware in Windows 11? Then Explorer Patcher is the perfect tool to improve your Windows experience and restore some of its classic usability.
Explorer Patcher is an open-source utility developed specifically for Windows 11 users who prefer a more traditional experience similar to Windows 10, especially in terms of navigation, system behavior, and core interface elements.
This tool allows deep customization of the Windows interface, including the taskbar, Start menu, and system icons. It gives users greater flexibility and control over how Windows looks and behaves.
What makes Explorer Patcher stand out is its simplicity and ease of use. With just a few settings, you can restore the classic Start menu, reposition the taskbar to the top or bottom, re-enable features removed in Windows 11, and improve window navigation.
Explorer Patcher isn’t just about appearance, it can also help improve system performance, an issue many Windows 11 users have recently noticed, especially during heavy workloads.
3. Windhawk
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| Windhawk |
Windhawk is a relatively new tool compared to the other utilities mentioned in this article. It’s designed specifically for Windows users who are tired of unnecessary built-in features and add-ons, and who want deeper, more precise control over their operating system.
Unlike traditional or surface-level customization tools, Windhawk provides advanced system-level modifications that affect both Windows behavior and installed applications.
One of Windhawk’s biggest strengths is that it allows non-technical users to apply powerful tweaks easily. This is done through ready-made scripts (mods) developed by the community, which are “injected” into the system to perform specific functions, without requiring coding knowledge.
Some of the most popular uses of Windhawk include redesigning File Explorer, modifying the Start menu, and controlling how windows behave when launching applications.
Windhawk features a full marketplace of ready-made mods, complete with descriptions explaining what each tweak does. Simply read the details, install the mod, apply it through Windhawk, and instantly see the changes reflected in your system.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Windhawk is open-source and has already built a large and active community focused on developing and sharing powerful Windows mods.
4. Microsoft PC Manager
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| Microsoft PC Manager |
PC Manager quickly caught users’ attention with its first release, and after several updates, it has become one of the best utilities available for Windows.
The idea behind PC Manager is to completely replace well-known system “optimization” tools that claim to clean and speed up your PC (such as CCleaner or IObit SystemCare) and instead offer an official Microsoft solution that does the same job… and more.
Microsoft PC Manager provides a range of useful features, including cleaning temporary and unnecessary files to free up storage space, a Startup Apps tool to disable programs that run at boot and speed up system startup, and a utility for detecting large files so you can identify what’s consuming the most disk space.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of PC Manager is that it’s free and extremely lightweight, especially when compared to other tools offering similar functionality, making it a reliable choice for both casual users and power users.
5. Winaero Tweaker
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| Winaero Tweaker |
The interface may not look very appealing at first glance, but the tools it offers are powerful, advanced, and truly exceptional.
Winaero Tweaker is one of the most powerful free tools for customizing Windows and unlocking hidden system settings. What makes it stand out is that it goes far beyond surface-level tweaks, giving users access to deep system options that aren’t available through default Windows settings, including changes that directly affect the Windows Registry.
The tool includes dozens of customization options, such as controlling the look and feel of the Windows interface (colors, fonts, menus), modifying File Explorer behavior, adjusting taskbar settings, customizing the login screen, adding hidden shortcuts, and enabling or disabling specific Windows features.
Winaero Tweaker also offers performance-related tweaks that improve usability, such as disabling unnecessary background services or removing default Windows limitations. Thanks to frequent updates, it remains fully compatible with the latest versions of Windows, including Windows 11.
6. Rectify11
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| Rectify11 |
Rectify11 is an open-source project that focuses primarily on improving the visual consistency and interface design of Windows, rather than adding functional system tools.
Although Microsoft introduced Windows 11 with a more modern and refined design compared to previous versions, the operating system still contains visual inconsistencies and legacy elements inherited from older Windows releases. This is where Rectify11 comes in, its name literally means “to fix or correct”, and that’s exactly what it aims to do.
Rectify11 works by redesigning and modernizing many system components such as old dialog boxes, menus, icons, and control buttons, aligning them with Windows 11’s Fluent Design language. It also updates fonts, symbols, and visual styles to create a more unified and fluid user interface.
If you find the Windows 11 interface inconsistent or visually frustrating, Rectify11 is an excellent solution for achieving a cleaner, more cohesive, and visually pleasing Windows experience.
7. OneCommander
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| OneCommander |
Unlike the previous tools, OneCommander doesn’t aim to change how Windows functions at a system level. Instead, it focuses on delivering a modern and powerful alternative to File Explorer, offering a radical upgrade in both design and functionality.
OneCommander is built to provide a more productive and fluid file management experience. It features a clean, modern interface with highly requested features such as tabbed browsing, allowing users to move between folders and files quickly and efficiently.
The program supports multiple themes, which can be downloaded from the official website, along with customization options for fonts and layout styles. It also allows the installation of additional extensions to create a fully personalized file explorer experience.
Despite being packed with features, OneCommander remains lightweight and easy to use, making it suitable for both casual users and professionals, especially those looking for a more flexible and modern alternative to the default Windows File Explorer.
9. Winhance
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| Winhance |
Winhance is one of the newer Windows 11 customization tools created to meet users’ demand for deeper visual tweaks beyond what Microsoft offers by default.
In many ways, Winhance is similar to tools mentioned earlier (such as Explorer Patcher), but it stands out for being lightweight and for offering certain features not commonly found in other customization utilities.
What truly sets Winhance apart is its simplicity and ease of use. Compared to more complex tools, it provides a clean and straightforward interface that allows users to apply changes quickly, such as resizing the taskbar, modifying system icons, adding visual effects, or restoring classic elements from older versions of Windows.
It’s worth noting that Winhance is primarily designed for Windows 11. However, it also includes a few useful tools that can be applied to Windows 10, especially those focused on performance optimization and system improvements.
10. OpenShell
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| OpenShell |
We conclude this article with OpenShell, a free and open-source tool that can greatly help in customizing the Windows interface. It was previously known as Classic Shell, so you may still find tutorials and guides under that name.
OpenShell is one of the most well-known tools for Windows UI customization, especially when it comes to the Start Menu. Its primary goal is to restore the classic Start menu design that many users loved in older Windows versions such as Windows 7 and Windows XP, while also offering extensive customization options.
OpenShell provides multiple Start menu styles to choose from, along with the ability to customize icons, fonts, and colors to match your personal preferences. It also includes advanced features such as fast app and file search, custom shortcuts, and control over system button behavior, including the Windows key itself.
Conclusion
Windows remains one of the most flexible operating systems in the world, especially for users who know how to unlock its full potential. With the right tools, you can go far beyond the default experience and shape Windows to match your workflow, preferences, and performance needs.
The tools covered in this article are not just cosmetic tweaks; they offer deep customization, productivity improvements, and performance enhancements that are typically used only by power users and experts. Whether you want a cleaner interface, faster system behavior, or greater control over how Windows works, these utilities give you the freedom to transform your operating system into a more efficient and professional environment.