Finding the best apps on Windows can mean a better quality of life when using your Windows device, whether at work or handling your daily activities. There are so many Windows apps on the Microsoft App Store, but here are the best ones, ranging from handling emails to managing your PKM notes on Windows devices; some of these work well for Windows devices using styluses, too.
1. Microsoft To-Do
Best for Tasks
Microsoft To-Do is a clean and simple to-do list application within the Microsoft Ecosystem.
You can manage all your to-do lists online and sync between devices, making it easy and accessible to always have your daily lists on hand. The My Day feature will give you smart suggestions on which tasks and to-dos you should complete for that day. Just add them to your list and tick them off when you are done. You can also share lists with friends, family, and team members to organize events and projects or even to share the weekly shopping list. Microsoft To-Do was formerly Wunderlist.
Microsoft To-Do
Microsoft To-Do is a to-do list application that can be used to manage lists & tasks.
2. Microsoft Loop
Best for Collaboration
Microsoft Loop combines your other Microsoft tools all in one space to create an easy collaborative experience for teams to work together on projects and tasks without having to switch between applications.
Microsoft Loop is made up of workspaces, pages and components to create separate workspaces and workflows for individual projects. Inside workspaces, you can type in keywords to bring in all relevant document suggestions to get started with workspaces. Loop provides a space to have all components of particular projects in one space. For example, the marketing team can have all documents, spreadsheets and notes inside one Loop workspace to collaborate together.
Microsoft Loop
Microsoft Loop combines pages, workspaces & something called Loop Components.
3. Microsoft OneNote
Best for Notes
OneNote provides a digital notebook for all your note-taking needs inside a clean and simple application.
Great for existing users of the Microsoft workspace since they all have a similar feel and interface. Create different notebooks for each project or subject and color-coordinate them to organize your notes a little further. You can create notes for anything: work, education, lifestyle, or just jot down ideas you don't want to forget. Other useful features of OneNote are collaboration abilities, web clippings, the ability to use mixed media like audio recordings and videos, and, finally, the ability to share notes.
Microsoft OneNote
Note-taking and organising app perfect for students, academics and general notes.
4. Superhuman
Best for Emails
Superhuman is the world's fastest email service, giving users around four hours per week, which is usually spent responding to emails, organising messages, and following up.
Superhuman is built for teams that use Gmail and Outlook, so it's a great addition to Windows productivity with its fast chat-like abilities, AI assistance and read receipts. AI can help you write emails that match the tone of your voice, saving time when responding to each message personally. Use the Split inbox to triage your emails so you never miss anything important, emails that need follow-up, or important messages from other productivity tools you use. Superhuman is a great addition to Windows productivity, providing a super fast emailing experience to save time.
5. Freedom
Best for Reducing Distractions
Freedom is a distraction blocker tool that enables users to enter a deeper focus and reduce the risk of distraction and wasting time on other apps and websites.
All you have to do is set up your devices so all distraction blockers are linked, choose the apps and websites you want to block then set a schedule for when you want to focus and avoid being disturbed. You can even block the entire internet to avoid notifications coming in, or the urge to just Google something while you are in focus and create blocklists to begin your focus session quickly.Distractions can take up to 20 minutes to recover from, so people using Freedom have found so much more time to complete projects and tasks thanks to blocking apps and websites.
6. Obsidian
Best for PKM Notes
Obsidian is an in-depth note-taking app often used to create a second brain system for sorting and saving all notes and ideas and to create your own personal knowledge management place to help with projects, ideas, progression, and achievements. All notes are stored locally, so you won't have to worry if they're in a cloud somewhere and could be taken; all notes will be securely stored on your device. Use links to connect ideas to create a stream of meaningful notes, and install plugins to create a workflow.
Obsidian is a great note-taking app for deep thinkers and those who want to stop forgetting all their ideas, and instead store them safely inside an app.
7. Flux
Best for Reducing Eye Strain
Flux allows users to adapt their computer screen to the time of day to avoid the constant use of blue backlight that can affect their sleep, eye health and concentration. Having your screen adapt to different times of the day can reduce eye strain, meaning you can work on your computer for longer. Flux will turn the screen warmer tones, removing the harsh bright blue backlighting. Flux will automatically change the screen, or you can manually make the changes depending on how you want to screen to look.
8. MailBird
Best for Windows Email
Mailbird is a clean, simple and fast email application for Windows to enables users to manage their emails efficiently in one place.
The app has a very Windows and Microsoft feel, making it a familiar feel and easy to get started with. With Mailbird, you can migrate all your accounts and organize your inboxes in one place to avoid switching between email accounts and other applications. It can also help you manage your mail, freeing up time for other important tasks and allowing you to collaborate with your team effectively.
It is an easy-to-use email application for boosting Windows productivity, organizing mailboxes, and working with your team.
