“What should I load on my new Windows computer?” asked a friend, knowing I would have an opinion. I started to make a list, then realized, I could do one better. In this blog entry, find my list of preferred

• Windows tools,
• Browser extensions, and
• iOS smartphone apps.

Feel free to post @mguhlin@zirk.us if you have some suggestions of your own.

A Bit of Nostalgia

When I look at this list, I’m taken back in time to my Apple //e days, when I had a few 5 and a quarter floppy disks loaded with some of my favorite tools. I took to calling those miscellaneous utilities “MISCUT” for short. The name stuck, and I grew up with 3.5 inch disks, and USB drives named MISCUT. I even had different numbers assigned to MISCUT media, denoting their function.

At 13 years of age, I had come up with a simple way to organize the world around me. Funny that at 55+ years of age, I’m still relying on that system.

Windows Programs

Tool	Description
7-Zip	File archiver with high compression ratio
ATube Catcher	Download videos and convert to variety of formats
Audacity	Free, open-source audio editor and recorder
Canva App	Graphic design and visual content creation platform
Free Commander	Free version of a professional file manager
HandBrake	Free, open-source video converter
Hemingway App	Writing analyzer app for improving writing clarity
IrfanView	Fast and compact image viewer and editor
Lightshot	Image and screenshot capture and annotation tool
MP4 Splitter	Simple tool for splitting videos quickly and easily
Mullvad VPN	VPN service for secure browsing on multiple platforms
OBS Studio	Free, open-source screencasting and streaming software
OnlyOffice	Free, open-source office suite for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations
OpenShot Video Editor	Free, open-source video editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux
ParanoiaWorks Secure Space Encryptor	File and text encryption tool with steganography feature
PDF Reader by Xodo	Free PDF editor, organizer, and annotator
PDFSam Visual	Powerful tool for editing and modifying PDF files
Shotcut Video Editor	Free, open-source video editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Signal	Private messaging app with end-to-end encryption
Sumatra PDF	Free, open-source PDF viewer
Thorium	Open-source, customizable web browser

Web Browser Extensions

Tool	Description
Bitwarden Password Manager	Make password management easy
CSV Editor	View, Upload, Edit Comma-Separated Values (CSV) files in the browser
Custom Scrollbars	Get colorful scrollbars that are wider and bigger than usual scroll bars on your browser
Fireshot	Take screenshots of any webpage, including ones you have to scroll down and output in any format, like PDF, PNG, whatever
Lightshot Screenshot and Annotation tool	Screenshots and annotations
Copy selection as Markdown	Copy any webpage as markdown
OneTab	Manage your tab clutter
PixelBlock	Block unwanted tracking attempts in your email
Reader View	Get rid of clutter when viewing a webpage, simplifying look
Ugly Email	Stop email tracking
Video Download Helper	Download video from websites
Xbrowser Sync	Sync up your bookmarks and extensions across browsers easily

iOS Smartphone Apps

Tool	Description
Action Movie FX	Add Hollywood FX to iPhone and iPad movies that you shoot.
AESCrypt	Secure file encryption app for iOS.
Audible	Listen to audiobooks while commuting, exercising, relaxing at home, or anywhere else you go.
Authy	Two-factor authentication (2FA) app for securing your accounts.
Bitmoji	Create personalized emojis and use them in various messaging apps.
Canva	Free-to-use online graphic design tool for creating social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos, and more.
CapCut	Free all-in-one video editing app for creating stunning videos.
ChatGPT	AI-powered chatbot that helps with writing, learning, brainstorming, and more.
Chirp	Free, open-source tool for programming your radio, supporting a large number of manufacturers and models.
Claude	AI-based assistant for brainstorming ideas, getting quick answers, and analyzing scenes and images.
Disney+	Stream new releases, timeless classics, and past seasons of your favorite TV shows.
DuckDuckGo Browser	Privacy-focused web browser that helps you search and browse more privately.
eBoox	Free, ad-free book reader supporting various formats like fb2, epub, pdf, doc, and more.
Epilogue	Companion app for Micro.blog to track books you are reading or want to read.
Facebook	Social networking app to connect with friends and family.
FE File Explorer	Powerful file manager app that can access files on local storage, computers, NAS, and cloud storages.
Flipboard	Social magazine app that curates content on thousands of topics from world-renowned publishers and the community.
FxGuru	Create Hollywood sci-fi and action movie special effects for mobile videos.
Green Screen by Do Ink	Create videos, images, and GIFs by combining visual elements such as photos, videos, text, drawings, animations, and the live camera.
Hulu	Stream TV shows and movies, including award-winning classics, blockbuster movies, and exclusive Originals.
Instagram	Social networking app for sharing photos and videos.
Joplin Notes	Open-source note-taking app with support for multimedia notes and end-to-end encryption.
Kindle	App for reading millions of books, magazines, newspapers, comics, and manga.
Mammoth	Social networking app for Mastodon, helping you find friends and people to follow based on your interests.
Meta AI	AI-based chatbot for quick and accurate answers to a wide range of questions.
Micro.blog	Social networking app for microblogging.
Mimi	Hearing test app that provides understandable results in just 5 minutes.
Mullvad VPN	VPN service for secure browsing on multiple platforms, protecting your privacy online.
Netflix	Stream movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
NetNewsWire	Free and open-source RSS reader for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
Paramount+	Stream hit movies, exclusive originals, live sports, and more.
Peacock	Stream new movies, hit TV shows, Originals, live sports, news, and more.
Perplexity	AI-powered answer engine that provides accurate, trusted, and real-time answers to any question.
P.F.E.	Professional file encryption app for iOS.
P.T.E.	Professional text encryption app for iOS.
Prime Video	Stream movies, TV shows, and sports, including Amazon Originals.
ProMovie Recorder	Feature-rich video camera app for iPhone and iPad.
Proton Drive	Secure cloud storage service that allows you to access your files anywhere.
Proton Mail	End-to-end encrypted email service that is private by default.
Rotate & Flip	Simple tool for rotating and flipping videos.
Strata for Micro.blog	Encrypted note-taking app
Super Power FX	Add comic book-inspired visual effects to your videos.
Threads	Social networking app for sharing text updates and joining public conversations.
TikTok	Short-form video platform for creating and sharing videos.
Voice Recorder Pro	Free, full-featured audio recording app for Android with high-quality recordings.
Wavelength	Party game app for playing remotely or in person.
Waze	GPS navigation app that provides real-time traffic updates and route guidance.

Micro.blog Specific Apps

Tool	Description
Epilogue	Companion app for Micro.blog to track books you are reading or want to read.
Micro.blog	Social networking app for microblogging.
Mimi	Hearing test app that provides understandable results in just 5 minutes.
Strata for Micro.blog	Encrypted note-taking app
Wavelength	Party game app for playing remotely or in person.

What would you add to these lists?