Every fresh Windows 11 install brings the same question: what do you add first to make the machine truly useful? The Pocket‑lint roundup of “five essential apps I can’t live without on Windows” argues for a small, practical toolkit — PDFgear, HWMonitor, VLC Media Player, Steam, and Microsoft PowerToys — and each choice is worth a deliberate look for anyone building a fast, flexible PC setup.
When you unbox a new laptop or rebuild a desktop, default Windows tools will get you started, but they often leave gaps for everyday power‑user tasks: robust PDF editing, low‑level hardware telemetry, universal media playback, gaming storefront and social integration, and lightweight productivity add‑ons. The Pocket‑lint author says they install the five apps below before anything else because they change daily workflows more than browsers or music services do. That claim maps to a recurring pattern in Windows communities — users repeatedly reach for specialized utilities to fill functional holes left by out‑of‑the‑box Windows.
This feature examines each app in depth: what it actually does, why it matters for most Windows users, how trustworthy the claims are, real‑world strengths and weaknesses, security and privacy considerations, and practical installation or configuration tips. Wherever a technical claim is verifiable (supported by vendor documentation or independent reporting) it is checked against official sources and reputable independent coverage.
These apps are not magic—each comes with trade‑offs in telemetry, update cadence, or configuration complexity—but together they deliver a balanced, versatile toolkit that makes a freshly installed Windows PC feel fast, capable, and ready for real work or play. Where claims could vary by system or policy (for example, enterprise install constraints or deeply sensitive document workflows), proceed cautiously and verify features against your environment before adopting them as defaults.
Source: Pocket-lint 5 essential apps I can't live without on Windows
Background / Overview
When you unbox a new laptop or rebuild a desktop, default Windows tools will get you started, but they often leave gaps for everyday power‑user tasks: robust PDF editing, low‑level hardware telemetry, universal media playback, gaming storefront and social integration, and lightweight productivity add‑ons. The Pocket‑lint author says they install the five apps below before anything else because they change daily workflows more than browsers or music services do. That claim maps to a recurring pattern in Windows communities — users repeatedly reach for specialized utilities to fill functional holes left by out‑of‑the‑box Windows.This feature examines each app in depth: what it actually does, why it matters for most Windows users, how trustworthy the claims are, real‑world strengths and weaknesses, security and privacy considerations, and practical installation or configuration tips. Wherever a technical claim is verifiable (supported by vendor documentation or independent reporting) it is checked against official sources and reputable independent coverage.
PDFgear — a pragmatic, free PDF toolbox
What Pocket‑lint says
Pocket‑lint recommends PDFgear as a free alternative to the locked‑down parts of Adobe Acrobat’s free tier: edit PDFs, convert files to Word or PNG, compress scanned files for email, and sign documents without a subscription. The author describes frequent real‑world use cases — compressing phone scans, converting to editable documents, and quick signing — that make PDFgear a go‑to on a fresh Windows install.Verification and features
PDFgear’s official product pages list the features Pocket‑lint highlights: text and image editing, annotations, OCR (text extraction from scanned documents), conversion to/from Word, Excel, PPT, image export, and a compress/optimize tool designed to reduce scanned file sizes. The vendor positions PDFgear as a cross‑platform solution with freemium capabilities and a focus on ease of use. (pdfgear.com)Strengths
- Feature density for a free tool: PDFgear offers many functions that are behind Acrobat paywalls, notably straightforward conversion and compression tools.
- Cross‑platform availability: Windows app plus mobile clients can help when scanning documents with a phone and finishing edits on a PC.
- Useful for scanned documents: The OCR and compress features are specifically handy when mobile scanning produces large images.
Risks and caveats
- Trust and telemetry: PDF editors touch sensitive documents. While PDFgear is marketed as a trustworthy tool, users should treat any third‑party document editor with caution: check privacy settings, avoid uploading highly sensitive documents to cloud conversion services, and review whether the app stores or syncs files externally.
- Default app quirks: Community reports show occasional issues where Windows’ default app settings don’t list PDFgear cleanly, requiring manual association by file type. That’s a manageable friction point but worth knowing before relying on it as your default reader. (reddit.com)
- Unverified claims: If you rely on enterprise‑grade redaction or long‑term legal compliance features, verify on a per‑feature basis — some advanced capabilities (secure redaction, audited signatures) may still live behind paid tiers.
Practical recommendations
- Use the bundled Export and Compress tools when emailing scans — test quality vs. size to balance legibility.
- Avoid granting network or cloud permissions for highly confidential files unless you confirm encryption and retention policies.
- If default app association does not appear, set the default by right‑clicking a PDF and choosing Properties → Change… as a reliable workaround. Community threads document this workaround for Windows 11. (reddit.com)
HWMonitor — transparent hardware telemetry
What Pocket‑lint says
The author uses HWMonitor to keep an eye on CPU and GPU temperatures, clock speeds, RAM usage, and — on laptops — battery wear and charge level. They prefer its simplicity compared with vendor OEM software like Corsair iCUE or Armoury Crate.Verification and features
HWMonitor is published by CPUID and explicitly reads sensor data from onboard chips, on‑die CPU cores, GPU sensors, SMART drives, and battery telemetry where available. The official pages list voltage, temperature, fan speed, power and clock readouts and note a PRO edition for extended features. HWMonitor’s release notes and version history show ongoing updates for the latest CPU and GPU generations, which is important for accurate telemetry on modern machines. (cpuid.com)Strengths
- Low friction: Lightweight, straightforward UI that exposes raw sensor data without vendor skinning.
- Broad hardware support: Reads LPCIO chips, S.M.A.R.T. drive temps, CPU core temps, and GPU sensors, which is sufficient for most monitoring needs.
- Good for diagnostics: When performance is sub‑par, HWMonitor helps separate thermal throttling from driver or power‑management issues.
Risks and caveats
- Interpreting data requires context: Raw temperature or wattage numbers are useful only if you know safe thresholds for your CPU/GPU model. Cross‑reference manufacturer TDP and thermal limits before acting.
- No action automation: HWMonitor reports — it doesn’t control fans or power profiles. If you need automated thermal controls, pair it with vendor tools or third‑party fan controllers.
- Battery wear accuracy: Battery wear metrics are informative but can vary across manufacturers; use them as an indicator, not absolute proof of failure.
Practical recommendations
- Install HWMonitor to baseline idle and loaded temps.
- Stress the system (benchmarks or gaming) while watching HWMonitor to detect thermal throttling patterns.
- Use the data to decide whether BIOS/driver updates, dusting, repasting, or fan tuning are required.
VLC Media Player — the Swiss Army knife of playback
What Pocket‑lint says
VLC is described as the default replacement for Windows Media Player: it plays almost anything (MP4, MKV, FLAC, MOV, DivX, and more), handles subtitles and multiple audio tracks, and is ideal for previewing phone footage before editing. The author installs VLC on every PC.Verification and features
VideoLAN documentation confirms VLC’s long‑standing claim: it plays files, discs, streams, webcams and supports an extremely wide range of codecs and container formats. Official feature lists emphasize hardware decoding, subtitle support, audio filters, and extensive container/codec compatibility. VLC is free and open source, which reduces the risk of bundled adware. Recent coverage also highlights ongoing development into AI‑powered local subtitling, underscoring active project momentum. (images.videolan.org)Strengths
- Unmatched format coverage: Rare or old codecs usually play without extra codec packs.
- Flexible subtitle and audio track handling: Simple in‑player selection makes it ideal for reviewing recorded media quickly.
- Privacy and offline capabilities: Local playback does not require cloud services; the open‑source model increases transparency.
Risks and caveats
- UI is utilitarian: VLC’s interface is functional but not always polished; casual users may prefer modern skinning or alternative players for day‑to‑day music libraries.
- Feature overkill for some: For users who only stream and use cloud music services, VLC’s breadth is unnecessary.
- Occasional performance quirks: Hardware decoding behavior can vary across systems and builds — if playback stutters, try toggling hardware acceleration in settings.
Practical recommendations
- Keep VLC as the default for file‑based playback and use streaming apps (or the Microsoft Store) for subscription media.
- Update VLC periodically; VideoLAN maintains active releases that add format and hardware support.
- Use VLC’s conversion and trimming tools for quick edits without opening a full editing suite.
Steam — the gaming ecosystem and software hub
What Pocket‑lint says
Steam is the author’s top pick for gaming: the canonical store, social layer, and platform for everything from indie classics to high‑profile free titles. They emphasize that Steam is valuable even on non‑gaming laptops because many great, low‑spec games are available and there are numerous free‑to‑play options.Verification and features
Steam is Valve’s long‑running digital distribution platform and social network for gamers. The service combines a storefront, library, social features, achievements, and remote play functionality. Steam also hosts many free titles and a thriving mod and workshop ecosystem. Notable free games that demonstrate Steam’s accessibility include community pillars such as Dota 2 and Counter‑Strike 2; Counter‑Strike 2 moved to Source 2 and launched publicly in September 2023 as a free replacement to CS:GO. Steam’s scale and features make it the default hub for PC gaming. (en.wikipedia.org)Strengths
- Comprehensive ecosystem: Storefront plus social, achievements, and community content.
- Huge catalogue with frequent discounts: Steam sales remain the easiest way to build a PC game library affordably.
- Free membership gate: Many popular free‑to‑play titles are excellent entry points that let you test the platform without hardware strain.
Risks and caveats
- Client bloat and telemetry: The Steam client is large and can be intrusive with notifications and background processes; users should audit settings for auto‑updates and background downloads.
- Monetization models vary: Free games often use microtransactions; treat F2P titles as experiments rather than guaranteed long‑term commitments.
- Platform lock‑in: Purchased titles are tied to a Steam account; account security is paramount. Use two‑factor authentication and strong passwords.
Practical recommendations
- Install Steam early if you plan to game or want to test hardware with games.
- Explore low‑spec indie classics and free‑to‑play titles first to understand performance headroom.
- Harden your account with Steam Guard and consider the privacy settings for your profile and friend list.
Microsoft PowerToys — official utilities that unlock Windows
What Pocket‑lint says
The author calls out Microsoft PowerToys as a must‑have from Microsoft itself: the suite adds productivity features such as a Command Palette (Spotlight‑like launcher), Peek file previews, and a Color Picker. They cite PowerToys as a lightweight way to customize Windows 11 and boost productivity straight from the Store.Verification and features
PowerToys is an open‑source suite maintained by Microsoft on GitHub. Recent releases added the Command Palette (a more extensible evolution of PowerToys Run), improved Color Picker, Peek file preview enhancements, and other utilities like FancyZones, Image Resizer, and PowerRename. Reporter coverage of recent updates highlights a redesigned settings dashboard, hotkey conflict detection, and continual performance improvements. The toolkit is explicitly aimed at power users and is distributed free via GitHub and the Microsoft Store. (github.com)Strengths
- Official backing and active development: Microsoft stewardship reduces operational risk and helps integration with Windows updates.
- Small, focused tools: Each utility is narrowly scoped and can be enabled/disabled independently.
- High productivity ROI: Command Palette and FancyZones alone can radically change how you navigate and arrange workspaces.
Risks and caveats
- Hotkey conflicts: As PowerToys adds more global shortcuts, conflicts can crop up with other apps or Windows itself; recent updates add conflict detection but users should audit and customize key bindings. (windowscentral.com)
- Rapid change cycle: Frequent updates bring features but can introduce regressions; keep a backup plan for critical workflows.
- Permissions: Some modules (e.g., Mouse utilities, Peek) require elevated permissions; review those prompts before granting admin access.
Practical recommendations
- Install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or GitHub and selectively enable only the modules you need.
- Assign and document custom hotkeys to avoid conflicts; use the new conflict detection features when available. (windowscentral.com)
- Use FancyZones to create reproducible, multi‑monitor window layouts that speed window management dramatically.
Comparing the stack: why these five?
Pocket‑lint’s list is notable because it mixes categories rather than duplicates them: document tools (PDFgear), hardware monitoring (HWMonitor), media playback (VLC), platform (Steam), and system productivity (PowerToys). That diversity is the point: each app addresses a different, persistent pain point on fresh Windows installs, which means installing them early tends to reduce friction for a wide range of everyday tasks. Community discussion and long‑running recommendations across Windows user groups confirm the same picks and adjacent alternatives (Everything, 7‑Zip, VLC, PowerToys, Steam) as common day‑one installations.Quick feature comparison (practical lens)
- PDFgear: Best for editing, converting, compressing PDFs without paywalls.
- HWMonitor: Best for low‑overhead, raw sensor reporting and baseline diagnostics.
- VLC: Best for playing any local media file or quickly previewing phone footage.
- Steam: Best all‑in‑one storefront for PC gaming and community features.
- PowerToys: Best official set of small productivity utilities that integrate with Windows.
Security, privacy, and maintenance — what to watch for
- Audit permissions: Any app that touches files (PDF editors) or runs background services (Steam, PowerToys) should be checked during install for optional telemetry or cloud sync toggles. Keep only what you need enabled.
- Keep sensitive documents offline: For legal or financial documents, prefer locally installed tools with explicit offline modes and avoid one‑click cloud conversions unless you trust the provider’s policy.
- Software updates matter: HWMonitor and VLC regularly add compatibility for new CPUs/GPUs and codecs; run updates for accurate telemetry and playback stability. (cpuid.com)
- Account security: For platform accounts (Steam), enable 2FA and store recovery keys securely.
- Fallback plans: If a new app interferes with defaults (PDF associations, hotkeys), know how to revert: Windows’ Default Apps and PowerToys hotkey settings are the first places to check.
Alternatives and when to choose them
These five are excellent, but they’re not the only sane choices. A few alternatives to consider:- For PDFs: SumatraPDF (lightweight reader) or PDF-XChange Editor (feature rich).
- For monitoring: HWInfo64 (more granular sensors and logging) or vendor tools for fan control.
- For media: mpv (scriptable CLI player) or PotPlayer (Windows‑centric, feature heavy).
- For games: Epic Games Store, GOG Galaxy, or Xbox App for Microsoft ecosystems.
- For productivity: Everything for instant file search, AutoHotkey for advanced automation, or third‑party launchers if PowerToys isn’t enough. Community roundups across Windows forums and tech sites frequently recommend these as situational complements.
Final verdict — who should install these first?
- Install these five first if you:
- Regularly handle PDFs and want editing without a subscription.
- Want instant visibility into thermal and power behavior for troubleshooting.
- Play or test local media files often and need broad codec support.
- Plan to game, test hardware with games, or want a centralized game/social ecosystem.
- Want immediate productivity wins from window management, quick launching, and color inspection.
- Skip or delay if you:
- Use enterprise‑managed devices where admins lock installs and default tools are mandated.
- Prefer only store‑verified apps and avoid third‑party software (in which case stick to PowerToys from the Microsoft Store and VLC from official channels if allowed).
- Don’t need gaming services or advanced PDF editing in daily workflows.
Installation and first‑hour checklist
- Download and install VLC from the official project distribution.
- Install HWMonitor for baseline telemetry; run a quick idle vs. stress test.
- Install PDFgear and test conversion/compression on a sample scanned page.
- Install Steam, sign in, enable Steam Guard, and try a free title like Dota 2 or a lightweight indie.
- Install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store, enable Command Palette and FancyZones, and customize hotkeys.
Conclusion
Pocket‑lint’s “five apps I can’t live without” is a compact, well‑chosen starter pack for many Windows users. Each selection — PDFgear, HWMonitor, VLC, Steam, and Microsoft PowerToys — solves a persistent, day‑to‑day problem that the default Windows environment often leaves exposed: document handling, hardware visibility, universal playback, gaming and content distribution, and lightweight system productivity enhancements. The claims in the original piece align with vendor documentation and independent reporting: PDFgear legitimately offers broad free PDF functionality, HWMonitor is a dependable hardware sensor reader, VLC remains the most format‑agnostic media player, Steam is the dominant PC gaming platform with many free offerings, and PowerToys is a continually evolving official toolkit that modernizes small parts of the Windows experience. (pdfgear.com)These apps are not magic—each comes with trade‑offs in telemetry, update cadence, or configuration complexity—but together they deliver a balanced, versatile toolkit that makes a freshly installed Windows PC feel fast, capable, and ready for real work or play. Where claims could vary by system or policy (for example, enterprise install constraints or deeply sensitive document workflows), proceed cautiously and verify features against your environment before adopting them as defaults.
Source: Pocket-lint 5 essential apps I can't live without on Windows
