Speed Up Windows with Lightweight Replacements for Core Tasks

Windows ships with a respectable set of built‑in utilities, but for many users those apps feel like checkbox features: serviceable, occasionally sluggish, and often lacking the power or polish needed for real work. A compact set of community‑driven, lightweight replacements can dramatically speed up common tasks without taking over your system—and many are free, actively developed, and far more capable than their bundled counterparts. The MakeUseOf piece that inspired this sweep of replacements makes precisely that point, recommending alternatives such as VLC + AIMP, Notepad++, ImageGlass, SpeedCrunch, Paint.NET and PowerToys Run as practical, lightweight swaps for Windows’ defaults.

Background / Overview​

Windows’ bundled applications cover the essentials, but several systemic design choices make many of them poor fits for modern workflows. Two recurring problems stand out: inconsistent feature depth (simple viewers without advanced options) and a user‑experience tradeoff that favors integration over raw performance. More recently, Windows 11 changed how default apps are set: the OS now leans on per‑extension associations, which can make switching to third‑party apps more cumbersome than it used to be. Microsoft’s official guidance shows the per‑file‑type approach and clarifies the required steps to change defaults. (support.microsoft.com)
The upshot is straightforward: if you spend serious time with media, code, photos, math, or rapid launching, there are lightweight alternatives that will both speed common tasks and avoid the resource bloat of some modern built‑ins. Below is an in‑depth, practical guide to the most useful swaps, why they work better, and what to watch out for when you adopt them.

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Media: VLC for video + AIMP for music​

Why replace Movies & TV / Windows Media Player​

Microsoft’s Movies & TV (and legacy Windows Media Player) prioritize codec licensing and battery‑aware playback, but they don’t always support the breadth of consumer formats or the advanced playback controls power users need. For video and local streaming flexibility, VLC is the default recommendation. For music listening, AIMP offers deeper audio features and audio‑first design.

VLC: the universal player​

VLC is the canonical “plays almost anything” player: open‑source, cross‑platform, and engineered to handle files, discs, network streams, and an enormous range of codecs out of the box. It includes subtitle synchronization, hardware‑accelerated decoding, streaming protocols, and granular audio/video filters. The VideoLAN documentation and project pages make VLC’s goals clear: minimal friction, broad codec support, and no ads or telemetry. (docs.videolan.me, videolan.org)
Benefits:

• Plays virtually every common and many obscure formats without extra codec packs.
• Lightweight startup and responsive playback controls.
• Robust subtitle and streaming capabilities for local network and internet streams.

Risks and caveats:

• Advanced users who need integrated DRM or commercial streaming platform support still rely on vendor apps.
• VLC’s many options can overwhelm casual users; stick to sane presets if you want simplicity.

AIMP: a music player built for fidelity​

AIMP is a long‑running Windows music player focused on sound quality and low overhead. Its engine supports 32‑bit audio processing for equalizer and effects, and the player handles high‑quality codecs (FLAC, APE, ALAC, etc.) and a broad plugin/skin ecosystem. The project site and independent references document AIMP’s long history and its feature set oriented toward audiophiles and library managers. (aimp.ru, en.wikipedia.org)
Benefits:

• High‑quality audio processing (32‑bit pipeline for effects).
• Lightweight and fast; supports an extensive range of lossless formats.
• Highly configurable UI and playback behavior, with volume normalization and an active plugin community.

Risks:

• Some advanced streaming and cloud features require additional setup or plugins.
• The interface, while flexible, can be busy; conservative configuration is recommended.

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Text and code: Notepad++ instead of Notepad​

Why Notepad falls short​

Windows Notepad has improved—recent builds added Markdown preview and AI‑powered helpers—but for editing structured text, code, or even managing multiple open files, Notepad is intentionally minimal. Notepad++ fills the gap with syntax highlighting, tabs, macros, and plugin support.

Notepad++: small, extensible, and optimized for text work​

Notepad++ provides syntax highlighting for dozens of languages, tabbed editing, regular‑expression search/replace, macro recording, large file handling, and a plugin administration system. The project’s documentation and GitHub resources show an ecosystem of plugins and active maintenance; community‑supplied plugins add code formatting, linting, and language‑specific tools. (github.com, en.wikipedia.org)
Benefits:

• Supports many programming and markup languages with syntax highlighting and folding.
• Tabbed interface, multi‑view split editing, macros, and powerful find/replace.
• Plugin architecture allows tailoring features without bloating the core program.

Risks:

• Plugin compatibility can vary between 32/64/ARM builds—install plugins matching your Notepad++ build.
• Not a full IDE: language servers and deep static analysis remain the domain of VS Code or full IDEs.

Practical tip:

• Download the 64‑bit build for modern PCs unless you need specific 32‑bit plugins.
• Install only essential plugins from the official plugin list to keep the app lean. (github.com)

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Image viewing: ImageGlass instead of Windows Photos​

Why Photos can frustrate photographers​

Windows Photos aims to be a polished, integrated viewer and organizer, but users often report it’s sluggish when browsing large folders or RAW files, and its editing capabilities are intentionally light. ImageGlass offers a viewer‑first experience—fast navigation, minimal chrome, and broad format support—so it’s better for quick culling and previewing.

ImageGlass: fast, minimalist, and format‑savvy​

ImageGlass is explicitly engineered to be a fast image viewer. Its documentation lists support for over 80 formats (including RAW, HEIC, WEBP, SVG), powerful navigation options, live folder monitoring, and basic editing actions like lossless rotation and cropping. The developer offers a free “Classic” release and a Microsoft Store version that includes seamless auto‑updates (a paid option after a trial). ImageGlass’s feature list and reviews highlight the difference: viewer speed and format coverage over heavy editing integration. (imageglass.org)
Benefits:

• Fast image loading and smooth folder navigation—noticeable with RAW stacks.
• Support for modern formats (AVIF, HEIC, WebP) and frame navigation for animated formats.
• Lightweight UI focused on viewing and quick operations.

Risks and notes:

• The Microsoft Store “Store” version offers auto‑updates for a fee; the Classic download on the project site is free. Price and store offerings may vary by region—verify at install. (imageglass.org, techspot.com)

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Calculator: SpeedCrunch for scientific work​

Why switch from the built‑in Calculator​

Windows Calculator covers basic arithmetic and a basic scientific mode, but if you need high precision, quick formula entry, or a keyboard‑driven interface, a dedicated scientific calculator is faster.

SpeedCrunch: keyboard‑first, high‑precision calculator​

SpeedCrunch is a compact, keyboard‑centric scientific calculator that evaluates expressions as you type, offers over 80 built‑in functions, unit conversions, and up to 50 digits of precision. Its formula book and auto‑completion speed common tasks, and it’s cross‑platform and open source—ideal for engineers, scientists, and power users who want accurate, repeatable calculations without launching a heavier app. (heldercorreia.bitbucket.io, betanews.com)
Benefits:

• Immediate expression evaluation, large precision (up to 50 digits), and a searchable functions list.
• Lightweight UI and excellent keyboard navigation for fast calculations.
• History and session export for reproducible work.

Risks:

• Not a CAS (computer algebra system): it’s for numeric work and quick formula use, not symbolic math like Mathematica.
• Desktop calculator apps are low‑risk, but verify precision and rounding behavior before using for critical financial or engineering calculations.

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Lightweight image editing: Paint.NET versus Paint​

Why Paint is limited​

MS Paint is handy for quick doodles or screenshots, but lacks layers, undo depth, and advanced effects. Paint.NET provides a surprisingly robust middle ground between Paint and heavyweight editors like Photoshop.

Paint.NET: layers, effects, and performance​

Paint.NET offers layers, a robust set of selection and transformation tools, numerous filters and adjustments, plugin extensibility, and an active community producing effect plugins. The official documentation highlights its optimized rendering engine, full color management, and the fact that updates are delivered automatically (Microsoft Store edition) while the classic download is free. (getpaint.net)
Benefits:

• Layer support, unlimited undo (bounded by disk), and a wide plugin ecosystem unlock advanced edits without learning Photoshop.
• Fast, optimized performance on modern hardware.
• Great for quick composites, batch tasks, and small‑scale editing workflows.

Risks:

• Not a full professional suite: features like non‑destructive smart objects, advanced RAW workflows, or robust CMYK print pipelines are limited compared with professional tools.

Practical tip:

• If you rely on automatic update convenience and want to support development, consider the Microsoft Store edition; otherwise download the classic build from the official site. Community plugins can add specialized filters and file formats.

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Launcher and quick search: PowerToys Run (Command Palette)​

Why Windows Search can frustrate​

Windows Search often prioritizes web results or is slow to surface local files; its background indexer can also consume unexpected resources depending on settings. PowerToys Run (now evolving under PowerToys toward a “Command Palette” model) provides a fast, Spotlight‑style launcher with extensibility and built‑in tiny utilities.

PowerToys Run / Command Palette: Spotlight for Windows​

PowerToys Run is a keyboard‑driven launcher that indexes apps, files, and settings and supports inline calculations, unit conversions, clipboard history, and plugin extensions for terminal commands, registry lookup, and more. The PowerToys project on GitHub and recent coverage document a steady maturation into a modern launcher, with Microsoft actively extending it into a Command Palette experience that broadens functionality and polish. (github.com, theverge.com)
Benefits:

• Instant app and file launching with a keyboard shortcut (customizable).
• Inline calculations, quick system commands, and plugin ecosystem for extended workflows.
• Lightweight memory footprint compared with always‑running, heavy search services.

Risks and caveats:

• You need to install and maintain PowerToys separately; it’s not a Windows default.
• Some organizations may restrict PowerToys use for security or policy reasons—check corporate policy.
• The tool continues to evolve; experimental features may change behavior between releases. (windowscentral.com, zapier.com)

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Installation, default app assignment, and practical migration tips​

Switching defaults in Windows 11 is straightforward but sometimes fiddly because of the per‑extension approach:

• Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
• Search for the app to set as default, or search a file extension (e.g., .mp4, .jpg) and assign the new default. Microsoft documents this per‑type process and the options to set defaults by file type or by application. (support.microsoft.com)

Helpful tips:

• When changing a media player default, set it for the most common extensions you use (.mp4, .mkv, .webm, .mp3, .flac).
• If Windows “locks” a default (Photos is frequently cited), removing or re‑registering the offending app can be required; community reports and Microsoft forums document edge cases and fixes—back up settings and read guidance before removing system apps. (techcommunity.microsoft.com)
• Prefer official download sources (project website, GitHub releases, Microsoft Store) to avoid bundled installers.
• Keep a short list of trusted utilities; grab them with a package manager like winget or a reputable updater tool to simplify maintenance.

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Security, privacy, and update considerations​

• Update channels: Some projects offer both a classic direct download and a Microsoft Store build (ImageGlass, Paint.NET). Store builds provide automatic background updates but may include a fee; direct downloads are usually free but require you to run the app updater. Decide which model fits your update policy and security posture. (imageglass.org, getpaint.net)
• Elevated services and indexing: Tools that run as services or require elevated privileges to index file systems (Everything, for example, is frequently run as a service) demand scrutiny in multi‑user or corporate environments. Grant minimal privileges required and verify behavior on a test machine.
• Source trust: Prefer open‑source projects with public repositories and active communities when possible—this increases transparency and speeds security fixes. Check GitHub or official project pages before installing.
• Corporate policy: Many organizations lock down installs or disallow non‑Microsoft Store apps. Confirm with IT before deploying alternatives on managed machines.

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Final verdict and recommended starter kit​

If you installed Windows and feel the system apps slow you down or limit your workflow, consider this compact starter kit of lightweight replacements:

• VLC (video) + AIMP (music) for universal media playback and high‑quality audio. (videolan.org, aimp.ru)
• Notepad++ for text and quick coding tasks; install only the plugins you need. (github.com)
• ImageGlass as a fast image viewer for photographers and people who browse large image folders. (imageglass.org)
• SpeedCrunch for high‑precision calculations and engineering work. (heldercorreia.bitbucket.io)
• Paint.NET for layered image editing that won’t overwhelm your machine. (getpaint.net)
• Microsoft PowerToys (Run / Command Palette) for a Spotlight‑like launcher and quick utilities. (github.com, theverge.com)

Each of these tools replaces a narrow slice of built‑in functionality with something more focused and faster; together they preserve system responsiveness while offering a markedly better day‑to‑day experience.

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Critical analysis: strengths and tradeoffs​

• Strengths
• Performance and responsiveness: These third‑party apps are optimized for single tasks (viewing, editing, launching), which makes them snappier than multi‑purpose built‑ins.
• Feature density where it matters: Advanced playback options, syntax support, image format coverage, and precision math are delivered without large memory footprints.
• Community and extensibility: Open‑source and plugin ecosystems let users add exactly what they need without inflating the baseline install.
• Tradeoffs and risks
• Fragmentation of defaults: Windows’ per‑extension default model complicates switching; you may need to explicitly assign dozens of types to a single app.
• Update and support variance: Community projects vary in release cadence and QA. Using Microsoft Store editions simplifies updates but can cost a small fee or send part of the payment to Microsoft.
• Corporate compliance: In managed environments, security policies or admin controls may prohibit these installs or restrict elevated indexing services.

Where claims were verified

• VLC’s broad codec support and streaming capabilities are documented on VideoLAN’s site and in the VLC user docs. (docs.videolan.me, videolan.org)
• AIMP’s 32‑bit audio processing and format support are shown in the official AIMP pages and project summaries. (aimp.ru, en.wikipedia.org)
• Notepad++’s syntax highlighting, plugin ecosystem, and language support are documented in the project wiki and release notes. (github.com, en.wikipedia.org)
• ImageGlass’ dual release model (Classic vs Store) and format support are explicit in its documentation. Note that the store price and update policy can change by region—verify during installation. (imageglass.org)
• SpeedCrunch’s precision and function count are described on the project pages and corroborated by independent reviews. (heldercorreia.bitbucket.io, betanews.com)
• PowerToys Run’s (Command Palette) role as a Spotlight alternative and its plugin architecture are documented on the PowerToys GitHub and covered by tech press. (github.com, theverge.com)

Flagged or unverifiable claims

• Any specific price quoted for a Microsoft Store release (ImageGlass, Paint.NET store versions) can vary by region and time; treat store prices as approximate and check the Store during purchase. Where the MakeUseOf piece referenced a fixed fee for an auto‑update store version, that fee may differ by locale or change over time and should be verified at checkout. (imageglass.org)

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Replacing built‑in apps is a small investment of time that pays dividends in daily speed and workflow fluidity. These lightweight alternatives—selected for performance, focused features, and active development—give you better tools without the cost or complexity of heavier suites. Adopt them incrementally, verify defaults for the file types you use most, and prefer official downloads or store editions when update policy is important. Your system will feel cleaner, faster, and more under your control.

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Source: MakeUseOf I Replaced Windows’ Built‑In Apps With These Lightweight Alternatives