Awesome-Windows/README.md

# <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Awesome-Windows/Awesome/master/media/main-awesomeWindows.png" width="400" alt="awesome windows">

[![Join the chat at https://gitter.im/Awesome-Windows/Awesome](https://badges.gitter.im/Awesome-Windows/Awesome.svg)](https://gitter.im/Awesome-Windows/Awesome?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=badge&utm_campaign=pr-badge&utm_content=badge)
[![Awesome](https://cdn.rawgit.com/sindresorhus/awesome/d7305f38d29fed78fa85652e3a63e154dd8e8829/media/badge.svg)](https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome) [![jaywcjlove/sb](https://jaywcjlove.github.io/sb/lang/chinese.svg)](README-cn.md)

> An awesome & curated list of best applications and tools for Windows.

> *This Awesome Repository is highly inspired from ichait's [Awesome osx.](https://github.com/iCHAIT/awesome-osx "Awesome osx")*
> *Special thanks to [egeerardyn](https://github.com/egeerardyn).*

> *Items marked with ![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon] are open-source software. Items marked with ![Freeware][Freeware Icon] are free.*

# <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Awesome-Windows/Awesome/master/media/chrome_2016-06-11_19-02-31.png" alt="table of contents">

- [Applications](#applications)
  - [Audio](#audio)
  - [Chat Clients](#chat-clients)
  - [Compression](#compression)
  - [Customization](#customization)
  - [Data Recovery](#data-recovery)
  - [Developer Tools](#developer-tools)
  - [Documents](#documents)
  - [E-Book Utilities](#e-book-utilities)
  - [Email](#email)
  - [Games](#games)
  - [Graphics](#graphics)
  - [Online Storage](#online-storage)
  - [Backup](#backup)
  - [Productivity](#productivity)
  - [Terminal](#terminal)
  - [Text Editors](#text-editors)
  - [IDEs](#ides)
  - [Utilities](#utilities)
  - [Video](#video)
- [Setup](#setup)
    - [Windows 10](#windows-10-setup)
    - [Windows 8.1 setup](#windows-81-setup)
- [Security](#security)
- [Miscellaneous](#miscellaneous)
- [Discussion Forums](#discussion-forums)
    - [Windows](#windows)
    - [IRC channels](#irc-channels)
    - [Reddit](#reddit)
- [Contribute](#contribute)


## Applications

### Audio

- [AIMP](http://www.aimp.ru/) - 32 bit audio processing and multi-format playback. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Audacity](http://audacityteam.org/) - Free, open source, cross-platform software for recording and editing sounds. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/audacity/audacity) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [AudioNodes](https://audionodes.com/) - Modular audio production suite with multi-track audio mixing, audio effects, parameter automation, MIDI editing, synthesis, cloud production, and more. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [CDex](http://www.cdex.fr/) - CD Ripper (French site, English program). ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Dopamine](http://www.digimezzo.com/software/dopamine/) - An audio player which tries to make organizing and listening to music as simple and pretty as possible. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [K-Lite Codecs](http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm) - Collection of DirectShow filters, VFW/ACM codecs, and tools. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Qtractor](http://qtractor.sourceforge.net/qtractor-index.html#Downloads) - An Audio/MIDI multi-track sequencer. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](http://qtractor.sourceforge.net/qtractor-downloads.html#Git) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Reaper](http://www.reaper.fm/download.php) - Lightweight application with deep feature set and $60 for individual, non-profit, or small business use.
- [Winamp](http://www.winamp.com/) - Music player capable of playing MP3s, MP2s, WAVs, VOCs and MIDI files. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Mixxx](http://mixxx.org/) - Free DJ software that gives you everything you need to perform live mixes, veritable alternative to Traktor.[![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/mixxxdj/mixxx) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Musicbee](http://getmusicbee.com/) - Like iTunes but better than iTunes.
- [MusicBrainz Picard](https://picard.musicbrainz.org/) - Picard is a cross-platform music tagger that looks up and rewrite metadata tags. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/metabrainz/picard) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [VLC](http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html) - Free media player, works pretty well. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-sources.html) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Foobar2000](http://www.foobar2000.org/) - Free audio player for Windows, supports a wide range of audio formats and has a lot of cool features. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Exact Audio Copy](http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/) - Transfer files from your CDs to your PC in almost every format.Comes with some pretty nifty features too.
- [Kodi](https://kodi.tv/) - Free and Open Source home theatre software. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/xbmc) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Resonic](https://resonic.at/) - Fast and free audio player.

### Chat Clients

- [Hexchat](https://hexchat.github.io/) - IRC client based on XChat [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://hexchat.github.io/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Waow](http://dedg3.com/wao/) - Awesome WhatsApp Web Client to deliver you the best WhatsApp experience. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [LimeChat](http://limechat.net) - Instant messaging application. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Caprine](https://sindresorhus.com/caprine/) - An elegant Facebook Messenger desktop app. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/sindresorhus/caprine) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [mIRC](http://www.mirc.com/) - An Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client.
- [Telegram](https://desktop.telegram.org/) - A messaging app with a focus on speed and security, it’s super fast, simple and free. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://telegram.org/apps)  ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Quassel](http://quassel-irc.org/) - Quassel IRC is a modern, cross-platform, distributed IRC client. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](http://quassel-irc.org/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Discord](https://discordapp.com) - Discord is a free voice and text chat client for gamers and non-gamers alike. You can use it from your browser and it's available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Riot](https://about.riot.im/) - A decentralised encrypted comms app for the Matrix.org ecosystem. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/vector-im/riot-web) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]

### Compression

- [7-Zip](http://www.7-zip.org/) - Open source Windows utility for manipulating archives. Formats 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR are supported fully, other formats can be unpacked. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](http://www.7-zip.org/download.html) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Bandizip](https://www.bandisoft.com/bandizip/) - A lightweight, fast and free All-In-One Zip Archiver. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [PeaZip](http://www.peazip.org/) - Archiver and file compressor. Extract 7Z CAB ISO RAR TAR ZIP archive files. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://osdn.net/projects/peazip/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Riot](http://luci.criosweb.ro/riot/) - Compress images either by file size or by many other image attributes. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [WinRAR](http://www.rarlab.com/) -  A powerful archive manager. It can backup your data and reduce the size of email attachments, decompress RAR, ZIP and other files.

### Customization

- [7+ Taskbar Tweaker](http://rammichael.com/7-taskbar-tweaker) - Allows to customize and extend Windows taskbar functionality with various productivity enhancements. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Classic Start](https://github.com/passionate-coder/Classic-Start) - Use Start Menu and Explorer like it's 2000. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/passionate-coder/Classic-Start) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Clover](http://en.ejie.me/) - Add multi-tab functionality to Windows Explorer. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [EarTrumpet](https://github.com/File-New-Project/EarTrumpet) - Per application volume control from the system tray. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/TranslucentTB/TranslucentTB) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Rainmeter](https://www.rainmeter.net/) - Rainmeter allows you to display customizable skins on your desktop, from hardware usage meters to fully functional audio visualizers. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/rainmeter/rainmeter) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [TranslucentTB](https://github.com/TranslucentTB/TranslucentTB) - Make your Windows task bar transparent. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/TranslucentTB/TranslucentTB) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [QTTabBar](http://qttabbar.wikidot.com/) - Extends Explorer by tabs and extra folder views. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Windows 10 Login Background Changer](https://github.com/PFCKrutonium/Windows-10-Login-Background-Changer) - Lets you change the Windows 10 login screen background.  [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/PFCKrutonium/Windows-10-Login-Background-Changer) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [ZBar](http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/zbar/) - If you use multiple monitors, it lets you display a separate taskbar on each monitor.

### Data Recovery

- [Data Rescue](https://www.prosofteng.com/datarescuepc3/) - Comprehensive and professional Hard drive recovery software that can recover your photos, videos, documents.
- [Ontrach EasyRecovery](http://www.krollontrack.com/data-recovery/recovery-software/) - Has filtering tools to help sort the large amount of data the software can recover.
- [Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery](http://www.stellarinfo.com/windows-data-recovery.php) - Remote recovery option to recover data from another computer over a network.
- [PartitionGuru｜Eassos Recovery](http://www.eassos.com/) - Data recovery with partition recovery. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Recuva](https://www.piriform.com/recuva) - Recover your deleted files quickly and easily.
- [TestDisk](http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk) -  Powerful free data recovery software primarily designed to help recover lost partitions and/or make non-booting disks bootable again.

### Developer Tools

- [Addict](https://github.com/dthree/addict) - Drop-in REST API for Active Directory.
- [DB Browser for SQLite](http://sqlitebrowser.org/) - High quality, visual, open source tool to create, design, and edit database files compatible with SQLite [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](http://sqlitebrowser.org/)
- [HeidiSQL](http://www.heidisql.com/) - Powerful and easy client for MySQL, MariaDB, Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL.
- [Fiddler](http://www.telerik.com/fiddler) - Web debugging proxy.
- [FileZilla](https://filezilla-project.org/) - FTP, FTPS and SFTP client. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://download.filezilla-project.org/client/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Git Extensions](https://gitextensions.github.io/) - A powerful and easy to use UI for Git. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/gitextensions/gitextensions) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [GitHub Desktop](https://desktop.github.com/) - GitHub Desktop is an open source Electron-based GitHub app. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/desktop/desktop) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [GitKraken](https://www.gitkraken.com/) - A beautiful, cross-platform Git client. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [I'm Only Resting](https://github.com/SwensenSoftware/im-only-resting) -A feature-rich WinForms-based HTTP client [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/swensensoftware/im-only-resting) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Insomnia](http://insomnia.rest) - A modern REST client with a beautiful interface. ![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon] ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Keylord](https://protonail.com/products/keylord) Cross-platform GUI client for Redis, LevelDB and Memcached key-value databases.
- [Mamp](https://www.mamp.info/en/) - Local server environment. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Meld](http://meldmerge.org/) - A visual diff and merge tool. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/meld/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Open Server](https://ospanel.io/) - Portable server platform and software environment (like MAMP, XAMPP, WAMP and very user friendly). ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Pixie](http://www.nattyware.com/pixie.php) - A simple color picker for developers.
- [pngquant](https://pngquant.org/) - Apply lossy compression on PNG files with or wi
- [PostgreSQL Database](http://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/Community_Guide_to_PostgreSQL_GUI_Tools) - A comprehensive list of tools.
- [Postman](https://www.getpostman.com/postman) - REST client with intuitive user interface to send requests, save responses, add tests, and create workflows.
- [Process Monitor](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/procmon)- A sysinternal tool shows real-time file system, Registry, network and process/thread activity. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Process Explorer](https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/processexplorer.aspx) - A powerful task manager. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Process Hacker](http://processhacker.sourceforge.net/) - Excellent full blown task manager.
- [RazorSQL](http://www.razorsql.com/) - A GUI for managing SQLite databases which requires major work.
- [Redis Desktop Manager](http://redisdesktop.com/) Cross-platform open source Redis DB management tool.
- [Robo 3T](https://robomongo.org/) - A lightweight GUI for MongoDB enthusiasts.
- [SourceTree](https://www.sourcetreeapp.com/) - A free Git & Mercurial client.
- [Sql Wave](http://www.valentina-db.com/en/sqlwave) - A MySQL database manager.
- [SSLyog](https://www.webyog.com/) - A powerful MySQL administration tool
- [TortoiseGit](https://tortoisegit.org/) - Git client with full shell integration. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/tortoisegit/tortoisegit/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [TortoiseSVN](https://tortoisesvn.net/) - Subversion client with full shell integration. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://sourceforge.net/projects/tortoisesvn/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Vagrant](https://www.vagrantup.com/) - A tool for building and managing virtual machines. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/mitchellh/vagrant)
- [Velocity](http://velocity.silverlakesoftware.com/) - Offline API Documentation Tool. (like [Dash](https://kapeli.com/dash) for macOS) 
- [Visual Studio](https://www.visualstudio.com/) - Ultimate Microsoft Developer Tool.
- [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) - Lightweight Source Code Editor.
- [Wamp](http://www.wampserver.com/en/) - Web development environment.
- [WinSCP](https://winscp.net/) - Free open source SFTP, FTP, WebDAV and SCP client. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Wireshark](https://www.wireshark.org/) - A network protocol analyzer. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://www.wireshark.org/docs/wsdg_html_chunked/ChIntroDevelopment.html) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [WMI Explorer](https://github.com/vinaypamnani/wmie2/) - Provides the ability to browse and view WMI namespaces/classes/instances/properties in a single pane of view. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/vinaypamnani/wmie2/)
- [Xampp](https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html) - Apache driven web development environment. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Xftp 5](https://www.netsarang.com/products/xfp_overview.html) - Flexible and lightweight SFTP/FTP client. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Zsh](http://www.zsh.org/) -  A powerful command line shell. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](http://sourceforge.net/p/zsh/code/ci/master/tree/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]

### Documents

- [FreeOffice](http://www.freeoffice.com/en/) - FreeOffice is a complete office suite with a word processor, a spreadsheet application and a presentation program – all compatible with their counterparts in Microsoft Office. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [LibreOffice](https://www.libreoffice.org/) - Open source office suite. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://www.libreoffice.org/about-us/source-code/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Microsoft Office](http://www.office.com) - Microsoft's own productivity suite.
- [OnlyOffice](https://www.onlyoffice.com/) - The most complete and feature-rich office and productivity suite. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [OpenOffice](https://www.openoffice.org/) - Software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](http://openoffice.apache.org/source.html) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [NitroPDF](https://www.gonitro.com/pdf-reader) - The best PDF Reader you'll ever get.
- [Sumatra PDF](http://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/free-pdf-reader.html) - PDF, ePub, MOBI, CHM, XPS, DjVu, CBZ, CBR reader. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/sumatrapdfreader/sumatrapdf) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [WPS Office](https://www.wps.com/office-free) - The perfect free office software ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]

### E-Book Utilities

- [Bookviser](http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/bookviser-reader/42d4527a-b1fe-479b-ad04-150303dc056f) - Awesome application for Windows 8 devices to read eBooks in a simple way. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Calibre](http://calibre-ebook.com/) - Powerful software for e-book management and conversion. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](http://calibre-ebook.com/get-involved) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [kobo](https://www.kobo.com/desktop) - Incredibly ugly but powerful software for ebook management and conversion. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]

### Email

- [MailBird](https://www.mailbird.com/) - IMAP and POP3 email client, featuring customization, complete touch support and multiple language support.
- [Thunderbird](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/) - Email client with minimalistic design. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Developer_guide/Build_Instructions/Simple_Thunderbird_build) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Mailspring](https://getmailspring.com/) - A fast and maintained fork of Nylas Mail, built on modern web technologies. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/Foundry376/Mailspring) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Nylas Mail](https://www.nylas.com/download/) - An extensible desktop mail app built on the modern web. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/nylas/N1) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Postbox](https://postbox-inc.com/) - The Power Email App

### Games

- [0 A.D.](https://play0ad.com/) - A free, open-source real-time strategy game of ancient warfare. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/0ad/0ad) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Warsow](https://www.warsow.net/) - Free & fast-paced FPS game for Windows. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Awesome Games](https://github.com/leereilly/games) - List of games hosted on Github. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Freeciv](http://www.freeciv.org/) - A Free and Open Source empire-building strategy game inspired by the history of human civilization.  [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/freeciv/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [GOG Galaxy](https://www.gog.com/galaxy) - Steam-like DRM-free game platform.
- [LuaStudio](http://scormpool.com/luastudio) - Free game development tool/engine. Create games and other graphic focused apps on Windows using Lua/LuaJIT programming language. Export them to many platforms including iOS, Android and Mac.
- [Unity](https://unity3d.com/) - Free game engine. Easy to pick up and use with a number of tutorials.
- [Unreal Engine](https://www.unrealengine.com/what-is-unreal-engine-4) - Another free game engine. Lots of documentation and easier to pick up, but you pay 5% royalties to Unreal when you make money from UE-based games.
- [Steam](http://store.steampowered.com/) -  Largest online video game retailer. Desktop app allows you to organise your library of games and play them at any time. But you already knew that.
- [Origin](https://www.origin.com/en-in/store/) - Like Steam, but for EA.
- [Itch.io](https://itch.io/app/) - Install, update and play indie games. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/itchio/itch) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]

### Graphics

- [Blender](https://www.blender.org/) - Fully-featured extensible cross-platform 3D content suite. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://developer.blender.org/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Gimp](http://www.gimp.org/) - Open source image editor. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](http://www.gimp.org/source/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Inkscape](https://inkscape.org/en/) - Inkscape is a professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inkscape) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Krita](https://krita.org/) - Krita is a professional FREE and open source painting program. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://krita.org/en/download/krita-desktop/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [MapTiler](https://www.maptiler.com/) - MapTiler generates zoomable raster maps from images in user-defined coordinate system. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Paint.net](http://www.getpaint.net/index.html) - how can you live without paint.net? ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]

### Text Editors

- [Atom](https://atom.io/) - A hackable text editor for the 21st Century. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/atom/atom) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Brackets](http://brackets.io/) - A modern, open source text editor that understands web design. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/adobe/brackets) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [GVim](http://www.vim.org/download.php#pc) - (G)Vim is a highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/vim/vim) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Light Table](http://lighttable.com/) - A customizable editor with instant feedback and showing data values flow through your code. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/LightTable/LightTable) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Neovim](https://neovim.io/) - literally the future of vim [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/neovim/neovim) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Notepad++](https://notepad-plus-plus.org/) - A source code editor which supports several programming languages. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Notepad2](http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html) - Tiny and fast Notepad replacement with many useful features. ![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon] ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Oni](http://onivim.io/) - Modern Modal Editing - powered by Neovim [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/onivim/oni) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Sublime Text 3](http://www.sublimetext.com/3) - The sophisticated text editor.
- [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) - Build and debug modern web and cloud applications. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/Microsoft/vscode) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]

### IDEs

- [Android Studio](https://developer.android.com/studio/index.html) - The official IDE for Android based on the IntelliJ platform. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://sites.google.com/a/android.com/tools/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [CLion](https://www.jetbrains.com/clion/) - Smart cross-platform IDE for C/C++ that uses CMake as a build system.
- [Eclipse](https://eclipse.org/downloads/) - A powerful IDE. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://git.eclipse.org/c/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [IntelliJ IDEA](https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/) - A modern Java IDE with free community edition. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/JetBrains/intellij-community) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [NetBeans IDE](https://netbeans.org/) - A free and open-source IDE. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://netbeans.org/community/sources/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [PhpStorm](https://www.jetbrains.com/phpstorm/) - Lightning-smart PHP IDE with major frameworks support.
- [PyCharm](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm) - Python IDE for professional developers with free community edition. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/JetBrains/intellij-community/tree/master/python) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Rider](https://www.jetbrains.com/rider/) - A cross-platform .NET/Mono IDE.
- [RubyMine](https://www.jetbrains.com/ruby/) - An intelligent Ruby IDE that supports many modern frameworks.
- [Visual Studio](https://www.visualstudio.com/vs/) - Microsofts official IDE. Supports a multitude of languages via plugins.
- [WebStorm](https://www.jetbrains.com/webstorm/) - A smart JavaScript IDE that uses the full power of the modern JavaScript ecosystem.

### Online Storage

- [Box](https://app.box.com/services/browse/43/box_sync_for_windows) - Ability to sync more than 100,000 files and supporting both special characters in file names and file paths longer than 256 characters.
- [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/install) -Simple, elegant and versatile (PC, Macs, Android...) cloud storage solution.
- [Google Drive](https://www.google.com/drive/download/) - Cloud storage solution deeply integrated in the Google ecosystem.
- [Hubic](https://hubic.com/en/) - Cloud storage for Windows, Linux, MacOsx, iOs & Android
- [OneDrive](https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-us/download/) - Best cloud storage solution for Windows users.
- [Mega](https://mega.nz/) - Encrypted file storage.
- [Mozy](https://mozy.com/product/download)


### Backup

- [Arq](https://www.arqbackup.com/) - Backs up your files to your own cloud account (Amazon Cloud Drive, AWS, Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Cloud Storage, OneDrive, and SFTP).
- [Bvckup 2](https://bvckup2.com/) - Light, versatile data replication software.
- [Duplicati](https://www.duplicati.com/) - Free backup software to store encrypted backups online For Windows, macOS and Linux.[![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/duplicati/duplicati) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]

### Productivity

- [AutoHotkey](https://autohotkey.com/) - The ultimate automation scripting language for Windows. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://autohotkey.com/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Chocolatey](https://chocolatey.org/) - A package manager for Windows.
- [Cold Turkey](https://getcoldturkey.com) - The only blocker for distracting websites that actually works. (even doesn't let you uninstall it when blocking is active).
- [CommandTrayHost](https://github.com/rexdf/CommandTrayHost) - A Command Line program monitor systray for Windows. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/rexdf/CommandTrayHost) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Ditto](http://ditto-cp.sourceforge.net/) - Clipboard manager.
- [Easy Window Switcher](https://neosmart.net/EasySwitch/) - Switch between application instances, fast.
- [Everything](http://www.voidtools.com/) - The fastest file/folder search tool by name.
- [f.lux](http://stereopsis.com/flux/) - Automatically adjust your computer screen to match lighting. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Inkdrop](https://www.inkdrop.info/) - The note-taking app for Markdown lovers.
- [Launchy](http://www.launchy.net/) - The Open Source Keystroke Launcher. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/OpenNingia/Launchy) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Listary](http://www.listary.com/) - Keep files at your fingertips. An unique search utility.
- [MultiCommander](http://multicommander.com/) - File Manager for Professionals. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Ninite](https://ninite.com/) - The easiest, fastest way to update or install software. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [One Commander](http://onecommander.com/) - File manager featuring miller columns and dual-pane views. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Scoop](https://github.com/lukesampson/scoop) - A command-line installer for Windows. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/lukesampson/scoop) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Total Commander](https://www.ghisler.com/) - The best file manager for Windows.
- [Simplenote](https://simplenote.com/) - Simple cross-platform note taking app with cloud-based syncing. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [WordWeb](http://wordweb.info/) - A very good English dictionary for windows. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Wox](http://www.getwox.com/) - An effective launcher for windows. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/Wox-launcher/Wox/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [KatMouse](http://www.ehiti.de/katmouse/) - Utility that enables "universal scrolling" in Windows: scrolling does not need the window to be active/clicked first (i.e. how it works in macOS and Linux) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Keypirinha](http://keypirinha.com/) - A fast launcher for keyboard ninjas on Windows. You can think of Keypirinha as an alternative to *Launchy* and a cousin of *Alfred*. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Taskade](https://taskade.com/) - Smart task lists with real-time cross-platform syncing and team collaboration. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]


### Terminal

- [Babun](http://babun.github.io) - Alternative Windows shell based on Cygwin. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/babun/babun) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Cmder](https://cmder.net) - Console emulator package with clink shell. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/cmderdev/cmder) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [ConEmu](https://github.com/Maximus5/ConEmu) - Customizable terminal with tabs, splits, quake-style and more.
- [ConsoleZ](https://github.com/cbucher/console) - Modified version of Console 2 for a better experience and a better visual rendering.
- [Hyper](https://hyper.is) - A terminal built on web technologies. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/zeit/hyper) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [MobaXterm](http://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/) - Xserver and tabbed SSH client.
- [mRemoteNG](https://mremoteng.org/) - The next generation of mRemote, open source, tabbed, multi-protocol, remote connections manager. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://mremoteng.org/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [MTPuTTY](http://ttyplus.com/multi-tabbed-putty/) - Multi-Tabbed PuTTY.
- [Putty](http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html) - SSH and telnet client.
- [Kitty](http://www.9bis.net/kitty/) - advanced Putty (SSH and telnet client).
- [Terminus](https://eugeny.github.io/terminus/) - modern, highly configurable terminal app based on web technologies. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/Eugeny/terminus) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [ColorTool](https://github.com/Microsoft/Console/tree/master/tools/ColorTool) - Set custom color schemes for the Windows Console with support for iTerm color schemes.


### Utilities

- [A-Z of Windows Terminal Commands](http://ss64.com/nt/)
- [Acrosync](https://acrosync.com/windows.html) - The only native rsync client for Windows (no cygwin required).  It supports automatic uploads on file changes and incremental hourly backups.
- [AddToSendTo](https://aashutoshrathi.github.io/Python-Scripts-and-Games/AddToSendTo/) - This script lets you add your favorite Folder to Send To option, when you right-click. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://aashutoshrathi.github.io/Python-Scripts-and-Games/AddToSendTo/)
- [Advanced Renamer](https://www.advancedrenamer.com/) - Advanced batch renaming program, with support for renaming based on GPS data from images, ID3 tags from music files, TV show data and regular expressions. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Carnac](http://code52.org/carnac/) - The easiest way to record keystrokes during any screen recording.
- [CleanMyPC](http://macpaw.com/cleanmypc) - A clean computer in no time.
- [CPU-Z](http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html) - A free all-in-one CPU monitoring tool. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Ext2Fsd](http://www.ext2fsd.com/) - Open source ext3/4 file system driver for Windows.[![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/matt-wu/Ext3Fsd) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Far](http://www.farmanager.com/index.php?l=en) - File and Archive manager. Clone of the Norton Commander. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](http://sourceforge.net/projects/farmanager/)
- [Fraps](http://www.fraps.com/)- Video game capture screen recorder that can be used with all games using DirectX or OpenGL technology.
- [FreeFileSync](http://www.freefilesync.org/) - An easy backup solution for files and folders, It supports mirroring/two way sync/update between source and destination.
- [Glary Utilities](http://www.glarysoft.com/) - Provides many more advanced features which are non existent in ccleaner.
- [Greenshot](https://github.com/greenshot/greenshot) - Take and crop screenshots directly on the screen. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/greenshot/greenshot)
- [GPU-Z](http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/) - A free all-in-one GPU monitoring tool. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [HTTrack](https://www.httrack.com/page/2/en/index.html)- Offline browser utility, allowing you to download a website from the Internet to a local directory. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/xroche/httrack/tree/master)
- [HWMonitor](http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html) - A hardware monitoring program that reads PC systems main health sensors : voltages, temperatures, fans speed.
- [IrfanView](http://www.irfanview.com/) - A very fast, small, compact and innovative graphic viewer for Windows. 
- [LICEcap](http://www.cockos.com/licecap/) - Animated screen captures and save them directly to .GIF
- [LightBulb](https://github.com/Tyrrrz/LightBulb) - Reduces eyestrain by adjusting gamma based on the current time
- [Link Shell Extension](http://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshellext/hardlinkshellext.html) - Create symlinks from Explorer.
- [rimraf](https://www.npmjs.com/package/rimraf) - A deep deletion module for node. Help to delete files and folders with very long paths
- [PowerPlanSwitcher](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/powerplanswitcher/9nblggh556l3) - Provides a quick UI for switching power schemas & automatic switch on AC-plug-in on Windows10. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/petrroll/PowerSwitcher)
- [qBittorrent](https://qbittorrent.org/) - Free and reliable P2P Bittorrent client.
- [Rufus](https://rufus.akeo.ie/) - Create bootable USB drives the easy way.
- [SetToStartup](https://aashutoshrathi.github.io/Python-Scripts-and-Games/SetToStartup/) - This script will help you to add your favorite programs or self made scripts/folders to startup. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://aashutoshrathi.github.io/Python-Scripts-and-Games/SetToStartup/)
- [SDelete](https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/sdelete.aspx) -  A command line utility that can securely delete a file, or clean the slack space.
- [SpaceMonger](https://spacemonger.en.softonic.com/download) - A graphical utility to display folders and files in blocks relative to their disk usage.
- [Speccy](https://www.piriform.com/speccy) -Detailed statistics on every piece of hardware in your computer.
- [SpeedCrunch](http://speedcrunch.org/) - The best and only calculator you'll need, completely stripped down of unnecessary UI clutter. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://bitbucket.org/heldercorreia/speedcrunch/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [ShareX](https://getsharex.com/)- Lets you take screenshots or screencasts of any selected area with a single key. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/ShareX/ShareX) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Sysinternals Suite](https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb842062) - Tool suite by Mark Russinovich that provides access to Windows internals for troubleshooting: processes, physical ports, disk activity etc.
- [Unlocker](http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Unlocker.shtml) - Unlock files Windows won't let you delete
- [Waltr](http://softorino.com/waltr/) - Transfer any movie or music file to your iPhone w/o iTunes.
- [WinDirStat](https://windirstat.info/) - It is a disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup too.
- [Windows 10 Login Screen Changer](https://github.com/PFCKrutonium/Windows-10-Login-Background-Changer/releases/) - Changes the Windows 10 Login Screen Background. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/PFCKrutonium/Windows-10-Login-Background-Changer)
- [`winreg-cli`](https://github.com/notlmn/winreg-cli) - Command line tool with a fluent API for modifying Windows registry. ![[Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/notlmn/winreg-cli) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [ZoomIt](https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/zoomit.aspx) - It is a screen zoom and annotation tool for technical presentations. It runs unobtrusively in the tray and activates with customizable hotkeys to zoom in on an area of the screen, move around while zoomed, and draw on the zoomed image.
- [Snipping Tool](https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/13776/windows-use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots) - Windows 10 utility to easily capture and edit selected area in screen. 


### Video

- [K-Lite Codecs](http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm) - Collection of DirectShow filters, VFW/ACM codecs, and tools.
- [mpv](http://mpv.io/) - Media player. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/mpv-player/mpv)
- [HandBrake](http://handbrake.fr/) - High performance video encoding and conversion tools with a nice GUI. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/HandBrake/HandBrake)
- [VLC](http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html) - Multimedia player and framework that plays DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/NickeManarin/ScreenToGif/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [ScreenToGif](http://www.screentogif.com/) - ScreenToGif allows you to record a selected area of your screen and save it as a gif or video. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/NickeManarin/ScreenToGif/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [PotPlayer](http://potplayer.daum.net/) - Multimedia player with a wide collection of codecs which also offers extensive configuration options for users.
- [SMPlayer](https://sourceforge.net/projects/smplayer/) - Multimedia player that can save different preferences for any single video. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://sourceforge.net/p/smplayer/code/HEAD/tree/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Open Broadcaster Software](https://obsproject.com/) - Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/jp9000/OBS)

## Setup

### Windows 10 Setup

* http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/31/9077997/microsoft-windows-10-clean-install-how-to-guide
* http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/
* [Win10-Initial-Setup-Script](https://github.com/Disassembler0/Win10-Initial-Setup-Script) - Powershell script to turn off or on various defaults in Windows

### Windows 8.1 Setup

* http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/clean-install

## Security

- [Acrylic DNS Proxy](http://mayakron.altervista.org/wikibase/show.php?id=AcrylicHome) - A local DNS proxy which caches the responses coming from your DNS servers and helps you fight unwanted ads through a custom HOSTS file. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [AdwCleaner](https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/1-adwcleaner/) - Free removal tool for adware, PUP/LPI, Toolbars and Hijacker. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Bitdefender](http://www.bitdefender.com/) - Best outright protection against malware.
- [Cryptomator](https://cryptomator.org/) - Free client-side encryption for your cloud files. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/cryptomator/cryptomator) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [ENCRYPTO](http://macpaw.com/encrypto) - Encrypt your files in an elegant way. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [GlassWire](https://www.glasswire.com/) - Network security monitoring tool and analyzer that visualizes your network activity.
- [IIS Crypto](https://www.nartac.com/Products/IISCrypto) - A utility for configuring encryption protocols, cyphers, hashing methods, and key exchanges for Windows components (eg TLS/AES/SHA for Remote Desktop)
- [KeePass](http://www.keepass.info) - Free, open-source, easy-to-use password manager. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://sourceforge.net/projects/keepass/) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [SpyBot](https://www.safer-networking.org/) - Search and destroy malware, spyware and viruses. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [System Explorer](http://systemexplorer.net) - An enhanced task manager with support for monitoring and modifying system processes, start-up programs, system services, drivers, shell extensions, and more.
- [UnChecky](https://unchecky.com/) - automatically unchecks unrelated offers from installers.
- [Malwarebytes](https://www.malwarebytes.org/) - protects from dangerous threats that antivirus doesn't. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [NetLimiter](https://www.netlimiter.com) - Internet traffic control and monitoring tool. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Tor Project](https://www.torproject.org/) - Enable anonymous communication. [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://github.com/TheTorProject) ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [Windows 10 Paranoid's Guide](http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-secure-windows-10-the-paranoids-guide/)
- [Disable Data Logging](https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/3f38ed/guide_how_to_disable_data_logging_in_w10) - Make Windows 10 more private and safe. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]
- [VeraCrypt](https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Home.html) - VeraCrypt is a free open source disk encryption software for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.  [![Open-Source Software][OSS Icon]](https://www.veracrypt.fr/code/VeraCrypt/)
- [Viscosity](https://www.sparklabs.com/viscosity/) - Fully-featured OpenVPN client, ready for enterprise deployment. ![Freeware][Freeware Icon]

## Miscellaneous

* [Show hidden files](http://www.windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows/show-hidden-files)
* [list of Shortcut keys](http://imgur.com/a/TIXvm)

## Discussion Forums

#### Windows

* [Windows Support Communities](http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows)
* [Stack Overflow](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/windows)
* [Super User](http://superuser.com/questions/tagged/windows*)


#### IRC channels

* [#Windows](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=windows)
* [#microsoft](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=microsoft)


#### Reddit

* [/r/windows](https://www.reddit.com/r/windows/)
* [/r/windowsapps](https://www.reddit.com/r/windowsapps)
* [/r/microsoft](https://www.reddit.com/r/Microsoft)
* [/r/sysadmin](https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin)
* [/r/microsoftsoftwareswap](https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap)

## Contribute

Contributions are most welcome, please adhere to the [contribution guidelines](Contributing.md).

**[⬆ back to top](#applications)**


## License

[![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png)](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

This work is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).


[OSS Icon]: https://cdn.rawgit.com/Awesome-Windows/Awesome/master/media/OSS.svg
[Freeware Icon]: https://cdn.rawgit.com/Awesome-Windows/Awesome/master/media/free.svg