When managing projects and trying to get things done efficiently on your Windows PC, you want to use tools that will enhance your productivity. Certain apps and utilities will save valuable time while others can get in your way while in front of the screen. Some built-in Windows tools are great; however, sometimes, you need to turn to easy to third-party options.

For instance, you can use Notion to manage projects or automate repetitive tasks between services and devices with IFTTT. Whether you are a student, professional, or just want to be productive with personal tasks, this guide will look at some of the best tools for Windows that help complete your complex tasks with time to spare.

Microsoft Outlook

Track email and events

The new Outlook app is rolling out to all Windows users, and it’s a good way to start your journey toward more productivity. It’s essential to keep track of incoming email messages, appointments, meetings, and tasks. Windows provides the free, built-in Outlook app.

In addition to allowing you to share calendars and add email accounts, it includes the Microsoft To Do task management system. You only need to launch it once and access the tool you need from the left bar. It also offers an easy way to open the web versions of Office apps to create Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, or PowerPoint presentations. I am addicted to the calendar app since it syncs with all my devices, and you can easily share calendar events with others. That helps make sure everyone on your team is on the same page.

IFTTT

Automations to manage repetitive tasks

IFTTT (If This Then That) allows you to streamline tasks and boost productivity by reducing repetitive actions. Use customized workflow applets to connect apps, services, and devices for daily repetitive tasks on Windows and automate them via the free cloud-based service. You can use various triggers to initiate actions on other services and devices to do what you want them to do to improve productivity. You can use creative and strategic triggers to create IFTTT automations for as many things as possible to enhance your daily workflow.

IFTTT is the most popular automation tool for increased productivity. It has a free tier with a limited set of applets and features. However, you should consider a subscription if you need more than the free tier offers. Whether automating your home's smart devices, running a business, or needing to cut down on repetitive daily tasks, a subscription to IFTTT will give you the tools to stay productive.

Windows Snipping Tool

Screen grabs, recordings, and text extraction

If you need to take screenshots or record your desktop on Windows 11, you can’t go wrong with the built-in Snipping Tool. If you are putting together training information, the Snipping Tool makes it easier to take screenshots or record activity on your desktop. It does full-screen video recording, so you can make demonstration videos or show your IT department precisely what’s going wrong.

It’s important to note that you can also enable the option to record audio when making video recordings. In addition, it includes OCR capabilities so that you can extract text from screenshots on Windows 11. Microsoft has improved this tool significantly to boost productivity without installing anything.

Microsoft PowerToys

A collection of productivity-boosting utilities

Starting with Windows 95, Microsoft developers created a collection of free, lightweight utilities that improve the OS experience called PowerToys. The project was left dormant for several years, but PowerToys returned new and improved for Windows 10. This package allows you to customize the way Windows works and continues to gain new abilities. You can configure settings for how each one functions and behaves. When used together correctly, they improve productivity by helping with small tasks that take up your time. These utilities are regularly maintained and updated to include new tools and features and to work better on new versions of Windows. You can access the system tools from an efficiently laid out dashboard to manage each one. PowerToys is available through the Microsoft Store or on GitHub.

To improve productivity, using Always on Top and FancyZones helps with multitasking large projects. If you work with several files regularly, save time with PowerRename by bulk renaming files in one fell swoop. If you want to keep your PC powered on when you need it, use Awake, and that's just for starters. I often wonder why Microsoft omits PowerToys on Windows by default. PowerToys is a true gem of a collection of helpful utilities. It's one of the first things I download on a new Windows installation.

Grammarly

To perfect your writing

Grammarly is a popular tool for improving your writing when you must properly grasp spelling and grammar. Whether you write online or in a document, it boosts productivity by checking your spelling and grammar in real-time, offers suggestions, and allows fixes to sentences with a single click. You can use it with Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and more. You can also install the app on your PC so it works with chat and allows settings management. Simply put, Grammarly will check your writing in real-time wherever you write on your PC and automatically check it.

There is a free and paid version of Grammarly, which offers more features. Unfortunately, the free version kind of nags you to get a subscription by showcasing what it can fix grammatically. Professionals know the importance of subscribing since it offers a lot — including AI-powered plagiarism checks and writing suggestions. However, if you do light writing work, the free version is excellent for finding misspells and certain inevitable grammar mistakes. When used with Word’s native spellcheck and grammar solutions, the free version might be all you need.

Obsidian

More than notetaking

If you need more than what Notepad or even OneNote offers, Obsidian does it by using Markdown language to format text so you can link notes together. It can throw your ideas together into a mind map database. You can also use Obsidian to create a local wiki for your projects. In addition, with Canvas (a limitless whiteboard), you can jot down your brainstorming ideas and easily manage them. Obsidian may not have a native feature you need, but luckily, you can choose from a vast library of plugins to get the functionality you need.

Many apps, including Google Docs, support it. So, whichever writing platform you use, Obsidian will work with it, which is helpful. You can move your world domination plans between Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. I have tried dozens of personal knowledge management apps, and Obsidian continues to enter my orbit. Try it and see if it boosts your productivity for essential projects.

Microsoft 365

Word, Excel, OneDrive, and more

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is your collection of Microsoft Office apps, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. It’s the popular workplace standard for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. In addition to the productivity apps you’d expect, it also includes Teams for collaboration and 1TB of OneDrive storage to back up and store files and share them with others.

Most people are familiar with the native features of Office apps, and you can get more out of them by embracing keyboard shortcuts to boost productivity or using Power Automate to automate tasks. There are also ways to improve productivity, such as using hidden Office features, Word plugins, and other tips and tricks. The apps can also be tailored to fit your workplace's daily workflow. Ask coworkers or the IT department for productivity tips that work for your specific work.

Office file formats are compatible with other productivity apps such as Google Docs, iWork for Mac users, and LibreOffice. This is helpful for people who share files with people who use those apps. Of course, you could also get the “on-prem” version, mainly for corporations that use Microsoft Office in-house. If you are curious, check out the difference between Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 to determine which you should use. Still, the Office file types are all compatible with other programs. Office apps are updated regularly with a Microsoft 365 subscription, including new features and stability and security fixes.

UniGetUI

An efficient package manager

When you have a new Windows installation or need to install apps, you might turn to the Microsoft Store or the web. However, that takes up valuable time, and there's a more efficient way to get apps. If you are a power user or IT admin, you’re likely familiar with running the winget package manager from the command line. It’s a straightforward and responsive package manager that helps you get what you need on your Windows PC. However, if you aren’t educated in the CLI (Command Line Interface), UniGetUI comes to the rescue. You can find the app packages you need through a GUI and install them.

Once installed, you will have all the productivity (and fun) apps you need to install by toggling on a switch next to them. When you select your apps, they will all be installed in one fell swoop. It reminds me of using Ninite to choose and install your favorite freeware from one package. You can get UniGetUI from GitHub or the Microsoft Store.

Flow Launcher

Bypass the Start menu to launch apps, files, and websites

You will likely pin important items to the taskbar on Windows 11 for easy access. If you need something else, you typically use the Windows Start menu. However, the Windows Start menu can be fickle and result in a difficult situation when trying to access what you need to get things done. That's where the Flow Launcher tool is a benefit for saving time and becoming more productive.

You can use action keywords and commands to run functions through Flow Launcher. It's possible to utilize Flow Launcher plugins to get things done expeditiously and launch the files, apps, and websites front and center for immediate use. Something else important to mention is you can install it as a proper app or run it as a portable app from a USB drive.

You can use it to grab weather results, Bluetooth settings, and launch Sticky Notes. We have covered Flow Launcher and PowerToys in this article. Another thing worth considering is whether you should run Flow Launcher or PowerToys to be more productive on your system. You may be surprised by the results.

Getting more done with tools that maximize productivity on Windows

If you want to supercharge your productivity at home or the office, the above tools will help you finish the job. These will improve your working experience and increase your productive output. All the apps are free, some with limited features, and a paid subscription offers more. Still, selecting the right combination will allow you to complete the work so much that your boss might wonder how you completed a project before the deadline. Sometimes, it's just a matter of finding apps and utilities built into Windows 11 or installing the third-party options that create the best results.