Microsoft Store is underrated when it comes to app installation. Most veteran Windows users still prefer downloading software directly from the official website or third-party platforms. However, if you dig deeper into the Microsoft Store, you'll find many hidden gems that can transform your experience on Windows.

Here are a few useful Microsoft Store apps that are free, light on system resources, and deserve to be on your Windows PC.

5 OneCommander

A modern, dual-pane file manager that outshines File Explorer

Modern Windows File Explorer is good in many ways; however, it's still limited for many power users. That's where third-party file managers like OneCommander come into play. It's one of the best file managers for Windows that you can get from the Microsoft Store. It replaces the dated File Explorer with a sleek, dual-pane interface that makes managing files a breeze.

You get tabbed navigation, breadcrumb trails for folders, color themes (including dark mode), and even built-in previews for documents and media. Moving files between folders is as easy as dragging and dropping them across the panes. The tabbed interface is especially handy for people who work across multiple projects or network drives.

What I love the most is the optional column view, similar to that of the macOS Finder. Plus, OneCommander doesn't just look good — it feels snappy and lightweight, even on older hardware. It's also regularly updated, meaning you get improvements and new features frequently, keeping the experience fresh and efficient.

4 QuickLook

Preview files instantly without opening them

QuickLook is one of those apps that feels so natural that you'll forget it's an add-on. Inspired by macOS's quick preview feature, it lets you preview almost any file on Windows by selecting it and pressing the spacebar.

Whether you're browsing images, PDFs, videos, or zipped folders, QuickLook gives you an instant peek without launching a separate app. It supports a wide range of file formats and integrates seamlessly with File Explorer. The beauty of QuickLook lies in its simplicity — there is no complicated setup or settings to fuss over. Install it, and it just works.

For someone like me, who goes through hundreds of files daily, this tool saves a lot of time. No more double-clicking just to check if it's the right file — just spacebar and glance. It's a minor feature, but it has a massive impact on productivity.

3 IrfanView

A lightweight, fast image viewer and editor

Most of you might have heard of IrfanView, which has been around for decades. There's a reason it's still a favorite among power users. Available in the Microsoft Store, IrfanView is a lightning-fast image viewer that can also handle basic editing, format conversions, batch processing, and even simple graphics tasks.

It supports almost every image format, from JPEG and PNG to obscure RAW formats from professional cameras. Need to crop, resize, adjust colors, or quickly watermark images? IrfanView has you covered. It's especially valuable for photographers and designers working with large image libraries.

Despite its speed, it doesn't compromise on functionality. The Microsoft Store version is especially convenient because it updates automatically. No more hunting for the latest version, as your trusted image viewer stays updated without you lifting a finger.

2 TranslucentTB

Make your taskbar beautifully translucent (or fully transparent)

TranslucentTB gives you complete control over the appearance of your Windows taskbar. Want a blurry, glass-like taskbar? Or maybe you prefer the taskbar to be fully transparent for a cleaner desktop? With this app, it's entirely up to you.

You can set dynamic profiles — for example, have a normal taskbar on the desktop but make it transparent when a window is maximized. It's lightweight and uses virtually no resources. Plus, it works seamlessly with multi-monitor setups, which is a win for a productivity lover like me.

Again, it's a simple tweak, making your desktop feel fresh and modern. I love pairing it with a good wallpaper to make everything feel more open and distraction-free.

1 Ditto Clipboard

Supercharge your clipboard with history and sync

Ditto Clipboard is a game-changer app for me. Instead of the single-item clipboard that Windows offers by default, Ditto lets you keep a searchable history of everything you've copied — texts, images, and files.

Using a simple hotkey, you can quickly search and paste from your clipboard history. It even supports syncing your clipboard between multiple devices, which is incredibly handy if you work on a desktop and a laptop.

It's lightweight and unobtrusive, and once you start using it, you'll never return to the basic clipboard again. Ditto keeps everything at your fingertips for anyone managing multiple projects, coding, or simply doing heavy research.

I particularly like its support for custom shortcuts and the ability to pin frequently used items for even faster access. It's literally one of my favorite Windows apps.

Upgrade your Windows experience with these apps

If Windows feels dull, boring, or underproductive to you, the right apps can easily lift your experience. And if you are skeptical of downloading apps from third-party sources, there's the Microsoft Store, which has a collection of many amazing apps. On the surface, the apps I listed might seem less impactful, but once you get your hands on them, you'll automatically notice positive changes in your workflow and productivity. Try all of them and keep the ones that fit best with your workflow.