Summary

• Lossless Scaling adds frame generation capabilities for smoother gaming experience ($7)
• Ventoy simplifies OS installations by allowing multiple OS images on a USB drive
• AutoHotkey automates tasks efficiently with scripting language and customization

When you think of essential PC apps, PowerToys, HWiNFO, and Equalizer APO might be the ones that cross your mind. However, the world of PC software is a vast and interesting place, filled to the brim with obscure applications that you may or may not be familiar with. If you've already outfitted your system with all the popular utilities and tools out there, here are ten highly useful yet underrated apps that you might want to check out.

10 Lossless Scaling

Downloading more FPS is more legit than you may have thought

If your graphics card is struggling to run games at decent FPS, you might want to try using frame generation and upscaling to make up for the lack of sheer GPU horsepower. However, not all games are compatible with Nvidia or AMD’s frame-generation algorithms, and you’ll also need to invest in newer graphics cards to use this technology.

Enter Lossless Scaling, a $7 application that can add frame-generation capabilities to any application or game of your choice! Of course, the app is far from perfect and is prone to a lot of artifacts, latency, and ghosting issues. But for anyone who wants a smooth experience on slower-paced games without lowering the resolution to oblivion, Lossless Scaling is more than worth your money, especially with the app now supporting x4 frame generation.

9 Ventoy

Great for distro hoppers

As someone who cycles between multiple operating systems every week, Ventoy has easily become one of my most-used apps ever since I downloaded it a few months ago. Without Ventoy, you’ll have to write a USB drive with fresh OS files every time you need to install a new operating system on your PC.

However, Ventoy gets rid of this tedious process by allowing you to add several OS images to the USB drive, and you can easily switch between the different operating systems at will. It’s not locked behind a paywall either, making it quite a worthwhile addition to any tinkerer’s toolkit.

8 AutoHotkey

For all your automation needs

Windows 11 supports a handful of shortcuts to make your life easier, and you can set some keyboard macros using PowerToys if you want more customization. However, few applications can provide as much of a boost to your productivity as AutoHotkey.

While it has a steep learning curve, AutoHotkey features a full-fledged scripting language that allows you to automate all your tasks, and with some practice, you’ll be writing your own code in no time. From setting up simple macros to scheduling frequent backups, AutoHotkey is a powerful application that’s more than worth your while.

7 WinSCP

A quick and easy way to share files across devices

File managers that support cross-platform file sharing are incredibly useful when you need to share a handful of files between devices over a LAN network. Having used a bunch of applications for my FTP and SFTP needs, WinSCP blows everything else out of the water with its simple yet robust UI.

In addition to its open-source nature, WinSCP supports a handful of file-sharing protocols, including WebDAV and AWS’ S3 service.

6 DisplayFusion

The definitive app for multi-monitor setups

DisplayFusion might be the most expensive app on this list, but it has enough features to make it worth your money. Besides providing an array of options to fine-tune the wallpapers and screensavers for each monitor, the app is significantly better than Windows 11 when it comes to positioning each monitor.

Plus, DisplayFusion allows you to create multiple monitor profiles, and you can save custom Taskbar settings for each of your displays. Heck, it can even segment a single monitor into smaller screens, making DisplayFusion a rock-solid recommendation for ultrawide setups.

5 Syncthing

Difficult to set up, but an absolute game changer

Another app that might turn you away with its high difficulty curve, Syncthing is perfect when your computing environment consists of multiple PCs and devices that require real-time data synchronization. Besides supporting tons of operating systems, this open-source program also doesn’t impose any restrictions on the number of files you can sync at a time.

Having recently configured Syncthing to transfer files between my home lab, NAS, and PC, I’ll admit that the initial setup can be a bit complex. But once you get it up and running, you’ll be amazed at how well this application can simplify your file-sharing needs.

4 WizTree

To analyze the files occupying your precious disk space

Disk analysis tools that scan your storage drives and compile detailed reports of the space occupied by all your files can be a godsend when you want to make room for more games and apps on your HDD/SSD. Having tested many such tools, WizTree is easily the best option on the market – and that’s mostly because of its lightning-fast scanning speed.

Compared to TreeSize and WinDirStat, WizTree can finish examining your drives, including ultra-slow HDDs, within seconds. It also has a simple UI that’s easy to navigate even for absolute beginners. While it technically requires a paid license for commercial use, the average PC user won’t have any issues with the free version of WizTree.

3 Fan Control

To keep your PC nice and cool

Managing the fan speeds of all components of your PC can help improve its airflow and save it from the scourge of poor thermals. But fine-tuning the GPU fans, CPU cooler, and intake/exhaust cabinet fans is easier said than done.

Thankfully, Fan Control makes the process less tedious by providing a unified interface where you can tweak the RPMs of the fans attached to your PC components. Better yet, Fan Control also lets you set up custom fan curves to dynamically modify the fan speeds at different temperature ranges.

2 Parsec

With a shoutout to Sunshine and Moonlight

There are a handful of ways to access your PC remotely over the LAN, but none can rival the simplicity offered by Parsec. Sure, you’ll need to pay a premium to unlock the more advanced features, but you can enjoy 4K 60FPS game streaming even on the basic version of Parsec.

I’ll admit that the Sunshine server and Moonshine client apps provide a slightly better gaming experience than Parsec. However, the latter provides a much better experience with non-gaming tasks, and setting it up is an absolute cakewalk.

1 Super God Mode

When the normal God Mode isn't good enough

The default God Mode in Windows 11 is a neat feature that provides instant access to the more advanced settings, meaning you don’t have to rummage through a barrage of menus to modify certain system settings. The Super God Mode script dials this up a notch by letting you access thousands of hidden settings on your Windows 11 machine.

Once you run the Super God Mode script, it fetches every CLSID link, shell link, and a bunch of hidden menus and shortcuts, allowing you to fine-tune every aspect of your system at the click of a button. As if that’s not enough, Super God Mode is easy to configure and is available for free on GitHub.

What’s your favorite app that nobody uses?

Apart from these recommendations, there are tons of other applications that deserve more recognition. As someone who makes a living by writing articles, CLCL is my favorite clipboard caching software and I prefer using it over the default Windows+V clipboard. Chocolatey is a decent app that can scratch Linux package manager itch, while Ninite provides a much simpler way to update your apps.

For gamers, HWiNFO provides top-notch monitoring facilities for all your hardware, while MSI Afterburner is a great way to push your GPU past its normal limits. Finally, Hard Disk Sentinel is an amazing tool that can perform thorough write tests on your HDD and check for bad sector errors.