Windows 11 is one of the most widely used operating systems worldwide. However, its default apps are not that popular. When you first set up your Windows 11 PC or laptop, you may want to change which apps are used by default. Despite Microsoft’s efforts to improve these apps in recent years, many users still prefer third-party alternatives. Here, we review five default Windows 11 apps that are easily outpaced by other options.
Change Default Apps in Windows 11
Windows 10 and 11 handle default apps differently. In Windows 10, you can choose a default app for each type of task, such as browsing or playing media. Once set, this selection is applied to all relevant file extensions.
However, Windows 11 requires you to choose a default app for each file type separately. For example, if you want to change your media player, you can’t just set one app as the default. Instead, you have to set it for each file type, such as .mp4, .mkv, and .mov.
Some third-party apps make this process easier by offering to set themselves as the default during installation. However, not all apps do this. If you don't want to manually change the default app for each file type, you can use the “Open with” option and save your selection as the default for that file type.
Media Player: Limited Capabilities
The default media player in Windows 11 is the Movies & TV app, known as Movies & TV outside the US. While it’s an improvement over previous Windows media players, it still has its limitations. The app is optimized for Windows devices, offering excellent performance, especially on laptops, where it saves battery life. However, it struggles with major video formats unless you purchase extensions from the Microsoft Store.
Additionally, the Movies & TV app lacks advanced features found in other media players, such as video conversion and subtitle creation. If you can't play certain videos, you can try a different media player.
VLC Media Player is a popular choice. It supports almost every video format and offers features like aspect ratio adjustment, subtitle creation, and basic video editing. Despite occasional stutters, VLC is reliable and versatile.
Another option is PotPlayer, which many former VLC users have adopted. PotPlayer supports a wide range of formats, offers more advanced subtitle features, and allows for extensive customization, including creating or downloading new skins and UI elements.
Your Internet Browser: Time for a Change?
Many people still think that Microsoft Edge is only good for downloading a new web browser. Despite Microsoft’s efforts to improve Edge, it is still not the best option for most users. Reports suggest that only about 15% of users stay on Edge.
Internet Explorer was once the leading web browser, but has fallen behind to newer options like Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Today, Google Chrome dominates the Windows browser market, with around 60% of users choosing it over others.
If you’re not a fan of Chromium-based browsers, Mozilla Firefox is a solid alternative. It offers good performance and strong privacy features. For users who want a lightweight browser that doesn’t take up too many resources, Opera GX is a great option, especially for gamers. If you need a browser specifically designed for work or study, Vivaldi could be the right choice. Each of these browsers has its own unique features, so don’t be afraid to explore and find the one that works best for you.
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Video Editor: Beyond Clipchamp
Microsoft introduced Clipchamp as its default video editor in 2022. It’s a good tool for beginners or those with simple editing needs. However, Clipchamp falls short for more complex projects. If you’re a professional or frequent video editor, you’ll probably need something more powerful.
Adobe Premiere Pro is widely considered the best video editor on the market. It offers advanced features like color grading, effects, transitions, and access to a wide range of plugins. The learning curve is steep and the price is high, but its quality and community support make it worth considering.
If you're looking for a free alternative, DaVinci Resolve is a great option. It's an open-source video editor that offers many of the same features as Premiere Pro, including 4K video export. Although less popular than Adobe's offering, DaVinci Resolve has a dedicated user base who have created tutorials, templates, and other resources to help you get the most out of the software.
Image Editor: Alternatives to Photos App
Windows 11's Photos app is good for viewing images, organizing albums, and making simple edits. However, it doesn't offer the depth of features needed for more serious image editing. If you want to do more than just basic tweaks, you'll need a more robust tool.
For professionals, Adobe Photoshop is the best choice. It's the most advanced image editor available, constantly updated with new features. This level of quality comes at a high cost, and Adobe's subscription model is one of the most expensive on the market.
For those who prefer a free option, GIMP is a great alternative. It offers many of the same features as Photoshop, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users. If you’re looking for something even simpler, Canva is a user-friendly app with a variety of templates and editing tools that are perfect for quick projects.
Screen Recording: Beyond Built-in Tools
Windows 11 doesn’t have a dedicated screen recording app, but it does offer three options: Snipping Tool, Microsoft 365, and Xbox Game Bar. While these tools can get the job done in a tight schedule, they’re not ideal for more demanding tasks like creating tutorials, recording presentations, or capturing gameplay.
OBS Studio is a free, open-source screen recording software that offers advanced features like CPU and GPU encoding, streaming capabilities, and overlay options. It’s a powerful tool with no watermarks, making it a favorite among content creators.
If you have an Nvidia graphics card, even an older model, GeForce Experience's ShadowPlay is another excellent choice. This tool uses a secondary chip on the GPU to record gameplay with minimal performance impact. However, if your computer crashes while recording, your footage may be lost or corrupted because ShadowPlay records in MP4 format.
Conclusion: Explore Your Options
There are countless third-party apps that can replace the default apps in Windows 11. This list highlights just a few that offer significant improvements over Microsoft’s built-in options. Whether you’re looking for better performance, more features, or a different aesthetic, there’s likely an alternative app that fits your needs.
If you're not happy with the default apps in Windows 11, feel free to explore the many alternatives available. With the right tools, you can improve your productivity, creativity, and overall user experience on your PC.