Webmail tabs and the built-in Mail app fall short once you're juggling several accounts. Mailspring answers with a native client and unlimited free accounts.
Windows Search makes you wait; Everything answers as you type. A free file search utility from voidtools that reads names, not contents.
Notepad++ is the free, open-source text editor most Windows users install the day plain Notepad stops being enough. Fast, tiny, and endlessly extendable.
7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver that opens almost everything and compresses tighter than most paid rivals. A plain interface is the only real cost.
CCleaner is a PC cleaner for junk files, browser traces, and uninstall leftovers on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. The free tier still does the real work.
Sumatra PDF is a free, no-frills PDF reader that opens files on Windows almost instantly, without Adobe's bloat. See who it actually fits.
LibreOffice is a completely free, open source Office & Productivity suite covering six apps, though heavily formatted Word and Excel files don't always translate perfectly.
One long read on the week's biggest shift, every Sunday.
