An individual has redesigned their Windows 11 setup, replacing Microsoft's default apps with open-source alternatives to gain more control and flexibility.
Software Replacements and Benefits
The user replaced the built-in Windows search function with Everything by Voidtools for faster file location. File Explorer was swapped for Double Commander, providing advanced file management capabilities such as regex multi-renaming.
For note-taking, Joplin was chosen instead of OneNote, enabling local storage of Markdown files. KeePass was adopted for managing passwords securely without automatic cloud integration.
Creative Tools and Synchronization
Syncthing was utilized to facilitate selective file synchronization across devices, avoiding reliance on OneDrive. For creative tasks, GIMP, Inkscape, and Audacity were selected to handle raster images, vector graphics, and audio, respectively. These choices reflect a preference for open standards and avoiding unnecessary software bloat.
Additional Tools and Utility Choices
The user's setup further incorporates Backblaze for simple offsite backups, VLC for media playback capabilities, and 7-Zip for file extraction and encryption. This combination of open-source tools ensures that the Windows environment is both resilient and reflective of personal ownership.
