These are the 15 free Windows utilities I still keep installed on every bench machine in my repair shop — covering debloating, tweaks, productivity, privacy, recovery, and diagnostics. Every tool listed is free and actively maintained (or flagged below if it isn’t), and most integrate well with my own Winhance and UnattendedWinstall workflows.
Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 15, 2026
1. Chris Titus Tech’s Windows Utility
Chris Titus Tech’s Windows Utility is a PowerShell-based tool that debloats, tweaks, and bulk-installs software. I run my own Winhance for most debloat work now, but Chris Titus is still the one I reach for when a customer wants a preview of what different tweaks do before committing. Key features:
- Bulk Install Software: Save time by installing multiple programs at once.
- Debloat Windows: Remove unnecessary components to speed up your system.
- Tweak Settings: Customize Windows settings to protect your privacy and improve performance.
Launching the Utility
Launch it directly from an elevated PowerShell or Terminal window with one command:
irm "https://christitus.com/win" | iexThe utility runs in-memory without installing — the command fetches the latest script from Chris Titus’s site and executes it in PowerShell. For my full walkthrough, see the Chris Titus Windows Utility guide.
2. WinAero Tweaker
WinAero Tweaker is the most complete tweaker I have used on Windows. Where Winhance focuses on debloating and sensible defaults, WinAero is the tool I pull out when a customer wants deep, granular control over every Windows behaviour. Key features:
- Extensive Tweaks: Access a wide range of tweaks organized into categories for easy navigation.
- Search Functionality: Quickly find the tweak you need using the built-in search bar.
It is essential if you like to personalise every detail of Windows that the Settings app does not expose.
3. Microsoft PowerToys
Microsoft PowerToys is the official Microsoft utility bundle — actively maintained, signed, and safe to trust. My quick picks on what to enable first are in 5 PowerToys every Windows user should know. Some highlights:
- Always On Top: Keep specific windows pinned above others for better multitasking.
- Color Picker: Easily select and identify colors from anywhere on your screen.
- Image Resizer: Quickly resize images in bulk.
PowerToys gets new modules every few months — FancyZones, PowerRename, and Keyboard Manager are the three I use every day.
4. Bleachbit
BleachBit is a lightweight open-source cleaner — the honest answer to CCleaner, which I have not recommended since its Avast acquisition. For serious disk cleanup, see my full C drive cleanup guide. Key features:
- Clean Up Junk Files: Delete cookies, temporary files, and browsing history.
- Open Source: Trustworthy and privacy-focused, unlike many commercial alternatives.
I recommend BleachBit over CCleaner every time — same cleanup power, none of the telemetry or nag popups.
5. Ventoy
Ventoy turns a USB drive into a multi-ISO boot device — install it once, then drag-and-drop ISOs on like regular files. See my Ventoy rescue USB guide for the full walkthrough. Key features:
- Multiple ISO Files: Store and boot multiple ISO files on a single USB drive.
- Simple Setup: Install Ventoy once and simply drag and drop ISO files as needed.
I keep a single 128 GB Ventoy USB in my toolkit with Windows 10, Windows 11, a Linux live distro, and GParted on it — one stick covers 90% of what I need in the shop.
6. PolicyPlus
PolicyPlus is a free Group Policy Editor replacement for Windows Home, which ships without gpedit.msc. Key features:
- Edit Advanced Settings: Access and modify group policies usually reserved for Windows Pro users.
- User-Friendly: Ideal for those who want more control over their system settings without upgrading to Windows Pro.
For the full install walkthrough, including how to get the policy definitions files, see my Group Policy Editor on Windows Home guide.
7. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is the industry-standard free tool for screen recording and live streaming — open-source, cross-platform, and the software I used to record every video on this channel. Key features:
- Cross-Platform: Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it versatile for all users.
- High-Quality Recording: Perfect for creating tutorials or live streaming.
Nothing free comes close. Paid competitors like Camtasia add polish, but for raw recording quality and control, OBS is the benchmark.
8. TranslucentTB
TranslucentTB makes the Windows 11 taskbar fully transparent or translucent with per-state rules (e.g., opaque when a window is maximised, clear on the desktop). For the full setup with Windhawk Start Menu Styler, see my transparent taskbar guide. Key features:
- Transparency Settings: Easily make your taskbar translucent or fully transparent.
- User-Friendly: Accessible through the system tray for quick adjustments.
On Windows 10, a built-in registry tweak achieves a similar effect — see my Windows 10 transparent taskbar guide for that approach.
9. Wise Force Deleter
Wise Force Deleter handles files that Windows refuses to delete because they are locked by another process. Key features:
- Unlock and Delete: Easily remove files that Windows cannot delete on its own.
- Save Time: Avoid the frustration of dealing with locked files and folders.
I use this multiple times a week in the shop — every customer who brings in a PC with “cannot delete X” problems ends up needing something like this.
10. Wise Folder Hider
Wise Folder Hider hides and password-protects folders on Windows — useful for privacy on a shared PC. Key features:
- Drag and Drop: Simply drag a folder into the app to hide and protect it.
- Enhanced Security: A simple yet powerful way to keep sensitive information safe.
It is not a replacement for real encryption (VeraCrypt or BitLocker are the serious answers there), but it is enough to keep casual snoopers out of a folder.
11. Libre Hardware Monitor
Libre Hardware Monitor is an open-source fork of OpenHardwareMonitor, actively maintained with support for newer CPUs and GPUs. For CPU temperature monitoring specifically I prefer HWiNFO (see my CPU temperature guide), but LibreHardwareMonitor is lighter and has a cleaner tree view. Key features:
- Monitor System Stats: Check temperatures, fan speeds, voltages, and more.
- Open Source: Continuously updated with new features and fixes.
The main advantage over HWiNFO is that it exposes sensor data over a REST API — useful if you want to pipe readings into a dashboard like Grafana.
12. Norton’s Power Eraser
Note: Norton discontinued Norton Power Eraser as a standalone download in 2024 — its functionality now lives inside Norton 360. As a free portable alternative, I recommend Malwarebytes Free or ESET Online Scanner. For a complete cleanup workflow, see my malware removal guide. The original Power Eraser content is kept below for reference.
- Portable Tool: No installation required, making it easy to use on the go.
- Effective Disinfection: Matches scan results to a list of trusted and malicious applications.
For any active infection today, start with a full Malwarebytes scan, follow up with AdwCleaner (below), and finish with a Windows Defender offline scan.
13. AdwCleaner
AdwCleaner from Malwarebytes specifically targets adware, PUPs (potentially unwanted programs), and browser hijackers — the junk that full antivirus scanners often ignore. Key features:
- Easy to Use: Simple interface for quick scans and removal of adware.
- Effective Cleaning: Works well in tandem with other security tools like Malwarebytes.
AdwCleaner is my second-pass tool after Malwarebytes — it catches browser hijackers, toolbars, and sponsored shortcuts that slip past the main scan.
14. Photorec
PhotoRec (bundled with TestDisk from CGSecurity) is free file recovery software that does deep signature-based recovery — it reads raw sectors looking for known file headers, so it works even when the filesystem is damaged or reformatted. Key features:
- Recover Any File Type: Supports a wide range of file systems and formats.
- Cross-Platform: Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux users.
For the step-by-step recovery workflow, see my free file recovery guide.
15. Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA)
Note: Microsoft officially ended support for Windows Subsystem for Android on March 5, 2025. The Microsoft Store version no longer receives updates, but unofficial community builds keep WSA alive on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Use MustardChef’s WSABuilds on GitHub for a maintained unofficial version. Key features:
- Android Emulator: Developed by Microsoft, providing a seamless experience.
- Compatibility: Officially available for Windows 11, with unofficial versions for Windows 10.
Since official WSA is discontinued, BlueStacks remains the more future-proof Android emulator if you need long-term support. For sideloading APKs with native-feeling integration, WSABuilds is still my pick.
For more info, check out my guide on Installing Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on Windows 10/11.
Conclusion
Those are my 15 go-to free tools — the ones I keep coming back to year after year. Some entries have changed (Norton Power Eraser discontinued, WSA officially ended), but the category stays the same and the alternatives I have noted above are solid replacements. If you want an opinionated, one-click approach to most of the Windows 11 debloat and privacy settings these tools can tweak individually, Winhance is the tool I built specifically for that job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free software for customizing Windows?
WinAero Tweaker and Translucent TB are excellent tools for customizing your Windows experience.
Can I use these software tools on Mac or Linux?
Many of these tools, like OBS Studio and Photorec, are available on Mac and Linux as well.
How can I protect my privacy while using these tools?
Tools like Bleachbit and Wise Folder Hider focus on privacy, ensuring your data is safe.
What should I do if I can’t delete a file or folder?
Use Wise Force Deleter to unlock and delete stubborn files or folders.
Is it safe to use these free tools?
Yes, all the tools mentioned are trustworthy and widely used, with many being open source.
