VideoLAN’s VLC media player just received its 24th update to the 3.0 branch, bringing a dark mode option for Windows and Linux, native ARM64 support for Windows, and a massive number of stability and security fixes. That release, VLC 3.0.23, also includes a new AV2 software decoder called dav2d—a portable, open-source project that handles the royalty-free AV2 codec from the Alliance for Open Media. The update is part of a major maintenance push funded by Germany’s Sovereign Tech Fund, underscoring the long-term viability of the open-source multimedia powerhouse.

But VLC is just one piece of a time-tested open-source toolkit that transforms a vanilla Windows installation into a privacy-respecting, productivity-boosting workstation. The following nine applications, originally curated by How‑To Geek and verified against official project sources, address the most common gaps: media playback, streaming, browsing, development, password management, window management, disk encryption, process inspection, and bootable media creation. Each is free, open source, and backed by an active community.

VLC Media Player: The Universal Media Decoder

VLC has been the go‑to media player for decades because it plays virtually any file format without requiring external codec packs. The recent 3.0.23 release adds two user‑facing features that Windows users will appreciate immediately: a dark mode and native support for Windows on ARM64. The dark mode reduces eye strain on OLED and high‑contrast displays, while ARM64 support prime VLC for the growing number of Snapdragon‑powered laptops and tablets.

Under the hood, the new dav2d decoder is a forward‑looking investment. AV2 is the successor to AV1 and is expected to gain traction in streaming and video conferencing over the next few years. By including a feature‑complete AV2 decoder now, VLC ensures it remains the first tool you reach for when exotic or next‑gen codecs appear. VLC’s modular architecture also supports streaming protocols, subtitle synchronization, and a powerful “Convert/Save” function that can normalize files for editing or less capable players.

Practical tip: For new Windows machines, always download VLC from videolan.org. Avoid the Microsoft Store version if you need the latest updates immediately—the Win32 installer receives patches faster. Enable the dark mode from Tools → Preferences → Interface, and take a moment to configure the equalizer and hotkeys for your workflow.

OBS Studio: Streaming and Recording Made Flexible

When the built‑in Windows Game Bar or Snipping Tool falls short, OBS Studio delivers. This cross‑platform, open‑source application handles real‑time video and audio capturing, scene composition, and streaming to Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms. OBS supports unlimited scenes, multiple source types (window capture, game capture, webcam, microphone), VST audio filters, and a robust plugin ecosystem. Virtual camera support, OBS WebSocket, and Lua/Python scripting extend its capabilities far beyond simple screen recording.

Why it matters: OBS’s power comes with configuration complexity. Power users should invest time in setting up named Scenes and Profiles to avoid repeated tweaking. For streamers, the ability to mix multiple audio sources, overlay graphics, and switch between camera angles mid‑stream is essential—and no other free tool matches OBS’s depth.

Firefox: The Non‑Chromium Browser with Privacy at Its Core

In a browser market dominated by Chromium derivatives, Firefox remains one of the few major alternatives. It uses Mozilla’s Gecko rendering engine, offers container tabs for tracking isolation, and includes Enhanced Tracking Protection that blocks cross‑site cookies by default. Firefox’s extension ecosystem, while smaller than Chrome’s, still covers password managers, ad blockers, and developer tools.

Why it matters: Using a non‑Chromium browser helps preserve competition in web standards and provides behavioral differences that can sidestep certain fingerprinting techniques. Firefox’s telemetry model is more transparent than many alternatives, and its privacy settings can be tightened further through about:config. For users who want to minimize Google’s reach, Firefox is a pragmatic choice.

Caveat: Some enterprise web apps and bleeding‑edge web features may lag behind Chromium support. Test critical workflows before making Firefox your primary browser.

VSCodium: Visual Studio Code Without the Telemetry

VSCodium is a community‑built distribution of Visual Studio Code that strips out Microsoft’s telemetry, branding, and non‑free components. It uses the same MIT‑licensed source code, so extensions and themes remain compatible, but the default product.json is configured to disable data collection endpoints. For developers who want the VS Code editing experience in air‑gapped or privacy‑sensitive environments, VSCodium simplifies compliance.

Why it matters: VS Code’s official builds include opt‑out telemetry, but VSCodium defaults to off. Extensions can still introduce telemetry, so review each plugin’s behavior. The project provides prebuilt binaries for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the open‑source marketplace (open‑vsx.org) offers a direct alternative to the Microsoft extension gallery.

Bitwarden: Cross‑Platform Password Management at $10/Year

Bitwarden’s free tier is generous—unlimited passwords across all your devices—and the $10/year Premium plan adds a built‑in TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, and emergency access. Independent security audits and a transparent codebase have made Bitwarden a trusted name in password management. Browser extensions, desktop apps, and mobile clients sync vaults in real time.

Why it matters: Credential hygiene should never hinge on cost. Bitwarden’s open‑source model lets enterprises self‑host the server, while individual users get a polished, cross‑platform experience. The integrated authenticator eliminates the need for a separate TOTP app for most sites, reducing friction.

Caveat: Organizations requiring SSO, directory sync, or advanced compliance should look at Bitwarden’s business tiers or alternatives like 1Password or Keeper.

PowerToys: Microsoft’s Own Productivity Multiplier

PowerToys is an actively maintained, open‑source utility suite from Microsoft. Its modular dashboard lets you enable only the tools you need—FancyZones for custom window layouts, PowerToys Run for a Spotlight‑like quick launcher, Text Extractor for OCR on screen regions, and Color Picker for grabbing hex values. Recent releases have refined the Command Palette (formerly PowerToys Run) and added Awake to keep the PC from sleeping.

Why it matters: FancyZones alone can reduce window management friction on ultrawide or multi‑monitor setups. PowerToys Run is so fast that many users replace the Start menu search. Because the tools are modular, the performance impact is negligible when unused utilities are left off.

Practical tip: Pin the PowerToys settings window to your taskbar and run the update checker regularly. Microsoft ships new utilities and fixes roughly monthly, and some changes (like the PowerRename overhaul) alter workflows slightly.

VeraCrypt: Cross‑Platform Disk Encryption You Can Trust

VeraCrypt is the successor to TrueCrypt and continues to receive security patches and algorithm improvements. It creates encrypted containers, encrypts entire partitions, and even supports hidden volumes for plausible deniability. Full‑disk encryption with pre‑boot authentication secures data at rest, while containers are ideal for portable drives that move between Windows, macOS, and Linux machines.

Why it matters: When a portable drive is lost or stolen, encryption is the only reliable defense. VeraCrypt’s cross‑platform support means you can mount a single container on any major OS with the correct passphrase. The project publishes detailed cryptographic documentation, so independent researchers can verify its implementation.

Security note: Always download VeraCrypt from veracrypt.fr or its official GitHub mirror. Verify the PGP signature for critical deployments, and never reuse passphrases across multiple encrypted volumes.

System Informer (formerly Process Hacker): The Task Manager That Actually Tells You What’s Running

Process Hacker—increasingly referred to as System Informer in community forks and some distribution channels—gives you a detailed view of processes, services, network connections, and memory. You can search for open handles, inspect loaded DLLs, and submit a process hash directly to VirusTotal from the right‑click menu. It’s like Task Manager on steroids, but it also comes with a risk: because it exposes powerful features (kernel drivers, handle manipulation), some antivirus engines flag it as a potentially unwanted tool.

Why it matters: When a process is misbehaving or you suspect a malware infection, Process Hacker lets you drill down to the thread level, view strings in memory, and terminate stubborn processes that Task Manager won’t touch. The VirusTotal integration provides a quick sanity check on suspicious executables.

Caveat: Use only the official builds from processhacker.sourceforge.io. Many corporate environments block it outright, so check with your IT security team before installing on a managed device.

Rufus: Bootable USB Drives, Minus the Installer Drama

Rufus is the go‑to tool for creating bootable Windows or Linux USB installers. Starting with version 3.16, it introduced an “Extended Windows 11 Installation” option that can bypass TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and RAM requirements by injecting registry keys into the installer image. This capability has made Rufus essential for users who want to test Windows 11 on older hardware without resorting to manual registry hacks.

Why it matters: Rufus downloads official ISOs directly from Microsoft’s servers, so you aren’t relying on a third‑party image. The bypass options are clearly labeled, and the tool warns about potential update and support implications. For IT pros, Rufus also supports persistent storage on Linux live USBs and can create Windows To Go drives.

Legal/Support caveat: Installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may limit future updates or lead to patch‑specific bugs. Microsoft’s support terms explicitly discourage bypassing requirements, so treat this as a lab or secondary PC solution, not a production recommendation.

Why These Tools Resonate with Windows Power Users

The nine applications share a common DNA: they are open source, cross‑platform where possible, and fill gaps that Windows intentionally leaves for third‑party developers. OBS and VLC handle media tasks that Windows’ native apps cannot; Firefox offers a browser engine independent of Google’s Chromium; Bitwarden and VeraCrypt provide security that isn’t tied to a single OS vendor. Meanwhile, PowerToys and Process Hacker elevate the Windows experience without requiring registry hacks or questionable tweaking utilities.

Community validation strengthens every pick. OBS has become the default streaming client; VLC’s 20‑year track record is unmatched; PowerToys is maintained by Microsoft employees on GitHub; and Bitwarden undergoes regular third‑party audits. These aren’t niche projects—they are mature, actively developed, and unlikely to disappear overnight.

Installation Best Practices: A Repeatable Day‑One Playbook

To get the most out of this toolkit while keeping your system stable, follow a structured sequence:

  1. Update Windows and create a local administrator account if you haven’t already.
  2. Install a package manager such as Winget (built into Windows 10/11) or Chocolatey. This lets you batch‑install multiple apps with a single command.
  3. Deploy the core apps first—browser, VLC, Bitwarden, and PowerToys—using a script or a curated list. For example: winget install Mozilla.Firefox VideoLAN.VLC Bitwarden.Bitwarden Microsoft.PowerToys.
  4. Add system utilities (Everything for file search, Process Hacker) only after you understand their privilege requirements. Disable any service autostart options unless you have a specific need.
  5. Set up encryption with VeraCrypt. Create a container for sensitive files on a portable drive and test mounting on all platforms you use. For full‑disk encryption of internal drives, back up your system image first.
  6. Create a recovery USB with Rufus. Even if you don’t need bypass options, having a bootable Windows installer can save hours of troubleshooting.
  7. Configure Bitwarden by importing your existing passwords and enabling two‑step login. Consider the $10/year premium plan for integrated TOTP.
  8. Audit telemetry across all installed tools. In VS Code, set telemetry.telemetryLevel to “off” if you choose the official build; in Firefox, enable “Strict” tracking protection; and review each extension’s permissions.

Risks and Caveats: When Open Source Isn’t a Silver Bullet

Even battle‑tested tools demand caution:
- Source authenticity: Always download installers from the official project website or a trusted repository. For VeraCrypt and Process Hacker, verify digital signatures if your workflow requires a high assurance level.
- Administrative rights: VeraCrypt’s full‑disk encryption, Process Hacker’s driver hooks, and Rufus’s low‑level write operations need admin privileges. On corporate devices, coordinate with IT to avoid policy violations or antivirus false positives.
- Extension creep: Privacy gains from VSCodium or Firefox can be undone by third‑party extensions that phone home. Audit network traffic and review extension permissions regularly.
- Bypass tradeoffs: Using Rufus to skip Windows 11 requirements may block future feature updates or lead to driver compatibility issues. Test thoroughly before deploying on a machine you rely on.

Final Assessment: A Pragmatic, Maintainable Toolkit

The original How‑To Geek list is both defensive and forward‑looking. VLC’s latest update proves that even decades‑old open‑source projects can gain meaningful new features when maintained by a dedicated community. OBS, Firefox, and PowerToys show no signs of slowing down, while Bitwarden and VeraCrypt remain gold standards for personal security. Even the more niche tools—Process Hacker and Rufus—solve problems that Windows itself either cannot or will not address.

By following a repeatable installation script, verifying downloads, and managing privileges carefully, you can turn a stock Windows PC into a more private, productive, and controllable environment. Open source doesn’t always mean “free of risk,” but when sourced correctly and updated regularly, these nine apps deliver exceptional value without locking you into a single vendor.