ZDNET recently published a curated list of ten open-source Windows applications, each free to download and use, that can replace expensive proprietary software while bolstering privacy and control. The selection covers everything from office suites and backup tools to password managers and local AI platforms, addressing common frustrations like subscription fees, data harvesting, and vendor lock-in.

What the list covers: a practical breakdown

ZDNET’s picks span the full range of daily computing tasks, with each app chosen for its maturity, feature set, and ability to give users meaningful alternatives to the default Windows experience. Here’s what you’ll find, grouped by function.

Office and productivity

LibreOffice remains the gold standard for open-source office suites. It bundles a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool, vector drawing program, and database manager—all local and offline. According to ZDNET, you can set it to save natively in Microsoft Office formats so collaborative editing with Office users stays seamless. The suite receives frequent updates, and a large template and extension ecosystem means you can tailor it to niche workflows.

Flow Launcher is a keystroke-launched command palette that searches files, launches apps, and runs web queries without lifting your hands from the keyboard. Think of it as a highly customizable Windows native version of macOS Spotlight. Community plugins let you integrate system commands, calculators, and even translation services directly into the search bar.

File Converter adds a right-click menu entry to File Explorer that converts audio, video, image, and document files on the fly. It can compress files as well. The one caveat ZDNET flags is that converting Microsoft Office formats works best if Office itself is installed, but for PDF creation or media transcoding it’s a friction-free timesaver.

AutoHotkey is a scripting language that automates virtually any desktop task. You can remap keys, create global hotkeys, or build small GUIs to streamline repetitive chores. There is a learning curve, but the payoff is substantial: a few lines of code can eliminate hours of manual clicking.

Security and privacy

Bitwarden is a cross-platform password manager with a polished Windows client and browser extensions. The free tier is more than enough for most individuals—it generates strong, unique passwords, stores them behind a master passphrase, and can self-host its server for full data control. ZDNET singles it out as the password manager to start with.

Duplicati offers client-side encrypted backups to almost any destination: local folders, network shares, or cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and AWS S3. Because data is encrypted before it leaves your machine, even the storage provider cannot read your files. The web-based dashboard lets you schedule incremental backups and monitor job status.

Nextcloud is a self-hosted cloud platform that provides file sync, sharing, calendar, contacts, and collaborative document editing—similar to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace—but under your own roof. ZDNET recommends starting with a managed hosting provider if you lack server ops skills, then migrating to self-hosting once you’re comfortable with maintenance, TLS certificates, and automated updates.

Communication and customization

Franz consolidates multiple messaging services into a single interface. WhatsApp, Slack, Telegram, Discord, and even Outlook and Google Calendar can live in one window with tabbed switching. It’s a pragmatic way to reduce notification sprawl, though the article warns that service API changes can occasionally break integrations.

YAZB (YAZB Reborn) adds a macOS-style top bar to Windows that displays system stats—battery level, network speed, weather—and gives quick access to power controls. It’s lightweight, themable, and appeals to users who want glanceable information without opening Task Manager or the Settings app.

Local AI

Ollama wraps large language models into a user-friendly desktop application that runs entirely on your own hardware. That means prompts and generated text never leave your PC. ZDNET cautions that hardware requirements vary wildly: tiny models can run on machines with 8–16 GB of RAM, but larger ones demand tens of gigabytes of VRAM and a dedicated GPU with properly configured CUDA drivers. Model licenses also differ, so check whether a model’s terms allow your intended use before downloading.

What this means for you

These ten apps aren’t just a novelty—they can change how you work, stay safe, and think about software ownership.

Everyday users will see immediate gains from Bitwarden (stop reusing passwords), File Converter (one-click PDF creation), and LibreOffice (a full Office alternative that doesn’t push you toward a subscription). Flow Launcher can replace the Start Menu hunt-and-click with instant search.

Power users and IT pros gain a flexible automation toolkit with AutoHotkey, a comprehensive backup safety net with Duplicati, and a private cloud infrastructure with Nextcloud. These tools replicate features that normally require expensive enterprise licensing, but with complete transparency into the code.

Privacy-minded users have a clear path to reducing data exposure: Ollama keeps AI queries local, Duplicati encrypts backups before they hit the cloud, and Nextcloud lets you own the server. Even LibreOffice’s offline-first design ensures your documents stay away from cloud-based scanning.

On the flip side, adopting open-source apps shifts some responsibility to you. Self-hosted platforms need regular updates, backups, and security hardening. Plugins can expand attack surfaces, and complex documents may render differently in LibreOffice than in Microsoft Office. The power these tools give you comes with the duty of good digital housekeeping.

How we got here: the open-source tide on Windows

The list reflects a decade-long trend. Subscription creep—Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, and cloud storage fees—has nudged users toward free, perpetual alternatives. Simultaneously, high-profile data breaches and AI training scandals have made local-first software more attractive. Open-source projects have also matured: LibreOffice now rivals Office for most tasks, Bitwarden passes rigorous security audits, and Duplicati makes encrypted backups approachable for non-engineers.

ZDNET’s roundup isn’t the first to champion open-source on Windows, but its mix of established staples and edge-case utilities signals that the ecosystem now covers nearly every user need. And because the apps are community-maintained, improvements and bug fixes often arrive faster than with monolithic proprietary software.

How to adopt these tools safely

Jumping into open-source doesn’t mean abandoning caution. Follow this practical checklist to avoid common pitfalls.

  • Download from official sources. Get installers directly from each project’s website or verified GitHub releases. Avoid third‑party download aggregators.
  • Check integrity. Where available, verify digital signatures or SHA‑256 checksums. Windows SmartScreen warnings are common for smaller projects—use them as a prompt to double‑check, not a reason to panic.
  • Start small. Install one or two apps first. Flow Launcher and Bitwarden are low‑risk, high‑reward starters. Confirm they behave as expected before adding more.
  • Test backups. After configuring Duplicati or Nextcloud, perform a full restore to an alternate folder. A backup you can’t restore is worthless.
  • Lock down self‑hosted services. If you run Nextcloud or self‑hosted Bitwarden, enforce TLS, enable automatic security updates, and snapshot the server before major changes. Use strong authentication and consider multi‑factor authentication.
  • Audit plugins. Only install community plugins from trusted authors, and review the permissions they request. For Flow Launcher or AutoHotkey scripts, skim the code if you can.
  • Respect hardware limits. Before downloading large AI models through Ollama, confirm your system meets the memory and GPU requirements. Start with a tiny model and work up.
  • Plan for interoperability. When collaborating with Office users, set LibreOffice to save in docx/xlsx/pptx format and test complex documents early. File Converter’s Office conversions are most reliable when Microsoft Office is installed.

A measured, incremental approach ensures you reap the benefits of open-source without introducing instability or security gaps.

What to watch next

Open-source on Windows will likely accelerate. Microsoft’s own PowerToys—a set of open-source utilities—shows that even the platform vendor sees value in community-driven tools. Expect more local AI runners as on-device inference becomes feasible, tighter integration between tools like Flow Launcher and Windows’ search index, and perhaps a formal package manager that makes installing and updating these apps as easy as the Microsoft Store.

For now, ZDNET’s list is a solid starting point. Pick the two apps that will most improve your daily workflow, follow the safety checklist, and discover how much control free software can actually deliver.