How Replacing Windows Settings, File Explorer, and the Microsoft Store Boosts Efficiency

Published Apr 24, 2026, 10:01 AM EDT

Pankil is a Civil Engineer turned freelance writer from Ahmedabad, India. As a long-time Windows and Android user, he has extensive knowledge of both operating systems and specializes in creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides. 
 

Pankil has been writing about Windows, Android, and iOS since 2021. He has written over 1200 articles across reputable publications like MakeUseOf, GuidingTech, and TechWiser.
 

Outside of his writing endeavors, Pankil is an avid football fan and loves to plan his international travels with his wife in his free time.

Even in 2026, some of Windows’ core apps still feel surprisingly inefficient. The Settings app can be confusing, File Explorer feels limited, and the Microsoft Store is basic at best. But the good thing about Windows is you’re never short of alternatives. So that’s what I did.

I replaced three of Windows’ most important apps with better options, and honestly, I don’t miss them at all. Wintoys helps me control settings quickly, Files gives me a much more flexible way to manage files, and UniGetUI makes installing and updating apps effortless. Together, they make my life so much easier.

Related

Wintoys fixes the mess that is Windows Settings

My biggest problem with the Windows Settings app is that it’s not user-friendly. The moment you try to actually do something, you’re tossed into a maze of categories and submenus. Half the time, you can't be sure if the option you’re looking for lives in Settings, the Control Panel, or somewhere else.

This is the exact problem Wintoys solves. It brings all the important settings into a single, clean interface so you don’t have to click endlessly or rely on search every time. It groups all the controls into six categories, all of them are self-explanatory. The Performance tab is where you can manage startup apps, control background activity, and tweak gaming-related settings. The Health section focuses on options that keep your PC running smoothly. Here, you get access to Storage Sense, cache cleanup, and update management.

Go to the Tweaks section, and you’ll find options to manage the privacy settings, turn off ads across the system, and customize how the Start menu, desktop, and File Explorer behave. Sure, all these options exist in Windows Settings, but they are either buried or scattered in ways that make them hard to manage.

What really makes Wintoys useful is that it also includes options that the Settings app doesn’t. You can run scans like SFC, DISM, and CHKDSK without opening Command Prompt, unlock the Ultimate Performance Power Plan, manage system services, and even control Fast Startup. All of this means I rarely find myself using the Windows Settings app at all.

WinToys

Wintoys is a free Windows app that lets you optimize, debloat, repair, and customize your PC from one clean interface — no registry digging or technical know-how required.

Files is the File Explorer Microsoft never delivered

This is what modern file browsing looks like

File Explorer is something that everyone needs, and to be fair, it has improved a lot over the years. But once you try the Files app, you’ll realize what you’re missing out on. The first thing that stands out is its dual-pane layout. You can split your window into two sections, either horizontally or vertically, and work across both at once. This is far better than switching tabs or juggling multiple windows.

The column view is another nice touch. Instead of opening folders in the same window, each click reveals the next level in a new column beside it. It feels like something borrowed straight from macOS finder. Tag support is also handy. You can use it to categorize files by categories like work, personal, or anything else.

Personally, one of my favorite Files features is Compact Overlay. It opens a small, always-on-top window, which is great for multitasking. Then there’s the small stuff that Files does better than File Explorer. For instance, it shows folder sizes directly, so you don’t have to dig into the properties window. It also supports customizable hotkeys, which means you can interact using just the keyboard.

Finally, Files is also incredibly modern and better-looking. This may not seem like a lot, but if you’ve tried popular File Explorer alternatives, you’ll know how rare that is.

Files is a paid app on the Microsoft Store, but you can download it for free from its GitHub page. If you find yourself loving it, it’s worth supporting the developer.

Files App

Files app is a file management tool designed as a replacement for Windows File Explorer. It lets you organize, store, and access documents and data.

UniGetUI makes Microsoft Store feel outdated

Make managing apps feel effortless

The Microsoft Store doesn’t give you much to complain about. It gets the job done. But when it comes to ease of use, it just can’t match a proper package manager. UniGetUI is exactly that. It acts as a front end for multiple package managers, like Winget, Scoop, and Chocolately, so you get access to a massive library.

You can browse apps, install them, and manage everything from one place. It feels fast, direct, and refreshingly simple compared to the Store's slower, more restricted approach.

My favorite option is the bulk install. Sure, it’s not something you need every day, but when you’re setting up a new PC or testing a bunch of apps, it can be incredibly useful. And it works both ways. If you want to clean things up, you can uninstall a bunch of apps at once.

Updates are just as effortless. UniGetUI alerts you when updates are available, and you can install everything at once. There’s also an option to exclude specific apps if you don’t want them to be updated.

UniGetUI

UniGetUI is a free, open-source GUI for Windows that simplifies installing, updating, and uninstalling apps on your PC.

Replacing these apps fixed the parts I interact with the most, and that alone made a huge difference. Everything feels faster, smoother, and far less frustrating. If anything, my only regret is not switching to them sooner.