Best Windows 8 Apps

Shares
Helping you make the most of Windows 8.1
is here and no, Microsoft has not removed the modern UI.

has not removed the modern UI. So to make the best of the situation, we decided to update our best Windows 8 apps story by adding over 20 new app recommendations! We've got game suggestions, picks for best RSS reader, and more.

Do you use the modern UI? If so, let us know your favorite Windows 8 apps in the comments below!

Adobe Photoshop Express: While it’s certainly not the full-featured beast Photoshop has become, Adobe Photoshop Express is a nice (and free) alternative if you want some basic image-editing capabilities in a streamlined package.

Prev Page 1 of 49 Next Prev Page 1 of 49 Next

Adobe Reader: The ability to open and read PDF files might not sound interesting at first glance, however, its quick install and bloatware free footprint should pique your interest. The Windows 8 version of Adobe’s reader certainly outperforms the desktop version by a fairly wide margin, and is a must install for any Windows 8 user.

Prev Page 2 of 49 Next Prev Page 2 of 49 Next

Best Buy: It’s not quite up there with Newegg, but Best Buy has the advantage of local stores across the US. Best Buy is frequently the best place to find gear or games on short notice, so keep this app handy.

Prev Page 3 of 49 Next Prev Page 3 of 49 Next

PDF Touch: $3 might sound like a bit much for a PDF annotator, however even on competing platforms, these seem to go for a premium. The ability to quickly and easily mock up PDF files is super handy, and PDF Touch has almost all the bases covered. Need to sign a document and send it back? No problem. Need to highlight or cross out passages to send corrections back to the author? No problem. Its simple, and it works.

Prev Page 4 of 49 Next Prev Page 4 of 49 Next

Pin-Steam No this isn’t a fully functional version of Steam for Windows 8, but it does allow you launch games from Microsoft’s new modern UI without hopping over to the desktop. Given Gabe Newell’s numerous objections to Windows 8, this might well be the closest thing we ever get to an official Windows 8 app. Pin-Steam allows you to do little more than pin icons, but it still offers a great experience for modern UI enthusiasts.

Prev Page 5 of 49 Next Prev Page 5 of 49 Next
Prev Page 6 of 49 Next Prev Page 6 of 49 Next
Prev Page 7 of 49 Next Prev Page 7 of 49 Next

Dropbox: In our last round-up we recommended the Skydrive app for your Windows 8 cloud storage needs. Since launch however, Dropbox has joined the party. This version of the app is missing many of the features that make it so useful on other platforms (like automatic photo uploading), but its tile based interface certainly makes it much more finger friendly than Windows Explorer. The other downside is that its currently cloud only, and requires an Internet connection to even fire up.

Prev Page 8 of 49 Next Prev Page 8 of 49 Next

Remote Desktop: Remote Desktop might sound like nothing new, but the Modern UI version available for Windows 8 is a major improvement. This app allows you to easily bring up the desktop on any Windows machine on the network, and the performance is fantastic. The older version of the remote desktop application is still around, however the modern UI version feels smoother, and you can easily switch between full screen desktops in under a second just by swiping in from the top left.

Prev Page 9 of 49 Next Prev Page 9 of 49 Next

Shazam: Shazam is on nearly every mobile platform, so its introduction on Windows 8 was a very natural extension. The ability of this app to recognize and tag the song you are listening to is uncanny, and the service it provides to the mental wellbeing of its users can’t be understated. Never again will you find yourself doubled over in agony over the name of a song that you’ve heard a million times, but just can’t seem to identify.

Prev Page 10 of 49 Next Prev Page 10 of 49 Next
Prev Page 11 of 49 Next Prev Page 11 of 49 Next
Prev Page 12 of 49 Next Prev Page 12 of 49 Next

Picasa Gallery: Picasa is one of the most under appreciated Google services, and its ability to easily share and save high resolution camera images is hard to beat. Windows 8 users looking for an easy way to browse their own content (or public images), should check out Picasa Albums. The layout of this app works perfectly with the new Windows 8 modern UI, and beats the website hands down if you are in the mood for a full-screen experience.

Prev Page 13 of 49 Next Prev Page 13 of 49 Next

Plex: Plex is one of the most popular free and open-source media player solutions you can find these days, and the Windows 8 version does an excellent job of presenting your content using the modern UI. You will need to install the Plex media server on the PC where you store all your music and videos, however once you do, this Windows 8 app does an excellent job of serving up your content.

Prev Page 14 of 49 Next Prev Page 14 of 49 Next

Netflix: The popular video streaming service is one of the first apps to hit the Windows 8 store. The interface takes some getting used to, but this app is all about the content.

Prev Page 15 of 49 Next Prev Page 15 of 49 Next
Prev Page 16 of 49 Next Prev Page 16 of 49 Next

Skype: One of the best and most ubiquitous communication services available for the PC, the Skype Windows 8 app may actually be better than the Windows desktop version of Skype with its cleaner UI.

Prev Page 17 of 49 Next Prev Page 17 of 49 Next
Prev Page 18 of 49 Next Prev Page 18 of 49 Next
Prev Page 19 of 49 Next Prev Page 19 of 49 Next
Prev Page 20 of 49 Next Prev Page 20 of 49 Next
Prev Page 21 of 49 Next Prev Page 21 of 49 Next
Prev Page 22 of 49 Next Prev Page 22 of 49 Next
Prev Page 23 of 49 Next Prev Page 23 of 49 Next
Prev Page 24 of 49 Next Prev Page 24 of 49 Next

Kindle: You don’t have to buy a tablet from Amazon to have access to their e-book library. The Kindle app for Windows 8 gives you access to all the functions you’d expect from one of the most popular e-book platforms ever.

Prev Page 25 of 49 Next Prev Page 25 of 49 Next
Prev Page 26 of 49 Next Prev Page 26 of 49 Next
Prev Page 27 of 49 Next Prev Page 27 of 49 Next
Prev Page 28 of 49 Next Prev Page 28 of 49 Next
Prev Page 29 of 49 Next Prev Page 29 of 49 Next

SkyDrive: Like OneNote, SkyDrive is one of those Microsoft offerings that has snuck under the radar, but Windows 8 may change that. SkyDrive integrates tightly with Windows 8, powering file and setting synchronization between PCs.

Prev Page 30 of 49 Next Prev Page 30 of 49 Next

BLINK Cliplets: BLINK Cliplets lets you take a short video clip and convert it into an animated GIF, allowing you to select portions of the frame to be frozen as a still image and others which will be animated. These cliplets are limited only by your creativity, and can be shared to your social networks.

Prev Page 31 of 49 Next Prev Page 31 of 49 Next

CNN: It never hurts when a big news outlet has a high-quality app. The CNN app for Windows 8 gives you access to CNN content in an intuitive and responsive interface that will have you leaving fingerprints wherever you see the CNN logo.

Prev Page 32 of 49 Next Prev Page 32 of 49 Next

Code Writer: Hands down the best Windows 8 app for creating and editing code of various types, Code Writer offers familiar tools like code highlighting, find and replace, indentation, and comments. Whether you need to edit HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PowerShell, or PHP, Code Writer is a required tool for anyone wishing to code in Windows 8.

Prev Page 33 of 49 Next Prev Page 33 of 49 Next
Prev Page 34 of 49 Next Prev Page 34 of 49 Next
Prev Page 35 of 49 Next Prev Page 35 of 49 Next

Halo: Spartan Assault: Quite simply the best game available for Windows 8. Spartan Assault's controls, gameplay, and price add up to what should be one of the first app purchases for anyone remotely interested in gaming on Windows 8.

Prev Page 36 of 49 Next Prev Page 36 of 49 Next
Prev Page 37 of 49 Next Prev Page 37 of 49 Next
Prev Page 38 of 49 Next Prev Page 38 of 49 Next
Prev Page 39 of 49 Next Prev Page 39 of 49 Next
Prev Page 40 of 49 Next Prev Page 40 of 49 Next
Prev Page 41 of 49 Next Prev Page 41 of 49 Next

Newegg: Newegg is one of our favorite sites for parts and peripherals, and their Windows 8 app makes it easy to find parts for your next build with a touch friendly UI. The Newegg app even lets you find discounted bundles or barebones systems.

Prev Page 42 of 49 Next Prev Page 42 of 49 Next
Prev Page 43 of 49 Next Prev Page 43 of 49 Next
Prev Page 44 of 49 Next Prev Page 44 of 49 Next

Redbox: The Blockbuster killer has their Internet-connected kiosks placed strategically throughout the US. The Redbox app for Windows 8 allows you to locate kiosks near you and browse the available discs at each location.

Prev Page 45 of 49 Next Prev Page 45 of 49 Next

SlapDash Podcasts: The geniuses at Microsoft have determined that there is no need for native podcast support in Windows 8, leaving an opening for apps like SlapDash Podcasts to fill the void. SlapDash has their own content catalog, but you can also add your favorite podcasts (like our very own No BS Podcast).

Prev Page 46 of 49 Next Prev Page 46 of 49 Next
Prev Page 47 of 49 Next Prev Page 47 of 49 Next
Prev Page 48 of 49 Next Prev Page 48 of 49 Next
Prev Page 49 of 49 Next Prev Page 49 of 49 Next

Shares

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jimmy Thang has been Maximum PC's Online Managing Editor since 2012, and has been covering PC hardware and games for nearly a decade. His particular interests currently include VR and SFF computers.

Topics