Most Windows users install third-party apps for almost everything, often overlooking the fact that Windows offers built-in tools that can handle many of those tasks and easily replace third-party alternatives. Here are five underrated tools for everyday tasks that you should know about and definitely try.
While you might think you know the Snipping Tool, if you only use it for basic screenshots, you’re barely scratching the surface. Most people use it just to capture a rectangular area, but it can do much more—it lets you capture freeform areas, grab the entire screen, or snap just a specific window from the ones currently open.
Beyond that, it includes annotation tools to label screenshots, highlight sections, and crop images. One of its lesser-known features is OCR (Optical Character Recognition), which can extract text from images—including handwritten notes—so you can copy it as editable text. If you rely on multiple third-party apps for these tasks, the Snipping Tool can replace them all.
Snipping Tool’s most underrated feature is Delay Snip, which lets you delay the capture by 3, 5, or 10 seconds—just enough time to arrange your screen perfectly before taking the screenshot.
Windows Sandbox
How many times have you wanted to try a new app but backed out, worrying it might be unsafe or packed with malware? If that sounds familiar, you might not know about Windows Sandbox—a built-in virtual environment that lets you test software in complete isolation, without risking your system. It’s a disposable workspace where you can install and run apps freely.
Anything you do inside the Sandbox stays there, so you can safely check whether a program is trustworthy before installing it on your primary computer. To enable this utility, type Turn Windows features on or off into Windows Search, click the matching result, find “Windows Sandbox,” and check the box next to it. Then restart your PC.
After your system restarts, simply type Windows Sandbox into the search bar and open the matching result to launch it.
If you don’t see the option, make sure virtualization is enabled in your BIOS, Data Execution Prevention is turned on, and that you’re running a Windows edition that supports Sandbox.
Quick Assist
When was the last time your mom or dad ran into a computer problem and asked for help, but you didn’t have an easy way to jump in and fix it remotely? If this happens often—and if you (or your mom) struggle with tools like TeamViewer or AnyDesk—you’ll really appreciate a lesser-known built-in remote support tool: Quick Assist.
Quick Assist lets you securely share your screen or take control of someone else’s PC to troubleshoot issues in real time. It’s simple to use: generate a code, share it, and within moments, you’re connected. All you need is a Microsoft account, which both sides likely already have. Get your family familiar with it, and remote support becomes completely hassle-free.
You can launch Quick Assist instantly with the shortcut Ctrl + Win + Q. Show this to your loved ones, and they’ll be able to grant you access to their PC in just a few seconds.
Reliability Monitor
When your computer crashes, freezes, or behaves oddly, what’s the first thing you do? Most likely, you head straight to Google for answers. But if you do, you might be overlooking a built-in Windows diagnostic tool: Reliability Monitor. This tool displays a clear timeline of your system’s stability, tracking every crash, app failure, update, and warning in an easy-to-read graph.
It lets you pinpoint exactly when a problem began and what caused it. Each event is clickable, providing detailed information and links to potential solutions. Compared to tools like Event Viewer, Reliability Monitor is much more user-friendly and practical. To open it, just search for View Reliability History in the Start menu and open the matching result.
I find it especially helpful for spotting recurring problem patterns and identifying the root cause of long-term issues—often allowing me to fix them before seeking additional help.
Task Scheduler
We all have repetitive computer tasks we wish our devices could handle automatically. Maybe you’ve wanted your PC to back up files overnight, shut down or restart at specific times, or run custom scripts when you log in or unlock your system. Task Scheduler can do all of this, yet it remains one of the most overlooked tools built into Windows.
All you need to do is set the conditions that must be met before Windows triggers your chosen actions, and it will reliably handle tasks you might forget. Its advanced options even let you fine-tune when a task should run—such as only when a user is logged in, stopping it after a certain duration, or choosing whether it runs on AC power, battery power, or both.
To create a task, type Task Scheduler in Windows Search and open the matching result. Then go to Action > Create Basic Task, fill in the required details across the tabs, and click “OK.”
Now you can see just how powerful Windows’ built-in tools are—you just need to know where to find them. Many of the tools mentioned above can replace the third-party apps you use. Once you start using them, you’ll notice how much time and effort they save. So before installing any new third-party app, take a moment to check whether Windows offers a similar tool.
