I have to use Windows on my work computer and I am finding it hard to get FOSS applications on Windows that can do stuff like

  1. Record a video (like SimpleVideoRecorder does)
  2. Take a screenshot (there’s snip, but it isn’t very customizable)
  3. Unzip .zip files

Just the routine things I used to take for granted on Linux, so I was wondering if there was a FOSS app store for Windows

And it would be very helpful if someone could suggest alternative for

  1. SimpleVideoRecorder
  2. Archive Manager

Even the apps I installed for these things either had ads or asked me for payment to record more than 2 minutes of video, I am pretty sure there are FOSS apps to do these things out there, but I don’t know where :')

PS: To everyone who has tried to help, thank you very much. I was feeling guilty for not replying to most of you, so I thought I would reply to all of ya, but funnily enough, lemmy had had enough of my gratitude!

  • SamiEnglish
    33•5 months ago

    For video recording I use OBS and for zip files I use 7-Zip

      • @[email protected]
        3•5 months ago

        I’m using 7zip on win11. You need to get into the old context menu to see it tho. You can edit the registry to make the old one the default too.
        No idea why it’s a registry edit but Microsoft will do what they will

        • @[email protected]
          -1•5 months ago

          Yes that is another option. I know 7zip works there, win11 is mostly the same as win7 under the hood, but I would install a supported frontend instead of fiddling with the registry, tweaks like that can break after updates

          I don’t use windows personally, just set it up for others. I don’t care enough to tweak the registry for them, if there are more convenient solutions

  • @[email protected]
    25•5 months ago
    1. OBS Studio, or even Xbox Game Bar (built-in, but might be disabled at your work PC)
    2. ShareX
    3. 7-Zip
  • Fonzie!
    21•5 months ago

    To be fair, these tools are all already built-in

    1. Xbox Game Bar (Win+G)
    2. Windows screenshot (Win+S / Win+Shift+s)
    3. File Explorer (Win+E) can handle .zip, even preview them quite nicely.

    I realise these are not open source (and others have already given great open-source options I would give, as well). But you’re using Windows already, so why not use Windows?

    • @[email protected]
      10•5 months ago

      File explorer’s built in archiver is still lagging behind, while it’s mostly usable, last time I tried to open a password protected rar, and it didn’t show a pw dialog just failed silently. 7zip opened it correctly

    • @[email protected]
      3•5 months ago

      Just one little addition: win+shift+s for snipping tool. Let’s you select a region, window or whole screen.

  • 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘬
    18•5 months ago

    I have to use Windows on my work computer and I am finding it hard to get FOSS applications on Windows that can do stuff like

    The Gold standard in the screen recording world is OBS. It’s not only available for Linux, but also for Windows and, well, is the gold standard. If you ask the question if OBS can do this-or-that regarding screen recording, the answer generally is yes (or “yes, via plugin”). Just use OBS on all platforms, it’s clearly the most mature screen recording tool out there.

      • Matt
        2•5 months ago

        I used Game Bar to record my videos back in the day. But it’s just too basic.

  • Presi300English
    14•5 months ago

    Video recorder: OBS

    Screenshot utility: built into most desktops

    Archive manager: Built into most file managers

  • @[email protected]
    12•5 months ago

    For screenshots, I’ve been pushing Greenshot as it has built in editing capabilities and has been quite stable on Windows 11

    For .zip files, I still stick with 7-zip. It does what it does and has never given me issue.

  • @Hawke
    10•5 months ago

    For screenshots I recommend Greenshot. Simple to use and good annotation tools.

  • @_Atlas_
    9•5 months ago

    Check out scoop and chocolatey

  • @[email protected]English
    6•5 months ago

    For simple screen recording, I could only find not-so-simple OBS that let me record a part of a screen. In the end it’s a good and reliable solution once you set up and save the local area I want to record. Not so spontaneous, but solid.

    I edit the videos in KDEnlive Windows install, which is excellent for this work. I have a smooth process and create many videos quickly.

  • @[email protected]
    5•5 months ago

    @Subject6051 Most of apps famous in linux are available on windows.

    Funny part is while joining Linux we searched alternatives and now for leaving it we need alternatives 😅

    • Ganesh VenugopalOP
      2•5 months ago

      Indeed! I gotmyself accustomed to a routine of using featherpad instead of notepad, using Kpaint instead of paint, it’s weird to be back. “Hey Windows, it’s me again, I hate you, but I have been told I must use you.”

      Pretty weird, it’s getting back at me by showing me the wrong time every time I login! :')

      • @[email protected]
        2•5 months ago

        Yeah, I use a tiling WM at home, so having to deal with Windows’ way of doing things at college computers was very annoying, especially when the Super+L keybind I used to Launch apps, was used on Windows to Lock the machine. Locking your PC while trying to open an app is very, very annoying.

  • @[email protected]English
    3•5 months ago

    Windows comes with pretty good tools for these already.

    1. Game Bar can do this and is built in, or ShareX for short clips

    2. Snipping tool is pretty full featured and built in. ShareX is also good.

    3. Windows handles ZIP natively.