I replaced every Microsoft app on Windows with open-source tools, and here’s how it went

Introduction: The Quest for a Truly Open-Source Windows Environment

In the ever-evolving landscape of personal computing, the reliance on proprietary software ecosystems has become the default standard for billions of users. Microsoft Windows, with its deeply integrated suite of productivity tools like Microsoft Office, Paint, and Notepad, dominates the desktop market. However, as advocates for digital privacy, software freedom, and cost efficiency, we decided to undertake an ambitious experiment: to completely replace every core Microsoft application on a Windows machine with robust, high-quality open-source alternatives. This was not merely a test of feature parity but a deep dive into the viability of a fully FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) driven Windows workflow.

Our objective was clear: to achieve a seamless, productive, and secure desktop environment without spending a dime on proprietary licenses or relying on closed-source code. We approached this transition with a critical eye, evaluating usability, performance, compatibility, and the learning curve associated with each substitution. The results were surprising, challenging some long-held assumptions about software superiority while highlighting the incredible power of community-driven development. This article documents our comprehensive journey, detailing the open-source replacements we selected, the hurdles we faced, and the ultimate verdict on whether a Windows PC can truly be liberated from its proprietary shackles.

Phase 1: Replacing the Productivity Suite (Microsoft Office)

The most significant hurdle in any migration away from the Microsoft ecosystem is the replacement of Microsoft Office. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are deeply entrenched in both professional and academic environments. Their file formats (.docx, .xlsx) are the global standard. To tackle this, we bypassed the common suggestion of using online-only tools and focused on powerful desktop applications that could handle offline work and complex formatting.

LibreOffice: The Heavyweight Contender

Our primary weapon in this battle was LibreOffice, the most active fork of the original OpenOffice project. It is a comprehensive office suite that mirrors the functionality of Microsoft Office remarkably well.

• Writer vs. Word: LibreOffice Writer served as the direct replacement for Microsoft Word. In our testing, it handled standard document creation with ease. The interface is familiar, featuring a ribbon-style toolbar that users of modern Office versions will recognize. However, the challenge arose with complex formatting. While simple text and basic layouts transferred perfectly, documents heavy on macros, specific fonts, or intricate margin settings sometimes required minor adjustments. The key strength of Writer lies in its native support for the OpenDocument Format (ODF), though it maintains robust compatibility with .docx files.
• Calc vs. Excel: For spreadsheet analysis, we utilized LibreOffice Calc. For 95% of user tasks—budgeting, data entry, and basic charting—Calc is indistinguishable from Excel in capability. It supports pivot tables, advanced formulas, and conditional formatting. The limitation becomes apparent when dealing with highly specialized Excel macros or complex VBA scripts. While Calc supports macros, the transition from Excel’s VBA to LibreOffice’s Python or Basic macros requires significant redevelopment, a non-starter for users dependent on specific legacy enterprise spreadsheets.
• Impress vs. PowerPoint: LibreOffice Impress replaced PowerPoint. It offers a solid set of transition effects and design tools. However, we noted that importing complex PowerPoint presentations with embedded media sometimes resulted in alignment issues or missing transitions. Creating presentations from scratch within Impress yielded professional results that were visually indistinguishable from those made in PowerPoint.

The Cloud Alternative: Nextcloud

While LibreOffice handled our desktop productivity needs, we also integrated Nextcloud into our workflow for collaboration and file syncing. Nextcloud is a self-hosted file sync and share solution that offers a web-based office suite (collabora online or ONLYOFFICE connectors). This allowed us to maintain a cloud-like experience similar to Microsoft 365 but with full data sovereignty. By hosting Nextcloud on a local server, we ensured that our documents never left our private network, a significant win for data privacy compared to OneDrive.

Phase 2: Visuals and Creativity (Paint, Photos, and Designer)

Microsoft has historically included basic image editing and vector design tools in Windows, such as Paint, the Photos app, and the now-discontinued Microsoft Designer. Replacing these required finding tools that were lightweight yet powerful enough for both quick edits and serious creative work.

GIMP: The Photoshop Alternative

For raster image editing, we turned to the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). This is not a simple tool; it is a professional-grade editor that rivals Adobe Photoshop in many aspects. We used GIMP for tasks ranging from simple cropping and resizing to advanced color correction and layer manipulation. The learning curve is steeper than that of Microsoft Paint, but the payoff is immense. GIMP supports a vast array of plugins and scripts, allowing for a highly customized workflow. For Windows users, GIMP provides a native installation that feels responsive and stable, handling high-resolution images without the lag often found in web-based alternatives.

Inkscape: For Vector Graphics

When we needed to create logos, icons, or scalable graphics, Inkscape became our tool of choice. While Microsoft offered basic tools, Inkscape provides a full suite of vector editing capabilities, including Bézier curves, node editing, and text manipulation. It uses the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format as its native format, which is an open standard. This made it superior to any proprietary alternative for web design and print media preparation.

Paint.NET: A Lightweight Middle Ground

We recognized that GIMP might be overkill for quick edits. To fill the gap left by Microsoft Paint, we utilized Paint.NET. Originally developed as a college project, it has evolved into a capable image editor that strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and functionality. It supports layers, unlimited undo history, and a variety of special effects. It is significantly faster to launch than GIMP and ideal for quick annotations or resizing images, making it a perfect daily driver for general users.

Phase 3: Communication and Browsing (Edge, Outlook, and Teams)

Microsoft’s grip on communication tools is strong, with the Edge browser, Outlook mail client, and Teams platform serving as defaults in most corporate environments. We replaced these with open-source tools that prioritized privacy and cross-platform compatibility.

Browser: Firefox and Brave

Microsoft Edge is a capable browser based on Chromium, but it is deeply integrated with Microsoft telemetry. We replaced it with Mozilla Firefox and Brave.

• Mozilla Firefox: We chose Firefox for its commitment to open standards and privacy. Unlike Chromium-based browsers, Firefox uses the Gecko engine, ensuring diversity in the web rendering landscape. With extensions like uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger, we achieved a browsing experience that was faster and more private than Edge.
• Brave: For users who prefer a Chromium-based environment for compatibility reasons, Brave is the superior open-source choice. It automatically blocks trackers and ads and even offers a built-in password manager. Both browsers offer syncing capabilities via encrypted accounts, serving as a privacy-respecting alternative to Microsoft’s sync services.

Email and Calendar: Thunderbird and Evolution

Replacing Outlook was a priority. While many users gravitate towards webmail, a robust desktop client is essential for offline work and organization.

• Mozilla Thunderbird: This is the gold standard for open-source email clients. It handles IMAP/SMTP accounts flawlessly and includes a built-in calendar extension (Lightning). Its tabbed interface allows for managing multiple email accounts and feeds simultaneously. The filtering and search capabilities are powerful, allowing us to manage a high volume of email without the clutter associated with the modern Outlook interface.
• Evolution: For Linux users dual-booting or those who prefer an integrated groupware solution, Evolution offers a Microsoft Exchange-compatible experience (via EWS). It combines email, calendar, and contacts in a single application, mimicking the integration found in Outlook but with greater control over data privacy.

Communication: Mattermost or Signal

Microsoft Teams is a staple in modern workplaces, but it is resource-heavy and privacy-invasive. We replaced it with Mattermost for team collaboration and Signal for secure messaging.

• Mattermost: An open-source, self-hosted alternative to Slack and Teams. We set up a Mattermost instance on a local server, providing real-time messaging, file sharing, and integrations with other tools. It is lightweight, fast, and allows for complete control over data retention policies.
• Signal: For personal encrypted communication, Signal remains the benchmark. It is not a direct functional clone of Teams, but it provides the secure chat functionality that many users rely on Teams for, specifically for private, one-to-one conversations.

Phase 4: Utilities and System Tools (Notepad, Calculator, and Media Player)

Windows comes with a suite of basic utilities that many users take for granted. Surprisingly, the open-source community has developed replacements that often surpass the originals in functionality and speed.

Text Editors: Notepad++ vs. Notepad

Microsoft Notepad is the definition of minimalist. For power users, this is insufficient. We replaced it with Notepad++. While Microsoft has recently updated Notepad to include tabs and dark mode, Notepad++ has offered these features for years, along with syntax highlighting for dozens of programming languages, macro recording, and a massive plugin ecosystem. It launches instantly, even with large files, making it an indispensable tool for developers and writers alike.

Media Playback: VLC Media Player

The built-in Windows Media Player struggles with many file formats, particularly MKV and advanced codecs. VLC Media Player solved this immediately. VLC is the “Swiss Army knife” of media playback; it plays almost any audio or video file without requiring external codec packs. It is open-source, free of ads, and includes features like network streaming and basic media conversion. We found VLC to be more stable and resource-efficient than the native Windows media apps.

Archiving: 7-Zip

Windows handles .zip files natively, but fails at.rar, .7z, and .tar formats. 7-Zip is the superior open-source solution. It offers high compression ratios via its native .7z format and handles virtually any archive type. Its integration into the Windows context menu makes it seamless to use. The interface is basic, but the performance is unmatched.

Phase 5: Advanced System Management and Customization

For advanced users, particularly those involved in Android development or system modification, the standard Windows apps are often inadequate. This is where the expertise of communities like Magisk Modules becomes relevant.

File Management: Directory Opus (Honorable Mention) and FreeCommander

Windows File Explorer is functional but lacks dual-pane viewing and advanced batch renaming. While Directory Opus is a paid (proprietary) tool we highly recommend, we strictly adhered to open-source for this experiment. Therefore, we utilized FreeCommander (freeware, not strictly open source but free) or Double Commander (open source). These tools provide dual-pane interfaces, tabbed browsing, and advanced file operations that make managing large volumes of data significantly faster than Windows Explorer.

System Monitoring: Process Hacker

The Windows Task Manager is adequate for basic monitoring but lacks depth. We replaced it with Process Hacker (now known as System Informer). This tool provides a real-time overview of system activity, allowing users to inspect exactly what each process is doing, identify hidden malware, and forcefully terminate stubborn applications. It is an essential tool for anyone troubleshooting system performance or security issues.

Android Management: Magisk and ADB Tools

While not strictly “Microsoft apps,” the management of Android devices often relies on proprietary drivers and bloatware suites like Samsung Kies or Microsoft’s “Your Phone” app. We stripped these away entirely. For rooted Android devices, we relied entirely on the Magisk Module Repository accessible via Magisk Modules. This repository provides community-developed modules that modify the Android system at a root level, allowing for deep customization without proprietary software. For non-rooted devices, we utilized the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), an open-source command-line tool that allows for complete device management, app sideloading, and backup without the need for manufacturer-specific bloatware.

The Verdict: Pros, Cons, and the Reality of the Switch

After weeks of daily driving this purely open-source Windows setup, we can offer a definitive assessment of the experience.

The Advantages

1. Cost Efficiency: The financial savings are staggering. Replacing Microsoft Office (which requires a recurring subscription) and Adobe software with free tools saves hundreds of dollars annually.
2. Privacy and Control: By using open-source software, we eliminated telemetry data collection. Tools like LibreOffice and Firefox do not track user behavior, a stark contrast to the data harvesting inherent in Windows 11 and Office 365.
3. Customization: Open-source tools are often more modular. We could tweak settings, modify interfaces, and extend functionality in ways proprietary software simply does not allow.
4. Performance: Many open-source alternatives are lighter than their Microsoft counterparts. LibreOffice, for instance, generally consumes less RAM than a fully loaded instance of Microsoft Word with cloud syncing enabled.

The Challenges

1. Compatibility Issues: This was the most significant hurdle. While LibreOffice can open .docx files, complex documents created in Word sometimes broke. Fonts rendered differently, and comments might not transfer correctly. In a collaborative environment where the rest of the world uses Microsoft Office, strict compatibility is a constant battle.
2. The Learning Curve: For a user accustomed to the ribbon interface of Office, switching to the menu-bar style of LibreOffice requires patience. For basic tasks, the transition is easy, but for advanced features, relearning workflows is necessary.
3. Integration Gaps: Microsoft apps are tightly integrated (e.g., Outlook to Teams to Word). Replicating this seamless flow requires setting up and maintaining multiple open-source tools, which requires technical know-how. Using Nextcloud helps bridge this gap, but it requires a server to run.

Conclusion: Can You Truly Ditch Microsoft?

Replacing every Microsoft app on Windows with open-source tools is not only possible but, in many cases, preferable. For the average user performing standard productivity tasks, browsing the web, and managing media, the open-source ecosystem offers tools that are equal to or better than Microsoft’s defaults.

However, for enterprise environments heavily reliant on Microsoft 365’s cloud integration and strict document fidelity, a full replacement remains difficult. The “lock-in” effect of proprietary file formats is real. Yet, for privacy-conscious individuals, developers, and power users, the open-source path offers liberation.

Our journey proved that the open-source community has successfully replicated—and often surpassed—the functionality of the proprietary giants. By leveraging tools like LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, and GIMP, we constructed a Windows environment that was faster, more private, and entirely free of licensing fees. For those willing to adapt to slight workflow changes, the open-source desktop is not just a viable alternative; it is the superior choice for digital freedom.