Basic Windows Programs for Beginners: Notepad, Paint, Calculator, Photos, Mail, Calendar, and More
Windows comes with a set of built-in programs such as Notepad, Paint, Calculator, Photos, Mail, and Calendar. These apps can be used right away without installing anything separately.
They are simple and intuitive, making them perfect for beginners who are just starting out with computers. However, they don’t offer the advanced features that professional software provides.
As you gain experience, you can always expand by adding specialized software like Microsoft Office, Photoshop, or Premiere depending on your needs.
Hello, this is Jay.
In the last article, we explored the principles behind applications. We learned that all programs running on an operating system share a common structure: a main screen and menus, where user input produces visible results.
In this post, let’s see how these principles apply to real examples by looking at the default programs that come with Windows. These built-in tools require no installation, making them the perfect starting point for beginners, while still remaining handy for experienced users. (Personally, I use Notepad and Calculator all day long.)
Notepad
The simplest example is Notepad. Aside from typing and saving text, it doesn’t have special features-but its very simplicity is what makes it so useful. You can jot down quick meeting notes, organize ideas, or even draft bits of code. Because it launches instantly and works without distraction, Notepad is a timeless tool.
If you want more formatting, WordPad is the next step. It allows fonts, colors, and paragraph alignment, though it lacks advanced document editing functions. WordPad is a good way to learn the basics of text formatting. (Note: WordPad seems to be excluded from Windows 11.)
Paint
If you want to work with images, Paint is there. It’s a basic graphics editor where you can draw lines, fill colors, add shapes, and insert text with your mouse. Many people have nostalgic memories of doodling in Paint when they first learned computers. While it lacks professional tools, it’s perfect for quick edits, annotations, or cropping screenshots.
Calculator
The Windows Calculator does much more than simple addition. It supports scientific calculations, logarithms, trigonometric functions, and even unit conversions-length, weight, temperature, and currency exchange. For example, you can quickly convert US dollars to Korean won when shopping online abroad.
File Explorer
File Explorer is essential for organizing and finding your files. All stored data can be accessed here, arranged in folders. You can sort by name, date, or size, search for specific files, and copy, move, or delete them. File Explorer is one of the first Windows tools every beginner should master.
Media Player & Photos
Windows 11 includes a modern Media Player for music and videos, with playlist and subtitle support. The Photos app lets you not only view pictures but also crop, rotate, and adjust brightness. While it’s not as powerful as professional editing software, it’s enough for quick fixes.
Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool is great for capturing your screen. You can select the area you want, take a screenshot, and annotate it right away. This is especially handy for saving important parts of online lectures or work content.
Mail & Calendar
The Mail app allows you to manage Gmail, Outlook, Naver, and other accounts in one place. The Calendar app helps you organize schedules, set reminders, and avoid missing important events. Whether you’re a student or a professional, these apps are practical everyday tools.
Clock & Voice Recorder
The Clock app provides alarms, timers, stopwatches, and even world clocks. If you need to schedule meetings across time zones, this is extremely useful. The Voice Recorder lets you capture audio with a single click-perfect for saving lecture notes or interviews.
PowerShell and Command Tools
For more advanced use, Windows includes Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Windows Terminal. While intimidating for beginners, they’re essential for professionals handling system management or automation. For example, you can rename hundreds of files at once with just a few commands.
Microsoft Store, Widgets, and Teams
Windows 11 also comes with modern apps like the Microsoft Store for downloading software, and widgets for real-time weather and news. Teams is pre-installed, making remote meetings and online classes much easier. (Though when I logged in, I was surprised to see spam messages waiting for me… ๐ )
The Purpose of Built-In Apps
As you can see, Windows provides enough built-in programs to handle most daily tasks-writing, calculating, drawing, viewing photos, enjoying media, and managing schedules.
But there’s an important point: built-in programs are intentionally simple. They provide only the essentials, while advanced features are left to professional software. For instance:
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Notepad is great for quick text but not complex documents.
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Paint can crop and color but not handle Photoshop-level editing.
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Calculator converts units but won’t manage financial reports.
This isn’t a flaw-it’s by design. Windows ensures everyone has access to core functions right away, while also leaving room for specialized tools.
The Big Picture
In short, Windows’ built-in apps are the starting line. They give every user the foundation to work comfortably without additional setup. From there, you can choose professional tools like Office, Photoshop, or music editors depending on your needs. Beginners can learn easily, and advanced users can expand as they like.
So, the basic apps aren’t just accessories-they’re the gateway to effective computer use.
That wraps up our look at Windows’ built-in programs.
Next time, we’ll explore the concept of installing separate programs beyond the defaults.
Thanks for reading, and as always-may learning be fun, and may you always stay happy!
You can view the original Korean blog post at the link below
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