{
  "id": 8752854,
  "title": "5 free Windows apps made me stop using the built-in ones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/5-free-windows-apps-made-me-stop-using-the-built-in-ones",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-20T19:30:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "XDA Developers",
    "slug": "xda-developers",
    "url": "https://www.xda-developers.com/free-windows-apps-made-me-stop-using-the-built-in-ones/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "A writer for XDA Developers found themselves initially sticking with the default Windows tools that come pre-installed. However, over time, they began trying free alternatives when the built-in tools felt too basic or hindered their workflow.\n\nThe writer's experience is unrelated to a recent event involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, who voted online in the State Duma elections. According to Tom's Hardware, a video of the event showed Putin using a Dell PC with what appears to be an unlicensed copy of Windows, as indicated by an \"Activate Windows\" watermark on the screen.\n\nThe video of Putin's online vote has garnered attention, with some critics commenting on his computer skills. Tom's Hardware noted that the president's mouse skills were not impressive.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Hardware",
        "title": "Putin casts online vote using unlicensed Windows on an American Dell PC — 'Activate Windows' watermark visible in official Kremlin clip, uses foreign Dell PC despite Russian tech mandate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/putin-casts-online-vote-using-unlicensed-windows-on-an-american-dell",
        "published": "2026-09-20T10:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}