Notepad: Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code. Or if you like terminal windows: https://github.com/microsoft/edit
Paint: https://www.pinta-project.com/ seems to have Windows builds.
Calculator: https://qalculate.github.io/ is the best I know of.
I use Notepad++ for notepad stuff. Can work just like the OG one but also has a bunch of useful features.
Just use my phone for calculator
Krita for paint, but it's not really lightweight.
The best alternative to Paint for me is Online
https://viliusle.github.io/miniPaint/
I don't know why it is called Mini, it's a very powerfull and complete editor. I use it as PWA, also selfhostable
Instead of Notepad
https://www.giuspen.net/cherrytree/
Calculator, curious, and complete this one
https://preccalc.sourceforge.net/
Good notepad alternative is notepad, just taken from an earlier windows version. Best version of it is the early one from Windows 11 though, the one that just added autosaving and tabs. It's the perfect balance of simplicity and usability for a temp note taking app imo.
That is, if you just need a program with a text field and nothing else. If you want something more useful in general though, then the obvious answer is Notepad++.
I run Paint from Windows 2000 in WINE. Works like a charm.
I'm an unorganized POS and my least favorite thing about win11 notepad is how it auto-opens all your unsaved notes after a reboot. I didn't save em for a reason!
Haven't used anything but Notepad++ in years.
I'm using Notepads. It doesn't have so many features like notepad++, but it gets the job done.
I know you are asking for FOSS alternatives, but for those who are looking to just restore the old programs:
Reasons I keep old installer-ISOs, tbh
put portable apps on it. hopefully you switch to linux at some point but if you don't moving your applications to the next machine will be way easier.
cudatext as a notepad replacement. It's closer to a full featured text editor, but is very quick to startup with no extensions installed.
I have no idea about replacing paint, but irfanview for simple viewing, cropping, resizing, swapping formats, etc.
For calculator stuff I sometimes just open the Python REPL. If you know the language (even a little bit) it does all the things and more. Every time I try to use the Windows calculator it annoys me trying to find the right button and them accidently putting another operator instead of equal or vice versa.
Follow up: this is the calculator I use on Linux. I didn't realize it had Windows builds available.
On the Windows 11 install I was forced to use, I installed vim and helix through scoop. And python/julia works for calculator.
I saw that Notepad and Paint have integrated AI now. I didn't check if the same applies to Calculator, but I'm terribly afraid they might collect my Calculator history... far more shameful than any late‑night browsing history.
Yeah, putting AI in Notepad is so stupid. The entire point of notepad is how lightweight it is.
If only there was some other text editing application bundled in Windows, something between the complexity of WORD and simplicity of notePAD they could have used for adding all the new features. Shame that nothing like that exists. Oh well.
You can turn the AI off in the Notepad settings. Not the case for Paint though.
maybe just grab old win32 versions from 10/7/xp?
also....
Greenshot (replaces Snipping tool)
Irfanview (picture viewer)
VLC (video/music player)
Strawberry (music player)
Does Greenshot screen record or just screen shot?
All about open source! Feel free to ask questions, and share news, and interesting stuff!
Community icon from opensource.org, but we are not affiliated with them.