---
title: "6 Great Windows 8.1 Apps I'll Never Use"
description: "Windows 8.1 added some pretty cool Metro-style apps, but on a laptop or desktop I doubt I'll ever open these six, starting with Alarms. Here's why."
published: 2013-06-28T00:00:00.000Z
tags: ["tech","windows"]
url: "https://davidvkimball.com/posts/6-great-windows-8-1-apps-ill-never-use"
---
Other than new tile sizes and the Start button, Windows 8.1 boasts a lot of new features (especially on the back end). You can now snap apps half-and-half, have a multitude of new settings to choose from, and there are even some new default apps thrown into the mix (also with UI overhauls to already-existing apps).

My Windows 8 PC is either my laptop or desktop OS, and many of the "Metro" apps on Windows 8 are really more suited to a touch-enabled tablet. So this brings me to the new apps that are pretty cool, but I just don't think I'll end up using...

![Search and apps list](https://davidvkimball.com/posts/6-great-windows-8-1-apps-ill-never-use/search-and-apps-list.webp)

**1. Alarms:** While this is a useful application in theory, my phone is my chief notifier for the most part. I don't see the point in creating more sets of alarms on multiple devices.

![Bing health and fitness](https://davidvkimball.com/posts/6-great-windows-8-1-apps-ill-never-use/bing-health-and-fitness.webp)

**2. Bing Health and Fitness:** An excellent service with helpful exercising tips, a fitness tracker, and a TON of other features, but something I'll never likely use...

![Bing food and drink](https://davidvkimball.com/posts/6-great-windows-8-1-apps-ill-never-use/bing-food-and-drink.webp)

**3. Bing Food and Drink:** An awesome application for any kind of cooking. It's filled with recipes, pictures, techniques, and world-renown chef bios. But cooking isn't really my thing, so I'll be passing on this one, too...

![Calculator](https://davidvkimball.com/posts/6-great-windows-8-1-apps-ill-never-use/calculator.webp)

**4. Calculator:** Didn't...we already have this? So now when you search "Calculator", now two apps come up in the search results. The legacy desktop calculator app, and the new metro one...Awkward? 

![Reading list](https://davidvkimball.com/posts/6-great-windows-8-1-apps-ill-never-use/reading-list.webp)

**5. Reading List:** Likely an alternative to Instapaper and/or Read It Later (Pocket is what it's called now). But...I don't do most of my reading in the metro-app environment. So this isn't particularly useful for me. 

![Scan](https://davidvkimball.com/posts/6-great-windows-8-1-apps-ill-never-use/scan.webp)

**6. Scan:** I wouldn't use a metro app to scan something. I'd use the desktop side. 

I suppose my qualm with the metro applications are that...they are just built for touch. While they're beautiful, insanely intuitive, and are PACKED with features, I just prefer using a desktop/laptop OS! 

That being said, I don't hate Windows 8's Start screen at all. I see it as a beautiful way to display your favorite programs/apps, and the desktop can stay clean that way. And no, I do not believe the metro side of Windows 8 interferes with the desktop side. I think they can continue to coexist just fine. 

I included a screenshot of Xbox Music because it's much better now, thankfully. 

![Xbox Music](https://davidvkimball.com/posts/6-great-windows-8-1-apps-ill-never-use/xbox-music.webp)

What is your opinion on Windows 8 or Metro apps? Have you tried 8.1 yet?