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Must-Have Windows Apps for Students: Boost Productivity with AI PCs

Aug 1, 2025

Author: ASUS    Reading time: 8 minutes

Four students gather around an open ASUS Chromebook laptop that sits on a table in a library

Aug 1, 2025

For today’s students, learning is no longer limited to the four walls of a classroom. Whether you're taking notes during a lecture, collaborating with classmates on a group presentation, or editing video projects for coursework — or doing all that from the comfort of your home — your Windows PC can be a powerful study companion — especially when it’s equipped with the right tools and apps. From video conferencing and note-taking to AI-powered writing assistance, students now have access to a wealth of resources designed to make school life more efficient and engaging.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the best Windows apps for learning, highlight innovative features like Windows Studio Effects and Copilot, and introduce the latest ASUS premium laptops built to elevate academic experiences.

Video Calls That Feel Like Real Classrooms

One of the biggest shifts in recent years has been the normalization of hybrid and remote learning. Students and teachers often use videoconferencing as a tool for learning and collaboration. Microsoft Teams and Zoom have emerged as the go-to platforms in this space, offering robust functionality tailored for educational needs.

Microsoft Teams is particularly well-integrated with Windows and Microsoft 365, offering a streamlined way to attend classes, participate in group chats, and collaborate on documents — all within a single platform. With the integrated Copilot AI assistant, its education-focused features such as breakout rooms, shared whiteboards, assignment tabs, and real-time document collaboration make it an indispensable tool for remote learning.

Zoom, on the other hand, remains a popular alternative due to its intuitive interface and high-quality video streaming. It’s ideal for lectures, study groups, and virtual office hours. Students can easily schedule sessions, share screens, record meetings, and interact through polls or Q&A sessions. These platforms become even more powerful on modern Copilot+ PCs and AI-powered laptops, thanks to advanced features like Windows Studio Effects (more on that later).

Study Smarter with the Copilot AI Assistant

One of the most transformative additions to the modern student toolkit is Copilot in Windows. Built into Copilot+ PCs, this AI assistant is available right from your desktop and can help simplify almost every part of your academic life. Whether you’re writing an essay, researching for a term paper, organizing your weekly schedule, or preparing for a test, Copilot can provide instant support.

For example, when researching for a paper, you can ask Copilot to summarize long articles or rephrase dense paragraphs in a more student-friendly tone. If you're working on a programming project, Copilot can review your code, help troubleshoot bugs, and explain unfamiliar functions. Even creative tasks like generating writing prompts or brainstorming presentation titles become easier with AI.

These features are optimized for AI PCs with dedicated neural processing units (NPUs), which allow you to run these tools smoothly and efficiently — even on battery. Having access to Copilot turns your premium, lightweight laptop into a productivity powerhouse.

Other Windows Apps for Learning Success

Beyond videoconferencing tools, Windows offers a range of other essential apps that students can use to stay productive and organized. Microsoft OneNote remains a favorite for students who prefer digital note-taking. It allows you to combine handwritten notes, typed text, audio clips, and even web clippings into one organized notebook that syncs across devices — perfect for keeping all your class materials in one place. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, both enhanced with AI suggestions and Copilot features, make essay writing and presentation creation more efficient and polished.

For students who love learning beyond the classroom, educational platforms like Khan Academy and Coursera offer structured, high-quality courses on everything from math and science to literature and finance.

If you’re the kind of student who thrives on structure, Notion is an excellent workspace tool for organizing notes, managing deadlines, and tracking progress on group assignments.

For those working with multimedia, apps like CapCut, Descript, and Clipchamp offer intuitive ways to edit videos and audio for class projects.

Apps like Drawboard PDF and Adobe Acrobat also come in handy for annotating textbooks, marking up lecture slides, and highlighting key points in digital PDFs. Microsoft Lens can be useful, too, as it can help you digitize hard copy materials or physical whiteboards easily, without scanners or other devices.

Together, these apps form a complete toolkit for success, especially when paired with the right AI-powered Windows laptop.

The ASUS Advantage: Powerful, Durable, and Flexible — with Pristine Video and Audio

As students increasingly depend on video meetings, streaming lectures, and multimedia assignments, visual and audio clarity have become more important than ever. ASUS laptops offer hardware enhancements and smart algorithms that take the online learning experience to the next level.

Windows Studio Effects is a great example. It uses AI to enhance your presence during calls. Automatic framing keeps you centered on-screen, even when you move; background blur removes distractions behind you; and eye contact correction helps maintain connection with your teacher or classmates. These intelligent features help create a more engaging, professional online learning experience — no matter where you're studying.

Additionally, laptops equipped with the ASUS AiSense camera automatically adjust image quality to ensure you look clear and well-lit — even in dim environments like dorm rooms or late-night study spaces. This is particularly helpful for students attending virtual presentations or conducting peer-to-peer tutoring sessions.

Meanwhile, AI Noise Cancellation technology filters out background noises and distractions, allowing your voice to come through with crisp clarity. Whether you're surrounded by café chatter, roommates, or city noise, this intelligent proprietary ASUS feature makes sure you’re heard loud and clear during every call or recording.

Choosing the Right ASUS Laptops for Students

ASUS offers a versatile lineup of premium, thin and light laptops to suit every student’s needs and budget.

The ASUS Zenbook A14 is ideal for students who demand performance, portability, and class. With its long battery life and Snapdragon® X Series processor, this Copilot+ PC is perfect for creatives, media students, and anyone who needs a powerful yet elegant laptop that can keep up with demanding tasks. Whether you're editing video content or multitasking between apps, this device delivers top-tier performance in a lightweight (under 1 kg) design — and looks great doing so! This device is built with the Ceraluminum™ material. Inspired by nature, this material is ceramic-like in touch and looks outstanding while adding durability — perfect for students.

The ASUS Vivobook S14 and the ASUS Vivobook S16 are Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon® X processors, purposefully designed for AI-enhanced learning. These laptops offer impressive battery life and can handle multitasking effortlessly, making them a great choice for students who frequently use Copilot, run educational software, or need high performance on the go. The larger S16 model offers expansive screen space for multitasking or design work, while remaining sleek and ultra-portable.

For those looking for a dependable, budget-friendly option, the ASUS Vivobook 14 and the ASUS Vivobook 16 are powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 (Series 2) processors. These laptops handle all the essentials — note-taking, word processing, online classes — with ease, and they include key ASUS features like AI camera enhancements and clear audio, making them ideal for everyday student life.

Learn Smarter: Find Your AI PC Today!

Today’s students need intelligent devices that keep up with their fast-paced academic lives. With the right combination of powerful Windows apps, AI-enhanced tools like Copilot, and smart hardware features like those found in ASUS laptops, learning becomes more effective, immersive, and flexible. Click the button below to find the right ASUS laptop for all your needs!

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