What Are the Best Windows 11 Hidden Features That You Are Not Utilizing?
What Are the Best Windows 11 Hidden Features That You Are Not Utilizing?
Windows 11 is packed with a variety of sophisticated design modifications and enhancements to productivity, but under the surface, there are hundreds more tools that are less well-known and that the majority of users never investigate. You can work more quickly, maintain organization, and personalize your personal computer in ways that make it seem like it is uniquely yours with the aid of these hidden features. The discovery of these features may completely alter the way in which you interact with Windows 11, regardless of whether you are a casual user or a power user.
1. Snap Layouts Have a Powerful Hidden Capability
The enhanced form of window snapping that was introduced in Windows 11 is called Snap Layouts, and it allows you to arrange numerous applications in a nice manner on the screen. You will be presented with the choice to display the window in a side-by-side, stacked, or quadrant configuration whenever you move your mouse over the maximize button of any existing window. This is particularly helpful for multitasking, such as writing while referring a website or comparing documents, since it eliminates the need to manually move and resize windows.
In the event that you are in possession of an ultrawide monitor, Snap Layouts may assist you in dividing your screen into functional zones, so ensuring that your workplace is both productive and tidy.
2. Using Virtual Desktops to Create a Workflow That Is Free of Clutter
Virtual desktops are often overlooked by users, despite the fact that they are ideal for dividing workloads. You are able to maintain three separate desktops: one for business, one for pleasure, and one for personal projects separately. After pressing Windows and Tab, choose New Desktop from the menu that appears at the top of the screen. Transitioning between desktops is a seamless experience, and each desktop may have its own background and applications active on it.
It is an excellent method for minimizing distractions, particularly if you want to concentrate on a single task as opposed to being distracted by the clutter of other windows that are open.
3. Concentrate with the use of the Clock app
Focus Sessions, which are tucked away inside the Clock app, are designed to assist you in maintaining your productivity by combining a timer, a to-do list, and even connection with Spotify. Within Windows, you have the ability to specify a focus period, and the operating system will automatically reduce alerts while showing a clean timer interface.
The “Pomodoro” approach, which involves concentrating for brief periods of time followed by breaks, is the foundation of this method. This method has the potential to significantly enhance concentration and time management, particularly while working from home.
4. The Hidden Options Available Right-Clicking the Menu
In Windows 11, the context menu that appears when you right-click has been overhauled, but many complex features are now hidden away. For those who want for the traditional right-click experience, you can simply pick Show more choices or hit Shift and F10 on your keyboard. The whole conventional menu, including historical shortcuts such as “Send to,” “Create shortcut,” and “Properties,” is shown as a result of this action.
If you maintain files or carry out sophisticated activities on a regular basis, this very simple method will save you time.
5. Cloud Sync and the History of the Clipboard
Users are not aware that Windows 11 has the ability to remember several copies of an item at the same time. To access the Clipboard History panel, press the Windows key and the V key simultaneously. This panel displays all of the text, links, and pictures that you have recently copied. It is also possible to pin frequently used snippets in order to keep them close at hand.
If you enable Sync across devices in the Clipboard settings, you will be able to retrieve anything that you have copied on numerous Windows PCs that are connected to your Microsoft account. This is a function that is sometimes overlooked by individuals who operate across several computers.
6. (Free Add-On) Quick Commands with PowerToys.
Microsoft PowerToys is a program that activates professional-grade capabilities inside Windows 11, despite the fact that it is not installed by default. With features such as PowerToys Run, which is a quick app launcher with immediate search, FancyZones, which allows for the creation of unique snap layouts, and Image Resizer, repetitious activities are made much simpler.
Because it is officially created by Microsoft and has a strong integration with the operating system, PowerToys is capable of providing stability, safety, and power. If you want to make Windows perform to its greatest capacity, PowerToys is an indispensable partner at your disposal.
7. Suppressed Gestures on the Touchpad
Windows 11 allows you to employ a variety of complex multi-finger touchpad gestures, such as those that are available on laptops. By way of illustration, you may swipe three fingers up to see windows that are now open, three fingers down to display the desktop, or four fingers left or right to transition between several virtual desktops simultaneously.
By navigating to Settings, Bluetooth & devices, and Touchpad, you have the ability to personalize these motions. It is no longer necessary to continuously grab for the mouse after you have learned them since they make navigating exceedingly seamless.
8. The use of a dynamic refresh rate results in more fluid visuals
Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) is a performance function that is included in many current laptops and monitors. It is a hidden feature that automatically changes the refresh rate of your screen between 60Hz and 120Hz according to your preferences. When reading or typing, this extends the battery life of the device, while at the same time ensuring that scrolling and gaming are performed with pinpoint accuracy.
Activating it may be accomplished by navigating to Settings, then System, then Display, then Advanced display, and finally choosing Dynamic under the “Choose a refresh rate” section.
9. A Storage Sense that Facilitates Automatic Cleaning
Your personal computer is kept in good condition by the Storage Sense function of Windows 11, which automatically deletes temporary files, cache, and outdated system updates. After it has been activated, it will automatically clear up space without interfering with your productivity.
In order to activate Storage Sense, go to Settings, then System, and finally Storage. You may adjust it to operate on a regular basis or just when there is a limited amount of storage space. Additionally, it is one of those background assistants that maintains the sensation of freshness on your computer over time.
10. A Power User Menu That Is Hidden
Right-clicking the Start button or pressing Windows and X will provide you with instant access to the most important system utilities. When you do this, the Power User Menu will appear, which provides immediate access to a variety of tools, including Device Manager, Disk Management, Task Manager, and more.
When you want to make changes at the system level without having to browse through several menus, it is very helpful for debugging any issues that may arise.
11. Voice-activated typing and command delivery
The improved voice typing function that is included in Windows 11 is driven by the speech recognition engine that Microsoft has developed. If you hit the Windows key and the letter H in any text field, you will be able to dictation, without using your hands, emails, documents, or messages with remarkable precision.
Furthermore, there is Voice Access, which enables you to operate your personal computer totally via the use of voice commands. This includes the ability to launch applications, click buttons, and navigate menus. Voice Access is a fantastic accessibility and productivity tool.
12. Adjustments Related to Night Light and Eye Comfort Options
By lowering the amount of blue light that is emitted from your screen, the Night Light function helps to alleviate eye strain that might occur during late-night hours. After going to Settings, then System, then Display, then Night light, you will be able to locate it and set it up to turn on automatically when the sun goes down.
When combined with Dark Mode, this results in an atmosphere that is not only pleasant but also devoid of distractions. This is particularly beneficial for those who work at night or who face the computer for extended periods of time.
The Windows 11 operating system is not only about aesthetics; rather, it is a highly powerful operating system that is packed with intelligent capabilities that silently increase productivity and security. The integration of PowerToys and Snap Layouts, as well as Focus Sessions and Clipboard History, are some of the hidden treasures that have the potential to revolutionize the efficiency with which you do your daily job.
Exploring these features takes just a few minutes, but the result is enormous: quicker multitasking, clearer organizing, and a more streamlined experience while using the computer. Windows 11 starts to seem more and more like a system that was made exclusively for your unique workflow the more you discover about it.
