Get more from your PC with quick tweaks that boost productivity, comfort, and security. This short guide shows how to access lesser-known features tucked into the OS. You’ll learn simple steps that make everyday tasks faster and safer without extra downloads.
Many of these options arrive with recent updates, so keep your system current to see new tools like Copilot links, improved Quick Settings, and smarter compression formats. A few tips focus on the start menu, taskbar alignment, and File Explorer upgrades that speed navigation.
Built-in capabilities cover search boosts, OCR screenshots, Snap Layouts, virtual desktops with unique backgrounds, and widget or Copilot visibility toggles. Security also improves with passkeys via Windows Hello and cloud backup for apps, files, and credentials.
You’ll also get device-friendly wins such as Live Captions, Night Light, LE Audio support, and richer sound options. Cross-device access tools like Phone Link and Projecting to this PC make sharing easy. Most changes are quick: open the right panel, flip a toggle, or right-click an item and verify the change took effect.
Key Takeaways
- Enable built-in features to boost productivity and security without extra apps.
- Keep the operating system updated to unlock new capabilities and tools.
- Try start menu, taskbar, and File Explorer tweaks to streamline navigation.
- Use native apps for cross-device access, backup, and fast recovery.
- Check each change after applying it—some features appear after an update or first run.
Optimize the Start menu and taskbar for faster access
Reclaim screen space and speed up app launches by reshaping the Start area and taskbar to match how you work.
Realign the Start button and icons. Open Settings, choose Personalization > Taskbar, then open Taskbar behaviors and set Taskbar alignment to Left. This reduces pointer travel and feels familiar for long-time users.
Customize what appears in Start
Pick More pins to surface favorite apps and trim recommendations. Create tidy app folders by dragging one icon onto another, then name them by task.
Tame taskbar clutter
Toggle Widgets and Copilot on the taskbar to reclaim space on compact screens. You can also pin system folders like Settings or File Explorer to Start for single-click access.
Work faster with keys and habits
Use the keyboard: press the Windows key, then type an app name to launch instantly. All of these feature switches live under Personalization, so you can iterate quickly and keep the menu consistent for everyone who shares the PC.
Master Quick Settings to control Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and more
Quick Settings gives instant control over radios, audio, and display modes from one pop-up panel. Click the network/sound/battery cluster on the taskbar to open it, or press the Windows key + A to pop it up with the keyboard.
Open the panel and rearrange tiles for your workflow
The panel scrolls to reveal hidden tiles and you can drag to reorder them. Prioritize Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, Night Light, and hotspot toggles so your most-used switches sit at the top of the menu.
Right-click or long-press tiles to see contextual options for a device. If a tile misbehaves, use the small link in the area to jump into deeper settings and troubleshoot quickly.
Surface tip: Toggle Enhanced vs. sRGB color modes
On Surface PCs you can switch between Enhanced and sRGB color modes directly from this panel. Test changes on battery and plugged-in power to confirm the screen and radios behave as you expect.
Use the mouse to drag tiles and the keyboard shortcut to open the panel without reaching for the pointer. This one-panel approach speeds common tasks and keeps your workflow flowing.
Use Snap Layouts and virtual desktops like a pro
Snap Layouts and virtual desktops let you arrange workspaces fast so you switch tasks without fuss.
Hover over a window’s Maximize button to reveal Snap Layouts and pick a grid that fits your display. This is the quickest way to split the screen into two, three, or four zones without dragging.
Use the keyboard shortcuts like the Windows key + Left/Right arrow to dock a window instantly. If you prefer the mouse, grab window edges and snap to corners for tidy quarter splits.
Press the taskbar’s Desktops button to create multiple desktops. Give each desktop a unique background so you can tell work from study or gaming at a glance.
Drag app thumbnails between desktops to move tasks without closing anything. On multi-monitor setups, combine layouts to move apps cleanly between displays during deep work.
Tip: If snapping feels aggressive, tweak Multitasking options in the system panel to soften docking and resize behavior.
File Explorer power-ups: tabs, compress formats, and legacy options
File Explorer now includes tabs and smarter archive tools that cut window clutter and speed common tasks.
Open in new tab and drag between tabs to keep one window with many directories. Right‑click a folder and choose Open in new tab, then drag files between tabs or reorder tabs with a quick mouse gesture.
The streamlined ribbon acts like a compact tool bar. It surfaces Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Share, Delete, Sort, View, and a context‑aware New button that adapts to installed apps. Use it to create project folders fast.
Built‑in compression in the latest update adds 7z and TAR alongside ZIP. Compress right from Explorer to share or archive quickly. Pick 7z for best compression or TAR for multi‑part archives and recovery.
Press Shift+F10 on a file or folder to show the full legacy right‑click menu. This brings back seldom‑seen commands and advanced options for power users.
Pin key locations to the left nav for one‑click access to shared drives. When moving many files, drag to the tab header then drop into its file list to avoid misplacements. Combine tabs with Snap Layouts to keep related folders visible during complex work.
Windows 11 hidden settings that supercharge search
Clever tweaks make search the central tool for finding files, launching apps, and doing quick tasks. Switching to Enhanced indexing broadens what the system can scan so results cover more of your drive.
Open the settings app and go to Privacy & Security > Searching Windows to change Classic to Enhanced indexing. This lets the index include folders beyond the default libraries.
Quick Start search habits
Tap the Start key, type a few letters, and press Enter to open the top app quickly. You can also type math expressions directly into the Start panel to get instant results.
If indexing slows battery or performance, exclude large folders you don’t need. Rebuild the index after big file moves so results stay fresh.
Use a file type filter (for example, add .pdf to a query) to narrow results. Also review indexed locations for privacy and security so sensitive folders stay excluded.
Strengthen sign-in and app security with Passkeys and Windows Hello
Passkeys and biometric sign-ins make account access faster and far more secure than passwords. These modern credentials live locally or on trusted devices and replace weak text codes and reused passwords.
Set up facial recognition, a fingerprint, or a secure PIN to enable Hello as the gatekeeper for passkeys. Once a passkey is saved, supported apps and websites let you sign in with a biometric tap instead of typing a password.
Practical tips: sync passkeys only to devices you control, and keep firmware and drivers updated so cameras and sensors work reliably. Prefer passkey flows over text-based codes when a site supports them to reduce phishing risk.
Plan a fallback: add a secondary device or maintain a PIN so you can recover access if a sensor fails. Review your sign-in options periodically and teach family members how to use passkeys for stronger security across apps and the whole system.
Focus and productivity upgrades you can enable today
Set focused work times that include automatic pauses to help you sustain energy and attention. The Clock app’s Focus Sessions let you schedule distraction‑free blocks and track progress without extra software.
Sessions longer than 45 minutes automatically insert a five‑minute break, so you get steady breathing room. Launch the Clock app, pick a duration, and add gentle sound or a playlist to cue each block.
Turn on Do Not Disturb while a session runs so notifications stay quiet. Configure session lengths to match your natural rhythm and update goals as your workload shifts.
Clear the desktop fast with a shake
Enable Title Bar Window Shake under System > Multitasking to minimize other apps when you grab one window’s title. This quick trick hides desktop clutter during presentations or note taking.
Pair Focus Sessions with the shake feature and keep the system’s multitasking panel open while you experiment. Track time blocks across the day to see when you produce your best work, and encourage teammates to do the same.
Audio essentials: pair devices, enhance sound, and new modes
Pairing a mic or speaker and enabling a few enhancements fixes most common sound issues. Start from the system sound panel to add hardware and tune output quickly.
Open Settings > System > Sound and click Add device under Output or Input to pair a new speaker or microphone.
Click All sound devices under Advanced to view every connected device. This helps when a device is active but silent.
Turn on Mono audio to combine left and right channels if one earbud is weak. Enable Enhance Audio features for bass boost, loudness equalization, room correction, or virtual surround to level out inconsistent content.
The windows 24H2 update adds LE Audio support for Bluetooth assistive hearing devices. Test each option on headphones and speakers to find the best profile.
Pin the Sound menu to Start, use the keyboard volume keys while watching meters, and save a profile so switching hardware won’t reset your tweaks.
Display comfort: Night Light and live captions
A few simple display tweaks cut eye strain and add live transcriptions for videos and meetings.
Night Light reduces blue light and gives your screen warmer tones for evening work. To enable it, open settings to System > Display and turn on Night Light.
Schedule Night Light to activate at sunset or set custom hours that match your routine. Adjust strength so colors stay usable for basic tasks but easier on your eyes at night.
Make audio readable with on‑screen captions
Turn on Live Captions from Accessibility to get automatic text for video, meeting, and app audio. The captions panel is movable so it won’t cover important content.
Combine Live Captions with headphones to follow along in noisy places. Test captions across different browsers and apps to ensure consistent behavior.
If you do color‑critical photo work, remember to disable Night Light or use per‑display preferences for external monitors. Use these features together to keep your screen readable and your attention steady during long sessions.
Typing, voice, and keyboard shortcuts to move faster
Master a few keys and the built‑in voice tool to speed typing and app navigation. These tricks cut clicks and keep you in the flow.
Voice typing with Win+H and auto punctuation
Press the Windows key + H to dictate into any text box. The tool captures speech as text so you can draft emails, notes, or messages fast.
Open the voice typing options and toggle auto punctuation for cleaner results. Combine dictation with a quick proofread to keep accuracy high.
Must-know shortcuts that save seconds
Win+W opens Widgets for quick glanceables like calendar and weather. Win+A launches Quick Settings to change audio, network, or display modes fast.
Win+Z calls Snap layouts so you can reorganize windows with the keyboard. Win+K opens Cast to connect to a display or meeting room without hunting through menus.
Use the Start All list to see installed apps at a glance. Click Search from Start to surface your recently opened files and apps quickly.
Keep a small card of shortcuts until muscle memory kicks in. If a combo fails, check the active window and system focus, then try again.
Unlock the Snipping Tool’s hidden superpowers
Use the updated capture app to add visual borders and extract text from images in a single quick flow.
Built-in OCR: extract text from images
The Snipping Tool gained built‑in OCR starting with version 11.2308.33.0. Update the tool so you can select a region, a window, or the full screen and copy recognized text without retyping.
After capture, click the OCR icon to lift text from the image and paste it into a document or email. If characters are missing, retake the shot at higher resolution or boost contrast on the source.
Add borders to screenshots and pick color/thickness
Open the app’s Settings via the three‑dot icon to enable “Add Border to Each Screenshot.” Choose color and thickness to match your document or presentation style before you capture.
Annotate or highlight right after capture, then save the file in your preferred type. Use the mouse wheel to fine‑scroll when selecting tight regions and pair captures with a reference window to speed workflows.
Control inactive windows and system volume with your mouse
A few quick pointer tweaks let you scroll background content and change audio without moving focus.
Enable the feature by opening Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mouse and turn on “Scroll inactive windows when hovering over them.” Once active, you can hover the pointer over a window that isn’t focused and roll the wheel to move its content.
Adjust volume from the taskbar
Hover over the taskbar volume icon and use the mouse wheel to raise or lower system sound instantly. This saves time when you want to keep a document or chat in focus while tuning audio.
Practical tips to make it reliable
Keep the title bar visible and test on multiple apps to confirm the scroll area responds as expected. On wide or ultrawide screens this trick reduces pointer travel and keeps your workflow steady.
- Turn on inactive window scrolling to control background content without changing focus.
- Combine this with Title Bar Window Shake to clear clutter before fine‑tuning audio.
- If scrolling fails, revisit the Mouse toggle and retry, and use smooth scroll for precise adjustments.
Tame recommendations and defaults across Windows
Control what the system suggests in Start so your most-used apps and folders stand out.
To trim suggestions, open Personalization > Start and toggle off recently installed apps, frequently used apps, or recently opened items. Turning these off declutters the start menu and improves privacy.
Choose More pins so your favorite apps dominate the start area. Pin key folders like Documents or Downloads for one-click access to important files and folders.
Set default apps by file type
Go to Apps > Default apps, pick a trusted program, then assign it to the file types you use most. This ensures PDFs, images, and media open in the tool you prefer.
Note: File Explorer recommendations reflect your Start privacy toggles. Use search to jump straight to Default apps when you need to change a file handler on the fly.
Keep the menu and taskbar consistent for everyone who shares the PC. After role or project changes, review pinned items and defaults so your workflow stays predictable and fast.
Hidden power tools: God Mode, admin launches, and legacy dialogs
Create a single hub that exposes almost every configuration pane and admin tool in one place. Activating the so‑called God Mode builds a folder that aggregates nearly every control panel, management console, and useful option into one directory. That makes it easy to find obscure items without memorizing deep paths.
Enable God Mode to access every item in one folder
To create the folder, add a new folder and give it a specific title string to convert it into the hub. You can rename that title for quick recall if you keep more than one admin folder.
Tip: Pair this folder with the search box so you jump directly to the exact option you need.
Run dialog and legacy menu shortcuts for admins
Open the Run dialog, type a program like cmd or regedit, then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to launch with administrator rights. Keep admin launches to trusted tasks and verified sources to avoid system risk.
If a modern context menu omits a command, press Shift+F10 to show the legacy full menu. Use Alt+Tab or Snap to bring any behind-the-scenes window forward if it opens out of view.
Lean on keyboard habits to speed repeatable admin flows, and document steps so teammates can follow the same reliable process.
Cloud backup, projecting, and Phone Link integration
Save apps, files, and sign‑in data to the cloud so migration or recovery is quick and painless. Windows Backup (23H2+) syncs apps, system preferences, and credentials — including Wi‑Fi logins — to OneDrive for fast restores on a new PC.
Backup apps, files, and credentials to OneDrive
Turn on the backup and confirm key folders are included. Check OneDrive storage before you start so large files don’t block a full restore.
Tip: Review that app data and credentials are saving so your new device opens with familiar apps and logins.
Project to this PC with Wireless Display
Install the Wireless Display optional feature (open settings > System > Optional features), then enable Projecting to this PC to accept casts from other devices.
Use your local mouse and keyboard to control a projecting PC and cast video to a larger display for presentations without cables.
Phone Link: texts, calls, and photos on your desktop
Set up Phone Link to read and send texts, take calls, and access recent photos from your desktop. You can even launch compatible apps or enable a phone hotspot from the PC.
When mirroring stutters, update drivers, try a different Wi‑Fi band, or move closer to the router. Always check privacy and security prompts when pairing a new device.
Keep discovering Windows 11 hidden settings as updates roll out
Microsoft delivers regular updates and feature drops, so check often to spot small but useful additions to your workflow.
Skim release notes after any update to learn which new features touch the interface, apps, or search and how they affect access to tools. Revisit Start and File Explorer after big updates to uncover fresh toggles and compression options.
Share discoveries with other users and test important changes on a spare desktop before rolling them into daily use. Set aside a little time each month to review release notes, tweak background tools, and keep the operating environment working the way you expect.
Use built‑in access points like Quick Settings and Search to find new controls fast, and keep a simple checklist so updates never change system behavior without your knowledge.
