20 tips and tricks for Windows 11

The best hacks, secrets and tweaks for the latest version of Windows

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Every new version of Windows is met with a mixture of excitement for the new features that have been added and a sense of trepidation for the changes involved. But something all Windows users can agree on is that they want the best and fastest experience possible.

So whether you’re a Windows veteran who’s getting used to the new look and feel of theoperating system, or a first-time user of Windows, we have gathered an essential collection of tips and tricks you need to get the most out of Windows.

Some will let you stamp your mark onWindows 11and make it your own, others will speed up the way you use the OS. But they all have one thing in common – they improve Windows in some way.

1. Move the Start button

You will notice that the Start button and icons in the taskbar are centered – this is not something that’s to everyone’s liking. If you would prefer the Start button to be in the left-hand corner as it always has been, right-click an empty section of the taskbar and selectTaskbar settings. Click theTaskbar behaviorssection to expand it, and then selectLeftfrom theTaskbar alignmentdrop-down menu.

2. Enable dark mode

The option to switch to a darker color is a trend that has hit many different applications, andWindows 11does not miss out. If you prefer darker tones, right-click an empty section of the desktop and selectPersonalizebefore clicking theColorsection. From the drop-down menu labeledChoose your mode, selectDark.

3. Use Snap layouts

If you have several applications running and multiple instances of Explorer open, it can be difficult to organize the windows on the screen for easy navigation. Windows 11’s Snap feature could be the solution you’re looking for. Hover your cursor over theMaximize/Resizebutton and you can choose a layout to quickly arrange open windows. There are several to choose from, each suited for different tasks and screen sizes.

4. Hide unwanted Taskbar buttons

Next to the Start button, you will see theTask viewandWidgetsbuttons. If you don’t need these, you can hide them by right-clicking an empty section of the taskbar and selectingTaskbar settings. You can then toggle Task view and Widgets on and off. You can do the same with Search and Chat buttons.

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5. Banish distractions with Focus assist

Focus Assist can be used to prevent notifications from appearing when you need to limit distractions and get on with work. OpenSettingsand move to theSystemsection followed byFocus assist. If you selectAlarms only, alarms are the only notifications that will disturb you. You can use thePriority onlyoption to choose other notifications that should also be permitted, and choose times that Focus assistant should be automatically enabled.

6. Exclude Edge in Alt + Tab

You’re probably used to using theAlt+Tabkeyboard shortcut to switch between open applications and windows. With Windows 11, you can also include browser tabs from Edge in the Alt + Tab list for easy navigation. OpenSettingsand head toSystem>Multi-tasking, and then use the drop-down menu in theAlt + Tabsection to chooseOpen windows onlyto ignore Edge tabs.

7. Make use of widgets

Widgets are mini-apps that are displayed in a small pop-up window when you click the Widgets button in the taskbar – the blue-and-white button next to the Start button. You can customize the widgets you see by clicking the button followed by your profile picture to the upper right. Click the+button next to a widget preview to add it to the display. Back at the main widget panel, unwanted widgets can be removed by clicking thexin their upper right-hand corner.

8. Start menu shortcuts

Right-click the Start button – or pressWindows+X– to display a handy menu providing easy access to a number of Windows 11 components. This includes a link to Explorer, Settings, and sections of the Control Panel.

9. Enhance your sound

Whether you’re listening with speakers or headphones, Windows 11 can make your audio sound better. Right-click the volume icon in the taskbar and selectSound settings. Click the arrow to the right of the audio device you are using, scroll down through the options and move the toggle labeledEnhance audioto theOnposition.

10. Pin frequently used apps

The apps you use most can be pinned to the taskbar or the top of the Start menu for easy access. Click the Start button, locate the shortcut for an app you use a lot, and right-click it. From the menu that appears, you can select thePin to StartorPin to taskbaroption – whichever you prefer.

11. Customize the Start menu

There is a lot of content you can show or hide in the Start menu. OpenSettings,head toPersonalization>Start,and use the toggles to enable or disable recently added apps, most-used apps, and recent items. If you clickFolders, you can add shortcuts to various options – like Settings, Explorer, or specific folders – using the appropriate toggles.

12. Expanded right-click menu

Windows 11 has a redesigned context menu (the one that appears when you right-click on files and folders in Explorer) and you may find that some options you are used to are missing. You can access the old-style menu by clickingShow more optionsat the bottom of the context menu, or by selecting a file or folder and pressingShift+F10.

13. Clear the decks

You can use the keyboard shortcutWindows+Dto minimize all open windows but there is another option. OpenSettings, go toSystem>Multi-taskingand move theTitle bar window shaketoggle toOn. Now, when you click the title bar of an open window, keep the left mouse button pressed, and shake from side to side, all windows except the selected one will be minimized.

14. Handy Settings shortcut

There are lots of handy keyboard shortcuts to learn in Windows 11, but one of the most useful for anyone who is frequently changing settings isWindows+I. Pressing this key combination will open theSettingsapp.

15. Custom screenshots

You probably know that you can take a screenshot of what you see in front of you by pressingPrint Screenand then pasting the contents of the clipboard into your favorite image editor. But if you pressWindows+Shift+S, you’ll launch theSnipping Toolapp, which can be used to take a screengrab of just a portion of your desktop or any open window.

16. Quickly launch pinned apps

If you have shortcuts pinned in the taskbar, you already have an easy way to launch your most frequently used apps. But you can also pressWindows+1to launch the app whose icon is in the first position,Windows+2to open the second, and so on.

You can even press multiple numbers at once to launch two or more apps simultaneously – pressingWindows+3+4will launch the apps whose shortcuts are third and fourth in the taskbar, for instance.

17. Type faster with Voice typing

If you want to input text a little faster, you could try talking to your computer instead of using the keyboard. PressWindows+Hto launchVoice typingwhich you can then use to dictate text rather than typing it out by hand.

18. Check battery usage

If you’re on a laptop, you will probably want to maximize the life of your battery. When you’re away from a power source, you can check which apps are eating up the most battery by openingSettingsand heading toSystem>Power & battery.

ClickView detailed infonext to the handy graph of battery usage and you will see a list of battery-hungry apps. You can close down any that are unnecessary or manage their background activity via the three-dot menu next to the app’s entry in the list.

19. Use virtual desktops

It is easy to run out of space on your desktop, or get lost in a sea of windows – and this is where virtual desktops can help. Click theTask Viewbutton next to the Start button and then clickNew desktopto create a new virtual workspace. You can use this – and any more you create – just like your normal desktop. Switch between them by holdingWindows+Ctrland pressing the left or right arrow key.

20. Customize Quick Settings

Click the Network/Volume/Power button in the taskbar, and you’ll see Quick Settings which gives easy access to key options and settings. You can remove items you don’t need or add new ones that are missing by clicking the pencil button, then click the ‘unpin’ button next to an unwanted item, or hitAddto choose more.

Sofia is a tech journalist who’s been writing about software, hardware and the web for nearly 25 years – but still looks as youthful as ever! After years writing for magazines, her life moved online and remains fueled by technology, music and nature.

Having written for websites and magazines since 2000, producing a wide range of reviews, guides, tutorials, brochures, newsletters and more, she continues to write for diverse audiences, from computing newbies to advanced users and business clients. Always willing to try something new, she loves sharing new discoveries with others.

Sofia lives and breathes Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and just about anything with a power button, but her particular areas of interest include security, tweaking and privacy. Her other loves include walking, music, her two Malamutes and, of course, her wife and daughter.

You can find her onTwitterandMastodon.

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