Windows 11 Tips and Tricks

Windows 11 brings a sleek new look and powerful features designed to improve productivity and user experience. But like any operating system, there are plenty of hidden tricks and lesser-known settings that can take your Windows 11 experience to the next level.

Whether you're new to Windows 11 or have been using it for a while, these Windows 11 tips and tricks will help you work smarter, customize your desktop, and get more out of your device.

Master the Redesigned Start Menu

Windows 11’s Start menu is centered by default, but you can easily move it to the left for a more traditional look.

How to do it:

• Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors
• Under Taskbar alignment, choose Left

You can also pin and rearrange apps, and even remove recommended items to reduce clutter.

Snap Layouts for Multitasking

Snap Layouts make multitasking much easier by allowing you to arrange open windows in different configurations.

Use it by:

• Hovering over the maximize button on any window
• Choosing from several layout options (split screen, three-column, etc.)

This is perfect for multitasking, especially on large monitors or ultrawide displays.

Virtual Desktops to Stay Organized

Keep work, personal tasks, and entertainment separate by using Virtual Desktops.

How to access:

• Press Win + Tab, then click New Desktop
• Switch between desktops using Ctrl + Win + Left/Right Arrow

Each desktop can have its own open apps and layout, giving you clean workspace zones.

Widgets: Quick Info at a Glance

Widgets in Windows 11 offer personalized news, weather, calendar, and more.

Access them via:

• Pressing Win + W, or clicking the Widgets icon on the taskbar

You can customize your widget feed to show stocks, sports scores, to-do lists, and more.

Customize the Taskbar

The Windows 11 taskbar can be tweaked to suit your workflow.

What you can do:

• Remove system icons (like Widgets or Chat)
• Add shortcuts to apps or folders
• Disable the search bar for a cleaner look

Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar to customize everything.

File Explorer Tabs

Windows 11 finally introduces tabbed browsing in File Explorer, just like your web browser.

Why it’s useful:

• Open multiple folders in one window
• Drag and drop between tabs
• Reduce desktop clutter

To open a new tab in File Explorer, press Ctrl + T.

Use Focus Sessions to Stay Productive

Windows 11 includes Focus Sessions in the Clock app—a simple Pomodoro-style timer with Spotify integration.

How to start:

• Open the Clock app > Choose Focus Sessions
• Set a timer and get reminded to take breaks

It’s a great way to build healthy work habits, especially if you’re working from home.

Clipboard History

Forget re-copying the same thing over and over. Windows 11 has a Clipboard History feature.

Enable it:

• Go to Settings > System > Clipboard
• Toggle on Clipboard history

Use Win + V to access your clipboard history anytime. You can even pin frequently copied items.

Use PowerToys for Advanced Features

Microsoft’s PowerToys is a free set of tools that adds power-user features like:

• FancyZones for custom window layouts
• Keyboard Manager to remap keys
• PowerRename for bulk file renaming

Download PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or GitHub to take customization to the next level.

Quick Settings & Action Center

Windows 11 splits up the Action Center into Quick Settings and Notification Center.

To access Quick Settings:

• Click the Wi-Fi/Battery/Sound icon cluster in the taskbar

From here, toggle brightness, Bluetooth, Night light, and more without digging into menus.

Enable Dark Mode or Light Mode

Customize your aesthetic with Windows 11’s built-in dark mode or light mode.

Steps:

• Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors
• Choose your mode or set it to change automatically

Dark mode can reduce eye strain during nighttime use.

Use Dynamic Refresh Rate

If you have a high-refresh-rate display, you can enable Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) to balance performance and battery life.

How to enable:

• Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display
• Choose Dynamic under Refresh rate (if supported)

This helps conserve power by lowering the refresh rate when you’re not scrolling or gaming.

Auto HDR and Gaming Enhancements

Gamers will love the Auto HDR feature in Windows 11, available for supported games and monitors.

To check:

• Go to Settings > System > Display > HDR
• Toggle Auto HDR

Also, make sure Game Mode is on in Settings > Gaming to prioritize system resources while gaming.

Voice Typing Anywhere

Windows 11 makes it easy to type with your voice using built-in voice dictation.

Use it with:

• Win + H on any text field

Speak naturally and let Windows convert speech to text. It’s surprisingly accurate and useful for hands-free tasks.

Hidden Right-Click Menu Options

The new right-click context menu is cleaner, but if you miss old options:

Press:

• Shift + Right-click to see the classic context menu

This is helpful when you need advanced options like “Send to” or “Open with.”

Bonus: Check for Updates and Insider Features

To stay ahead of the curve, join the Windows Insider Program to preview new features before they launch.

Steps:

• Go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program
• Follow the prompts to opt in (choose Beta or Dev Channel)

Just be aware that Insider builds may have bugs.

Final Thoughts

Windows 11 is more than just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s a powerful, modern OS with lots of productivity-focused features. By using these tips and tricks, you can work faster, stay organized, and personalize your desktop to match your style.

Whether you’re a student, remote worker, gamer, or casual user, these Windows 11 hacks can help you unlock the full potential of your system.