Top 10 Hidden Features in Windows 11 You Didn’t Know About
Top 10 Hidden Features in Windows With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has revamped its operating system with a sleek design, updated tools, and performance improvements. Be that as it may, not all elements are promptly apparent or clear to clients. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the Top 10 Hidden Features in Windows 11 that most users are unaware of but can significantly enhance their experience. These features are not only meant to boost productivity but also to make everyday tasks more efficient.
Table of Contents
By investigating these unexpected, yet invaluable treasures, you will open the maximum capacity of Windows 11. Whether you’re an easygoing client, an expert, or a gamer, understanding these highlights will raise how you cooperate with your framework. We should plunge into the secret universe of Windows 11.
1. Enhanced Snap Layouts for Multitasking
Multitasking has always been a strong suit of Windows, and with the introduction of Snap Layouts, Windows 11 enhances this ability even further. While most users are familiar with snapping windows to the sides of the screen, Windows 11 offers a more advanced option to arrange open applications.
Snap Designs can be gotten to just by drifting over the expand button on any window. This will reveal multiple predefined layout options, allowing users to organize their open apps into various configurations. These configurations include side-by-side layouts, three-column layouts, and even four-grid arrangements for those working with a larger screen or multiple monitors.
Extended Use Cases:
Let’s say you’re working on a research project and you need to keep multiple windows open simultaneously. You can use Snap Layouts to divide your screen into sections, placing your browser on one side, a word processor in another section, and a PDF reader or notes app in another. With Snap Layouts, you won’t have to manually resize or drag windows. Everything is perfectly organized with only a drift and snap.
Snap Designs additionally make it simpler to oversee different virtual work areas. You can assign a specific Snap Layout to a virtual desktop, allowing you to switch between different sets of tasks without losing focus or having to rearrange windows repeatedly.
Ace Tip: Use Snap Help to rapidly occupy the excess spaces when you snap a window to one piece of the screen.This speeds up multitasking and keeps your workspace organized.
Advanced Customization:
To take Snap Layouts a step further, Windows 11 allows for customization through PowerToys, an advanced set of tools that can be downloaded from Microsoft. With PowerToys, users can create custom Snap Layouts and adjust the snapping behavior to suit their workflow. This is particularly useful for users who prefer non-traditional window arrangements or work with ultra-wide monitors.
2. Virtual Desktops Customization
Windows 11 has revamped the virtual desktops feature, making it more flexible and customizable than in previous versions. Virtual work areas are basically independent work areas that permit you to effectively sort out your errands and applications more. While virtual desktops were available in Windows 10, the ability to customize each desktop in Windows 11 sets it apart.
Now, you can rename each virtual desktop, giving them distinct titles that reflect the tasks you want to accomplish. For example, one virtual desktop could be labeled “Work,” another “Gaming,” and a third “Personal.” This labeling system makes it easier to switch between desktops without losing track of what you were doing.
Wallpaper Customization:
One of the most exciting Hidden Features in Windows 11 virtual desktops is the ability to assign different wallpapers to each desktop. This visual distinction helps users immediately recognize which workspace they are in, boosting focus and reducing distractions.
Imagine a situation where you’re working from home and juggling multiple roles: employee, parent, gamer, and more. You can have a professional wallpaper on your “Work” desktop, something calming on your “Personal” desktop, and a fun, gaming-themed background on your “Gaming” desktop. Each time you switch between desktops, the distinct wallpapers help shift your mindset according to the task at hand.
Genius Tip: Utilize the console alternate route Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Bolt to switch between virtual work areas rapidly.
Use Case for Productivity:
For example, a graphic designer may have one virtual desktop dedicated to design software like Adobe Photoshop, with multiple tabs open in the background for research and reference material. Another virtual desktop might be set up for email and communication, making it easier to keep work communications separate from creative tasks. This division helps users focus on specific projects without cluttering their workspace.
Windows 11 also allows you to drag windows between desktops, making it seamless to move an application from one workspace to another.
3. Focus Sessions in the Clock App
Productivity can often be hindered by distractions, but Windows 11 includes a Hidden Features in Windows 11 that can help users maintain focus: Focus Sessions in the Clock app. This feature integrates a Pomodoro-style timer with task management, making it easy to break your work into manageable intervals with built-in breaks.
Focus Sessions is perfect for users who want to stay on task without getting distracted by notifications, social media, or other interruptions. To use Center Gatherings, open the Clock application and investigate to the Middle Gatherings tab. Here, you can set a clock for your work stretches and breaks. You can also link your Microsoft To-Do account to synchronize your tasks, making it easier to keep track of what you need to accomplish.
Spotify Integration:
One of the most exciting aspects of Focus Sessions is its integration with Spotify. If you prefer to work with background music, you can link your Spotify account and play music directly from the Focus Sessions tab. This eliminates the need to switch between apps, allowing you to stay focused while listening to your favorite playlists or calming music.
Focus Sessions also provides daily progress tracking, allowing users to review how much time they’ve spent in focus mode over the course of a week or month. This can be particularly useful for those trying to build productive habits or meet specific work goals.
Pro Tip for Deep Work:
Set a 45-minute focus session followed by a 10-minute break for deep work. During the break, you can stretch, hydrate, or even listen to a short podcast. This ensures your productivity remains high without burning out over long stretches.
4. Direct Storage for Faster Game Load Times
Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate Windows 11’s support for DirectStorage, a technology that significantly reduces game load times by allowing the GPU to handle more tasks. Traditionally, game data is processed by the CPU and then sent to the GPU, creating a bottleneck that increases load times. DirectStorage streamlines this process by enabling the GPU to directly access and process game data.
While this Hidden Features in Windows 11 is primarily aimed at users with NVMe SSDs and newer hardware, its impact on gaming performance is significant. Games load faster, and textures and assets are rendered more efficiently, providing a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.
DirectStorage is a technology initially developed for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, but it has now made its way to PCs with Windows 11. As more games start to support DirectStorage, users can expect to see a noticeable improvement in game loading times and overall performance.
Pro Tip:
To make the most of DirectStorage, ensure that your system is equipped with a NVMe SSD and that you’re playing games optimized for this technology. Many of the latest titles are expected to support DirectStorage, so keep an eye out for updates and patches that enable this Hidden Features in Windows 11.
Example for Gamers:
Consider a situation where you’re playing an open-world game with massive landscapes and detailed textures. Traditionally, these games take a long time to load, especially when transitioning between different areas. With DirectStorage, load times are cut dramatically, allowing you to move seamlessly between areas without long loading screens breaking your immersion.
5. Dynamic Refresh Rate
Battery life and performance are always a concern for laptop users, especially those who rely on their systems for productivity and entertainment. Windows 11 introduces a Hidden Features in Windows 11 called Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR), which allows the system to automatically adjust the refresh rate based on what you’re doing.
For example, if you’re working on a document or browsing the web, the system may lower the refresh rate to 60Hz to save battery. But when you start scrolling through a webpage, playing a game, or watching a video, the refresh rate will dynamically increase to 120Hz (if your display supports it), providing smoother visuals and a more responsive experience.
Benefits for Users:
Dynamic Refresh Rate is especially beneficial for users who want to strike a balance between battery life and performance. By adjusting the refresh rate on the fly, Windows 11 ensures that your device consumes less power when performing simple tasks, while still delivering a high-performance experience when needed.
Pro Tip: If you have a high-refresh-rate display (120Hz or higher), enable Dynamic Refresh Rate in Settings > Display > Advanced Display Settings.
Use Case for Creative Professionals:
Graphic designers, video editors, and content creators will particularly benefit from this Hidden Features in Windows 11. When working on high-precision tasks, such as editing a video or designing in Photoshop, a higher refresh rate provides smoother visuals and more accurate input response. However, when switching to simple tasks like browsing or emailing, Dynamic Refresh Rate reduces unnecessary power consumption, extending the battery life of the laptop.
6. Voice Typing with Advanced Dictation
Windows 11 has taken dictation to a new level with its Voice Typing Hidden Features in Windows 11, making it an indispensable tool for those who prefer hands-free typing. While dictation has existed in earlier versions of Windows, the new voice typing tool in Windows 11 is enhanced with automatic punctuation, making your typed text more accurate and readable without the need for constant corrections.
To use Voice Typing, press Win + H on your keyboard, and the dictation tool will appear. From here, you can begin talking, and Windows will change over your discourse into text progressively. Unlike previous versions, Windows 11 automatically inserts punctuation like commas, periods, and question marks based on your speech patterns, which significantly reduces the time you spend editing your text afterward.
Practical Applications:
Voice Typing is a game-changer for users who need to take notes quickly, write emails, or compose lengthy documents without using the keyboard. It’s especially beneficial for individuals with physical disabilities or those who experience repetitive strain from typing.
Pro Tip: For the best results, use Voice Typing in a quiet environment with a good microphone. This guarantees that the framework precisely perceives your discourse and limits blunders.
Use Case in a Professional Setting:
Imagine you’re a journalist conducting an interview. Instead of taking manual notes, you can use Voice Typing to dictate the conversation in real time. As you interview the subject, the system captures every word and organizes it into a readable format, complete with punctuation. Later, you can review the text and make any necessary edits without having to manually transcribe hours of conversation.
Voice Typing is also an excellent tool for students and professionals who want to draft long documents or reports quickly. With the added convenience of automatic punctuation, you can focus on your thoughts rather than the mechanics of writing.
7. Touchpad Gestures Customization
For laptop users, touchpad gestures are an essential part of navigation. In Windows 11, Microsoft has enhanced touchpad gestures by making them highly customizable, giving users more control over how they interact with their system. Instead of relying on traditional mouse movements or keyboard shortcuts, you can perform a wide range of tasks by swiping, pinching, and tapping your touchpad.
The Hidden Features in Windows 11 allows you to assign gestures to actions such as switching between apps, opening Task View, minimizing all windows, or even opening virtual desktops. You can access these options under Settings > Devices > Touchpad, where you’ll find a list of available gestures for both three-finger and four-finger gestures.
Pro Tip for Power Users:
If you’re someone who prefers multitasking on your laptop, customizing your touchpad gestures will significantly speed up your workflow. For instance, you can assign a three-finger swipe to quickly switch between open apps or desktops without having to use the mouse or keyboard.
Extended Use Case for Workflow Optimization:
Consider a graphic designer working on a complex project that requires frequent switching between design software like Adobe Photoshop, browser windows for research, and a file explorer for accessing resources. Instead of manually switching between apps or using keyboard shortcuts, the designer can assign a three-finger swipe gesture to cycle between these apps seamlessly. This eliminates the need to interrupt the creative flow and boosts overall productivity.
Similarly, users who work with a high volume of open apps, such as programmers or financial analysts, will find touchpad gestures incredibly useful for navigating through multiple windows, minimizing distractions, and staying focused on their tasks.
8. Widgets with Personalized Feed
Windows 11 introduces Widgets, a Hidden Features in Windows 11 that integrates live information cards into your desktop environment, providing quick access to essential updates like weather, news, calendar events, stocks, sports scores, and more. The Hidden Features in Windows 11 gem within this feature is the ability to personalize the feed, tailoring it to display information that matters most to you.
Located in the taskbar, the Widget panel can be easily opened by clicking the Widgets icon. Once inside, users can customize their feed by adding or removing widgets, adjusting their size, and rearranging their layout for optimal convenience. For example, a user who’s interested in technology news, stock market updates, and upcoming calendar events can prioritize these widgets while hiding less relevant content.
Advanced Customization:
The personalized feed in Widgets can pull information from various services that you already use, such as your Microsoft Calendar, Outlook, and OneDrive. This integration makes it easier to stay on top of tasks, deadlines, and important events without having to manually check each application.
Pro Tip for Personal Use:
You can adjust the news and content that appear in your widget feed by interacting with the “Manage Interests” Hidden Features in Windows 11. This lets you select specific categories or news outlets that align with your interests. Over time, Windows 11 learns your preferences and fine-tunes the information displayed, making the feed more relevant and useful.
Use Case for Efficiency:
Imagine you’re a financial analyst who closely monitors market trends throughout the day. Instead of constantly switching between apps or websites, you can add a stock market widget to your feed. Each time you open the Widget panel, you get real-time updates on stock performance and other financial news, keeping you informed without interrupting your workflow.
Widgets are also useful for staying organized. For instance, if you frequently miss calendar notifications, adding a calendar widget ensures that upcoming events and deadlines are always visible, reducing the chance of missing important meetings or reminders.
9. Window Shake to Minimize
A lesser-known but incredibly useful Hidden Features in Windows 11 is the Window Shake functionality, also referred to as Aero Shake. This simple gesture allows users to quickly minimize all open windows except for the one they’re currently working in, making it easier to focus on a specific task.
To activate Window Shake, click and hold the title bar of the window you want to keep open, then shake it back and forth. All other open windows will automatically minimize, leaving only the active window on the screen. If you want to restore the minimized windows, just shake the title bar again, and they’ll reappear.
Pro Tip for Focus:
Window Shake is ideal for users who often work with a large number of open windows but need to focus on a single task for a short period. Instead of manually minimizing each window or using Task View to isolate a window, you can quickly declutter your desktop with a simple shake gesture.
Use Case for Fast-Paced Environments:
Consider a scenario where a project manager is working on a detailed spreadsheet while receiving multiple emails, messages, and updates across different windows. At times, the manager may need to focus solely on the spreadsheet without the distractions of other applications. Instead of minimizing each app manually, the manager can use Window Shake to instantly clear the clutter and stay focused on the task.
Window Shake is also beneficial for professionals working in fields like finance, research, or web development, where they often juggle many windows simultaneously. When quick focus is required, this Hidden Features in Windows 11 saves time and keeps their workspace organized with minimal effort.
10. Hidden Storage Sense
As we store more files, photos, and applications on our computers, storage space can quickly become an issue. Windows 11 offers a Hidden Features in Windows 11 called Storage Sense, which automatically manages and frees up disk space by deleting unnecessary files. While this Hidden Features in Windows 11 existed in Windows 10, it has been enhanced in Windows 11 with more intelligent settings and a streamlined user experience.
Storage Sense works quietly in the background to remove temporary files, clear out recycle bin contents, and even manage OneDrive files, ensuring that you never run out of space. The tool also provides options to schedule cleanups or trigger them manually, giving users more control over how storage is managed.
Pro Tip for Power Users:
To make the most of Storage Sense, configure it to run automatically by going to Settings > System > Storage and toggling on the Storage Sense option. From here, you can specify how frequently the tool should run and what types of files it should remove. You can also instruct Storage Sense to offload unused files to OneDrive, freeing up local storage without losing access to important documents.
Use Case for Laptop Users:
Laptops, especially those with smaller SSDs, can benefit greatly from Storage Sense. A college student, for example, may store numerous files related to coursework, personal projects, and media. Without regular cleanup, the student may find themselves running out of space. By enabling Storage Sense, unnecessary files are automatically removed, preventing low disk space warnings and improving the laptop’s performance.
Professionals who work with large files, such as video editors or graphic designers, can also leverage Storage Sense to clear out temporary files after completing a project, ensuring that their storage remains optimized without the need for manual intervention.
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