No working system is with out its deserves, and that features Windows 11, at the same time as a lot as I complain about Microsoft’s newest working system. Its handful of helpful options continues to develop as time goes on, with more and more being rolled out every year.
But with useful utilities and settings trickling out slowly, it’s straightforward to overlook a number of right here and there, particularly when the flashier options hog the information headlines. We’ve pulled out 10 options that we don’t assume get sufficient love—in case you’ve heard of them and haven’t tried them but, now’s the time.
Further studying: The Windows 11 survival guide for Windows 10 refugees
Notepad tabs
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Notepad really predates Windows, nevertheless it’s nonetheless totally related (and helpful!) right this moment. The streamlined app enables you to open a window to make fast notes. And in Windows 11, now you can handle and navigate between open recordsdata in a single window, because of the addition of tabs. It’s far tidier than opening a brand new occasion of Notepad for every file—and mixed with the brand new darkish mode, it makes the app appear and feel fashionable.
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Windows 11 makes a wealth of information accessible with only one mouse click on (or fast faucet of Win + W). Right now you will get climate, inventory costs, sports activities updates, and leisure information, and people playing cards are slowly being joined by new additions, like for Xbox Game Pass. It’s a a lot simpler approach to keep updated than totally shifting to a browser and poking round in your tabs.
Screen recording
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Previous variations of Windows had a Snipping Tool app, however you would solely take screenshots. In Windows 11, display recording lastly will get added—and in contrast to Windows’ Xbox Game Bar’s recording function, you need to use it to seize particular elements of your display. If you function casual tech help for household and associates, this function could make your life lots simpler when explaining methods to tinker with an app or in Windows. (Note: You’ll must open the total Snipping Tool app for display recording—it doesn’t seem within the Win + Shift + S keyboard shortcut overlay.)
Quick Assist
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If your family members can handle unfamiliar however fundamental interactions with a PC, a Windows Pro license isn’t needed to offer them distant help. You can have them fireplace up Quick Assist as a substitute. (Remember this app from Windows 10? It’s nonetheless round in Windows 11.) Once in this system, they’ll log in to their Microsoft account, after which generate a six-digit code to ship to you. You’ll enter that code into Quick Assist in your PC, at which level you’ll be able to then see what’s occurring on their finish, and even request full management of their PC.
Clock information
This tiny tweak provides extra precision to your clock readout.
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If you’ve wanted extra precision in your clock readout on the Windows 11 taskbar, you’re in luck. You can now add seconds to the show—however you’ll have to move to taskbar settings to flip it on, somewhat than your date and time settings. Under Taskbar behaviors, scroll to the underside of the checklist and test the field for Show seconds in system tray clock.
File Explorer tabs
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Microsoft didn’t simply add tabs to Notepad. File Explorer got the upgrade, too. You not want third-party software program to allow the function (like Stardock’s glorious Groupy). All your quite a few Explorer home windows can now be grouped as tabs in a single container. Just click on the “+” button within the top-most menu bar (or hit Ctrl + T in your keyboard)—every new tab will seem alongside the highest of the window, identical to an online browser.
Fast Snap Bar entry
We love Snap, and having quick entry to the default layouts makes it even simpler to get the proper association on your open home windows.
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Snap is certainly one of our favourite options in Windows—with the ability to robotically resize and align home windows saves time and makes working lots simpler. And not solely do you get extra layouts to select from in Windows 11, however you’ll be able to entry them quicker, too. Just hover your mouse over the maximize button within the higher right-hand nook of any window. A small pop-up menu will seem exhibiting six completely different template choices. Roll your cursor over any of the grids, and your present window will get despatched to that place. Keyboard customers can as a substitute faucet Win + Z, then the variety of the structure they need.
Further studying: 12 handy Windows shortcuts you probably don’t know
Power financial savings
Microsoft’s Energy Recommendations can assist cut back your energy invoice.
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Energy prices preserve climbing—and in some elements of the world, they’re nonetheless at file costs. While you’ll be able to in fact swap your energy plan in Windows to one thing lighter, Windows 11 has a number of particular settings you’ll be able to activate to scale back idle energy consumption. (After all, why pay for the upper electrical energy use whenever you’re not lively on the PC?) You’ll discover these underneath Settings > System > Power & battery > Energy suggestions. You can then activate a number of of the options. These extra stringent settings will assist prolong battery life on laptops, too.
Virtual desktops
You can set completely different backgrounds for every of your digital desktops to inform them aside.
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This function may be one of the crucial underrated in Windows. Virtual desktops, which first launched in Windows 10, allow you to unfold your lively apps and home windows amongst completely different dwelling screens—it reduces litter and makes your main desktop much less overwhelming. Some folks use their digital desktops to separate out work from play (or analysis from day by day duties), whereas others separate applications by class or operate. Navigating between your desktops is as quick as clicking on the Virtual Desktop taskbar icon or tapping Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow.
Clipchamp
PCWorld
Davinci Resolve is nice in case you want deep video enhancing capabilities, however Microsoft has an alternate free possibility that’s simpler to leap into. Clipchamp can deal with fast cuts, fades, and media insertions with ease, and the interface is way much less intimidating. It additionally handles direct uploads to providers like YouTube and TikTok, in addition to cloud saves for OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Combine this program with the built-in recording options in Windows (i.e., Xbox Game Bar or Snipping Tool) and you may be in your approach to web fame shortly.