In October 2021, Microsoft launched Windows 11, the newest version of its popular operating system (OS). The OS has a revamped user interface, offers better support, and packs new features that individuals and businesses can take advantage of. If you’ve recently upgraded your PCs to Windows 11, the following tips and tricks will help you make the most out of the OS:
Reposition the taskbar icons
In Windows 11, taskbar icons are centered instead of left-aligned. If you prefer the classic layout, you can switch back by following these steps:
- Right-click on an empty part of the taskbar and click Taskbar settings. This will open the Settings menu.
- Scroll down and open the Taskbar behaviors drop-down menu.
- Set the taskbar alignment to Left.
Personalize the Quick Settings panel
The Quick Settings panel allows you to enable or disable features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Battery saver without opening the Settings app. To access it, click the network, volume, and battery button on the right-hand side of the taskbar or press Windows key + A on your keyboard.
To add or remove settings, select the pencil-shaped Edit quick settings button. Unpin the buttons that you don't want or select Add to make features visible on the Quick Settings menu. You can even drag and drop buttons to your preferred position. Once you’re satisfied with your changes, click Done.
Add folders to the Start menu
You can quickly access folders by pinning them to the Start menu. To do this, open File Explorer on your taskbar and locate the folder you want to pin. Next, right-click the folder and select Pin to Start.
You can also pin core folders like Documents, Pictures, and Downloads on the Start menu. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Start menu and then click Settings.
- On the Settings window’s left pane, click Personalization. Select Start and then Folders.
- Turn on the switch for your preferred folders. They will now appear beside the Power button when you open the Start menu.
Access the old right-click menu
If you right-click on the desktop or a File Explorer window, Windows 11 will only display common actions like Open, Cut, Copy, and Paste. To access the old context menu, select Show more options or press Shift + F10 on your keyboard.
Multitask better
Snap Layouts lets you organize open windows by grouping them in preset arrangements, such as side by side, into three columns, and into quadrants, among other complex positions.
To use Snap Layouts, mouse over a window’s maximize button or press Windows key + Z on your keyboard. This will pull up a small menu containing suggested window arrangements. Click the area on your screen where you want the window to go, and then select the window(s) that you want to place beside it. This will create a Snap Group. You can minimize and restore the group without having to control each window.
Snap Layouts lets you organize open windows by grouping them in preset arrangements, such as side by side, into three columns, and into quadrants, among other complex positions.
Take a screenshot
There are many ways to take a screenshot on Windows 11, but the quickest one is to press the Windows key + Print Screen on your keyboard. This will save a screenshot of your entire screen on your Pictures folder.
If you want to capture a portion of your screen, you can use the Snipping Tool app. Open it by pressing Windows key + Shift + S on your keyboard or going to Start > All Apps > Snipping Tool.
Minimize distractions
The emails and notifications you receive every day can be distracting. Windows 11’s Focus Sessions feature aims to help you be more productive by encouraging you to set aside time for uninterrupted work. Here’s how to use it:
- Open the Start menu, and then click All Apps. Launch the Clock app.
- Set how long you want to work uninterrupted. If you pick 15–30 minutes, the app will not provide a break. But if you select 45 minutes or more, you will get a five-minute break halfway through your session.
- Click Start focus session.
Type with your voice
Windows 11 has a built-in voice typing feature. To enable it, press Windows key + H on your keyboard while on a text field. On the new window, click on the microphone button to start dictating to your computer. You can also set the feature to automatically apply punctuations and appear whenever your cursor is on a text field.
For more productivity-boosting Windows 11 tips and tricks, turn to NetQuest. We can also help you seamlessly upgrade any PCs that run on older Windows versions. Talk to us today to get started.
