6 underrated Home windows 11 options I discovered that make my PC so significantly better

I have been utilizing Windows 11 day-after-day on each my laptop computer and desktop for over 4 years, and I nonetheless discover new features and tools to discover virtually each day. Though Home windows 11 affords many alternative options and settings that may be fairly useful, not all of them are instantly apparent, and typically you need to dig by means of the settings menu to seek out them.

Whether or not it is saving battery life, integrating your cellphone along with your PC, or staying on activity with Focus Mode, listed below are six underrated Home windows 11 options that may transform how you use your PC day-after-day. They’re fast to seek out and allow, and when you’re utilizing them, you may want you had discovered them sooner.

1

Title bar window shake

Clear your desktop in seconds

I’ve a nasty behavior of opening too many packages and browser tabs directly, making my monitor look cluttered on a regular basis. That is why this Home windows 11 characteristic, known as Title Bar Window Shake, is so helpful. When you flip it on, you’ll be able to seize a window and shake it along with your mouse to reduce all different home windows behind it in your display screen. So, should you’re attempting to lock in and deal with one factor, it may possibly clear your desktop in seconds. And if you wish to carry every little thing again, simply shake the window once more.

This characteristic is not new to Home windows 11 and was first launched with Home windows 7. Nevertheless, with Home windows 11, it is not enabled by default. To make use of it your self, simply go to Settings > System > Multitasking > Title bar window shake and toggle it on. Alternatively, you’ll be able to press the Home windows Key + Residence to get the identical impact, however I discover shaking my lively window to be extra enjoyable.

Associated

5 useful Windows 11 features I always enable first on a new PC

Home windows 11 has many alternative settings, however these are those I at all times allow first to reinforce my expertise.

2

Save battery with Dynamic Refresh Fee

You’ll be able to solely allow this when you have a laptop computer show with a 120Hz refresh price or increased

Many Home windows laptops these days include excessive refresh price shows. For instance, the Asus gaming laptop I am utilizing helps a refresh price of as much as 180Hz. These kinds of shows are nice, and visually, they make your expertise smoother and extra responsive. Nevertheless, one of many drawbacks of utilizing the next refresh price show on Home windows is that it consumes extra energy, thereby impacting battery life.

Fortunately, Microsoft gives a characteristic akin to the iPhone’s ProMotion and Android’s Adaptive Refresh Fee. This characteristic, known as Dynamic Refresh Fee (DRR), routinely adjustments your laptop computer’s refresh price relying in your exercise. Whether or not you are searching, watching movies, or gaming, DRR ensures the next refresh price for easy visuals. Conversely, when the system is idle or exhibiting a static picture, DRR lowers the refresh price to save lots of battery life.

To allow DRR in Home windows 11, your laptop computer show should assist a refresh price of as much as 120Hz and VRR. You could find this characteristic underneath Settings > System > Show > Superior Show > Select refresh price > Dynamic Refresh Fee to toggle it on.

Associated

I will never use a 4K TV for PC games (and you probably shouldn’t either)

Gaming on a TV could be glorious, however you may be lacking out.

The Begin menu in Home windows 11 helps you rapidly entry your most-used apps or really helpful recordsdata. Nevertheless, by default, it would not embody a characteristic that might make it extra helpful: your file folders.

If you need a quick strategy to entry your Paperwork, Downloads, or Footage, you’ll be able to add shortcuts for them on to the Begin menu, permitting you to open them in seconds each time wanted. These shortcuts seem to the left of the Energy choices when you add them.

So as to add your folders to the Begin menu, go to Settings > Personalization > Begin > Folders. You will see 9 choices you’ll be able to add, together with: Settings, File Explorer, Paperwork, Downloads, Music, Footage, Movies, Community, and Private Folder. Sadly, you’ll be able to’t add a customized folder shortcut to the Begin menu’s Folders, however hopefully, Microsoft will add this characteristic sooner or later. Moreover, underneath Personalization > Begin, I like to recommend adjusting the structure of your Begin menu to show extra Pins, permitting you to view extra of the apps you have pinned reasonably than file or app suggestions.

Associated

I got so frustrated with these 5 Windows 11 problems I decided to fix them myself

For all of Home windows 11’s strengths, the decades-old OS is held again by some head scratching quirks – this is how I rectify them when establishing a PC.

4

Lock in with Focus Mode

Briefly halt notifications for a set interval

If that you must escape from all of the distractions round you and get some work executed, Home windows 11’s Focus Mode is ideal for that. By beginning a Focus Session, your PC will enter Do Not Disturb Mode, which means you will not obtain any notifications, hear any sounds, or see any alerts in your PC. That is all designed that can assist you keep targeted and keep away from distractions.

If you wish to begin a Focus Session, you’ll be able to go to Settings > System > Focus and choose Begin Focus Session. On the identical display screen, you can even modify the period of your Focus Periods. Alternatively, you can begin a Focus Session from the Clock app or by deciding on Focus within the Calendar, positioned on the backside proper of your display screen. I like to recommend utilizing Focus Mode from the default Home windows 11 Clock app, because it encompasses a dashboard with a number of useful choices, together with the flexibility to create duties in your focus periods and hyperlink to Spotify.

Associated

My favorite Windows 11 app literally does nothing

MY favourite Home windows 11 app — one which I exploit each day — occurs to be the only piece of software program possible.

5

Home windows Cellphone Hyperlink

Make cellphone calls and ship texts out of your PC

I began utilizing Windows Phone Link only a month in the past and remorse not attempting it earlier. This convenient app connects your smartphone to your PC, supporting each Android and iOS units. After establishing the Cellphone Hyperlink app in your PC, you’ll be able to handle your cellphone’s notifications, ship and obtain textual content messages, and deal with calls completely out of your PC.

Moreover, Cellphone Hyperlink makes it simple to switch recordsdata out of your cellphone to your PC rapidly. I typically edit photographs on my PC, and with Cellphone Hyperlink, I can switch them in seconds as an alternative of utilizing a cable or cloud providers like Google Drive. Cellphone Hyperlink is included with Home windows 11, so it is pre-installed in your PC. Simply obtain the Hyperlink to Home windows app in your cellphone from the App Store or Google Play Store to get began.

Associated

4 ways Windows Phone Link makes my life way easier

One in every of my favourite Home windows 11 purposes is Cellphone Hyperlink – this is how the Microsoft-made instrument streamlines my day-to-day workflow.

6

Unlock extra Home windows 11 options with PowerToys

It is free and formally from Microsoft

When you’ve by no means tried Microsoft PowerToys earlier than, I extremely suggest giving it a shot. It isn’t included by default on Home windows 11, however you’ll be able to obtain it without spending a dime from the Home windows Retailer. PowerToys provides many further options to Home windows 11, comparable to the flexibility to preview recordsdata with out opening them with Peek or discover any shade in your display screen with Colour Picker.

My favourite characteristic is the Command Palette, which provides a search operate just like macOS Highlight. If that you must find a file or app in your PC, Command Palette might help discover it. For extra particulars about PowerToys, try my different Pocket-lint story, the place I discover a few of its most useful features.

Associated

5 Windows PowerToys tools I use every day to make the workday easier

These PowerToys instruments have boosted my productiveness on Home windows 11, and it is best to strive them out too.