Windows 11 tips and tricks

Windows 11 Tips and Tricks

As with every new release, there are Windows 11 tips and tricks that can help any user make the most of the operating system, tailoring it to individual preferences and habits so that everyday tasks run smoothly. A wide range of new features and optimisations are designed to support this. We hope these practical recommendations help improve your workflow when using Windows 11.

What Makes Windows 11 Stand Out?

Microsoft’s latest operating system promises several improvements over its predecessor — from a more modern design and new multitasking capabilities to enhanced gaming performance and stronger security. Below, we share a number of recommendations that, in our view, support a more optimised user experience.

The 12 Most Useful Windows 11 Tips and Tricks

The most effective tips are usually those that allow you to use your PC in the way that suits you best. Windows 11 therefore offers even more options to personalise workflows, features and the overall look and feel of the operating system.

Customise the Start Menu

One of the first areas worth reviewing to make everyday use of the new operating system easier is the Start menu. You can adjust its size and define the content — for example by pinning additional apps or removing those you do not need.

Go to settings > Personalisation > Start, to tailor the menu to your preferences.

Startup Behaviour

A practical tip — including in Windows 11 — is to define which programs start automatically when your computer boots up. If you regularly work with the same applications, a well-configured startup setup can save both time and effort.

With just a few clicks, you can decide which applications should launch at startup and which should not.

Windows-Icon >Settings > Apps click Startup > select your preferences

Customise the Taskbar

In previous Microsoft operating systems, the taskbar was always positioned on the left. Most users have become accustomed to this — and, as with any habit, people are often reluctant to change. In Windows 11, however, the taskbar is centred by default, although you can easily move it back to its familiar position:

Right-click the taskbar > Open Taskbar settings from the context menu > Choose the position from the dropdown menu (and adjust additional taskbar behaviour settings as needed).

Hide Desktop Icons

The desktop can quickly become cluttered with various files during everyday use. Naturally, the workspace appears cleaner and more professional when it is not covered with everyday items. This function is therefore particularly useful in situations where others can see your desktop — for example during presentations — as you can simply hide all icons.

Right-click the desktop > View> Show or hide desktop icons

Use Snap Layouts and Snap Groups

To organise windows on your screen more easily, Windows 11 introduces the Snap Layouts feature. It is particularly useful for multitasking, as it allows you to arrange open applications so you can keep them all in view at the same time. Various layout options are available, tailored to your screen format. You can then assign your applications to the desired positions. The programmes arranged on your desktop are displayed in the taskbar as a Snap Group, which can be quickly reselected after an interruption.

Hover over “Maximise” in the window, drag the window to the top edge of the screen or press Windows key + Z > Select a layout and position the window where required within the layout

Customise Widgets

Widgets are individual “info cards” displayed on a widget board. This provides you with a compact overview of relevant information — such as weather, time, calendar appointments, news or stock prices. Many users do not actively use these widgets, possibly simply because they have not tailored them to their personal needs. However, customising them is very easy.

Open widgets: swipe from the left edge of the screen towards the centre, access them via the taskbar or press Windows key + W > Select or add widgets, choose the size, etc.

Disable Notifications

From system alerts and app notifications to reminders, the large number of notifications in Windows 11 can sometimes become overwhelming. The good news is that you can define both the number of notifications you receive and the type of notification (with or without sound, banner, pop-up or taskbar icon). This helps reduce distractions and allows you to stay focused on your workflow.

Start menu> Settings > System > Notifications > Turn off notifications for specific programmes or define the notification type

Manage Virtual Desktops

Windows 11 not only offers Snap Layouts to display multiple applications on a single desktop at a glance. You can also extend your workspace with virtual desktops — in Windows 11 these are more powerful and easier to use.
This gives you several desktops on which you can place and organise different windows, while switching smoothly between them (Windows key + Tab). For better clarity, these desktops can also be named.

Creating a new virtual desktop is simple: Click Task View>New desktop

Enable Night Mode

Anyone using their computer in the evening or at night should consider its compatibility with natural biological rhythms. Night mode helps with this — its softer contrast is easier on the eyes and, by reducing blue light emissions, it helps avoid disruption to the body’s circadian rhythm (bluish light can affect the production of the sleep hormone melatonin).

You can enable night mode under Settings > System > Display >Night mode / Night light, or define the times at which your computer should activate it automatically.

Dictation Feature with Automatic Punctuation

A helpful new improvement in Windows 11 concerns text dictation. You no longer need to explicitly name and dictate punctuation (although this is still possible). Instead, the system attempts to insert appropriate punctuation based on pauses in speech, intonation or context. The more frequently you use this feature, the better the results become, as the system gradually learns your voice and speaking style.

Win + H (dictation feature) > Settings >Enable automatic punctuation

Disable the Cortana Voice Assistant

For various reasons, it may be advisable to disable the Cortana voice assistant — for example to protect your privacy, avoid unnecessary resource consumption, reduce internet data usage, or simply because you find Cortana’s constant presence distracting.

Start > Settings > Privacy > Disable voice activation

or

Start > Apps > Apps & Features >Enter Cortana in the search field>Advanced options > In the “Runs at sign-in” section, set the Cortana switch to “Off”

Show Clipboard History

Finally, we would like to highlight a feature that is not new but has been significantly improved in Windows 11. It is more accessible and user-friendly, allowing you to use the classic copy-and-paste function across multiple applications. This saves time, increases flexibility between different applications and even across devices (via the cloud). You can also permanently save frequently used items in the clipboard and, of course, remove those you no longer need.

Enable clipboard history: Start > Settings or Windows key + I > System> Clipboard > Turn on clipboard history

or

Windows key + V > Select an item and paste it

Extra Tip: Pre-Owned Windows 11 Licences

Pre-owned software is equivalent to new, 100% legal and can cost up to 75% less compared to purchasing new — here you can find our offer for Windows 11 Professional and Windows 11 Enterprise.

Conclusion: Windows 11 Tips and Tricks

In this article, we have shared several helpful Windows 11 tips and tricks to help you use your PC more efficiently, more easily and with greater fluidity. Microsoft’s latest operating system provides useful features and a wide range of customisation options so your computer can best support your needs and workflows.

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