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

I have been utilizing Windows 11 daily on each my laptop computer and desktop for over 4 years, and I nonetheless discover new features and tools to discover virtually day by day. Though Home windows 11 provides many alternative options and settings that may be fairly helpful, not all of them are instantly apparent, and typically it’s important to dig via the settings menu to search out them.

Whether or not it is saving battery life, integrating your telephone together with your PC, or staying on job with Focus Mode, listed here are six underrated Home windows 11 options that may transform how you use your PC daily. They’re fast to search out and allow, and when you’re utilizing them, you will want you had discovered them sooner.

1

Title bar window shake

Clear your desktop in seconds

I’ve a foul behavior of opening too many packages and browser tabs without delay, making my monitor look cluttered on a regular basis. That is why this Home windows 11 function, referred to as Title Bar Window Shake, is so helpful. When you flip it on, you may seize a window and shake it together with your mouse to reduce all different home windows behind it in your display. So, when you’re attempting to lock in and concentrate on one factor, it might clear your desktop in seconds. And if you wish to carry every thing again, simply shake the window once more.

This function is not new to Home windows 11 and was first launched with Home windows 7. Nonetheless, 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 may press the Home windows Key + Dwelling to get the identical impact, however I discover shaking my lively window to be extra enjoyable.

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2

Save battery with Dynamic Refresh Price

You possibly can solely allow this in case you have a laptop computer show with a 120Hz refresh price or greater

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. Nonetheless, 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 supplies a function akin to the iPhone’s ProMotion and Android’s Adaptive Refresh Price. This function, referred to as Dynamic Refresh Price (DRR), mechanically modifications your laptop computer’s refresh price relying in your exercise. Whether or not you are shopping, 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 avoid wasting battery life.

To allow DRR in Home windows 11, your laptop computer show should help a refresh price of as much as 120Hz and VRR. Yow will discover this function below Settings > System > Show > Superior Show > Select refresh price > Dynamic Refresh Price to toggle it on.

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

In order for you a quick strategy to entry your Paperwork, Downloads, or Footage, you may add shortcuts for them on to the Begin menu, permitting you to open them in seconds every 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 may see 9 choices you may add, together with: Settings, File Explorer, Paperwork, Downloads, Music, Footage, Movies, Community, and Private Folder. Sadly, you may’t add a customized folder shortcut to the Begin menu’s Folders, however hopefully, Microsoft will add this function sooner or later. Moreover, below 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 relatively than file or app suggestions.

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4

Lock in with Focus Mode

Briefly halt notifications for a set interval

If it’s essential escape from all of the distractions round you and get some work performed, Home windows 11’s Focus Mode is ideal for that. By beginning a Focus Session, your PC will enter Do Not Disturb Mode, that 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 may go to Settings > System > Focus and choose Begin Focus Session. On the identical display, you may as well alter 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, situated on the backside proper of your display. I like to recommend utilizing Focus Mode from the default Home windows 11 Clock app, because it includes a dashboard with a number of helpful choices, together with the flexibility to create duties in your focus periods and hyperlink to Spotify.

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5

Home windows Cellphone Hyperlink

Make telephone 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 handy app connects your smartphone to your PC, supporting each Android and iOS units. After establishing the Cellphone Hyperlink app in your PC, you may handle your telephone’s notifications, ship and obtain textual content messages, and deal with calls fully out of your PC.

Moreover, Cellphone Hyperlink makes it simple to switch recordsdata out of your telephone to your PC rapidly. I usually edit photographs on my PC, and with Cellphone Hyperlink, I can switch them in seconds as a substitute 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 telephone from the App Store or Google Play Store to get began.

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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 may obtain it without spending a dime from the Home windows Retailer. PowerToys provides many further options to Home windows 11, similar to the flexibility to preview recordsdata with out opening them with Peek or discover any coloration in your display with Shade Picker.

My favourite function is the Command Palette, which provides a search operate much like macOS Highlight. If it’s essential find a file or app in your PC, Command Palette might help discover it. For extra particulars about PowerToys, take a look at my different Pocket-lint story, the place I discover a few of its most useful features.

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