6 underrated Home windows 11 options I discovered that make my PC so a lot 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 gives many alternative options and settings that may be fairly helpful, not all of them are instantly apparent, and generally you need to dig by means of the settings menu to search out them.

Whether or not it is saving battery life, integrating your telephone along with your PC, or staying on process with Focus Mode, listed here are six underrated Home windows 11 options that may transform how you use your PC day-after-day. They’re fast to search 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 foul behavior of opening too many applications and browser tabs without delay, making my monitor look cluttered on a regular basis. That is why this Home windows 11 function, 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. So, should you’re making an attempt to lock in and give attention to one factor, it could actually clear your desktop in seconds. And if you wish to deliver all the things 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’ll be able to press the Home windows Key + House to get the identical impact, however I discover shaking my energetic window to be extra enjoyable.

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2

Save battery with Dynamic Refresh Charge

You possibly can solely allow this if in case 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. Some of these shows are nice, and visually, they make your expertise smoother and extra responsive. Nonetheless, one of many drawbacks of utilizing a better refresh price show on Home windows is that it consumes extra energy, thereby impacting battery life.

Fortunately, Microsoft offers a function akin to the iPhone’s ProMotion and Android’s Adaptive Refresh Charge. This function, known as Dynamic Refresh Charge (DRR), routinely modifications your laptop computer’s refresh price relying in your exercise. Whether or not you are shopping, watching movies, or gaming, DRR ensures a better refresh price for easy visuals. Conversely, when the machine 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. Yow will discover this function beneath Settings > System > Show > Superior Show > Select refresh price > Dynamic Refresh Charge to toggle it on.

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

If you need a quick method 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 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 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 function sooner or later. Moreover, beneath 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’ve got pinned moderately than file or app suggestions.

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4

Lock in with Focus Mode

Briefly halt notifications for a set interval

If it is advisable escape from all of the distractions round you and get some work achieved, 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 will help 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, you too can regulate the length of your Focus Periods. Alternatively, you can begin a Focus Session from the Clock app or by choosing 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 power to create duties on your focus classes and hyperlink to Spotify.

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5

Home windows Telephone 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 making an attempt it earlier. This convenient app connects your smartphone to your PC, supporting each Android and iOS units. After organising the Telephone Hyperlink app in your PC, you’ll be able to handle your telephone’s notifications, ship and obtain textual content messages, and deal with calls solely out of your PC.

Moreover, Telephone Hyperlink makes it straightforward to switch recordsdata out of your telephone to your PC shortly. I usually edit images on my PC, and with Telephone Hyperlink, I can switch them in seconds as a substitute of utilizing a cable or cloud providers like Google Drive. Telephone 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

In the event you’ve by no means tried Microsoft PowerToys earlier than, I extremely advocate giving it a shot. It isn’t included by default on Home windows 11, however you’ll be able to obtain it without cost from the Home windows Retailer. PowerToys provides many additional options to Home windows 11, comparable to the power to preview recordsdata with out opening them with Peek or discover any shade in your display with Coloration Picker.

My favourite function is the Command Palette, which provides a search operate much like macOS Highlight. If it is advisable find a file or app in your PC, Command Palette may also 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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