25 Windows 11 Tricks and Hidden Features You Must Know:
Windows 11 has many useful features that are easy to miss.
Some can save you time, some can make multitasking easier, and others can help
you manage your PC more efficiently.
In this guide, we have collected 25 useful Windows 11
tips and tricks that you can try without installing complicated third-party
software.
Whether you are a student, office worker, professional or
casual PC user, these Windows 11 tricks can make everyday computer work much
easier.
1. Use Windows + V to Access Clipboard History
Have you ever copied something and then accidentally copied
something else over it?
Windows 11 has a useful clipboard history feature.
How to use it
Press:
Windows + V
If clipboard history is disabled, Windows will ask you to
turn it on.
Once enabled, you can see previously copied text and other
supported clipboard items.
This is particularly useful when you need to copy and paste
several pieces of information.
2. Quickly Snap Two Windows Side by Side
Windows 11 makes multitasking easier with Snap Layouts.
Instead of manually resizing two windows, simply hover your
mouse over the maximize button of a window.
You can then choose a layout.
You can also use:
Windows + Left Arrow
or
Windows + Right Arrow
to place the current window on one side of the screen.
This is extremely useful when working with Excel, browsers,
documents and email at the same time.
3. Create Multiple Desktops
If your desktop becomes crowded with open applications, try
using multiple virtual desktops.
Press:
Windows + Tab
Then select New desktop.
You can create separate desktops for different activities,
such as:
- Work
- Personal
- Study
- Browsing
- Projects
You can switch between desktops using Windows + Ctrl +
Left/Right Arrow.
4. Record Your Screen Without Installing Software
Windows 11 includes screen recording capabilities through
the Snipping Tool.
Press:
Windows + Shift + R
Then select the area you want to record.
This can be useful for:
- Creating
tutorials
- Recording
a software problem
- Showing
someone how to perform a task
- Recording
part of your screen
The recording can be saved as a video file.
5. Take a Screenshot of Only Part of Your Screen
Instead of capturing the entire screen, use:
Windows + Shift + S
Your screen will dim and you can select the area you want to
capture.
You can then paste the screenshot into applications such as
Word, Outlook, Paint or WhatsApp.
This is one of the most useful Windows shortcuts for
everyday work.
6. Open Task Manager Instantly
If a program freezes or your computer becomes slow, Task
Manager can help you identify what is happening.
Press:
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Task Manager opens immediately.
You can check:
- CPU
usage
- Memory
usage
- Disk
usage
- Network
usage
- Running
applications
- Startup
applications
You can also use Task Manager to disable unnecessary startup
applications.
7. Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps
Too many applications launching when Windows starts can make
startup slower.
Go to:
Settings → Apps → Startup
You can turn off applications that you do not need to launch
automatically.
You can also open:
Task Manager → Startup apps
and disable unnecessary programs.
Microsoft notes that Task Manager also shows the startup
impact of applications, which can help identify programs that have a higher
effect on startup performance.
Important: Don't disable applications if you are
unsure what they do.
8. Free Up Storage Automatically
Windows 11 includes a feature called Storage Sense.
Go to:
Settings → System → Storage
Turn on Storage Sense.
It can automatically remove certain unnecessary temporary
files and help manage storage space.
You can also configure how often Storage Sense runs and what
types of files it manages.
This is safer than randomly deleting files from Windows
system folders.
9. Open the Run Dialog Quickly
Press:
Windows + R
The Run dialog lets you quickly launch applications and
Windows tools.
For example:
notepad
opens Notepad.
calc
opens Calculator.
mspaint
opens Paint.
control
opens Control Panel.
You can also use many other Windows commands from the Run
box.
10. Lock Your Computer Instantly
Need to leave your computer for a moment?
Press:
Windows + L
Windows immediately locks the PC.
This is especially useful in offices, libraries and other
shared environments.
11. Open File Explorer Quickly
Press:
Windows + E
File Explorer opens immediately.
This saves you from searching for File Explorer through the
Start menu.
12. Open Windows Settings Instantly
Press:
Windows + I
This opens the Windows Settings application.
It is one of the most useful shortcuts to remember.
13. Use Windows + X for the Quick Link Menu
Press:
Windows + X
A useful menu appears with shortcuts to tools such as:
- Installed
Apps
- Terminal
- Task
Manager
- Device
Manager
- Disk
Management
- System
- Settings
This is particularly useful for advanced Windows users.
14. Open the Emoji and Symbol Panel
Need to insert an emoji, symbol or special character?
Press:
Windows + .
The emoji panel opens.
You can use it to insert emojis and other supported symbols
while typing.
15. Use Voice Typing
Windows 11 includes built-in voice typing.
Press:
Windows + H
Then start speaking.
Windows can convert your speech into text in supported text
fields.
This can be useful when writing long messages or notes.
16. Quickly Switch Between Open Applications
Press:
Alt + Tab
Hold the Alt key and press Tab to move through your open
applications.
This is much faster than clicking each application on the
taskbar.
17. Show the Desktop Instantly
Press:
Windows + D
This hides or restores your open windows and shows the
desktop.
Press it again to bring your windows back.
18. Open the Clipboard History
Another useful shortcut is:
Windows + V
It allows you to access previously copied items once
clipboard history has been enabled.
For people who frequently copy information from websites,
Excel, email and documents, this can be a huge time saver.
19. Move a Window to Another Monitor
If you use two monitors, you can quickly move the active
window between displays.
Use:
Windows + Shift + Left Arrow
or
Windows + Shift + Right Arrow
This is much faster than dragging windows manually.
20. Quickly Open Windows Search
Press:
Windows + S
You can immediately search for:
- Applications
- Files
- Settings
- Documents
- Other
information available through Windows Search
21. Customize the Windows 11 Taskbar
The Windows 11 taskbar can be customized according to your
workflow.
Right-click the taskbar and select:
Taskbar settings
From there you can manage available taskbar items and other
taskbar-related settings.
You can also pin frequently used applications so they are
always available.
Microsoft provides options for managing taskbar items,
pinned applications and system-tray icons.
22. Use Quick Settings
Press:
Windows + A
This opens Quick Settings.
Depending on your device, you can quickly access controls
such as:
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- Volume
- Brightness
- Accessibility
- Other
available quick controls
This saves you from opening the full Settings application
every time.
23. Check Which Apps Are Using Battery
If you are using a laptop, you can check which applications
are consuming battery.
Go to:
Settings → System → Power & battery
Look for the battery usage information.
For supported applications, Windows can also provide
controls for background activity. Microsoft notes that limiting background
activity can reduce power consumption, although it may also prevent an app from
receiving notifications or updates while inactive.
24. Improve PC Performance by Removing Unused Apps
Unused applications take up storage and may sometimes run
background processes.
Go to:
Settings → Apps → Installed apps
Find applications you no longer use and select:
More options (…) → Uninstall
Removing unnecessary applications can free storage and
reduce unwanted background activity.
Microsoft also recommends uninstalling unused applications
as one of the steps that can help improve Windows performance.
25. Use Windows + Shift + S for Faster Screenshot Sharing
Here's one final shortcut worth remembering.
Press:
Windows + Shift + S
Select an area of the screen.
The screenshot is copied so you can quickly paste it into:
- WhatsApp
- Email
- Word
- Excel
- Teams
- Paint
- Chat
applications
For office users, this shortcut alone can save a surprising
amount of time.
Bonus: 15 Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts Worth Remembering
|
Shortcut |
Function |
|
Windows + E |
Open File Explorer |
|
Windows + I |
Open Settings |
|
Windows + R |
Open Run |
|
Windows + L |
Lock PC |
|
Windows + D |
Show Desktop |
|
Windows + V |
Clipboard History |
|
Windows + A |
Quick Settings |
|
Windows + S |
Search |
|
Windows + Tab |
Task View |
|
Windows + X |
Quick Link Menu |
|
Windows + H |
Voice Typing |
|
Windows + . |
Emoji Panel |
|
Windows + Shift + S |
Screenshot |
|
Windows + Shift + R |
Screen Recording |
|
Ctrl + Shift + Esc |
Task Manager |
