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

I have been utilizing Windows 11 every single day on each my laptop computer and desktop for over 4 years, and I nonetheless discover new features and tools to discover virtually every day. Though Home windows 11 affords many various options and settings that may be fairly useful, not all of them are instantly apparent, and generally it’s a must to dig via the settings menu to seek out them.

Whether or not it is saving battery life, integrating your telephone together with your PC, or staying on process with Focus Mode, listed below are six underrated Home windows 11 options that may transform how you use your PC every single 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 applications 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 together with your mouse to attenuate all different home windows behind it in your display. So, in the event you’re making an attempt to lock in and give attention to one factor, it will possibly clear your desktop in seconds. And if you wish to carry every part 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 energetic window to be extra enjoyable.

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2

Save battery with Dynamic Refresh Price

You possibly can solely allow this when you’ve got a laptop computer show with a 120Hz refresh price or larger

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. All these 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 Price. This characteristic, known as Dynamic Refresh Price (DRR), robotically 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 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 help a refresh price of as much as 120Hz and VRR. You will discover this characteristic underneath 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 shortly entry your most-used apps or really useful information. Nevertheless, by default, it does not embrace a characteristic that may make it extra helpful: your file folders.

If you need a quick approach 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 format 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.

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4

Lock in with Focus Mode

Briefly halt notifications for a set interval

If you have to 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, that 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 centered 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, it’s also possible to 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 encompasses a dashboard with a number of useful choices, together with the power to create duties in 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 establishing 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 information out of your telephone to your PC shortly. I typically edit images on my PC, and with Telephone Hyperlink, I can switch them in seconds as an alternative of utilizing a cable or cloud companies 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

For those who’ve by no means tried Microsoft PowerToys earlier than, I extremely advocate giving it a shot. It is not included by default on Home windows 11, however you’ll be able to obtain it free of charge from the Home windows Retailer. PowerToys provides many additional options to Home windows 11, resembling the power to preview information with out opening them with Peek or discover any coloration in your display with Coloration Picker.

My favourite characteristic is the Command Palette, which provides a search perform just like macOS Highlight. If you have to find a file or app in your PC, Command Palette may 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.

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