Windows 11 continues to evolve with new features and enhancements designed to improve productivity and user experience. Whether you’ve just upgraded or have been using it for a while, there are plenty of hidden features and tips that can help you get more out of Microsoft’s latest operating system. Here’s a collection of the best Windows 11 tricks in 2024 that will boost your workflow and enhance your overall experience.
1. Snap Layouts for Seamless Multitasking 🖇️
One of Windows 11’s standout features is Snap Layouts, which allows you to easily arrange open windows on your screen in predefined grids. This is perfect for multitasking, especially if you’re using a widescreen monitor.
How to Use Snap Layouts:
- Hover your mouse over the maximize button in any open window.
- A grid will appear, offering layout options such as two windows side-by-side, or four in a grid.
- Select your preferred layout, and Windows will snap your open windows into place.
Pro Tip: You can also access Snap Layouts by pressing Windows Key + Z and selecting your desired layout. This is great for managing multiple windows efficiently.
2. Focus Sessions in Clock App for Enhanced Productivity ⏱️
In 2024, Focus Sessions is a new and exciting feature integrated into the Clock app. It helps you stay productive by blocking distractions and setting timed sessions for work, much like the Pomodoro Technique.
How to Start a Focus Session:
- Open the Clock app from the Start menu.
- Navigate to the Focus Sessions tab.
- Set your work duration and break intervals. You can even connect your Spotify account to play music during your focus sessions.
Why It Matters: This built-in tool helps you maintain productivity by giving you structured work intervals. It’s great for tackling tasks in timed chunks while keeping distractions at bay.
3. Custom Widgets Dashboard for Personalized Info 📊
The Widgets Dashboard in Windows 11 has been revamped with more customization options in 2024. You can add personalized widgets for weather, calendar events, to-do lists, and even live updates from your favorite news sources.
How to Customize Widgets:
- Open the Widgets Panel by pressing Windows + W.
- Click the Add widgets button and choose from a variety of available options.
- Arrange your widgets by dragging them to your preferred locations.
Pro Tip: You can customize the feeds to show more relevant information by adjusting your interests in the Manage Interests section. This is perfect for users who want real-time updates at a glance.
4. Virtual Desktops for Better Organization 📁
Virtual Desktops in Windows 11 allow you to create separate desktop environments for different tasks or projects. This is incredibly useful if you want to keep work and personal apps separate or need to organize tasks by project.
How to Create and Manage Virtual Desktops:
- Press Windows + Tab to open Task View.
- Click on New Desktop to create a fresh desktop environment.
- You can switch between desktops by pressing Ctrl + Windows + Left/Right Arrow.
Why It Matters: Virtual Desktops help declutter your workspace and improve productivity by separating your workflows. It’s like having multiple monitors without the physical setup.
5. Use Voice Typing for Hands-Free Writing 🎙️
Windows 11’s Voice Typing tool has become even more accurate and useful in 2024. This feature allows you to dictate text instead of typing, making it easier to compose emails, documents, or notes, hands-free.
How to Enable Voice Typing:
- Press Windows + H to bring up the voice typing tool.
- Start speaking, and Windows will transcribe your speech into text.
Pro Tip: Voice typing now supports automatic punctuation, so you can speak naturally without worrying about where to add commas or periods.
6. Auto HDR for Improved Gaming Graphics 🎮
If you’re a gamer or use your system for multimedia, Windows 11’s Auto HDR feature is a game-changer. It enhances the visual experience by applying high dynamic range (HDR) improvements to games and applications, even if they don’t natively support HDR.
How to Enable Auto HDR:
- Open Settings > System > Display.
- Scroll to HDR settings and toggle Auto HDR on.
Why It Matters: Auto HDR brings richer contrast and more vivid colors to your games, improving your overall gaming experience without the need for specialized software.
7. Enhanced Touch Gestures for Tablet Mode 💻
Windows 11’s tablet mode now features new and improved touch gestures, making it easier to navigate on touchscreen devices.
Common Gestures:
- Three-finger swipe up: Open Task View.
- Three-finger swipe left/right: Switch between open apps.
- Pinch to zoom: In photos, maps, or web pages.
Why It Matters: These gestures make using Windows 11 on touch-enabled devices smoother and more intuitive, ideal for users with 2-in-1 devices or tablets.
8. Improved Clipboard History for Easy Copying 📋
The Clipboard History feature in Windows 11 allows you to view and manage multiple copied items. This is perfect if you need to copy and paste from different documents or images multiple times.
How to Use Clipboard History:
- Press Windows + V to open the clipboard history.
- Select any item from the history to paste it again.
Pro Tip: Clipboard History supports text, images, and files, making it extremely versatile for users who work across different apps frequently.
9. Advanced Power Settings for Battery Efficiency 🔋
Windows 11’s power management has been improved, making it easier to extend battery life, especially on laptops. Advanced power settings allow you to configure how your system uses power for performance versus battery conservation.
How to Access Advanced Power Settings:
- Go to Settings > System > Power & Battery.
- Click Battery saver and enable it to reduce background activity and lower screen brightness when the battery is low.
Pro Tip: Use the Efficiency Mode in Task Manager to limit resource-hungry apps, saving more power and extending battery life.
Conclusion
Windows 11 in 2024 brings a wealth of features that are designed to make your computing experience more intuitive and productive. Whether you're multitasking with Snap Layouts, staying organized with Virtual Desktops, or enhancing your gaming with Auto HDR, these tips will help you get the most out of your system. Explore these tricks to work smarter and faster, while also enjoying a more customized Windows experience.
Pro Tip: Keep your Windows 11 updated to take full advantage of new features as Microsoft continues to improve and enhance the OS throughout the year.
