Windows 11 is packed with features that can enhance your computing experience. Here are ten tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the latest operating system from Microsoft:

1. Snap Layouts for Efficient Multitasking:

 Snap Layouts are preconfigured patterns that allow you to quickly and efficiently organize multiple open windows on your screen. This feature is especially useful when you’re working with several applications simultaneously and need to keep them all visible.

How to Access Snap Layouts:

• Keyboard Shortcut: Press the Windows logo key + Z to launch the Snap layout box.
• Hover Method: Move your cursor over the minimize or maximize button in the upper-right corner of any window to see the Snap layout options.
• Drag Method: You can also drag a window to the top center of your screen to activate the Snap layout box.

Customizing Your Layout: Once you’ve chosen a layout, you can adjust the size of each window within the layout by dragging their edges. This allows you to tailor the layout to fit your specific needs and preferences.

Snap Groups: When you arrange windows into a Snap layout, they form a Snap group. This grouping makes it easy to switch between tasks without losing your layout. If you hover over an app icon on the taskbar that’s part of a Snap group, you’ll see the option to view the group or focus on a single app.

Maximizing Efficiency with Snap Layouts: Here are a few scenarios where Snap Layouts can enhance your efficiency:

• During Video Calls: Keep your meeting notes side-by-side with the video call window.
• While Researching: Compare data across multiple sources without switching back and forth between windows.
• In Creative Projects: Edit images or videos while keeping reference material or tutorials in view.

Configuring Snap Settings: For further customization, you can go to Settings > System > Multitasking. Here, you can toggle Snap windows on or off and adjust how and when Snap groups appear, tailoring the experience to your workflow.

2. Virtual Desktops for Better Organization:

Virtual Desktops in Windows 11 are a fantastic way to keep your digital workspace organized by separating different tasks or projects into their own distinct environments. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to use and manage Virtual Desktops for better organization:

Creating and Accessing Virtual Desktops:

• To create a new Virtual Desktop, you can click the Task View button on the taskbar (which looks like two overlapping squares) or press Windows+Tab on your keyboard.
• If the Task View button isn’t visible, right-click the taskbar, select “Taskbar Settings,” and turn on the Task View switch.
• In Task View, you’ll see all open windows and an option to create a new desktop by clicking the “New Desktop” button or pressing Windows+Ctrl+D.

Managing Virtual Desktops:

• Each Virtual Desktop you create can have its own set of open windows and applications, while the icons on your main desktop remain consistent across all Virtual Desktops.
• You can close a Virtual Desktop by opening Task View again and clicking the “X” in the top-right corner of the desktop you wish to close.

Customizing Virtual Desktops:

• Rename your Virtual Desktops by clicking on the default name (e.g., Desktop 1, Desktop 2) in the preview and typing a new name. This can help you identify them by purpose or project.
• Change the background of each Virtual Desktop to visually differentiate between them. Right-click on a desktop in Task View and select “Choose background” to pick a new wallpaper or upload your own.

Navigating Between Virtual Desktops:

• Switch between Virtual Desktops by clicking their thumbnails in Task View or using keyboard shortcuts like Windows+Ctrl+Left/Right Arrow to cycle through them.

Organizing Virtual Desktops:

• Reorder your Virtual Desktops by dragging them into your preferred order from the list at the bottom of the Task View screen or by using the Alt+Shift+Left/Right Arrow keyboard shortcut to move them.

Efficiency Tips:

• Use Virtual Desktops to separate work tasks from personal activities, like keeping work emails and documents on one desktop while reserving another for leisure activities like gaming or watching movies.
• For multitaskers, having different Virtual Desktops for various projects can help focus on one group of tasks at a time without distractions from unrelated applications or windows.

3. Voice Typing Made Easy:

Voice Typing in Windows 11 is a convenient feature that allows you to dictate text instead of typing it out on a keyboard. Here’s a more detailed look at how to use it and some of its benefits:

How to Use Voice Typing:

• To start voice typing, simply press the Windows logo key + H on your hardware keyboard.
• If you’re using the touch keyboard, you can press the microphone key next to the spacebar.
• Once activated, you’ll see a microphone icon and a “Listening” alert, indicating that you can start speaking.
• Your spoken words will be transcribed into text in real-time, allowing for hands-free typing.

Features of Voice Typing:

• Online Speech Recognition: Voice typing uses Azure Speech services for online speech recognition, ensuring accurate transcription of your spoken words.
• Auto Punctuation: You can enable auto punctuation in the settings to have the system automatically insert punctuation as you speak.
• Language Support: You can install and switch between different voice typing languages to match your preferred language, region, or dialect.
• Voice Commands: Various voice commands are available to control the voice typing experience, such as “Stop listening” to pause dictation or commands to delete the last spoken word or phrase.

Benefits of Voice Typing:

• Efficiency: Voice typing can be faster than typing, especially for those who can speak quicker than they type.
• Accessibility: It provides an accessible option for users who may have difficulty using a traditional keyboard.
• Convenience: It’s useful for brainstorming ideas aloud, capturing thoughts quickly, or when you’re unable to type, like when cooking or exercising.

Setting Up Voice Typing:

• You can customize voice typing settings by navigating to Settings > Time & language > Speech.
• Here, you can select your preferred language and manage other voice typing preferences.

4. Customize Your Start Menu:

Customizing the Start Menu in Windows 11 can significantly enhance your user experience by allowing you to personalize the layout and content to suit your preferences. Here’s a detailed guide on how to customize your Start Menu:

Pin and Unpin Apps:

• To pin an app, find it in the All Apps list, right-click, and select “Pin to Start.”
• To unpin an app, right-click on its icon in the Start Menu and choose “Unpin from Start.”

Move Icons Around:

• You can drag and drop icons to rearrange them within the Start Menu.
• Right-click an app and select “Move to top” to position it at the top of the menu.

Create Start Menu Folders:

• Drag and drop one app icon over another to create a folder, which helps in organizing similar apps together.

Personalize the Start Menu Appearance:

• Access Settings > Personalization > Start to adjust the Start Menu’s look.
• Choose “More pins” or “More recommendations” to balance between pinned apps and recommended content.

Adjusting Start Settings: You can show or hide recently added apps, most used apps, and recently opened items in the Start Menu through the settings.

Accessing Start Menu Settings: Right-click on the Start Menu icon and select “Start settings” to quickly access customization options.

Changing the Start Menu Layout: In the Settings app, navigate to “Personalization” and then “Start menu” to select your preferred layout.

Adding Folders to the Start Menu: You can add folders like Settings, Documents, and Pictures to the Start Menu for quick access.

5. Touch Keyboard Personalization:

The Touch Keyboard in Windows 11 offers a range of personalization options to enhance your typing experience on touch-enabled devices. Here’s a detailed look at how you can customize the Touch Keyboard:

Themes and Backgrounds:

• Windows 11 provides a selection of themes for the Touch Keyboard, allowing you to choose different colors and styles.
• You can also create a custom color scheme for your keyboard to match your personal style or device theme.

Keyboard Size and Layout:

• Adjust the size of the Touch Keyboard to better fit your screen and typing preferences using the Keyboard size slider in the Touch Keyboard settings.
• Choose between different layouts, including the standard, one-handed, and split keyboard layouts, to improve typing comfort and accuracy.

Key Background and Text Size:

• Enable a different background for the keys to make them stand out or blend with the chosen theme.
• Change the text size on the keys to make them easier to read and tap, especially on smaller screens.

Accessing Touch Keyboard Settings:

• To customize the Touch Keyboard, go to Settings > Personalization > Touch keyboard.
• Here, you’ll find all the available customization options, including themes, size, and layout adjustments.

Adding the Touch Keyboard to the Taskbar:

• Ensure quick access to the Touch Keyboard by enabling its icon on the taskbar. This can be done in the Taskbar settings.

6. Focus Assist for Distraction-Free Work:

Focus Assist, now known as Do Not Disturb in Windows 11, is a feature designed to help minimize distractions and keep you concentrated on your tasks. Here’s a detailed overview of how it works:

• Integration with Clock App: Focus integrates with the Clock app, providing features like a focus timer and music integration to enhance your productivity sessions.
• Do Not Disturb: When activated, this mode silences notifications, stops taskbar apps from flashing, and turns off badge notifications on taskbar apps.
• Starting a Focus Session: You can initiate a focus session via the notification center, settings, or directly from the Clock app.
• Customization: Focus Assist allows you to personalize your experience by selecting which notifications you want to see and hear, with options like Off, Priority Only, and Alarms Only.
• Automatic Rules: You can set automatic rules for times and activities when you don’t want to be disturbed, and Focus Assist will turn on automatically.

To access and configure Focus Assist:

1. Open Settings (Win+I).
2. Click on System and select Focus Assist.
3. Choose your preferred settings for notifications and focus sessions.

7. Quick Settings Adjustments:

 The Quick Settings in Windows 11 offer a convenient way to access and adjust common settings without diving deep into the system settings. Here’s a detailed look at how you can use and customize Quick Settings:

• Accessing Quick Settings: You can open the Quick Settings by clicking on the Wi-Fi, speaker, or battery icons on the taskbar, or by pressing Windows+A on your keyboard.
• Customization: To personalize the Quick Settings, click the pencil icon in the lower-right corner of the menu. This allows you to add or remove options by clicking the “unpin” icons or the “Add” button.
• Available Controls: By default, Quick Settings include controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, Battery Saver, Focus Assist, Accessibility, and Night Light. You can also adjust volume and screen brightness from here.
• Adding New Controls: You can add new controls like Mobile Hotspot, Nearby Sharing, Project, and Rotation Lock from a pop-up list when editing the Quick Settings.
• Organizing Controls: Change the order of options using drag and drop to suit your preferences and workflow.

These adjustments make it easier to manage your device’s settings on the fly, enhancing your Windows 11 experience. Remember, the Quick Settings menu is designed to evolve, so you might see new features and changes with future updates

8. Accessibility Features:

Make your PC more accessible. Windows 11 is designed with accessibility in mind, offering a range of features to support users with different needs. Here are some key accessibility features:

• Narrator: A screen-reading app that describes what’s on your screen and reads text aloud, supporting braille displays.
• Magnifier: A tool that enlarges portions of your screen, making it easier to see and read content.
• Contrast Themes: High-contrast color schemes that help users with light sensitivity or visual impairments distinguish between elements on the screen.
• Color Filters: Designed to accommodate color blindness, these filters help users distinguish between colors more easily.
• Live Captions: Automatically transcribe spoken content from any audio source, aiding users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Mono Audio: Combines stereo audio channels into a single channel for users with hearing loss in one ear.
• Voice Access: Control your PC with voice commands, allowing hands-free operation.
• Eye Control: Navigate and control your PC with eye-tracking technology.
• Voice Typing: Convert speech to text with advanced AI, including automatic punctuation.
• Immersive Reader: Enhances reading fluency and comprehension within Microsoft Edge.

These features are part of Microsoft’s commitment to making technology more accessible and inclusive for everyone

9. Use Widgets:

Widgets in Windows 11 provide a personalized feed of information such as weather, news, stocks, calendar events, and more, directly on your desktop. Here’s how you can use and customize them:

• Open Widget Panel: Click the Widgets icon on the taskbar or press Windows key + W.
• Customize Widgets: Click the ellipsis button inside a widget to change its size, add new widgets, or adjust settings.
• Move Widgets: Drag and drop widgets to rearrange them on your board.
• Manage Interests: Tailor your news feed by managing your interests and tuning the types of content you want to see.
• Add or Remove Widgets: Use the Plus (+) button next to the profile menu to add widgets, or the unpin icon to remove them.

These widgets aim to keep you updated with the latest information without having to open multiple apps or websites, enhancing your productivity and keeping you informed. 

10. Game Bar for Gamers:

The Xbox Game Bar in Windows 11 is a powerful tool designed for gamers to enhance their gaming experience. Here’s a detailed look at its features and functionalities:

• Easy Access: Press Windows key + G to open the Game Bar while playing a game.
• Capture and Share: Record gameplay, take screenshots, and share them directly from the Game Bar.
• Performance Monitoring: Keep an eye on your system’s performance with widgets that show CPU, GPU, and RAM usage.
• Audio Control: Manage audio sources and levels without leaving your game.
• Social Features: Chat with Xbox friends, join parties, and see who’s online.
• Customization: Personalize the Game Bar with various widgets and settings to fit your preferences.
• Game Mode: Optimize your PC’s performance during gameplay by minimizing background activities.

To ensure the Game Bar is working correctly, you can check for updates in Windows and adjust the Game Bar settings in the Gaming section of the Windows Settings app. The Game Bar is built into Windows 11, making it a convenient feature for gamers to utilize without needing additional software

By incorporating these tips and tricks into your daily use, you’ll find that Windows 11 can be a powerful ally in both your work and personal life. Dive in and explore these features to fully realize the potential of your Windows 11 experience!

---

Stay tuned to our blog for more tech insights and updates. Happy computing!