1.

Realign the Start Button

taskbar alignment in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
If you're new to Windows 11, the first thing that jumps out at you is the placement
of the Start button. Long located in the lower-left corner of the screen, it's now
centered with the rest of the icons on the taskbar. But don't worry, you can change
it.

Right-click the taskbar and open Taskbar Settings. Select the Taskbar Behaviors
drop-down and change Taskbar Alignment to Left.

Your taskbar icons move to the left and the Start button goes back where it
belongs. For more on personalizing the Windows 11 taskbar, check out our guide.

2. Generate Text and Images With Copilot

Copilot on Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Need to write a recommendation but don't know where to start? Have to spruce up the
tone or grammar of an email? Or maybe you need a goofy image to spice up your
newsletter. Microsoft Copilot can help you with these things and more. Get to it by
clicking the colorful, swirly icon on the right end of the taskbar or typing
Windows Key-C.

You can use your voice to tell it what to do, and it remembers the context of a
conversation. It can write code, summarize a web page or PDF, and write a poem on a
topic of your choice. You can drag an image file onto it or select an area of the
screen for it to explain. We have loads of advice on what to try with Copilot if
you're new to this particular AI chatbot.

Recent updates to Copilot on Windows let you use plug-ins for things like making
dinner reservations through OpenTable or travel reservations through Kayak. Copilot
will also change PC settings, for example, switching you to dark mode. On the flip
side, if you want no part of AI on your traditional Windows PC, you can simply turn
Copilot off in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and slide the Copilot switch to
off.

3. Customize the Quick Settings Panel

Change quick settings in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Windows 11 separates the Quick Settings that appear in the Action Center in Windows
10 from that panel's notifications. Click the area of the taskbar that has Wi-Fi,
speaker, and battery icons to open a menu that lets you control Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
airplane mode, battery-saver mode, and more. To add or remove settings buttons,
click the pencil-shaped Edit quick settings button. Unpin what you don't want or
click Add to make new features accessible from the Quick Settings menu.

4. Create and Manage Multiple Desktops

Virtual desktops in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Microsoft has replaced the old Task View button with a redesigned icon on the
taskbar, which makes it easier to create and manage multiple desktops. Just hover
over the icon to see any open virtual desktops or create a new desktop. These
desktops can then be rearranged as needed, and apps that are in one desktop can be
dragged into another.

You can use different wallpapers for each virtual desktop to better differentiate
them. Right-click on the desktop, choose Personalize, then Background, and choose a
different image on each desktop. Note that it only works for the Background choice,
not for Themes. If you choose a Theme, it applies to all virtual desktops; however,
after applying a theme, you can change the background per desktop. If you do, you
see a cool cross-fade between the two backgrounds when switching.

5. See Information at a Glance With Widgets

Widgets in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
While Windows 10 dabbled in widgets, Windows 11 goes all in. If you want to check
the weather, see the latest sports scores, track stock prices, watch nearby
traffic, manage your Outlook calendar, cross off tasks on your to-do list, or read
the latest news, a new Widgets icon on the taskbar has you covered. You can
customize the widgets to suit your needs, rearrange them on the page, and manage
your newsfeed preferences through Microsoft Start. You can also add third-party
widgets to the panel, including entries from Spotify and Facebook Messenger.

6. Learn New Ways to Snap Your Window Layouts

Snap Layouts in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Microsoft has supported snap-and-resize since Windows 7, but it gets a boost in
Windows 11 with Snap Layouts. You can still drag windows to the sides and corners
for half- and quarter-screen layouts, but Windows 11 adds a hover menu over the
Maximize button that offers layout options. You can choose one large window on the
left and two on top of each other on the right, or three in a row, for example.
Your choices depend on the size of your display. The feature has been updated with
more layout options and thumbnails for running apps in the layout choices.

Click to select your preferred formation and then move your apps into place. You
can turn off this behavior in Settings. Some keyboard shortcuts let you quickly
snap windows, such as Windows Key-Left Arrow to snap a window to the left half of
the screen.

7. Connect Your Phone for Texts, Calls, and More

Windows Phone Link
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Windows 11's Phone Link app lets you wirelessly connect your smartphone so that you
can see any phone notifications on the PC, as well as reply to text messages, and
make calls on the computer. If you're using an Android phone, you get a lot more
out of Phone link, like access to any photos you shot on the phone, using it as a
Wi-Fi hotspot, play music from it, or even run phone apps on your PC screen.

8. Increase Security by Using Passkeys

Passkeys in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Passwords are so passé and not as secure as other options. Forward-minded websites
and apps support more secure passkeys to log in. They are tied to the device they
reside on. Windows 11 can now store your passkeys or use those stored on other
devices such as your smartphone. On Windows 11, passkeys take advantage of Windows
Hello authentication via PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint.

9. Get Things Done With Focus Sessions

Windows 11’s Focus Sessions in Alarms & Clock app
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
With messages and video chats popping up throughout the workday, it's easy to get
distracted. Focus Sessions in Windows 11 encourages you to set aside time for work
that requires uninterrupted deep focus. It's in the Alarms & Clock app. It quickly
gives you at least 30 minutes of distraction-free work time. If you go beyond 45
minutes, the app automatically schedules a five-minute break about midway through
your session. Here’s a step-by-step guide on setting it up for your PC.

10. Add Tabs to File Explorer

File Explorer in Windows 11 with tabs
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
A top feature added in the Windows 11 22H2 update is that File Explorer finally
gets tabs like its macOS counterpart Finder has had for years. Having tabs saves
you from littering your desktop with multiple File Explorer windows when you need
to view more than one at a time. Just right-click on a folder and choose Open in
New Tab, like you would in a web browser.

You can drag a file between tabs. Just drag it to the desired tab and then down
into the file list for that tab. Also as with a web browser, you can drag tabs
sideways to rearrange them and press Alt-Left Arrow to navigate back in a tab (but
not Ctrl-PgUp and Ctrl-PgDn as you can on a web browser).

With the initial Windows 11 release, Microsoft streamlined the ribbon at the top of
the File Explorer menu. Cut, Copy, Paste, Rename, Share, Delete, Sort, and View
choices get prominent buttons at the top, saving you from having to wade through
multiple menus you seldom use. Windows 11 also adds a New button for creating new
folders and shortcuts, as well as documents based on the programs you have
installed. The buttons displayed change based on context, too, so for example, when
you're searching in the right-hand search box, you get a Search Options button.

11. View the Full App List

All Apps List in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Windows 11 adds an extra step to view your full list of installed apps. Instead of
opening the Start menu and immediately seeing the App List next to your live tiles,
you have to click the All Apps button in the Pinned section of the Start menu. Then
you can browse the list or search for a specific app. Of course, it might be
quicker to type the first few letters of the app's name to search for it. Note that
within the All Apps list, you can still click on a letter of the alphabet to show a
grid of the whole alphabet so you can zoom in to a particular letter.

12. Pin Apps to the Start Menu

The Start menu in Windows 11 with Suggested and Pinned app icons
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Live Tiles are gone in Windows 11 and in their place is a more simplistic Start
menu where you can pin apps for easy access. Open the App List, right-click on an
app, and select Pin to Start to move it to the Pinned section. Then drag the app
into your preferred position. To remove apps, right-click and choose Unpin from
Start.

A newer option that arrived in a Windows 11 update is the ability to drag icons on
top of each other to create folders, as you would on a mobile operating system. You
can also adjust the relative sizes of Pinned and Recommended icons.

13. Customize Your Interface With a Theme

Themes in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Themes make a return in Windows 11, but this time they work hand-in-hand with dark
mode. Open Settings > Personalization and select one of the default themes to
change the background image, sounds, cursor, accent color, and color theme all at
once. Open Themes to edit current themes, add new themes from the Microsoft Store,
or create your own.

14. Customize the Start Menu

Customize the Start Menu
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
In Windows 10, the Settings button appears above the Start button when you tap it.
Not so in Windows 11, but you can add it back via Settings > Personalization >
Start > Folders. Here, you can also add File Explorer, other common folders, and
Network icons.

15. Get Better App and File Recommendations

Start menu options in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
The new Start menu has a Recommended section for recent files and frequently used
apps. To customize what appears here, open Settings > Personalization > Start so
you can tell Windows to stop showing recently installed apps, frequently used apps,
or recently opened items in the Start menu, App List, and elsewhere.

16. Change the Default Apps

Customizing Windows 11: How to Change Default Apps
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
In Windows 10, it’s easy to choose a default app, but with Windows 11, the process
is more complicated, as you need to specify a default app for every file type. Open
the Settings app and tap on the Apps section in the left-hand menu. Choose Default
apps, click on the app you want to set as the default for a file type, and you see
a list of all file types that it's capable of handling. Click on the file type you
want, and select an app from the menu that pops up. For a full rundown of the
process, check out our guide.

17. Visualize Your Battery Better

Windows 11 shows more battery usage detail
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Windows 11 does a better job than its predecessor of helping you visualize your
battery usage data. Go to Settings > System > Power & battery, then open the
Battery usage tab. A chart shows how much power you have used over the last few
days or hours. A list of apps below that shows power usage by individual app. If
you find a program that may be using too much power, you can shut down background
usage and put it to sleep, just like iPhones and Android devices allow you to do.

18. Quickly Pair Input/Output Devices

The Sound settings let you pair multiple input and output devices
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Windows 11 now has a full-featured Sound menu with the ability to pair new input
and output devices.

Open Settings > System > Sound and click Add device under the Output section to
link external speakers or other devices. Or click Add device under Input to connect
an external microphone.

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You then have a choice to connect via Bluetooth, wireless docks, and more. Scroll
down to the Advanced section and click All sound devices to view a full list of all
input and output devices that have been connected to your PC.

19. Chat With Teams

Microsoft Teams - free version in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Microsoft Teams, the company's free messaging, calling, and videoconferencing app,
is pinned to the Windows 11 Taskbar by default. From it you can launch video calls
and start chats. You can sync your contacts through the Teams mobile app, but if
your contacts don't use Teams, you can send them invitations via email or text. You
can also have SMS conversations with contacts even if they don't sign up for Teams,
and they can join a video chat from a web link. At Windows 11's initial launch it
was an integrated part of the OS, but now it's simply an app that you can
optionally uninstall if you prefer.

20. Listen With New Sound Modes

Sound modes like mono and enhanced audio in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
You get extra control over your audio output in Windows 11, including mono audio
and enhanced audio modes. To go mono, open Settings > System > Sound, then enable
Mono audio to combine the left and right audio channels.

For enhanced audio—which includes bass boost, virtual surround, room correction,
and loudness equalization—click All sound devices under the Advanced section of the
Sound menu, choose a device to access the Properties menu, and enable Enhance
audio.

21. Get Used to the New Touch Gestures

A hand using touch gestures on a Windows 11 tablet
(Credit: Microsoft)
If you’re using a touch-screen PC convertible or tablet, like the stunning new
Surface Pro 8, you have to get used to a whole new set of touch gestures, many of
which involve using multiple fingers. Swiping in from the left side no longer opens
task switching mode, but rather the Widgets panel of news and information. To show
the Task View, you now have to swipe up on the screen (anywhere) with four fingers.
Swiping in from the right still thankfully opens notifications. Swiping down from
the top no longer closes an app, but you can swipe down in an app window with three
fingers to minimize an app and show the desktop. Swiping three fingers up opens all
running windows.

22. Learn New Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 11
(Credit: PCMag)
Windows 11 has new keyboard shortcuts, and they're worth learning:

Windows Key-W to open the Widgets panel

Windows Key-A to access the Quick Settings

Windows Key-Z to access Snap Layouts

Windows Key-K to cast media

A couple of the best keyboard shortcuts are still in place from Windows 10,
including Windows Key-V to show clipboard history and Windows Key-Shift-S for the
screenshot tool.

23. Access Gaming Features

Windows 11's Game Bar
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Tapping Windows Key-G opens a panoply of utilities useful not only to gamers but to
any Windows 11 user. It lets you record screen activity and see system resources
and performance stats, as well as chat with gamer pals and see your Xbox
Achievements. It also offers audio and display settings such as HDR.

24. Record Audio With the New Sound Recorder App

Sound Recorder in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Replacing the Voice Recorder is Windows 11's new Sound Recorder. The app has a
redesigned interface that shows audio waveforms and more input options. It lets you
output to a good selection of formats including AAC, MP3, WMA, FLAC, and WAV. That
said, it's pretty basic with no audio trimming.

25. Listen and Watch With the New Media Player

Media Player in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
Replacing the Groove app, the new Media Player in Windows 11 still lets you get
your groove on while listening to music or watching videos. It's far more user-
friendly than the old Media Player, which you still need to rip CDs.

26. Back Up Your PC With Windows Backup

Windows 11 Backup App
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
With the 23H2 version update of Windows 11 came a new Windows Backup app. This can
save your files, settings, apps, and credentials (including Wi-Fi logins), syncing
them to OneDrive cloud storage so that if you move to a new PC, you can simply sign
in and have everything restored to your familiar setup.

27. Clear Your Desktop With Title Bar Shake

Title Bar Shake in Windows 11
(Credit: Microsoft/PCMag)
This last tip to turn on Windows title bar shake is a favorite of ours and
thankfully was continued from earlier versions of Windows. It's not enabled by
default in Windows 11, but you can enable it in Settings > System > Multitasking
(or just search for "shake" in Settings). It lets you grab a window's top title bar
and shake it to dismiss all other windows. We use it all the time to clear out a
messy desktop and focus on the active window.

For more on Microsoft's latest desktop operating system, head to our Windows 11 hub
and read our in-depth Windows