10 Hidden Windows Features You Didn’t Know Existed
Like many of you, I’ve spent countless hours on my Windows PC, thinking I knew it inside out. But guess what? Windows is like a treasure chest, and over the years, I’ve stumbled upon features I had no idea existed — and they’ve been game-changers for my productivity and overall computer experience.
Today, I’m here to share these hidden gems with you. Whether you’re a seasoned Windows user or relatively new to this environment, I promise you’ll find something in this list that’ll make you think, “How did I not know about this before?”
So, let’s dive into these hidden features and tricks that can seriously amp up your Windows experience. Remember, all of these features are tested on my Windows 11 device, but most will work on Windows 10, too.
A side note. I’ll be dedicating separate articles from the next month to explore each of the following features thoroughly. If you’re interested in similar content and more, feel free to follow me.
1. Virtual Desktops: Your Workspace Game-Changer
Ever felt like your single desktop is cramped with too many open apps and windows? That’s where Virtual Desktops come in — a feature that’s been a lifesaver for me. It lets you create multiple desktops for different purposes. Imagine having one desktop for work, another for your personal stuff, and maybe one more for your creative projects — all on the same computer.
To create a new desktop, just press Win + Tab, then click on the New Desktop option on your screen. You can switch between desktops easily with Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow or through touchpad gestures if you have activated it. This feature has helped me organize my tasks more efficiently and focus better on the task at hand.
2. Clipboard History: Beyond Basic Copy and Paste
Clipboard History is like a magic wand for anyone who regularly uses copy-paste. Before I discovered this, I was the guy who kept flipping back and forth between windows to copy and paste different items. But not anymore!
Press Win + V to bring up Clipboard History, a feature that stores a history of items (text, images, HTML) you’ve copied. You can pin the items you use frequently, and voila — they’re always just a shortcut away. Remember, you need to activate this feature in the Clipboard settings.
3. PowerToys: Supercharge Your Windows Experience
PowerToys is like a Swiss Army knife for Windows power users. It’s a collection of utilities that enhance Windows capabilities. I’ve been using them to customize my Windows experience to fit my workflow, and it’s been fantastic.
Some of my favorite PowerToys are FancyZones for advanced window management and PowerRename for bulk file renaming. Download PowerToys from Microsoft’s store, explore the tools, and you’ll find ways to make your Windows experience more efficient and tailored to your needs.
4. God Mode: Ultimate Control Panel
“God Mode” — sounds epic, right? It’s a hidden folder that gives you a master control panel, housing nearly every setting and control in one place. This has been a time-saver for me, especially when I need to access various settings without navigating through different menus.
To enable it, right-click on your desktop (or any partition), create a new folder, and rename it to God Mode code, i.e., GodMode.{ED7BA470–8E54–465E-825C-99712043E01C}. Once you hit enter, the folder icon changes, and inside, you’ll have a powerful, centralized control panel.
Tip: Instead of GodMode in the above code, you can use any name, such as PranavGodMode. Remember to keep the rest of the code unchanged.
5. Focus Assist: Minimize Distractions
In our world of constant notifications and distractions, Focus Assist has been a true focus-saver for me. It’s like putting a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your digital life. You can tailor it to allow only priority notifications or mute notifications altogether.
Head over to the System settings, find Focus Assist, and customize it to your liking. You can set automatic rules based on time, activities, or even when you’re mirroring your screen. Trust me, it makes a world of difference when you need to concentrate.
6. Storage Sense: Automatic Space Management
If you’re like me, constantly juggling files and fretting about disk space, Storage Sense is our digital housekeeper. This feature automatically frees up space by cleaning files you don’t need — like temporary files and items in your Recycle Bin.
To activate Storage Sense, head to System settings, then to Storage, and toggle on Storage Sense. You can customize how it works, like how often it cleans up and what it should delete. Since I turned this on, I’ve stopped worrying about running out of space during critical moments.
7. Dynamic Lock: Enhanced Security
Ever rushed off from your desk and forgot to lock your PC? Dynamic Lock has been my personal security guard. When I walk away with my phone, my PC locks itself. It’s like magic, but it’s just Bluetooth.
Pair your phone with your PC via Bluetooth. Then, go to Accounts settings, sign-in options, and under Dynamic Lock, check the option to allow your PC to lock when your phone is out of Bluetooth range. It’s a simple yet effective way to ensure your PC’s security.
8. Shake to Minimize: Quick Window Management
This might sound like a dance move, but ‘Shake to Minimize’ is actually a nifty way to quickly clear your desktop. If you have a bunch of windows open and need to focus on just one, grab the top of the window you need, give it a little shake, and watch the others minimize.
It’s a simple gesture, but it’s been incredibly helpful in managing my workspace, especially when I’m overwhelmed with too many open windows and need to quickly declutter my digital space.
9. Quick Access Menu: Efficiency at Your Fingertips
The Quick Access Menu has been my go-to for fast navigation. It’s a context menu that pops up with useful system tools when you right-click the Start button or press Win + X. From here, you can access important areas like the Control Panel, Task Manager, Device Manager, and more.
It’s super handy for quick navigation, especially when I’m troubleshooting or need to access system tools fast. It’s like having a secret dashboard that gets me where I need to go with a click.
10. Steps Recorder: Simplifying Troubleshooting
Let me tell you about the Steps Recorder, a hidden hero for anyone who’s ever tried to troubleshoot a computer issue. Gone are the days of trying to remember every click and every action. With the Steps Recorder, you can record your actions, and it generates a detailed report with screenshots and descriptions.
To use it, just type “Steps Recorder” in the Windows search bar and hit enter. Once it’s open, click “Start Record,” and it’ll capture your screen activity. It’s a godsend for explaining problems to tech support or for creating simple guides. Being a troubleshooting writer, this Windows feature has been a great help for me.
Unfortunately, this feature will soon be phased out from October 2024. But you can use it until you decide to update your PC to the next Windows feature update.
Boost your Windows experience with these Features
There you have it — the ten hidden Windows features that have been absolute game-changers for me. Each of these features has made my digital life more organized, efficient, and secure. I encourage you to try them out, play around with them, and see how they can enhance your Windows experience.
Remember, the beauty of Windows is in its versatility and the ability to customize it to your needs. So, dive in, explore these features, and take your productivity and user experience to new heights!
Also, as mentioned, I will explore and provide a detailed review of these features separately in coming articles, so do follow for more such content.
