Windows 11 for End Users: Tips & Tricks

1. Move Start Button and Taskbar

How To:

1. Right-click on the taskbar.
2. Select Taskbar settings.
3. Locate Taskbar behaviors, and select the dropdown.
4. Navigate to Taskbar alignment, and choose either Center or Left.

Why It’s Useful:
This customization helps users accustomed to the traditional left-aligned Start menu in previous versions of Windows. It can improve accessibility and usability for those familiar with older layouts.

2. Enable Dark Mode

How To:

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Select Personalization.
3. Click on Colors.
4. Under Choose your color, select Dark from the dropdown menu.

Why It’s Useful:
Dark mode reduces eye strain in low-light conditions and can help save battery life on laptops and other portable devices.

3. Snap Layouts on Windows

How To:

1. Open a window.
2. Hover over the maximize button or press Windows + Z to see snap layout options.
3. Select the desired layout by clicking on the corresponding area.
4. Drag additional windows into the other zones of the layout.

Why It’s Useful:
Snap layouts enhance multitasking by allowing users to quickly arrange open windows in various configurations, improving productivity and workflow efficiency.

4. Voice Typing

How To:

1. Place the cursor where you want to start typing.
2. Press Windows + H to activate voice typing.
3. Start speaking, and your words will be transcribed.
4. Press Windows + H again to stop voice typing.

Why It’s Useful:
Voice typing can significantly speed up text input, especially for users who find typing challenging or time-consuming.

5. Customize the Start Menu

How To:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Right-click on any app and select Unpin from Start to remove it or Pin to Start to add new apps.
3. Drag and drop tiles to reorganize them.
4. Resize tiles by right-clicking and selecting Resize.

Why It’s Useful:
Customizing the Start menu allows users to tailor their workspace to their preferences, making frequently used apps and tools more accessible.

6. Focus Feature

How To:

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Go to System.
3. Select Focus assist.
4. Choose the focus mode you prefer: Off, Priority only, or Alarms only.
5. Customize priority notifications by adding apps and contacts to your priority list.

Why It’s Useful:
The Focus feature helps minimize distractions by filtering notifications, improving concentration and productivity.

7. Enable Multiple Workspaces or Virtual Desktops

How To:

1. Press Windows + Tab to open Task View.
2. Click on New desktop to create a new virtual desktop.
3. Switch between desktops by pressing Windows + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow.

Why It’s Useful:
Virtual desktops provide separate workspaces for different tasks, helping users organize their workflow and reduce clutter.

8. Create Pinned Apps

How To:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Find the app you want to pin.
3. Right-click on the app and select Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start.

Why It’s Useful:
Pinning frequently used apps to the taskbar or Start menu provides quick access, enhancing workflow efficiency.

9. Connect a Bluetooth Device

How To:

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Go to Devices.
3. Click on Bluetooth & other devices.
4. Turn on Bluetooth and click on Add Bluetooth or other device.
5. Select Bluetooth and choose your device from the list.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.

Why It’s Useful:
Connecting Bluetooth devices such as headphones, keyboards, and mice can enhance the user experience by providing wireless convenience.

10. Connect a USB Printer

How To:

1. Connect your printer to your computer via a USB cable.
2. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
3. Go to Devices.
4. Click on Printers & scanners.
5. Click on Add a printer or scanner.
6. Select your printer from the list and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

Why It’s Useful:
Setting up a USB printer allows for immediate printing capabilities without needing network configuration, making it simple for everyday use.

11. Check for Windows Updates

How To:

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Go to Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click on Check for updates to see if there are any available updates.
5. If updates are available, follow the prompts to download and install them.

Why It’s Useful:
Regularly checking for updates ensures your system is secure and running the latest features and improvements provided by Microsoft.