Windows tricks to get the most out of Windows 10 and 11

If you use Windows daily, you probably know the four basics, but perhaps not all of them. hidden Windows tricks that boost your productivityBoth Windows 10 and Windows 11 have tons of half-hidden features, shortcuts, and built-in tools that most people don't even bother to try.

In this guide you will find a very complete selection of Windows tricks to work faster and get more organized and keep the system under control at all times. You'll see everything from small, seemingly insignificant details that save clicks to advanced features like the famous God Mode, virtual desktops, Snap Layouts, Copilot, and clipboard history. Get comfortable, because there's a lot to cover.

Productivity tips in Windows 10

Windows 10 remains a tremendously used system, and it hides a lot of Features designed to work faster and with fewer distractionsMany of these tricks were added with the latest major updates and go largely unnoticed.

Goodbye to Cortana taking up half the bar

If you're not a fan of Cortana, the assistant can become a nuisance, because The search bar takes up a good chunk of the taskbarReclaiming that space for your icons is super easy.

Right-click on the taskbar and go to Cortana or search options. From there you can completely hide the search box Or just leave the icon. This way you have more space to pin programs without giving up the search function.

Virtual desktops to separate work and personal life

One of the gems of Windows 10 are the virtual desktopswhich act as independent work areasYou can have one desk for work, another for studying, and another for leisure, each with its own windows.

Balance Win + Tab to open the task view and then select New desktopYou can switch between them from that same view or using shortcuts. Win + Ctrl + Left/Right ArrowIt's a very convenient way to Do not mix personal documents, browsers, and apps with work documents..

Reduce interruptions with Focus Assist

When you need to concentrate, notifications can be a nightmare. That's what the [app/tool] is for. Windows 10 Focus Assist, a configurable "do not disturb" mode.

You can activate it from the quick actions panel (notification area) by tapping on Concentration assistant, or fine-tune it by going to Settings > System > Focus AssistThere you choose if you want to It only activates at specific times, when mirroring the screen, when playing games, or when using apps in full screen..

Log in without having to type your password

On personal computers without third-party access, entering the password every time you start up can be tedious. There's a trick to make it easier. Windows Log in automatically without asking for the password, still remaining configured.

Open the Run box with Win + R, writes netplwiz and press Enter. In the user accounts window, Uncheck the box “Users must enter their name and password to use the computer”Confirm and enter your password once. From that moment on, login will be straightforward.

Monitor performance with Task Manager

To find out what's slowing down your PC, you don't need to install anything: Windows 10 Task Manager is a very powerful toolOpen it by right-clicking on the taskbar > Task Manager or with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

If you find it too basic, click on More details. On the tab Unlimited You have CPU, RAM, disk, network, GPU graphs… that help you to detect bottlenecks and resource-intensive processes.

Master the browser's quick access

The section of Quick access to File Explorer It functions as a favorites bar for your key foldersIt's at the very top and you can customize it down to the millimeter.

To delete a folder from there, right-click on it and press Unpin from Quick AccessTo add, right-click on any regular folder and choose Pin to Quick Access. You can too rearrange the shortcuts simply by dragging.

Avoid unexpected restarts due to updates

Few things are more annoying than leaving your PC on for a while. to find it restarted by a windows updateAlthough the system has improved, it is advisable to adjust the active hours.

Sign in Settings > Update & Security and click Change active hoursChoose the time frame in which you usually use the equipment so that Windows will not restart automatically during that periodYou can supplement this with scheduled shutdown tasks if you're interested.

Aero Shake: Shake and clean your desk

If your desktop is full of windows and you need to focus on just one, you can use the veteran Aero Shake, which is still available on Windows 10.

Click on the title bar of the window you want to keep and Move it quickly from side to sideThe other windows will minimize instantly, leaving only that one on the screen. If you repeat the gesture, they will be restored.

Organize windows: split the screen into two (or more)

Another way to manage multitasking is to use the window adjustment function. In Windows 10, yes You drag a window to one side of the screen, and it automatically adjusts to half..

You can also use shortcuts Win + Left/Right Arrow to fit it to each side. Then the system will suggest which window you want to fill the other side with, and you can Adjust the central divider to distribute the space to your liking.

Screenshots and quick annotations

Windows 10 includes the tool Snipping and annotation (Snip)It's much more flexible than the typical Print Screen key. You'll find it in the notification center's quick settings as Screen snip.

When you run it, you can choose between Rectangular, freehand, window or full-screen cropOnce captured, a small editor opens where add text or freehand doodles before saving or sharing.

Record your screen using the Xbox Game Bar

The gaming bar isn't just for gamers: it's perfect for Record your Windows 10 screen without installing external programs.

Balance Win+G To open the Xbox bar, go to the section of Broadcast and CaptureFrom there you can start a recording of the active window, with the option to Also record your voice through the microphoneIdeal for quick tutorials.

God Mode: The Ultimate Control Panel

One of the classic tricks is to activate the so-called God Mode, a special folder that brings together hundreds of advanced Windows options In one single place.

To create it, right-click on the desktop, create a new folder, and rename it to:
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

The icon will change automatically, and when you open it, you'll see All configuration categories and administrative tools are well organized.much more convenient than jumping from menu to menu.

Secret menu of installed applications

If the Start menu doesn't suit you, you can create an alternative list with All installed apps in a single virtual folder.

Open File Explorer and, in the address bar, type:
Shell:AppsFolder

A window will open with a flat list of all applications installed on the systemFrom there you can create shortcuts, launch them with a double-click, or pin them wherever you want.

Control which applications start with Windows

In addition to the Task Manager's startup manager, you have the traditional startup folders, where Any shortcut you create will run at login..

For a specific user, go to:
C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
and create shortcuts to the programs you want to run automatically.

If you prefer that they be rolled out to all users on the team, use:
C: \ ProgramData \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Start Menu \ Programs \ StartUp
and add the access points there. Remember that You must have the display of hidden files enabled..

Tablet mode for touch devices

On 2-in-1 devices or those with a touchscreen, it may be more convenient to Windows 10 tablet mode, which adapts the interface for touch control.

By activating it from the button Tablet mode in the quick actions panel, the system It simplifies the Start menu, enlarges elements, and changes how you switch between apps., resembling more a mobile phone or tablet.

Quick notes always at hand

For those notes you don't want to lose, Windows 10 includes the app for Sticky Notes, which works like classic desktop post-it notes.

Open it, press the button + and begins to write. The notes float in the air and They can be synced with your Microsoft account.so that you can also see them on your mobile phone or other devices.

Project the screen wirelessly

If you want to display your desktop on a Miracast-compatible TV or monitor, Windows 10 lets you. project the screen wirelessly.

Open the actions panel and click on To project > Connect to a wireless projectionThe system will search for nearby screens and you will be able to Duplicate or extend your desktop without HDMI.

Print directly to PDF

Windows 10 includes a built-in virtual printer called Microsoft Print to PDFvery useful when you want save documents as PDF without installing anything extra.

From any program with a print option, choose that printer in the dialog box, click print, and a window will open for choose the path where to save the generated PDF file.

Open multiple instances of the same application

If you have a program pinned to the taskbar and you need Open another new window of that same appThere's no need to search for the access in the Start menu.

Just do it middle mouse click on its pinned iconIf you don't have a wheel, hold down the key Shift While you click normally. This launches a new instance instantly.

offline maps

The Windows 10 Maps app uses Here mapping and allows Download entire regions for offline viewing, something very useful with laptops or tablets.

Go to Maps and then to Settings > Offline Maps. From there you can choose countries or regions to download and manage themavoiding always depending on the Internet.

Date calculator and converter integrated into the calculator

The Windows 10 calculator isn't just for quick sums: it includes Advanced modes such as unit converter, scientific calculator, programmer, and date calculator.

In the side menu choose Calculation of date difference To find out how many days, weeks, or months there are between two dates, or to add/subtract days, weeks, and months to a specific date. Very useful for planning, deadlines and projects.

Turn your PC into a Wi-Fi access point

Windows 10 can share your network connection by creating a area with wireless coverage from the computer itselfeven if you're already connected via Wi-Fi.

Open the actions panel and click on Mobile wireless coverage areaWith a right-click you can go to the settings and Change the name and password of the network created by the computerto share it with other devices.

On-screen and touch keyboard

If your physical keyboard fails (or you don't have one nearby), you have two different virtual keyboards in Windows 10.

The classic opens with Win + R > write OSKThe touch keyboard, designed for tablets or hybrids, can be displayed by Right-click on the taskbar and activate “Show touch keyboard button”Then you just have to tap on its icon next to the clock to use it.

Sync your Google email, calendar, and contacts

In addition to Outlook, Windows 10 works well with Google accounts. Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts can Add your Gmail account.

Once added, the tray E-mail It will show your emails, your calendar Calendar It will integrate your Google Calendar events, and the app Contacts It will have access to your saved people in Google. Everything is centralized in the system.

Translate from the start menu with Bing

The Start menu search engine integrates Bing, allowing you to use it as Quick translator without opening the browser.

Open Start and type something like “translate hello into English” o "translate house to Spanish"You will see the following in the results panel: direct translation generated by Bing, ideal for quick queries.

Edit the shortcuts in the classic Start menu

If the Start menu program list is a mess, you can manually order it by accessing the physical access folder.

Open your browser and navigate to:
C: \ ProgramData \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Start Menu \ Programs
From there you can Move shortcuts between folders, create new ones, rename items and make the menu much cleaner to your liking.

Essential keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10

A large part of Windows tricks can be summarized in memorize some basic keyboard shortcuts which save a lot of clicks. These are especially useful:

• Win + A: Opens the notifications and quick actions center.
• Win + D: instantly displays the desktop.
• Win + M: minimizes all windows.
• Win + E- Open File Explorer.
• Win + K: opens the menu to connect devices.
• Win+L: blocks the Windows session.
• Win+P: menu to project screen.
• Win + R: opens Run.
• Win + X: opens the advanced menu (shutdown, disk management, etc.).
• Win + , (comma): quick view of the desktop while holding down.
• Win+G: game bar.
• Win + Pause: opens the System section of the Control Panel.
• Win+. (spot): emoji selector.
• Win + Arrows: attach windows to sides and corners.
• Alt + Tab: switch between recent windows.
• Win + Tab: view of tasks and virtual desktops.
• Win + C: Activate Cortana (if configured).
• Win + Ctrl + D: new virtual desktop.
• Win + Ctrl + F4: close current virtual desktop.
• Win + Ctrl + Arrows: move between virtual desktops.
• Win + I: Opens Windows Settings.

Windows 11 tricks to get the most out of the new system

Windows 11 has completely changed the interface, added Copilot, improved window management, and incorporated Very interesting new features for advanced usersMany are somewhat hidden, so it's worth exploring them one by one.

Adjust the volume using the mouse wheel

Instead of opening the sound panel, in Windows 11 you can Raise or lower the volume using the mouse wheel directly from the taskbar.

Place the cursor over the speaker icon and move the wheel up or down. If it doesn't react, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse and make sure the option is enabled “Move inactive windows when you hover over them”Done, instant volume adjustment.

God Mode also in Windows 11

The famous God Mode is not exclusive to Windows 10In Windows 11 it works the same way, allowing you to have all the system tools under a single folder.

Create a new folder on your desktop and name it:
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

When you open it, you will have a huge list of shortcuts to advanced settings of Windows 11 without having to explore new menus.

Manage windows with “Shake title bar”

The feature is still available in Windows 11. Shake the title bar to minimize everything else, ideal when you're working with a thousand windows open.

If it doesn't work, go to Settings > System > Multitasking and activate the option “Shake the window title bar”From there, with a couple of quick shakes to the active window You clean the screen and leave only what interests you.

Pin and organize apps in the new Start menu

Windows 11 got rid of the old Live Tiles and replaced them with a A cleaner Start menu, based on pinned appsThe good thing is that you can organize it exactly as you like.

Open the menu, go to All applicationsFind the one you want and right-click > Pin to Start. Then drag it to organize and create your own grid of apps. To remove one, simply Right-click > Unpin from Start.

Basic keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11

The more traditional shortcuts (Win + E, Alt + Tab, etc.) are still there, but in Windows 11 it remains key Learn combinations like Win + W (widgets), Win + A (quick panel) or Win + Z (Snap Layouts) to move with ease.

You can find a huge list in Microsoft's official documentation, but it's worth at least familiarizing yourself with it. shortcuts linked to the taskbar, Snap, and multitasking to notice the change in agility.

Copilot as an integrated assistant

One of the big new features of Windows 11 is Copilot, the artificial intelligence integrated into the systemYou can open it from the icon in the taskbar or with its quick access.

Copilot is capable of answer questions, generate texts, summarize information, propose ideas, help with configurations and much more. To get the most out of it, it's ideal to get used to ask quick questions to the system instead of jumping through menus or by opening a thousand browser tabs.

Widgets: keep only what interests you

The Windows 11 widget panel is very useful if you adjust it properly, but it comes from the factory with the default settings. full of things that may not benefit you at all.

Activate it by right-clicking on the taskbar > Taskbar settings and check the box Widgets. Then press Win+W or the widgets icon to open the panel.

In each widget, tap on the three point icon and select Hide this widget To remove it. If you want to add new ones, press the gear icon > Discover new widgetsChoose the ones that interest you and click the button Pin to anchor them. That way you'll have Really useful information at a glance.

Action Center (Quick Setup) to your liking

The Windows 11 quick buttons (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, airplane mode, etc.) can customize much more than in Windows 10.

Balance Win + A to open the panel and then click on the pencil icon. From there you can Remove shortcuts you don't use and add important ones. (battery saving, hotspot, etc.), so you hardly need to open the full Settings for typical tasks.

Snap Layouts: two or more apps neatly arranged

Snap Layouts greatly improves the way you arrange multiple windows on screen at the same timeInstead of just splitting into two halves, you have grid layouts and more combinations.

Hover your pointer over a window's maximize button or right-click it to see the different layouts. Choose the one you want, and then Start selecting which app occupies each slotIf you don't see it, go to Settings > System > Multitasking and make sure you have the option activated “Snap Windows”.

Improved virtual desktops

In Windows 11, virtual desktops have a more visual presence, customizable icons and names, which helps to organize your workspaces by projects or themes.

Balance Win + Tab To open Task View and create a new one, use the button New desktopThen you can rename it, assign it a different background and move windows between desktops. It's ideal for have one for work, another for leisure, and another for studies., etc.

Voice dictation for faster typing

If you have to write long texts and get tired of the keyboard, Windows 11 offers a Highly accurate voice dictation compatible with multiple languages.

Open the text field where you want to write and press Win + HThe dictation panel will open, and you will only have to Speak clearly so the system can convert your voice to text.Very useful for emails, documents, or long notes.

clipboard history

The classic Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V aren't enough when you copy a lot of things in a row. With Windows 11's clipboard history, you can recover fragments you copied a while ago.

Go to Settings > System > Clipboard tab and activate clipboard historyFrom there, use Win+V to see a panel with all recently copied items and stick them wherever you want.

Focus mode for distraction-free work

Focus (or Concentration) mode in Windows 11 goes a step beyond the classic silent mode, as It blocks notifications, integrates with the watch, and allows scheduled work sessions..

Sign in Settings > System > Concentration and define the typical duration of your sessions, breaks, which notifications are silenced, and which apps can sneak in. Then, when you want to concentrate, Activate a Concentration session and let the system filter..

Open applications as administrator from the keyboard

If you work a lot with CMD, PowerShell, or administrative tools, you'll be interested to know that you can Run any app as administrator with a simple shortcut.

Open the Start menu, type the program name until it is highlighted, and press Enter. Ctrl + Shift + EnterIt will open with administrator privileges, first displaying the UAC window for confirmation. All of this without touching the mouse.

OCR integrated into Snipping Tool, Photos, and Phone Link

Windows 11 has gained capabilities of optical character recognition (OCR) in several applications of the system, which allows text to be easily extracted from images.

The Snipping Tool (Snipping Tool) Enable capture an area of ​​the screen and read the text it containswithout the need for third-party apps. It also includes reading of QR codes to open links. The Photos app and Phone Link also take advantage of this functionality to Copy text from photos stored or received from your mobile phone.

End tasks from the taskbar

When a program freezes, you can now close it directly from the taskbar without opening the Task Manager, if you activate an advanced option.

Go to Settings > Privacy and security > For developers and enable the Developer modeThen, in the advanced settings of Windows 11, enable the option “Finish task” in the taskbarFrom then on, it will be enough to Right-click on the icon of the problematic program and choose “End task” to close it instantly.

Shortcuts for the taskbar and switching apps

In addition to the classic shortcuts, Windows 11 incorporated some interesting features into its taskbar. Win+T can Focus on the bar and navigate through the pinned apps using the arrows or by writing the first letter.

You can also use Win + number (1, 2, 3…) to open or bring to the front the application pinned to that position. If it is already open, the combination maximizes or minimizes it as appropriateAnd remember that, on a preview thumbnail, Middle-clicking the mouse closes that window at the moment.

New features of the Snipping Tool

In Windows 11, the Snipping Tool is not only for taking screenshots, it can also It allows you to record the screen as a video without external tools.

You can use Win+Shift+S to take quick captures or Win + Shift + R In some compilations, you can directly access recording mode. Additionally, there are Snipping Toolbars. It automatically saves captures and recordings in the corresponding folder.So if you accidentally close the window, you probably won't lose anything.

Quickly enter the recovery environment (WinRE)

If Windows is having serious problems, the Recovery Environment (WinRE) is your lifeline. Accessing it is straightforward: Hold down the Shift key while selecting Restart from the Start menu or the lock screen.

The system will boot directly into WinRE, from where you can Boot into safe mode, restore the system, uninstall problematic updates, or repair startup.

Configure how long it takes to request login again

In shared environments it's important that Windows locks after a period of inactivity, but at home you might prefer that Don't ask for the password every two or three minutes..

Sign in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and locate the section that asks “If you haven’t logged in for a while, when do you want Windows to ask you to log in again?”There you can choose between “Never” or different time intervalsadjusting the balance between comfort and safety.

Volume control per application

In Windows 11 you can adjust the volume of each program separatelyIdeal if you don't want notifications to interrupt a meeting or if you're just looking to lower the volume of a game.

Go to Settings > System > Sound > Volume MixerYou'll see open devices and apps, with their separate sliders for raise, lower or mute each one without affecting the rest.

Reset apps from Settings

When an app behaves strangely, in Windows 11 a couple of clicks are usually all it takes to fix it. return it to its original state without uninstalling itprovided it is compatible.

Sign in Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, find the app in question, tap on Advanced and, if it appears, use the button ResettingThis clears your cache and settings, fixing quite a few problems, especially in UWP apps and Microsoft Store tools.

With all these features, shortcuts, and settings, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 become much more than just an operating system for "opening your browser and little else." Take advantage of Tricks like God Mode, Snap Layouts, virtual desktops, Copilot, clipboard history, or advanced audio and window management It makes a huge difference in the speed at which you work and how comfortable your daily routine becomes in front of the computer. It's worth taking some time to try them out and stick with the ones that best suit your PC usage: every little time saved adds up to hours in the long run.