100 Windows 11-20 tips and tricks

 

 

11. Hide the task view button

If you don't use virtual desktops or use the keyboard to switch between them, you can hide the Task View icon by right-clicking on the taskbar and deselecting the 'Show Task View button' option.

12. Remove Cortana's search box

Similarly, you can reduce the space taken by Cortana in the taskbar. Right-click on an empty part of the taskbar, select Cortana and choose 'Hidden' to change it to a popup.
You can keep Cortana on the taskbar as a standard icon by choosing the 'Show Cortana icon' option.
For more tips check out our how to use Cortana in Windows 10 guide.

13. Pin and reorder folders

You can also pin folders in the Quick Access list on the navigation panel to make sure they don't disappear regardless of their frequent or recent use.
To change their listing order, simply select a folder and drag it above or below the other listed folders.

14. Change the default view in File Explorer

File Explorer now defaults to the Quick Access view, but if you want it to go straight to This PC on launch, click on the View tab, select Options and change the 'Open File Explorer to' setting to 'This PC'.

15. Make Windows touch-friendly

If your computer has a touch screen you can manually enable Windows 10's touch-friendly Continuum interface to operate Windows in a tablet mode.
Head to Start > Settings > System > Tablet Mode to manually alter its behaviour.

16. Manage notifications

To customise which quick action icons are displayed in the Notification Center, head to Start > Settings > System > Notifications & actions and then click on the four icons displayed to select a different icon from a pull-down list.

17. Swipe menu

All your apps run full-screen when you're using Windows in the Tablet mode. To bring up the menu and access any commands and the window control, simply swipe in from the top.

18. Use Custom Install

When you're setting up Windows 10 on a new PC, make sure you select the Custom install option instead of the default Express install.
It's more involved but lets you modify important aspects of your installation such as the privacy settings.

19. Shake to minimise

To declutter your screen you can quickly minimise all open windows except the one you're viewing currently. Just click, hold and shake its title bar.
Repeat the action to restore all minimised windows.

20. Mount ISO images

You don't need any third party software to browse the contents of an ISO image. Right-click on an ISO image and click 'Mount'.
The ISO images are auto-mounted as virtual discs and you can then access them from the File Explorer.