Top 10 Tips and Tricks to Get the Most Out of Windows 11
Windows 11 has brought a new level of productivity, a sleek interface, and plenty of features to explore. Whether you’re a long-time Windows user or you’ve just upgraded, there are plenty of hidden gems and cool tricks that can enhance your experience. In this post, we’ll walk through the top 10 tips and tricks for Windows 11 to help you get the most out of Microsoft’s latest operating system. Let’s dive in!
1. Master the Snap Layouts for Better Multitasking

Windows 11 makes multitasking easier than ever with Snap Layouts. Simply hover your mouse over the maximise button of any window, and you’ll see several layout options for arranging multiple windows on your screen. This feature allows you to quickly organise your workspace and make the best use of your screen real estate, making multitasking a breeze.
Tip: Try pairing Snap Layouts with multiple desktops (more on that later) to keep work and personal tasks organised.
2. Use Widgets to Stay Updated
Widgets are back and better in Windows 11! The Widgets panel provides quick access to information like news, weather, calendar, and traffic—all at a glance. You can open the Widgets panel by clicking the Widgets icon on the taskbar or pressing Win + W.
Customise your Widgets to include content that matters to you—whether it’s the latest tech news or your upcoming meetings—and have all that information one click away.
3. Virtual Desktops for Better Organisation

Windows 11 makes it easy to create Virtual Desktops to help you separate work, entertainment, and personal tasks. To create or switch between desktops, click on the Task View button on the taskbar (or press Win + Tab). You can rename desktops, change the background for each, and organise your workflows without the clutter.
Tip: Use Virtual Desktops to create separate spaces for work and play—you’ll feel much more organised!
4. Quick Settings: Your Productivity Shortcut
In Windows 11, Quick Settings provides easy access to essential settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and volume. Click on the system tray icons in the lower right corner (where the Wi-Fi, volume, and battery icons are) to open the Quick Settings menu. You can customise it to include the shortcuts you use most often, saving you time when you need to adjust your settings.
Tip: Hold Win + A to bring up Quick Settings without touching your mouse!
5. Customise Your Start Menu

The Start Menu has been overhauled in Windows 11, and it now sits in the centre of your taskbar. You can customise the pinned apps, rearrange them, and remove the ones you don’t need. If you prefer a more traditional look, you can move the Start Menu to the left-hand side through Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar > Taskbar Behaviours.
Tip: Pin your most-used apps to the Start Menu for quick access to the tools you need daily.
6. Dark Mode and Night Light for Eye Comfort
Spending long hours in front of your screen can be harsh on the eyes. Windows 11 comes with both Dark Mode and Night Light to make things easier.
- Dark Mode: Go to Settings > Personalisation > Colours to switch to Dark Mode for a sleeker look that’s easier on the eyes.
- Night Light: Enable Night Light to reduce blue light during late hours, which helps minimise eye strain. This can be found under Settings > System > Display > Night Light.
7. Use Microsoft Teams Integration
With Microsoft Teams integrated into Windows 11, you can now connect with family, friends, or colleagues directly from your desktop. Simply click the Chat icon on your taskbar to start a video call or message someone instantly. Teams makes communication seamless, whether it’s for work or personal use.
Tip: Pin important contacts to make starting a conversation just one click away!
8. Take Advantage of Snap Groups
Snap Groups is a new feature that complements Snap Layouts. Once you have your windows arranged using Snap Layouts, Snap Groups allows you to easily restore that exact layout after switching to other tasks or closing apps. This is perfect for projects that require multiple apps open simultaneously, such as research and presentations.
Tip: Use Snap Groups to quickly switch between different workspaces without the need to rearrange your windows every time.
9. Keyboard Shortcuts to Boost Productivity
Keyboard shortcuts are life-savers when it comes to productivity, and Windows 11 has a few new ones:
- Win: Open or close the Start Menu.
- Win + A: Open Quick Settings (for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume, etc.).
- Win + N: Open Notification Centre and calendar.
- Win + D: Show or hide the desktop.
- Win + E: Open File Explorer.
- Win + I: Open Settings.
- Win + L: Lock your PC.
- Win + M: Minimise all windows.
- Win + Shift + M: Restore all minimised windows.
- Win + P: Open Projector/Display Settings to choose display mode.
- Win + R: Open the Run dialog box.
- Win + S: Open Search.
- Win + T: Cycle through apps on the taskbar.
- Win + U: Open Accessibility Settings.
- Win + X: Open the Quick Link menu (similar to right-clicking on the Start button).
- Win + PrtScn: Take a screenshot and save it to the Screenshots folder.
Tip: Mastering these shortcuts will save you precious minutes throughout the day.
10. Use the New Clipboard History

Windows 11 makes it easier to manage clipboard history, which can be especially handy when you’re working on multiple tasks that require a lot of copy-pasting. Press Win + V to access your clipboard history and see what you’ve copied recently. You can also pin frequently used items, making your workflow more efficient.
Tip: Enable clipboard history by going to Settings > System > Clipboard and toggling it on.
Unlock the Full Potential of Windows 11
Windows 11 is filled with features that help make your daily tasks easier, improve productivity, and add a modern twist to the familiar Windows experience. Whether you’re using Snap Layouts to multitask, Virtual Desktops to stay organised, or mastering the latest shortcuts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Try out these top 10 tips and tricks today and take your Windows 11 experience to the next level!
Need help with your Windows setup or want to explore more tips and tricks? Contact System Plus we’re here to ensure your technology works for you, seamlessly and effectively.