Top 10 Hidden Features in Windows 11 You Should Know About

Windows 11 has been met with mixed reactions since its release in October 2021, but despite some criticisms, it boasts a range of hidden features that can significantly improve your user experience. Whether you’re a gamer, a productivity enthusiast, or simply looking to customize your desktop, these tips will help you unlock the full potential of Microsoft’s latest operating system.

1. Shake to Minimize (Aero Shake)

One of the most useful hidden features in Windows 11 is the Shake to Minimize function, formerly known as Aero Shake. By shaking the title bar of an active window, you can minimize all other open windows, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. This feature is a carryover from previous versions of Windows and offers a quick and easy way to declutter your screen. To enable this feature, head to Settings > System > Multitasking and toggle on ‘Title bar window shake.’ This is particularly handy for multitaskers who juggle multiple windows simultaneously, such as when researching information for a project, managing emails, or working on several documents at once. For instance, if you’re working on a spreadsheet and need to refer to a website or a document for information, simply shaking the title bar of the spreadsheet window will minimize all other windows, giving you a clear view of the spreadsheet.

2. Dynamic Refresh Rate

For laptop users with high refresh rate displays, the Dynamic Refresh Rate feature is a game-changer. It allows the monitor to adjust its refresh rate based on your current activity, ensuring smooth visuals during demanding tasks while conserving battery power during less intensive activities. This is particularly beneficial for users who utilize their laptops for both high-performance tasks, like gaming or video editing, and less intensive tasks, like browsing the web or writing documents. When running demanding applications, the monitor will automatically switch to a higher refresh rate for a smoother, more responsive experience. Conversely, when performing less intensive tasks, the refresh rate will decrease to conserve battery life. Access this setting by navigating to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, and selecting ‘Dynamic’ from the ‘Choose a refresh rate’ dropdown menu. This feature can make a noticeable difference in both visual experience and battery life, allowing you to maximize both performance and efficiency. For example, a gaming laptop with a 144Hz refresh rate can switch to a lower refresh rate, such as 60Hz, while browsing the web, saving battery without sacrificing visual quality for web browsing.

3. Focus Sessions

Focus Sessions is a productivity-focused feature designed to help you concentrate on your work by disabling notifications and tracking your progress. Available within the native Alarms and Clock app, Focus Sessions integrates with Microsoft To-Do and Spotify, enabling you to set a timer and listen to music while completing tasks. This feature helps you stay on track and avoid distractions by temporarily silencing notifications from social media, email, and other apps. You can set a custom duration for your Focus Session and choose to receive a notification when it’s complete. Focus Sessions also provides a visual progress bar to track your work, helping you stay motivated and focused. Customize your Focus Session settings at Settings > System > Focus.

4. Clipboard Sync

Clipboard Sync allows you to copy text on your Windows 11 computer and instantly paste it on your Android device, and vice versa. This feature is especially useful for users who frequently switch between devices. Imagine you’re writing an email on your computer and need to copy a web address from your phone. With Clipboard Sync enabled, you can simply copy the address on your phone, and it will be available to paste on your computer. Similarly, if you’re reading an article on your computer and want to share a quote on your phone, you can copy the text on your computer and paste it on your phone without needing to manually type it out. Enable it by visiting Settings > System > Clipboard and turning on ‘Clipboard history’ and ‘Share across devices.’ This feature eliminates the need to manually transfer information between devices, streamlining your workflow and saving you time and effort.

5. Screen Time

Similar to smartphones, Windows 11 now offers a screen time dashboard where you can monitor your laptop usage. Check the screen on/off time, sleep time, and app usage to better understand your device’s battery life and optimize it accordingly. This feature allows you to track how much time you spend using your laptop and which apps you use most frequently. You can set daily or weekly screen time limits for yourself or your children, promoting healthy usage habits. The screen time dashboard provides valuable insights into your laptop usage patterns, allowing you to identify areas for improvement and prioritize tasks that align with your goals. Find more details in our guide on managing screen time in Windows 11. For example, you might notice that you spend a lot of time on social media during the evening, impacting your sleep. Based on this data, you can set a screen time limit for social media apps during evening hours to promote healthier sleep habits.

6. DNS Over HTTPS

DNS Over HTTPS is a hidden privacy feature in Windows 11 that encrypts all DNS queries made by your PC, including browsers, apps, and services. This ensures that your online activities remain private and secure. DNS Over HTTPS is a vital security feature for protecting your online privacy and preventing third-party tracking. When you visit a website, your computer first needs to translate the website’s domain name (e.g., google.com) into its numerical IP address. This translation is done by DNS servers. Without DNS over HTTPS, your DNS queries are sent unencrypted, making them vulnerable to interception and manipulation. Enabling DNS over HTTPS ensures that your DNS queries are encrypted, making it much more difficult for attackers or third-party trackers to monitor your online activity. Learn more about enabling DNS over HTTPS in our linked article.

7. Spatial Sound

Spatial Sound, also known as Windows Sonic, simulates a 3D sound experience with your existing audio gear, enhancing your gaming and media consumption. Sadly, this feature is disabled by default in Windows 11. This feature creates a more immersive sound experience by placing virtual sound sources in a 3D space, making it feel like the sounds are coming from all around you. This can greatly enhance your gaming experience, making you feel more immersed in the game world. Spatial Sound can also enhance your movie watching experience, making you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. Follow our detailed guide to enable spatial sound and enjoy immersive audio.

8. Windows Backup

Windows 11 offers a comprehensive backup solution that syncs your files and preferences across devices when you sign in with your Microsoft account. All your user profile files, including Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, will be uploaded to OneDrive, ensuring you never lose important data. This feature is essential for ensuring that your important files are backed up and accessible from any device. When you enable Windows Backup, your files are automatically uploaded to OneDrive, a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft. This means that even if your computer malfunctions or is lost, your files will still be safe and accessible from any device with an internet connection. Access this feature at Settings > Accounts > Windows backup. This ensures that you have a safe and secure backup of your files and can easily restore them on a new device or if you need to access them from a different location. For example, if you have important work files stored on your desktop, enabling Windows Backup will ensure that these files are synced to OneDrive and can be accessed from your laptop, phone, or tablet.

9. Advanced Gesture Controls

Laptop users with precision touchpads will appreciate the advanced gesture controls in Windows 11. Customize 3-finger and 4-finger gestures to quickly access features like the Action Center or minimize all windows. This feature allows you to control your laptop with intuitive gestures, making it faster and more convenient to navigate. By customizing gestures, you can create a more streamlined workflow that suits your needs. For instance, you can set a 3-finger swipe down to minimize all windows, a 4-finger pinch to open the Action Center, or a 3-finger tap to switch between open applications. Personalize your touchpad gestures at Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad > Advanced gestures. These gesture controls offer a more natural and efficient way to interact with your laptop, enhancing productivity and user experience.

10. Redesigned Emoji Picker

The redesigned emoji picker in Windows 11 adds more than just emojis. It also includes GIFs, Kaomoji, and symbols, powered by Tenor. Access the emoji picker using the ‘Windows + .’ shortcut and enhance your messaging experience with a variety of expressive elements. This new and improved emoji picker provides a more comprehensive and user-friendly way to add visual elements to your messages, emails, and documents. The inclusion of GIFs and Kaomoji adds a new level of expressiveness, making it easier to convey emotions and thoughts in a more engaging way. This feature is integrated with Tenor, a popular GIF platform, providing access to a vast library of GIFs to enhance your communication. Access the emoji picker using the ‘Windows + .’ shortcut and enhance your messaging experience with a variety of expressive elements.

By utilizing these hidden features in Windows 11, you can tailor the operating system to your needs, enhancing productivity, gaming, and overall satisfaction. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on getting the most out of Windows 11, and let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions.