11 things you can do in Windows 11 that you couldn’t do before



[ad_1]

Windows 11: it's here.

Windows 11: it’s here.
Picture: Microsoft

The Windows 11 the rollout is underway, with brand new PCs and newer hardware at the top of the list. If you are using an older machine, you might have to wait a few months to see an upgrade option.

Disclaimer: Don’t forget to consult our Windows 11 Upgrade Guide before installation. While all of your apps and files should safely survive the software update, it’s always a good idea to check that you have backups in place, if anything unexpected happens along the way. It’s always worth the wait a bit to upgrade just in case there are any unresolved bugs that weren’t found in the beta version of the operating system.

If you’re trying to decide if you want to upgrade, here’s everything you’ll get in Windows 11 that you can’t get in Windows 10 (although we have a some workarounds for this, too much).


1. Use instant layouts

Like on Windows 10, you can drag open windows to the side or corner of the screen to “snap” them into place and organize your apps next to each other, but Windows 11 relies on that. Hover the cursor over the maximize / reduce button in a window or press Win + Z to see a choice of predefined layouts for you to choose from. The available layouts will depend on the width of your screen, but the functionality is now even easier to use.


2. Manage multiple offices faster

Windows 10 already supported virtual desktops (Microsoft just calls them Desktops), but they are easier to use and more discoverable in Windows 11. By default, you will see a Desktops button in the taskbar after installing the new one. operating system (the icon showing two rectangles). Hover over it and click New office to give you a little extra space. Desktops give more space to your programs, without requiring additional physical displays.


You can create multiple desktops directly from the taskbar.

You can create multiple desktops directly from the taskbar.
Screenshot: Windows 11


3. Open the files directly from the start menu

The redesigned Start menu is one of the first changes you’ll notice in Windows 11, and it now acts as a hub for your file and browsing history as well as a list of app shortcuts. The actual files you see will depend on whether or not you use Microsoft (Office) 365 and how many Windows 11 PCs you’ve synced to the cloud, but keep an eye out for them. Go to Customization and Start from Windows settings to configure the feature.


4. Stay focused with the Clock app

The Clock app in Windows 11 isn’t just for telling the time, it will also help you stay focused during specific periods of work and study. Open the Clock app, then choose the Debugging sessions option in the left panel: when you click To start you will be prompted to configure your tasks and schedules. It also integrates with the To Do app in Windows 11 and you can even add songs from a Spotify playlist to help you stay fully focused.


Microsoft Teams is built into Windows 11.

Microsoft Teams is built into Windows 11.
Screenshot: Windows 11


5. Connect quickly to Microsoft teams

Rejoice, fans of competitor Microsoft’s Slack! Teams is now built into the front and center of Windows 11 – it’s right there in the taskbar after updating the operating system – and Microsoft is offering it as the primary way to stay in touch with your people. friends, family and co-workers (sorry, Skype). If you’ve never used Microsoft Teams before, click To start on the first screen and follow the instructions to connect with other people via video, voice or text chat.


6. Enjoy a more modern window

Windows 11 brings a massive overhaul of the software’s visuals, so that everything looks a lot more modern and designed specifically for today’s devices (rather than, say, the 1990s). Open File Explorer or Windows Settings, for example, and you’ll see there’s better use of space, color, and iconography compared to Windows 10., which makes it more attractive overall.


7. Get more statistics on battery usage

Open Windows settings, choose System and Power and battery, and you’ll notice there’s a more detailed breakdown of how your battery drains in Windows 11 — select Battery usage for even more statistics. It’s part of an effort to make Windows even better on tablets and 2-in-1 devices, which also means an easier to use interface on a touchscreen without a keypad (more clarity and space with visuals, larger menu buttons, etc.).


Microsoft Store redesigned.

Microsoft Store redesigned.
Screenshot: Windows 11


8. Try the new and improved Microsoft App Store

Windows 11 brings with it a new and improved version of the Microsoft Store, with better curation, deeper integration with digital content like movies, and a more polished look. It’s now easier to get around, although the apps themselves are still hit and miss – you can expect more improvements here in the coming months, especially when it comes to games, which Microsoft is pushing into Windows. 11.


9. Use secondary screens more easily

One of the improvements in Windows 11 that you might not notice right away is the way secondary displays are detected. The software should now remember how your windows were laid out on an external monitor, so if you disconnect it and then reconnect it, the program windows will return to their previous position. It’s a small change that will still be very handy for anyone who uses multiple displays.


Make sure your external display settings are remembered.

Make sure your external display settings are remembered.
Screenshot: Windows 11


10. Manage taskbar widgets

We got a glimpse of widgets in Windows 10 with a pop-up next to the notification area, but in Windows 11 they have their own icon in the taskbar, and there are more to choose from, too much. Click on the taskbar icon to see news, weather, your upcoming calendar appointments, tips for using Windows 11, and more. To select Add widgets to do just that, you will be able to define which widgets appear on the screen and which do not.


11. Run Android apps

This feature is not available at launch, but soon Windows 11 will be able to run Android apps from the Amazon Appstore when Microsoft finally releases the update. At this point, we don’t know exactly when this will happen, but we do know that they will work the same as standard Windows apps. You should be able to snap them to the edges of the screen or pin them to the taskbar. , for example.

[ad_2]

Source link