There are many front-facing features on Windows, like the desktop, Start menu, File Explorer, and others. These are essential features you’re familiar with and use regularly. However, there are some hidden features I wish I’d been using from the beginning.
Many hidden features provide additional functionality and can help improve your workflow. I constantly search for features and functions to increase productivity when working on my PC. You can also use these features if you know where they are and dig into your system.
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Clipboard history
Sync and prevent loss of copied items
Most of us copy one item to the Clipboard at a time and paste it elsewhere. So, our workflows are inefficient because we are not utilizing this ability. However, Windows has a Clipboard history feature that allows you to copy and paste multiple things as needed. Once I add an item to the clipboard, I pin items to the Clipboard and never lose them again. To make the Clipboard more efficient, you can set it to sync copied items between other PCs. However, the feature is not enabled by default, so you must enable it in settings.
Head to Settings -> System -> Clipboard and toggle on the Clipboard history and Clipboard history across your devices switches.
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Scroll through inactive windows on your screen by hovering over them
If you have a large screen monitor, it is helpful to scroll through a window using your mouse wheel. For example, you might write a paper in Word and research sites in Chrome. Usually, you must switch to the browser to scroll through content. This hidden feature makes it easier to manage both windows. You can use it to scroll up and down with your mouse wheel. Without this functionality, you would need to click the browser to scroll to the spot you want and click back to activate the Word window to write. This option provides a more seamless approach.
To enable it, head to Settings -> Bluetooth & devices -> Mouse. Under the Scrolling section, toggle on the “Scroll inactive windows when hovering over them” switch.
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Ctrl+Shift+Enter in Run dialog box
Launch apps and services with admin rights
Power users and administrators must often run apps and services with administrator privileges. If you run operations from the Run dialog box, using the Ctrl+Shift+Enter keyboard shortcut automatically launches them with admin rights. Some apps can be run as Admin from the Start menu, but many services aren’t as straightforward. For instance, I can type cmd, powershell, or taskmgr in the Run dialog and use the keyboard shortcut to launch it with elevated rights instantly.
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Enable Enhanced search
Manage where the PC searches for files
Windows 11 will search using the classic indexing option by default. When your PC searches for files, it searches the default system locations, including the Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos folders. However, if you habitually store your files and folders in different locations, you can change the indexing option by enabling enhanced search. Instead of searching for the default system folders, it will search the entire drive’s content. However, it is worth noting that this can take longer and drain your battery faster.
To make the change, head to Settings -> Privacy & security -> Searching Windows and change it from Classic to Enhanced. Another essential thing to mention is that if Windows Search doesn’t work well enough, even after making the index adjustment, you might want to consider a third-party app like Everything. It’s free, doesn’t require changing search indexing, and it finds files incredibly fast.
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Enable God mode
Gain access to hundreds of settings from a single folder
God Mode is a hidden setting that allows access to hundreds of settings you can’t easily find or access from the Control Panel or Settings app on Windows 11. The instructions to enable it aren’t anywhere in the multitude of pages of Windows help. You often learn about it by word of mouth or by reading about it online. Once enabled, you can pin the folder to the Start menu or Quick Access in File Explorer to access it more quickly. It gives you straightforward access to network, power, accessibility, and file type settings. God Mode saves a lot of time finding the system options you need to adjust.
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These are hidden Windows features to start using
Windows includes many prominent, straightforward features that help get things done. However, there are also hidden features and abilities that you will want to enable and start using immediately if they benefit your workflow. I feel confident now because I know about these hidden features, but didn’t always know. Also, Windows is an operating system that I never stop learning about.
All the features are useful. For instance, God Mode is helpful since you don’t need to hunt through system settings to find the ones you need to adjust. Saving multiple items to the clipboard is a real time saver, and even something as simple as scrolling through inactive windows can make the difference in whether you get an assignment done on time.
