11 tips to help those who get acquainted with Windows 11 for the first time

In Windows 11, you’ll notice a simple redesign that includes a centered taskbar. There are important innovations that you should definitely be aware of in this operating system, which looks basically the same. With the 11 tips in this guide, you’ll get the most out of your operating system by learning about the latest features to improve your Windows 11 experience👇

#1 Change taskbar location

The first thing you’ll notice in Windows 11 is the new location of the taskbar and start menu. Here, Microsoft decided to move the start menu and taskbar to the center for usability and aesthetic reasons.

While many users like the new layout, you may prefer the original layout. Luckily, this change introduced in Windows 11 can be reverted and you can move the taskbar back to the left.

To change the position of the taskbar:

Right click on the taskbar and select taskbar settings.
Alternatively, to access taskbar settings, Settings > Personalization > Task bar You can also follow the path.
Click the dropdown and select Left. The Windows 11 taskbar will be moved to the left.

#2 Customize the Start Menu

When you press the Windows 10 Start button, we can easily access shortcuts such as all apps and the settings button on the left side. Windows 11 does not offer this convenience as standard, but it can be taken care of by clicking a few options.

For this Settings > Personalization > Start > folders You must follow the steps. Here you can also add options such as File Explorer and other public folders and network icons to the Start menu.

#3 Customize the Quick Settings Panel

In Windows 11, the classic Action Center has been replaced with two separate pop-ups. You need to tap on the time and date section to access the notification center and calendar. On the other hand, you will be asked to click on one of the network, speaker, and battery icons for the settings panel.

This panel that opens contains shortcuts to other available features such as Wi-Fi and networking, Bluetooth, and Airplane mode. Click the pencil icon (change quick setting) to add more features to this settings panel. Then select the add button and then the feature you want to add. For the label you want to remove from the panel, you need to unpin it in the top right corner of the element.

#4 Edit widget screen

The new taskbar in Windows 11 includes a widget and a chat app (Microsoft Team) by default. There are many useful widgets waiting for you on this screen, such as checking the weather, checking sports scores, monitoring nearby traffic, managing your Outlook calendar, keeping track of tasks on your to-do list, and breaking news.

You can customize these widgets to suit your needs, rearrange the page order, and customize your news feed options through Microsoft News. Additionally, third-party widgets, including Spotify and Facebook Messenger, can be added to the bar in the current Windows 11 beta developments. However, if you’d rather have more space on the taskbar, you can turn it off in the settings.

To hide the widget page and Microsoft Team (chat):

Open settings using the Windows key + I keys.
Then select “Personalization” and open the “Taskbar”.
In the Taskbar Items section, set the Widgets and Chat toggle to Off.

#5 Pin Apps to the Start Menu

In Windows 11, Live Tiles have been completely removed. Instead, we’re greeted with a simpler Start menu where we can pin apps for quick access. To add your favorite apps to the pinned apps section at the top of the Start menu, follow these steps:

Press the start button.
Tap the all apps button in the top right corner.
In the list of all open applications, right-click the desired application and select Pin to Start Menu.
You can then drag the app to the desired location from the pinned apps section.
To remove a pinned app, right-click and select Uninstall from Start.

One of the new features introduced in Windows 11 is the creation of folders, just like in mobile operating systems. To do this, you can create folders by dragging apps on top of each other. You can also change the size of the pinned and recommended partition in the Start menu in Settings.

#6 Create and manage multiple desktops easier

In Windows 11, the old Task View button has been replaced with a new taskbar icon, making it easier to create and manage multiple desktops. To see any desktop or create a new one, just hover over the icon. These desktops can then be rearranged as needed, and you can drag apps from one desktop to another.

You can use a different wallpaper for each virtual desktop. Right-click on the desktop, select “Personalize” then “Background” and select a different image on each desktop. This way you can easily understand which desktop you are on. Note also that there is no theme change for different desktops. If you select a theme, this applies to all virtual desktops, but after applying the theme, you can change the background to match the desktop.

#7 Try new ways to organize windows

Microsoft has provided resizing with window capture since Windows 7, but it is supported in Windows 11 with Snap (suitable layout). Arranging windows on the screen for easy navigation and operation can be difficult if you have multiple applications running.

The Snap feature in Windows 11 might be the solution you are looking for. Hover over the maximize/resize button and you’ll be able to select a layout to quickly organize your open windows. Another way to resize windows is with the mouse. When you hold the window you want to resize and drag it up, you will see the snapping options.

#8 Run Android Apps

The ability to run Android apps with Windows 11 shocked the whole world. The ability to run Android apps comes from the Android for Windows system and requires the Amazon AppStore to actually get the apps.

You need to install the Amazon AppStore from the Microsoft store and set up the subsystem. Although it seems complicated, all you have to do after installation is click and open the app. A three-step setup wizard will guide you through the entire process and require you to reboot. Of course, you will also need an Amazon account. But it would be nice to see Android app icons on the taskbar like a standard Windows app.

#9 Get things done with focus sessions

When messages and video chats pop up during the work day, it’s easy to get sidetracked. Focus sessions in Windows 11 encourage you to make time for tasks that require continuous deep concentration. There are three different ways to start a focus session:

From the notification center:
- Select the notification center on the taskbar.
- Choose the duration of the focus session.
- Select Focus to start your session.
from settings
- Select Start > Settings > System > Focus > Start Focus Sessions.
From the Clock app
- Select Clock > All apps > Start.
- In the Clock app, select Start Focus Session.

Focus sessions are a quick way to get at least 30 minutes of study time without distractions. If you exceed 45 minutes, the app will automatically schedule a five-minute break in the middle of your session.

#10 Manage your battery better

Windows 11 is better than previous versions at helping you visualize battery usage data.

Settings > System > Power and battery section, then open the battery usage tab. The graph shows how much energy you have used in the last few days or hours. Open the list of apps below which show the power consumption of individual apps. If you find that the program is consuming too much power, you can turn off background usage and put the app to sleep, as iPhone and Android devices allow.

#11 Discover new keyboard shortcuts

Windows 11 has new keyboard shortcuts that are worth learning. Here are some useful Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts:

For the widget panel: Windows key + W
For the quick settings section: Windows key + A
For Snap Access: Windows key + Z
For the cast: Windows Key + K
To access the notification center and calendar: Windows key + N

In addition, there are several useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows 10 and for Windows 11, including the Windows key + V to view the clipboard history and the Windows key to take screenshots + Shift + S.

Source: 1