Windows 11 tips

1. hide desktop icons

It is possible to hide all icons on the desktop with a simple click. This can be helpful if, for example, you are giving a screen presentation and do not want to show all the icons on your screen:

 

  1. Right-click on the desktop
  2. "Click "View
  3. Deactivate "Show desktop icons"

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2. deactivate notifications

In Windows 11, many tips, hints and notifications are displayed by default. 

 

  1. Click on "Settings" in the start menu
  2. Select "Notifications"
  3. All notifications can be completely deactivated here or only the notifications from individual apps.

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3. dictation with automatic punctuation

  1. Open text document
  2. Press the "Windows + H" keys to start the dictation function.
  3. The punctuation option can be activated in the settings (cogwheel on the left). 
 

NOTE: The Windows dictation function does not work with the language setting "German (Switzerland)". German (Germany) must be activated for this.

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4. revised context menu

The context menu (right-click menu on a file in Windows Explorer) in Windows 11 looks slightly different than before. You will need to get used to this. If you can't find something and/or want the "old" view:

 

  1. Right-click on a file
  2. Click the "Show more options" option

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5. alignment of the taskbar

In Windows 11, the taskbar is displayed in the centre by default. If you prefer to have it aligned to the left again, you can adjust this as follows:

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and click "Taskbar settings"
  2. Set the "Left-aligned" option under "Taskbar behaviour/taskbar alignment".

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6. pin apps in the start menu

The Start menu in Windows 11 can of course be personalised. To pin the desired apps in the Start menu:

  1. Click the Windows key
  2. Enter or search for the desired app in the search or under "All apps".
  3. Right-click on the app and select "Pin to Start"
  4. The apps can then be sorted individually using "drag and drop".

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7. personalised folders in the start menu

Links to certain folders can be displayed in the start menu next to the switch-off button:

 

  1. Open settings
  2. Click on "Personalise"
  3. "Click "Start
  4. Show or hide the desired folders under "Folder".

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8. simple window management (snap layouts)

It is easy to arrange different windows on the screen in Windows 11:

 

  1. Open the first desired window or app
  2. Click on the window symbol at the top right and select the position of this window in the desired layout.
  3. Other open windows or apps are displayed and can be selected for the active position.

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9. on-screen keyboard incl. handwriting

The on-screen keyboard and handwriting input are important for touchscreen devices and can be opened via the taskbar. If these icons are missing, they can be activated:

 

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and open "Taskbar settings"
  2. Show the icons for the on-screen keyboard etc. under "Taskbar icons".

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10. regular restart

Many people close their laptops when they have finished work and open them again the next day to continue working. This is not a problem. However, you should shut down and restart your PC "properly" at least every 4-5 days. This helps to ensure that Windows can properly install updates running in the background and the PC does not come to a standstill.

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