Windows 11 brings a bunch of more hidden features of Windows that you can use to make your experience a lot better by using features like voice typing with auto punctuation, RGB lighting sync settings, live Pomodoro time, and many more to come as text so I can use my favourite transformation. Let’s explore those hidden features of Windows 11.
Table of Contents
The hidden features of Windows that exist are listed below:
1. Voice Typing with Automatic Punctuation
Description
Voice typing in Windows 11 includes automatic punctuation, making it easier to dictate text without worrying about adding commas, periods, or question marks.
How to Use
Press `Win + H` to open the voice typing tool, and start speaking, and the feature will automatically insert punctuation as needed.
2. Dynamic Lighting
Description
Dynamic lighting allows you to synchronize RGB lighting from various peripherals with system events and themes.
How to Use
Go to `Settings` > `Personalization` > `Dynamic Lighting`, and enable it. Customize the effects based on your preferences.
3. Live Pomodoro Timer
Description
The live Pomodoro timer helps improve productivity by breaking work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks.
How to Use
Open the `Clock` app, go to the `Focus Sessions` tab, and set up your Pomodoro intervals and breaks.
4. Virtual Desktops Customization
Description
Windows 11 allows you to customize virtual desktops with different backgrounds.
How to Use
Press `Win + Tab` to open Task View, right-click on a desktop, and select `Choose background`.
5. Snap Layouts
Description
Snap Layouts help organize open windows into different layouts for better multitasking.
How to Use
Hover over the maximize button of an app window, and select a layout to snap the window into a specific area of the screen.
6. Auto HDR for Gaming
Description
Auto HDR enhances the visual quality of games by adding High Dynamic Range (HDR) support to DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 games.
How to Use
Go to `Settings` > `System` > `Display` > `HDR` and enable `Auto HDR`.
7. Clipboard History
Description
Clipboard history saves multiple items to the clipboard for easy access.
How to Use
Press `Win + V` to open the clipboard history, and click on any item to paste it.
8. New Emoji Panel
Description
The updated emoji panel includes GIFs, kaomoji, and symbols for enhanced expression.
How to Use
Press Win + or Win + ; to open the emoji panel and select your desired emoji or symbol.
9. Focus Sessions
Description
Focus Sessions integrates with Microsoft To Do and Spotify to create distraction-free work sessions.
How to Use
Open the `Clock` app, go to the `Focus sessions` tab, and start a session with your preferred settings.
10. Enhanced Touch Gestures
Description
Windows 11 introduces new touch gestures for smoother navigation on touchscreen devices.
How to Use
Swipe with three fingers to switch apps, or use four fingers to open Task View.
11. Widgets
Description
Widgets provide personalized news, weather, calendars, and more at a glance.
How to Use
Click the Widgets icon on the taskbar or press `Win + W` to open the Widgets panel.
12. Battery Usage Graphs
Description
View detailed battery usage graphs to monitor your device’s power consumption.
How to Use
Go to `Settings` > `System` > `Power & Battery` and view the usage graphs under `Battery Usage`.
13. Improved Window Management
Description
Windows 11 offers improved window management features, like Snap Groups, for better multitasking.
How to Use
Drag a window to the screen edge to create a Snap Group, or use Snap Layouts for predefined configurations.
14. Microsoft Teams Integration
Description
Teams are integrated into the taskbar for easy access to chats and meetings.
How to Use
Click the Teams icon on the taskbar to open the app and start a chat or meeting.
15. Auto-Start Apps
Description
Manage apps that automatically start when you boot your PC.
How to Use
Go to `Settings` > `Apps` > `Startup`, and toggle apps on or off as needed.
16. Storage Sense
Description
Storage Sense automatically frees up space by deleting unnecessary files.
How to Use
Go to `Settings` > `System` > `Storage` > `Storage Sense` and enable it. Configure the settings based on your needs.
17. Night Light
Description
Night Light reduces blue light to help reduce eye strain during nighttime use.
How to Use
Go to `Settings` > `System` > `Display` and toggle `Night Light` on. Adjust the schedule and intensity as needed.
18. Spatial Sound
Description
Spatial sound enhances the audio experience by creating a 3D sound environment.
How to Use
Right-click on the volume icon in the taskbar, select `Spatial sound`, and choose your preferred spatial sound setting.
Conclusion
With Windows 11, you get a host of new hidden features of Windows that improve productivity, customization, and the overall user experience. With voice typing (with auto-punctuation), dynamic lighting, live Pomodoro timers, and improved window management, we offer you some fantastic ways to get more from your PC.
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Deepak Yadav, currently pursuing a Bachelor in Information Management at Nepal Commerce Campus. He is a content writer of TechKitab and a dedicated team member of digital marketing department at Tech Bloggers Association of Nepal (TBAN).
He writes about gadgets, automobiles, digital banking, security and tips & tricks of tech industry. His ability to merge technical know-how with captivating narratives makes him different than the crowd.