Change can often bring with it learning curves and frustration. With these windows 11 tips in mind, however, adjusting to a new interface should become much simpler while taking full advantage of all its innovative features for increased productivity.
Selecting specific software applications to open file types streamlines and increases efficiency. To do this, visit the Default apps menu within Settings.
1. Turn on Voice-to-text
Windows 11 provides keyboard shortcuts for almost every task you could imagine, enabling users to save both time and increase productivity. Understanding them can save valuable minutes while increasing efficiency and productivity.
Windows 11 brings with it an update and redesign to Dictation/Voice Typing that leverages online speech recognition technologies to transcribe your spoken words into text on the computer, making this feature perfect for opening apps, exploring websites and even writing emails.
Live captions in Windows 11 allow you to keep up with the action while multitasking – they display audio from videos and transcribe in-person conversations for easier follow along. Furthermore, you can set specific applications as defaults to help streamline your workflow.
2. Change the Start Menu Layout
Windows 11’s Start menu offers more flexibility than in previous versions, enabling you to pin more applications and arrange them into groups – enabling organizations to tailor it specifically for their users.
You can adjust the number of apps displayed in the right section of the Start menu, or opt to show it all full screen mode.
Windows 11 also allows you to easily customize your Start menu layout using the Group Policy Editor (gpedit). Once created, this XML file can be exported and deployed via MDM to devices.
3. Change the Start Button Layout
Windows 11 changes the taskbar and Start button positions so they are now more central on the screen, which may be frustrating to some users.
The new File Explorer right-click menu features all of the usual controls for copying, pasting, renaming, sharing and deleting files front and center. If you prefer the old menu instead, a shortcut can still bring back legacy right-click options.
Microsoft recently reinstated an option that allows users to distinguish taskbar buttons and labels – an invaluable feature for organizations.
4. Change the Taskbar Layout
Windows Taskbar features many options that can enhance user experience and productivity, including editing its corner overflow menu to hide items you don’t use often, or toggle their appearance.
Pin apps to the taskbar for easy access. To do this, search for them using Windows Search and right-click.
Make life more efficient and save time and money with more efficient workflow by switching file associations so the correct program opens your files. Doing this can streamline workflow and save both time and money.
5. Change the Taskbar Colors
Windows 11 makes managing multiple monitors simple with its taskbar, providing easy access to any virtual desktops you already have and even creating new ones.
Use the taskbar to quickly access all of your Quick Settings by simply clicking on the pencil-shaped Edit Quick Settings button and unpinning items that don’t belong or adding new features as needed.
6. Change the Taskbar Style
Windows 11’s centered Taskbar can be tailored to meet your specific needs and preferences, such as hiding icons for Search, Task View and Widgets to free up space for other features.
Ungroup your taskbar buttons by using a third-party program like StartAllBack (free on website and $0.99 on Microsoft Store). This app gives you more customizations that cannot be made via Windows Settings alone – including turning unified button groupings into separate icons.
7. Change the Start Screen Layout
Windows 11 introduces a unique aesthetic by placing the Start button and icons at the center of the taskbar, which may not suit everyone. However, this can easily be changed.
Snap Layouts provide another effective method for organizing windows and increasing multitasking efficiency. This feature enables you to choose a layout that best meets the size and needs of your screen and work style; additionally, separate Desktops for different aspects of life can also be created easily using this powerful tool. While mastering it might require more effort than expected, its worth the time!
8. Change the Start Menu Background
Windows 11 is an advanced operating system designed for increased productivity; however, its new user interface may prove confusing for some users.
There are numerous settings that can make transitioning to Windows 11 simpler, from disabling Copilot and permanently showing FPS to reorienting your taskbar and restoring its original context menu, these tips can help ensure you make the most of Microsoft’s latest OS.
9. Change the Start Menu Color
Microsoft created Windows 11’s new user interface to encourage productivity and facilitate tasks more efficiently; however, users who are used to different settings might find themselves disorientated by this change.
As an example, Explorer has changed its context menu so that when you right-click files and folders in Explorer they will now show a set of options that seem more relevant for mobile devices than desktops. But don’t worry; you can switch back to its old style to access those which may be more relevant for you!
10. Change the Start Menu Font
Windows 11 marks a dramatic departure from previous iterations of Microsoft’s operating system, designed to be more intuitive and aid users’ work more efficiently.
Windows’ Start menu now includes a section which recommends apps, files, and folders based on your specific search terms. You can edit what shows here under Settings >> Personalization > Start.
Font settings on your computer will have an impactful effect on how text appears throughout its operating system, including desktop icon texts and Control Panel links. This may be particularly helpful for people living with visual impairments.
