It happens all the time. Microsoft rolls out its new offering, everyone upgrades their platforms – and users go about their days oblivious to many of the new features now available to them. But if there is one thing the Windows platform is good at, it is tweaking its offerings to give each individual user that little boost in productivity they didn’t know they needed! This article will take a look at some of the features of the Windows 11 rollout that your users may not be aware of – to improve your overall productivity!
Windows 11 launched in October of 2021. While the operating system wasn’t as earth-shatteringly innovative as people hoped for, it provided some solid features useful for everyday use. Until now, some of these may have been hidden from you, so utilize these tips and enjoy your new productivity.
- Focus Assist is a great Windows 11 feature when looking for increased productivity. Many users are familiar with the concept from their smartphones, so it should be helpful to employ on their desktops. Simply open the Start menu and type Focus to access the Focus assist menu. Users can then set the length of their focus session and choose whether to enable or disable notifications from specific apps. Users can choose to turn off email notifications but allow Slack notifications. Or they may choose to shut everything off for a dedicated time of concentration.
- Snap Layouts allows for customization of personal windows according to individual preference. Snap Layouts quickly arranges apps and windows into one of six provided grid layouts – each offering different windows configurations. Users choose the layout they prefer and select windows and apps to fit into the arrangement. While Microsoft announced this feature before the Windows 11 rollout, it has now come to maturity and fits right in with the new version.
- Pinned Taskbar Items can now be opened via keyboard shortcuts. Users identify this feature as one of the best productivity game-changers in Windows 11. They simply call up a pinned program by pressing the Windows key + the number corresponding to the position of the program on the Taskbar.
- Shake to Minimize is a feature that increases productivity while adding an element of fun to an otherwise boring day. If all the desktop’s open windows are distracting, you can declutter with the “shake to minimize” feature. However, experts warn that closing windows using this feature could become a bit addictive in itself – so be sure to use it wisely.
- Voice to Text is a beneficial feature many users are not aware they have access to through Windows 11. Simply press Windows + H, click on the microphone icon, and start talking to begin voice typing. Reviewers have noted that the feature is surprisingly precise, especially for those who may be used to lesser capability on their smartphones. Given its accuracy, it may become one of Windows 11’s most useful features.
- Old Context Menu gives the traditional Windows user the ability to still easily access the old context menu. Let’s face it, sometimes all this change is annoying – and familiar things are comforting. Never fear, just right-click on the desktop to bring up the existing context menu, click “Show more options,” and you’ll be on your way to the old menu you’ve grown to love.
These are just some of the more useful Windows 11 features that we have discovered, but technology and software change all the time. If you struggle to understand which software, hardware, network, or communications technologies are right for your business, call Alliance IT today. We are here to help.
