Windows 10 is packed with features that can make your PC experience more productive and enjoyable. Whether you’re new to Windows or just looking to enhance your knowledge, these 20 must-know tips and tricks will help you get the most out of your Windows 10 experience. Some of these tips are even applicable to Windows 11 users.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to customize your desktop and taskbar for a more personalized experience.
- Discover performance-enhancing tips like disabling startup apps and managing Windows updates.
- Get privacy and security recommendations to safeguard your data.
1. Set Any Image as Your Desktop Background
Want to personalize your desktop? You can easily set any image as your background by right-clicking on it and selecting Set as Desktop Background. If you have multiple images in a folder, select one image, press Ctrl + A to select all, then right-click and set them as your background. To control how long each image stays on the screen, right-click on the desktop, go to Personalize, and adjust the time settings in the drop-down menu.
2. Customize Colors and Dark Mode
Head to the Colors tab in your settings to switch between light and dark modes. You can also pick a color scheme that will be reflected in your Start menu, taskbar, and other areas of Windows.
3. Use Windows Search Efficiently
Access Windows search by clicking the search icon on the taskbar or using the shortcut Windows key + S. This lets you quickly find files or launch apps without having to navigate through menus.
4. Customize the Taskbar Search Box
Right-click the taskbar, go to Search, and choose whether to display the search box, just the icon, or hide it altogether. You can also manage other taskbar elements like Cortana and Task View by right-clicking on the taskbar.
5. Lock and Unlock the Taskbar
Right-click the taskbar and select Lock the Taskbar to prevent accidental changes. When unlocked, you can click and drag the taskbar to any corner of the screen. To hide the taskbar, go to Taskbar Settings and enable Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode.
6. Pin Items to the Taskbar
You can pin your favorite apps to the taskbar for quick access by right-clicking the app and selecting Pin to Taskbar. You can also drag and drop apps onto the taskbar. If you want to rearrange pinned items, simply click and drag them to a new position.
7. Open Pinned Items with Keyboard Shortcuts
For even faster access, use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + [number] to open pinned apps. For example, if Notepad is the fourth app pinned on your taskbar, pressing Windows key + 4 will launch it.
8. Manage Pinned Start Menu Items
Right-click an app in the Start menu to pin or unpin it. You can also resize pinned items by selecting Resize after right-clicking on them. To rearrange tiles, click and drag them to your desired location. The Start menu itself can be resized by dragging its corners.
9. Turn Off Notifications
Tired of constant pop-ups? Go to Settings > System > Notifications & Actions, then uncheck all the options and toggle off notifications you don’t want to see.
10. Free Up Space Automatically with Storage Sense
Enable Storage Sense under the Storage tab in settings. This feature will automatically clean up temporary files and recycle bin items, helping you free up space on your hard drive.
11. Prevent Accidental Switches to Tablet Mode
If you’re using a desktop or laptop, go to the Tablet tab and choose Never use tablet mode. This setting prevents your PC from mistakenly switching to tablet mode.
12. Set Default Apps
Navigate to Apps > Default Apps to control which apps Windows will use by default when opening certain file types. For more granular control, explore additional settings at the bottom of the page.
13. Disable Startup Apps for Faster Boot Times
Go to the Startup tab and toggle off unnecessary apps that slow down your computer’s startup time. This small tweak can make a big difference in your PC’s performance.
14. Adjust Your Privacy Settings
Under the Privacy tab, turn off unnecessary data collection by disabling options in the General section. Review each setting to decide which options to turn off.
15. Manage Diagnostics and Data Collection
In the Diagnostics & Feedback tab, choose Required Diagnostic Data to limit what information is sent to Microsoft. Turn off any unnecessary data sharing and delete existing diagnostic data.
16. Control Your Activity History
In the Activity History tab, uncheck the options that save and send your activity history to Microsoft. You can also decide whether to show activities from specific Microsoft accounts, and clear your history if needed.
17. Stop Background Apps from Slowing Down Your PC
To improve performance, go to the Background Apps section and disable apps from running in the background. This can give your system a significant speed boost.
18. Pause Windows Updates
In Update & Security, you can pause updates for up to seven days. If you need a longer break, go to Advanced Options and select a later date for when updates will resume.
19. Uninstall Problematic Updates
If a recent update caused issues on your PC, go to View Update History and click Uninstall Updates to remove problematic updates.
20. Optimize Delivery of Windows Updates
Head to Delivery Optimization and turn off the option Allow downloads from other PCs. This setting can help improve your network performance, especially on slower connections.
Bonus Tip: Use Windows Troubleshooters
If you encounter issues, Windows troubleshooters might help. Go to Troubleshoot > Additional Troubleshooters to find a tool that addresses your problem.
Conclusion
These 20 Windows 10 tips and tricks will help you make the most of your PC by boosting productivity, enhancing privacy, and improving performance. Whether you’re looking to customize your desktop or keep your computer running smoothly, these tips have you covered. Don’t forget to subscribe for more helpful tech tips!
FAQs
1. How do I change my desktop background on Windows 10?
Right-click on any image and select Set as Desktop Background.
2. Can I resize the Start menu in Windows 10?
Yes, hover over the Start menu’s corner and drag to resize it.
3. How can I improve my computer’s performance with Windows 10?
Disabling startup apps and background apps can significantly improve performance.
4. How do I disable notifications in Windows 10?
Go to Settings > System > Notifications & Actions and turn off the notifications you don’t need.
5. How do I pause Windows updates?
In Update & Security, you can pause updates for seven days or more via Advanced Options.
