In 2021, hardly anyone works without a computer. The rise of remote work and the growth of technology means there are always digital ways of completing tasks. For an efficient work routine, all you need is a stable internet connection, such as Cox internet plans, and a device that supports it.
A large percentage of people today work using a Microsoft Windows operating system. It is the OS that powers nearly all modern computers, other than Apple devices. So, any updates in Windows are good news for most computer users. While Windows already has a user-friendly interface, its latest update has some new tricks on offer.
With the latest update to Windows 10, here are some of the many tricks you can try out.
Table of Contents
#1 Minimize All Windows Except the One You’re Using
If you always have a lot of windows open and find your screen cluttered all the time, learn this fun and useful trick. Move your cursor to the title bar of the window you are using, hold the left click and give your cursor a shake. It will instantly minimize all the windows except the one which you are using. Use this trick to throw the clutter out of the window.
#2 Scroll Between Multiple Virtual Desktops
One of the most useful features of windows is its ability to compartmentalize. If you are working on different projects and you want to keep everything about them separate, Virtual Desktops will be extremely useful for you. Simply press the Windows Key + Tab to open the task view. On the top left, press the “New Desktop” button to be greeted with a brand-new virtual desktop. Now you can keep your projects separate by putting them on different virtual desktops.
#3 Use Windows Dynamic Lock
Sometimes when you get up from your desktop to take a break, you forget to lock your machine. This can become a serious security concern if you’re working on important confidential data. If you have the windows creators update installed, you can simply turn on the dynamic lock feature to lock your computer whenever you go away. Pair your phone and computer together via Bluetooth. Go to sign-in options, and turn on dynamic lock.
Now, if your phone moves out of the computer’s Bluetooth range, the computer will assume you’ve gone away. Then, it will lock your computer. No more colleagues snooping around in your computer now.
#4 Use an Alternative Start Menu
If you are a Power User, you want all the important and powerful things windows has to offer at your fingertips. Simply press Windows Key + X to access the alternative start menu for power users. Now you can dive into your apps and features, power options, event viewer, your system settings, your device manager, network settings, storage, or run quick commands from the Run window, along with accessing many more critical configuration screens. And it all starts with the Windows Key + X.
#5 Useful Keyboard Shortcuts
Although the list for windows keyboard shortcuts is humongous, yet here are the most common shortcuts that you can use in your everyday life.
- Alt + Tab: Switch between windows
- Alt + F4: Close active window
- Windows Key + Tab: Open task view
- Alt + Control + Delete: Open lock screen and task manager
- Windows Key + Shift + S: Select a screen area and save it as a screenshot
- Click on a folder and press F2: Rename the folder
- F1: Open Help
- F5: Refresh Desktop
- F12: Save your document
#6 Print to PDF
Previously, this feature was only available for Chrome users. With the latest Windows 10 update, you can use this as a native option across the entire operating system. To use this, you simply have to open any print dialog box.
#7 Use Windows Trackpad Gestures.
Long gone are the days when iOS users reigned supreme with their trackpad gestures. Windows has also upped its game and introduced similar trackpad gestures for its users. Let’s look at a few of these productive gestures:
- You can scroll the page using two fingers.
- Pinch using two fingers to zoom in and zoom out.
- Tap with two fingers to simulate a right-click.
- Tap with three fingers to open Cortana.
- Swipe left or right with three fingers to switch between windows like the Alt-Tab shortcut.
- Swipe up with three fingers to open Task View.
- Swipe down with three fingers to minimize everything and show desktop. Swipe back up using three fingers to go back to the active window.
#8 Use Storage Sense to Free Disk Space
Seeing what was eating up your storage on phones was easy with the storage manager in iOS and Android. Now you can see the same storage stats in windows too! Simply go to settings, system, storage, and see the storage chart to know exactly what is eating up your disk space. Above the charts, there is a slider for storage sense.
If you turn that on, windows will automatically clear space by removing temporary files and content in the recycle bin. This feature will make your life easier if you only have a small storage disk on your computer.
