11 Windows 11 Features That Will Change How You Use Your PC

Widgets is a new feature found on Windows 11 that is similar to the "news and interest" feed on Windows 10. In a nutshell, users are provided with access to useful information without needing to open a separate app. For example, the Watchlist can show stock prices and financial news, whereas the To-Do List can create and display your tasks for the day ahead. Since Widgets are powered by Microsoft Edge, whatever you see will be in real-time. Therefore, Widgets like Weather and Traffic will be pretty accurate, removing the need to constantly refresh your web browser.

Like many features on Windows 11, the Widget feature is customizable. You'll be able to adjust the sizes of the Widgets to your preferences and add/remove the content you want to see. As for those who don't like the current range of Widgets on offer, more will likely be added in the future, including support for third-party options. 

Here's how to enable and use Widgets on Windows 11:

1. On the taskbar, click the Widget icon. 
2. To add a Widget, select the + icon on the top right of the Widget panel. A list should appear.
3. To remove a Widget, click the three-dot menu on the Widget, and select Unpin Widget.
4. To change the size of a Widget, click the three-dot menu, and choose between Small, Medium, or Large.
5. If you want to rearrange the order of your Widgets, click and drag the top of the Widget and drop it where you'd like.

Virtual desktops is a feature that allows Windows 11 users to create multiple desktops on a single computer. Each desktop functions as its own workspace, opening windows and running applications separately. This feature is useful if you need to work on multiple tasks at the same time, as it helps organize apps and reduce clutter on the screen. 

While using the virtual desktop feature, you'll also be able to customize what those desktops look like. To help distinguish them apart from each other, you can apply different backgrounds, names, and emojis so that when you access the Task View button, you'll know exactly which virtual desktop you're looking at. Note that depending on the specifications of your PC, virtual desktops can have an effect on system performance. If you're short on processing power and memory, running multiple apps on multiple desktops will consume additional resources.

Here's how to enable and use virtual desktops on Windows 11:

1. Click the Task View button located on the taskbar. Alternatively, you can use the Windows key + Tab on your keyboard.
2. You should see a preview of your current desktop, in addition to an option that allows you to create a new desktop.
3. Select the "New desktop" option and a new desktop will be added. It should appear as "Desktop 2" if this is your first time using the feature.
4. You can then right-click on the new desktop, and choose to customize the background or rename it to something else.
5. To move between desktops, select them via the Task View button, or use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + arrow.

Clipchamp is a free online video editing app that is integrated into Windows 11. It is a somewhat revised version of Windows Movie Maker, offering more tools, features, and customization options. Similar to Movie Maker though, Clipchamp can appeal to any video creator no matter their experience level. Its simplistic and easy-to-understand user interface can create professional-looking projects in no time.

Like many editing apps, Clipchamp allows users to trim, cut, and crop their videos. Additional effects such as filters, transitions, color corrections, and AI voiceovers are also present. What makes the app truly unique though is its curated stock library of more than 1 million royalty-free assets. For example, insert a pre-made template if you're struggling to start your project, or, add stock videos or images to fill in the gaps. There's even an option to record your screen or webcam and upload it directly to your video timeline.

Now, before thinking Clipchamp is the best editing tool, keep in mind that there is a limitation, which comes in the form of a subscription service. While the base version is free, users will need to upgrade to the premium edition to remove watermarks and unlock certain assets and special features. 

Here's how to enable and use Clipchamp on Windows 11:

1. Open the Microsoft Store app.
2. Search for Clipchamp.
3. On the Clipchamp store page, left-click the Get button to download Clipchamp.
4. Once Clipchamp has been installed, open the app and sign in using your Microsoft account.
5. You can now edit in Clipchamp, or upgrade by left-clicking the diamond icon in the top right of the app.

In the past, Windows users had to rely on third-party apps to record their screens. Now, Windows 11 has a built-in screen recorder that works through the Snipping Tool. While this feature is still in development, and cannot record audio as of yet, it's still incredibly useful for those who want to capture and share their desktop with friends, family, or co-workers.

What truly separates the Snipping Tool's screen recorder from other apps though is its simplicity. The basic interface and straightforward controls take a few seconds to master. Additionally, when opening the Snipping Tool app, you'll be given the freedom to choose the portion of the screen you want to record, which lets you emphasize what's on display. 

Once the screen recorder activates a countdown timer will begin. You can then pause the recording, or, stop it entirely when you have finished making the video. The Windows Snipping Tool will then let you preview the video, and save it to any location on your computer. At the date of this article, recordings are stored in the MP4 format only. As the Snipping Tool app continues to update and improve, additional settings and formats may be added.

Here's how to enable and use the Snipping Tool's screen recorder on Windows 11:

1. Open the Windows Snipping Tool app. 
2. If it cannot be found, install or update it via the Microsoft Store.
3. Once the Snipping Tool is open, left-click the video camera icon.
4. Now left-click the + New button, select the area to record, and left-click Start.
5. Stop the recording by left-clicking the red box net to the timer.
6. You can now save or delete your recording.

Over the years, the Windows Task Manager has seen little to no changes. However, after a recent Windows 11 update, there have been a few visual upgrades, including section labels, dedicated task buttons, and integrated settings. More intriguing though is the added Efficiency Mode, but we'll get to that after the cosmetics.

When you first open the revamped Task Manager, you'll notice that Windows 11 has removed the tab interface. Instead, your system information will now be located on a panel to the left of your Task Manager. Next, users who often experienced unresponsive processes will be happy to find a dedicated End Task button at the top of their Task Manager, as well as a Run New Task button. The Options and View headings have also been replaced by a single Settings section, clearing up the previous interface and making things less complicated. 

While a new layout is a welcomed change, the most exciting feature of the revamped Task Manager is Efficiency Mode. With a click of a button, users can now control an app or process' access to system resources, which can alleviate stress on the CPU and improve battery life for those working on laptops. This makes it a great option for those who have several applications open and want to maintain the best possible system performance.

Here's how to open the revamped Task Manager and enable Efficiency Mode on Windows 11:

1. Right-click the Start Menu and select the Task Manager app.
2. To enable Efficiency Mode, select an application within the processes section and left-click the Efficiency Mode button in the top right corner of the Task Manager. 
3. Confirm the pop-up window for Efficiency Mode. 
4. To turn off Efficiency Mode, click the Efficiency Mode button again.

The Start menu on Windows 11 has been overhauled with new features and upgrades that provide a customized user experience. When you click on the Start menu (Windows logo) located in the taskbar, you'll be met by a search field, pinned apps, and files that have been recently opened. At the bottom, you'll find your profile icon and the power button. While this may seem pretty standard, things get interesting once you open the personalization settings.

The Start menu personalization settings allow you to toggle on/off recently added apps, frequently used apps, and, recently added files in the Start Menu. You can also add specific folders to your Start menu, such as Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, or Videos. Therefore, the next time you open your Start menu, you'll either find a few new additions or a clearer panel with fewer icons.

Looking at the Start menu again, the apps that are currently pinned are there by default. Windows 11 lets you change these by right-clicking any app and selecting "Unpin from Start." You can then replace it with an app that you want by left-clicking the All Apps option, choosing the app, and selecting "Pin to Start." Once it is on your Start menu, you can then reorder or move the apps around by dragging them with your mouse.

The revamped Start menu on Windows 11 can provide quick access to the apps and files you use regularly. Once you've managed to customize it to fit your needs, things should get a lot easier to navigate, improving your productivity throughout the day. As a bonus, you can even change the Start menu color to fit the theme of your desktop. Simply open the Settings app, select Personalization, Colors, and click "Show accent color on Start and taskbar."