Join The Club
A lot of people run Windows 11 Pro every day without realizing how many other tools are already built into the system. In addition to the visual design and familiar interface, the operating system includes dozens of productivity features designed to save time, improve control over your device, and streamline everyday tasks.
The interesting part is that many of these capabilities are hiding in plain sight. They are already installed and ready to use. You only need to know where to find them.
Features you wish you had known sooner
Although the operating system comes with many tools, these stand out as the ones you should already be using.
1. Clickboard history to copy and paste multiple items
Copying and pasting text is something everyone does constantly, but most users only interact with the most recent item copied to the clipboard. On Windows 11, Clipboard History lets you track multiple copied items so you can reuse them instantly, even across devices.
To invoke the feature, press "Windows key + V" to open the clipboard panel and access previously copied text, links, and images.
If the feature isn't available, go to Settings > System> Clipboard, and turn on "Clipboard history."
In the case you want to access your history across devices, turn on the "Clipboard history across your devices" toggle switch.
You can also pin frequently used items so they remain available even after restarting your computer.
This feature is particularly helpful when moving content between documents, emails, and browser tabs. Instead of constantly switching between windows to copy content again, you can select the item directly from the history list.
2. Speed up file management with File Explorer shortcuts
If you regularly work with files, learning a few keyboard shortcuts in File Explorer can speed up navigation.
Some of the most useful shortcuts you can use in File Explorer include:
- Alt + Up Arrow: Move to the parent folder.
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder.
- F2: Rename a file instantly.
- Ctrl + L: Jump directly to the address bar.
- Alt + Enter: Open file properties.
- Ctrl + T: Open a new tab.
- Ctrl + W: Close the current tab.
- Ctrl + Tab: Move to the next (right) tab.
- Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Move to the previous (left) tab.
- Ctrl + Number (1-9): Switch to a specific tab.
- Ctrl + N: Open a new window.
- Middle-click a folder: Opens the folder in a new tab.
- Ctrl + Click a folder: Opens the folder in a new tab.
- Right-click a tab: Opens a context menu to close, duplicate, or manage tabs.
Once you learn these shortcuts, you'll be able to manage files faster and more efficiently.
3. Force-close frozen apps directly from the Taskbar
When an app stops responding, you usually open Task Manager to force it to close, but this can be a tedious process for many users, even professionals. However, there's an easier way to manage unresponsive applications using the "End Task" option.
In previous updates, Microsoft introduced an "End Task" option to force-close an unresponsive application from the Taskbar without the need to open Task Manager. The only caveat is that the company made it an optional feature, meaning that it's not enabled by default.
If you want access to this option, open Settings > System > Advanced, and turn on "End Task."
Once the feature has been enabled, when an app isn't responding, you can right-click the app in the Taskbar and then select the "End Task" option.
This small feature removes several steps when dealing with unresponsive apps.
4. Track and secure your PC with Find My Device
It's a frustrating situation when you misplace your laptop, but Windows 11 includes the Find My Device feature to help you locate your device on a map.
Once enabled, the system periodically reports its location through your Microsoft account. If the device is lost or stolen, you can log in online and see its last known location.
You can always check if the feature needs to be turned on from Settings > Privacy & security > Find My Device, and turn on "Find My Device."
In addition to location tracking, you can also remotely lock the computer to protect your data.
5. Fine-tune performance with advanced power plans
A lot of systems default to a balanced power profile, but Windows 11 Pro includes additional power plans that let you prioritize performance or energy efficiency.
Advanced power plans can adjust how the processor behaves, when drives power down, and how aggressively the system conserves energy.
You can customize this feature from Settings > Power, and then choose the "Best performance" option from the "Power Mode" setting.
Users can also create custom plans to fine-tune performance for specific workloads, but this requires using the Control Panel.
6. Improve display accuracy using color profiles
If you work with photography, design, or video editing, color profiles help ensure your display shows colors accurately.
Windows 11 supports ICC color profiles that calibrate displays for better consistency. You can switch profiles depending on the monitor or workflow you're using.
You can do this from Settings > Display > Color Profile, and then choose the display, and use the "Add profile" option to add SDR or HDR profiles.
It's important to note that you can provide your own profiles, or you can also download specific profiles from your monitor manufacturer.
This capability is often overlooked but can significantly improve visual accuracy for creative tasks.
7. Reduce eye strain with Night Light scheduling
If you work for an extended time late at night, it can cause eye strain. The Night Light feature reduces blue light output and shifts the display toward warmer tones.
Windows 11 allows you to customize the intensity and schedule the feature automatically, such as activating it at sunset or during specific hours.
To control Night Light, open Settings > System > Display > Night Light, and use the slider to control the color strength, turn on the "Schedule night light" feature, and configure when you want the feature to turn on automatically. You can set a specific schedule or schedule it for sunrise and sunset.
If you regularly work late or spend long hours in front of the screen, taking a moment to configure Night Light can make a noticeable difference.
8 Convert voice into text with Voice Typing
On Windows 11, Voice Typing is a feature that converts your spoken words into text in virtually any text field on your device.
You can use this feature to dictate emails, documents, messages, search queries, and more, speeding up your writing process and providing an alternative to traditional keyboard typing.
To get started with Voice Typing, use the "Windows key + H" keyboard shortcut and click the Microphone icon to start dictating on any application with a text field.
Optionally, you can open the Voice Typing settings to enable the option to launch the feature when it detects you're in a text box.
It's also possible to turn on automatic punctuation, wait time before acting, and change the microphone source as needed.
Voice Typing can be a surprisingly useful productivity tool once you start using it regularly. Whether you're drafting emails, outlining ideas, or quickly replying to messages, dictating text can often be faster than typing everything by hand.
9. Insert emojis and symbols instantly from the keyboard
If you frequently add emojis, special characters, or symbols while writing messages or documents, Windows 11 includes a built-in panel that lets you insert them quickly and easily. Instead of searching the web or copying characters from another source, you can open the Emoji panel directly from the keyboard and pick what you need.
The panel includes emojis, kaomoji, GIFs, and a large collection of symbols, including currency, math symbols, punctuation, and special characters. This can be particularly useful when writing messages, creating social media posts, or working on documents that require special characters.
To open the panel, press the "Windows key + . (period)" or "Windows key + ; (semicolon)." Once the panel appears, browse the categories or use the search box to quickly find the emoji or symbol you want to insert.
Alongside the special characters you can insert through the panel, Windows 11 recently added two additional keyboard shortcuts to enter en (–) and em (—) dashes even more quickly using the "Windows key + Minus" and the "Windows key + Shift + Minus" keyboard shortcuts.
Final thoughts
Windows 11 Pro includes far more capabilities than most people realize. A lot of users interact with the operating system only through its basic features. However, the platform also offers built-in tools that can significantly improve productivity, system control, and everyday usability.
Features like Clipboard History, File Explorer shortcuts, and the Taskbar's End Task option help speed up repetitive steps during daily work. At the same time, capabilities such as Find My Device, advanced power plans, and color profiles give you better control over how your device behaves and performs.
Other additions like Night Light, Voice Typing, and the Emoji panel may seem minor at first, but they can make everyday tasks faster and more comfortable once they become part of your workflow.
