The Most Valuable Features of Windows 11
Windows 11 has been on the market for a little while now, launched in October 2021. For the most part, it has been well received and is considered stable, and very few bugs have been found.
One of the reasons that Windows 11 has been welcomed with open arms by both home users and businesses is that it is not dramatically different from Windows 10. This upgrade is mainly focused on helping users complete tasks faster and find things more easily.
If you are still on the fence about whether or not to upgrade to Windows 11, we will outline some of the most helpful features below that might get you to upgrade sooner rather than later.
And if you have already upgraded your machine to Windows 11 or bought a new PC with OS installed, check out these features to make sure you have not missed out on any productivity improvements.
IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11?r=1
One challenge that many users struggle with is working in more than one window on your PC screen at the same time.
You spend a lot of time resizing windows, then have to open a full-size window to get to a scroll bar, and then you are back to square one.
Many users switch between applications, i.e. they switch back and forth between a fully open and a non-open application window. This is also time-consuming.
In a study on user productivity, it was found that 56% of app users said that switching between apps makes it difficult to complete important tasks and costs them at least 30 minutes a day.
This is where they come in... the snap layouts in Windows 11.
This feature is designed to solve this problem by giving users multiple window layout options that snap windows into place. The view is designed to allow you to reach all the scroll bars and menu items in a particular application window.
This is one of the most time-saving features of the new operating system and it is very intuitive and easy to use.
IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11?r=1
If you're one of those people who hates typing text on a tiny smartphone screen only to have it altered by a vicious autocorrect, the new Teams integration in Windows 11 will be a welcome change.
Teams are now natively integrated into the taskbar, there's no app you need to install. Setup takes just a few minutes and requires you to enter your name and mobile number.
Using the Microsoft Teams icon on the desktop, you can instantly connect with others via SMS or video/audio chat. You can even share a screen during your meetings.
IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11?r=1
One of the new features in Windows 11 that doesn’t look fully finished is the widgets panel. This feed has a few basic applications in it at the moment, and more are expected to come, which will make it even more useful.
You get to this panel through an icon on the taskbar, and the widget feed can be tailored with local weather, traffic, news, and more.
One of the helpful features you can use right now is the To Do widget. It allows you to quickly create a task list and check off those tasks without having to open another application.
The widget can be added in seconds to your panel and can be quite a time-saver because of the easy access right from your desktop.
One of the helpful features that you can use right now is the To Do widget. To Do widget. It helps you to quickly create a task list and check off those tasks without opening open another application.
You can find this panel from an icon in the taskbar, and the widget feed can be customized with local weather, traffic, news, and more.
IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11?r=1
If you’re still using your file explorer to search for documents, you can save a lot of time by using the Start/Search menu instead. Click the Windows icon on the taskbar (which has now been moved to the middle instead of far left) and type your search keyword at the top.
This is a master search that will bring up documents, settings, applications, and even web pages. Searching using the Start Menu is faster than trying to find a file in the Explorer.
If you're still using File Explorer to search for documents, you can save a lot of time by using the Start/Search menu instead. Click on the Windows icon in the taskbar (which is now in the center instead of the far left) and type your search word at the top.
This is a higher-level search that pulls up documents, settings, applications, and even web pages. Searching from the Start menu is faster than trying to find a file in Explorer.
The redesigned interface also reduces the clutter of the old Windows Start menu and makes it easier to get where you want to go.
The newly streamlined interface also decreases the clutter of the old Windows Start Menu making it easier to get where you need to go.
Task view is the virtual desktop feature that had been announced in Windows 10. This remains a very handy feature for separating the different areas of your work to stay focused.
The task view icon can be used for creating a different virtual desktop with different open applications and documents. For instance, it's possible to keep your email open on one virtual desktop and then use the second one when you’re in a video call and sharing screen.
An upgrade of an entire company to a new OS can be time-consuming. Save time and skip any downtime by working with an IT professional from Onyx IT to roll out a smooth upgrade and get users trained on the new features.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
T: 01603 414142
E: getintouch@onyx-it.co.uk
Onyx IT has been supported by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership through the Growing Business Fund