The Windows operating system is now officially over forty years old. With decades of feature updates under its belt, it's no wonder that present-day Windows 11 is jam-packed with useful tools, utilities, and quality-of-life considerations. Of course, while some features are well-known and appreciated by PC fans around the world, others are relatively more obscure by contrast.
Universal clipboard
Copy and paste across Windows 11 devices
If you have multiple Windows 11 computers signed in with your Microsoft Account, then you can enable a universal or cloud clipboard feature that makes cross-device copy and pasting a breeze. When turned on, the items found within your clipboard history panel (accessible via Windows key + period key) will synchronize to all your devices automatically. It's even possible to pin items to your cloud clipboard for quick access, which will reflect on all your PCs.
Universal clipboard settings can be accessed by navigating to Settings > System > Clipboard > Clipboard history across your devices and toggling the feature on. From here, you can opt to have your clipboard automatically sync copied text, or, alternatively, you can configure it to require manual syncing of this data instead.
Storage Sense
Make sense of your PC's storage
Storage Sense is a handy utility baked into Windows 11 that takes both the guess work and the monotony out of managing available PC storage space. The feature can be configured to automatically clean up temporary system and app files in the background, and it can even clear your Recycle Bin at scheduled intervals for added convenience.
To enable Storage Sense in Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Storage > Storage Sense, and then tick the Cleanup of temporary files checkbox. Additionally, you can switch on Automatic User content cleanup, and you can configure cleanup schedule frequencies from within this same settings page.
Reliability Monitor
Keep tabs on your computer's logged problems
Reliability Monitor is a classic Windows tool that runs a report on your PC's ongoing stability. A large graph displays a bird's-eye view of application failures, Windows failures, miscellaneous failures, warnings, and more, with both a Days and a Weeks graph available to sift through. You can also save reliability reports for future reference, which might come in handy when troubleshooting.
To run a Reliability Monitor report, you'll need to dive into the legacy Control Panel interface. Next, navigate to System and Security > Security and Maintenance > Reliability Monitor and, from here, a report will automatically take place in the background. The process only takes a few seconds to complete, and then your screen will be filled with relevant PC reliability details.
Presence Sensing
Intelligently dim your screen to avoid snoopers
Presence Sensing is a useful feature within Windows 11 that, when combined with the right hardware, can improve the security of your PC. A number of Presence Sensing options can be configured, including having the screen Dim when looking away from it, and having the device wake and turn off when sitting at your desk and leaving your desk, respectively. When combined with Windows Hello facial recognition, Presence Sensing significantly streamlines the process of locking and unlocking a PC.
Not all Windows 11 PCs offer the necessary human presence detection hardware required to make use of Presence Sensing, but, if your computer is compatible, I recommend taking advantage of the feature to its fullest extent. To configure Presence Sensing on a compatible computer, navigate to Settings > System > Power & battery > Presence Sensing. Additional settings relating to the feature can also be found in Settings > Privacy & security > Presence Sensing.
Nearby Sharing
AirDrop, but for Windows 11 PCs
Most of us are familiar with Apple's AirDrop and Google's Quick Share protocols, which rely on a mix of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, and other technical tools to facilitate the wireless transfer of files and data from one device to another. Lesser known, but equally useful, is Microsoft's own wireless sharing protocol known as Nearby Sharing. When enabled, the feature makes it easy to send documents, photos, and more from one PC to the next, even if signed in with different Microsoft Accounts.
To enable Nearby Sharing on a Windows 11 PC, navigate to Settings > System > Nearby sharing. From here, you'll be able to toggle between exclusively sharing between your devices, and sharing with everyone in range. Additionally, you can rename your PC for improved discoverability, as well as program the folder in which received files are saved to.
Touch screen edge gestures
Customize side swipe gestures to your liking
By default, Windows 11 is programmed to toggle certain features and system UI elements when swiping from the left and right sides of a touch-enabled display. These shortcuts are useful, but most PC users don't realize that they can actually be tweaked. The left edge gesture, which opens up the Widgets Panel, can be toggled on or off, and the right edge gesture, which opens up either the Notification Center or Click to Do, can be configured or disabled.
To customize your touch screen edge gestures, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touch > Touch screen edge gestures. From here, you can toggle on or off Swipe from the left edge of the screen, as well as configure the behavior when swiping from the right edge of the screen. You can also disable both edge gestures, if you find that they get in the way during everyday use.
Dynamic Lock
Keep your PC secured at the right times
Dynamic Lock is an underrated Windows 11 feature that automatically locks your PC when walking away from it, based on the proximity of your Bluetooth-paired smartphone. The feature works across both Android phones and iPhones, and it provides an extra layer of security that's worth its weight in gold.
To enable Dynamic Lock, navigate to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Additional settings > Dynamic lock. Simply tick the checkmark box located next to Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you're away, and the feature will begin to work. Note that, as a prerequisite, you'll need to have your mobile device actively paired to your PC via Bluetooth for Dynamic Lock to function.
Title bar window shake
A Windows Aero classic that lives on
When Windows 7 launched in 2009, it shipped with a funky new feature called Aero Shake. Essentially, when enabled, it allows you to shake any app window title bar to immediately minimize all other windows to the taskbar. For fans of the feature, Aero Shake is a quick-and-easy way to clear the desktop of clutter. While no longer bearing the Auro name, title bar window shaking is still very much a part of Windows to this very day.
Title bar window shake can be enabled by navigating to Settings > System > Multitasking > Title bar window shake. Simply toggle the feature on, and, from there, you'll be able to shake app windows to your heart's content.