5 useful Windows features I wish everyone knew about

• Focus Assist
• Phone Link
• God Mode
• Virtual Desktop
• Storage Sense

Most of us stay in our comfort zone when using our Windows 11 laptops and don’t try the hidden features we’re unfamiliar with. We stick to our work and entertainment apps and probably don’t realize how many useful tools we have available to improve our efficiency and save time.

It’s a shame because using our device’s full capabilities can make our lives easier and less stressful. That’s why I’ve made a list of five Windows features nobody uses, but should. They’ve made a difference to how I work and interact with my devices and I think they’ll help you too.

Focus Assist

A productivity game-changer

I find it harder than ever to concentrate because I’m constantly bombarded by notifications on my laptop and phone. That’s why I use Windows 11 Focus Assist located in Settings -> System -> Focus to keep me on track and meet my deadlines.

I use the Windows 11 Focus Assist to help me stay on track and meet my deadlines.

This simple feature lets me create a focus session of a certain duration and automatically turns on Do not disturb and hides flashing and badges on taskbar apps. Once activated, the Focus Assist displays a clock on my screen to show how much time I have left, and I find that it motivates me to stick to my schedule. I can also set daily goals and track my progress to improve my long-term productivity.

Phone Link

Use your phone on your PC

Phone Link is one of Windows 11’s most useful features and I use it daily because of the convenience it offers. My phone functions become available on my PC, and I can make and receive calls, answer all my messages, and access my apps on a single device instead of constantly swapping between the two.

Setting up Phone Link is easy and all I needed to do was download the Link to Windows app and scan a QR code to get going.

I take countless product pictures for work on my smartphone and I can instantly access them on my PC for editing because my phone automatically syncs via Phone Link. Setting up Phone Link is easy and all I needed to do was download the Link to Windows app and scan a QR code to get going. After the initial setup, my phone and PC link automatically when they are close together, so I don’t need to connect them manually.

God Mode

Find all the settings in one place

Finding the settings I’m looking for can be frustrating in Windows 11 because they are often in different locations. I save time and access them faster with the God Mode feature, which brings them together under one roof.

Finding the settings I’m looking for can be frustrating in Windows 11 because they are often in different locations.

Activating God Mode in Windows 11 is as easy as creating a new folder on my desktop and renaming it to GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}. The icon changes color and opening the folder will reveal a list of all the commonly-used Windows settings. They are all sorted into categories like Power Options, Mouse, and Windows tools, and easy to access without navigating through menus.

Virtual Desktop

Customizable profiles for work or play

I find the Virtual Desktop function great for reducing clutter and keeping my workspaces separate. Instead of switching between various apps and browser windows in one place, I separate them into different desktops, so they are easier to find and operate independently of each other.

I find the Virtual Desktop function great for reducing clutter and keeping my workspaces separate.

To create a new desktop, I click on the Task View icon on the taskbar, which resembles two overlapping squares. I then click on the new desktop icon to create it and right-click to give it a unique name to stand out. I find it helps if I give each desktop a unique background, so I don’t get confused when switching between them. My desktops will preview whenever the cursor hovers over the Task View icons and I can access them with a single click.

Storage Sense

Automated disk cleanups

Storage Sense is a nifty tool that automates my disk space management, so I don’t need to waste time doing it manually. I can configure the app to automatically delete files in my Downloads folder and Recycle bin if they haven’t been accessed for specific durations. It will also automatically delete temporary app and system files to keep Windows running smoothly.

Storage Sense is a nifty tool that automates my disk space management.

I like that Storage Sense can move my image library and other files to the cloud if they aren’t accessed within a certain timeframe, and do the same for my smartphone via OneDrive. The app is located in Settings -> System -> Storage and I can set it to run daily, weekly, monthly, or if my PC is running low on space.