10 new features to get you started with Windows 11

Windows 11 is officially released and Microsoft is pushing it to the public. The launch schedule for older machines is still uncertain, but new PCs will receive priority updates.

The system update contains a redesigned menu that you need to set up according to your standards if you use a Windows computer every day.

From repositioning the Start menu to checking external monitor settings, you can modify your newly updated system by clicking the Windows button on the taskbar and selecting Settings .

1. Move the Start menu back to the left

One of the most notable changes to Windows 11 is that the Start menu button (and all your other fixed shortcuts) are located in the center of the taskbar. To move the Start menu button back to the left, open Settings and select Personalization, Taskbar, Taskbar Behavior, and Taskbar alignment. You can also configure various other taskbar options from here, including whether to hide it when not in use.

2. Select the content displayed on the "Start" menu

Microsoft wants Windows 11's Start menu to be more like a central hub for files and folders than just a list of program shortcuts. You can decide whether to display recently opened items and specific folders in the Start menu by going to the Windows Settings panel and selecting

Personalization and Start. You will then see a series of toggles and menu items that specify what to display when the Start menu is open.

3. Use "Capture Layout"

Windows 10 allows you to drag a program to the side of the screen to "dock" it on half of the monitor, but Windows 11 offers more layouts to choose from. Hover your mouse over the Maximize/Minify button in the upper right corner of the open application to view your options. To enable or disable this feature and configure how it works, open Settings and select

System, Multitasking, and Capture windows.

4. Enable dark mode

Currently, almost all software offers dark mode. Windows 11 is no exception – you can choose

Personalization, Color in Settings, and then open the drop-down menu next to Select your mode Switch to dark mode. If you choose Custom, you can use different modes for the application and Windows itself. Below the screen, you can set the accent colors the operating system uses on interface elements such as clickable links and the title bar for each window.

5. Connect your Android phone

Windows 11 continues the functionality of its predecessor, Your Phone tool. This makes it easier to connect an Android phone to your computer to transfer files between devices and send text messages from your computer. To set up a connection, open Windows Settings and select Bluetooth and Devices , and then select Your Phone . You will be guided through this process, which involves installing an application on your Android phone to establish a connection to your PC.

6. Simplify the Windows update process

Microsoft is trying to make updates in Windows 11 more efficient and seamless, and if you turn on Settings and select Windows Update, you can view (and manage) some of these new features. Select the Advanced option to enable faster restarts, configure bandwidth usage, and set which times of the day you want your computer to install patches—for example, you don't want to be bothered during the game.

7. Configure accessibility settings

The latest version of Microsoft operating system is easier to access for everyone, change the

Easy access menu on Windows 11 to Accessibility Menu. Options include color filters, text size, closed captions, and eye control. You can also choose Voice to try out the new and improved Windows voice input experience.

8. Check the battery level

Windows 11 comes with a redesigned and improved battery health screen. You can find it by going to

Settings , System and Power and Battery. Compared to Windows 10, it breaks down in more detail how battery power changes over time and what causes battery power consumption. Scroll down and select Battery Usage to see which applications consume the most computer power since the last time you connected your laptop to a power outlet.

9. Turn on HDR

HDR (High Dynamic Range) manages the balance between the darkest and brightest areas of anything on the screen, making sure you see all the details. This feature is supported in Windows 10, but Windows 11 adds more features, including gaming support. To set this, select

System

, Show and HDR in Settings. Please note that the options you see on the screen will depend on the HDR support provided by your PC monitor.

10. Remember external monitors

On Windows 10, disconnecting the external monitor will move all application windows back to the home screen. This forces you to move them again from scratch when you reconnect the monitor. However, Windows 11 can remember the secondary display layout: In Settings, go to the

system

, display and multiple monitors and check the tag Remember the check box of window position according to the monitor connection.

The above is the detailed content of 10 new features to get you started with Windows 11. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!