Windows 11 is full of great surface-level features. However, there are hidden Windows features not everyone knows about that can help you get things done faster. Some of these tools are tucked away in settings menus or only appear if you know where to look. However, once you find them, they can significantly enhance your PC experience by making multitasking easier.

I’m referring to shortcuts, tweaks, and built-in tools that save time, minimize distractions, and provide you withmore control over your setup. Some tools help you save useful information for later, while others can help you with other things. There is no need to install third-party apps to start using these perks. For example, in settings, you can enable touch gestures to instantly close apps and view your desktop. Take a look at the hidden gems Windows 11 has to offer that you might be missing out on.

Clipboard history: access everything you copied

Save multiple clipboard items and paste them anytime

Ever since I discovered how to access everything I’ve copied, I no longer worry about copying multiple pieces of text. But I did have to previously go to Settings -> System -> Clipboard -> Toggle on Clipboard history. Once I have that set up, I can freely copy up to 25 items and go back to any of them at any time. All I have to do is press Ctrl + V, and I can see all the images and text I copied. I can even click on the pin icon to keep a specific item at the top for easy access.

When my clipboard history is full, I click the erase button to start over. An option I recommend you enable is Clipboard history across your devices. This option lets you copy text on your computer, and that exact text appears on your supported device for instant sharing. If you want more control over what text syncs, the “Manually sync text I copy” option is for you. Everything you copy will still appear in the history, but you need to go in there, click the three dots to access the sync option, then select the specific text to sync.

Three and four-finger gestures: Multitask without lifting a finger

Switch apps, open Task View, or minimize windows in one swipe

There are times when you’re forced to use a touchpad, perhaps because of limited space. That’s when being aware of everything you can get done with the touchpad comes in handy. Windows 11 has hidden tricks, such as these, that let you get more done by making some settings changes. To turn this feature on, I went to Settings -> Bluetooth & devices -> Touchpad. There, you’ll see an image of how your fingers need to be placed and in which direction you need to move them to get a specific result.

The difference between the three and four finger gestures is that the four gesture option has an option to switch desktops, while the three gesture one lets you switch apps. It’s essential to note that if you have the trackpad disabled for any reason, these options will be grayed out in Settings. Some PCs have a quick on/off button, while others require you to go into Settings.

Storage Sense hidden features

Auto-clean to save disk space

I download countless files each day for different projects. However, in the back of my mind, I’m worried that one day all those files will slow down my computer. So, when I found out about Storage Sense, I immediately set it up and let it do its job. Enabling the feature automatically frees up disk space by deleting files I no longer need.

I went to Settings -> System -> Storage -> Storage Sense. I set the recycling bin to empty after 30 days and downloads after 60 days. The dropdown menu shows options such as Never, 1 day, 14 days, 30 days, and 60 days. There’s also a button to run Storage Sense at any time, which is helpful if you downloaded a lot of temporary files. It’s a good feature to set up because it helps maintain system performance, but it only applies to the C drive. If you have to erase files from another drive, you’ll need to do that manually.

Why these tools are worth using

You’re so busy using the mainstream features that you don’t have time to find the hidden ones. They sit hidden inside your computer’s settings, waiting for you to find them. You may even stumble upon them by accident, and when you try them out, you wonder how you ever did without them. Each change takes a minute, and you can revert as quickly as you like if you don’t like it. These tools ship with Windows 11 and cost nothing. Pick one, try it for a week, and watch the small wins pile up.