Hidden Tricks Inside Windows 10

[soybean]

Windows is a vast OS with plenty of well-hidden features. Make the most of Windows 10 with these expert tips.​

Windows 10 is the most popular desktop operating system in the world, and while Windows 11 is nipping at its heels, most of us will still be running Microsoft's current OS for the foreseeable future. And even if you use it every day, there's always more to learn.

Maybe you don't consider yourself a power user, or perhaps you've made the leap from macOS to Windows. Whatever your comfort level, these tips will help you get more out of your Windows 10 experience. Some of these tricks originated from an older generation of Windows, while others are new to this iteration.

 

[soybean]

Secret Start Menu​

 

[soybean]

If you're a fan of that old-school (i.e. non-tiled) Start menu experience, you can still (sort of) have it. Right-click on the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner to prompt a textual jump menu with a number of familiar destinations, including Apps and Features, Search, and Run. All these options are available through the standard menu interface, but you can access them quicker here.

 

[soybean]

Show Desktop Button​

 

[soybean]

You don't have to minimize all your open windows just to look at the desktop. There's a secret button in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar. Don't see it? Look all the way to the bottom and right, beyond the date and time. There, you'll find a small little sliver of an invisible button. Click it to minimize all your open windows at once; click it again to bring everything back.

There's also the option to have windows minimize when you hover over this button versus clicking. Select your preference in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, then flip the switch under Use peek to preview the desktop.

 

[soybean]

Enhanced Windows Search​

 

[soybean]

If PC searches are taking too long in Windows, narrow things down under Settings > Search > Searching Windows. Set search to Classic, which only applies searches to your libraries and desktop. The Enhanced option indexes your whole computer, which can take longer and uses more power. You can further narrow your search by marking certain folders as excluded.

 

[soybean]

Shake Away the Mess​

 

[soybean]

Windows 7 users should know about this little trick. If you have a display full of windows, clear the clutter by grabbing the top of the window you do like and "shaking" it on the screen to minimize all the other windows. Suddenly having shaker's remorse? Shake again and the windows will come back.

 

[soybean]

Enable Slide to Shut Down​