Windows 10 is full of surprises, even for the most seasoned users. The Microsoft operating system released in 2015 contains many more or less hidden features, often overlooked by users, but which once tamed, greatly facilitate its daily use.
From trackpad gestures to keyboard shortcuts, through window management or activating the clipboard history, we have selected some twenty hidden functions for you to help you better use Windows 10.
1. Access an Advanced Start menu
You no doubt know the classic Start menu, but do you know the advanced Start menu?
Right click on the menu button Dmarrer, it is possible to access certain advanced options without having to navigate through endless menus: System parameters, task manager, device manager, many menus linked to the System, etc.
2. Minimize all windows except the active window
Few people know, but Windows offers many possibilities for managing the display of windows. It is possible, for example, to reduce all open windows except the active window, in a rather singular way.
Keep clicking on the title bar of the window you want to keep, and shake it. All other windows should automatically be collapsed in the taskbar.
3. Quick access to the office
In the same way, it is possible to quickly display the desktop in several ways. The first, using the keyboard shortcut Windows + D.
The second by clicking on the thin line displayed at the right end of the task bar, just next to the time and the notification counter. One click displays the desktop, a second click displays all your windows again.
It is also possible to display a quick overview of the desktop by hovering over this thin line.
To activate this option, open the settings Windows 10, and go to personalization then in Taskbar to activate the function Use Aero Peek to preview the desktop.
4. Use the trackpad gestures
Mac users are used to using gestures on their trackpad to perform certain manipulations (zoom, rotate content, etc.), or display certain elements of the system (desktop, open windows, etc.).
The same is also possible on Windows:
- pinch two fingers on the trackpad to zoom in / out on the content
- swipe two fingers to scroll through the content of the pages.
- swipe up three fingers to display all windows
- slide three fingers to the right or left to switch from one application to another (as with the shortcut Alt + Tab)
- swipe down three fingers to view the desktop
- tap three fingers to display the Windows search engine
- tap four fingers to open the notifications area.
5. Automatically resize your windows on the half of the screen
If you are one of the users who likes the fact that the display of windows is ordered, you can display side by side two windows on each half of the screen very easily.
Click on the top bar of a window, and move the mouse pointer to the right or left edge of the screen.
The window should automatically stick to the side of the screen where you are washing and resize to fill half of the display. Then you just have to select the second window that you want to keep active for which comes to settle in the remaining space.
6. Quickly open a new application window
It is possible to quickly open a new application window (file explorer, web browser, word processor, etc.) by simply click with the mouse wheel on the application icon displayed in the task bar.
7. Activate scrolling in the background
Do you happen to try to scroll content with the mouse wheel, on a window displayed in the background without succeeding? It is possible to remedy this very easily.
Open them settings Windows, go to peripherals, then in the section devotes the Mouse, activate the option Scroll through the inactive windows when I point them with my mouse.
Thus, to scroll the content of a page displayed on an inactive window, you only have to hover over the window with the mouse pointer, and use the scroll wheel as usual to scroll the content.
8. Customize the Windows theme
The most seasoned users are undoubtedly already aware, but Windows offers two different themes for its interface: a clear theme and a dark theme, the famous Dark Mode which has been very successful in recent times.
To customize the theme of your Windows, open the settings, then in personalization, enter the menu Color, and scroll down the menu Choose your color.
You can opt for the light theme, the dark theme, or choose custom settings to, for example, use a Light Windows mode, while keeping a Dark application mode.
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9. Rotate the screen orientation
Need to display a long page or portrait image on your screen? Start by physically pivoting your notch. To reorient the display correctly, no need to go to the parameters, simply use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + D + directional arrow depending on the orientation desired.
10. Use the Concentration Assistant
If your level of concentration drops even the slightest distraction, it may be better to configure the Concentration Wizard in Windows 10. Thanks to it, all the notifications that you usually receive on your machine will be silenced.
To find it, go to settings, then in the menu system, enter Concentration assistant.
You can then choose to hide certain notifications, but also activate the option during a defined time period, or when you use your computer for a specific task (screen duplication, games, etc.).
11. Easily find an application
Rather than clicking on the Start menu to scroll through the programs installed on your machine in alphabetical order in order to open the correct application, enter the first letters of its name in the search field displayed in the task bar. The search application should automatically appear at the top of the list.
12. Limit background applications
To limit the use of your laptop's battery, but also to save some mobile data if you work in connection sharing, it is possible to prevent certain applications from running in the background.
To do this, open the settings, enter the menu confidentiality, scroll through the options displayed in the side column and access the menu Background applications.
You will only have to deactivate the apps that you do not want to allow to run without you opening them.
13. "Print" PDF documents
What is the best way to share a document than to freeze it within a PDF file. Windows 10 includes an option in its print settings to generate a PDF file.
Open the print module from a document using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + P, then in the drop-down menu allowing you to choose the printer to use, select Microsoft Print to PDF.
Then click on the button To print. In the dialog box that opens, enter the name of your document, select a backup directory and validate by clicking on Save.
14. Make the most of keyboard shortcuts
The majority of Windows users know basic keyboard shortcuts, which allow them, for example, to copy and paste an element (Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V), or even to save a file (Ctrl + S).
Learning dozens of keyboard shortcuts by heart can seem tedious, but knowing the keyboard shortcuts essential for Windows 10 can save you precious time every day.
15. Activate voice dictation
Entering text on the keyboard is a real pain for some. But there is a much faster way to enter text in Windows 10: voice dictation.
See you in the settings, then in the section confidentiality access the menu Voice to activate online voice recognition. Then just use the keyboard shortcut Windows + H from a program where you must enter text to trigger voice dictation.
16. Use clipboard history
Few users know this, but Windows 10 comes with a clipboard history.
The module is deactivated by default, however. Once configured, it allows you to store in memory several elements that you copy using the shortcut Ctrl + C (text, photos, etc.), access to the history of the copied elements is then done with the shortcut Windows + V.
17. Display the Emoji and Kaomoji window
If you are the type who cheer up your conversations with smileys and other emojis, know that this is not only reserved for mobiles. Windows 10 has a demoji library and other kaomoji that you can use to illustrate your emails or conversations in your instant messaging.
To access it, use the shortcut Windows +; .
18. Unclutter your PC disk
As on iOS and Android, Windows 10 integrates a module allowing to quickly visualize the distribution of occupation of the hard disk.
Open them settings then in system, enter the menu Storage.
You can also take the opportunity to activate theStorage assistant which will take care from time to time to automatically delete files that you no longer need such as items in the trash or temporary files.
19. Use the built-in screenshot tool
No, you do not need to paste a screenshot into Paint to save it. Windows 10 includes a screen capture tool capable of saving screenshots directly to your hard drive. Disabled by default, you must go to Windows Settings to configure it.
Another solution for those in a hurry, use the keyboard shortcut Windows + Print Screen which will take a full screen capture and save the image to a named directory Screenshots within the file imagery Windows.
20. Activate God Mode
For users who are a bit more advanced in Windows 10, it is possible to activate a God Mode which groups together, within the same window, a large number of advanced Windows 10 parameters.
To activate God Mode, go to the desktop, right click, and choose to create a New File whom you will name
GodMode. {ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
The renamed folder should instantly change its appearance. Double click on it to open the God Mode window.
You will find there a little more than 200 advanced parameters accessible in one click and covering as well the management of the power as the network settings or even the management of the user accounts of Windows 10.