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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTo get comfortable with Windows 11, learn four basics first: open Start to find things, use Settings to change how the PC works, use File Explorer to manage files, and keep Windows Security and updates in good shape. The 20 tips below take you from everyday navigation to backup choices. Menu names and available features can vary by device, Windows version, region, and organization policy; if a label has moved, search for it in Settings.
Find your way around Windows 11
1. Open Start with the Windows key
Press the Windows key on your keyboard or select the Start button on the taskbar. Start is a convenient launch point for apps, settings, and files. Microsoft’s Windows 11 basics guide explains the desktop and its main controls.
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2. Search from Start
Open Start and begin typing the name of an app, file, or setting. Choose a result to open it. Search is often quicker than browsing menus, especially when you are not sure where something lives.
3. Pin the apps you use most
Search for an app in Start, right-click its result, and choose the pin option to add it to Start. A pinned app is a shortcut, not a duplicate installation. Keep the list focused on things you open often.
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4. Group related pins into folders
Drag one Start pin onto another to create a folder, then give the group a useful name if prompted. For example, you might group work, communication, or creative apps. The exact Start layout can change with Windows updates; see Microsoft’s Start menu customization guide for current options.
5. Make the taskbar suit you
Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and open Taskbar settings to review available alignment and taskbar options. You can also pin frequently used apps to the taskbar from their Start or search result menu. Treat these as preferences: there is no need to rearrange anything if the default layout works for you.
Get to settings and common controls
6. Open Settings with Windows key+I
Press Windows key+I to open Settings. It gathers controls for areas including System, Bluetooth & devices, Personalization, Apps, Accounts, Accessibility, Privacy & security, and Windows Update. Microsoft describes it as a central place to manage device preferences in its Windows Settings guide.
7. Search Settings when you do not know the category
Use the search box in Settings and type a plain-language term such as “display,” “microphone,” or “updates.” Select the relevant result rather than trying to remember which category contains it. Labels and locations can shift between Windows releases.
8. Use Quick Settings for everyday toggles
Select the network, volume, or battery area on the taskbar to open Quick Settings, then use the available controls for items such as Wi-Fi, volume, and display brightness. Which tiles appear depends on the device and its hardware. For less common choices, open Settings instead.
Manage files without losing track of them
9. Open File Explorer with Windows key+E
Press Windows key+E to open File Explorer. Use its navigation pane to move between folders and drives, and select a folder to see its contents. This shortcut is useful whether you are looking for a download or organizing documents.
10. Create folders and handle files deliberately
In File Explorer, open the location where a folder belongs and use the toolbar’s new-folder control. To organize a file, select it and use the available cut-and-paste, drag-and-drop, or rename commands. Check the selected file and destination before moving or deleting anything; deletion can be difficult to undo after an item is removed from the Recycle Bin.
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11. Search File Explorer by name
Open the folder or drive where you expect the item to be, then enter its name in File Explorer’s search box. Searching from a specific location can narrow results. If you cannot find it, try a distinctive part of the filename or search a broader location.
Arrange apps for easier multitasking
12. Put two windows side by side with Snap
Drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen and release when the Snap outline appears. Choose another open window to fill the remaining space. This is handy for reading a reference page while writing in a document.
13. Try a Snap layout for more windows
Hover over a window’s maximize button to view available Snap layouts, then select a position and choose other open apps for the remaining spaces. You can also use keyboard snapping shortcuts. Layout choices depend on factors such as screen size and the current Windows experience. Microsoft’s Snap guide covers layouts, Snap Assist, and Snap Groups.
14. Remember two useful shortcuts
- Windows key: open Start.
- Windows key+E: open File Explorer.
These are a small starting set rather than a requirement to memorize a long list. Microsoft maintains a broader Windows keyboard shortcuts reference.
Make Windows more comfortable and private
15. Explore accessibility settings
Open Settings > Accessibility to look for options related to vision, hearing, interaction, and focus. Examples include making on-screen content easier to see or adjusting how you interact with the PC. These controls can help anyone tailor the computer to their needs, not only people who identify as having a disability. Availability varies by device and Windows version; Microsoft’s accessibility features page describes the areas to explore.
16. Review app permissions when relevant
Open Settings > Privacy & security and review permissions such as camera or microphone access when you install or troubleshoot an app. You can check which apps have access and adjust the available controls. Turning off a permission may stop a feature from working, so change it when it fits your needs.
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17. Know where to run a quick security scan
Open Windows Security, select Virus & threat protection, and choose Quick scan when you want to check common locations for threats. Windows Security includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Windows Firewall; the exact status shown can depend on whether another security product is managing protection. Microsoft explains the app in its Windows Security overview and covers scan and protection options in its virus and threat protection guide.
18. Download apps from trusted sources and keep them updated
Prefer an app’s official publisher or a trusted store, and install updates for Windows, browsers, and apps. Avoid disabling built-in protection as a routine speed fix: Microsoft notes that files opened or downloaded while real-time protection is off will not be scanned in the usual way. See Microsoft’s guidance on protecting your PC from unwanted software.
19. Review Windows Update and restart when prompted
Open Settings > Windows Update to check for available updates and review their status. Follow restart prompts so updates that require a restart can finish installing; save your work first. Security intelligence updates are delivered through Windows Update, and Windows Security also provides an option to check for protection updates. Microsoft’s Settings guide covers the central settings hub.
Choose what Windows Backup should protect
20. Review folder and settings backup before relying on it
Open Settings > Accounts > Windows backup and review the folders and settings you want included. Windows Backup can back up selected folders such as Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music to OneDrive; some settings and preferences can also be included. OneDrive sign-in and available storage matter for relevant options, and personalization backup requires both. Check what you have selected and where it is stored: this is not a full system-image backup, and it does not automatically mean every file on the PC is covered. Microsoft explains the scope in its Windows Backup guide.
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