- Mastering Windows: Expert Tips and Tricks
- upgrade your system mastery. From customizing UI elements to supercharging productivity, read on as we unpack the ins and outs of Windows wizardry.
- Personalize Your Desktop
- How do I enable phone link on Windows 11?
- How do I get a phone link on Windows 10?
- Boost Efficiency with Keyboard Shortcuts
- How do I connect my phone to Windows 10?
- Why is my phone not working on Windows 10?
- How do I Stop my Phone from connecting to my PC?
- Customize Start Menu
- How do I connect my Android phone to Windows?
- How to get phone link on Windows 11?
- Does phone link work on Windows 11?
- Supercharge Your Browser
- Why is my phone link not working?
- How do I connect a Bluetooth device to Windows 10?
- Does Windows 10 have a Phone Companion?
- Keep Improving Your Windows Skills
- References
Mastering Windows: Expert Tips and Tricks
With over 1.3 billion active Windows devices worldwide, Microsoft’s Windows operating system powers a gargantuan share of personal computers across homes and enterprises globally. Boasting features such as the Start menu and desktop, File Explorer, Cortana digital assistant, and Microsoft Store app ecosystem, Windows strives to make computing accessible, engaging, and multi-functional.
But to truly harness Windows and optimize system performance, some expert knowledge goes a long way. Through years of hands-on experience and community engagement, we’ve compiled the top Windows power user techniques
upgrade your system mastery. From customizing UI elements to supercharging productivity, read on as we unpack the ins and outs of Windows wizardry.
Personalize Your Desktop
Tired of the stock Windows look and feel? Customize and arrange desktop icons, change background images, and alter theme colors to create a personalized workspace. Here’s how:
How do I enable phone link on Windows 11?
If you’re using Windows 11, head to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Phone Link, press the ellipsis button next to it, select Advanced options, and then make sure that the “Let this app run in background” setting is set to either Power optimized or Always. Turn on Nearby sharing and Share across devices.
How do I get a phone link on Windows 10?
If you’re using Windows 10, open the Start Menu and scroll the apps list on the left until you get to the letter P. Then, you should see the Phone Link shortcut: click or tap on it. Another way to access Phone Link is to search for the app. Type “phone link” in your taskbar’s Search bar, and then click or tap the Phone Link result.
First, right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize” to open customization settings. Next, head to “Background” to browse image files for your new desktop background. For a slick transparent look, select a solid color.
You can also arrange desktop icons automatically or manually. Right-click to access options for sorting icons automatically or aligning them to an invisible grid. Drag and drop icons to move them around manually. Remove desktop icon labels for a clean minimalist aesthetic.
Finally, switch between Light and Dark mode or browse pre-built theme templates under “Themes” to alter system colors and sounds. Extra customization options offer granular control over window colors and transparency.
With these simple tweaks, shape Windows to match your style and preferences for a more enjoyable computing experience.
Boost Efficiency with Keyboard Shortcuts
Forgetting or not knowing Windows shortcuts can hamper productivity. Master these common hotkeys to work faster:
- Windows key: Open and close Start menu
- Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps and windows
- Windows + Tab: View timeline of open apps
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Launch Task Manager
- Windows + L: Lock computer screen
- F2: Rename selected file
- Alt + F4: Close active window
Additionally, employ these shortcuts for improved desktop navigation:
How do I connect my phone to Windows 10?
Another way to access Phone Link is to search for the app. Type “phone link” in your taskbar’s Search bar, and then click or tap the Phone Link result. Regardless of your chosen method, when you open the Phone Link app for the first time, it asks you to select the type of phone you want to connect to Windows.
Why is my phone not working on Windows 10?
If you’re using a local account on Windows 10, then Your Phone experience will not work. If you’re blocking the Your Phone app from running in the background, you won’t be able to connect to your phone. You can make sure that you’re allowing the app in the background using these steps: Open Settings.
How do I Stop my Phone from connecting to my PC?
Settings -> Privacy -> Background apps -> Your Phone -> Off This prevents autoconnecting the phone when the PC boots, while still allowing the Your Phone app to connect when I open it on the PC. It also automatically disconnects the phone a few minutes after I close the Your Phone app.
- Windows + Arrow Keys: Snap window to half or quarter screen
- Windows + Shift + Arrow Keys: Move window to other monitor
- Windows + D: Show/hide desktop
- Windows + E: Launch File Explorer
- Windows + R: Open Run dialog box
Save time and keystrokes by using these Windows shortcuts instead of mouse pointing and clicking. But don’t stop here – look up more advanced hotkeys to continue boosting productivity.
Customize Start Menu
As the gateway to accessing apps, files, and system settings, customize the Windows Start menu to best suit your usage patterns.
To add apps, simply open the Start menu, locate the app you wish to pin, right-click on it, and select “Pin to Start.” This pins the app tile to the Start menu for easy one-click access.
Additionally, resize Start menu tiles according to frequency of use. Right-click on a pinned app and select “Resize” to make frequently used apps larger. This places vital apps front and center.
For quicker access to key system settings, add relevant Settings tiles. Open Settings, locate the desired category like Network & Internet or Personalization, right click on it, and select Pin to Start.
How do I connect my Android phone to Windows?
In addition, the Your Phone Companion app for Android is now called Link to Windows. For more information, see Introducing Microsoft Phone Link and Link to Windows. Make sure the Phone Link app on your PC is closed, then do the following: For some Android devices, your Battery Optimization settings may interrupt your connection.
How to get phone link on Windows 11?
First, you must open the Phone Link app on your computer. One of the easiest ways to do that is to use its Start Menu shortcut. In Windows 11, you have to access the All apps list, scroll until you reach the letter P, and then click or tap on Phone Link.
Does phone link work on Windows 11?
No worries on the PC side of the connection, since the Phone Link app is preinstalled on all Windows 11 PCs. Another requirement is the phone has to be in range of the PC with Bluetooth and WiFi because, although display and control occur on the PC, the apps are still running on the phone.
Lastly, organize pinned apps into folders. Right-click on an app tile, select "Pin to Start", and then choose to create a new folder location to group related apps. Name the folder something descriptive.
With a customized Start menu, get right to apps and settings without digging. Save time when launching programs you use often.
Supercharge Your Browser
As one of the most frequently used apps, master your web browser with these pro tips:
For Microsoft Edge users, enable efficiency features like Collections and Workspaces. Collections lets you gather, organize, share, and export content while researching topics. Workspaces separates browsing activities across personal, work, and school focuses.
Take advantage of Chrome profiles to segment professional and personal browsing. Access webpage translations, voice dictations, and more through Chrome extensions. Sync settings across devices by logging into your Google account.
In either Edge or Chrome, keyboard shortcuts again boost productivity. Use Ctrl + T for a new tab, Ctrl + Tab to switch tabs, and Ctrl + Shift + T to reopen closed tabs.
Finally, keep your browser organized. Bookmark frequently visited sites, delete autofill entries not used often, and clear out the downloads folder periodically. With good browser hygiene, stay focused on current tasks.
Why is my phone link not working?
Make sure the Phone Link app on your PC is closed, then do the following: For some Android devices, your Battery Optimization settings may interrupt your connection. We recommend turning it off for the Link to Windows app on your Android device. Some apps may be interfering with making calls. What does this mean?
How do I connect a Bluetooth device to Windows 10?
In the “Add a device” window, click or tap on the first option: Bluetooth. TIP: The “Add a device” wizard is used for connecting all types of Bluetooth devices to your Windows 10 laptop, PC, or tablet.
Does Windows 10 have a Phone Companion?
Now you can seamlessly move your Skype chat from PC to phone (and back again) without having to halt the conversation. If you’re wondering how to get these set up, then Windows 10 has just the app for you: Phone Companion. Read on to discover how it helps get your phone and PC connected to each other.
Keep Improving Your Windows Skills
Ready to elevate your Windows proficiency even further? Our guide only scratches the surface of Windows capabilities- there’s always more to learn.
Stay updated on new OS features by enabling Windows Update. Consult Microsoft Support articles when you need help. Participate in Windows user forums to engage with the community and share your expertise.
From customization to shortcuts to browser tricks, applying these Windows techniques will boost your computing experience. What tips do you rely on? Share your favorite time-savers by leaving a comment below!
