PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows 11 includes handy tools that are easy to overlook: clipboard history, window layouts, richer File Explorer views, Focus sessions and accessibility features. Try them with the shortcuts and settings paths below; only PowerToys requires a separate download.
At a glance: what to try first
| Feature | How to open it | What it helps with | Built in or optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clipboard history | Windows+V | Recover recently copied items | Built in; off by default |
| Snap layouts | Hover over Maximize or press Windows+Z | Arrange windows side by side | Built in |
| File Explorer visibility | View > Show | Reveal extensions and hidden items | Built in |
| Focus | Settings > System > Focus | Set up a timed focus session | Built in |
| Accessibility features | Settings > Accessibility | Adjust how you see, hear, and control Windows | Built in; availability may vary |
| PowerToys utilities | Install Microsoft PowerToys | Add tools such as custom zones and bulk renaming | Optional download |
Keep more than one copied item with Clipboard history
Windows normally gives you the latest item you copied. Clipboard history lets you revisit earlier copied items instead of immediately losing them to the next copy.
- Press Windows+V.
- If Windows prompts you to turn on clipboard history, accept the prompt.
- Alternatively, open Settings > System > Clipboard and turn on Clipboard history.
This feature is off by default. Treat the history as sensitive: copied text can include information you would not want someone else using your PC to see. Microsoft’s instructions describe how to enable the feature, not a security guarantee. Microsoft’s Clipboard in Windows guide.
Arrange open apps with Snap layouts
Snap layouts make it easier to place windows into a grid without manually dragging and resizing each one.
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- Hover over a window’s Maximize button, or press Windows+Z, to display the available layouts.
- Select a zone for the current window.
- Choose another open app from the Snap Assist suggestions to fill a remaining zone.
You can also snap a window with Windows+Left, Windows+Right, Windows+Up or Windows+Down. To review related options, open Settings > System > Multitasking. Layout choices and behavior can vary with screen size and Windows version. Microsoft’s Snap windows guide.
Make File Explorer show useful details
File Explorer’s View menu includes options that can make file types and less-visible files easier to identify.
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Show file extensions
In File Explorer, select View > Show > File name extensions. You’ll see suffixes such as .pdf and .jpg after file names, which can help distinguish formats with similar names.
Show hidden items
Select View > Show > Hidden items to display hidden files and folders. Hidden does not mean safe to change: avoid moving or deleting unfamiliar system or application files.
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Find older context-menu commands and pin folders
Right-click a file or folder and choose Show more options to see commands from the previous context-menu design. Some commands familiar from Windows 10 may not appear in the streamlined menu. To keep a frequently used folder nearby, right-click it and pin it to Quick access. Microsoft’s File Explorer guide.
Set up a Focus session around your work
Focus sessions let you choose a duration and control which interruptions or taskbar indicators accompany the session.
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- Open Settings > System > Focus.
- Set the session duration and select Start focus session.
- Choose whether the session should show a Clock timer, turn on Do not disturb, or hide taskbar badges and flashing.
These controls are adjustable; you do not have to use every option. Microsoft’s Focus guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Explore accessibility tools, whether or not you identify as disabled
Windows accessibility settings include tools for captions, voice control, screen reading, hearing, vision, mobility and focus. These can be useful for a range of situations, such as following speech in a noisy room or using voice input when typing is inconvenient.
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Open Settings > Accessibility to browse categories, or start with Microsoft’s Windows accessibility features directory. Options include Live captions and Voice access, but exact availability and requirements can depend on the feature, language, device and Windows release. Check the current feature-specific Microsoft guidance before relying on a particular language or compatibility detail.
Microsoft’s October 2022 overview described Live captions as able to caption microphone audio and Voice access as a way to control the PC and author text. That article is useful background, not confirmation of current rollout or requirements. Read Microsoft’s October 12, 2022 Windows tips.
Optional: add free tools with Microsoft PowerToys
PowerToys is a separate, free, open-source Microsoft utility suite—not a set of features already installed as part of Windows. Consider it if the built-in tools do not cover a workflow you need.
- FancyZones: create custom window layouts.
- Peek: preview files without opening them in a separate app.
- PowerRename: rename multiple files in a batch.
See the current utility list and installation information in Microsoft’s PowerToys documentation.
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