If you are a Microsoft Windows user, you probably know that there are many shortcuts and features that can make your work easier and faster. But do you know all of them? In this blog post, I will introduce you to six useful features of Microsoft Windows 11 that will boost your productivity and save you time. Let’s take a look at what they are and how to use them.
1. Windows Dictation
Windows dictation has been powered by Microsoft Online Speech Technology, which allows you to use the voice typing feature in Microsoft Windows. You can speak into your microphone, and Windows will type what you say. This is very handy when you want to write an email, a document, or a message without using your keyboard. You can also use voice commands to format your text, such as “bold that” or “delete that”.
To start dictating, press Windows + H and a microphone icon will appear on the screen. To stop dictating, press Windows + H again or say “stop dictating”.
It is a useful tool for anyone looking to improve their productivity and reduce physical strain while using a computer. Its voice typing and formatting commands make it easy to create written content without relying solely on a keyboard, and its potential applications in education make it a valuable resource for students to enhance the learning process and help them write their essays or take notes during class.
2. Windows Clipboard
The Windows Clipboard History panel is the latest feature where you can see the items that you have copied or cut in the past. You can then paste any of them by clicking on them or using the arrow keys and enter. This is useful when you want to paste something that you copied earlier without overwriting your current clipboard content. You can also pin items to the clipboard history so they don’t get deleted when you restart your computer.
To enable this feature, go to Settings > System > Clipboard and turn on Clipboard History, or simply press the Windows + V shortcut command.
3. Text suggestion
This feature helps you type faster and more accurately by suggesting words as you type. You can see the suggestions above your keyboard and select them by tapping on them or using the spacebar. You can also use the up and down arrow keys to navigate through the suggestions and Enter to select them.
To enable this feature, go to Settings > Time and Languages > Typing and turn on Show text suggestions as I type.
4. Quick Assist
This feature allows you to get or give remote assistance to another Windows user. You can share your screen with someone else or view their screen and control their mouse and keyboard. This is useful when you need help with a problem or want to help someone else with theirs.
To use this feature, press Windows + CTRL + Q and select Get Help or Help Someone.
Quick Assist is very useful for technical support professionals or anyone who needs help troubleshooting a problem on their Windows device. You don’t need to install third-party software or pay for a subscription to use Quick Assist, as it is built-in tool since the Windows 10.
In summary, Quick Assist is a built-in feature in Windows 10 that allows users to give or receive remote assistance from another Windows user. It is a useful tool for troubleshooting problems and can save time and frustration. It is easy to use and does not require any third-party software or subscription.
However, a reliable internet connection is necessary for using this feature, as well as a Microsoft account.
5. Snipping Tool – Windows + Shift + S
Windows + Shift + S is a keyboard shortcut that allows you to capture a screenshot of any part of your screen. It is a useful feature that can help you save time and share information easily. Here are the steps to use it:
Press and hold Windows + Shift + S keys simultaneously until it becomes a dim overlay on your screen and a small toolbar at the top. You can choose one of the four options from the toolbar rectangular, freeform, window snip, or full screen. Now, click and drag your mouse to select the area you want to capture. You can also press Esc to cancel.
Once you release the mouse button the screenshot will be copied to the clipboard, and you will see a notification at the bottom right corner of your screen. Windows + Shift + S is a handy shortcut that can make your work easier and more efficient.
6. Search Feature in Task Manager
Task Manager has been around for decades and is an essential tool for managing processes and applications on Windows. It helps us see how much CPU, memory, disk, and network resources they are using and stop them if they are not responding or causing problems. You can also see the performance of your system and the details of your hardware.
However, finding specific processes or applications can be time-consuming, especially if you have many running at the same time. Fortunately, Windows 11 introduced a search feature in Task Manager, making it easier to find what you need quickly.
To use the search feature, simply open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting Task Manager, or in the traditional way by pressing CTRL + ALT + DELETE. To start the search process, just click the search box and type in the name, PID, or publisher that you are looking for. The search results will appear instantly, and you can select the process or application you want to manage. This feature can save you time and make it easier to manage your system efficiently.
Task Manager is a valuable tool for monitoring and managing system resources. With the addition of the search feature in Windows 11, it has become even more user-friendly and efficient.
In conclusion, these are some of the useful features of Microsoft Windows that will boost your productivity and make your work easier and faster. Whether you are a casual user or a power user, these features can help you get the most out of your computer and streamline your workflow. Try them out and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Image Credit: Image by Pixel perfect
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