Mahedee Hasan

Mahedee Hasan

I am a Microsoft MVP (11th times), programmer, software developer, software architect, consultant, author, researcher, technical blogger, technical speaker, trainer and learner. I have more than 17 years experience in the field of software design and development.

Essential Windows Tips and Tricks: Boost Your Productivity

8 minute read

Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, mastering Windows tips and tricks can significantly improve your productivity and computing experience. This comprehensive guide covers essential shortcuts, hidden features, and optimization techniques that every Windows user should know.

1. Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

File Management Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
Win + E Open File Explorer
Ctrl + N New folder/file
Ctrl + Shift + N Create new folder
F2 Rename selected file/folder
F5 Refresh current view
Alt + Up Arrow Go up one level
Alt + Left Arrow Go back
Alt + Right Arrow Go forward
Ctrl + Shift + E Expand all folders in tree view
Ctrl + Mouse Wheel Change icon size

Window Management

Shortcut Action
Win + D Show/hide desktop
Win + M Minimize all windows
Win + Shift + M Restore minimized windows
Alt + Tab Switch between open applications
Win + Tab Task view (virtual desktops)
Win + L Lock computer
Win + Left/Right Arrow Snap window to side
Win + Up Arrow Maximize window
Win + Down Arrow Minimize/restore window
Win + Shift + Left/Right Move window to another monitor

System and Applications

Shortcut Action
Win + R Open Run dialog
Win + X Quick admin menu
Win + I Open Settings
Win + A Open Action Center
Win + S Open Search
Win + K Quick connect (wireless displays)
Win + P Project to second screen
Win + U Open Ease of Access Center
Win + Plus/Minus Zoom in/out (Magnifier)
Win + Ctrl + D Create new virtual desktop

2. Advanced Keyboard Shortcuts

Text Editing and Selection

Ctrl + A          Select all
Ctrl + C          Copy
Ctrl + X          Cut  
Ctrl + V          Paste
Ctrl + Z          Undo
Ctrl + Y          Redo
Ctrl + F          Find
Ctrl + H          Find and replace
Ctrl + Home       Go to beginning
Ctrl + End        Go to end
Shift + Arrow     Select text
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow  Select word by word
Ctrl + Backspace Delete word to left
Ctrl + Delete    Delete word to right

Browser Shortcuts (Works in most browsers)

Ctrl + T          New tab
Ctrl + Shift + T  Reopen closed tab
Ctrl + W          Close tab
Ctrl + Shift + N  New incognito/private window
Ctrl + F5         Hard refresh (clear cache)
Ctrl + D          Bookmark page
Ctrl + Shift + Delete  Clear browsing data
F11               Fullscreen mode
F12               Developer tools

3. Hidden Windows Features

Secret Start Menu Options

Right-click on Start Button (Win + X):

  • Device Manager
  • Event Viewer
  • System
  • Disk Management
  • Computer Management
  • PowerShell (Admin)
  • Task Manager
  • Settings
  • File Explorer
  • Search
  • Run

God Mode

Create a folder with this exact name:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

This creates a control panel with access to all Windows settings in one place.

Quick Access to System Tools

Command What it opens
msconfig System Configuration
msinfo32 System Information
dxdiag DirectX Diagnostics
eventvwr Event Viewer
perfmon Performance Monitor
resmon Resource Monitor
services.msc Services
gpedit.msc Group Policy Editor (Pro versions)
regedit Registry Editor
compmgmt.msc Computer Management

4. File Explorer Power Tips

Quick Navigation Tricks

  1. Address Bar Navigation:
    • Type folder paths directly
    • Use .. to go up one level
    • Type cmd in address bar to open Command Prompt in that location
    • Type powershell to open PowerShell in that location
  2. Quick Access Customization:
    • Pin frequently used folders
    • Remove unwanted items
    • Drag folders directly to Quick Access
  3. Library Management:
    • Create custom libraries
    • Include multiple folder locations
    • Access via Win + R → shell:libraries

Advanced File Operations

Shift + Delete       Permanently delete (bypass Recycle Bin)
Ctrl + Shift + Drag Copy files (instead of move)
Alt + Drag          Create shortcut
F3                  Search in current folder
Ctrl + E            Select search box
Ctrl + F            Search

5. Taskbar and Start Menu Customization

Taskbar Tips

  1. Pin Applications:
    • Drag applications to taskbar
    • Right-click app → “Pin to taskbar”
  2. Taskbar Positioning:
    • Right-click taskbar → Lock taskbar (toggle)
    • Drag taskbar to different screen edges
    • Settings → Personalization → Taskbar
  3. System Tray Management:
    • Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Select which icons appear
    • Hide/show clock, volume, network, power icons

Start Menu Optimization

  1. Live Tiles Management:
    • Right-click tiles to resize, unpin, or turn off live updates
    • Drag tiles to rearrange
    • Create tile groups
  2. Start Menu Customization:
    • Settings → Personalization → Start
    • Choose which folders appear
    • Toggle suggestions and recently added apps

6. Performance and Optimization Tips

Speed Up Windows Startup

  1. Disable Startup Programs: 
    Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Startup tab

    Disable unnecessary programs

  2. Fast Startup:
    • Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what power buttons do
    • Enable “Turn on fast startup”
  3. System Configuration: 
    Win + R → msconfig
    • Boot tab → Advanced options → Number of processors
    • Services tab → Hide all Microsoft services → Disable selected

Disk Cleanup and Maintenance

Win + R → cleanmgr     Disk Cleanup utility
Win + R → dfrgui       Disk Defragmenter

Storage Sense (Automatic cleanup):

  • Settings → System → Storage → Storage Sense
  • Configure automatic cleanup of temporary files

Memory and CPU Optimization

  1. Task Manager Analysis: 
    Ctrl + Shift + Esc
    • Performance tab for real-time monitoring
    • Details tab for specific process information
  2. Resource Monitor: 
    Win + R → resmon
    • Detailed CPU, memory, disk, and network usage

7. Security and Privacy Tips

Windows Security Features

  1. Windows Defender:
    • Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security
    • Virus & threat protection
    • Firewall & network protection
    • Device security
  2. User Account Control (UAC):
    • Control Panel → User Accounts → Change User Account Control settings
    • Balance security and usability

Privacy Settings

  1. Privacy Dashboard:
    • Settings → Privacy & security
    • Review app permissions
    • Control diagnostic data
    • Manage activity history
  2. Location Services:
    • Settings → Privacy & security → Location
    • Turn off for apps that don’t need it

8. Network and Internet Tips

Wi-Fi Management

Win + A → Network tile   Quick network settings
Win + I → Network & Internet   Full network settings

Useful Commands:

ipconfig /all           Show all network configuration
ipconfig /flushdns      Clear DNS cache
netsh wlan show profiles   Show saved Wi-Fi networks
ping google.com         Test internet connectivity

Network Troubleshooting

  1. Network Reset:
    • Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network reset
  2. Network Adapter Reset: 
    netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset

9. Useful Run Commands

Press Win + R and type these commands:

Command Opens
. User profile folder
.. Parent directory
%temp% Temp folder
%appdata% Application data folder
%programfiles% Program Files folder
shell:startup Startup folder
shell:sendto Send To folder
shell:recent Recent items
shell:downloads Downloads folder
shell:desktop Desktop folder

10. Accessibility and Ease of Use

Accessibility Shortcuts

Shortcut Function
Win + Plus/Minus Magnifier zoom
Win + Ctrl + Enter Start Narrator
Win + U Ease of Access Center
Alt + Shift + Print Screen High Contrast toggle
Shift (5 times) Sticky Keys
Num Lock (5 seconds) Toggle Keys
Win + Ctrl + C Color filters

Display and Vision

  1. Display Settings:
    • Settings → System → Display
    • Scaling and layout
    • Multiple display configuration
  2. Night Light:
    • Settings → System → Display → Night light
    • Reduce blue light during evening hours

11. Power User Tips

Virtual Desktops

Win + Tab               Task View
Win + Ctrl + D          Create new desktop
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Switch between desktops
Win + Ctrl + F4         Close current desktop

Clipboard History

Win + V                 Open clipboard history

Enable in Settings → System → Clipboard

Focus Assist

Win + U → Focus assist
  • Alarms only
  • Priority only
  • Off

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

For developers:

wsl --install           Install WSL
wsl --list --online     List available distributions

12. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

System File Checker

sfc /scannow           Scan and repair system files
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth   Repair Windows image

Windows Update Management

Win + I → Update & Security → Windows Update

Advanced options:

  • Pause updates
  • Schedule restart
  • Delivery optimization settings

System Restore

Win + R → rstrui       System Restore
Win + R → sysdm.cpl    System Properties (configure restore points)

13. Productivity Enhancements

Snipping Tool and Screenshots

Win + Shift + S        Screenshot with selection
Print Screen           Full screen to clipboard
Alt + Print Screen     Active window to clipboard
Win + Print Screen     Save to Pictures folder

Calculator Modes

Win + R → calc
  • Standard
  • Scientific
  • Programmer
  • Date calculation
  • Currency/unit converter

Windows Terminal (Modern command line)

Win + X → Windows Terminal
  • Multiple tab support
  • PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL
  • Customizable themes and profiles

14. File Association and Default Programs

Change Default Programs

  1. Settings Method:
    • Settings → Apps → Default apps
  2. Control Panel Method:
    • Control Panel → Programs → Default Programs
  3. Right-click Method:
    • Right-click file → Open with → Choose another app → Always use this app

File Association Reset

assoc .txt=txtfile     Reset .txt file association
ftype txtfile=notepad.exe %1   Set default program for text files

15. Advanced System Information

System Information Commands

Win + R → msinfo32     System Information
Win + R → winver       Windows version info
Win + Pause           System properties (legacy)

Command Line System Info

systeminfo             Detailed system configuration
wmic computersystem get model,name,manufacturer   Hardware info
wmic bios get serialnumber   BIOS serial number

Pro Tips Summary

  1. Learn Progressive Enhancement: Start with basic shortcuts, gradually add advanced ones
  2. Customize Your Workflow: Set up Quick Access, taskbar, and Start menu for your needs
  3. Regular Maintenance: Use built-in tools for cleanup and optimization
  4. Stay Updated: Keep Windows updated for security and new features
  5. Backup Important Data: Use File History or cloud storage
  6. Use Multiple Desktops: Organize different types of work
  7. Master the Run Dialog: Quick access to any program or setting
  8. Enable Clipboard History: Never lose copied content again
  9. Optimize Startup: Only start programs you actually need
  10. Learn PowerShell Basics: Powerful automation possibilities

Troubleshooting Quick Reference

Common Issues and Solutions

Problem Solution
Slow startup Check startup programs, run disk cleanup
High CPU usage Check Task Manager, identify resource-heavy processes
Network connectivity Reset network adapter, flush DNS
Windows Update issues Run Windows Update troubleshooter
File associations broken Reset default programs
Taskbar not responding Restart Windows Explorer process
Start menu not working PowerShell: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers \| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Conclusion

These Windows tips and tricks represent years of accumulated knowledge from power users and system administrators. While you don’t need to memorize every shortcut, focusing on the ones most relevant to your workflow can dramatically improve your productivity.

Start with the basic keyboard shortcuts and window management techniques, then gradually incorporate more advanced features like virtual desktops, command-line tools, and system optimization. Remember that the best tip is the one you’ll actually use consistently.

Keep this guide handy as a reference, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different features to find what works best for your specific needs. Windows is a powerful operating system with many hidden capabilities—these tips will help you unlock its full potential.

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