Windows 10: The Best Hidden Features, Tips, and Tricks
Microsoft marked a turning point for Windows 10 with the Creators Update; while there were no earth-shattering upgrades included, it’s feeling much more like a mature OS version, particularly with its new privacy controls, Game Mode, and upgraded Edge browser.
Let’s take a look at some of the best hidden features, tips, and tricks in the operating system. Windows 10 combines the best of Windows 8 — super-fast startup, improved security — with much of what made Windows 7 familiar and easy to use, and without trying to force you to buy a touch screen or learn a whole set of hidden UI gestures. The Creators Update only makes it that much sweeter.
And if you’re a computer nut like me, tweaking the OS is always the fun part. Discovering and implementing power user tips are my favorite part of getting a major new version of an OS. I still remember back when DOS 5.0 came out, and I was running DOS 3.3, and I got to try all these new things to optimize my 286. And when I upgraded from Windows/286 to Windows 3.0, I felt like my life had changed. (We’ve come a long way.) Nostalgia aside, here’s what you need to know to amp up your Windows 10 install and take it to the next level.
Windows 10 Game Mode
Windows 10's new Game Mode lets you boost performance by reallocating system resources toward whatever you're playing. In fact, there's a whole new Gaming panel in Settings that gives you quick control of the Game DVR and the Game Bar (triggered with Windows key-G). You can also broadcast games to your audience with sub-second latency using Beam.
Configure privacy settings
Microsoft has finally come clean with privacy settings in the Creators Update. When you're first setting up Windows 10, make sure to select a Custom install so you can modify the privacy settings, instead of going with the Express install. (If you already installed it, no worries; you can fix it all in Settings using the above link as a guide). While Windows 10 was free for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users, it's not a free product in and of itself -- so there's no reason to share your personal information when it's not required.
Set up GodMode
The awesomely named GodMode brings up a special menu that puts lots of settings together in one place. To enable it, create a new folder anywhere on your root drive and rename it GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}. It will create a special icon that when you click on it shows you a beautiful advanced control panel.
Windows Activation
Clean Installs
Task view and virtual desktops
Make the desktop more stylish
Bash shell
Print to PDF
Schedule Windows updates
Run it in a virtual machine
Windows Explorer Home tab and Quick Access
Customize the Start Menu
Command prompt tweaks
Battery saver
Background scrolling
Keyboard shortcuts
- Windows Key-Tab (Task View)
- Windows Key-Right-Up (Moves app to top right quadrant)
- Windows Key-Ctrl-Left or Right (virtual desktop)
- Windows Key-Ctrl-D (new virtual desktop)
- Windows Key-Ctrl-C (Cortana listening)
- Windows Key-S (Daily Glance for weather, news, sports)
- Windows Key-Ctrl-F4 (closes virtual desktop)
- Windows Key-Up and Down (snap apps to top or bottom of screen or maximizes)
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