the top tips and tricks for Windows 11 power users:

the top tips and tricks for Windows 11 power users:

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Windows 11 Power User Tips πŸ’»βš‘

Looking to get the absolute most out of your operating system? Here are the best tips, tricks, and hidden hacks to optimize your Windows 11 experience and massively boost your productivity.

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1. Realign the Start Button

The Start button has been moved to the center of the taskbar in Windows 11. If you prefer the traditional left-aligned position, simply right-click the taskbar, open Taskbar Settings, and change Taskbar Alignment to Left.

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2. Use Dev Drive for Speed

Want to speed up access to your storage drives? Setting up a Dev Drive using the ReFS file system can significantly increase performance. Ensure you have at least 8GB of RAM and 50GB of free storage space.

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3. Customize Quick Settings

Windows 11 separates Quick Settings from notifications. Click the area of the taskbar with the Wi-Fi, speaker, and battery icons to open a menu that lets you instantly control Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, airplane mode, and battery-saver mode.

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4. Night Light Schedule

If you use your PC for long hours, the Night Light feature reduces eye strain by adjusting the screen's color temperature to filter out blue light. Go to Settings > System > Display and enable Night Light Schedule.

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5. Bypass Microsoft Account

Microsoft makes it difficult to use Windows 11 without an MS account. You can bypass this during setup by using SHIFT + F10 to open the command line and entering: oobe\bypassnro
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6. Force Quit Hung Programs

Task Manager failing you? If a program is unresponsive, press SHIFT + F10 (or open Command Prompt as admin) and type this to instantly kill the task: taskkill /f /im [programname].exe
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7. Prevent Bloatware

To avoid bloatware during new installations of Windows 11, use the Rufus tool to create a custom installation USB. This allows you to select only the necessary components and skip unwanted pre-installed apps.

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8. Generate with Copilot

Microsoft Copilot can help you write code, summarize web pages, and even create images directly from your desktop. Access it by clicking the colorful, swirly icon on the right end of the taskbar or typing Windows Key + C.

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9. Master the Action Center

The Action Center in Windows 11 is now dedicated solely to notifications (accessed by clicking the date/time), while Quick Settings are separate. This separation makes it dramatically easier to manage your settings and notifications efficiently without clutter.

These hidden tricks can help you make the most out of Windows 11, enhancing your overall workflow and removing daily friction.

Do you have any favorite features or terminal tricks that you use regularly? Let us know!

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