7 Windows Settings We Recommend

Windows is packed with settings you may not be aware of, surprising hidden features that make it easier to do basic things like log into your PC or find the right emoji. While none of these settings are essential to using your PC, they can all make it a much friendlier experience for the minute or two it takes to change them.

By default, Windows has several of these settings disabled, and it doesn’t do much to encourage you to adjust them. I’ve picked seven handy Windows settings to change and a handful of bonus features you might not even know existed.

Speed ​​up how you log in to your PC

(Image credit: Future)

Despite what Windows suggests when you first set up a PC or laptop, you don’t need to use a password to log in. Windows offers a few options that make the login process much easier at the cost of some security. If that’s not a problem, you can skip the part where you have to enter your Outlook or Microsoft password every time you want to get back to your desktop.

I recommend using a pin or a set of four numbers to tap quickly before getting back into Windows.

1. To do this, go to Windows settings via click on the Windows icon bottom left of your screen and select the gear icon for Settings.
2. Once you are in the settings, press bills and then Login options in the left panel.
3. There are several options here, but Windows Hello PIN is what you want to choose. Click Add and then create a PIN and follow the installation process. If you need to change this in the future, you can do so through the login options.

Disable Sticky Keys

(Image credit: Future)

If you’re an experienced PC gamer, you’ve probably seen Sticky Keys before. It’s the Windows feature made for people who can’t hold Ctrl or Shift while pressing something else. It’s a handy feature, but if you don’t need it, it can get in the way. Games often require or encourage you to press keys like Shift multiple times in a row, which can cause the Sticky Keys prompt to appear and ask if you want to enable it.

1. To avoid that prompt appearing, scroll down and click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner of your screen and select the gear icon for Settings.
2. Select on the main page Ease of accessthen on the next page press the Keyboard option in the left panel.
3. below Using Sticky Keysturn the switch to the left to disable the function.

Turn on dark mode

(Image credit: Future)

Dark modes, well, darken applications and websites, and they feel essential these days, especially if you’re in a dark room where the light from a white screen can be dazzling.

Windows uses a light mode by default. You can change it so that everything on your PC obeys the dark mode code and respects your precious eyes.

1. Click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner of your screen and then select the gear icon for Settings.
2. On the Settings page, select Personalization and then Colors on the left side.
3. Once you are on the Colors page, change the dropdown under Choose your color to Dark.

Show hidden files and extensions

(Image credit: Future)

Windows doesn’t want you to see some of the vital folders on your PC. However, there are times when you need to do this, especially if you are involved in modding. The AppData folder is essential; it’s where a lot of game data is stored and where you often have to dig to troubleshoot your programs.

1. To remove the sheet of these files and extensions, select the Windows icon in the lower left corner, then press the paper icon to open Documents in Explorer.
2. At the top Explorer, select the View tab and then check both File name extensions and Hidden items.
3. Now you can enter your C: drive, select users, then view your Windows account name and the AppData folder.

Enable clipboard history

(Image credit: Future)

When you copy and paste things like text and links, Windows normally lets you paste only the most recent. There’s actually a name for where the stuff you copy is stored: the clipboard. In Windows 10 and 11, you can enable clipboard history to display a window of the last things you copied to make copy/paste extra convenient.

1. To enable clipboard history, press the Windows icon in the lower left corner of your screen and select the gear icon for Settings.
2. On the main page, click System and then select clipboard in the left panel.
3. Flip clipboard historyand to open the window for it, press the Windows key and V.

(Image credit: Future)

Windows likes to place suggestions for apps in your Start menu. It can clutter up your favorite list of apps and make it tedious to get what you want, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t press the Windows key and type the name of the program you want.

1. To disable Start menu suggestions, select the Windows icon in the lower left corner of your desktop and then select the gear icon to open Settings.
2. On the Settings page, press Personalization and then click Get started in the left panel.
3. In the list of switches, occasionally search for Show suggestions in Start and turn it off.

Enable Windows Built-in Blue Light Filter

(Image credit: Future)

Whether or not blue light from screens is seriously harmful to the human brain is unclear, but using features that give your screen warmer colors can be pleasing to your eyes after hours on your PC. Windows appears to have this function built in.

1. To enable the Windows Night Light feature, press the Windows icon in the lower left corner of your screen and select the gear icon for Settings.
2. On the Settings page, select System and then Display on the left panel.
3. At the top of the list of options, turn on Night light. You can also click on Night Light Settings and play around with the strength of the hue and the schedule for when it turns on.

Bonus: Hidden Windows Features

(Image credit: Future)

Windows has been around for a while and there are many features it doesn’t advertise that can save you time if you know them. Here are a few favorites:

• You can jump straight to your desktop with one button by pressing the vertical section at the bottom right of your taskbar.
• You can send emojis anytime by opening the Emoji Picker with the Windows key and the semicolon or semicolon key.
• You can take screenshots by pressing the Windows key, Shift and S at the same time.
• You can minimize all windows except the one you are focused on by holding down the top of an active window and shaking it with your mouse.
• You can see alt-tab and all your currently open windows by pressing the Windows key and Tab.