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Maximize Your Windows 11: 22 Essential Settings for a Better Experience

Windows 11 offers a multitude of options to customize your experience. At KEYS GALAXY, we understand the importance of a streamlined, efficient operating system. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide, highlighting key settings to enhance your workflow. We specialize in providing original software license keys with rapid digital delivery. In this guide, learn to configure your system like a pro!

Windows 11 settings(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Many users find that the default settings on a new Windows 11 installation don’t fully meet their needs. This guide covers several areas where you can make significant improvements, from the Start Menu to the File Explorer, ensuring that your system works the way you want it to.

Essential Windows 11 Settings to Change

Let’s explore the key areas where adjustments can make a big difference:

Customizing the Start Menu

The Start Menu is your gateway to Windows. Here’s how to optimize it:

• Show More Pins: Increase the number of pinned apps over recommendations for quicker access.
• Add Folder Shortcuts: Add quick links to Settings, File Explorer, and Downloads next to the power button.
• Disable Account Notifications: Prevent unwanted account notifications from appearing in the Start Menu.
• Disable App Recommendations: Turn off promotional recommendations from the Microsoft Store.

How to Adjust Start Menu Settings

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. Click the Start page.
4. Adjust the desired options like “More pins”, folder shortcuts, and disabling notifications.

Start settings (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Tweaking the Taskbar

The Taskbar is a crucial part of your daily interactions. Here’s how to customize it:

• Change Icon Alignment: Move the Start button and icons to the left for a traditional feel.
• Remove Widgets and Search Icons: Hide these from the Taskbar to reduce clutter.
• Disable Badge Notifications: Stop app badges from showing unread messages.

How to Tweak Taskbar Settings

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. Click the Taskbar page.
4. Adjust the alignment, hide icons and disable badges as needed.

Taskbar search (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Configuring Widgets and Notifications

Take control of widgets and notifications:

• Disable News Feed: Clean up the Widgets board by removing the news feed.
• Enable Do Not Disturb: Reduce notification distractions by suppressing toast notifications.

How to Configure Widgets & Notifications

1. For Widgets, open the Widgets board (Windows key + W), and click on settings to disable the news feed.
2. For notifications, open Settings, click on System and then Notifications to turn on “Do not disturb.”

Open Notifications (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Time and Date Settings

Ensure accurate timekeeping:

• Enable Automatic Time and Zone: Let Windows automatically adjust the time zone, clock, and date.

How to Enable Automatic Time Settings

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Time & language.
3. Click Date & time, then toggle the options to enable automatic time and zone settings.

Windows 11 Time & date (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Apps and Startup Programs

Take control of your apps:

• Set Default Apps: Choose the programs you want to open specific file types with.
• Control Startup Apps: Disable programs that you don’t need running at startup to improve performance.

How to Manage Apps

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click Default apps to change defaults or Startup to control startup programs.

Default apps settings (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Display Configurations

Optimize your display:

• Change Screen Scaling: Adjust the display scale to improve readability.
• Change Refresh Rate: Set the correct refresh rate for a smoother visual experience.
• Enable Night Light: Reduce blue light emissions to lessen eye strain.

How to Optimize Display

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click Display and adjust the scaling, refresh rate, and night light options as needed.

Windows 11 Display settings (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Privacy Settings

Protect your privacy:

• Disable Find My Device: Stop storing location data on Microsoft servers.
• Disable Settings Notifications: Reduce distractions within the Settings app.

How to Adjust Privacy Settings

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy & security.
3. Click on Find my device and disable it. Then, click on General and disable the notifications.

Find my device (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Connecting Your Phone

Integrate your mobile device:

• Phone Link: Connect your Android phone to access photos, messages, and more.
• Mobile Devices: Access your phone storage and use your phone camera as a wireless webcam.

How to Connect Your Phone

1. For Phone Link, use the app on your phone and follow the on-screen prompts.
2. For Mobile Devices, go to Settings, click Bluetooth & devices, then Mobile devices and enable the connection.

Phone Link app Android option (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

File Explorer

Customize File Explorer for better navigation:

• Change Startup Page: Set the default page to “This PC”.
• Show File Extensions: Display file extensions for better file identification.

How to Optimize File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click the three dots and choose Options to set the default page.
3. Click View, then Show and enable File name extensions.

File Explorer Options (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Mouse and Cursor Settings

Customize your mouse appearance:

• Change Mouse Pointer Style: Customize the color and style of your mouse pointer.

How to Customize Mouse Pointer

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accessibility.
3. Click Mouse pointer and touch to choose a custom pointer style.

Mouse pointer and touch (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

By adjusting these settings, you can optimize your Windows 11 experience to suit your preferences and requirements. At KEYS GALAXY, we want you to have the best possible experience with your software and hardware.

For more information and support, visit KEYS GALAXY.

Disclaimer: This article includes general advice. For specific issues, consult official resources at Microsoft.

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