Windows 11 looks slick out of the box. But under the hood lie settings and tricks that most users never see. These tweaks can speed up your PC, boost privacy, and give you features Microsoft quietly buried. Read on for detailed steps and tips to transform your desktop experience.
1. Reveal the Full Context Menu
By default, Windows 11 hides advanced options behind a slim right-click menu. You can access classic commands whenever you need them.
- Hold Shift and right-click any file or folder. Then choose Show more options to open the full menu.
- To restore the classic menu permanently:
- Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID. - Create a new key named
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}. - Under that, create another key named
InprocServer32. - Double-click the
(Default)value, leave it blank, and click OK. - Sign out and back in. The full menu returns whenever you right-click.
2. Speed Up File Explorer
Recent files and folders can make Explorer slow. Disabling history clears that slowdown.
- Open File Explorer and click the three-dot menu on the toolbar.
- Choose Options.
- Under Privacy, uncheck Show recently used files in Quick access and Show frequently used folders.
- Click Clear next to Clear File Explorer history, then OK.
Explorer will open faster and use less memory on each launch.
3. Force True Dark Mode Everywhere
Windows 11 dark theme still leaves some dialogs bright. You can force dark mode across apps and system interfaces.
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Colors.
- Toggle on Force dark mode for web content.
- Download and install WindowBlinds (free version).
- In WindowBlinds, select a global dark skin.
Legacy apps, file dialogs, and even some installers will now render in true dark mode.
4. Stop Forced Restarts After Updates
Nothing kills focus like surprise reboots. You can delay auto-restart indefinitely.
- Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
- Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end-user experience.
- Double-click No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic update installations.
- Select Enabled, then OK.
Updates still install in the background. Your PC simply waits for you to restart.
5. Supercharge Clipboard History
Windows Clipboard can hold up to 25 items, but apps and rich content are limited. The free tool Ditto removes those limits.
- Press Windows + V to open the built-in Clipboard history.
- Pin your most used entries with the pin icon.
- Download Ditto from the Microsoft Store.
- Launch Ditto, and it will sync text, images, and files across PCs with an unlimited history.
Access Ditto by pressing your chosen hotkey (default Ctrl+`).
6. Customize the Taskbar Placement
Microsoft only lets you dock the taskbar at the bottom. Explorer Patcher brings back full control.
- Download Explorer Patcher from its GitHub page.
- Run the installer and restart Explorer.
- Right-click the taskbar and choose Properties.
- Under Taskbar location on screen, pick left, right, top, or bottom.
- Toggle options like showing seconds on the clock or hiding the Search icon.
Now your taskbar fits your workflow and screen layout.
7. Crank Up Game Mode
Windows Game Mode helps but isn’t aggressive by default. A quick registry tweak boosts resource allocation.
- Open PowerShell as administrator.
- Paste and run:
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\GameBar" /v StartupQos /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f- Restart your PC.
Game Mode will now reserve extra CPU and GPU power for active games, reducing stutters.
8. Install on Unsupported PCs
Older hardware may fail Windows 11’s TPM and Secure Boot checks. You can bypass them safely during setup.
- Create a USB installer with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
- Boot from the USB, and at the first setup screen press Shift + F10.
- In the Command Prompt window, run:
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassTPMCheck /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassSecureBootCheck /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f- Close the window and continue installation.
After setup, re-enable Secure Boot and virtualization in your BIOS for security.
These in-depth tweaks let you harness hidden Windows 11 features. Back up your data before diving in. With a little registry editing and third-party tools, you’ll gain speed, control, and customization beyond what Microsoft shows you.
Unlock Windows 11’s Hidden Power: In-Depth Secrets and Tweaks
Windows 11 looks slick out of the box. But under the hood lie settings and tricks that most users never see. These tweaks can speed up your PC, boost privacy, and give you features Microsoft quietly buried. Read on for detailed steps and tips to transform your desktop experience.
1. Reveal the Full Context Menu
By default, Windows 11 hides advanced options behind a slim right-click menu. You can access classic commands whenever you need them.
- Hold Shift and right-click any file or folder. Then choose Show more options to open the full menu.
- To restore the classic menu permanently:
- Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID. - Create a new key named
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}. - Under that, create another key named
InprocServer32. - Double-click the
(Default)value, leave it blank, and click OK. - Sign out and back in. The full menu returns whenever you right-click.
2. Speed Up File Explorer
Recent files and folders can make Explorer slow. Disabling history clears that slowdown.
- Open File Explorer and click the three-dot menu on the toolbar.
- Choose Options.
- Under Privacy, uncheck Show recently used files in Quick access and Show frequently used folders.
- Click Clear next to Clear File Explorer history, then OK.
Explorer will open faster and use less memory on each launch.
3. Force True Dark Mode Everywhere
Windows 11 dark theme still leaves some dialogs bright. You can force dark mode across apps and system interfaces.
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Colors.
- Toggle on Force dark mode for web content.
- Download and install WindowBlinds (free version).
- In WindowBlinds, select a global dark skin.
Legacy apps, file dialogs, and even some installers will now render in true dark mode.
4. Stop Forced Restarts After Updates
Nothing kills focus like surprise reboots. You can delay auto-restart indefinitely.
- Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
- Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end-user experience.
- Double-click No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automatic update installations.
- Select Enabled, then OK.
Updates still install in the background. Your PC simply waits for you to restart.
5. Supercharge Clipboard History
Windows Clipboard can hold up to 25 items, but apps and rich content are limited. The free tool Ditto removes those limits.
- Press Windows + V to open the built-in Clipboard history.
- Pin your most used entries with the pin icon.
- Download Ditto from the Microsoft Store.
- Launch Ditto, and it will sync text, images, and files across PCs with an unlimited history.
Access Ditto by pressing your chosen hotkey (default Ctrl+`).
6. Customize the Taskbar Placement
Microsoft only lets you dock the taskbar at the bottom. Explorer Patcher brings back full control.
- Download Explorer Patcher from its GitHub page.
- Run the installer and restart Explorer.
- Right-click the taskbar and choose Properties.
- Under Taskbar location on screen, pick left, right, top, or bottom.
- Toggle options like showing seconds on the clock or hiding the Search icon.
Now your taskbar fits your workflow and screen layout.
7. Crank Up Game Mode
Windows Game Mode helps but isn’t aggressive by default. A quick registry tweak boosts resource allocation.
- Open PowerShell as administrator.
- Paste and run: powershell
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\GameBar" /v StartupQos /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f - Restart your PC.
Game Mode will now reserve extra CPU and GPU power for active games, reducing stutters.
8. Install on Unsupported PCs
Older hardware may fail Windows 11’s TPM and Secure Boot checks. You can bypass them safely during setup.
- Create a USB installer with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
- Boot from the USB, and at the first setup screen press Shift + F10.
- In the Command Prompt window, run: text
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassTPMCheck /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\LabConfig /v BypassSecureBootCheck /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f - Close the window and continue installation.
After setup, re-enable Secure Boot and virtualization in your BIOS for security.
These in-depth tweaks let you harness hidden Windows 11 features. Back up your data before diving in. With a little registry editing and third-party tools, you’ll gain speed, control, and customization beyond what Microsoft shows you.
