Windows 11 Power Features: Winget, Task View & Version Management

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The Secret Windows Package Manager (Winget)

Linux users have had command-line package managers for years. Windows has one too — it’s just not advertised. It’s called winget, and it’s arguably more useful than Windows Update for keeping your software current.

Open an Admin Command Prompt

1. Press Win, type cmd
2. Select Run as administrator
3. Confirm the UAC prompt

Core Winget Commands

Command	What It Does
winget list	Lists all installed packages and available updates
winget upgrade	Shows only packages with updates available
winget upgrade --all	Downloads and installs all available updates

Note: The --upgrade --all command uses two dashes before all. On first run, you’ll be asked to agree to the source terms — type Y and press Enter.

Why Winget Beats Windows Update Alone

Windows Update only handles OS-level patches and Microsoft Store apps. Winget goes further — it updates third-party apps like FileZilla, Adobe Acrobat, VLC, and others you’ve downloaded from the internet. During the update process, some apps may prompt you to close them first. Keep an eye on the screen during the run — it can take several minutes depending on how many packages need updating.

Use both tools together: winget for apps, Windows Update for the OS.

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Working with Task View and Virtual Desktops

Task View lets you run multiple desktops simultaneously — each with its own set of open windows. It’s one of the best productivity features in Windows 11 that most people ignore.

Enable and Open Task View

• The Task View button sits on the taskbar (it looks like two overlapping rectangles)
• If it’s not visible: right-click the taskbar → Taskbar settings → toggle Task View on
• Open it with Win + Tab, or click the taskbar icon

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Win + Tab	Open Task View
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right	Switch between desktops
Win + Ctrl + D	Create a new desktop
Win + Ctrl + F4	Close current desktop

How to Organise Desktops

A practical setup might look like this:

• Desktop 1 — Email, web browsing, immediate tasks
• Desktop 2 — Writing or documentation
• Desktop 3 — Gaming or media

Apps on one desktop keep running when you switch to another — they don’t pause or close. To move a window between desktops, open Task View, right-click the window thumbnail, and select Move to → Desktop X. You can also drag windows directly from one desktop preview to another.

A few things worth knowing:

• Removing a desktop doesn’t close its apps — they shift to the nearest remaining desktop
• On multi-monitor setups, windows can only move between desktops on the same monitor
• After a crash or app restart, windows may land on the wrong desktop — Task View is the quickest way to sort them back out

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Checking and Upgrading Your Windows Version

Find Your Version Instantly

Press Win + R, type winver, press Enter. This shows your exact Windows 11 edition and build number — useful for troubleshooting and knowing which features are available.

Windows 11 Edition Comparison

Feature	Home	Pro	Enterprise

Feature	Home	Pro	Enterprise
BitLocker encryption	❌	✅	✅
Remote Desktop (host)	❌	✅	✅
Hyper-V (hypervisor)	❌	✅	✅
Group Policy Editor	❌	✅	✅
Windows Sandbox	❌	✅	✅
Advanced security features	❌	Partial	✅
Volume licensing	❌	❌	✅

Upgrade from Home to Pro

1. Press Win + I → System → Activation
2. Look for “Upgrade your edition of Windows”
3. Enter a Pro product key if you have one, or click through to the Microsoft Store to purchase

This is a paid, one-time upgrade — not a free Windows Update. Regular security and feature updates (like 24H2) are always free for any edition. The Home → Pro upgrade simply unlocks features that were never available in Home — it doesn’t reinstall Windows or affect your existing files.

If you’re managing multiple machines in a business, volume licensing through Microsoft is the more cost-effective route compared to buying individual retail keys.