I thought I knew Windows inside out. But then I found a few features hiding in plain sight—features that actually make a real difference. If you’ve been using Windows for years, you might have missed some of these too. These tools aren’t just cool tricks—they help you work faster, stay focused, and protect your privacy. Let’s dive in.
1. Make Use of Dynamic Lock
Ever wish your PC could lock itself when you walk away? That’s exactly what Dynamic Lock does. It’s a handy security feature built right into Windows.
Here’s how it works: When you pair your smartphone with your PC using Bluetooth, Windows monitors the connection. If your phone moves out of range, the connection weakens. That’s Windows’ cue to lock your screen automatically—there’s no need to press any buttons.
To turn this on:
- First, turn on Bluetooth on your PC and phone.
- Pair them like you would to share files.
- Then go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-In Options.
- Scroll to Dynamic Lock and check the box that says “Allow Windows to lock your device automatically when you’re away.”
Now, when you walk away with your phone in your pocket, your PC will lock itself after about 30 seconds. It’s a simple way to keep your stuff safe when you step away.
2. Schedule Do Not Disturb Mode
We all get distracted by notifications—emails, apps, messages popping up when we’re trying to focus. You probably know about Do Not Disturb mode already. But did you know you can set it to turn on and off by itself?
That means no more remembering to toggle it before a meeting or turning it off later.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Open Settings > System > Notifications > Do Not Disturb.
- Expand Turn on do not disturb automatically.
- Turn on During These Times, then set your start and end hours.
- You can also pick which days it repeats—like weekdays only.
Below that, you’ll see Set Priority Notifications. This lets you choose which apps or people can still send alerts, even when Do Not Disturb is active.
Set it once, and it’ll work quietly in the background. You’ll stay focused when you need to, without missing anything important.
3. Customize Notification Sounds
Windows has built-in sounds for almost everything—low battery, email, error messages, and more. But let’s face it, some of those pings get annoying. The good news? You can change them.
You can use something subtle, something fun, or even a sound file you downloaded.
Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > System > Sound.
- Scroll down and click More Sound Settings.
- In the new window, switch to the Sounds tab.
- Pick a system event from the list—like “Notification” or “Battery Low.”
- Choose a new sound from the dropdown menu or click Browse to add your own.
- Use the Test button to hear how it sounds.
- Click Apply, then OK to save it.
This is a small change, but it makes using your PC more personal—and sometimes less stressful.
4. Force Apps to Use Your Dedicated GPU
Ever wonder why some games or design apps don’t run as smoothly as they should, even though your PC has a good graphics card? That’s often because Windows makes them use the weaker, built-in graphics chip instead of your dedicated GPU.
Thankfully, you can fix that.
Here’s how:
- Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
- Click Browse and find the app you want to boost.
- Once it’s added to the list, click it and hit Options.
- Choose High Performance, then save.
You can do this for as many apps as you like. It tells Windows to use your dedicated GPU every time. Keep in mind—using the more powerful GPU uses more battery, so if you’re on a laptop, it’s something to watch.
5. Shake a Window to Minimize the Rest
Got too many windows open? It happens to all of us. There’s a fun little trick that can clean up your desktop in seconds. It’s called Shake to Minimize.
To use it:
- Click and hold the title bar of the window you want to keep.
- Give it a little shake.
- All other windows will minimize instantly.
Want them back? Shake the window again, and everything returns.
To turn this feature on:
- Go to Settings > System > Multitasking.
- Make sure Title Bar Window Shake is enabled.
It’s a quick way to focus on one task without hunting for the minimize button on every single window.
6. Use Clipboard History
Copy and paste is something we do all the time. But what if you could copy a bunch of things and choose from a list later? That’s what Clipboard History lets you do.
You can store up to 25 copied items and paste any of them whenever you want.
To turn it on:
- Press Windows + V.
- Click Turn on when prompted.
From now on, when you press Windows + V, you’ll see a list of your copied text, links, or images. Just click the one you want to paste.
It’s super useful for anyone working with notes, links, or code.
7. Use Storage Sense to Free Up Space
Running low on disk space? Instead of deleting files one by one, use Storage Sense to clean things up automatically.
It deletes temp files, clears the recycle bin, and removes old versions of Windows updates.
To turn it on:
- Go to Settings > System > Storage.
- Toggle on Storage Sense.
- Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now to customize how it works.
You can schedule it to run daily, weekly, or monthly. Set it once, and it helps keep your PC light and fast.
Try These Hidden Windows Features
Windows is full of hidden gems. Features like Dynamic Lock, Do Not Disturb scheduling, and GPU preferences aren’t just fancy tricks—they’re tools that make your PC smarter and your life easier.
Whether you want to protect your privacy, cut distractions, or get better performance from your apps, there’s something here for you. Best of all, most of these tools are already on your device. You just need to turn them on.
Try a few today. You might wonder how you ever lived without them.
