Windows 10 Tips Tricks Suggestions

Windows 10 is still widely used, and these tips and tricks will help you speed up everyday tasks, fix common annoyances, and get more from the operating system. From hidden power-user menus to built-in tools you may have ignored, here are practical suggestions you can apply right now.

Start Menu and Taskbar Power Moves

The Start menu and taskbar are where you spend most of your time, so small changes there pay off. Right-click the Start button (or press Win + X) to open the Quick Link menu with direct access to Device Manager, Disk Management, Power Options, and the Task Manager. This menu is one of the most underused Windows 10 features.

Pin folders to Quick Access: In File Explorer, right-click a folder and choose “Pin to Quick access” to keep frequent folders at the top of the sidebar.
Use Start tiles sparingly: Too many live tiles slow down the Start menu. Right-click a tile and unpin anything you don’t check daily.
Taskbar search: Press Win + S to type any app, file, or setting. You can also search for “settings” to jump directly to a specific settings page.
Show more taskbar icons: Drag the taskbar’s top edge upward to make it taller, or right-click the taskbar, choose “Taskbar settings,” and toggle “Use small taskbar buttons” off for larger icons.

For a cleaner desktop, press Win + D to show the desktop, and Win + Tab to see all open windows and virtual desktops. You can create a new virtual desktop with Win + Ctrl + D and switch with Win + Ctrl + Left/Right arrow.

Keyboard Shortcuts That Save Time

Windows 10 has dozens of shortcuts, but these are the ones that most people forget and use daily once they know them:

Win + V: Opens the clipboard history. Copy multiple items and paste them later. You must enable it the first time by clicking “Turn on.”
Win + . (period): Opens the emoji picker, which also includes symbols and GIFs.
Win + Shift + S: Opens the snipping tool for a custom screenshot. The image is copied to the clipboard, and you can paste it directly.
Win + L: Locks your PC instantly. Use this when you step away.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Opens Task Manager directly, skipping the Ctrl + Alt + Del screen.
Win + Arrow keys: Snap a window to half the screen, or maximize with Win + Up.

You can also create your own shortcuts: right-click a desktop shortcut, choose Properties, and set a “Shortcut key” like Ctrl + Alt + N. This works for any app you launch from a desktop shortcut.

Built-in Tools You Should Actually Use

Windows 10 includes several tools that replace third-party utilities. Using them keeps your system lighter and reduces security risks from unneeded software.

Storage Sense: Go to Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense. It automatically deletes temporary files and empties the Recycle Bin on a schedule.
Disk Cleanup: Type “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu. Select the drive, click “Clean up system files,” and remove old Windows updates and temporary files.
Windows Security: The built-in antivirus (Windows Defender) is adequate for most home users. Keep it updated and run a full scan monthly.
PowerShell: For advanced users, right-click Start and choose “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” to run commands like sfc /scannow to repair system files.
Problem Steps Recorder: Type “Steps Recorder” in Start. It records your clicks and screenshots to show a support person exactly what you did.

Another hidden gem is the God Mode folder. Create a new folder anywhere, name it GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}, and press Enter. The folder becomes a single page with every Windows setting and control panel option. This is a real, safe trick that works on all Windows 10 versions.

Speeding Up a Slow Windows 10 PC

If your PC feels sluggish, try these steps in order, from safest to more involved:

Restart your PC. Windows 10’s “Fast Startup” can leave drivers in a bad state. A full restart (not shutdown) clears that.
Disable startup programs. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to the Startup tab, and disable anything you don’t need at boot (like updaters for apps you rarely use).
Check for updates. Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Install all pending updates, then restart.
Run Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense as described above to free space.
Adjust visual effects. Type “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” in Start, choose “Adjust for best performance,” and apply. This disables animations and shadows, which helps older hardware.
If it’s still slow, consider a clean install. Back up your files, then use Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC. Choose “Remove everything” for a fresh start.

One common misconception is that “shutting down” every night speeds up your PC. With Fast Startup enabled (the default), shutdown is actually a hybrid hibernate. Only a restart fully reloads the kernel. So if you have a problem, always restart, not shutdown.

Fixing Common Windows 10 Annoyances

Many users search for fixes to the same issues. Here are quick solutions for the most frequent ones:

Windows Update stuck at “Checking for updates”: Restart the Windows Update service. Press Win + R, type services.msc, find “Windows Update,” right-click and Restart. If that fails, run the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter from Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Taskbar not responding: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find “Windows Explorer” in the Processes tab, right-click and choose Restart. This refreshes the taskbar and Start menu without rebooting.
Sound not working: Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar, choose “Open Sound settings,” then “Troubleshoot.” If that fails, update your audio driver from Device Manager.
Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting: Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, choose Properties, go to Power Management, and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
Blue screen (BSOD): Note the error code, then search it. Common fixes include updating drivers, running sfc /scannow, and checking for overheating.

If an app crashes repeatedly, try running it in compatibility mode: right-click the app’s shortcut, Properties > Compatibility, and check “Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 8” or an earlier version.

Security and Privacy Settings Worth Changing

Windows 10 collects diagnostic data and shows targeted ads by default. You can reduce both without harming functionality.

Diagnostic data: Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback. Set to “Required diagnostic data” (the minimum).
Tailored experiences: In the same page, turn off “Tailored experiences” to stop ads based on your usage.
Activity history: Settings > Privacy > Activity history. Uncheck “Let Windows collect my activities from this PC” and clear your history.
Location: Settings > Privacy > Location. Turn off location access for the whole system if you don’t need it.
Find My Device: Settings > Update & Security > Find My Device. Turn it on so you can locate a lost laptop (requires Microsoft account).

For security, enable BitLocker drive encryption on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise. Go to Control Panel > BitLocker Drive Encryption and turn it on for your system drive. On Home editions, use “Device encryption” if your PC supports it (Settings > Update & Security > Device encryption).

Power User Tricks for Daily Work

These are less-known but genuinely useful for anyone who works on a PC all day:

Quick access to multiple desktops: Use Win + Ctrl + D to create a new desktop for different projects. Move windows between desktops by dragging them in Task View (Win + Tab).
Shake to minimize: Click and hold a window’s title bar, then shake the mouse. All other windows minimize. This works but can be annoying if you accidentally shake.
Resize windows precisely: Press Win + Left, then Win + Up to snap a window to the top-left quadrant. Repeat for other quadrants.
Use the Snipping Tool delay: Open the Snipping Tool (or Snip & Sketch), set a delay of 3 or 5 seconds, then capture menus that close when you click away.
Open a command prompt in any folder: In File Explorer, type cmd in the address bar and press Enter. A command prompt opens in that exact folder.

You can also make Windows 10 feel faster by disabling transparency: Settings > Personalization > Colors, and turn off “Transparency effects.” This reduces GPU load on older systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take a screenshot on Windows 10?

Press Win + Shift + S to open the snipping bar. Drag to select an area, and the image is copied to your clipboard. Paste it into an app or save it from the notification that appears. Win + PrtScn saves a full screenshot directly to Pictures > Screenshots.

Why is my Windows 10 so slow after an update?

Updates can reset power settings, re-enable startup programs, or leave temporary files. Restart your PC, run Disk Cleanup, and check the Startup tab in Task Manager. If it persists, the update may have a driver conflict; check Device Manager for yellow warning icons and update those drivers.

How do I stop Windows 10 from updating automatically?

You can’t fully disable updates on Home edition, but you can set “Active hours” in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Change active hours. This prevents restarts during your work time. On Pro, you can defer updates for up to 35 days in Advanced options.

Is Windows 10 still supported?

Yes, Windows 10 is supported until October 14, 2025, with security updates. After that, Microsoft will stop providing free updates, but the OS will continue to function. It’s recommended to upgrade to Windows 11 if your hardware meets the requirements, or plan for alternatives after support ends.

How do I free up space on my C: drive?

Open Settings > System > Storage. Turn on Storage Sense, then click “Free up space now.” Also run Disk Cleanup as administrator and select “Clean up system files.” Move personal files to another drive and uninstall large apps you don’t use.

Can I make Windows 10 look like Windows 7?

Yes, but only with third-party tools like StartIsBack or Open-Shell. These are not endorsed by Microsoft and may break after updates. A safer approach is to use the built-in “High Contrast” themes or simply rearrange your taskbar and Start menu to feel more familiar.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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