Best Productivity Features to Use in Windows 11
Although the nature of work is changing rapidly, at the end of the day, we still need to do something, so it is helpful when the technology we use at work thinks ahead of time and includes ways that we can be more productive. … Fortunately, Windows 11 comes with built-in productivity tools that make this job much easier. Let’s take a look at the best features available.
Snapping assistant (snapping layout and snapping group)
Snap Assistant is a feature that makes it easy to merge multiple windows on your desktop. Windows 11 enhances this option with two new features, anchor layout and anchor group, that help you quickly arrange windows on the screen, making it easier to multitask or work with different applications.
Anchor layout
With an anchor layout, you can hover your mouse over the application deployment button (or press Win + Z) to view the various possible window positions. For example, you will see a double split screen option that snaps a window to half of the display, a four-sided split screen that, among other available options, snaps a window to one quarter of the screen.
If you hover over one of the panels, you will see that it turns blue, which means that Windows is ready to move your window to that position. Just click and the window will snap into place and resize. You can use this feature to quickly reorganize your screen and group windows. Speaking of which:
Snap group
A binding group allows you to group applications in a binding layout. Once you’ve created your layout, you can hover your mouse over the taskbar to see the Snap group you just created, which includes the apps you’ve organized with the layout.
Collapsing or restoring a group will also minimize or restore all applications in the group without resetting the layout, allowing you to switch between multiple layouts as needed. It’s a great way to remove grouped windows when you don’t need them, but quickly bring them back when you need them.
If you want to customize any settings for snapping, you can find all available options under Settings> System> Multitasking .
Microsoft Teams Dashboard Integration
If you’re using Teams to keep in touch with colleagues, employees, or customers, the new Windows 11 integration (called Chat) lets you make calls and send messages right from the taskbar, making the app more like a built-in communication tool.
To use Teams to chat or start a video call, simply sign in to the app using its system tray icon, or use Win + C. This is where you’ll see the most recent Teams activity. To start a video call, click ” Meeting” ; to start a text conversation, click Chat . You can always open the full Teams app by clicking Open Microsoft Teams at the bottom of the window.
Focus sessions
The Clock app in Windows 11 offers an amazing set of features for what appears to be a simple clock app.
For example, Focus Sessions is a powerful productivity tool that allows you to block out specific parts of your day to be more productive. You choose the amount of time to work and the app will provide you with a timer to help you keep track of the times you want to be productive.
If you choose to work 45 minutes or more, the app will also automatically schedule a five minute break during your schedule.
The app can connect to Spotify, allowing you to play music while you work, including Spotify Deep Focus playlists. The Focus Sessions tool also connects with Microsoft To Do, allowing you to associate tasks on your to-do lists with Focus Sessions. You can mark these tasks as completed right in the Clock app.
The Focus Sessions tool even tracks your progress by recording how often you end Focus Sessions and the current series of sessions.
Touch gestures
If you’re using Windows 11 on a touchscreen computer such as a Microsoft Surface laptop, you can take advantage of the new touchscreen gestures.
These gestures allow you to use specific movements to complete tasks faster. In fact, they mirror Windows trackpad gestures. If you are used to these gestures, you can play them directly on the touchscreen. For example, you can quickly scroll by placing two fingers on the screen and swiping horizontally or vertically, or go to the desktop by swiping down with three fingers. Here’s a complete list:
- Select an item: tap the screen
- Scrolling: Tap the screen with two fingers and swipe horizontally or vertically
- Zoom in or out: Tap the screen with two fingers and pinch or stretch
- Show more commands (like right-clicking): press and hold an item
- Show all open windows: Swipe up with three fingers
- Show desktop: Swipe down on the screen with three fingers.
- Switch to the last open application: Swipe left or right on the screen with three fingers.
- Open Action Center: Swipe in from the right edge of the screen with one finger.
- View widgets. Swipe in from the left edge of the screen with one finger.
- Switch desktop: Swipe left or right on the screen with four fingers.
Android Application Integration
In Windows 11, you can download the app for Android directly from Microsoft Store through the Amazon Appstore. Once downloaded, you can launch Android apps just like any other app. If your workflow relies on Android apps, this feature will help you not rely on a phone or clunky Android emulation software.
If Amazon’s limited Android app market isn’t enough for you, you can always download your Android apps instead .
[ MUO ]