Windows 11 has a ton to supply, and since its launch in October of 2021, the working system has been step by step adding even more features geared toward making your laptop slightly bit higher. Nevertheless, not all of Microsoft’s default Home windows 11 settings are winners. Some settings that come preset in your system are lackluster, and in sure circumstances they’ll even undermine your PC accessories. So the following time you begin up for work, or earlier than your subsequent gaming session, search for these settings and modify them as wanted.
Allow darkish mode
The choice to vary between gentle mode and dark mode in Windows 11 is not in the obvious place. As a substitute of being filed below show choices, it may be discovered below Settings > Personalization > Colours. There, you possibly can select gentle mode, darkish mode, or use totally different settings for Home windows vs. apps. You can too set transparency results and accent colours on this menu.
Default browser
Not a fan of Microsoft Edge? You possibly can change Home windows 11 to use whatever browser you prefer. Go to Settings > Apps and search for the browser you want to make use of. Then simply click on ‘Set default’ within the top-right nook, and Home windows will robotically use that browser when opening hyperlinks from different apps. You even have the power to customise by file kind if, say, you need PDF information to open in a distinct browser.
Handle updates settings
Retaining your laptop up to date is necessary for safety, as Home windows updates usually embody patches to forestall safety exploits. Nonetheless, sudden updates may be annoying, particularly in case your laptop forces a restart. To take extra management of your Windows 11 updates, go to Settings > Home windows Replace > Superior choices. From this menu, you possibly can set your energetic hours (so your system will not restart whilst you’re doing issues) or ask Home windows to present you a 15-minute heads-up earlier than robotically restarting to use updates.
Change startup apps
There is not any annoyance fairly like getting a brand new system however feeling prefer it’s sluggish as quickly as you flip it on. More often than not, the wrongdoer is just too many startup apps. The extra apps your system launches on startup, the extra sources it drains. To save lots of on sources and make issues a bit snappier, go to Settings > Apps > Startup and switch off all the pieces you do not want instantly after turning in your laptop. (I like to recommend turning off OneDrive, as that constantly slowed down my PC.) You possibly can all the time open these apps if you’re prepared to make use of them, and if there’s one thing you usually do very first thing after booting up, you possibly can all the time allow it to save lots of you the step of opening it manually.
Refresh price
Do not let your fancy new monitor go to waste since you’re utilizing the unsuitable refresh price. Home windows 11 defaults to a low refresh price, more likely to save energy, however this default means you are not getting probably the most worth out of your monitor. Go to Settings > System > Show > Superior show and search for your show. There will probably be a dropdown menu labeled Select a refresh price and choose the very best choice your monitor can help. You possibly can select a decrease setting if, say, your system cannot fairly match your refresh price whereas gaming, however for those who play any shooters, you are going to need that refresh price to be as excessive as doable.
Sound high quality
As with refresh price, your default sound settings might be holding again your equipment. To test, go to System > Sound > Properties and select the sound system you are utilizing. Then below Output settings, be certain the Format choice dropdown makes use of the very best obtainable setting. This can make sure you’re getting the utmost audio high quality. In the event you’re utilizing a headset for three-dimensional audio, be certain the spatial sound setting is turned on (Home windows Sonic for Headphones).
Privateness settings
A number of the default privateness settings in Home windows 11 give Microsoft methods to sneak ads into your expertise. Luckily, you possibly can disable these avenues in settings. Go to Settings > Privateness & safety > Common and toggle off any of the choices you do not like. (I notably advocate turning off Let apps present me personalised adverts through the use of my promoting ID and Present me steered content material within the settings app.) The privateness & safety menu additionally helps you to change different choices, like turning location companies off or selecting which apps can entry your digicam.
For extra on Home windows 11, try how to take screenshots and our favorite keyboard shortcuts.