Top 10 Best Researched & Useful COMPUTER Tricks IN 2024

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, staying ahead with the latest tips and tricks can significantly enhance your computing experience. Whether you’re a casual user, a professional, or a tech enthusiast, optimizing your PC or laptop can lead to better performance, increased productivity, and an overall smoother experience. Here are the top 10 best-researched PC and laptop tricks for 2024 that you should know about.

1. Utilize Windows 11 Virtual Desktops

Windows 11 has introduced a much-improved virtual desktop feature, which allows you to create multiple desktops for different purposes. This can help keep your work and personal life separate or manage multiple projects more effectively.

How to Use:

1. Click on the Task View button on the taskbar or press Win + Tab.
2. Click on “New Desktop” to create a new virtual desktop.
3. Switch between desktops by clicking on Task View and selecting the desired desktop.

Benefits:

• Organization: Keep your tasks organized and reduce clutter.
• Focus: Improve focus by segregating different types of work.

2. Master Snap Layouts and Snap Groups

Snap Layouts and Snap Groups in Windows 11 enhance multitasking by allowing you to quickly organize open windows into different layouts.

How to Use:

1. Hover over the maximize button on any window or press Win + Z.
2. Choose a layout and snap windows into the available slots.

Benefits:

• Efficiency: Quickly organize your workspace.
• Productivity: Seamlessly switch between tasks with Snap Groups.

3. Enable Dark Mode to Reduce Eye Strain

Dark Mode is more than just a visual preference; it can reduce eye strain and save battery life on laptops with OLED displays.

How to Enable:

1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors.
2. Choose “Dark” from the Choose your color dropdown menu.

Benefits:

• Comfort: Easier on the eyes, especially in low-light conditions.
• Battery Life: Saves energy on OLED screens.

4. Use PowerToys for Enhanced Functionality

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities designed to streamline and enhance the Windows experience. Key tools include FancyZones for window management and PowerRename for bulk file renaming.

How to Use:

1. Download and install PowerToys from GitHub.
2. Open PowerToys Settings and enable the desired utilities.

Benefits:

• Customization: Tailor your Windows experience.
• Productivity: Tools like FancyZones and PowerRename save time and effort.

5. Optimize Startup Programs for Faster Boot Times

Many programs set themselves to start with Windows, which can slow down your boot time. Managing these startup programs can improve performance.

How to Optimize:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Disable unnecessary programs by right-clicking and selecting “Disable”.

Benefits:

• Speed: Faster boot times and improved overall performance.
• Efficiency: Reduced system resource usage.

6. Utilize Storage Sense for Automatic Disk Cleanup

Storage Sense is a Windows feature that automatically frees up space by deleting unnecessary files.

How to Use:

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage.
2. Turn on Storage Sense and configure cleanup settings.

Benefits:

• Maintenance: Keeps your storage clean without manual intervention.
• Performance: Ensures your system runs smoothly by managing disk space.

7. Use Clipboard History for Enhanced Copy-Paste

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in Clipboard History feature that allows you to access previously copied items.

How to Use:

1. Press Win + V to open Clipboard History.
2. Enable the feature if prompted.
3. Select from the list of copied items to paste.

Benefits:

• Convenience: Quickly access multiple copied items.
• Productivity: Saves time by not having to recopy frequently used text or images.

8. Take Advantage of Dynamic Refresh Rate

Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) in Windows 11 helps balance performance and battery life by adjusting the screen refresh rate based on what you’re doing.

How to Enable:

1. Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.
2. Choose a display and select a dynamic refresh rate.

Benefits:

• Battery Life: Extends battery life on laptops.
• Performance: Ensures smooth visuals when needed.

9. Optimize Your SSD for Peak Performance

Solid State Drives (SSDs) provide faster data access speeds compared to traditional hard drives. Optimizing your SSD can prolong its lifespan and maintain peak performance.

How to Optimize:

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Optimize Drives.
2. Select your SSD and click “Optimize”.

Benefits:

• Speed: Maintains fast data access speeds.
• Lifespan: Prolongs the life of your SSD.

10. Leverage Cloud Storage for File Management

Using cloud storage solutions like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox can enhance file management and accessibility.

How to Use:

1. Choose a cloud storage service and install the application.
2. Sync your important files and documents.

Benefits:

• Accessibility: Access your files from anywhere with an internet connection.
• Security: Backup important files to prevent data loss.

Conclusion

In 2024, optimizing your PC or laptop involves taking full advantage of both built-in and third-party tools. From enhancing multitasking with virtual desktops and Snap Layouts to ensuring optimal performance with SSD optimization and startup management, these tricks can significantly improve your computing experience. Embracing these tips not only boosts productivity and efficiency but also ensures that your device runs smoothly and remains secure. Stay ahead of the curve by incorporating these well-researched strategies into your daily tech routine.

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