The most obvious change of Windows 11 from the previous Windows version is the interface. Namely, there is a redesigned start menu that is now in the center of the taskbar, and there are rounded windows and buttons. But, Windows wouldn’t be Windows if you couldn’t also manipulate this new operating system.
01 Icons and Home Button
One of the changes in Windows 11 that immediately catches your eye is the fact that the icons on the taskbar are now centered in the middle, as is the start button. In all other Windows versions you would of course find this part at the bottom left. You can put the position of the icons and the start button back in that familiar place. Right click on the taskbar and choose Taskbar Settings. Then go to Taskbar behavior and click on it. Then you change the option Taskbar alignment by middle nasty Left.
02 Move windows
Sometimes you want to work with several windows next to or below each other. In Windows 11 it works slightly differently than in Windows 10. Hover your mouse over the maximize button of the window. You will then see a preview grid of screen locations. Click on one of those locations to drop the current window directly to that position. For example, if you click on the left part, your window will be placed on the left half of your screen. You can also immediately select another window that will then automatically be placed on the right side of your screen.
03 Add calendar to Wigdets
The Widgets function shows the weather forecast, news, sports results or appointments at a glance. By default, however, no calendar is displayed in the widget overview. To add it, click the Widget button on the taskbar or use the keyboard shortcut Windows key+W. By the way, you can only use the Widget function with a Microsoft account. If you are registered, click below on Add widgets. Of course you now click on agenda. You will then see all data in the widget and any appointments that have been scheduled.
04 Using multiple calendars
Want to add multiple calendars to the Calendar widget? Then click on the three dots at the top right of the widget and choose Customize widget. A list of additional calendars will then appear. That list corresponds to the calendars you have in your mail account from Outlook.com have standing. Select the calendars you want to include in the overview by clicking the circle in front of the name.
05 Customize widgets
You can also personalize the Widget window by resizing a widget or changing its location in the window. You can adjust the size by clicking on the three dots at the top right of a widget. You can then choose from the formats Small, Medium and Big. Do you want to change the location of a widget? Then move the mouse to the top of the widget until the pointer changes to a hand. Then you can drag the widget to another position in the Widget window with the left mouse button pressed.
06 Chatting and video calling
The new Chat feature lets you chat and video call with your Outlook.com contacts. A lighter version of Microsoft Teams is used. You start the Chat app with the key combination Windows key+C. This app also requires you to sign in with your Microsoft account. Your Microsoft account contacts are automatically synced. Click on one of the people in the list to start a conversation. Please note that the recipient must have Windows 11 with the Chat app or use Microsoft Teams with a personal account.
07 Delete apps
The Windows 11 start menu has been significantly reduced compared to Windows 10. For example, you can no longer use live tiles and the start menu only contains shortcuts to programs and recently opened files. You can remove the apps that you see in the start menu from the menu as you wish. To do this, right click on it and choose Unpin from Start. You can also remove apps completely. Even then you right click on it, but choose remove. The app will not only disappear from the start menu, but also from your computer.
08 Moving apps
In Windows 10 you could divide apps in the start menu into different (homemade) sections. That is no longer possible in Windows 11. You can only move apps to a more prominent place for you. You can easily do this by selecting an icon and dragging it to the desired location. You can also position an app at the very top left in one go by right-clicking on the desired app and then choosing Move up. The app will then be shown first in the start menu.
09 Multiple desktops
Working with multiple desktops is also not missing in Windows 11. You can add a new desktop from the Task View. You open it by clicking the button on the taskbar or the key combination Windows key+Tab to use. You will then see a view of your active programs, with the option to create new desktops at the bottom. You can create an infinite number of desktops, but whether that is so clear is another matter. No longer possible in Windows 11 is viewing a timeline of recently opened programs and files. Although you can still request the list in Edge.
10 Launch Task Manager
In Windows 10 you could still start the Task Manager by right-clicking on the taskbar. Unfortunately, in Windows 11, that option has disappeared. However, the Task Manager is a useful tool to monitor running processes and stop programs that have crashed. Do you want to start the Task Manager in Windows 11? Then you do that with the key combination Ctrl+Shift+Esc or, via a detour, from the quick start menu, which you call up with the key combination Windows key+X.