If you’ve been using a laptop for a while, you will certainly have a grasp of the basics of using it.
But you might not be aware of some of the underrated and hidden features that aren’t as obvious. They can improve your user experience exponentially. So let’s talk about them.
1. Advanced Battery Settings
Your laptop’s battery life is obviously very important, especially when you’re on the move. Beyond the standard battery-saver mode, there are advanced settings that can help extend your laptop’s battery life and improve its overall health.
These allow you to set specific charging thresholds and control how your battery is used based on your current tasks. Optimizing these settings help to prolong your battery’s lifespan.
- Access the battery settings, usually found in the system settings under Battery or Power Management.
- Explore options like Battery Conservation Mode or Adaptive Battery, which limit charging once your battery reaches a certain percentage. This is ideal for when you’re plugged in for long periods.
2. Virtual Desktops
Virtual desktops are a game-changer for anyone juggling multiple projects or needing to separate work from personal applications. This feature allows you to create multiple desktops on a single laptop, each with its own set of open applications and files. (That probably sounds a little odd if you’ve never done it before, but it’s actually really simple and practical.)
To access virtual desktops on Windows laptops, click on the Task View icon on the taskbar or press Windows + Tab. From here, you can add a desktop and switch between them seamlessly. For Mac users, the feature is available under Mission Control.
The main benefit of virtual desktops is the ability to declutter your workspace and allow you to focus on whatever the isolated task is at hand. You can then quickly swipe to another workspace when changing tasks, without having to close out or lose all of the progress from the other task.
3. Gesture Controls
Most of us are familiar with the basic touchpad functions like pointing and clicking, but did you know that your laptop’s touchpad supports a variety of gesture controls?
These can include two-finger scrolling, pinch to zoom, and even three-finger swipes to switch between applications or desktops. To activate and customize these gestures:
- Go to your system settings.
- Look for Touchpad settings (in Windows, it’s under Devices > Touchpad).
- Here, you can toggle various gestures and tailor their responsiveness to suit your preferences.
Using gesture controls can really speed up your navigation and make multi-tasking a breeze, even if you prefer using a mouse most of the time. For instance, instead of alt-tabbing through applications, a simple three-finger swipe can bring you right to the necessary window.
4. Integrated Diagnostic Tools
Modern laptops come with built-in diagnostic tools that help you monitor the health of your system and troubleshoot issues before they become serious. These tools can check your battery’s health, test system memory, and even scan for hardware issues.
To access these tools, you can usually find them in the system settings under Update & Security in Windows or System Information on Macs.
Running these diagnostics on a regular basis can keep your laptop running smoothly and alert you to potential problems that might require attention.
5. Personalization Options
Beyond changing your wallpaper, there are a number of personalization options that can enhance your user experience. From adjusting the color scheme and font size for better readability to customizing the notification settings to reduce distractions, these “hidden” settings allow you to create a user interface that fits your personal style and needs.
- Start by opening up the personalization option from the system settings.
- Next, explore options like Dark Mode, which is easier on the eyes during nighttime use, and Focus Assist (called Focus in Windows 11) to minimize distractions during work hours.
By taking the time to personalize your laptop, you can make it better adapted to your individual workflow and lifestyle. This will help you improve productivity and get more enjoyment out of it.
6. Automatically Clear Junk From Storage
If you’re using a Windows notebook, then look for storage settings in the desktop search bar. There’s an option called “Storage Sense” that you can toggle On or Off.
Switching it on allows the operating system to automatically manage local cloud content, and delete junk like temporary system and app files to keep things running smoothly.
Get More Out of Your Laptop
Laptops are powerful machines. And while most of us know how to do basic tasks, we don’t always bother to dig deeper for features that can significantly increase productivity and efficiency.
By taking the time to learn how to use the features listed above, you can get more out of your laptop and spend less time frustrated, distracted, or confused.
