This article was published in 2011 and updated in October 2026.
A few clever tricks can make working with your computer faster, easier and safer. The tips we shared in 2011 were written for Windows XP — today most of them work differently or are no longer needed. Here are seven useful tricks for Windows 10 and Windows 11 that many people still don’t know.
1. Use clipboard history
Press Windows + V instead of Ctrl + V to see everything you have copied recently and paste any of it. The first time, Windows asks you to turn clipboard history on. You can also pin items you paste often, such as your address.
2. Take a screenshot of any area
Press Windows + Shift + S to select a rectangle, window or free-form area. The screenshot is copied to the clipboard and opens in the Snipping Tool, where you can annotate and save it. Newer versions of the Snipping Tool can also record your screen and copy text from images.
3. Snap windows side by side
Press Windows + Left arrow or Right arrow to snap a window to one half of the screen, and choose another window for the other half. In Windows 11, hover over a window’s maximise button to see more snap layouts, for example three or four windows at once.
4. Boot faster by disabling startup apps
Many programs start automatically with Windows and slow down boot time. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Startup apps and disable programs you don’t need right away. (In Windows XP this was done in MSCONFIG; today Task Manager is the place.)
5. Rename many files at once
Select several files in File Explorer, for example photos from your camera, press F2, type a new name and press Enter. Windows names them automatically, such as “Holiday (1)”, “Holiday (2)” and so on. For more advanced renaming, Microsoft’s free PowerToys include a PowerRename tool.
6. Control AutoPlay for USB drives
Windows no longer runs programs from USB drives automatically, which closed an old route for viruses. You can still decide what happens when you connect a drive or memory card: go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → AutoPlay and choose an action, such as opening File Explorer or “Ask me every time” — or turn AutoPlay off completely.
7. Handy keyboard shortcuts
- Windows + L — lock your PC when you leave your desk.
- Windows + E — open File Explorer.
- Windows + . (period) — insert emoji and special characters.
- Ctrl + Shift + T — reopen the browser tab you just closed.
- Windows + D — show the desktop.
- Alt + F4 on the desktop — open the shutdown dialog.
Bonus: delete confirmation
If you’d like Windows to ask before moving files to the Recycle Bin (or stop asking), right-click the Recycle Bin, choose Properties and tick or untick Display delete confirmation dialog. Files in the Recycle Bin can always be restored — until you empty it.
Which computer tricks do you use every day? Share them in the comments.
Ganesan K
Sep 16. 2011
Hi buddy,
Thanks for sharing a awesome information for us…
admin
Sep 16. 2011
You’re welcome …
Marty
Nov 05. 2011
Cool tricks indeed, I hope you can share more of these
Sandipan Mukherjee
Sep 16. 2011
I knew some of them. However I liked Remove delete confirmation messages and Rename multiple files at once. Thanks for sharing.
admin
Sep 16. 2011
Thanks to Praveen for the contribution …
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Sep 16. 2011
I enjoyed reading this a lot… I really hope to read more of your posts in the future, so I’ve bookmarked ,I am so excited,
looked everywhere for a tutorial on adding this slider! Can’t wait to see the others!
admin
Sep 16. 2011
Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
Andrew
Sep 16. 2011
This 7tips is very amazing. Try this one and you will see. For me, I already do it…
Suraj
Sep 17. 2011
These are some killer tips. I knew some, but had forgotten. Now again refreshed!
admin
Sep 17. 2011
Good to know that you find it useful .!!
Plasma TV
Sep 19. 2011
Good tips.. I will try to do the above tips. Thanks.
admin
Sep 19. 2011
Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂
Electronics News
Sep 20. 2011
Nice tips, really awesome, thanks for this valuable post…
James
Oct 03. 2011
Very useful post you have here.. Nicely presented information in this post, I prefer to read this kind of stuff. The quality of content is fine and the conclusion is good.
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Oct 14. 2011
Very informative. I did what you suggested. I disabled Autorun and it’s really easy. Please keep on posting useful information. This is what we called a high quality content. Keep up the good work!
Rose
Dec 22. 2011
Thanks for sharing these wonderful tips.
Anand
Mar 03. 2012
Nice tricks… Thanks for sharing this.. 🙂
admin
Mar 04. 2012
You’re welcome and thanks for stopping by
charu
Jun 16. 2014
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looking for more information…