This quick guide regards Microsoft Windows 11, one of two default operating systems on Ithaca College computers.
Shortcuts
- Clear Window Clutter: Press the Windows logo key + D to minimize all open apps. Press the key sequence again to restore the app windows.
- Clipboard History: Press the Windows logo key + V to access clipboard history.
- File Explorer: Press the Windows logo key + E to open File Explorer.
- Lock the Screen: Press the Windows logo key + L to lock your desktop.
- Search: Press the Windows logo key + S to search.
- Snap Layouts: Use snap layouts to organize open applications. Hover over a window's maximize button or press the Windows logo key + Z, then choose a snap layout to optimize your screen space.
- Switch Between Windows: Press the Windows logo key + tab to switch between open windows.
- Take Screenshots: Press the Windows logo key + Shift + S to capture and mark up all or part of your screen or any image.
- Widgets: Press the Windows logo key + W to open the widgets board.
New or Enhanced Features
Desktop Views
Use desktop views to keep different tasks organized or for work and home. To create a new desktop:
- Select Task View, and then select New Desktop.
- To switch between desktops, select Task View.
- To change the background on a desktop, in Task view, right-click on the desktop and select Choose Background.
Notifications
To view notifications, click the date and time in the taskbar. Notifications are grouped b the app that triggered them.
Search
Search will look through default libraries and folders including OneDrive, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop. To bring up Search:
- Select Search on the taskbar or press the Windows logo key + S on the keyboard.
- Type what you want to find. You'll receive personalized results for files, email, and people in local and shared sites, or from the web.
To change what Search will discover:
- Go to Settings and then click Privacy & Security and Searching Windows. In the "Find My Files" section, select Enhanced.
Start Menu
The refreshed Start Menu is now front and center instead of being anchored to the left side of the screen. It now displays a list of pinned applications, recommended files sourced from File Explorer and OneDrive by default, and a global search textbox.
- To view all applications, click All Apps at the top right of the Start Menu, and they will appear in a scrollable list.
- To modify a tile, right-click on an application that will give you options to potentially move, unpin, run as administrator, open the file location, pin to the task bar, uninstall, and more depending on the tile type.
Taskbar
Use the taskbar for more than seeing your apps and checking the time. You can personalize it by changing the color, pinning your most used apps to it, and moving or rearranging the taskbar buttons. Learn more about the taskbar from Microsoft.
Virtual Desktops
- To create a new virtual desktop, click the Task View button on the taskbar, and then click the New Desktop button.
- To switch between virtual desktops, click the Task View button on the taskbar, and then click on another virtual desktop. Alternatively, press the Windows logo key + Ctrl + the left or right arrow key to cycle between virtual desktops.
- To rename a virtual desktop, click the Task View button on the taskbar, right-click on a desktop thumbnail, and select Rename.
Widgets
Widgets are small cards that show customized information from various apps and services. There are several ways to access it:
- Press the Windows logo key + W to open the widgets board.
- Select the widgets icon showing live weather in the lower left corner of the taskbar. When you click or tap the icon, the widgets board will stay open.
- Hover over the widgets icon to quickly check for updates.
- Swipe left from the edge of your screen to open the widgets board.
To customize the widgets:
- In the top right of the widgets board, click the ellipsis and then click Customize Widget to change your widget board.
Quick Start Guides