8 Windows 10 Features You May Not Know About

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Built-in surround sound emulator, memory control, dynamic locking and other non-obvious features of Windows 10.

1. Windows Sonic Surround

With the Creators Update last year, Windows 10 got a very cool and interesting feature that will appeal to gamers and beyond. Sonic Surround is a virtual surround sound emulator for headphones. It is very easy to enable it:

• right-click on the speaker icon at the bottom right of the screen;
• select Spatial Sound → Windows Sonic for Headphones.

Not exactly "the same" surround sound, but you should feel the difference.

2. Virtual desktops

An extremely useful function that helps you organize your work with a large number of programs and applications. For this you need:

• press Win + Tab to open the Task View menu;
• click on "Create Desktop" at the bottom right of the screen.

Of course, you can switch using Task View, but it is much more convenient to manage virtual desktops using hotkeys:

• Ctrl + Win + left or right arrow - switch between desktops;
• Ctrl + Win + D - create a new desktop;
• Ctrl + Win + F4 - Close the current desktop.

3. Memory control

Over time, the hard drive turns into a garbage dump. A hundred or two of unnecessary files and downloaded series that you forgot about are accumulating on your computer, and the unfortunate overflowing basket is bursting at the seams. You have to pull yourself together and arrange a general cleaning. In this situation, CCleaner or another similar program will help. Or you can do it easier and use the built-in tool that will clean your system regularly.

• Go to "Options" → "System" → "Storage".
• Place the switch on "On".

It remains to set up the cleaning system. To do this, change the item "How to free up space" in the "Storage" tab. The system can automatically empty the Downloads folder and the Trash if the files have not been used for more than 30 days. In addition, the system can automatically uninstall previous versions of Windows 10 days after the update.

This method will not replace regular cleaning of the hard disk, but it will save you from some routine actions.

4. Backup using file history

A great backup tool built right into the system. Moreover, Windows 10 will create backups by itself, you just need to specify the frequency and location where they will be saved.

• Go to Options → Update and Security → Backup Service.
• Add the drive or device where the backups will be saved.

In the advanced settings, you can select the folders you want to back up.

5. Windows update options

A sudden reboot and installation of Windows 10 updates is a nightmare for any user of this operating system. This nuisance can be prevented.

• Go to Settings → Update and Security → Windows Update → Change Active Hour.
• Set the time at which you use the computer. Windows promises that it will not reboot the device during this period.

If this is not enough, go to "Restart Options" and set the day and hour when you can reboot the device to install the update.

6. Dynamic blocking

The bottom line is that Windows can automatically block access to your computer when you're not around. For this you need:

• connect your phone to a computer via Bluetooth;
• go to "Options" → "Accounts" → "Login Options";
• scroll down to the Dynamic Lock section and check the box to allow Windows to detect when you are away.

Windows will block access to the computer a minute after you leave the range of the Bluetooth receiver.

7. Alternative login methods

Protecting your Windows account with a strong password is definitely a must. True, it is not so convenient to enter it every time. Windows developers suggest using alternative paths.

• Go to "Options" → "Accounts" → "Login Options".
• Choose what you want to use: PIN or pattern.

If in the first case everything is simple and clear, then the second option looks more interesting. You choose any picture and come up with three different gestures for it. The next time you want to unlock your computer, you will need to repeat these gestures. However, it is not very convenient to do this without a touch screen.

8. Controlled access to folders

Use this feature if you don't want to fall prey to the ransomware viruses that attacked users around the world last year.

Go to Windows Defender Security Center → Virus & Threat Protection → Virus & Other Threat Protection Settings

Scroll down to the Controlled Folder Access section and turn the radio button to On

Choose which folders you want to protect and which applications to give access to them.