7 Hidden Windows 11 Features You're Probably Not Using

Windows 11 gets a lot of criticism, but buried under the redesigned Start menu and rounded corners are genuinely useful features that most people never discover. Here are 7 that will change how you use your PC.

1. Sudo for Windows

Yes, really. Windows 11 24H2 ships with a native sudo command — just like Linux.

Enable it in Settings → System → For developers → Enable sudo.

Then in any terminal:

sudo netstat -an   # run elevated command without opening new Admin window

No more “Run as Administrator” context menus.

2. Clipboard History (Win+V)

Press Win+V instead of Ctrl+V to open Clipboard History — a panel showing everything you’ve copied in the last session. Click any item to paste it.

Enable it first at: Settings → System → Clipboard → Clipboard history → On

Bonus: Pin items you use constantly (like your email address or standard code snippets) so they survive restarts.

3. God Mode Folder

Create a folder named exactly:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

This folder becomes a single-pane control panel containing every setting in Windows — over 200 items organized by category. Faster than searching Settings for obscure options.

4. Quick Settings Customization (Win+A)

Most users leave the Quick Settings panel (bottom-right area) on default. But you can fully customize it — click the pencil icon to add/remove tiles like:

Mobile Hotspot
Night Light
Nearby Sharing
Accessibility shortcuts
Cast

5. Focus Sessions in Clock App

The Windows Clock app now includes a built-in Focus Session timer with Pomodoro-style sessions, Spotify integration, and a task list connected to Microsoft To Do.

Open the Clock app → Focus Sessions tab. Start a 25-minute session, and Windows will suppress notifications automatically.

6. Windows Sandbox

Run suspicious software in an isolated disposable environment — no VM setup required.

Enable it: Settings → System → Optional features → More Windows features → Windows Sandbox

After enabling, search for “Windows Sandbox” in Start. Everything inside is completely isolated; closing the sandbox window destroys all traces.

Perfect for: testing sketchy installers, one-off software trials, malware analysis.

7. Live Captions (Real-Time Subtitles for Everything)

Press Win+Ctrl+L to enable Live Captions — real-time AI-powered subtitles for any audio playing on your computer. Works with:

YouTube videos
Zoom/Teams calls
Any media
System audio

It processes audio locally on-device — no cloud upload, full privacy. Accuracy rivals paid captioning services.

Bonus: Snap Layouts (Win+Z)

Hover over a window’s maximize button, or press Win+Z, to see snap layout templates. Snap two, three, or four windows into predefined grid arrangements instantly.

Combined with multiple virtual desktops (Win+Ctrl+D to create), this transforms multi-tasking on a large monitor.

The Takeaway

Before reaching for a third-party utility, check if Windows 11 already has what you need. Microsoft has quietly shipped some excellent tools — the challenge is knowing where to find them.

For everything Windows doesn’t cover, the Pczio directory has you covered.