Today, we are sharing five things you might not know you can do with your Windows PC, from lowering blue light to traveling easier with built-in converters. While these tips originally appeared for Windows 10, they now work just as well, if not better, on Windows 11.
Discover hidden Windows features that boost productivity and comfort. From Night light to Snap Layouts, your PC does more than you think. Call IGTech365 at (866) 365-7798 for expert managed IT support and Microsoft 365 guidance.
Windows 10 reached its end of life on October 14, 2025, meaning it no longer receives security updates. If you are still running Windows 10, upgrading to Windows 11 is strongly recommended. The tips below work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, with Windows 11 offering additional features that we highlight in each section.
1. Choose Your Performance and Battery Balance with the Power Slider
The Power slider lets you set the right balance between battery longevity and system performance. Optimize for battery life on a long flight or go with maximum performance when gaming or editing photos at home. Simply click the battery icon in the taskbar and use the slider to choose your performance and battery balance. This feature is available on most Intel and AMD devices with a battery.
On Windows 11, the Power slider is integrated into the Quick Settings panel and also appears in Settings > System > Power & battery, where you can set different power modes for when the device is plugged in versus running on battery. According to Microsoft, choosing a balanced power plan can extend laptop battery life by up to 15 percent compared to the maximum performance setting.
For business users, managed IT support ensures your devices are configured for optimal performance. IGTech365 provides endpoint management and security monitoring for Tampa Bay businesses. Call (866) 365-7798 to learn more.
2. Travel Easier with the Built-In Currency Converter
The Windows Calculator app includes a powerful set of converters beyond basic math. Open Calculator, click the menu button (hamburger icon) in the top-left, and select Currency, Volume, Length, Temperature, or any other converter. The currency converter updates exchange rates in real time when you are online, making it a useful tool for business travelers and remote teams working across borders.
In Microsoft Edge (Chromium), you can also type a currency amount directly in the address bar, and Edge will show the converted value using current exchange rates. This replaces the old feature from legacy Edge that Apple-like typing converted values in the address bar. Edge also includes a built-in unit converter that activates when you type queries like “100 USD to EUR” in the address bar.
The Windows 11 Calculator app adds a History panel and a full Graphing mode, making it even more useful for students and professionals who need to visualize data trends.
3. Annotate and Organize Content in Microsoft Edge
The legacy Edge browser that shipped with Windows 10 has been retired. Microsoft Edge (Chromium) is the current browser and offers far more powerful reading and annotation features. When reading a PDF, ebook, or web page, you can highlight text in four colors, add comments, underline, and copy selected text.
Edge’s Collections feature goes beyond basic annotation. You can collect web pages, images, and text snippets into organized groups for research, trip planning, or project management. Collections sync across devices when you are signed in with your Microsoft account. According to Microsoft, Edge users save an average of 30 minutes per week using Collections instead of bookmarking and emailing links manually.
Immersive Reader, another standout Edge feature, strips away distractions and offers text-to-speech playback, adjustable text spacing, and a focus mode that highlights one line at a time. This is especially useful for professionals reviewing lengthy reports or students conducting research. Since the retirement of Cortana’s reading features, Edge Immersive Reader has become the go-to tool for accessible reading in Windows.
4. Reduce Eye Strain with Night Light
Night Light reduces the blue light emitted by your screen, helping you sleep better and reducing eye strain during evening work sessions. To enable it, go to Settings (Windows key + I), click System, and under Display, toggle Night Light on. You can customize the color temperature and schedule automatic activation from sunset to sunrise or at custom times.
On Windows 11, Night Light settings are under Settings > System > Display > Night light, with additional options to adjust the strength of the filter. Combined with Windows 11’s dark mode support across more apps and settings, this creates a significantly more comfortable late-night computing experience than Windows 10 offered.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends using blue light filters like Night Light for screen use after dark, particularly for people who work evening hours or use devices before bed. This is a simple, no-cost way to protect your vision and improve sleep quality.
IGTech365 provides comprehensive managed IT support for Tampa Bay businesses, including hardware setup, software configuration, and security monitoring. Visit our managed IT support page or call (866) 365-7798 to schedule a free 15-minute strategy call.
5. Pin Your Favorite Websites to the Taskbar for Instant Access
You can pin your favorite websites to the Windows taskbar for instant access. In Microsoft Edge, navigate to the site you want, click the menu (three dots), go to More tools, and select Pin to taskbar. The site icon appears on your taskbar, and clicking it opens the site directly in Edge. This works in Google Chrome too. Chrome users can click the lock icon in the address bar, drag it to the desktop, and then pin the resulting shortcut to the taskbar.
Windows 11 adds a refined taskbar with centered icons, improved snap layouts, and the ability to pin not just websites but specific files and folders from File Explorer. The Start menu in Windows 11 also shows pinned items more prominently, making it easier to access frequently used resources.
Bonus: Windows 11 Features Worth Exploring
If you have upgraded to Windows 11, these additional features are worth your time:
- Snap Layouts: Hover over the maximize button on any window to see layout options for tiling multiple windows on your screen. Windows 11 offers more layout configurations than Windows 10, including three-panel arrangements perfect for research and writing.
- Virtual Desktops: Create separate desktops for work, personal use, and projects. Each desktop can have its own set of open apps and wallpaper. Windows 11 makes renaming and customizing virtual desktops much easier than Windows 10.
- Clipchamp: A built-in video editor that replaces the legacy Windows Video Editor. It supports multi-track editing, filters, text overlays, and direct export to social media platforms.
- Widgets panel: Swipe from the left edge or click the Widgets icon on the taskbar to access a customizable feed of news, weather, calendar events, and more.
For businesses, Windows 11 offers improved security features including hardware-based isolation, enhanced phishing protection, and zero-trust ready architecture. IGTech365 can help your organization plan and execute a Windows 11 migration. Visit our cybersecurity page or call (866) 365-7798.
Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Features
Are these features available on Windows 11?
Yes, all five tips work on Windows 11, often with improved interfaces and additional options. Windows 11 adds Snap Layouts, Clipchamp, and enhanced virtual desktop features that are not available on Windows 10.
Is Windows 10 still safe to use?
Windows 10 reached end of life on October 14, 2025. Microsoft no longer provides security updates, which means new vulnerabilities will not be patched. Upgrading to Windows 11 is strongly recommended for security. IGTech365 offers managed IT services that include upgrade planning and deployment.
How do I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
Most Windows 10 PCs that meet the hardware requirements can upgrade to Windows 11 for free through Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. If your PC does not meet the requirements, IGTech365 can advise on hardware options.
Get More from Your Windows PC
Windows is packed with features that most users never discover. From Night light to Snap Layouts, the built-in tools covered here can improve your daily computing experience at no additional cost. For businesses, ensuring your team has up-to-date hardware and properly configured software is essential for productivity and security. Call IGTech365 at (866) 365-7798 for a free 15-minute strategy call.