Making the switch to Windows 11 is an exciting experience for any PC enthusiast, but as with any operating system upgrade, the journey to a truly tailored desktop doesn’t end after first boot. Microsoft’s latest OS brings a sleeker visual language, more robust productivity features, and increased security out of the box. However, to unlock the best Windows 11 experience, it’s essential to personalize its settings to fit your workflow and aesthetic preferences. Here are the seven most impactful tweaks every Windows 11 user should make right after setup, along with important context, actionable steps, and nuanced analysis on what makes each adjustment significant.
One of Windows 11’s most celebrated qualities is its focus on personalization. The OS adopts soft corners, refined icons, and transparency flourishes which, while beautiful, won’t suit everyone by default. Navigating to Settings > Personalization opens a trove of possibilities. While changing the desktop wallpaper remains classic, a more resilient adjustment for eyestrain and style is toggling dark mode via Colors > Choose your mode > Dark. This shift not only reduces glare and visual fatigue during extended sessions but is widely regarded as the most popular visual setting in modern operating systems due to increased comfort and perceived battery gains on OLED screens.
In addition to dark mode, exploring accent colors and disabling the translucent “Mica” effect—particularly if you prefer clearer text and less distraction—can help Windows 11 reflect your identity. Prescriptive, yet easily reversible, these choices are a foundational step toward transforming a “stock” install into your personal workstation.
The lock screen can also be personalized at Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. Choosing between a custom background and the dynamic Windows Spotlight, which showcases global landscapes, adds an extra layer of connection or daily inspiration each time you sign in. Microsoft’s showcase of user-friendly customization is notable, but so too is the speed at which these options can be adjusted—none require third-party utilities, all can be switched in seconds, and every change can be reversed if you want to experiment further.
By navigating to Settings > Personalization > Start and changing the layout to More Pins, you maximize visible app shortcuts over recommendations. Right-clicking any app and choosing Pin to Start allows you to build a Start Menu that launches only your essentials—whether those are creative tools, launchers, or productivity suites.
Critical Tip: For many, the Start Menu is best used for apps not already occupying space on the taskbar but which are accessed regularly. Power users have long advocated for “zero-click” launches, and proper Start Menu tailoring is key.
Rectifying this, Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Alignment lets you revert to the left. You can also unpin unwanted defaults like Microsoft Store or Edge, freeing up visual space. Pinning your top-used apps, such as File Explorer, Slack, Chrome, or custom UWP apps puts everyday tools within a single click’s reach.
Advanced Option: Enable auto-hide to maximize screen real estate—a subtle nod to power users who loathe visual distractions or work on smaller displays.
This feature eliminates the frantic search for something you copied five minutes ago or last week, allowing users to pin recurring snippets (like emails or links) for instant access.
Fire up Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), then open the Startup apps section. Here, disable anything unnecessary—Copilot, Xbox Game Bar, seldom-used launchers—by right-clicking and toggling Disable.
Even with the speed of NVMe SSDs, every running background app eats into available RAM and CPU time. For many, disabling redundant startup programs is the single biggest speed boost they’ll notice on a day-to-day basis.
Dive into Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and review what’s present. Many pre-installed programs, particularly on laptops from major OEMs, can be safely purged—Copilot, Xbox Console Companion, or various manufacturer trialware. Click the ellipsis next to any app and tap Uninstall.
While SSDs are less susceptible than HDDs to catastrophic slowdowns at near-full capacity, performance degradation is still a documented phenomenon, particularly with cheaper QLC NAND drives. Keeping free space available ensures Windows Updates don’t fail for lack of room and means you’ll be ready to install large games or applications at a moment’s notice.
To claim browser autonomy, install your browser of choice, then go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps, locate your installed browser, and tap Set default for the relevant protocols. This minor change ensures links from email, messenger, or system notifications open where you want.
Findings from independent analysis confirm that Chrome remains the leading third-party Windows browser by market share, largely due to its cross-platform synchronization and extension availability. Firefox and a handful of privacy-centric browsers continue to find strong followings among security-minded users.
For power users, it’s clear that digging beneath default settings is not just a hobbyist pursuit, but a necessary defense against productivity bottlenecks and subtle privacy encroachments. Meanwhile, newcomers benefit from Microsoft’s increasing transparency and logically grouped menus.
Ultimately, the true brilliance of Windows 11 is revealed only after you take command—unclutter the interface, personalize to suit your mood, and streamline every click. These tweaks are only the beginning. Future updates will continue to evolve, but armed with these adjustments, any new Windows 11 installation can quickly transform into a platform that aligns perfectly with the unique demands and tastes of its owner.
Source: Pocket-lint 7 ways I set up Windows 11 for a better experience
Customizing the Visual Palette of Windows 11: More Than Just Wallpaper
One of Windows 11’s most celebrated qualities is its focus on personalization. The OS adopts soft corners, refined icons, and transparency flourishes which, while beautiful, won’t suit everyone by default. Navigating to Settings > Personalization opens a trove of possibilities. While changing the desktop wallpaper remains classic, a more resilient adjustment for eyestrain and style is toggling dark mode via Colors > Choose your mode > Dark. This shift not only reduces glare and visual fatigue during extended sessions but is widely regarded as the most popular visual setting in modern operating systems due to increased comfort and perceived battery gains on OLED screens.In addition to dark mode, exploring accent colors and disabling the translucent “Mica” effect—particularly if you prefer clearer text and less distraction—can help Windows 11 reflect your identity. Prescriptive, yet easily reversible, these choices are a foundational step toward transforming a “stock” install into your personal workstation.
The lock screen can also be personalized at Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. Choosing between a custom background and the dynamic Windows Spotlight, which showcases global landscapes, adds an extra layer of connection or daily inspiration each time you sign in. Microsoft’s showcase of user-friendly customization is notable, but so too is the speed at which these options can be adjusted—none require third-party utilities, all can be switched in seconds, and every change can be reversed if you want to experiment further.
Analysis
- Strengths: Customization is built deep into Windows 11’s design language, providing both aesthetic and practical benefits. Adjustments like dark mode and color accents are highly accessible.
- Risks: Overuse of visual effects such as transparency or dynamic backgrounds on older hardware could impact system responsiveness, although on most recent PCs this is minimal. Some users also report difficulty discerning disabled or inactive buttons when relying solely on accent color cues—accessibility settings may be needed for optimal visibility.
Editing the Start Menu for Speed and Simplicity
The Start Menu is the launchpad for all things Windows. Out of the box, Windows 11’s Start Menu can feel cluttered, blending recent files and suggested apps with a few common programs. Many find this default overwhelming and not helpful, especially if your workflow centers on a handful of favorite applications rather than constantly changing recommendations.By navigating to Settings > Personalization > Start and changing the layout to More Pins, you maximize visible app shortcuts over recommendations. Right-clicking any app and choosing Pin to Start allows you to build a Start Menu that launches only your essentials—whether those are creative tools, launchers, or productivity suites.
Critical Tip: For many, the Start Menu is best used for apps not already occupying space on the taskbar but which are accessed regularly. Power users have long advocated for “zero-click” launches, and proper Start Menu tailoring is key.
Analysis
- Strengths: Reduces cognitive overhead and wasted time searching for frequently used applications. Provides a launcher-like experience for those averse to traditional desktop shortcuts.
- Risks: Pinning too many apps can quickly recreate clutter; recommendations can help remind users of recent documents but are less useful if your device is shared or you prioritize privacy.
Taskbar Tuning: Old Habits, New Tricks
A hallmark of previous Windows editions was a taskbar aligned to the left. Windows 11 introduced a centered taskbar, echoing macOS and ChromeOS, which proved divisive among long-time users. While some grew to appreciate its symmetry, others missed the muscle memory and spatial familiarity of left alignment.Rectifying this, Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Alignment lets you revert to the left. You can also unpin unwanted defaults like Microsoft Store or Edge, freeing up visual space. Pinning your top-used apps, such as File Explorer, Slack, Chrome, or custom UWP apps puts everyday tools within a single click’s reach.
Advanced Option: Enable auto-hide to maximize screen real estate—a subtle nod to power users who loathe visual distractions or work on smaller displays.
Analysis
- Strengths: The ability to revert to legacy left alignment is critical for users upgrading from Windows 10, helping preserve workflow continuity and minimizing adjustment anxiety. Easy pinning and unpinning streamlines daily routines.
- Risks: Some taskbar customizations (like moving it to the top or sides) that were possible in older versions remain unavailable in Windows 11 without third-party software. This limits personalization for a subset of advanced users.
Enabling Clipboard History: Power Up Copy-Paste
Copying and pasting is core to productivity, but the traditional clipboard only holds one item at a time. Windows 11’s Clipboard history, accessible via Settings > System > Clipboard > Clipboard history, dramatically expands what’s possible. Once enabled, pressing Windows Key + V opens a searchable, scrollable list of recently copied items, from links to text snippets.This feature eliminates the frantic search for something you copied five minutes ago or last week, allowing users to pin recurring snippets (like emails or links) for instant access.
Analysis
- Strengths: Offers a major workflow boost at no cost and no need for additional utilities. Pinned items and easy “clear all” functionality preserve privacy and reduce accidental pastes.
- Risks: Power users who juggle highly sensitive data should be aware that clipboard history can collect passwords or confidential information if not routinely managed or cleared. This is a concern echoed by cybersecurity professionals who advocate for regular purging, especially on shared machines.
Pruning Startup Apps for Faster Boot and Less Clutter
Every utility, chat client, and cloud storage app seems to want a piece of your boot sequence. If you’re on a modern machine with an SSD, you might not notice much lag, but on older HDD-based systems, a bloated startup list can mean painfully slow logins and background resource drain.Fire up Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), then open the Startup apps section. Here, disable anything unnecessary—Copilot, Xbox Game Bar, seldom-used launchers—by right-clicking and toggling Disable.
Even with the speed of NVMe SSDs, every running background app eats into available RAM and CPU time. For many, disabling redundant startup programs is the single biggest speed boost they’ll notice on a day-to-day basis.
Analysis
- Strengths: De-clutters login, saves battery on laptops, and can meaningfully extend the lifespan of older hardware. Does not uninstall or delete apps—merely keeps them from launching at boot.
- Risks: Disabling some background apps like cloud sync programs (OneDrive, Dropbox) may interrupt expected file availability or backup routines if forgotten. Review semi-regularly after installing new software packages.
Clearing Out Storage: Prudent Housekeeping
Whether you’re migrating from Windows 10 or starting fresh, disk space is a finite resource. A full SSD or HDD can drag down performance by limiting swap space, causing longer boot times, or simply slowing data access.Dive into Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and review what’s present. Many pre-installed programs, particularly on laptops from major OEMs, can be safely purged—Copilot, Xbox Console Companion, or various manufacturer trialware. Click the ellipsis next to any app and tap Uninstall.
While SSDs are less susceptible than HDDs to catastrophic slowdowns at near-full capacity, performance degradation is still a documented phenomenon, particularly with cheaper QLC NAND drives. Keeping free space available ensures Windows Updates don’t fail for lack of room and means you’ll be ready to install large games or applications at a moment’s notice.
Analysis
- Strengths: Frees up valuable storage, improves update reliability, and removes unwanted bloatware.
- Risks: Careless uninstallation of drivers or important manufacturer utilities can result in degraded hardware functionality. Be sure of each app’s purpose (a quick web search is wise) before uninstalling.
Ditching Microsoft Edge as the Default: User Choice Restored
Microsoft Edge has made significant strides in speed and standards compliance in recent years, but familiarity, extension ecosystems, or multi-device sync keep many loyal to browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Microsoft, for its part, has received criticism for how sticky it makes Edge by default—especially after updates.To claim browser autonomy, install your browser of choice, then go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps, locate your installed browser, and tap Set default for the relevant protocols. This minor change ensures links from email, messenger, or system notifications open where you want.
Findings from independent analysis confirm that Chrome remains the leading third-party Windows browser by market share, largely due to its cross-platform synchronization and extension availability. Firefox and a handful of privacy-centric browsers continue to find strong followings among security-minded users.
Analysis
- Strengths: Reinforces user control and prevents forced browser usage. Choice of browser increases compatibility for web apps and extensions.
- Risks: Some system links, like widgets or Cortana, may stubbornly persist in opening in Edge due to Microsoft’s “Edge Protocol Handler,” though recent EU challenges have seen this softening for global users. Always check after large updates that your default browser hasn’t been surreptitiously reset.
Pro Tips and Honorable Mentions
While the aforementioned tweaks represent the “must-do” modifications that are universally valuable, Windows 11 offers additional advanced controls that savvy users should explore:- Advanced Transparency and Minimalism: Community utilities like TranslucentTB (from the Microsoft Store) offer even finer control of taskbar appearance, enabling full transparency or dynamic blurring tied to window activity for a minimalist look.
- Virtual Desktops: For multitaskers, leveraging virtual desktops (Windows Key + Ctrl + D to add) segments workspaces cleanly for different projects or contexts.
- Snap Layouts and Zones: Arranging windows efficiently using Snap Layouts (hover over maximize) and PowerToys’ FancyZones allows creative breakdowns of large displays or exotic ultrawide monitors.
- Privacy Settings Review: Windows 11 continues to collect telemetry by default. Dive into Settings > Privacy & security to turn off unnecessary tracking, tailor inking and typing recommendations, and review app permissions—critical for GDPR or privacy-conscious users.
- Accessibility Features: The new Accessibility section is an unsung hero for eye strain (high contrast themes), text-to-speech, and interface scaling for users needing larger text or higher contrast visual cues.
Final Thoughts
The value of these seven foundational tweaks is twofold: They assert control over Windows 11’s sometimes overreaching defaults, and they empower users to craft an environment that feels as familiar or as fresh as they choose. Microsoft’s move to centralize customization while steadily enhancing security and stability stands out as a major positive—but it’s the flexibility, not just the flash, that makes the platform sprawl so enduring for hobbyists and professionals alike.For power users, it’s clear that digging beneath default settings is not just a hobbyist pursuit, but a necessary defense against productivity bottlenecks and subtle privacy encroachments. Meanwhile, newcomers benefit from Microsoft’s increasing transparency and logically grouped menus.
Ultimately, the true brilliance of Windows 11 is revealed only after you take command—unclutter the interface, personalize to suit your mood, and streamline every click. These tweaks are only the beginning. Future updates will continue to evolve, but armed with these adjustments, any new Windows 11 installation can quickly transform into a platform that aligns perfectly with the unique demands and tastes of its owner.
Source: Pocket-lint 7 ways I set up Windows 11 for a better experience
