Unlocking Hidden Features of the Windows 11 Calculator App

The File Explorer, often dismissed as just a tool for navigating files on your Windows 11 machine, is in fact a powerful ally in your digital management journey. Beyond the simple drag-and-drop capabilities and the eye-rolling moments when your favorite folders go missing, Windows 11 has ramped up File Explorer with intriguing features that many users have yet to discover. Let's take a deep dive into these ten stellar features that can make your file management experience a breeze.

1. Discover the Gallery Feature​

One of the standouts in Windows 11's File Explorer is the Gallery view, a recent addition designed to enhance your photo-viewing experience. Imagine having all your images neatly collated in one spot, categorized by date in a visually-pleasing timeline. Instead of trawling through folders and subfolders, simply click on Gallery from the left sidebar to bask in your photographic memories all in one unified display. Bigger previews mean a richer visual experience!

2. Folder Customization for Optimal Browsing​

Did you know that Windows 11 optimizes folder views based on content type? The Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and Music folders each boast unique layouts. But you can customize any folder to behave similarly—a simple right-click on the folder, selecting Properties, and navigating to the Customize tab allows you to modify how that folder displays its content. Choose layouts tailored for documents, images, or music to streamline your organization.

3. Default Launch Location - Your Choice​

If you're perpetually frustrated by File Explorer defaulting to the Home folder, you're not alone! Luckily, you can change this behavior. Just navigate to the Options menu from the ellipsis button on the menu bar and select your preferred default location, whether it be This PC or OneDrive. Make File Explorer open to exactly where you need it to be—no more wasted clicks!

4. Embrace the Classic Context Menu​

The revamped context menu has raised eyebrows, and not always in admiration. But if you've been longing for the simpler layout of the classic context menu, there's a way back! By holding down the Shift key while right-clicking, you can access the old menu directly. For those wanting an even more nostalgic experience, a registry hack exists to revert back to the classic context menu permanently. Talk about a trip down memory lane!

5. Clear File Explorer History Like a Pro​

Over time, File Explorer builds a history of your visited folders that can clutter your suggestions with less relevant options. If you feel it’s time for a clean slate, you can easily reset your File Explorer history. Just head to the options menu and clear your past history, allowing you to start fresh with relevant suggestions that match your current usage patterns.

6. OneDrive Management Made Simple​

For those syncing with OneDrive, navigating file management isn't just straightforward but rather complex too. Be cautious: deleting files in File Explorer can also remove them from OneDrive. Luckily, you can identify the status of your files by their icons—white circle with green checkmark (available offline), cloud icon (online only), and green circle with white checkmark (always kept on the device). Understanding these statuses can make managing your cloud-storage experience much simpler.

7. Keyboard Shortcuts for File Selection​

Most users rely on the mouse when managing files, but keyboard shortcuts can streamline the process significantly. By holding the Control key while using the arrow keys, you can select files without highlighting everything in between. Just press Spacebar once you’ve highlighted the desired files—it’s a seamless way to manage multiple selections without getting bogged down.

8. Archive Handling Beyond ZIP Files​

Gone are the days when Windows could only handle basic ZIP files. With the latest updates, Windows 11 now supports the creation and extraction of multiple archive types, including RAR and 7z formats! Just right-click your selected files and choose Compress to... to access additional options for tweaking your archive specifications. Finally, you can leave behind the hassle of third-party apps for basic archiving needs.

9. File Transfers to Your Android Device​

No one likes bouncing back and forth between applications to move files. Thanks to the Phone Link integration, which connects Windows 11 directly with Android devices—especially Samsung phones—transferring files has never been easier. Your phone appears as an accessible device in File Explorer, allowing for smooth file browsing and management right from your PC.

10. Bulk Rename Capabilities​

Renaming multiple files one-by-one can feel like an exercise in futility. However, in Windows 11, bulk renaming is deceptively simple. Select the files you want to rename, right-click, and hit rename. Type your new file name, and voilà! Each selected file will receive the new name, complete with a numerical counter to differentiate them. It’s a time-saver that will soothe your organizational woes.

Conclusion​

Windows 11's File Explorer is more than meets the eye; it’s a multifaceted tool packed with features to enhance your file management experience. Many users might be oblivious to these conveniences, but exposing them can unleash a new productivity paradigm. Whether it’s viewing images, customizing folder views, or seamlessly managing your files across devices, take the time to explore and exploit these hidden gems. Who knows? You might just become a File Explorer wizard!
Look at your File Explorer anew and prepare to marvel at the untouched treasures within. Your Windows experience might just be about to get a lot more interesting!

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Source: XDA https://www.xda-developers.com/features-you-didnt-know-were-windows-11-file-explorer/

Samsung has long held the crown as the kingpin of Android devices, thanks to cutting-edge hardware, stunning aesthetics, and seamless integration across its ecosystem. But beyond the glossy hardware is an underrated suite of built-in apps that often get overshadowed by the glitzy third-party alternatives. Surprisingly, these pre-installed gems can punch way above their weight, offering productivity, entertainment, and even fun features that you likely didn't know were possible without delving into the app store.
Here we dissect the must-have apps that ship with Samsung devices, identifying why they might deserve another look—whether you currently own a Galaxy flagship or are simply curious about the world beyond Google's own services.

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1. Samsung Calendar: A Planner with Personality​

One might shrug at the sheer mention of a calendar app—after all, how revolutionary can scheduling things be? Yet Samsung Calendar steps up in surprising ways. While syncing effortlessly with Google Calendar (important for cross-platform maniacs), this app takes things a step further with handwriting recognition, integration with Samsung Reminder, and even playful touches like stickers. Want your Monday staff meeting tagged with an emoji or a sticky note? No problem.
Another crowd-pleasing feature here is its app icon functionality—yes, that crisp little number on your home screen displays the correct date (no, not all apps do that, and it's a lifesaver). Additionally, events preview seamlessly when you swipe down, saving precious seconds in your busy day.
Broader Context: Samsung Calendar also bridges the gap between analog scheduling and high-tech convenience. By blending its clean interface with robust searchability for stickers and notes, it offers a warmth Google Calendar doesn’t quite achieve.

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2. Samsung Keyboard: Typing with Style and Smarts​

When it comes to keyboards, Gboard and SwiftKey often steal the show in the Android world. But dive deeper into the nuances of Samsung Keyboard, and you'll see it’s a powerhouse specifically optimized for Samsung hardware. The haptic feedback—that tiny vibration as you type—hits just right, complemented by its keyboard animations and built-in Grammarly integration. For the error-prone typist, Grammarly is your unsung hero, pointing out those pesky grammar mistakes before you hit send.
What really sets it apart though is Keys Café, a hidden gem within Samsung's Good Lock tools. This module lets you redesign your keyboard with custom layouts, animations, and even personalized stickers. Combine that with the shared clipboard feature, which syncs content between your phone and Windows PC via Phone Link, and Samsung Keyboard becomes more than just key taps—it’s an enhanced productivity suite.
Real-Life Application: Switching between your phone and Windows PC to copy and paste text becomes a breeze, especially for multitaskers who constantly juggle platforms.

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3. Samsung Messages: Texting Gets a Facelift​

While Google Messages is taking the lead in RCS (Rich Communication Services) as the universal standard for Android messaging, Samsung Messages comes packed with thoughtful design and features that amplify texting. One standout capability is categorizing and filtering messages—an underrated lifesaver for anyone who gets spammed by sales codes, bank alerts, or pizza promos alongside actual conversations. You can even restore deleted chats from a dedicated Recycle Bin—something most apps simply forget.
Creative Bonus: The app lets you copy selected portions of text instead of the entire message block. Game-changer? Totally.
Why It Matters: Managing multiple conversations, particularly in workspaces or for freelances handling diverse client needs, becomes much easier when chat channels are fine-tuned and easy to organize.

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4. Samsung Internet: Where Browsing Meets Versatility​

Some might scoff at the idea of using a browser that isn’t Chrome or Firefox, but Samsung Internet earns its stripes by blending customization and functionality. Right out of the gate, this browser wins points for ad-blocking support—no more nagging popups or intrusive overlays when you’re trying to read articles.
For tech enthusiasts, its inclusion of AI-driven page summaries and built-in translation adds jaw-dropping convenience. Add to this ergonomic features like a bottom-placed address bar for thumb-friendly navigation, and Samsung Internet feels like a browser built to adapt to you—not the other way around.
Need Privacy? “Secret Mode,” Samsung's equivalent to Incognito, allows you to lock tabs with passwords, taking online security to another level.
Key Takeaway: If you've been reluctant to use something other than Chrome on your mobile, Samsung Internet proves that tailored browsing tailored can actually make life easier.

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5. Samsung Kids: Parental Control Made Easy​

For parents juggling their kid’s screen time and safety, Samsung Kids creates a sandboxed environment where kids stay entertained and safe. Here, adults can spearhead settings that curate apps, limit screen time goals, and restrict access to certain media.
What sets it apart? Kids mode smartly integrates within the phone, providing intuitive options like My Camera specifically for children while keeping unauthorized activities out of reach behind a PIN lock.
Use Case: If you're handing over your smartphone during family outings or quiet restaurant moments, this mode keeps your child entertained without the anxiety of random app purchases or accidental texting.

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6. Microsoft Office Apps: Seamless Productivity On-The-Go​

Samsung devices come preloaded with Office 365 apps. This probably won’t make headlines for die-hard Microsoft users, but what’s impressive is how seamlessly these apps work with OneDrive for document continuity. Start editing a spreadsheet while on a train, and have the same work show up in its latest form when you open your PC later. It’s simple, it’s powerful, and it just works.
Hidden Potential: Combining Samsung’s S Pen functionality (on devices that support it) with Office apps unlocks even more possibilities for signature management, note-taking, and artistic flourishes.

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Overlooked But Useful Extras​

Not all gems fit on this shortlist, but honorable mentions include:

• Samsung Notes: The ultimate tool for students or creatives who rely on robust note-taking.
• My Files: A shockingly powerful file manager with network storage support and the ability to “secure” items in encrypted folders.
• Samsung Reminders: Sync-d up with other Galaxy apps for cohesive scheduling.

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Why You Might Want to Pay Attention​

Next time you pull out your Samsung phone, consider giving these built-in apps a second glance. Often dismissed in the belief that third-party is always better, these tools are exemplars of integration, utility, and simplicity.
Samsung’s built-in software contributes to an ecosystem that doesn’t just replicate apps we’re already familiar with—it offers focused solutions tuned to a user’s lifestyle, bridging gaps between hardware, software, and productivity.
WindowsLink Insight: Many of these features, such as Phone Link clipboard sharing and Microsoft Office continuity, showcase Samsung's dedication to bridging Android and Windows synergy. Perfect for those immersed in hybrid tech ecosystems.
What’s your favorite Samsung app or feature? Share your insights in the WindowsForum.com thread—your expertise could open new doors for fellow tech enthusiasts. The debate's open, and we’d love to know where you stand!

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Source: MakeUseOf 6 Built-in Apps I Actually Use On My Samsung Device