Hidden Windows Features – Unlocking Secret Settings and Tweaks for Better Performance
Hidden Windows Features
Table of Contents
1. Understanding Hidden
Windows Features
2. Boosting Performance
with Secret Settings
- Disabling
Startup Programs
- Enabling
Fast Startup
- Adjusting
Virtual Memory
3. Hidden Security
Features You Should Be Using
- Windows
Sandbox for Safe Browsing
-
Encrypting Files with BitLocker
- Built-in
Ransomware Protection
4. Secret Productivity
Tools
- God Mode
for Ultimate Control
- Clipboard
History and Snippets
- PowerToys
for Advanced Customization
5. Advanced Networking
Tricks for Faster Internet
6. Windows Registry
Tweaks for Power Users
7. Wrapping It
Up
1. Understanding Hidden Windows Features
Windows is designed to be accessible to everyone, from casual users to IT professionals. However, to keep things simple, Microsoft hides some of its most powerful tools under layers of menus and settings. By uncovering these features, you can take control of your system and optimize it for better performance, security, and convenience.
2. Boosting Performance with Secret Settings
Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
Ever wonder why your computer takes so long to start up? One major culprit is unnecessary startup programs that load automatically every time you turn on your PC. Many of these run in the background and slow down your system.
 |
| How to disable unnecessary startup programs |
How to Disable Startup Programs:
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift +
Esc` to open Task Manager .
2. Click on the Startup tab.
3. Look for programs you
don’t need and click Disable.
4. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
By disabling unneeded startup programs, you’ll see a noticeable boost in boot speed and overall performance.
Enable Fast Startup for Quicker Boot Times
Windows has a hidden
feature called Fast Startup, which helps your PC boot up much faster.
This setting is turned on by default on some systems, but it’s worth checking
if it’s enabled.
How to Enable Fast Startup:
1. Open the Control Panel and go to Power Options
.
2. Click Choose what the power buttons do in the
left panel.
3. Select Change settings that are currently
unavailable .
4. Check the box next to
Turn on fast startup.
5. Click Save changes.
With this tweak, your computer will boot up significantly faster, especially if you’re using an HDD instead of an SSD.
Adjust Virtual Memory for Smoother Performance
If your PC struggles
with memory-intensive tasks, adjusting virtual memory can help. Windows uses
virtual memory (also known as a paging file) to compensate when physical RAM
runs low.
How to Adjust Virtual Memory:
1. Press `Win + R`, type
`sysdm.cpl`, and hit Enter.
2. Click the Advanced tab, then Settings under Performance.
3. Go to the Advanced tab again and click Change under Virtual Memory.
4. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size.
5. Select Custom size and enter an initial and maximum
size (recommended: 1.5x your RAM).
6. Click OK and restart your PC.
This tweak can improve multitasking and speed up demanding applications. Also read !!!
3. Hidden Security Features You Should Be Using
Windows Sandbox for Safe Browsing
Have you ever downloaded
a file and worried it might be a virus? Windows Sandbox lets you open
questionable files in a completely isolated environment, protecting your main
system from harm.
 |
| How to enable Windows Sandbox |
How to Enable Windows Sandbox:
1. Open Control Panel and click Programs & Features .
2. Select Turn Windows features on or off .
3. Scroll down and
enable Windows Sandbox
4. Restart your
computer.
Now, you can open suspicious files without risking your PC.
Encrypt Sensitive Files with BitLocker
BitLocker provides
advanced encryption to protect your sensitive files and prevent unauthorized
access.
 |
| How to use BitLocker |
How to Use BitLocker:
1. Open Control Panel
> BitLocker Drive Encryption .
2. Select the drive you
want to encrypt and click Turn on
BitLocker.
3. Follow the prompts to
set a password and save your recovery key.
4. Click Start Encrypting.
4. Secret Productivity Tools
God Mode: The Ultimate Control Panel
God Mode is a secret
Windows feature that gives you direct access to every setting in a single folder.
How to Activate God Mode:
1. Right-click your Desktop nd select New > Folder .
2. Rename it to:
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
3. Press Enter,
and the folder icon will change.
Opening this folder gives you access to nearly 200 hidden Windows settings in one place.
4. Clipboard History for Copy-Pasting Like a Pro
Windows has a built-in clipboard history that lets you store multiple copied items and access them anytime.
How to Enable Clipboard History:
1. Press `Win +
V`.
2. Click Turn on.
Now, every copied item is saved, and you can retrieve it anytime using `Win + V`.
5. Advanced Networking Tricks for Faster Internet
How to Use a Faster DNS:
1. Open Control Panel
> Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center .
2. Click Change Adapter Settings
3. Right-click your
network, choose Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and
click Properties .
5. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and
enter:
- Preferred
DNS: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate
DNS: 8.8.4.4
6. Click OK and restart your connection.
This tweak improves browsing speed and security.
6. Windows Registry Tweaks for Power Users
Speed Up Shutdown Process
1. Open Registry Editor (`Win
+ R`, type `regedit`, hit Enter ).
2. Navigate
to:
```
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
```
3. Locate WaitToKillServiceTimeout , double-click it, and set the value to 2000 .
4. Click OK and restart.
This makes your PC shut down faster by reducing the delay before Windows closes background processes.
7. Wrapping It Up
Windows has tons of hidden settings that can boost performance, enhance security, and improve usability. By making a few tweaks, you can transform your PC into a faster, more efficient, and more secure machine.
Hidden Performance Mode
Windows 11 includes a hidden Ultimate Performance Mode designed for power users, gamers, and workstations. It removes micro-latency delays by keeping hardware running at its highest performance state.
How to Enable Ultimate Performance Mode:
-
Press
Win + Xand select Windows Terminal (Admin). -
Type this command and press Enter:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61 -
Go to Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options and select Ultimate Performance.
If you use demanding software like video editors or virtual machines, this setting can noticeably improve responsiveness.
Dynamic Lock and Windows Hello
Windows Hello allows you to sign in with your face, fingerprint, or PIN, offering faster and safer logins. Combine this with Dynamic Lock, which automatically locks your PC when you step away (using a paired Bluetooth device such as your phone).
How to Enable Dynamic Lock:
-
Go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in Options.
-
Scroll down to Dynamic Lock.
-
Check “Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away.”
This simple feature can prevent unauthorized access if you forget to lock your screen manually.
Focus Sessions and Virtual Desktops
Windows 11 includes Focus Sessions, a built-in productivity timer integrated into the Clock app. It helps you stay on track with customizable work periods and breaks.
How to Use Focus Sessions:
-
Open the Clock app from Start.
-
Click on Focus Sessions and set your target duration.
-
Optionally connect Spotify or To-Do for task syncing and music.
Pair this with Virtual Desktops (Win + Ctrl + D) to organize different workspaces — one for work, one for study, one for personal use.
PowerToys Advanced Toolkit
Microsoft PowerToys is an official add-on suite that unlocks advanced customization features like:
-
FancyZones: Create custom window layouts for multitasking.
-
PowerRename: Rename multiple files instantly using rules.
-
Awake: Keep your PC awake without changing power settings.
-
Color Picker: Instantly identify colors anywhere on screen.
You can download PowerToys for free from Microsoft’s GitHub page.
DNS Optimization and Metered Connection Tip
If you’re using Wi-Fi and notice slow browsing, try Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) for speed and privacy:
Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1
Also, make sure your connection isn’t set to Metered, as this can limit background updates or sync speed. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Properties and toggle off Metered Connection.
Classic Right-Click Menu in Windows 11
If you miss the old right-click context menu, you can bring it back easily:
-
Open Command Prompt (Admin).
-
Run this command:
reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve -
Restart File Explorer.
You’ll now see the classic right-click menu instantly—no need for third-party tools.
Bonus Hidden Tools
-
Steps Recorder: Automatically captures screenshots and user actions to troubleshoot problems.
-
Reliability Monitor: Tracks system stability and crash history in detail. Search for “Reliability Monitor” from Start.
-
Storage Sense: Automatically cleans up temporary files and frees disk space.
-
Snipping Tool Shortcut: Press
Win + Shift + Sfor quick screen captures with annotation options.
Conclusion
Windows is far more powerful than most users realize, packed with hidden features and secret settings that can significantly enhance performance, security, and usability. By unlocking these advanced tweaks, whether it's disabling unnecessary startup programs, enabling Fast Startup, optimizing virtual memory, securing files with BitLocker, or speeding up internet connections with a DNS change, you can take full control of your system and tailor it to your needs.
These tweaks aren't just for tech enthusiasts. Even if you're a casual user, implementing just a few of these changes can make your computer run faster, feel more responsive, and stay more secure. The best part? You don’t need third-party software; everything is already built into Windows!
So go ahead, try out these hidden Windows features, and experience a smoother, faster, and more efficient PC. If you found this guide helpful, share it with others who might benefit from these tricks!
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