Getting used to Windows 11 shouldn’t be too challenging. On the contrary, the OS comes with several intuitive features to enhance productivity.

Microsoft recently introduced Windows 11 as the company’s latest operating system. And compared to Windows 10, this OS has various features that can increase your productivity and provide a better user experience.

As soon as you start using Windows 11, you’ll see a marked improvement over its predecessors.

For example, it has refined several household features, such as video conferencing and video management. You also get enhanced note-taking, data input, and a user-friendly interface that should help you complete your duties more efficiently.

Many other features can help boost your productivity, and this article will talk about them in detail; however, Firewell Technology Solutions also notes some features Microsoft didn’t include in Windows 11.

Windows 11 – What’s New?

Feature #1: New Taskbar

Previous Windows versions feature an iconic taskbar, but it can sometimes get clunky. Windows 11 deals with the cruft and provides a streamlined solution.

The new taskbar is perfect for expediting work, as it can contain a list of recent cloud and local files. You can also pin various apps to improve access and utilize a search bar that allows for convenient web browsing.

Another highlight of the taskbar is clean lines and widgets that display essential information (e.g., weather, photos, and news).

This should be a tremendous upgrade from the busy display of Windows 10.

Feature #2: Windows Grouping and Snapping

The enhanced Snap Group and Snap Layout features allow you to resize and manage windows more easily. You also get to keep essential apps grouped to maintain high productivity.

Using the features is relatively straightforward: just hover the mouse over the maximize button on the desired app to reveal your layout options. You can choose between several arrangements, such as four-app grids and side-by-side layouts.

And if your team needs to perform basic window management, they can still grab and pull windows to the edge of their screen.

This feature improves desktop organization, which is especially useful for people working with two or more monitors or ultrawide displays. They can reduce clutter rapidly, enabling them to focus on their tasks.

Feature #3: Improved Accessibility Options

Windows 11 follows in the footsteps of many smartphones to simplify setting changes and make them easily accessible. Pulling up your control panel now only requires one tap or click in the taskbar coroner, replicating Apple’s Control Center.

Furthermore, Windows 11 apps feature aesthetic, curved corners, and your Settings incorporate more options you can tweak. For instance, blind or vision impaired users can take advantage of cutting-edge audio cues. There are also desktop themes to help reduce eye strain, which is essential if you work long hours.

On top of that, the new operating system has revamped voice typing. You can activate this with a simple keyboard shortcut. This feature supports most major languages, including English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Portuguese.

Windows 11’s better accessibility means your team will no longer have to keep relying on your IT service provider to set things up for them.

Feature #4: Better App Store 

Many apps can enhance workplace productivity, but you’ll first need to find them on your PC’s app store. Fortunately, Windows 11 came up with an organized and coherent platform to make the search easier.

Besides universal apps, you can check out the applications compatible with your devices. The platform can also handle programs from third-party stores and manage app installation on the internet.

Feature #5: Smooth Notetaking

If you’re using a touchscreen device, taking notes in Windows 11 should now be highly satisfying. This feature offers haptic feedback to generate physical sensations when drawing lines on the screen or checking boxes with your pen.

Moreover, the Ink Workspace allows you to add preferred apps instead of using the standard snipping tool and Whiteboard. It gives you easy access to creativity tools the moment you pull out your pen.

Which Features Were Left Behind?

Overall, Windows 11 should work great for your business. But bear in mind that Microsoft left out some features that were a staple in previous versions: 

Excluded Feature #1: Taskbar Customization

Windows 10 users can move their taskbar from the horizontal position to the left, right, or upper part of their screen. In contrast, the Windows 11 taskbar is fixed at the bottom of the display, and you can’t customize the dimensions.

The taskbar customization feature would have been helpful because it would let you use space more efficiently.

Another significant change is that you can no longer move the Time and Date on your taskbar. Windows 10 didn’t have this problem since you could toggle off the Clock feature in your Settings.

The default taskbar layout might be fine, but some users prefer higher customizability than what Windows 11 offers.

Excluded Feature #2: Drag-and-Drop Features

Windows 10 and some earlier versions allowed you to drag several items to change their position. For example, you could drag a Word document onto your Word icon on the taskbar to open it.

This function is disabled in Windows 11. There’s no way to drag and drop or save any program or file onto your taskbar.

Excluded Feature #3: Cortana

Cortana is a voice assistant counterpart of Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Many people are used to it and may be disappointed to hear that it’s not a part of the Windows 11 system setup. You can’t even locate it in your start menu.

The good news is that the Cortana application can still be found – it’s just hidden away. And you can enable it by visiting Settings and navigating to Apps & Features.

A Wise Investment

While Windows 11 isn’t perfect since it removed many valuable features, it’s still an excellent platform to help increase your productivity.

Whether you need to organize your desktop more conveniently or take enjoyable notes, the OS won’t let you down. Plus, you get a revamped taskbar and powerful Voice Typing compatible with most major languages.

Overall, Windows 11 can be a terrific asset for your business.

If you want to find out more about incorporating this new OS to boost productivity in your organization, contact Firewell Technology Solutions today. We can have a 10-15-minute chat to help you address key productivity issues in your company with the help of Windows 11.

 

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Featured Image Credit

This Article, adapted, has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Microsoft Word is an indispensable part of most business environments. It has numerous features that can help you boost productivity.

Microsoft Word is one of the most popular office programs in the world. It allows millions of people to complete their duties more efficiently. 

Whether you’re a beginner or advanced user, you can use the software to create many different documents. The list includes business letters, resumes, flyers, marketing newsletters, labels, plans, employee reports, and seminar documents. Best of all, you can print and share them within seconds. 

It’s easy to see why most companies rely on Word. But the reality is, many people haven’t tapped into the full potential of this tool. It’s chock-full of features that can help you be more productive, yet not a lot of people know about them. We here at Firewell Technology Solutions believe in demystifying advanced features in software, and even a classic like Microsoft Word is no exception.

This article will provide 11 tips on making the most of Microsoft Word to enhance your workplace productivity. 

The 11 Tips

Tip #1 – Switch to an Online Workspace

One of the best things about Microsoft Word is that you don’t have to install it on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The office.com website allows you to sign in with your Microsoft account and use Word Online, the online version of this program.

This is especially useful for people with limited storage on their devices since Word can be hefty. It uses around 1.2GB of storage space for Mac and 2.10GB for Windows.

It provides the same functionality without taking up space on your device.

Note: the caveat to this advice is that a local install of Microsoft Word generally provides a more efficient user experience, but if your device is pressed for storage space, the online version of Microsoft Word works well enough.

Tip #2 – Collaborate Efficiently

Word allows you to edit the same documents simultaneously. You only need to save your file to your OneDrive account, use the Share function, and send it to your colleagues. People who receive the link can then edit the file with Word Online or the desktop app. Google Drive and Google Docs are no longer the only real-time collaboration game in town.

Tip #3 – Integrate with Dictate

Businesspersons do a lot of writing throughout the day, including responding to emails and creating presentations. This can cause both physical and mental fatigue. Using speech-to-text can be much easier, and this is where Dictate comes into play. 

This Microsoft Garage add-in for Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook converts what you dictate to writing with advanced speech recognition technology. As a result, your fingers can finally take a break from all that typing. 

Tip #4 – Establish Editorial Control

The Track Changes feature in Word enables you to monitor all the edits in your document. You can find it in the Review tab, and clicking it allows you to see all changes other users made. 

Best of all, you can also accept your employees’ suggestions so that you don’t have to do all the work. 

Tip #5 – Use Linked Notes

Facing deadlines is no fun when you can’t find the motivation to compose your articles. The best way to get around this problem is to keep your thoughts in OneNote. This program allows you to compose quotes and thoughts to keep your articles spotless. 

To further improve your experience with this program, be sure to use Linked Notes. 

Linked Notes enable you to place OneNote to the side of your screen. You can create Word articles and take your notes in OneNote simultaneously. This way, you can stay organized and focused. 

Tip #6 – Research with Smart Lookup

Word’s Smart Lookup feature lets you perform online research while working on documents. Consequently, there’s no need to type in your query in a different tab. 

To do it, highlight a word or phrase, right-click it, and choose Smart Lookup from the following menu. Word will then perform a Bing search and display the results in the right section of your display.

Tip #7 – Protect your Vision with Convenient Zooming

One of the biggest obstacles to productive work is eye strain caused by sitting too close to your screen. To resolve this issue, use the zoom feature. 

Look for the slider in the lower-right part of your document to find the ideal setting, or press the Windows and Plus keys on your keyboard. Use the setting that feels most comfortable to you, as it can help prevent eye fatigue. 

Tip #8 – Incorporate Icons

Your documents need to be readable. Since most people focus on your images and headings, you should give them some artistic value. 

Word’s Icons will help you accomplish this. They are a simple way to draw the reader’s attention to crucial information without cluttering your document. With it, you can help improve the readability of your files, meaning readers – whether you or a teammate – won’t have to look for distinct words or phrases.

Tip #9 – Format Your Files

The Styles section comes with ready-made text formatting options to help customize your documents more easily. Furthermore, you can add your own styles or frequently used ones. 

By saving your preferences, you can incorporate them anytime without manually formatting your documents. Using style tags—particularly the headings—helps enhance your document accessibility for assistive reading devices, and if you use heading style tags, you can have Word automatically generate a heading-based table of contents. Awesome!

Tip #10 – Look Up Images Faster

With Word, you don’t need to open a web browser to find the perfect photo for your files. 

Just place your cursor in the section where you wish to insert an image, navigate to the Insert tab, and choose Online pictures. Select the suitable image to add to your file, and it can become more visually appealing instantly.

Tip #11 – Edit Your PDFs

You might think that you need to download and install PDF editing software to edit your PDF files, but that’s not the case. 

Word has a convenient PDF editing feature that lets you quickly change your documents. This can save you a lot of time and prevents you from installing potentially malicious apps.

But before you start, note that you’ll need to convert your PDF file to a format compatible with Word. 

Stay on Top of Your Duties with Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a must-have if you want to improve communication and collaboration in your business. It allows you and your team to create documents easily to facilitate correspondence with crucial clients.

But while using Word, be sure to utilize the above features to speed up document creation. You’ll then be able to work more efficiently and switch to other tasks faster.

That said, there are more ways for you to increase productivity when using Microsoft Word. To find out more tips, feel free to contact us. We can have a no-obligation chat about it. Although Firewell Technology Solutions primarily provides IT support and IT services to the Fresno and Visalia area, we’re happy to talk tech with anyone!

Article, adapted, used with permission from The Technology Press.