Why it helps a lot: Windows is packed with incredibly useful tools that most users never discover. This article reveals these hidden gems, making users feel like they’ve unlocked a secret level on their computer.
Brief Outline:
- Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch (Win+Shift+S): The ultimate screenshot tool. Explain the different modes (rectangular, freeform, window, full-screen) and how it automatically copies to clipboard.
- Clipboard History (Win+V): Explain that Windows remembers your last ~25 copies (text, images). Show them how to enable and use it to stop re-copying the same things.
- PowerToys (Free Microsoft Download): Highlight one or two killer features from this suite:
- FancyZones: A window manager that lets you create custom window layouts and snap programs into them perfectly.
- PowerToys Run: A quick launcher (like Spotlight on Mac) to open apps, search files, and calculate math without touching the mouse.
- Storage Spaces: Briefly explain how this built-in feature allows you to combine multiple drives (even a slow old HDD and a fast new SSD) into a single, more resilient pool for automatic backups and redundancy.
- Steps Recorder: A hidden gem for getting tech support. It records all your clicks and takes screenshots, generating a detailed report you can send to a helper to show exactly what’s going wrong.