Do You Use the Hidden Start Menu In Windows?

Do You Use the Hidden Start Menu In Windows?

What is the quickest way to access all the following Windows features?

Apps & Features, Mobility Center, Power Options, Event Viewer, Device Manager, Network Connections, Disk Management, and Computer Management.

A. Settings
B. Control Panel
C. Start Menu
D. The Windows Hidden Start Menu
E. None of these

Who said D? You’re right! Yay!

The hidden Start menu, also known as the right-click Start menu or the Power Users’ menu, is the fastest way to access Device Manager, Power Options, Event Viewer, Disk Management, and other important Windows features.

You can access this menu by right-clicking the Windows start button, or, if you’re a keyboard shortcut fan like us, you can open this menu by holding down the Windows key and tapping X. In Windows 11, the way you access the menu makes a difference.

Above: The right-click or hidden Start menu (Windows 10). It appears when you right-click the Start button or use the Windows Key + X shortcut.

Below: The right-click or hidden Start menu (Windows 11). It appears when you right-click the Start button. 

But wait, Windows 11 users, there’s more!

If you’re using Windows 11 and you use the Windows key + X shortcut to access the hidden start menu, you’ll get a slightly different menu. Look out below! Do you see the difference? Do you see the underlined letters? The underlined letters let you use shortcuts to select an item from the menu. For instance, with the menu open, tap the Y key to access “System”, tap “M” to open “Device Manager”, or tap the “P” key to access Settings > Apps > Installed apps. 

That’s the Windows hidden start menu, and now you know how to use it. It is an easy way to access important Windows features with just a click or a Windows Key shortcut.