Two Obscure but Useful Windows 11 Tips You May Not Know
Windows is full of little features that Microsoft seems to want to keep secret. Here are two of our favorite arcane Windows 11 tips to help you get more done with less clicking.
The Shakedown
If your screen is cluttered with multiple windows and you just want to focus on one, you don’t have to manually minimize them all. Just click and hold the title bar of the window you want to keep, and give it a quick shake with your mouse.
Windows will instantly minimize every other open program, leaving only your chosen window on the screen. If you want them all back again, give the window another shake!
(Note: If this doesn’t work on your PC, head to Settings > System > Multitasking and make sure “Title bar window shake” is turned on.)
Copying Text from “Uncopyable” Places
Have you ever tried to copy text from a weird error message or a dialogue box that won’t let you highlight the words? Instead of typing it out manually, just click on the window and press CTRL + C.
Even if there is no “Copy” button and the text doesn’t turn blue, Windows will often copy the entire contents of that dialogue box to your clipboard. You can then paste it (CTRL + V) into Notepad or an email to see exactly what that error message said.