SOME OF THE BEST WINDOWS 11 FEATURES ARE HIDDEN

HERE’S WHERE TO FIND THEM.

- MARK HACHMAN

Microsoft places the most disconcerting aspects of Windows 11 front and center, while its best features are hidden deeper within.” That’s how I closed my Windows 11 review (see page 25), and it still feels true today. But what are those hidden, superior features?

Yes, you’ll need to hunt a bit. But Microsoft has scattered some hidden gems here and there within the new OS, and we’ll show you what they are. We’d still advise you to wait on Windows 11 (fave.co/3DQeFVJ) while Microsoft smooths out the bugs, but at least you’ll know that there are some cool new capabilities waiting for you when you finally upgrade.

We mentioned some of these features in our deep-dive Windows 11 review. Others, like the new Snap View, could easily remain hidden until you eventually stumble upon them. But rather than waiting to discover some of Windows 11’s best features by happenstance, you can use this article as a guide.

GREATER SECURITY

PCWorld has spilled a lot of digital ink on Windows 11’s hardware restrictions (fave. co/3C7aDbn), specifically the Trusted Platform Module capabilities (fave. co/3vlsU1M) that Microsoft is trying to enforce. For consumers, the TPM requirement may feel more like an obstacle to overcome, rather than a feature to be celebrated. Still, Microsoft predicated the entire Windows 11 platform on the premise that securing your PC via hardware helps protect it from attacks both known and unknown, just as using a lock on your laptop is an added layer of protection against data theft.