The taskbar and Start menu are two of the most used parts of Windows, yet most people only scratch the surface of what they can do. Whether you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11, there are plenty of hidden tricks and shortcuts built into these features that can save you time and make your daily computer use much more enjoyable. Here are some of the best taskbar and Start menu tricks you should start using right away.
Pin Your Favorite Apps to the Taskbar
One of the simplest but most useful tricks is pinning your most used apps directly to the taskbar. Instead of searching for an app every time you need it, just right-click on any open app in the taskbar and select "Pin to taskbar." From that point on, the app will always be visible at the bottom of your screen, ready to launch with a single click. You can also pin apps by right-clicking them in the Start menu and choosing the same option.
Open Multiple Windows of the Same App
Here is a trick that many people do not know. If you have an app pinned to the taskbar, you can open a second window of the same app by holding the Shift key and clicking its taskbar icon. This is very handy when you want to work with two browser windows or two File Explorer windows side by side without any extra steps.
Rearrange Taskbar Icons Your Way
You are not stuck with the default order of icons on your taskbar. Simply click and drag any pinned app icon to move it wherever you like. Arrange them in the order that makes the most sense for your workflow, with the apps you use most placed closest to the Start button for quick access.
Peek at the Desktop Instantly
At the far right end of the taskbar, there is a small, almost invisible button called "Show Desktop." Clicking it minimizes all your open windows so you can see the desktop instantly. Clicking it again brings all your windows back. You can also press Windows key + D to do the same thing with your keyboard.
Customize the Start Menu in Windows 11
In Windows 11, the Start menu has been completely redesigned. You can pin your favorite apps to the top section of the Start menu by right-clicking any app and selecting "Pin to Start." If you want to remove an app from the Start menu, right-click it and choose "Unpin from Start." This way you can build a Start menu that shows only the apps you actually use.
Use the Search Bar Like a Calculator
The search bar in the Start menu is more powerful than it looks. You can type a math problem directly into it, like 150 divided by 6 or 25 multiplied by 4, and Windows will show you the answer instantly without opening any app. It also works as a quick currency or unit converter in some versions of Windows.
Jump Lists for Quick Actions
Right-clicking a pinned app on the taskbar opens what is called a Jump List. This shows you a list of recently opened files or quick actions related to that app. For example, right-clicking Google Chrome might show your recently visited websites, while right-clicking Word might show your recent documents. Jump Lists let you get straight to what you need without opening the app first and navigating from scratch.
Move the Taskbar to Any Side of the Screen
In Windows 10, you can move the taskbar to the left, right, or top of your screen. Simply right-click the taskbar, uncheck "Lock the taskbar," then click and drag it to any edge you prefer. Some people find a vertical taskbar on the left side gives them more vertical screen space, which is especially useful on laptops.
Resize the Start Menu
In Windows 10, you can actually resize the Start menu by hovering your mouse over its edge until you see a resize arrow, then dragging it to make it taller or wider. This lets you see more pinned tiles without scrolling, which is a small but satisfying customization.
Hide the Taskbar for More Screen Space
If you want a cleaner, distraction-free screen, you can set the taskbar to automatically hide when you are not using it. Go to Settings, then Personalization, then Taskbar, and turn on the option to automatically hide the taskbar. The taskbar will disappear when you move your mouse away and reappear when you move your cursor to the bottom of the screen.
These simple tricks can make a big difference in how fast and smoothly you work on your computer every day. Try a few of them out and customize your taskbar and Start menu to match exactly how you like to work.
