9 great built-in apps and tools on Windows 11 that you shouldn't miss

While Windows 11 certainly comes with a few useless apps pre-installed, it also has some incredibly powerful tools hidden right in front of you. You may have stumbled across them without realizing their potential, and it's time to change that.

 

9. Sticky Notes

When working on your Windows computer, sometimes you need to jot down notes. Instead of opening random text files or reaching for a physical notebook, try using the built-in Sticky Notes app.

This simple app does exactly what it promises: It lets you create digital notes on your desktop. They're great for jotting down quick thoughts, reminders, to-do lists, and more. And as your collection of notes grows, you can assign different colors to better organize them.

 

8. Clipboard History

Copying and pasting text and images is probably something you do every day. But by default, Windows only remembers the last item you copied. That's fine. until you accidentally overwrite a link or need to paste multiple items. That's exactly the problem Clipboard History solves.

Clipboard History keeps a log of everything you copy, from text and links to images. So you can scroll through your clipboard log and reuse whatever you need: a quote from a web page this morning, a file path from an hour ago, or a screenshot from the last 15 minutes.

 

Like most Windows installations, you can sync Clipboard History across devices. This feature lets you copy content on one PC and paste it on another.

7. Clipchamp

There are a lot of good video editing apps for Windows, but if you want something simple and free, Clipchamp is a solid choice.

Clipchamp strikes a great balance between beginner-friendly and feature-rich. You can use the app to trim clips, split footage, add text overlays, apply transitions, and add background music or voiceovers. Even if you have no previous editing experience, you can jump right in and create a quality video in minutes.

6. Virtual Desktops

If your desktop is often cluttered with open applications, scattered files, and overlapping windows, Virtual Desktops can help. This built-in Windows feature lets you create multiple separate workspaces on the same computer.

This way, you can have one desktop just for work — with email, documents, and productivity tools — and another for personal use, with your music, messaging apps, and favorite browser tabs. Each desktop runs independently, and you can switch between them as needed.

 

5. Task Scheduler

If you want Windows to handle routine PC maintenance tasks automatically, the built-in Task Scheduler is a must-have. It's perfect for automating everyday tasks like launching applications, shutting down your computer at a specific time, or deleting old files from your Downloads folder every few months.

The Task Scheduler interface may seem complicated at first, but once you get used to it, it's easy to use. And the great thing is that you only have to set it up once. Then Windows takes care of the rest.

4. Quick Assist

Quick Assist makes remote support on Windows simple and secure. It allows one person to view or control another person's screen over the Internet . This feature is especially useful for home tech support or quick fixes at work.

 

Once connected, the support person can view the screen or take full control, depending on the need. The app is fast, intuitive, and removes all the usual barriers to remote support.

3. Focus Sessions

Sometimes it can be hard to stay focused, which is where Focus Sessions comes in. It allows you to set aside time to work, study, or simply focus without distractions. Once the session starts, Windows automatically silences notifications and minimizes interruptions.

In addition to turning off notifications, Focus Sessions also includes a timer, progress tracking, and even goal setting to help you build better habits over time.

2. Nearby Sharing

Nearby Sharing is one of those useful Windows features that's often overlooked, but once you use it, it's hard to go back.

This feature isn't ideal for large files, but if you just need to share a few images, documents, or even a website link, there's no need to bother with email.

1. Storage Sense

No matter how much storage space your computer has, you need a way to keep your data tidy. One of the best ways to do that is to regularly delete temporary files, system logs, and forgotten downloads. But instead of doing this manually every few weeks, you can use Storage Sense to clean up this mess and keep your computer from running out of storage space.