Windows 11 Tips And Tricks: The Ultimate How-To Guide

Windows 11 changed a lot of small, everyday things — where settings live, how screenshots work, how accounts are managed — and most of those changes aren’t obvious unless someone shows you. This guide covers the Windows 11 tasks people search for most: installing and updating from Windows 10, recording your screen, taking screenshots, managing accounts, locking folders, and cleaning up the taskbar. Each section below is a short, step-by-step walkthrough you can follow in a few minutes.

Windows 11 at a Glance: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How

• Who: Any Windows 10 or Windows 11 user looking to update, customize, or troubleshoot their PC
• What: Microsoft’s current desktop operating system, built around a redesigned interface, centered taskbar, and Xbox-powered recording tools
• When: Released October 2021, with regular feature updates released since; Windows 10 support ends October 2025
• Where: Available directly through Windows Update, the Microsoft website, or the Media Creation Tool
• Why: Continued security updates, better multitasking, and features like Snap Layouts and built-in screen recording
• How: Most tasks below take under five minutes using tools already built into Windows 11 — no downloads required

1. How to Update/Upgrade Windows 10 to 11

If your PC is eligible, Windows offers the upgrade for free directly through Windows Update.

Step-by-Step: Upgrading from Windows 10

1. Open Settings → Windows Update
2. Click Check for updates
3. If eligible, you’ll see “Windows 11 is ready for your device” — click Download and install
4. Restart when prompted to complete the upgrade

Windows 11 System Requirements (Quick Check)

Windows 10 vs Windows 11: What Changes

2. How to Install Windows 11

For a clean install (rather than an in-place upgrade), use the official Microsoft installation media.

Step-by-Step: Clean Install

1. Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website
2. Insert a USB drive (8GB minimum) and run the tool
3. Select Create installation media for another PC
4. Boot the target PC from the USB drive (via BIOS/UEFI boot menu)
5. Follow the on-screen setup, choosing Custom install for a clean setup

3. How to Download Windows 11

There are three official ways to download Windows 11, depending on what you need it for.

Step-by-Step: Downloading Windows 11

1. Go to Microsoft’s official Software Download page
2. Choose one of three options:
   • Windows 11 Installation Assistant — for upgrading the current PC
   • Create Windows 11 Installation Media — for a bootable USB
   • Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) — for manual installs or virtual machines
3. Select your language and edition, then click Download

4. Is Windows 11 Free?

Yes — if you have a genuine, activated copy of Windows 10, the upgrade to Windows 11 is free with no license cost. You only pay if you’re buying a brand-new license (for a PC that never had Windows 10) or purchasing a new device with Windows 11 pre-installed.

• Free: Upgrading an activated Windows 10 PC that meets system requirements
• Not free: A fresh Windows 11 license for an unlicensed PC (~$139 for Home edition from Microsoft)

5. How to Record Screen in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes a built-in screen recorder through the Xbox Game Bar — no extra software needed.

Step-by-Step: Screen Recording

1. Press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar
2. Click the Capture widget (camera icon)
3. Click the Record button (circle icon) to start recording
4. Press Windows + Alt + R to stop recording anytime
5. Recordings save automatically to Videos → Captures

6. How to Take a Screenshot in Windows 11

Windows 11 offers several screenshot methods depending on how much control you want.

Step-by-Step: Taking a Screenshot

1. Full screen: Press PrtScn (copies to clipboard) or Windows + PrtScn (saves a file to Pictures → Screenshots)
2. Selected area: Press Windows + Shift + S, then drag to select the area you want
3. Active window only: Press Alt + PrtScn
4. Paste the copied screenshot into any app with Ctrl + V

7. How to Change Administrator Account in Windows 11

Step-by-Step: Changing Account Type

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users
2. Select the account you want to change
3. Click Change account type
4. Choose Administrator or Standard User from the dropdown
5. Click OK to apply

8. How to Remove Microsoft Account from Windows 11

You can switch your Microsoft sign-in to a local account instead.

Step-by-Step: Switching to a Local Account

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Your info
2. Click Sign in with a local account instead
3. Enter your Microsoft password to confirm
4. Set a username and password for the new local account
5. Restart your PC to complete the switch

9. How to Lock a Folder in Windows 11

Windows 11 doesn’t have a native “lock folder” feature, but you can restrict access using built-in permissions.

Step-by-Step: Restricting Folder Access

1. Right-click the folder and select Properties
2. Go to the Security tab and click Edit
3. Select your user account and uncheck Read and Full control under Deny
4. Click Apply, then OK

10. How to Change Time Format in Windows 11

Step-by-Step: Switching Between 12-Hour and 24-Hour Time

1. Open Settings → Time & language → Date & time
2. Scroll down and click Formats (under “Related settings”)
3. Click Change date and time formats
4. Under Short time and Long time, choose your preferred 12-hour (h:mm tt) or 24-hour (HH:mm) format

11. How to Hide Taskbar in Windows 11

Step-by-Step: Auto-Hiding the Taskbar

1. Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings
2. Click Taskbar behaviors to expand it
3. Check Automatically hide the taskbar
4. The taskbar will now hide until you hover your cursor at the bottom of the screen

Final Thoughts

Most of what feels unfamiliar in Windows 11 is just relocated, not removed — screenshots, screen recording, account settings, and taskbar controls are all still there, just accessed a little differently than in Windows 10. Bookmark this guide and come back to it as you run into new settings you want to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Windows 11 a free upgrade from Windows 10?
Yes, if your Windows 10 license is genuine and your PC meets the minimum system requirements.

2. How do I check if my PC can run Windows 11?
Download and run Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, which checks TPM, Secure Boot, RAM, and processor compatibility.

3. Can I record my screen in Windows 11 without installing software?
Yes, the built-in Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G) includes a screen recorder at no extra cost.

4. What is the fastest way to take a screenshot in Windows 11?
Windows + Shift + S opens the Snipping tool for a custom-area screenshot in seconds.

5. Will I lose my files when upgrading from Windows 10 to 11?
No, the standard in-place upgrade keeps your files, apps, and settings — but backing up first is still recommended.

6. Can I install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account?
Yes, using a local account is possible during setup, though Microsoft nudges users toward signing in online.

7. What happens if I remove my Microsoft account from Windows 11?
Your sign-in switches to a local account, and OneDrive sync plus Microsoft Store licensing tied to that account will disconnect.

8. Does Windows 11 have a built-in folder password lock?
No — Windows 11 can restrict folder access via permissions, but true password-locking requires a third-party tool.

9. How do I switch Windows 11’s clock to 24-hour time?
Go to Settings → Time & language → Date & time → Formats → Change date and time formats, and select the 24-hour (HH:mm) option.

10. Can I hide the taskbar completely in Windows 11?
Yes, enable “Automatically hide the taskbar” in Taskbar settings — it reappears when you hover near the bottom of the screen.

11. How much does a Windows 11 license cost if I don’t qualify for the free upgrade?
A new Windows 11 Home license costs around $139 directly from Microsoft.

12. What’s the difference between Windows 11 upgrade and clean install?
An upgrade keeps your existing files and apps; a clean install wipes the drive and starts fresh.