9 Windows Features You Should Turn On By Default

Windows comes with a lot of useful features that are hidden or disabled by default, although they are good enough to be enabled on first launch.

Table of Contents

• 9. Show file extensions
• 8. Show hidden files
• 7. Storage Sense
• 6. Clipboard History
• 5. Focus Assist
• 4. Automatic Night Light
• 3. Virtual Desktop
• 2. Find My Device
• 1. Dynamic Lock on laptop

9. Show file extensions

Windows hides file extensions by default, making it more difficult to distinguish between file types, especially for similar media types like JPEG , PNG , and SVG for images or MP3 , M4A , and WAV for audio. Without visible file extensions, it's also easier for malware to disguise itself as a regular file by using familiar Windows icons to fool users.

By displaying the file extension, you can easily tell if the file is a JPG, PNG, RAW, or something more suspicious, like an executable disguised as a document. This also allows you to edit the file extension to correct an incorrect type label or determine how to open the file.

This is the folder where a person stores his 3D design files. Without the file extension, it would be impossible to tell if the file is STL, 3MF, or OBJ.

There are a few different ways to show file extensions in Windows, but the easiest is to open File Explorer, go to the View tab , click Options , and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types . You can also adjust this setting through the Registry or Group Policy if you manage multiple PCs. Showing file extensions should be enabled by default, as it's a simple change that keeps everyone safer.

8. Show hidden files

Along with file extensions, showing hidden files is another setting you should always enable. By default, Windows hides a lot of important folders. This includes configuration files, application data, and caches that most people never see. While this helps prevent accidental changes, it can be a real hindrance if you need to troubleshoot or migrate your settings to a new device.

For example, many people often need to copy configuration files for certain applications when setting up a new PC or syncing settings between devices. Without displaying hidden files, it would be difficult or impossible for non-technical users to locate and copy these important configuration files.

Like file extensions, showing hidden files is easy. Just open File Explorer, go to the View tab , and select Hidden items . You can also toggle this feature on and off in Settings under System > Storage > Advanced storage settings , or use the Control Panel or Windows Terminal for more granular control. Having this feature enabled by default will save users a lot of clicks and confusion when managing their systems.

7. Storage Sense

Storage Sense is one of those features that silently does its job in the background. It automatically deletes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and manages OneDrive storage, freeing up space without you having to think about it. It's especially useful on laptops, as it helps you save a little space and optimizes your device.

For most of us, there’s really no downside to having Storage Sense enabled by default. As you can see, I’ve saved over 4GB of storage in the past month alone.

You can turn on Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage and set it to run on a schedule. Many people only set it to run when they run low on free disk space. For admin users, you can automate Storage Sense on multiple machines using Group Policy or the Registry.

6. Clipboard History

There are a number of Windows features that can improve user productivity. Clipboard History is one that you should be using. By simply pressing the Windows + V shortcut , you can access recently copied items (text and screenshots), pin favorites, or clear the entire list when you want to start over. This is one of those features that many people use often, especially when doing in-depth research on certain topics for work and personal projects.

To enable it, go to Settings > System > Clipboard and toggle on Clipboard history . It's a huge productivity tool, and there's no reason it shouldn't be on by default. Once you get used to it, you'll never want to go back.

5. Focus Assist

Notifications are productivity killers, and Windows Focus Assist helps you block them when you need to focus. Focus Assist typically only turns on automatically when you’re duplicating your screen, playing a game, or using a full-screen app. But most people need distraction-free time to work, too. Turning Focus Assist on by default, or at least making it easy to schedule, would help people get more done.

Having Focus Assist turned on by default, or at least making it easier to schedule, would help people get more done. You can customize which notifications appear (like alarms or priority contacts) and set your own rules in Settings > System > Focus Assist . Many people like the Focus Assist feature in the notification panel, which lets you conveniently turn on Focus Assist and set a duration for whenever you want to focus on a task.

4. Automatic Night Light

Night Light is a built-in feature in Windows that reduces the amount of blue light emitted from your screen by adjusting the display color to a warmer tone. It turns on automatically after sunset or during the hours you specify. By reducing the amount of blue light on your screen, Night Light can help reduce eye strain and discomfort, especially at night when you've spent many hours looking at a screen.

To enable this feature, go to Settings > System > Display > Night light . You can then choose the intensity and how long to turn the feature on/off.

3. Virtual Desktop

Virtual Desktops are a Windows productivity feature that will change the way you work. This productivity tool allows you to organize your open windows into separate workspaces, helping you stay focused and clearly separate between different tasks. The great thing about these virtual desktops is that they are persistent and can be accessed even after restarting or shutting down your Windows computer .

To create a virtual desktop, press Windows key + Tab and click the plus icon at the bottom of the screen. You can create as many desktops as you like. People often keep separate desktops for different tasks and interests, such as writing, developing, entertaining, and meetings. You can even customize each desktop by naming it and assigning it a unique wallpaper, making it easy to identify which space is being used.

2. Find My Device

With so many people working remotely and taking their laptops with them everywhere, having a tracking feature in case of theft or loss is important. Windows offers a Find My Device feature that allows you to track your laptop or lock it remotely. However, this feature is often disabled by default.

To enable this feature, go to Settings > Update & Security > Find My Device and turn on the Save my device's location periodically option . For this feature to work, you'll also need to turn on location services so you can track your device whenever it's connected to the internet.

1. Dynamic Lock on laptop

Another security and privacy feature you can implement on your computer is Dynamic Lock, which automatically locks your PC when you walk away, using your phone's Bluetooth signal as the trigger.

This feature is especially useful on laptops when you're in a shared workspace. It gives you peace of mind because you don't have to worry about someone accessing your laptop while you're away for coffee or a bathroom break.

To set up dynamic lock on your computer, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and select Dynamic lock . Then, pair your phone with your computer via Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on for both your phone and computer before you leave your device.

Most of these options only take a few seconds to a minute to enable, but the benefits they bring will make your Windows experience much better. Once you enable these features, you will find that Windows is more intuitive, more efficient, and better tailored to your workflow. Try them out, and you will wonder why you ever used Windows without them.