4 Windows Hacks and Tools You Didn’t Know Existed

The Windows OS is like a Transformer. There’s more to it than meets the eye. Hidden within are all kinds of UI tricks and secrets.

But you don’t have all day. So we’ve picked out the four best windows hacks for you to use. Well, three best, one is only useful for pranks.

Which is it? You’ll have to read on to find out.

Hidden Start Menu

Remember Windows 95? You had that nice start menu. You’d push it and up would come a list of options to hover over and click.

Well, Windows 10 can take you back to that time. Sort of.

It can’t quite bring back that friendly clipboard manager from Microsoft Word. But if you’re not a fan of the new school tiles or you want that nostalgia kick, right-click the windows button. You’ll see a list of commands, such as “Run” and “Search,” you can navigate through.

You can’t access everything, but it does make functions, like the Task Manager, easier to find.

Virtual Desktops

Are you a multi-tasker? Do you need about seven screens open to get your work done? Windows 10 has you covered, enabling you to use as many virtual desktops as you’d like.

Click the Task View, the button to the right of Cortana’s search bar. It will divvy up your open apps and windows. Then, drag the apps over to where it says “New Desktop.”

It allows you to organize everything. Separate your professional word docs from personal social media. Organize different work projects. You can do whatever you want.

Navigating between desktops is a breeze. Click out of Task View. Then, press the Windows key plus Ctrl plus the right or left arrow keys. It will allow you to toggle through the various desktops.

To close a desktop, go back to Task View and delete them individually. It won’t close the apps, though. Instead, Windows will move them to another desktop.

Enable Slide to Shutdown

This next one works best for touch-screen users, tablet owners especially. You can create a shortcut that allows you to shut down your computer using your lock screen.

First, right-click on your desktop. Hover over “New,” then click “Shortcut.” A shortcut Wizard will pop up.

In the text box paste this bit of code:

%windir%System32SlideToShutDown.exe

Click “Finish.” Now you have an easy way to shut down your device. Click the shortcut. Then drag the lock screen down to the bottom to commence shutdown.

Rotate the Screen

This last one has no practical use whatsoever. However, if April 1st comes around, and you need a prank idea, try it out.

Press Ctrl plus Alt plus D and any of the arrow keys. The down arrow will flip the screen upside down. The right and left keys will rotate it 90 degrees.

If that doesn’t work, you can always right-click the desktop. Go to display settings. Then under “Orientation” click “Landscape (flipped)” or “Portrait (flipped).”

Where to Find More Windows Hacks and Other Weird Stuff

Do you know everything there is to know about the Wright Brothers? What about the crazy history of tea?

At Weirdomatic we have it all. Windows hacks, health insurance hacks, weird soccer facts, you name it. If you want to see the quirky side of the Internet, log on today.

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