Microsoft has concealed features in Windows 10 and 11, deactivating them by default. However, users can activate these hidden gems to unlock additional functions in the Home editions. For example, to configure the lock screen with beautiful Spotlight images, users can open the Settings app with the Windows + I key combination, go to Personalization > Background, and select Windows spotlight in the drop-down box to the right of Personalize background.
Another useful function that can be activated is the clipboard with 25 entries and autocomplete text. Users can go to System > Clipboard in the Settings app and switch on the “Clipboard history” option to access the last 25 clipboard entries.
In addition, Hyper-V, a virtualization software, can be activated by entering “Windows Features” in the Windows search and clicking on “Activate or deactivate Windows features.” This allows users to set up a second Windows as a virtual machine. The Windows sandbox, Microsoft Defender Application Guard, and the Windows subsystem for Linux can also be activated to enhance the functionality of the operating system.
With the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), users can run applications and tools for Linux under Windows. The WSL 2 is recommended for better compatibility and performance. Users can also access the Amazon Appstore in Windows 11 to find popular apps and Android games for installation.
To activate these features, users can follow the steps outlined in the article to unlock the full potential of their Windows operating system.
