Want to Be More Productive on Your PC? Have You Tried These Built-in Windows Features?

Are You Missing Out on These Four Windows Tools That Can Make Your Life Easier?

Your computer is a powerful tool, but many people only use a small fraction of its capabilities. Windows comes with a host of built-in features that can help you work more efficiently, stay safer online, and organize your digital life. You often do not need to search for and install third-party software to accomplish specific tasks, because the right tool might already be waiting for you inside Windows itself.

Many of these helpful tools are not widely known. They perform their jobs very well, yet they remain underused. This guide will walk you through four of these features. We will explore what they are, why they are useful, and how you can start using them today to improve how you interact with your computer. Learning to use these tools can save you time and help you complete your work with less friction. If you ever need to find a tool for a specific job, a simple search in the Start menu can often point you to a built-in solution you never knew you had.

Windows Sandbox

Imagine you have a file you need to open, but you are not sure if you can trust it. It might be an application from a website you have never visited or an attachment from an unfamiliar email sender. Opening this file could potentially harm your computer if it contains a virus or other malicious software. This is where Windows Sandbox becomes an invaluable tool.

Windows Sandbox is a simple, secure, and temporary desktop environment that runs separately from your main Windows system. Think of it as a disposable computer inside your real computer. It creates a clean, isolated space where you can safely run untrusted programs or test code without any risk to your personal files, settings, or the overall health of your primary operating system.

When you launch Windows Sandbox, it quickly sets up a fresh, lightweight version of Windows. Inside this sandbox, you can install and run applications just as you would on a normal computer. The key difference is that everything that happens inside the sandbox is contained. If the application you are testing turns out to be harmful, it cannot escape the sandbox to infect your main system. Once you are finished, you simply close the Windows Sandbox application. When you do, the entire temporary environment, along with any files and applications you installed inside it, is permanently deleted. Nothing is left behind.

This feature is particularly useful for:

• Testing Suspicious Software: If you download a program and are unsure of its safety, run it in the sandbox first. You can observe its behavior without putting your data at risk.
• Visiting Untrusted Websites: You can open a web browser inside the sandbox to explore websites that you feel might be unsafe.
• Developing and Testing Code: Programmers can use the sandbox to test new scripts or application builds without affecting their development environment. It provides a clean slate for every test.

It is important to understand that Windows Sandbox is not a full-featured virtual machine like those created with tools such as Hyper-V or VirtualBox. It is designed for speed and simplicity, making it perfect for quick, temporary tasks. To use this feature, you need a computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

To enable Windows Sandbox:

1. Click the Start button and type “Turn Windows features on or off,” then select it from the results.
2. In the window that appears, scroll down until you find Windows Sandbox.
3. Check the box next to it and click OK.
4. Your computer will need to restart to apply the changes.
5. After restarting, you can find and launch Windows Sandbox from the Start menu.

Virtual Desktops

If your computer screen often feels crowded with too many open windows and applications, the Virtual Desktops feature can help you restore order and focus. Many users see the “Task View” button on their taskbar but never click it, missing out on a powerful organizational tool. Virtual Desktops allow you to create multiple, separate desktop environments on your single monitor, each with its own set of open applications.

Think of it as having several different workspaces for different kinds of tasks. This separation helps reduce visual clutter and allows you to dedicate entire desktops to specific projects or workflows. For example, you could have one desktop for all your work-related tasks, like your email client, word processor, and spreadsheets. A second desktop could be for research, holding your web browser with various tabs open. A third could be for communication and social media, and a fourth for entertainment like music or video players.

By organizing your applications this way, you can focus more easily on the task at hand. When you are on your “Work” desktop, you only see your work applications, which minimizes distractions from personal chats or social media feeds. Switching between these tasks no longer requires you to navigate a cluttered taskbar or use Alt-Tab to cycle through dozens of windows. Instead, you can switch between entire, neatly organized environments with a simple keystroke.

Using Virtual Desktops is straightforward:

1. Open Task View: Click the Task View icon on your taskbar (it looks like two overlapping squares) or press the Windows + Tab.
2. Create a New Desktop: In the Task View screen, you will see your current open windows. At the bottom (or top in Windows 11), click the + New desktop button. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + Ctrl + D.
3. Switch Between Desktops: Once you have multiple desktops, you can switch between them by opening Task View and clicking the desktop you want to use. A much faster way is to use the keyboard shortcuts Windows + Ctrl + Left Arrow or Windows + Ctrl + Right Arrow.
4. Move Windows: To move an open application from one desktop to another, open Task View, and then simply drag the window’s thumbnail from your current desktop to the desired desktop at the bottom of the screen.

This feature is not just about tidiness; it is about creating a more efficient and focused mental space for your work. By separating your digital life into distinct areas, you can transition between tasks more smoothly and maintain your concentration.

Phone Link

In today’s world, we constantly switch between our computers and our smartphones. This can lead to frequent interruptions, as you stop what you are doing on your PC to check a notification, answer a call, or reply to a text on your phone. The Phone Link app is a built-in Windows feature designed to bridge the gap between your devices, creating a more seamless and integrated experience.

For years, Phone Link has offered deep integration for Android users. By connecting your Android phone to your Windows PC, you can manage many of your phone’s core functions directly from your computer. This includes:

• Making and receiving phone calls using your PC’s microphone and speakers.
• Viewing and replying to SMS text messages from your keyboard.
• Accessing your phone’s photos instantly on your PC for easy dragging and dropping into documents or emails.
• Seeing and managing your phone’s notifications, so you do not have to pick up your phone to see every alert.
• Running select mobile apps directly on your computer screen.

While iPhone users historically had very limited functionality, recent updates have significantly improved the experience. You can now connect your iPhone to Windows to handle calls, send and receive messages via iMessage and SMS, and view notifications. Although the integration is not as deep as with Android due to the closed nature of Apple’s ecosystem, these improvements make Phone Link a valuable tool for iPhone owners as well.

The primary benefit of Phone Link is its ability to help you stay focused. Instead of constantly dividing your attention between two screens, you can consolidate your digital interactions onto your computer. Replying to a message becomes a quick task you can handle with your keyboard without breaking your workflow. Transferring a photo from your phone to a presentation no longer requires emailing it to yourself; you can simply access it directly through the app.

Setting up Phone Link is a simple process:

1. Search for and open the Phone Link app on your Windows computer.
2. The app will guide you through the setup, prompting you to select whether you have an Android or iPhone.
3. You will need to install the companion “Link to Windows” app on your phone from its respective app store.
4. Follow the instructions to pair your devices, which usually involves scanning a QR code shown on your PC screen with your phone’s camera.

Once connected, you can keep your phone in your pocket or bag and manage its essential functions from the comfort of your computer, keeping you in the flow of your work.

Live Captions

Live Captions is a powerful accessibility feature in Windows that has benefits for everyone, not just those with hearing impairments. This tool automatically generates real-time captions for any audio being played on your computer. It does not matter where the audio is from—it could be a video on YouTube, a company conference call, a podcast, or a movie you are watching. If your computer can play the sound, Live Captions can transcribe it.

This feature is a lifesaver in many situations. For individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, it provides immediate access to spoken content that would otherwise be inaccessible. However, its usefulness extends far beyond its primary purpose.

Consider these common scenarios:

• Noisy Environments: If you are in a loud place like a coffee shop or on public transportation, it can be difficult to hear audio clearly. Live Captions lets you read what is being said so you do not miss anything.
• Silent Viewing: You may need to watch a video or listen to a lecture in a quiet place, like a library or late at night when others are sleeping. With Live Captions, you can understand the content without making any noise.
• Clarity and Comprehension: Sometimes, speakers may have heavy accents, speak too quickly, or use unfamiliar terminology. The on-screen text can help you follow along and improve your understanding.
• Content Without Captions: Many videos and audio files online do not come with built-in closed captions (CC). Live Captions works independently, providing captions where none were available before.

A key aspect of Live Captions is that it works entirely on your device. The first time you enable it, Windows downloads a language file. After that, all audio processing and transcription happen locally on your computer. This means your audio is not sent to the cloud, ensuring your privacy is protected.

To turn on Live Captions, you can use the simple keyboard shortcut: Windows + Ctrl + L. You can also enable it by going to Settings > Accessibility > Captions. From there, you can toggle the feature on and customize its appearance, such as changing the caption style, size, and position on the screen. The feature is a perfect example of how a tool designed for accessibility can enhance the experience for all users, making digital content more understandable and available in a wider range of situations.