The Complete idiot’s Guide to Windows 11

Unfortunately, Microsoft Windows doesn’t come with an owner’s manual anymore. If you’ve just bought a brand-new Windows 11 PC or upgraded from Windows 10, you’ve probably noticed things look different. Some changes are subtle. Others are brand new. And if you’re a beginner, a few of them can be confusing. The Complete idiot’s Guide to Windows 11 walks you through the essentials of Windows 11 clearly, simply, and without assuming you already know everything.

The Complete idiot’s Guide to Windows 11

1. The New Start Menu

The first big change in Windows 11 is the Start Menu.

It’s centered on the taskbar by default.
Recently used and recommended apps appear front and center.
Click All Apps to see everything installed.
You can search instantly by typing the app name.
Right-click any app to Pin to Start or Unpin.
Drag icons to rearrange them however you like.

Pro tip: Right-click the Start button itself to quickly access tools like:

Task Manager
Settings
File Explorer
Apps & Features

2. Centered Taskbar (And How to Move It Back)

Windows 11 places the Start menu in the center — similar to macOS.

If you prefer the classic left alignment:

Right-click the taskbar
Open Taskbar Settings
Go to Taskbar behaviors
Change alignment from Center to Left

Instant familiarity restored.

3. Settings vs. Control Panel

While the old Control Panel still exists, most tools now live in Settings.

To access Settings:

Right-click Start ? Settings
Or search for “Settings”

Windows 11 merges many old Control Panel tools into the new layout.

4. Personalization: Make Windows Yours

Right-click your desktop ? Personalize

From here, you can:

Change wallpaper
Adjust colors
Install themes
Customize lock screen
Modify taskbar icons
Control Start menu behavior
Manage fonts
Disable personalized ads

You can even adjust:

Display scaling
Resolution
Screen orientation
Multi-monitor setups

5. User Accounts & Login Options

Under Settings ? Accounts, you can:

Switch between Microsoft and local accounts
Add family members or other users
Remove accounts
Change profile pictures
Enable PIN, facial recognition, or other sign-in methods

Best practice: Use a standard user account for daily use and keep an administrator account separate.

6. Managing Programs

To uninstall apps:

Right-click Start
Click Apps & Features
Select the app
Click Uninstall

Some built-in apps can’t be removed and that’s normal.

You can also control where apps are allowed to install from (Microsoft Store only, or anywhere).

7. Task Manager & Startup Apps

If something freezes:

Right-click Start ? Task Manager

Click More Details to see full system usage.

Under the Startup tab, disable apps you don’t need launching at boot (but only if you know what they do).

This can significantly speed up startup time.

8. Network & Internet Settings

Right-click your network icon to:

View data usage
Change DNS
Reset network settings
Set up VPN
Enable mobile hotspot
View IP address & adapter details

If your connection constantly drops, a Network Reset can often fix it.

9. Windows Update

Search for Windows Update to:

Check for updates
Adjust active hours
Control update timing
Set advanced delivery options

Keeping Windows updated improves security and performance. Please note that you must need a licensed version of Windows 11 before getting its official update so if you don’t have a license, you can Buy it.

10. Disk Cleanup & Storage

Over time, Windows collects temporary files.

Search for Disk Cleanup to:

Remove temp files
Clear update leftovers
Free storage space safely

11. System Restore (Highly Recommended)

System Restore allows you to create restore points in case something breaks.

To enable:

Search Create a restore point
Turn on system protection
Allocate 5–10% disk space
Click Create

If Windows fails to boot later, this could save you.

12. Default Apps (Changing Edge to Something Else)

By default, Windows 11 opens:

Web links in Microsoft Edge
PDFs in Edge

If you prefer:

Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox
Adobe Acrobat Reader

Install the program and set it as default when prompted or right-click a file ? Open With ? Choose Another App.

13. Desktop Customization Tips

You can:

Turn off Auto Arrange (Right-click desktop ? View)
Hide desktop icons completely
Rename shortcuts
Create website shortcuts
Pin apps to Start or Taskbar

These small tweaks improve workflow significantly.

14. File Explorer Improvements

Windows 11 File Explorer includes:

Quick Access folders
Recent files
Cleaner toolbar
Tabbed Notepad support

Important security tip:

Enable file extensions:

File Explorer ? Three dots ? Options
View tab ? Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types

This prevents malware disguised as safe files.

15. Advanced Tools (Use Carefully)

Windows includes powerful tools like:

Device Manager
Disk Management
Event Viewer
Registry Editor

The Registry controls nearly everything in Windows but one wrong change can break your system.

Proceed only if guided by someone experienced.

16. Restoring the Classic Right-Click Menu

One controversial change in Windows 11 is the shortened right-click context menu.

To access the full version, you must click “Show more options.”

There is a registry tweak that restores the classic menu permanently but only attempt it if you’re comfortable editing system settings carefully.

Final Thoughts

Windows 11 isn’t radically different but it’s different enough to feel unfamiliar at first.

Once you understand:

The new Start menu
Taskbar customization
Settings layout
User management
Startup optimization
Restore points

You’ll feel completely in control.

If you made it this far, congratulations! you officially know your way around Windows 11. Now go explore with confidence.

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Tayyib Ahsan is an Entrepreneur and Freelance Technology Writer, His Passion is to Help Others in Blogging, Marketing and Online Shopping to Gain Knowladge & Success. In addition, He also offers E-Currency Exchange Services for Individuals and Companies Worldwide. Get in touch with him on Twitter or Facebook.