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The top 5 ways to personalize and improve your Windows 11 experience

The top 5 ways to personalize and improve your Windows 11 experience
Gabriel Paul Gomez

Gabriel Paul Gomez

  • Updated:

Windows 11 is among the most versatile operating systems yet. The updated operating system offers many personalized settings to change visual elements and improve your experience.

While Windows 10 was highly customizable in its own right, Microsoft’s latest operating system provides several new unique elements.

Personalize the desktop background on Windows 11 OS

You’ll be seeing your desktop background every time you use your computer. So why not take a few seconds to update personalize it rather than sticking with the stock image. To choose a new desktop background, follow these steps below:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on Personalization.
  • On the right side, select and click Background.
  • Personalize your background by choosing the either the Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow options.
  • If you just want a single image as your background, select Picture and click Browse photos to select an image from your PC’s folders. You’ll also see a few suggestions under Recent photos.
  • If you’d rather have a plain color background, select Solid color. You’ll see several hue options appear under Choose your background color. Alternatively, you can select another hue under Custom colors.
  • Select Slideshow if you want to have a rotating batch of images appear as your background. Click Browse to select images to add to your background slideshow. You’ll also see options appear for how often the images will change and if you want the picture order shuffled.
  • If the dimensions of an image are out of proportion with your screen, select the Fill option. This adjusts the image so that it fits the entire screen. You can tweak the picture further by exploring features like Stretch, Fit, Tile, Center, and Span for a more custom look.
Navigate to Settings>Personalization>Background to update your background image to a picture, solid color, or slideshow

Here’s a shortcut to updating your background that will bypass the above steps:

  • Find your image of choice in your folder or on your desktop.
  • Right-click the image.
  • Chose Set as Background Image.

Customize different backgrounds for each of your virtual desktops

Unique to Windows 11 is the ability to configure different backgrounds for every additional desktop (formerly called virtual desktops). Previously, you could only choose one visual scheme for all backgrounds. This updated feature for Windows 11 is convenient because it helps users quickly distinguish one desktop from another.

Use these steps to set a different background for each of your desktops:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on Personalization.
  • On the right side, select and click Background.
  • Personalize your background by following the aforementioned instructions for tip one.
  • Right-click your desired image and choose Set for desktop.
  • Repeat this process for each one of your virtual desktops, assigning each one a unique image or theme. You may set one image for all desktops, as well, by right-clicking and choosing this option from the submenu.
It’s much easier to distinguish between desktops if you give them each their own background, a new feature for Windows 11.

Configure your desktop themes

If you want to improve the look of your desktop but don’t have time to pick out wallpaper, colors, and sounds, select one of the premade Windows 11 themes. Your theme is important as this will affect your overall experience and how you’ll interact with Windows. Here’s how to configure themes:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on Personalization.
  • Select Themes, located below Colors.
  • Under Current theme, you’ll see different premade themes with various wallpaper, sounds, and color combinations.
  • Want something a little more interesting? It’s also easy to add more themes from the Microsoft Store. Click on Browse themes to pull up any array of installable theme apps like Rambling Pathways and Animal Mothers. Most of these apps are free.
Take advantage of the cool desktop themes offered in the Microsoft Store.

Pair your phone with Windows

In Windows 11, you’ll use the Your Phone application to pair your phone with your PC. While it does not work with iPhones, the app is very handy for making calls and sending messages on Android phones. Here’s how to set up Your Phone:

  • Open Start or Search from your Taskbar.
  • Type Your Phone in the search bar and launch the program.
  • You’ll need to pair your phone if this is your first time using the app. To do this, select Link new device under My Devices.
  • Once pairing is complete, you’ll see an interface that’s integrated with your phone. It will include options for Notifications, Messages, Photos, Calls, and Contacts.
With the Your Phone app in Windows 11, you can pair any Android phone to your computer.

Set up Windows Hello to avoid re-typing passwords

If you’re tired of entering your password every time you want to log in to your computer, try setting up Windows Hello. It takes just a few steps to set up this convenient face recognition app:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on Accounts.
  • Select Sign-in options
  • Click on the top option, Facial recognition (Windows Hello)
  • In the dropdown that appears select the option to set up facial recognition. A window will pop up that scans your face once you type in your password.
  • If you wear glasses, select Improve recognition and do a scan without your spectacles.
  • Select Automatically dismiss the lock screen if Windows recognizes your face. This will prevent unnecessary password typing to log in.
If you’re having difficulty using the Windows Hello facial recognition, select Improve recognition to re-scan your face.

These are only five ways among several to get you started with improving your Windows 11. While there have been some changes to the OS, you should have no trouble personalizing the new Windows 11 if you’re used to Windows 10.


Gabriel Paul Gomez

Gabriel Paul Gomez

Trained as a civilian airline pilot, Gabriel Gomez has a passion for anything tech-related. He also loves writing about technology. When he's not crafting his next article, Gabriel is enjoying his hobbies as a photographer and videographer.

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