Windows 11 Offers you tons of ways to customize your experience, from basics like wallpaper to more advanced settings like privacy options.

However, sometimes the best settings are hidden behind the defaults. In some cases, those defaults can hurt you. PC Accessories. Other times, Windows may change settings in a way that you're not happy with. So the next time you start for work, or before your next gaming session, go into your settings and consider changing the defaults for refresh rate and audio settings, as well as updates and privacy settings.

Privacy settings

Some of the default privacy settings in Windows 11 provide ways for Microsoft to Stealth ads in your experience. However, you can disable them in the settings. go to Settings > Privacy & Security > General And toggle off any option you don't like. I especially recommend turning off. Let apps show me personalized ads by using my Advertising ID. And Show me recommended content in the Settings app.. The Privacy menu also lets you change other options, like turning off location services or choosing which apps can access your camera.

To turn off ads in the Start menu, go to Settings > Personalization > Start. and toggle off Show suggestions for tips, shortcuts, new apps and more..

Enable dark mode.

Option to switch between light mode and Dark Mode in Windows 11 Not in the most obvious place. Instead of filing under Display Options, it can be found under Settings > Personalization > Color. There, you can choose light mode, dark mode, or use different settings for Windows vs apps. You can also set transparency effects and accent colors in this menu.

Default browser

Not a fan of Microsoft Edge? You can replace Windows 11. Use whichever browser you prefer.. go to Settings > Apps and find the browser you want to use. Then just click 'Set default' in the top-right corner, and Windows will automatically use that browser when opening links from other apps. You also have the ability to customize PDF files by file type if you want to open them in a different browser.

Manage updates settings.

Keeping your computer updated is important for security, as Windows updates often include patches to prevent security exploits. Still, unexpected updates can be annoying, especially if your computer forces a restart. To gain more control over yourself Windows 11 updatesgo to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options. From this menu, you can set your active times (so your device doesn't restart while you're working) or have Windows give you 15 minutes before automatically restarting to apply updates. Ask for a heads up.

Change startup apps.

There's no jitters like getting a new device but feeling sluggish as soon as you turn it on. Most of the time, the culprit is too many startup apps. The more apps your device launches at startup, the more resources it consumes. To save resources and speed things up a bit, go to Settings > Apps > Startup And turn off everything you don't need immediately after turning on your computer. (I recommend turning off OneDrive, because it slows down my PC.) You can always open these apps when you're ready to use them, and if something like is usually the first thing you do after bootup, so you can always enable it. You save the step of opening it manually.

Refresh rate

Don't let your choice get in the way. New monitor Get lost because you're using the wrong refresh rate. Windows 11 defaults to a lower refresh rate, which is likely to save power, but that default means you're not getting the most value from your monitor. go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display And find your display. There will be a drop down menu labeled Choose a refresh rate. And select the highest option that your monitor can support. You can choose a lower setting if your device doesn't quite match your refresh rate while gaming, but if you play a shooter, you'll want the refresh rate to be as high as possible.

Sound quality

Like refresh rate, your default sound settings can block your accessories. To check, go to System > Sound > Properties and select the sound device you are using. Then down Output settings, make sure the Format option dropdown uses the highest available setting. This will ensure that you are getting maximum audio quality. If you're using a headset for three-dimensional audio, make sure the native sound setting is turned on (Windows Sonic for Headphones).

For more information on Windows 11, check out How to take screenshots And Our Favorite Keyboard Shortcuts.