Customizing system tools in Windows 11 can supercharge your PC experience, making everyday tasks more efficient and the operating system better suited to your personal workflow. This guide focuses on actionable, step-by-step strategies specifically for intermediate users looking to get more control, speed, and utility from their Windows 11 system tools.
How Can You Personalize the Quick Access in File Explorer?
Quick Access in File Explorer is a gateway to your most-used folders, but default settings may not fit your workflow.
1. Open File Explorer (Windows + E).
2. Find folders you frequently access.
3. Right-click any folder and select “Pin to Quick Access.”
4. For clutter removal, right-click an item in Quick Access and select “Unpin from Quick Access.”
Real-world example: Pin your project, downloads, or cloud sync folders for one-click access.
How to Tweak Task Manager for Deeper System Insights?
Task Manager can be customized to show only the details you care about.
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click “More details.”
3. Right-click any column header in the “Processes” tab.
4. Select or deselect columns such as “GPU Engine,” “Command line,” or “Publisher.”
5. Drag columns to reorder them based on your preferences.
Use case: Add “Disk” and “Network” columns for quick troubleshooting during slowdowns.
What’s the Best Way to Organize Your Start Menu?
The Start Menu is your primary launchpad — make it work for you.
1. Click the Start button.
2. Right-click any app and choose “Pin to Start” or “Unpin from Start.”
3. Drag and drop pinned apps to reorder.
4. Right-click and select “Move to top” for your most essential tool.
5. Create app folders by dragging one app shortcut over another.
Example: Create folders for “Work,” “Games,” or “Utilities” to streamline access.
How Can You Streamline System Maintenance with Glary Utilities?
Glary Utilities brings dozens of essential Windows tools under one roof, letting you automate and customize maintenance.
1. Download and install Glary Utilities (from the official website).
2. Open Glary Utilities and explore the “1-Click Maintenance” tab.
3. Click “Scan for Issues” to check for registry errors, junk files, and privacy risks.
4. Review scan results, customize which categories to clean, and click “Repair Problems.”
Benefit: Schedule regular maintenance so your system stays optimized with minimal manual intervention.
How to Use PowerToys to Supercharge Productivity?
Microsoft PowerToys offers several advanced customization tools.
1. Download and install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store.
2. Open PowerToys and explore modules like FancyZones (custom window layouts), PowerRename (batch renaming), and Keyboard Manager (remap keys).
3. Configure FancyZones by setting custom window grid layouts for multitasking.
4. Use PowerRename to batch-rename files directly in File Explorer.
Tip: FancyZones is perfect for large monitors or multi-monitor setups to quickly arrange your workspace.
What’s the Smart Way to Customize the Windows Terminal?
The new Windows Terminal is a versatile command-line front-end.
1. Open Windows Terminal.
2. Click the down arrow next to the tab bar and select “Settings.”
3. Change color schemes, font size, and default shell (Command Prompt, PowerShell, or WSL).
4. Save profiles for different tasks or environments.
Example: Set a dark theme and larger font for coding or system monitoring.
How Can You Craft Custom Disk Cleanup Scripts?
Automate disk cleanup to rid your system of unnecessary files.
1. Search for and open “Disk Cleanup.”
2. Select the drive you want to clean.
3. Choose file types to remove (e.g., Downloads, Temporary files, Recycle Bin).
4. For automation, use Command Prompt: type cleanmgr /sageset:1 to create a preset, then cleanmgr /sagerun:1 to run it.
Enhance: Integrate with Glary Utilities for advanced junk cleaning and automation.
How to Create Custom System Restore Points for Safety?
System Restore can be fine-tuned for your peace of mind.
1. Search for “Create a restore point” in the Start menu.
2. Select your system drive, then click “Configure.”
3. Adjust maximum disk space used for restore points.
4. Click “Create” to make a manual restore point before big changes.
Tip: Use Glary Utilities’ “System Restore” integration for quick access and management of restore points.
How to Customize Notifications and Focus Assist?
Control notification chaos and maintain focus during critical tasks.
1. Go to Settings > System > Notifications.
2. Toggle off notifications for less important apps.
3. Click “Focus assist settings” to configure automatic rules (e.g., during presentations or gaming).
4. Set “Priority only” mode and customize your priority list.
Practical example: Block social media notifications during work hours for better productivity.
How to Tailor Task Scheduler for Automated Tasks?
Automate repetitive system tasks for hands-off maintenance.
1. Open Task Scheduler (Windows + S, then search “Task Scheduler”).
2. Click “Create Basic Task.”
3. Name your task (e.g., “Clear Temp Files”).
4. Set your trigger (daily, weekly, at logon, etc.).
5. Choose “Start a program” and enter the desired command or script.
You can use this to schedule scripts that clean up temp files, run system scans, or launch Glary Utilities’ maintenance features.
Bringing It All Together
Windows 11 offers deep customization for those willing to explore its system tools. By personalizing File Explorer, Task Manager, the Start Menu, and leveraging tools like Glary Utilities and PowerToys, you can create a workflow that’s both powerful and uniquely yours. Regular maintenance and smart automation will ensure your system stays fast, clutter-free, and secure — letting you focus on what matters most.