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5 Amazing Windows OS Tricks That You Didn’t Know

Written by Rizwan Anwer ·  2 min read >

Usually, we use Windows OS for keeping up with our daily tasks, but what if I told you that there is more to your Windows OS than just a desktop, icons and applications. Some of these tweaks may or may not work on lower versions of Windows since I am testing them on Windows 8.1.

You can still try most of these tweaks though since they are pretty generic and should work, with the exception of a couple.

1. Your calculator has more functions that you think!

Simply open up your calculator app in Windows and press the View drop down menu. Navigate to worksheet and voila! You have now found some extra functions which would otherwise require a third party application!

You can now detect your mortgage, vehicle lease, and, fuel economy (American and European system). Each calculation is thoroughly layered with multiple functionalities which covers all your needs.

This is an interesting discovery since I’ve always had the need to do fuel economy using a third party web app. It’s good to know that there is still something new to learn everyday, right?

 

Windows 8.1 Tips and Tricks

2. Instant Screenshots!

We all know that taking screenshots is a long and tedious process that we hate, but what if I told you that you can take screenshots with just 2 simple buttons? Windows Key + Prt Sc will immediately make your Windows 8 shutter a black tint.

Instant Screenshot

You must be wondering, “My screen flashed, but where’s my screenshot?” Well, to access your screenshot, simply navigate to the following path in “My Computer” or “File Explorer”:

C:\Users\(Your Username in Windows)\Pictures\Screenshots

Alternatively, if you are in a hurry and don’t want to rush to the path, simply press CTRL + C where you can paste a picture, i.e. Paint, Word, etc,

This also works within layered applications such as video games, movies, etc, so you can take a screenshot of anything at any time.

3. GodMode

First, go into any of your partitions, choose create new folder and copy paste the line below as the name. Don’t worry, it will work.

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

GodMode 1

And if you click further, you now wield the same power as The Architect in The Matrix Reloaded.

GodMode 2

 

4. Minimize all windows except current one with the help of “Shake it Off”

Yes, Windows key + D is the default hot key to seeing your desktop, but what if you just want to minimize everything else in the background except for the window you are currently focused on?

Shake it Off Windows Trick

All you have to is grab the current window at an empty space as shown above, and shake it! This works with both mice and the laptop touch pad.

5. Open browser pictures in Paint without saving to hard drive

As a student, this is another issue that plagues me during assignment time. Luckily, I picked up this trick up in a CS class. All you have to do is copy paste the URL from the address bar with the help of CTRL + C. Now open up paint and Press CTRL + O and in the file name, simply enter the URL and click open.

Online Pics on Paint 1

And viola! The result lies right before you. Not convinced? Try it out for yourself and see!

Online Pics on Paint 2

And there you have it. These were the 5 tweaks that I came across while using Windows 8.1. Most of these tweaks SHOULD work on Windows 7 except number 2. If you are on an otherwise lower OS, than kindly consider an upgrade.

Do you have any new trick that we missed out? Share in the comment section below.

Image Credits: Samsung