Don’t wait until 2026 to make these 3 Windows 11 changes

Over the past year, I’ve chronicled a number of tips, tricks, and tweaks built natively into the Windows 11 operating system. For better or worse, Microsoft is rather particular when it comes to how it configures default PC settings on fresh installations of the OS, putting the onus on users to later make adjustments according to their individual preferences.

Thankfully, the modern Windows 11 Settings application is well-organized, visually pleasing, and rich with options, though, disappointingly, some of the more advanced and obscure software adjustment tools still require diving into the old-school Control Panel even as we head into 2026.

In any case, while there are far too many options at the disposal to quantify in a single list, some readily-accessible Windows 11 settings stand above the rest in my eyes in terms of their utility and productivity optimization prowess. Here are three PC adjustments in particular that I highly recommend checking out right here and right now, as to end the 2025 calendar year with a dash of OS convenience.

Enable Storage Sense

It just makes sense to turn this feature on

Storage Sense is an underappreciated tool built into Windows 11 that, when enabled, works in the background to optimize storage capacity and to free up PC space automatically. Storage Sense is configurable, with options to have the system clean up temporary system and app files, to run user content cleanups when disk space is low, to automatically delete the contents of the Recycle Bin within specificed time frames, and more.

To enable Storage Sense on any Windows 11 PC, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Settings application.
2. Navigate to System > Storage and then toggle on Storage Sense.
3. Optionally, tap or click on Storage Sense to enter a dedicated page of additional configuration choices.

Enable Clipboard history

Especially useful if you rely on multiple PCs

When compared to the likes of certain competing operating systems on the market (I’m looking at you, iPadOS), Windows 11’s clipboard management experience is powerful and robust. I recommend switching on the basic Clipboard history toggle from within Settings, which lets you view, copy, and paste content using the Windows logo key + V shortcut combination. Within the Settings page other options can also be found, including a Clear button to remove all history, and options to sync content across PCs that are logged into your Microsoft Account.

To enable clipboard history on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to System > Clipboard.
3. From here, toggle Clipboard history on.
4. Optionally, you can also enable Clipboard history across your devices for automatic synchronization of clipboard data across all your PCs.

Enable End Task

A time-saving hack that I wish had existed from the start

A dedicated End Task button has finally been implemented within Windows 11’s user interface, after several years of power users clamoring for the feature to make its debut. Disabled by default, it’s simple to switch the setting on, and it adds a dedicated End Task entry within taskbar icon jump lists. For those cases when a program is frozen or otherwise misbehaving, the ability to kill the process without having to jump into Task Manager is a major time saver.

To enable End Task on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Navigate to System > Advanced (previously called For Developers in older versions of Windows 11).
3. Under the Taskbar section, switch the End Task toggle to the on position.