In today’s fast-paced work environment, distractions are everywhere – from co-workers asking questions to an ever-buzzing inbox. To combat this, optimizing your workflow to make the most of your focused time is crucial. If you’re one of the millions using a Windows 10 device, these simple tips can help you boost productivity and make your workday more efficient.

1. Use Focus Assist to Stay Uninterrupted

Focus Assist is a helpful tool to reduce distractions. It allows you to mute notifications while you work, ensuring that only important messages or alarms come through. To activate it, simply go to the taskbar and find Focus Assist in the action center. You can choose whether to allow only priority notifications or mute all alerts, helping you stay on task.

2. Create Calendar Events Quickly Without Opening the App

Instead of opening your calendar app every time you want to add an event, you can create one right from your taskbar. Click on the time/date section, select your date, and enter the event details, including time and location. This event will automatically sync across all devices connected to your Microsoft account, making it easier to stay organized.

3. Personalize the Start Menu for Easy Access

You can tailor the Start Menu to fit your needs by rearranging tiles and adding shortcuts. Go to Settings > Personalization > Start to customize it. You can choose which apps or folders to display and even change your background, theme, and accent colors. Customizing the Start Menu allows you to access your most-used programs with a click and gives your workspace a more personalized, efficient feel.

4. Use a Simplified Start Menu

If you prefer a cleaner, more minimalist Start Menu, you can easily switch back to the older version. Press Windows key + X, or right-click the Start Menu icon, to access a simpler version of the menu. From here, you can quickly access settings, task manager, and other important features.

5. Launch Taskbar Apps Faster

Instead of clicking through the taskbar icons, try using keyboard shortcuts to open your most-used apps. Simply press the Windows key + a number corresponding to the app’s position on the taskbar. For example, Windows + 1 will open the first app pinned to your taskbar. This shortcut is especially handy when you’re deep in work and want to avoid disrupting your focus.

6. Capture Screenshots with Ease

Need to capture something on your screen? Windows 10 offers several methods for taking screenshots, but the quickest way is by pressing Windows key + Shift + S. This will open the Snip & Sketch tool, allowing you to select the area you want to capture. You can then paste it into a document or image editor.

7. View File Extensions in File Explorer

For users who often deal with different file types, displaying file extensions in File Explorer can help you identify them quickly. To enable this feature, go to File Explorer Options in the search bar, open the View tab, and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types. Now, when you open File Explorer, you’ll see the extensions for all files, making it easier to manage them.

8. Use Cloud Clipboard Across Devices

If you work on multiple Windows 10 devices, the Cloud Clipboard feature is incredibly useful. It syncs your clipboard history across devices, allowing you to copy and paste text, links, and images seamlessly between them. To enable this, press Windows key + V and click Turn On to activate Cloud Clipboard.

9. Disable Background Apps to Save Battery

Background apps can drain your computer’s resources and battery life. To improve performance, go to Settings > Privacy > Background Apps, and toggle off the apps that you don’t need running in the background. You can also disable this feature entirely to ensure that only active apps consume resources.

10. Free Up Disk Space

To keep your computer running smoothly, periodically clear out temporary files that take up valuable space. Open the Search box, type Delete temporary files, and open the system settings window. From there, select the files you want to remove, such as temporary internet files and Windows update cache. Be sure to review what’s selected before you delete anything.

Windows 10 has many built-in features to improve your productivity and streamline your workflow. These tips and shortcuts are just a few of the many ways to save time and reduce distractions. By taking advantage of these tools, you can maximize your efficiency and get more done during your workday.