The End is Here for Windows 10: Four Tips to Make the Most of Windows 11

Windows 10 passed a decade of life earlier this year, but now it’s time to see it off. As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft has ended support for the operating system for most users. After today, your Windows 10 PC will no longer receive crucial security updates, leaving it dangerously exposed to viruses, malware, and other online threats.

 

This means you have a choice to make: upgrade your current PC to Windows 11, buy a new Windows 11 machine, or sign up for minimal extended support through Microsoft's ESU program. For most people, moving to Windows 11 is the best path forward as it offers the most security and upgraded features; while Windows 11 features a visual overhaul, the best improvements are often the smaller, quality-of-life changes that make your day-to-day experience smoother. 

Getting a new OS can feel daunting, but a few simple tweaks can make Windows 11 work better for you right from the start. We'll walk you through four key areas to master: extending your laptop's battery life, taming your Bluetooth devices, speeding up your startup, and making sure your files always save exactly where you expect them to.

Tip 1: Extend Your Battery Life with Battery Saver

One of the most practical features in any laptop is the ability to stretch its battery life when you're away from a power outlet. Windows 11 includes a built-in Battery Saver mode designed to do just that.

What It Does

The biggest power drain on your laptop is the screen. Battery Saver's primary job is to dim the screen's brightness, but it also limits background activity and push notifications to conserve power. This is most effective for light tasks like web browsing or answering emails; it can't work miracles if you're gaming or editing video, which are naturally power-hungry activities. Still, it can be the difference-maker that gets you through a meeting or flight when your battery is low.

How to Turn It On

You have two easy ways to enable Battery Saver:

From the Taskbar:

1. Click the battery icon in the taskbar.
2. Select Battery Saver from the quick settings panel. It's sometimes called "Energy Saver." (Note: This option only works when your laptop is unplugged).

Set It to Turn on Automatically:

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
2. Under the Battery Saver section, choose the battery percentage at which it automatically activates. The default is 20%

Tip 2: Take Control of Your Bluetooth Devices

Windows 11 makes managing Bluetooth devices much simpler than its predecessor by consolidating all the options into one easy-to-find menu. This makes it less of a hassle to connect headphones, mice, keyboards, and other accessories.

How to Add, Rename, and Remove Devices

Add a New Device:

1. Navigate to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.

2. Make sure Bluetooth is toggled On.

3. Click Add device and select Bluetooth. Put the accessory into pairing mode. It should automatically appear -- select it from the list to connect.

Rename a Device:

If you have multiple similar devices, giving them clear names is a lifesaver

1. Navigate to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
2. Find the device to rename.
3. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select Properties.
4. Type in a new, descriptive name and press enter.

Remove an Old Device:

1. Navigate to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
2. Select the device to be removed
3. Click the three-dot menu and choose Remove device.

Quick Access Tip

For even faster access, press Win + A to open the Quick Settings panel. From there, you can toggle Bluetooth on or off and connect to already-paired devices.

Tip 3: Take Control of Startup Apps

Many applications set themselves to launch automatically when your PC boots up. While some are useful (like antivirus software), some can slow down your startup process and consume memory in the background. Windows 11 gives you two simple ways to control this.

Option 1: Use the Settings Menu

1. Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Startup.
2. There will be a list of all programs that launch on boot, along with their impact on startup time (Low, Medium, or High).
3. Simply toggle the switch to Off for any app that doesn’t need to be launched at boot.. This doesn't uninstall the app; it just stops it from auto-starting.

Option 2: Use the Task Manager

1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.
2. Click on the "Startup apps" tab (it looks like a little speedometer).
3. Right-click any app in the list and choose Disable.

Important: Be careful not to disable essential programs like your antivirus software or critical system drivers and utilities. If you're unsure about an app, it's best to do a quick web search before turning it off.

Tip 4: Tell Windows Where to Save Your Files

Have you ever downloaded a file only to lose track of it moments later? By default, most web browsers in Windows 11 save everything to a single "Downloads" folder, which can quickly become cluttered. Here’s how to take control.

Option 1: Always Choose Where to Save

“Always Choose Where to Save” means that, every time you download a file, image, or anything else from your browser, a pop-up will ask where you want to save the file.

1. In Chrome or Edge, go to Settings > Downloads and turn on the option "Ask where to save each file before downloading".
2. In Firefox, this is under Settings > General > Files and Applications.
3. You can also often right-click a download link and choose "Save link as..." to manually pick a location.

Option 2: Change Your Browser's Default Download Folder

You can tell your browser to save files to a different folder by default.

1. In Chrome or Edge, go to Settings > Downloads and click Change next to the Location.
2. In Firefox, go to Settings > General > Files and Applications and click Browse to select a new folder.
3. Once a new folder has been created and selected, it can be pinned to Quick Access in File Explorer so it's always easy to find.

Option 3: Change Windows' Default Save Locations

For broader control, you can change where Windows saves new documents, pictures, music, and videos by default.

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage.
2. Click Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.
3. From here, use the dropdown menus to assign a default drive or folder for each category of content. This is especially useful for those who want to save files directly to a secondary hard drive or a cloud service like OneDrive.

Still having trouble deciding what to do with your Windows 10 PC? If you're unsure whether your current machine can handle the Windows 11 update or which new laptop is right for you, you can always visit your nearest Micro Center, where trained experts will be happy to help you figure it out.

Read more Windows 11 Tips:

• The End is Coming for Windows 10: What You (Still) Need to Know
• The Beginning of the End...for Windows 10
• Windows 11's Best Hidden Feature: How Snap Layouts Can Improve Your Workflow
  
• Quick Tips to Make the Most of Widows 11 Widgets
  
• How to use Focus Sessions in Windows 11 to Boost Productivity
• See the Top-Rated Laptops at Micro Center

Eric Franklin worked at CNET for over two decades, eventually becoming Editorial Director of CNET's Tech Reviews team. He now works as an SEO consultant and freelance writer.