Windows 11’s familiar changes like the centered Start menu and Snap layouts overshadow powerful hidden features within system apps. These lesser-known tools enhance productivity, simplify editing, and streamline workflows without third-party software. Applicable to both Home and Pro editions, these capabilities transform everyday tasks across Photos, Calculator, Snipping Tool, Notification Center, and Notepad.
AI-Powered Photo Editing in Photos App
Windows 11 Photos app includes professional-grade AI editing rivaling Photoshop’s object removal and background erasure:
- Open image > Edit button > Erase tool
- Adjust brush size for precision/large areas
- Brush unwanted objects—AI fills intelligently
- Background tab > Remove for subject isolation
- Refine mask with Background brush tool
- Save non-destructively preserving original
Perfect for quick product shots, passport photos, or social media cleanup without subscriptions.
Advanced Calculator Modes and Always-on-Top
Calculator transcends basic arithmetic with specialized modes:
- Hamburger menu reveals: Scientific, Graphing, Programmer, Date calculation, Converters
- Scientific: Trigonometry, logarithms, constants
- Date calculation: Days between dates, add/subtract periods
- Always-on-top: Standard mode > pin icon shrinks to overlay
- Ideal for recipes, budgeting, programming alongside other apps
Snipping Tool’s Built-in OCR Text Extraction
Capture text from images, error dialogs, videos via Snipping Tool’s AI-powered OCR:
- Win+Shift+S > select area > Snipping Tool editor
- Text actions icon > highlight text > Copy text
- Copy all text extracts entire screenshot content
- Works on system dialogs, PDFs, screenshots, videos
- Eliminates manual retyping of error messages/codes
Transforms inaccessible text into editable clipboard content instantly.
Multi-Timezone Notification Center Clocks
Track international teams/family across timezones directly in Notification Center:
- Settings > Time & language > Date & time
- Expand “Show time and date in System tray”
- Change Additional clock 1/2 > select timezone
- Custom display names (cities, contacts, emojis)
- Enable Notification Center display
- Hover taskbar clock for instant triple-timezone view
Eliminates repeated “time in [city]” searches for global coordination.
Notepad’s New Markdown Text Formatting
Notepad evolves beyond plain text with lightweight rich formatting:
- Notepad > Settings > enable Text Formatting
- H1-H6 headings, bold/italics, numbered/bulleted lists
- Hyperlinks via link icon + URL paste
- Toggle Markdown syntax view
- Clear formatting preserves clean text
- Save as .MD file (Ctrl+S > Markdown)
Perfect for README files, quick notes, formatted task lists without app switching.
Complete Feature Activation Guide
- Photos AI Edit: Open photo > Edit > Erase/Background tools
- Calculator Advanced: Hamburger menu > mode selection > pin for overlay
- Snipping OCR: Win+Shift+S > Text actions > Copy all/highlighted
- Timezone Clocks: Settings > Date & time > Additional clocks 1/2
- Notepad Rich Text: Settings > enable Formatting > H1-B-I-Lists
Productivity Impact Analysis
| Feature | Time Saved | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Photos AI Erase | 5-15 min/photo | Social media cleanup |
| Snipping OCR | 2-10 min/text | Error documentation |
| Multi-timezone | 30s/query | Global coordination |
| Notepad Markdown | 3-5 min/note | Formatted documentation |
Advanced Usage Tips
Combine features for workflow optimization:
- Snipping OCR + Notepad Markdown = instant formatted documentation
- Photos AI edit + Calculator converter = product mockups with specs
- Always-on Calculator + timezone clocks = international budgeting
- Rich Notepad + timezone info = meeting notes with timestamps
Version Compatibility and Requirements
All features native to Windows 11 22H2+:
- No additional downloads/installations required
- Consistent across Home/Pro/Enterprise editions
- Fully supported on ARM (Snapdragon X Elite)
- Regular updates enhance AI capabilities
Custom Workflow Integration
PowerToys Keyboard Manager assigns shortcuts:
- Win+E → Photos edit mode
- Win+T → Calculator always-on-top
- Win+OCR → Snipping text extraction
- Win+CZ → Timezone clock toggle
Streamline access matching personal workflows.
Future Enhancement Outlook
Microsoft roadmap indicates:
- Photos AI video object removal (24H2)
- Calculator handwriting recognition
- Native screenshot annotation/OCR pipeline
- Notepad collaborative editing (OneDrive)
Built-in capabilities continue expanding, reducing third-party dependencies across productivity spectrum.
