Windows 11's new built-in tools streamline multitasking and free up storage

Microsoft has expanded Windows 11’s native features with tools like Storage Sense, Clipboard History, and enhanced Snipping Tool capabilities, aiming to reduce reliance on third-party software and improve user organisation.

Windows 11 includes several built-in tools that can reduce the need for separate third-party software, according to a report by Lenta. Among the most useful is Storage Sense, which scans a drive for temporary files and other unnecessary data before removing them to free up space.

Another practical addition is Clipboard History, which expands the standard copy-and-paste function. Pressing Windows key plus V opens a panel that can store multiple copied items, including text and files, rather than just the most recent selection. Windows Central has noted that this feature is one of the small but valuable tools that many users rely on daily because it removes repetitive copying.

The Snipping Tool is also more capable than many users realise. Microsoft says it can capture rectangular, freeform, window and full-screen screenshots, and it also supports video capture. Microsoft’s support materials also point to newer options on Copilot+ PCs, including “Perfect screenshot”, which automatically tightens the capture area around on-screen content. Windows Central says the tool now goes beyond basic screen grabs, with functions such as text extraction and a colour picker.

Windows 11 also offers virtual desktops, which Microsoft says help users separate work into different spaces and reduce clutter. For people juggling multiple tasks, that can be a simpler way to organise open apps than relying on a single crowded desktop. Microsoft’s PowerToys package goes further still, offering free utilities such as Always On Top, which keeps a window visible above others, and Awake, which prevents a PC from sleeping without changing power settings.