Has anyone noticed the Quick Assist feature that runs in the background of this system? Or are there other handy shortcuts besides creating a new folder with CTRL+Shift+N in File Explorer? What useful but often overlooked details might there be in the Disk Cleanup tool or the default programs settings panel in Computer Management? And how can we do a quick restart without messing with the boot manager? Let’s explore together and share any other tips you can think of!
What are the hidden features of Windows 10?
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Quick Assist-like tools have long existed on macOS with "Screen Sharing" or Linux with "Remmina," making local assistance easier. The biggest advantage of Windows' Quick Assist is that it connects directly with your Microsoft account without requiring any third-party software. Similarly, running remote GUI apps on Linux via the `ssh -X` command is very handy, but it feels a bit more basic compared to Windows' client when used on a laptop.
The shortcuts in File Explorer are actually Windows-specific – on macOS, `Cmd+Shift+N` does something similar, but it can get mixed up with default behavior in settings. On Linux, the `xdg-open` command can open standard directories, but it's not as fast. The speed and consistency of CTRL+Shift+N, combined with Windows' best-in-class touchpad or desktop experience, result in a low learning curve.
When it comes to Windows 10's hidden speed and practicality shortcuts, the Quick Assist you mentioned is actually a standard tool for remote desktop assistance, but most people aren't aware of it. You can think of it like macOS's "Screen Sharing" or Linux's "VNC"—the key difference is that it's built-in and doesn't require third-party software. Another useful feature is pressing **Alt+Enter** in File Explorer to open file/folder properties; you can compare this to Linux's "右键→属性" or macOS's "Command+I". It's impressive how Windows has optimized this shortcut at the system level.
Instead of Disk Cleanup (**cleanmgr**), try the **Win + R > "wsreset"** command—it clears the Windows Store cache and saves the day when dealing with AppX packages. If you want to change default programs, using **Win + X > A** to jump to Settings' System category is handy, but **Win + R > "ms-settings:defaultapps"** takes you directly to the target page, similar to macOS's "系统偏好设置 > 默认应用" or Ubuntu's "设置 > 默认应用" flow. For a quick restart without entering the boot manager, instead of **Win + X > U > R** (Restart), you can use **Ctrl + Alt + Del > Power options > Restart**, or **Win + D** (Go to Desktop) + **Alt + F4** > "Restart"—this is no different from resetting your system via the "Ctrl+Alt+Del" menu in Linux.