11 Seriously Useful Things Only Windows PCs Can Do

Windows has changed a lot since you were a kid.

1. Use a touchscreen on your laptop.

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Loads of Windows laptops have touchscreens and 2-in-1 capability, meaning you can interact with websites and apps as intuitively on your laptop as you do on your phone.

Why it's useful: It makes zooming in on photos a whole lot easier.

2. Switch seamlessly between laptop and tablet modes.

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Windows 10 adapts to the hardware you're using and optimises the apps you're using automatically. So, if you switch your 2-in-1 laptop to tablet mode, the OS will automatically switch to a tablet interface without needing to relaunch.

Why it's useful: You can move from desk to couch effortlessly on those days when you really need to "work from home".

3. Game as much as you want.

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Windows has a far wider range of games than any other computer OS, and many of the most popular and highly rated games are Windows-exclusive. If you're really serious about gaming, you can even buy top-spec gaming PCs, which offer incredible performance and graphics.

Why it's useful: Instant bragging rights.

4. Play Xbox games on your PC.

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You can stream gameplay from Xbox One to your PC using the Windows Xbox app and still play against friends using Xbox Live.

Why it's useful: You can keep your marathon gaming session going even when you get kicked out the living room by mum.

5. Proper, smart multitasking.

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Multitasking is really intuitive on Windows: To split your screen, all you need to do is drag an app to the side or corner of your screen. You can multitask with four windows at the same time too, rather than the two-window limit other OS offer.

Why it's useful: You no longer have to switch between tabs to indulge your tiny attention span.

6. Access maps in full, even when you're not on Wi-Fi.

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You can download maps of entire countries and explore them even when your laptop isn't connected to the internet – which is ideal when travelling.

Why it's useful: No risk of racking up roaming charges on your holiday because you got lost trying to find your hotel.

7. Log in to your laptop with your face...

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You can forget passwords yet still retain top-grade security with Windows Hello, which allows you to log into Windows 10 devices with your face or fingerprint. And, no, a mask or photo won't fool it.

Why it's useful: You'll stop having to reset your password every few weeks and can forget the "third time lucky" approach.

8. ...as well as apps and websites.

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You can also use Windows Hello securely with some apps and websites, which makes your PC feel way more personalised to you – and only you.

Why it's useful: No more typing random numbers after your "regular" password to guess what variation you used for each website.

9. Use Cortana to find your files and keep track of your schedule.

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The Cortana app is available for Android, iOS, and Windows phones which means you can easily keep your laptop and phone in sync and send texts from your laptop.

Why it's useful: Not all of us are successful enough to have a personal assistant.

10. Draw, annotate, and take notes directly on your laptop with a pen.

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You can use a stylus on laptops with touchscreens, which is ideal if you're an illustrator or want to take notes by hand in class. Plus, Cortana can understand your sticky notes and carry out actions based on them.

Why it's useful: Because, let's be honest, you're much less likely to make typos scribbling down notes than when you're typing really fast.

11. Customise the Start Menu with shortcuts to the apps you use most.

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The Start Menu in Windows 10 is super-customisable – you can create categories of apps, drag-and-drop shortcuts wherever you want, and even resize tiles, so you can lay out the menu exactly how it suits your workflow.

Why it's useful: Scrolling through long lists of apps is now a thing of the past.

Windows 10: the operating system you know and love, updated for today.