Windows 11 It is packed with features and tools that are not always used, or that many times users don’t even know are there. While this is not a problem in itself, some features of the operating system can become a headache if your computer suffers a cyber attack or falls into the hands of unauthorized parties.
Disable some functions that are not frequently used can help you reduce the risk of possible threats. It is an easy task, but with the potential to save you several disappointments. Plus, accessing these is pretty easy, so you don’t have to deal with confusing settings or anything like that.
Below we will tell you which are the three Windows 11 functions that you should deactivate immediately to make your PC more secure, and why. Of course these are just some of the possibilities. In a future article we will surely explore more actions to take to have a computer that is as protected and private as possible, but these options are more than good to start with.
Windows 11 Clipboard History
An interesting option of Windows 11 is that it can generate a history with everything you have copied to the clipboard. It doesn’t matter if they are images, links, text or other content, if this function is activated you can then open the record by clicking Win + V and paste them from there.
It is clear that this is a very useful tool for those who deal with a large amount of data on a daily basis. The problem is that if that information is sensitive or confidential, having it saved in the clipboard history is very dangerous. Especially if someone steals your PC or gains access to it without your authorization.
So if you don’t use it regularly, but you still have it enabled, it is best to deactivate it. To do this you just have to go to Settings > System > Clipboard and tap on the first option that appears in the window. From there you can also delete everything that has been saved so far on the Windows 11 clipboard.
Activity history
Many do not know it, but Windows 11 has a history that stores everything you do on your PC. This includes information about the websites you visit and how you use installed applications. Computers that arrive with Microsoft software pre-installed usually have this option activated, which can put you at risk if, for example, you are ever infected with malware or someone accesses your computer manually—and without permission.
Turning off Windows 11 activity history is also very simple. You must enter Settings > Privacy and security > Activity history. When you are in that section, tap on the first option on the screen to disable it. You can also take the opportunity to delete everything that has been saved from your activity on the PC.
Network discovery
This Windows 11 feature is especially recommended to deactivate if you usually connect to a laptop in public networks or unknown environments. Network discovery allows you to find computers connected to the same network, or make your PC visible to others. This is very helpful when, for example, you have to share files with someone else.
However, it is not without risks. Therefore, it is recommended not to have it activated all the time, regardless of whether you are connected to public or private networks. To deactivate the feature you have to go to Settings > Network and Internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
Once there you will find two sections: public networks and private networks. The network discovery feature is available on both, so just click the switch to change the settings. From that same section you can modify the file and printer sharingwhich is also recommended not to keep enabled if you do not use it.
