These settings make Windows much more comfortable to use.
Say what you want about Windows 11, but it’s still one of the most popular operating systems on the planet. According to Statcounter, Windows users accounted for around 70 percent of the global desktop OS market share in November 2025. Of that slice, around 53 percent are on Windows 11. As bloated (and at times frustrating) as it may be, Windows 11’s ubiquity means most people will have to work with it to some degree at some point, so we might as well make it behave. Here are five settings that are helpful for not only speeding up your workflow, but also making it a little more comfortable, too.
Single-click to open an item
Half of your clicks when navigating in Windows
This setting is hidden in Folder Options in File Explorer. With it enabled, you only need one click to open anything, much like clicking on hyperlinks. This also changes the way items are highlighted; rather than a single click, just hover the mouse cursor over the item for one second, and Windows will automatically select it.
I have this setting enabled for a few family members because double-clicking fast enough can be challenging with certain health issues. Accessibility benefits aside, halving the number of clicks needed to launch things in Windows is probably also good for the joints, so I’ve enabled it for myself, too. The obvious caveat is that selection takes a second longer, but the comfort far outweighs the trade-off.
Night light
Make the screen more comfortable to see
Night light, found in the Display panel of System Settings, yellow-shifts the tint of the monitor, reducing the harsher blue light that can accelerate eye fatigue. Although the evidence backing its efficacy is debated (much like dark mode), Night light has reduced the frequency of my migraines during long work weeks, especially when I have to work late into the night.
