Windows God Mode + 15 Hidden Windows 11 Tricks (2026)

Windows 11 hides a lot of its power. Settings are split between the new Settings app and the old Control Panel, and some of the best tools have no button at all. The fix is a secret trick power users have relied on for years: Windows God Mode. It's a hidden folder that puts every Control Panel setting and admin tool in one place.

In this guide you'll learn how to turn on God Mode in seconds, plus 15 more hidden Windows 11 tricks, from a secret clipboard history to a full battery health report, that make you look like a PC expert.

What Is Windows God Mode?

God Mode isn't a hack or a download. It's a built-in Windows shortcut that uses a special code (called a GUID) to show all Control Panel applets and administrative tools in one long, searchable, grouped list. Despite the dramatic name, it doesn't unlock new powers. It just puts everything you need in one place, so you stop hunting through menus.

How to Turn On God Mode in Windows 11 and 10

1. Go to your desktop (or any folder) and right-click an empty space.
2. Choose New > Folder.
3. Rename the folder to exactly:
   GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
4. Press Enter. The folder icon changes to a Control Panel icon and the name disappears.
5. Double-click it. You'll see every setting, grouped into categories such as Power Options, Security and Maintenance, and Windows Tools.

Tips: the part before the dot ("GodMode") can be any name you like. Use the search box in the top-right corner of the window to find a setting fast. To remove God Mode, just delete the folder. Nothing on your PC changes.

15 More Hidden Windows 11 Tricks

1. Clipboard history (Win + V)

Press Win + V to see everything you've copied recently, not just the last item. Turn it on the first time, then pin snippets you use often.

2. Instant screenshot of any area (Win + Shift + S)

Draw a box around anything on screen and it's copied straight to your clipboard. Paste it into WhatsApp Web, Word or an email.

3. Emoji and symbols panel (Win + .)

Press Win + period in any text box to insert emojis, GIFs, symbols like ₦, € or ©, and even kaomoji.

4. Voice typing (Win + H)

Click in a text box, press Win + H and start talking. Windows types for you.

5. Fix a frozen screen (Win + Ctrl + Shift + B)

Screen frozen or black? This shortcut restarts your graphics driver. You'll hear a beep and the screen flickers. It often fixes display glitches without a restart.

6. Record your screen (Win + Alt + R)

The built-in Xbox Game Bar records the current app or game. Press it again to stop. Great for quick tutorials.

7. Create a battery health report

Open Command Prompt and type powercfg /batteryreport. Windows saves an HTML report showing your laptop battery's original capacity, current capacity and usage history, which is perfect before buying a used laptop.

8. Virtual desktops (Win + Ctrl + D)

Create a second desktop for work, school or gaming. Switch between them with Win + Ctrl + Left/Right.

9. Snap windows like a pro (Win + Z)

Hover over the maximise button or press Win + Z to pick a snap layout and arrange windows side by side in one click.

10. Open Task Manager directly (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)

Skip the Ctrl + Alt + Del screen and jump straight to Task Manager.

11. Shake to minimise

Turn on title bar window shake in Settings > System > Multitasking. Then grab a window and shake it to minimise everything else.

12. Lock your PC in one second (Win + L)

Walking away? Win + L locks your PC instantly.

13. Reopen a closed browser tab (Ctrl + Shift + T)

Closed a tab by mistake? This brings it back in Chrome, Edge and Firefox.

14. The secret Start menu (Win + X)

Press Win + X (or right-click Start) for a power-user menu with Device Manager, Disk Management, Terminal, Event Viewer and more.

15. Show file extensions

In File Explorer, go to View > Show > File name extensions. Now you can spot fake files like "photo.jpg.exe" before you open them.

Quick Shortcut Cheat Sheet

FAQs

Is Windows God Mode safe?

Yes. It's a shortcut to settings that already exist. It doesn't change anything until you change a setting yourself.

Does God Mode work on Windows 10?

Yes. It works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How do I remove God Mode?

Delete the folder. Your PC and settings stay the same.

Why didn't my God Mode folder change icon?

Check the name carefully. The code must be exactly {ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}, including the curly brackets and dashes.

More PC tricks: see all PC tricks

Sources: Make Tech Easier. Image credits (Wikimedia Commons): "Laptop on a desk" by Aleksi Tappura (CC0); "Keyboard Close Up" by Alexander-design (CC0). Windows is a trademark of Microsoft.