10 Ways to Get Help in Windows 11

This article describes 10 ways to get help in Windows 11. Most of these methods are Microsoft-approved and built into the operating system, but there are a few suggestions for when Microsoft's help isn't enough.

Use the Get Help App

Windows 11 includes an app called Get Help that lets you search for a solution to numerous problems through a wide range of offline help documents. If you can't find the help you need, this app lets you chat with a Microsoft support agent or schedule a phone call.

1. Select Search from the taskbar, type Get Help, and select that app when you see it in the results.

   

2. Type some words related to your question into the text box, and press Enter.

   

3. Follow the directions provided in the app. If you need more help, select Contact Support at the bottom of the screen.

   

4. Answer any other questions if you're asked for additional information. Then, choose one of the support options. You can chat with a support agent or leave your phone number for them to call you.

   

5. If you want to chat with Microsoft support, select Confirm on that screen and then log in to your Microsoft account on the page that opens in your web browser.

   If you choose the call option, leave your phone number and press Confirm.

Use the Get Started App

If you don't have a specific problem that you need help with but are just curious about how to use Windows 11, Microsoft includes an onboarding app designed to teach you basic things about how to use this version of Windows.

1. Select Search from the taskbar, type Get Started, and then select that app from the results to open it.

   

2. Select Get started on the welcome screen.

   

3. Listed here are the different ways you might plan to use Windows 11. Select Gaming, for example, to get tips and recommendations related to games.

   Press the next arrow at the bottom of the app to move on (you don't have to select anything on this screen if you don't want to).

   

4. The app will show a short beginner's guide to triggering the Start menu and search tool from the taskbar.

   Press the next arrow when you're finished.

   

5. Microsoft recommends a few apps you can install from Microsoft Store. You can download these apps now, or use the Explore Microsoft Store link to get tens of thousands of other apps.

   Use the next arrow to proceed.

   

6. Continue through the Get Started app for some quick summaries of three other major areas of Windows 11: File Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Windows Security.

Use the Tips App

Another built-in way to get help in Windows 11 is to use the Tips app. This is the place to be if you need help using keyboard shortcuts, organizing your desktop, customizing the way things look, using touch gestures, backing up files, and more.

1. Search for Tips from the taskbar, and select the app when you see it.

   

2. Choose any of the categories from the list.

   

3. Use the next arrow to make your way through each tip.

   

Run a Troubleshooter

It's sometimes hard to know what to ask when you need help in Windows 11. Fortunately, Microsoft includes a number of troubleshooters you can run that try to diagnose and fix various problems. All you have to do is select the category of help you need, from options like Audio, Bluetooth, Printer, and Video Playback.

Here's our guide that covers how to do this: How to Run Diagnostics on Windows.

Turn On Tips & Suggestions

There's an option hidden deep in the Settings app that will provide contextual tips as you use Windows 11. All you have to do is turn it on.

1. Open Settings.

2. Select System on the left, and then Notifications on the right.

   

3. Scroll to the bottom and select Additional settings.

4. Select Get tips and suggestions when using Windows.

   

Message Microsoft Support on X

I explained above that the Get Help app lets you contact Microsoft's support team, but that's not the only way. If you have an X (formerly Twitter) account, visit @MicrosoftHeps and select the message button to send a private message to their customer support team.

Visit Microsoft Support

Microsoft's website is full of articles that can help and inform you about all things Windows 11.

1. Visit the Microsoft Support Windows Help & Learning page.

2. Use the search bar to look for help, or click through the category headings.

   

3. Select one of the help documents from the list, or refine your search if you need to.

   

4. Find the section that provides Windows 11 help to walk through Microsoft's recommendations.

   

Look for a Help Button

Most software programs have a help or support button. In some Microsoft programs, clicking this button will launch Microsoft's Support web page or the Get Help app. In non-Microsoft programs, you might end up on the company's website or in a separate area of the app with a list of tips, walkthroughs, or other help-related articles.

Research User-Created Help Documents

We have many Windows 11 "How To" here on Lifewire, some of which you won't find on Microsoft's website or their help apps. Use the search bar at the top of the page to find something, or browse our Windows and Microsoft pages to see what you can learn.

Microsoft Community is another good source for Windows 11 help. You've probably landed on this website if you've ever tried fixing a particular problem with Windows. It works like a forum where users ask questions that others can answer.

Similar to Microsoft's forum is Reddit. This is one of the best ways to get help in Windows 11 from real people. There are often multiple solutions for the same problem, and other readers can help legitimize whether a solution is a good or a bad idea. If your question hasn't already been covered, you can make a Reddit post in a relevant community, like the r/Windows 11 or r/WindowsHelp subreddit.

Let a Friend Into Your Computer With Quick Assist

The last method we recommend for getting help in Windows 11 is to use the free Quick Assist program. This software lets someone else access your computer remotely. It's helpful when you're unsure how to do something on your PC but have a friend or know of a professional who can help.

This is the remote desktop app included in this version of Windows, but several other free remote access programs work just as well, if not better, than Microsoft's.