Windows 10 Device usage

Windows 10 21H2 to optimize PC for specific use with Device usage settings

The next version of Windows 10 will suggest tools and services based on how you plan to use the PC with the new Device usage settings.

Windows 10 21H2 is the next major refresh of the operating system codenamed Sun Valley that Microsoft plans to release during the second half of the year, with many new features and enhancements, including a new way to customize the experience based on how you plan to use your computer.

The feature is available through the new “Device usage” page in the Personalization section of the Settings app.

On the page, you can enable the feature to let Windows 10 customize the experience based on the use cases you select, including gaming, family, creativity, schoolwork, entertainment, and business. You can use one or multiple ways, and depending on your selection, the system will suggest tools and services that can help you get the most of Windows 10.

Device Usage settings
Device usage settings

While these settings are new, the feature is not since Microsoft has already introduced an updated version of the out-of-box experience (OOBE) to help you set up Windows 10 for how you plan to use the device in previous builds.

The feature is the same as the one in the Settings app. However, with the updated version of the installation process, you can customize the computer while finalizing the setup with the new “Customize your device” page that includes the same six ways to prepare the device based on how you plan to use it.

Customize your device OOBE / source: Microsoft
Customize your device OOBE / source: Microsoft

At the time of this writing, it is unclear how the feature will work since nothing will happen when enabling the feature and selecting any of the different options on the settings page.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.