TableofContentsIntroduction
Chapter1–AFreshStart
Chapter2–Cortana
Chapter3–TamingtheTaskbar
Chapter4–BasicCommunications
Chapter5–GettingPersonal
Chapter6–Maps&MSNApps
Chapter7–DesktopProductivity
Chapter8–Multimedia
Chapter9–MicrosoftEdge
Chapter10–Safety&Security
Chapter11–AdvancedBits&Bytes
Chapter12–KeyboardShortcuts
Thanksforreading!
Copyright©2015byTimSievers
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisworkmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageorretrievalsystem,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightownerandthepublisher.
Trademarkednamesmayappearinthisbook.Ratherthanuseatrademarksymbolwitheveryoccurrenceofatrademarkedname,weusethenamesonlyinaneditorialfashionandtothebenefitofthetrademarkowner,withnointentionofinfringementofthetrademark.
Theinformationinthisbookisdistributedonan“asis”basis,withoutwarranty.Althougheveryprecautionhasbeentakeninthepreparationofthiswork,theauthorshallnothaveanyliabilitytoanypersonorentitywithrespecttoanylossordamagecausedorallegedtobecauseddirectlyorindirectlybytheinformationcontainedinthiswork.
Website:www.tims-tips.com
AverybriefhistoryofWindows
Hello,I’mTimSievers.I’veusedeveryMicrosoftOperatingSystem(OS)sincethedaysofMS-DOSinthe1980’sandovertheyearsI’veseenhugeimprovementsinusabilityanddesign.IwouldneverhaveimaginedhowfarPC’shavecomesincethen.However,lookingbacktherewereafewbumpsalongtheroad,withWindowsVistaandmorerecentlyWindows8beingsomeoftheleastpopularversionsoftheOS.
WindowsVistawasavisuallystunningOSletdownbypoorperformanceonawiderangeofhardwarecomparedtoitspredecessor,WindowsXP.Afteritsreleasemanyusersreturnedthesoftwareandweregiven“downgrades”toXP.SuchstoriesscaredmostbusinessesandmanyindividualsintostickingwithXPevenwhenWindows7camealong,butMicrosofthadworkedhardtofixtheperformanceissuesandWindows7wasdefinitelyaleapforwardinperformance,stabilityandsecurity.
ThencameWindows8,themostambitiousandtrulyradicalredesignofWindowssinceWindows95.For17yearstheStartmenuandtheWindowsDesktophadbeenattheforefrontoftheuserexperience,thensuddenlythe“ModernUserInterface”withitstouch-friendlyStartScreenhadtakenover.TheDesktopwasstilltherebuttheStartmenuwasgoneandthejarringeffectofswitchingbetweentheStartScreen,ModernAppsandtheDesktopleftmanytraditionalWindowsUsersconfusedandupset.
Ofcourse,Windows8receivedunfavorablereviewsandwhilethe8.1updateaddressedmanyoftheproblemswiththeOS,thedamagehadalreadybeendone.SomuchsothatMicrosoftdecidedtoskipthe“Windows9”nameforitsnewOStogiveitsomeextradistancefromWindows8.Microsoft’smissionwithWindows10istocombinethebestfeaturesofWindows7and8togivethe1.5billionWindowsUsersaroundtheworldareasontoupgrade.ThereturnoftheStartmenu,aneweasytouse“TabletMode”andafreeupgradeofferforWindows7and8.1usersisagoodbeginning,butWindows10offerssomuchmore.
AbouttheBook
Designedtohelpyougetuptospeedquickly,thisguideisacollectionofthebest100tipsthatIhavefoundforWindows10.BecauseWindows10isbuiltforbothtouchscreenandtraditionalcomputingdevicesIhaveincludedbothtouchscreengestureandkeyboard/mouseinstructions.Formanytips,thetouchgestureinstructionsuseaseparateheadingcalled“Touch”andthekeyboard/mouseinstructionsusetheheading“Key/Mouse”.
Also,asabonusextra,IhaveincludedalistofthemostcommonWindows10KeyboardShortcuts.Thishandyreferenceisdividedintoseveralcategoriestohelpyouquicklyfindtheshortcutyouneed,whenyouneedit.So,whetheryou’vejuststartedusingWindows10oryou’vebeenusingitforawhile,I’msureyou’llfindsomeusefultipsherethatwillimproveyourWindows10experience.
GettingthemostoutofWindows10
Windows10givesyouthechoicetouseeitheraLocaluseraccountoraMicrosoftaccount.InthepastmostconsumerswouldhaveusedaLocalaccount,butnowthepreferredoptionisaMicrosoftaccount.WithaMicrosoftaccountyoucandownloadappsfromtheWindowsStore,syncyourPCsettingsacrossmultipledevicesandaccessMicrosoft’sOneDrivecloudservice.IfyousetupaLocalaccountwhenyoufirstconfiguredWindows10,youcaneasilyswitchittoaMicrosoftaccount.
TaporclickontheStartbuttontobringuptheStartmenu,selectSettingsandAccounts,thentaporclickontheSigninwithaMicrosoftaccountinsteadoption.
YoucansigninwithanexistingMicrosoftaccountorchoosetocreateanewaccount.
BasicNavigation
InthefeedbackIreceivedformypreviousWindowsbooks,Iwasoftenaskedtoincludesomemorebasicnavigationinstructionsforbeginners,soI’vedecidedtorunthroughsomebasicshereintheintroduction.Experiencedusersshouldfeelfreetoskipahead.
ManyofthekeyboardshortcutsusedinWindows10involveaspecialkeyonyour
keyboardcalledtheWindowsLogoKey.Onolderkeyboardsitshouldlooklikethis
oronnewerkeyboardslikethis andislocatedinthebottomleft-handcornerbetweentheCtrlandAltkeys.ThroughoutthisguideIwillusethenewerWindowslogo
torefertothiskey.Forexample,youcanquicklylockyourPCwithakeyboardshortcutbypressingtheWindowsLogoKeyandtheletter“L”keyatthesametime.This
shortcutcanbeshowedas: +L
InWindows10,manyofthebuilt-inappsuseaHamburgermenuthatletsyouseeasidemenuofoptions.Ahamburgermenuisrepresentedbyaseriesoflinesstackedontopof
eachotherlikethelayersofahamburger .Idon’tknowwhy,butIfeelabithungrynow!
ManyofthesesameappsalsoincludeaSettingsbuttonrepresentedbyagearwheel
andaMorebuttonrepresentedbyaseriesofdots .
ALong-Pressisatouchscreengesturethatfirstappearedonsmartphones.InWindowsthelong-pressgestureisthetouchversionofright-clicking.ToperformaLong-Press,tap&holdyourfingeronthescreenforafewseconds,thenreleaseit.Ifavailable,acontextmenuwillappear.
Everwonderedwhatthese>arrows>are>for?It’ssimplyawayofcondensinginstructions.ForexampleatthebeginningofthisbookoranewtopicIwillwriteaninstructionlikethis,“SelecttheXbutton,thengototheYsettingandchoosetheZoption”,butafteryou’remorefamiliarwithatopicIwillwritetheinstructionas,“GotoX>Y>Z”.
AfewoftheKeyboardShortcutsshowninthisbookincludesomeoftheFunctionKeys
(F1toF12)locatedatthetopofthekeyboard.DependingonyourkeyboardlayoutyoumightneedtopressanadditionalFunction(Fn)keytomaketheseshortcutswork.
Chapter1–AFreshStartAftercausingalotofconfusionandanxietyforuserswiththeremovaloftheclassicStartmenuinWindows8,Microsofthasdecidedtostartoveragain.Yes!TheStartmenuisback,biggerandbetterthanever.ThenewStartmenucombinesatraditionalmenuformatwithoneofthemostpopularpartsofWindows8,theLiveTilesfromtheStartScreen.Loveor,asmostpeopledid,hatetheStartScreen,theLiveTilesthemselveswereagoodidea.Withtheirabilitytodisplayuptodateinformationtheseeasilycustomizedshortcutsareagreatwaytopersonalizeyourcomputer.
Tip#1–ResizingtheStartMenu
Dependingonthesizeandresolutionofyourscreen,thenewStartmenucanberesizedtodisplayasmuchinformationasyou’dlike.
ClickontheStartbuttontoviewthemenu,takethemousepointertothetopedgeofthemenuthenclickanddragthemouseupanddowntomaketheStartmenutallerorshorter.Youcanalsoclickanddragontherightedgeofthemenutomakeitthinnerorwider.
Ofcourse,ifyou’reoneoftheminorityofuserswhoreallydon’tknowwhatthefusswasaboutwithWindows8andactuallylikedtheStartScreen,youcanevensetthenewStartmenutofullscreen.SimplyselecttheStartbutton,thengotoSettingsandselectthePersonalizationoption.HereyoucanchoosetheStartsectionandturntheUseStartfullscreenswitchtoOn.
Tip#2–LaunchingApps
InWindows10,yourapplicationsareeasilyaccessibleviatheStartmenu.ShortcutstocommonlyusedappsareshownintheMostusedsection.
ToviewalistofallyourappssimplyselecttheStartbuttonandgotoAllApps,thenscrollupanddownthelistandtaporclicktomakeaselection.
Note:OneofthequickestwaystofindandlaunchanappistoselecttheStartbuttonandjuststarttypingthenameoftheappyouwant,thenselectitfromthesearchresults.
Tip#3–Pin-Ups
Youcan“Pin”yourfavoriteappstotheStartmenuortheTaskbarforeasyaccess.
Touch–To“Pin”anapp,you’llneedtogotoStart>AllApps,locatetheappandthenlong-pressonit.AcontextmenuwillappearwiththeoptionstoPintoStartorPintotaskbar.
Key/Mouse–To“Pin”anapp,you’llneedtogotoStart>AllApps,locatetheappandright-clickonit.AcontextmenuwillappearwiththeoptionstoPintoStartorPintotaskbar.
Tip#4–TileSize
ThetilespinnedtoyourStartmenucanappearinfourdifferentsizes,asiftoreflecttheirimportance,butwhat’simportanttoonepersoncanbecompletelydifferenttosomeoneelse.SoMicrosoftletsyouchangethesizeoftheindividualtilestomakeyourfavoritetilesstandout.
Touch–SelecttheStartbutton,thenlong-pressonatiletoshowtheeditingoptions,tapontheMoreactionsbuttononthebottomcornerofthetileandselectadifferenttilesize.
Key/Mouse–SelecttheStartbutton,thenright-clickonatiletobringupthecontextmenu,movethemousepointertotheResizeoptionandselectadifferenttilesize.
Tip#5–RemovingTiles
TilespinnedtoyourStartmenuarebestthoughtofassmartshortcutsthatcandisplaylivedataandnotifications,butthey’restillonlyshortcuts.Soyoucansafelyremovethemwithoutdeletinganydataoruninstallinganyapps.
Touch–SelecttheStartbutton,thenlong-pressonatiletoshowtheeditingoptionsandtapontheUnpinfromStartbuttononthetopcornerofthetile.
Key/Mouse–SelecttheStartbutton,thenright-clickonatiletobringupthecontextmenuandselecttheUnpinfromStartoption.
Tip#6–Group&ArrangeTiles
YoucanrearrangethepositionoftilesontheStartmenuandcreatenewgroupsoftiles.
Touch–Torelocateatile,long-pressonthetiletoselectit,thenmovethetiletoanewlocationandreleaseyourfingerfromthescreen.Tocreateanewgroupoftiles,simplydragatiletoanemptyareaoftheStartmenuandathickhorizontallinewillappearindicatingthatwhenyoureleaseyourfingeranewgroupwillbecreated.
Key/Mouse–Torelocateatile,clickanddragittoanewlocation.Tocreateanewgroupoftiles,simplydragatiletoanemptyareaoftheStartScreenandathickhorizontallinewillappearindicatingthatwhenyoureleasethemouseanewgroupwillbecreated.
Tip#7–Name&ArrangeGroups
AfterawhileasyouaddmoreappstotheStartmenuitmaybegintolookabitmessy.Youcanbringsomeordertothischaosbylabellingyourtilegroupswithdescriptivenames.
BringuptheStartmenu,taporclickontheTitleBaratthetopofatilegroupandtypeinadescription,thenpresstheEnterkey.
Youcanalsoquicklyrearrangethelocationsofyourgroups.BringuptheStartmenu,thentap&dragorclick&dragontheTitleBarofagrouptomoveittoanewlocation.
Tip#8–LivingwithLiveTiles
StillnotlovingtheLiveTiles?Ok,ifyoufindtheconstantlychangingtilesalittleannoyingandhardtogetusedto,youcanstopthemfromdisplayinglivedataorremovethemaltogether.
Touch–TostopthelivedatagotoStart,thenlong-pressonatiletoshowtheeditingoptions,tapontheMoreactionsbuttononthebottomcornerofthetileandselectTurnlivetileoffandrepeatforeachtiledisplayinglivedata.
Key/Mouse–TostopthelivedatagotoStart,thenright-clickonatiletobringupthecontextmenuandselectTurnlivetileoffandrepeatforeachtiledisplayinglivedata.
Note:YoucanalsoremoveallthetilestocreateaminimalistStartmenu,morelikeWindows7.Unfortunatelythereisnosimplewaytounpinallthetilessoyou’llhaveto
Tip#9–HideMostUsed&RecentlyAddedApps
AnotherwaytocleanuptheStartmenuisbymodifyingtheMostUsedand/orRecentlyAddedappslistsatthetopofthemenu.Youcanremoveindividualitemsfromtheselistsorturnthelistsoffaltogether.
Touch–Toremoveanapp,long-pressonitandselectDon’tshowinthislistfromthecontextmenu.Toturnoffthelists,gotoStart>Settings>Personalization>StartandtaptoturntheShowmostusedappsandShowrecentlyaddedappsswitchestoOff.
Key/Mouse–Toremoveanapp,right-clickonitandselectDon’tshowinthislistfrom
thecontextmenu.Toturnoffthelists,usethekeyboardshortcut +ItobringuptheSettingswindow,thenselectPersonalization>StartandclicktoturntheShowmostusedappsandShowrecentlyaddedappsswitchestoOff.
Tip#10–CustomStartList
YoucanalsocustomizethelistofshortcutsthatappearatthebottomoftheStartmenu.
Touch–GotoStart>Settings>Personalization>StartandtapontheChoosewhichfoldersappearonStartlink.Hereyoucanselectthedifferentitemsthatyou’dliketoseeintheStartmenu.
Key/Mouse–Usethekeyboardshortcut +ItobringuptheSettingswindow,thenselectPersonalization>StartandclickontheChoosewhichfoldersappearonStart
link.Hereyoucanselectthedifferentitemsthatyou’dliketoseeintheStartmenu.
Note:TheAllAppsandPoweroptionsdon’tappearinthislistbecausetheycan’tberemovedfromtheStartmenu.
Tip#11–QuickLinkMenu
TheStartmenuhidesaveryhandytoolcalledtheQuickLinkmenuthathasshortcutstoPowerUsersettingslikeDiskManagement,CommandPrompt,NetworkConnectionsandmore.
Touch–Long-pressontheStartbuttontorevealtheQuickLinkmenu.
Chapter2–Cortana
MicrosofthasaddedanewpersonalassistantsoftwaretoWindows10,calledCortana.Cortanacansearchlocallyforfiles,appsandsettingsorgetresultstosearchesfromtheweb.HarnessingthepoweroftheInternet,Cortanacanhelpyoubemoreproductive.IfyourPChasamicrophoneyoucanspeaktoCortana,askquestions,setalarmsandremindersandevendictateemailmessages.
Inthischapteryou’lllearnhowtousetheseandotherfeaturesofCortana.
Tip#12–SayHellotoCortana
Ifyouhaven’talreadysetupCortanayoucanjusttaporclickinthenewSearchBoxnexttotheStartbuttonandCortanawillstartbyshowingyousomeofthethingsshecando.SelecttheNextbuttontogetstarted.
AgreetotheprivacystatementandchoosethenameyouwantCortanatocallyou.
NowtostartusingCortanasimplytaporclickintheSearchBoxandstarttypingorselecttheMicrophoneicontobeginusingvoicecommands.Youcantestthisoutbysayingortypingthecommand“opennotepad”.
Tip#13–HeyCortana
OneofthebestfeaturesofCortanaistheabilitytousethe“HeyCortana”voicecommandtosummonthedigitalassistant.ThisfeatureisturnedoffbydefaultandcanbeenabledbygoingtotheSearchBox,tappingorclickingontheHamburgermenuandselectingNotebook>Settings.ThenscrolldownandtaporclickontheHeyCortanaswitch.
Nowyoucantrythisoutbyaskingquestionslike“HeyCortana,what’stheweathergoingtobetoday?”
Note:Onceyou’veenabledtheHeyCortanasettingyoucanalsolaunchCortanaby
usingthekeyboardshortcut: +C
Tip#14–HelpCortanaLearnYourVoice
ItmaytakeawhileforCortanatolearnyourvoice.TohelpfinetuneCortana’svoicerecognitionyoucangototheSearchBox,taporclickontheHamburgermenuandgotoNotebook>Settings.ThenscrolldownandtaporclickontheLearnmyvoicebutton.
Cortanawillaskyoutoreadaseriesofphrasesdesignedtohelpherrecognizeyourvoice.Forbestresults,limitanybackgroundnoises,getascloseasyoucantoyourdeviceandjusttrytospeaknormally.Cortanawillgiveyouafewgoesateachphrase,afterthatyoucankeepclickingintheSearchBoxtohaveanothergo.IfoundthatIreallyhadtoconcentrateonclearlypronouncingeachwordofthephrase,especiallythe“HeyCortana”bitwhichkeptregisteringas“HeyAnna”forsomereason!
Tip#15–SetAlarms,Reminders&more
TosetanalarmyoucantypethedetailsintotheSearchBoxorjustsaysomethinglike“HeyCortana,setanalarmfor6AM”or“HeyCortana,wakemeupin20minutes”.
Onceyou’vesetupyouremail,contactsandcalendarsettingsinWindows10(seechapter4),Cortanabecomesevenmorehelpfulwiththeabilitytosetreminders,makecalendarappointmentsandevensendemailmessages.
Tip#16–ManageCortana’sNotebook
Cortanakeepsalistofthingsthatmightinterestyouinhernotebook.Youcanusethisnotebooktoaddandmodifythethingsyou’reinterestedin.GototheSearchBox,taporclickontheHamburgermenuandselectNotebook.Thenyoucantaporclickonanitemtoseeandadjustitssettings,likeaddingyourfavoritefoodpreferencestotheEat&Drinksectionforexample.
Tip#17–CortanaTroubleshooting
WhatifyousetupCortanaandnothinghappens?Sheeitherdoesn’tlistenwhenyoutalktoherorshesimplywon’ttalkback,it’sunlikelythatshe’sgivingyouthecoldshoulder!HerearethemostcommonreasonswhyCortanaremainssilent:
1.Cortanawillrespondtoyoubasedonhowyoucommunicatewithher,soifyoutypedyourquestion,Cortanathinksyouwanthertojustdisplaytheanswerandnotspeakaloud.Ofcourse,therewillbetimeswhenthisismoreappropriate,likewhenyou’reatworkorinacafé.
2.Yourmicrophoneisn’tworking.Ifthemessageisn’tgettingthroughyoucantrytestingyourmicrophone.GotoStart,type“setupmic”andselectSetupamicrophone,thenfollowtheinstructions.
3.Yourspeakersaren’tworking.First,checkthatthespeakersareturnedonorthatthevolumeisup.Second,gotoStart,type“DeviceManager”andselectitfromtheresults,thencheckthatyoursoundcardsoftwareisinstalledcorrectly.
Tip#18–SayGoodbyetoCortana
IfyoutriedCortanaforawhileanddecidedthatadigitalassistantisjustnotyourthing,youcaneasilyturnheroff.SimplygototheSearchBox,taporclickontheHamburgermenuandselectNotebook>Settings.ThentaporclickontheOn/Offswitch.
Note:YoucanalsoselecttheManagewhatCortanaknowsaboutmeinthecloudlinktoclearyoursettingsandsearchhistory.
Chapter3–TamingtheTaskbar
TheWindowsTaskbarfirstappearedinWindows95andwasredesignedinWindows7tohelpusersquicklylaunchandmanagetheirmostimportantappsandfiles.
WhiletheTaskbargainssomenewfeaturesinWindows10,itwillappearmostlyunchangedtoWindows7and8users.Youcanstillpinyourfavoriteappsanddragtorearrangethem,accessThumbnailPreviewsandJumpLists,movetheTaskbartothetop
orsidesofthescreenandusekeyboardshortcutslike +Ttoselectandcyclethrough
pinnedappsorusenumberedshortcutslike +1tolaunchthefirstappor +2tolaunchthesecondapp,etc.
So,what’snew?AswellasthenewCortana/SearchBox,Windows10addsanewTaskViewfeaturewithvirtualdesktopsandanewActionCentertotheTaskbar.TheActionCenterletsyouquicklycontrolcommonsettingsonyourPCandenablethenewTabletMode,designedfor2-in-1andtouchscreencomputers.
Inthischapteryou’lllearnhowtousethenewfeaturesoftheTaskbartohelpyougetthemostoutofyourWindows10experience.
Tip#19–CustomSearch
Oneofthebiggestchangesyou’llnoticeinWindows10isthenewCortana/SearchBoxintheTaskbar,nexttotheStartbutton.It’shugeand,dependingonthewidthofyourscreen,ittakesawaysomevaluablerealestatethatyoumightwantforyourapps.LuckilyyoucanchangethisSearchBoxtoamuchsmallericonorifyoupreferyoucanhideit.
SearchandCortanawillstillworkevenifyouhidetheshortcutsintheTaskbar.YoucansimplybringuptheStartmenuandstarttypingtosearchforsomething,orifyou’reusingCortanajustusethe“HeyCortana”voicecommand.
Toadjusttheseoptionslong-pressorright-clickonanemptyareaoftheTaskbarandselectCortanafromthecontextmenu,thenchoosebetweenHidden,ShowCortanaicon,orShowsearchbox.
Tip#20–TaskView
InWindows10,youcanquicklyswitchbetweenopenappsusingthenewTaskViewfeature.
Touch–SwipeinwardsfromtheleftofthescreenortapontheTaskView buttonintheTaskbar.Thentaponanapptoswitchtoit.
Key/Mouse–ClickontheTaskView buttonintheTaskbarorusethekeyboard
shortcut +TabthenyoucanclickonanapporusethearrowkeystohighlighttheappandpressEntertoswitchtoit.
Note:YoucanstillswitchbetweenopenappswiththeoldWindowskeyboardshortcut:Alt+Tab
Tip#21–TaskViewVirtualDesktops
WithTaskViewyoucancreatevirtualdesktops.Thisallowsyoutogroupandmanagedifferentappstogetheronseparatevirtualdesktopsandquicklyswitchbetweenthem.Tocreateavirtualdesktop,selecttheTaskViewbuttonandthenselecttheNewdesktop
buttoninthebottomright-handcornerofthescreenorusethekeyboardshortcut: +Ctrl+D
Thenyoucanopentheappsyouwanttouseonthatdesktop,selecttheTaskViewbutton
againtoswitchbetweendesktopsorusetheshortcuts: +Ctrl+LeftorRightarrows
Tocloseavirtualdesktop,selecttheTaskViewbuttonandthentaporclickontheDelete
buttonorusethekeyboardshortcut: +Ctrl+F4
Note:YoucanmoveappsbetweenvirtualdesktopsbyselectingTaskViewanddraggingtheapptoanotherdesktoporyoucandraganapptotheNewdesktopbuttontocreateanothervirtualdesktop.
Tip#22–TaskbarTweaks
AswellascustomizinghowCortanaandtheSearchBoxappearintheTaskbar(asshowninTip#19),youcanalsohidetheTaskViewbuttonandmakealltheTaskbarbuttonssmaller.
TohidetheTaskViewbutton,long-pressorright-clickonanemptyareaoftheTaskbaranddeselecttheShowTaskViewbuttonoption.
TomaketheTaskbarbuttonssmaller,long-pressorright-clickonanemptyareaoftheTaskbarandselectthePropertiesoption,thenselecttheUsesmalltaskbarbuttonscheckboxandselectApplyandOK.
Tip#23–ActionCenter
ThenewWindows10ActionCentershowsimportantappandsystemnotifications,aswellasthemostcommonlyusedsettings.
Touch–TodisplaytheActionCenter,swipeinwardsfromtherightedgeofthescreen.
Key/Mouse–TodisplaytheActionCenter,clickontheActionCenter iconinthe
Taskbarorusethekeyboardshortcut: +A
IntheActionCenter,you’llseeanyavailablenotificationslistedatthetopofthescreen,youcantaporclicktotakeactiononanotificationoryoucanclearthenotificationbyeitherdraggingitofftotherightofthescreenorselectingtheclosebutton.CommonlyusedsettingsorQuickActionsareshownatthebottomoftheActionCenter.YoucanselecttheExpandoptiontodisplayallofyouravailableQuickActions.
Tip#24–TheFantasticFour
ToquicklyaccessyourfavoritesettingsyoucancustomizethefirstfouritemsthatappearintheQuickActionssectionoftheActionCenter.GotoStart>Settings>System>Notifications&actions,thentaporclickononeofthefourQuickActionitemsandscrollthelisttochooseyourfavoriteoptions.
Tip#25–TabletMode
Windows10includesanewfeaturecalledTabletMode.ThiswilllookveryfamiliartoWindows8usersasTabletModeincreasestheStartmenuandappstofullscreen.Primarilydesignedfor2-in-1touchscreencomputersliketheSurfacePro,TabletModemakesWindowsmoretouchfriendly.
Totryitout,bringuptheActionCenterandselectTabletModefromQuickActions.You’llnoticethattheTaskbarwillchangetodisplayaBackbutton.WhenyoutaporclickonStartyou’llseeafullsizeStartScreenwithsomecommandshiddenintheHamburgermenuinthetopleftcorner.Allappsincludingolderdesktopappswillopeninfullscreen.ToswitchbackpulluptheActionCenteragainanddeselectTabletMode.
Tip#26–TabletSnap
TabletModealsoallowsyoutodofullscreenmultitaskingbysnappingtwoappsside-by-sideasyoucouldinWindows8.
Touch–OpenanappinTabletModeandbeginbyswipingyourfingerdownfromthetopofthescreenuntiltheappwindowshrinksonthescreen,thenslideyourfingertothesideofthescreenuntilaverticaldividinglineappearsandreleaseyourfinger.
Key/Mouse–OpenanappinTabletModeandtakethemousepointertothetopofthescreenanddragthewindowdownandtothesideofthescreenuntilaverticaldividinglineappears,thenrelease.
Nowyoucanselectanotheropenapporstartasecondappanditwillsnapintothesparespaceonthescreen.Youcandragthedividinglinetoshowmoreofoneappthantheother.
Tip#27–FindingSomePeace&Quiet
Whilenotificationsareagreatwaytokeepyouuptodatewiththelatestinformation,sometimestheongoingdistractioncanleaveyouwantingtoescape.Ifyouneedtofocusonworkorjustwantsomepeaceandquiet,youcantemporarilyturnofftheseattentionseekerswiththeQuiethoursfeature.
Touch–Toswitchthisfeatureon,swipeinwardsfromtherightedgeofthescreentodisplaytheActionCenter.ThentaptheQuiethoursoptionfromQuickActions.Youcanalsolong-pressontheActionCentericoninthetaskbarandselectTurnonquiethours.
Key/Mouse–Toswitchthisfeatureon,clickontheActionCentericonintheTaskbaror
usethekeyboardshortcut +AthenclickontheQuiethoursoptionfromQuickActions.Youcanalsoright-clickontheActionCentericoninthetaskbarandselectTurnonquiethours.
Note:Justdon’tforgettoturnitoffwhenyouwanttoreceiveyournotificationsagain!WhenQuiethoursisswitchedontheActionCentericonintheTaskbarwillchangefrom
this tothis .
Tip#28–ChooseSystemIcons
SystemIconsarefoundontheright-handsideoftheTaskbar.TheyprovidequickaccesstocertainappsandsettingssuchastheClock,Volumecontrols,NetworksettingsandtheActionCenter.
YoucanchangewhichSystemIconsyouwanttodisplayintheTaskbarbygoingtoStart>Settings>System>Notifications&actions,thenselecttheTurnsystemiconsonorofflink.HereyoucanchoosewhichSystemIconsyou’dliketodisplay.
Note:TheLocationsystemiconwillonlyappearintheTaskbarifanapp,liketheMapsapp,isrunningandhaslocationservicesturnedon.
Chapter4–BasicCommunications
Windows10comeswithabuilt-incommunicationsuiteincludingtheMail,CalendarandPeopleapps.TheMailappisasimple,streamlinedemailapplicationthatcanbesetupforusewithmostpopularemailservices.TheCalendarappgivesyouanicelydesigned,crispandcleanlayoutforallyourappointments.ThePeopleapphelpsyousortandmanageyourcontacts.
Inthischapteryou’lllearnhowtosetupandintegrateyouraccountsandusesomeofthemoreinterestingfeaturesoftheWindows10communicationsuite.
Tip#29–AddingAnAccount
WhenyoufirstuseeithertheMailorCalendarappsinWindows10,you’llbeaskedtoaddanaccount.Openoneoftheapps,selectGetstartedthenAddaccount,chooseyouraccounttypeandfollowtheinstructionstosetupyouraccount.
Ifyou’vealreadyaddedanaccountandwanttoaddanother,justgototheSettingsoptioninthebottomleftcorner,thenselectAccounts>Addaccountandfollowtheinstructions.
Note:IfyouaddanaccounttotheMailappitautomaticallygetsaddedtotheCalendarappandviceversa.YoucanalsoquicklyswitchbetweenthesetwoappsviatheMailandCalendarbuttonsinthebottomleftcorner.
Tip#30–QuickActions
QuickActionsletyouquicklydealwithyourmessagesintheMailapp.Youcanflagordeletemessagesbydefaultorchoosethemarkasread/unreadandmoveoptions.
Touch–YoucanuseQuickActionsbyswipingfromrighttoleftonamessagetodeleteitorswipingfromlefttorighttosetaflag.
Key/Mouse–YoucanuseQuickActionsbyhoveringthemouseoveramessageandthenselectingaQuickAction(likeFlagorDelete)whenitappearsonthemessage.
TochangeyouQuickActionsgotoSettings>Options.HereyoucanselectotheroptionslikeMarkasread/unreadandMovefromthedropdownlists.
Tip#31–MailboxSyncing
HowoftentheMailappchecksfornewemailmessageschangesautomaticallyinWindows10basedonyourusageandtheamountofemailyoureceive.
Thisnewfeatureisdesignedtosaveinternetdataanduselesspower,butitwon’tsuiteveryone.Ifyouneedtocheckyouremailmoreoftenyoucanchangethesyncsettingsmanually.GotoSettings>Accountsandselecttheaccountyouwanttochange,thenselecttheChangemailboxsyncsettingsoption.UndertheDownloadnewcontentsectiontaporclickonthedropdownlistandchooseadifferentoption.
Note:Ifyouhavealimitedinternetconnectionorarerunningonbatterypoweryouwouldbebetteroffcheckingforemaillessfrequently,likeevery30minutesorhourly.
Tip#32–MailSignature
Ifyouwritealotofemailsyoumightwanttoaddanemailsignaturetoyouraccount.Thispersonal“signoff”lineisaddedtothebottomofoutgoingmessagessavingyoualittlebitoftypingeachtime.
GotoSettings>Options.Ifyouhavemorethanoneemailaccountsetupmakesureyouselecttheaccountyouwantforthesignaturefromthedropdownlistatthetopofthescreen.ThenscrolldowntotheSignaturesection,makesuretheUseanemailsignatureswitchisOnandtypeinyoursignature.
Tip#33–PinIndividualMailFolders
AswellaspinningappstotheStartmenuyoucanalsopinemailfolders.Thisisgreatifyouhavemultipleemailaccountsbecauseyoucanpintheindividualfoldersfromdifferentaccountsandjumpstraighttotheaccountyouwant.
IntheMailapp,long-pressorright-clickontheemailfolderyouwantandselectPintoStart.
Tip#34–SortingYourContacts
Dependingonyourpersonalpreference,youmightliketosortanddisplayyourcontactsalphabeticallybyfirstorlastname.
TodothisopenthePeopleapp,taporclickontheMoreoptions menuandselectSettings.ThenunderContactlistdisplayyoucanchoosehowyouwantyourcontactnamestoappear.
Tip#35–CustomCalendarViews
TheCalendarappisverysimplebuthassomehandyfeatureslikeaquickmultipledayviewandtheabilitytosetthenumberofworkingdaysfortheworkweekview.
Touch–Toviewanumberofdaysatatime,justtapontheDaybuttonandselectanumberofdaysfromthelist.
Key/Mouse–Toviewanumberofdaysatatime,hoverthemousepointerovertheDaybuttonandclickonthedropdownlistarrow,thenselectanumberofdaysfromthelist.
TosetuptheWorkweekview,gotoSettings>CalendarSettingsandtaporclicktoselectthedaysoftheworkingweek.
Note:YoucanalsoadjustworkinghoursandcalendarcoloroptionsinCalendarSettings.
Tip#36–PhoneCompanion
Aswellasofferingthebuilt-incommunicationapps,MicrosofthasincludedanotherfeaturecalledPhoneCompanionthatisdesignedtohelpyousynchronizeyourcontentlikephotos,musicanddocumentsbetweenyoursmartphoneortabletandyourWindows10computer.
ThePhoneCompanionappdisplaysthreechoices,Windowsphone,AndroidoriPhone/iPad.ForWindowsphoneusersthere’snothingnewtosetup,butforAndroidoriPhone/iPadusersyouwillbegiveninstructionsonhowtosetupMicrosoftappsonyourdevice.
Chapter5–GettingPersonal
It’simportanttogetthingslookingthewayyouwant.CustomizingyourPCcanmakeyouruserexperiencemoreproductiveandenjoyable.InWindows10youcanpersonalizeyoursystemwithLockScreenandAccountpictures,changethecolorschemeandresizeitemsonthescreen.
OfcoursechangingyourDesktopBackgroundisoneofthefirstthingsyou’lldotocustomizeyourPCandyou’veprobablyalreadydoneit.Butifnot,here’show,gotoStart>Settings>Personalization>Background.HereyoucanchooseoneofthespeciallydesignimagesorselecttheBrowsebuttontoaddyourownpicture.YoucanalsochoosetoshowasolidcolororaslideshowofrotatingimagesfromtheBackgrounddropdownlist.
AgreatplacetostartcustomizingyourPCisbyexploringtheStore,theWindowsStorethatis!IntheStartmenuandontheTaskbaryou’llfindaniconthatlookslikeashoppingbagwithawindowslogoonit.Hereyoucandownloadawidevarietyofapps,games,musicandvideos.
Inthischapterwe’lltakealookatsomeotheritemsyoucanquicklychangetopersonalizeyourPC.
Tip#37–AccountPicture
AnothergoodwaytopersonalizeyourcomputerisbychangingyourUserAccountPicture.
OntheStartmenu,justtaporclickonyourUsernameinthetopleft-handcorner,thenselectChangeaccountsettings.
Ofcourse,youcanchooseaphotofromyourPicturesfolderoranotherlocationbychoosingtheBrowsebutton,butifyourWindows10devicehasacamerayoucanquicklytakeasnapshotorevenashortvideo.
Totakeasnapshot,choosetheCameraoptionthentaketheshot,cropthephotoifrequiredandchoosetoapplyorcancelandtryagain.Totakeavideo,choosetheCameraoptionthenselecttheVideobuttontotakeashort5-secondvideo.JusttaporclickontheVideobuttontostartrecordingandagaintostop,thenchooseOKtoselectitorRetaketotryagain.
Note:Forbestresultswhenrecordingavideo,sticktosimplemovementsandfacialexpressionsliketurningtothecameraandsmiling!
Tip#38–DesktopColorCoordination
Bydefault,Windows10automaticallypicksanaccentcolorformanyofthebuilt-inappsandsystemfeaturesbasedonyourBackgroundimage.Ifyou’dprefertosetyourownaccentcolor,youcangotoStart>Settings>Personalization>Colors.ThentaporclickontheAutomaticallypickanaccentcolorfrommybackgroundswitchandchooseadifferentcolor.
YoucanalsochangeyourStartmenu,TaskbarandActionCentertoblendinwiththeBackgroundImage.GotoStart>Settings>Personalization>Colors.ThenselecttheShowcoloronStart,taskbar,andactioncenterswitch.NowalltheseitemswillchangecolortoblendinwithyourDesktop.
Tip#39–LockScreenPicture
TheLockScreenisthefirstscreenyouseewhenyoufireupWindows10.YoucanchoosefromoneoffivespeciallydesignLockScreenimages,oruseoneofyourownpicturestoaddapersonaltouch.
GotoStart>Settings>Personalization>Lockscreen.ThentaporclicktochooseadifferentpictureorselecttheBrowsebuttontoaddyourownpicture.
Note:YoucanalsochoosetoshowaslideshowofrotatingimagesasyourLockScreen.SelecttheBackgrounddropdownlisttochoosetheSlideshowoption,thenyoucanchoosewhichfolderstoincludeintheSlideshow.
Tip#40–LockScreenApps
Inadditiontoshowingyouthedateandtime,theLockScreencanshownotificationsandremindersfordifferentapps.
GotoStart>Settings>Personalization>Lockscreen.ScrollorswipeverticallyontherightsideofthescreentoseetheLockscreenappssettings.SimplytaporclickaPlussigntoaddanapp.
Note:Aswellasthebuilt-inappslikeMailandCalendar,youcanalsoaddsomethird-partyapps,likeFacebook,whichyoucaninstallforfreefromtheWindowsStore.
Tip#41–Resizeitemsonthescreen
Windows10allowsyoutoquicklyadjustthesizeoftext,appsandotheritemsonyourscreen.
GotoStart>Settings>System>Display.ThenusetheslidertoadjusttheChangethesizeoftext,apps,andotheritemsoption.
Chapter6–Maps&MSNApps
TheMapsappinWindows10providesstreetmapsandsatellitephotosfromallovertheworld.Youcangetdirections,viewanareafromstreetlevel,showtrafficinformationandsearchforanythingfromyourcurrentlocationtoanaddress,abusiness,alandmark,oracityandgetdetailsincludingreviews,hoursofoperation,andotherinformationfromWikipedia.
Windows10alsocomeswithavarietyofbuilt-inMSNapps,includingWeather,Money,NewsandSports.TheseappsareintegratedwiththeBingsearchengineandbringtogetherthelatestdatafromallovertheweb.
Inthischapterwe’lltakealookatsomeofthebestfeaturesoftheMaps&MSNapps.
Tip#42–NavigatetheMapsapp
InMapsyoucansearchforanythingfromanaddress,acity,abusinessoralandmark.YoucantheneasilyZoom,TiltandRotatethemaptogetagoodideaofwhereeverythingis.
Touch–Tosearchsimplytapinthesearchboxinthetopleftcorner,thenenterthelocationandselectaresult.You’llseeadetailedlistofinformationtotheleftofthescreen.YoucanexplorethemapbyusingsomesimpletouchscreengestureslikePinchZoom(slidetwofingersapartortogetheronthescreen),Rotate(puttwofingersorathumbandfingeronthescreenandturnclockwiseorcounterclockwise)andTilt(puttwofingersatthetopofthescreenandtwoatthebottom,thenslidethempasteachother)
Key/Mouse–Tosearchsimplyclickinthesearchboxinthetopleftcorner,thenenterthelocationandselectaresult.You’llseeadetailedlistofinformationtotheleftofthescreen.Youcanexplorethemapbyusingthenavigationbartotherightofthescreen,usetheplusandminusbuttonstozoominandoutorusethekeyboardshortcuts,Ctrl+PlusorCtrl+Minus.HoverthemousepointerovertheRotateNorthbuttontoseetheRotateclockwiseandRotatecounterclockwisebuttonsorusethekeyboardshortcuts,Ctrl+RightarroworCtrl+Leftarrow.HoverthemouseovertheTiltbuttontoseetheTiltupandTiltdownbuttonsorusethekeyboardshortcuts,Ctrl+UparroworCtrl+Downarrow.
Note:YoucanalsochangetheMapviewsinthenavigationbartoseeAerialorRoadviews(Ctrl+Y)andshoworhideTraffic(Ctrl+T).Youcanprintandshareyourmaps
viatheMoreoptions menuinthebottomright-handcornerofthescreen.
Tip#43–FindingDirection
Ofcourse,mapsareallabouthelpingyoufindyourwayandtheMapsappmakesiteasytofinddirectionsfromyourcurrentlocation,placesthatyoupinonthemaporbetweenanytwoaddresses.
TofindyourcurrentlocationjusttaporclickontheShowmylocation buttonorusethekeyboardshortcutCtrl+Home.Togetdirectionstoorfromyourcurrentlocation,gototheDirectionsoptionintheHamburgermenu.Ifrequired,youcanusetheswap
buttontoswitchthe“To”and“From”locationsaround,thentypeintheother
locationandtaporclickthesearch button.YoucanalsoswitchbetweenDriving
,PublicTransport andWalking directions.
ToPinalocationonthemap,long-pressorclick&holdonthelocation.ThenselecttheDirectionsoptiontogetdirectionsfromyourcurrentlocation.Tochangethe“From”locationtaporclicktwiceon“MyLocation”inthefirstaddressfield,thentypeinanother
locationandtaporclickthesearch button.
Tosimplyfinddirectionsbetweentoaddresses,gotoDirectionsintheHamburger
menu.Typeinthe“From”and“To”addressesandtaporclickthesearch button.
Note:Ifyougeta“Locationservicesareturnedoff”message,selecttheSettingsbuttoninthemessageorgotoSettings>OpenlocationsettingsviatheHamburgermenu,thenscrolldowntotheMapsappandflicktheswitchtoOn.
Tip#44–AddyourFavoritePlaces
Youcansavetheplacesthatmattertoyou,likeyourwork,home,gym,favoriterestaurantsoranyplaceyoulike,soyoucanquicklyfindthemlater.
Toaddafavorite,searchandchoosealocation,thenselecttheAddtofavoritesbuttonorpinalocationbylong-pressingorright-clickingonthemapandthenselect
Addtofavorites .Youcangivetheplaceanicknameorsettheaddressasyourhomeorworklocation,thenselectSave.
YoucanviewyourFavoritesbygoingtoFavoritesintheHamburgermenu.ThenyoucanLong-pressorright-clickafavoritetoeditordeleteit.
Note:SavingyourfavoriteplacesinMapscanalsohelpCortanatounderstandandsetlocation-basedreminders,like“RemindmetocallDadwhenIgethome”.Inthisexampleitdoesn’tmatterwhattimeIgethome,whenIsignintomyhomecomputerortakemylaptop/tabletorotherWindows10devicetomyhome,CortanawilldetectwhereIamandsendmeareminder.
Tip#45–Explorein3D
TheMapsappinWindows10includesanew“3DCities”featurethatgivesyouabird’seyeviewofover100citiesaroundtheworld.TotryitoutopentheMapsapp,selectthe3DCitiesbuttonfromtheHamburgermenu,theneitherscrollthelistalphabeticallyandchooseacityorselecttheAlloptiontofilterthecitiesbycountry,thenchooseacity.
Touch–YoucanexplorethecitybyusingthetouchscreengesturesPinchZoom,RotateandTiltasdescribedinTip#42.Youcanseewhereyouareonthemapbytappingthe
Showmylocation button.
Key/Mouse–YoucanexplorethecitybyusingtheZoombuttonsinthenavigationbarortheshortcuts,Ctrl+PlusorMinus.ChangetheviewbyusingtheRotatebuttonsortheshortcuts,Ctrl+RightorLeftarrows.HoverthemouseovertheTilt/Gobackto2DbuttontoseetheTiltupandTiltdownbuttonsorusetheshortcuts,Ctrl+UporDownarrows.Youcanquicklyseewhereyouareonthemapwiththeshortcut:Ctrl+Home
Note:YoucanalsochangetheMapviewsinthenavigationbartoseeAerialorRoadviews(Ctrl+Y)andshoworhideTraffic(Ctrl+T).
Tip#46–Streetside
TheStreetsidefeatureintheMapsappisjustBrilliant!Itallowsyoutogotogroundlevelandmovearoundinavirtual3Dworld.Youcanfullyexplorealocationbeforeyougetthere!Startbysearchingforanaddress,businessname,orlandmarkandthenchoosetheStreetsideimage(ifavailable).
Touch–Youcantapandhold,thenslideyoufingerleftorrighttolookaround.TapanywhereonthestreettomoveforwardandusetheZoombuttonstozoominandout.
TaptheShowlocationonmap buttonatthebottomofthescreentogetamapreferencewhileusingStreetside,youcanthentapandholdonthemapandslideyourfingertoquicklyjumptoanotherlocation.
Key/Mouse–Youcanclickandhold,thendragthemouseleftorrighttolookaround(Ctrl+rightarroworCtrl+leftarrow).Clickanywhereonthestreettomoveforward(Ctrl+uparrow)andusetheZoombuttonstozoominandout(Ctrl+PlusorCtrl+
Minus).ClicktheShowlocationonmap buttonatthebottomofthescreentogetamapreferencewhileusingStreetside,youcanthenclickandholdonthemapanddragyourmousetoquicklyjumptoanotherlocation.
Note:YoucanalsousetheMapviewsinthenavigationbartoseeifanareahasStreetsideavailableorusethekeyboardshortcut:Ctrl+S
Tip#47–DownloadMaps
Ifyou’retravelingoutoftownorgoingoverseas,youcan’talwaysguaranteeagoodinternetconnection.NowwithWindows10youcandownloadofflinemapsandtakethemwithyou.
Todothisyou’llneedtoclosetheMapsappandgotoStart>Settings>System>Offlinemaps.SelectDownloadmapsandchooseanArea,thenaCountryorRegion.
Tip#48–WeatherMaps
TheWeatherappinWindows10isverycomprehensive,youcandisplayweatherfromallovertheworld,seedailyandhourlyforecasts,historicalaverages,weatherrelatednewsstories,andevenviewdetailsofWindSpeed,HumidityandtheUVIndex.
Howeveroneofthebestfeaturesisthedetailedweathermaps,includingRadarandSatelliteinformation.ToshowaWeathermap,selecttheMapsbuttonintheHamburgermenu,thenselecttheNowshowingdropdownlisttoviewdifferentmapslikeRadarObservationorSatellite.
Tip#49–WeatherHereorThere
TheWeatherappletsyousearchandsaveyourfavoriteplacesforquickaccess.
Tosaveaplace,taporclickontheSearchfieldinthetopright-handcorner.Typeina
locationandselectaresult,thentaporclicktheAddtofavorites buttontosavethelocation.NowwhenyouselectthePlacesbuttonintheHamburgermenuyouwillseealistofyourfavoritelocations.
Note:YoucanalsopinweatherlocationstotheStartmenutoseeuptodateforecastsin
theLiveTiles.JustsearchforalocationandtaporclickonthePin button.
Tip#50–Watchlist
TheMoneyappisanothersurprisinglydetailedapplicationthatwillbeamustformarketwatchers.Youcancheckchartsandstatisticsforstocksandthemajorindicesfromaroundtheworldbyday,week,monthandyears,getloanandcurrencyratedataandcheckthelatesteconomicnewsallinoneplace.ThebestwaytogetstartedisbysettingupacustomWatchlist.
Toaddastocktoyourwatchlist,opentheMoneyapp,selectWatchlist,thentaporclick
theAddtowatchlist buttonandtypeinacompanynameorstocksymbol,tapor
clicktoselectastock.ToremoveanitemfromtheWatchlist,selecttheEdit button
thenselecttheDelete optionnexttothestock.
Tip#51–CustomNews
TheNewsappsourcesinformationfromhundredsoftheworld’sleadingnewssites.Youcancustomizeyournewstopicstogetthenewsyouwant.
OpentheNewsappandselectInterestsfromtheHamburgermenu.Hereyoucanselectatopicbybrowsingthedifferentareasofinterestorsearchforatopic,thentaporclicktheAddoptionwhichwillchangetoagreencirclewithatick.Toremoveanewstopicjusttaporclickontheticktodeselectthetopic.
Tip#52–PlayingFavorites
TheSportsappcoversmanypopularsportsandallowsyoutoaddyourfavoriteteamstopersonalizeyourSportingnews.
Toaddoneofyourfavoriteteams,opentheSportsapp,selectMyFavoritesfromtheHamburgermenu.ThentaporclicktheAddbuttonandtypeinateamname,taporclicktomakeaselection.Toremoveateam,selecttheEditbuttonthenselecttheDeleteoptioninthetoprightcorneroftheteam.
Chapter7–DesktopProductivity
IntheWindows10Desktopyoucancompareandarrangewindowsinvariousways,manageyourrunningwindowsandevensetupanextramonitororprojector.
WindowsExplorerunderwentafewchangesinWindows8,anamechangeto“FileExplorer”plustheadditionoftheMicrosoftOfficestyleRibbonandtheQuickAccesstoolbar.Windows10makesfurtherchangestoFileExplorerwithanewQuickAccessview.
Inthischapterwe’lllookatsomeofthebestfeaturesoftheDesktopandFileExplorer.
Tip#53–SnapComparison
WithDesktopSnapandthenewSnapAssistfeatureyoucaneasilyarrangeuptofourwindowstogetherononedesktopformovingfilesaround,comparingdocumentsorjustgeneralmultitasking.
Touch–Simplytap&dragthetitlebarofawindowbeyondtheleft-handorright-handsidesofthescreenuntilyourfingerhitstheedgeofthescreen,releaseandthewindowwillexpandtofithalfthescreen.SnapAssistwillshowyouanyotheropenappsthatcanautomaticallysnapnexttoit,justtaptoselectone,thetwowindowswillbeperfectlytiledsidebyside.Tofituptofourwindowsontheonedesktopsimplydragthewindowstothecornersofthescreen.Torestoreawindowtoitsoriginalsizejustdragthetitlebartowardthecenterofthescreenandrelease.
Key/Mouse–Usethekeyboardshortcuts, +LeftArrowor +RightArrowtosnapanactivewindowtoeithersideofthescreen.SnapAssistwillshowyouanyotheropenappsthatcanautomaticallysnapnexttoit,clicktoselectone(orusetheTabandEnterkeys),thetwowindowswillbeperfectlytiledsidebyside.Tofituptofourwindowsontheonedesktopyoucaneitherclick&dragthewindowstothecornersofthe
screenoryoucanusetheshortcut +LeftorRightarrowsthen, +UporDownarrowstosnapthewindowsintothetoporbottomcornersofthescreen.Torestoreawindowtoitsoriginalsizejustdragthetitlebartowardthecenterofthescreenandrelease.
Tip#54–MakeItSnappy
DesktopSnapalsomakesiteasytostretch,maximizeandrestoreawindowtoitsoriginalsize.
Touch–TomakeawindowtallersoyoucanseemoredetailonthescreensimplydragthebottomedgeofthewindowuntilyourfingerhitstheedgeoftheTaskbar,releaseandthewindowwillstretchtothetopandbottomofthescreen.Tomaximizetheactivewindow,dragthetitlebarofthewindowtothetopofthescreenuntilyourfingerhitstheedgeofthescreen,releaseandthewindowwillexpandtofullscreen.Torestoreawindowtoitsoriginalsizejustdragthetitlebarawayfromthetopofthescreenandrelease.
Key/Mouse–Usethefollowingshortcuts; +Shift+UpArrowtostretchawindow.
+UpArrowtomaximizethewindow. +DownArrowtominimizethewindow.
+Mtominimizeallwindows. +Shift+Mtorestoreallwindows. +Hometominimizeallwindowsexceptfortheactiveoneandrepeattorestoreallwindows.
Tip#55–ShakeItUp
DesktopShakeallowsyoutoquicklyminimizeallotherwindowsonyourDesktopexcepttheoneyou’reshaking.Simplygrab(tap&holdorclick&hold)thetitlebarofawindowandshakeitfromsidetoside.AllotheropenwindowswillminimizetotheTaskbar.Torestoretheotherwindowsjustgrabandshakethewindowtitlebaragain.
Tip#56–PeekorShowthedesktop
DesktopPeekallowsyoutoquicklyseeyourDesktopwithoutclosingorminimizingallyouropenwindows.ShowDesktopwillquicklyminimizeallyouropenwindows.
Touch–Tap&holdyourfingerintheverybottomright-handcorneroftheDesktopnexttotheclock.Ifamenuappears,tapthePeekatdesktopoption,thentap&holdagaintoseeapreviewoftheDesktop.AnyopenwindowsshouldfadeawayandrevealtheDesktop,justreleaseyourfingertorestoretheopenwindows.YoucanalsoShowtheDesktopbytappingintheverybottomright-handcorneroftheDesktopnexttotheclock.
Key/Mouse–FromtheDesktop,usethekeyboardshortcut +,(comma)topreviewtheDesktop,justreleasetheWindowslogokeytorestorethepreviousvieworusethe
keyboardshortcut +DtoShowtheDesktop(MinimizeallyouropenDesktopwindows)andrepeattheshortcuttorestoreallwindows.
Tip#57–ProjectingYourVision
ConnectingyourmachinetoaProjectororanextramonitorissimpleinWindows10.Searchfortheword“project”andselecttheresultProjecttoasecondscreen.Then
chooseyourpreferredsetup.Orusethekeyboardshortcut +P.Thenchooseyourpreferredsetup.
Tip#58–Multi-MonitorTaskbar
Windows10includessomeimprovementstothewaytheTaskbarworksifyouhaveyourdesktopextendedacrossmultipledisplays.
Touch–Long-pressonanemptyareaoftheTaskbartobringuptheoptionsmenu,thentapProperties.UndertheMultipledisplayssectionyoucanchangetheappearanceoftheTaskbar.
Key/Mouse–Right-clickonanemptyareaoftheTaskbartobringuptheoptionsmenu,thenclickProperties.UndertheMultipledisplayssectionyoucanchangetheappearanceoftheTaskbar.
Note:Whenusingmultiplemonitors,youcanpress +Shift+LeftArrowand +Shift+RightArrowtomovetheactiveDesktopwindowbetweenmonitors.
Tip#59–ExploringtheRibbon
LostinallthemediareportsabouttheStartScreeninWindows8wasanotherbigchangethatoccurredinFileExplorer,theadditionofaMicrosoftOfficestyleRibbon,replacingtheoldMenuSystem.WhilethismightbeoldnewsformostWindows8users,anyonecomingfromXP,VistaorWindows7willbeabitshockedatfirst,butdon’tworrymostoftheoldMenucommandscanstillbefoundbyexploringtheRibbon.
ToshoworhidetheRibbon,taporclickonthearrownexttotheHelp buttonintheupperright-handcorneroftheFileExplorerwindoworusethekeyboardshortcuts,Ctrl+F1orCtrl+Fn+F1dependingonyourkeyboardlayout.TheRibbonwasdesignedtoenhancedproductivitybygroupingrelatedcommandstogetherintabs.Forexampleover80%ofthemostcommonlyusedFileManagementcommandsarefoundintheHometab.
AsyouselectdifferenttabsthecommandswillchangeandasyouselectdifferentitemsinFileExplorer,likeapictureforexample,additionalRibbontabswillappearwithcommandsspecifictothatitem.
YoucanalsoselecttheAltkeytousetheKeyTipsshortcuts.Forexample,whenyoupressAltaseriesofletterswillappearneartheRibbonTabs,selectHtoshowtheHometabthenjustselectthelettersnexttothecommandyou’dliketorun,likeNtocreateaNewfolder.
Note:Aswellascut,copy,paste,open,delete,renameetc…theHometabalsoincludessomehandyshortcutslike“Moveto”,“Copyto”and“Copypath”whichwillsaveafilepathtotheclipboard.PlusabackupcommandcalledHistory,whichiscoveredlaterinTip#96.
Tip#60–QuickAccess
NewtoWindows10istheQuickAccessviewinFileExplorer,replacingthepreviousFavoritessection.QuickAccessnotonlyshowsyourfavoritefoldersbutalsodisplaysyourrecentlyusedfilesandfrequentlyusedlocations.ThisdatawillchangeovertimeasyouuseyourPCandcanbeahandywaytoaccessyourfiles.YoucanpinyourfavoritelocationstoQuickAccess,unpinthefilesorlocationsyoudon’twanttoseeandclearorhideyourFileExplorerhistory.
Topinorunpinfilelocations,justlong-pressorright-clickonalocationandselectthePin/UnpintoQuickAccessoptionfromthecontextmenu.
ToclearyourFileExplorerhistoryorturnoffyourrecentactivity,gototheViewtabintheRibbonandselecttheOptionsicontodisplayFolderOptions.UnderthePrivacysectionyoucanclearyourhistoryanduncheckShowrecentlyusedfilesinQuickaccessand/orShowfrequentlyusedfoldersinQuickaccess.
Note:Asyoumayhavenoticedinthecontextmenus,youcanalsopinyourfavoritefilelocationstotheStartmenuforeasyaccess.
Tip#61–OpentoThisPC
InWindows8,FileExplorerwouldopenbydefaultto“ThisPC”,inpreviousversionsofWindowsthiswouldbesimilarto“Computer”or“MyComputer”.WhileQuickAccessisahandynewfeature,youmaynotwanttoseethisviewwhenyoufirstopenFileExplorer.
Tochangethedefaultview,gotoView>OptionsandselectThisPCfromtheOpenFileExplorerto:dropdownlist.
Tip#62–TheOnlyWayIsUP!
AfeaturenotseensinceWindowsXP,themuch-lovedUpbuttonalsomadeareturninWindows8.TheUpbuttontakesyouuponelevelinthedirectorystructure.YoucantaporclickontheUpbuttonwhichislocatednexttotheBackandForwardbuttonsdirectlyundertheRibbon.Orusethekeyboardshortcut:Alt+UpArrow
Note:YoumayalsonoticeadropdownlistbetweentheForwardandUpbuttons.ThislistshowsyourRecentlyUsedLocations.
Tip#63–QuickAccessToolbar
SittingjustabovetheRibbonisanotherfeaturethathasmadeitswayfromMicrosoftOfficetoFileExplorer,theQuickAccessToolbar(nottobeconfusedwiththenewQuickAccessview).BydefaultthistoolbardisplaysthePropertiesandNewfolderbuttonsatthetopofthescreen.YoucanaddoptionslikeUndo,Redo,DeleteandRenametotheQuickAccessToolbarandchangeitslocationfromabovetheRibbontobelowbytappingor
clickingontheCustomize buttonandmakingyourpreferredselections.
YoucanalsoaddyourfavoritecommandsfromtheRibbon.Justlong-pressorright-clickonacommand,thenselectAddtoQuickAccessToolbar.
Chapter8–Multimedia
It’sbeenremarkabletowatchtheevolutionofPersonalComputersfromtheblackandwhitecommand-linenumbercrunchersofthe1980’sintothedigitalentertainmentdevicestheyaretoday.
InWindows10,youcanplay/pauseandselectmusicdirectlyfromtheTaskbar,streammusicfromtheinternet,import,enhanceandedityourphotosordownloadmoviesandTVshows.
ThischapterintroducesyoutotheMultimediafeaturesofWindows10.
Tip#64–SettingUpYourMusic
GrooveMusiccanpickupyourmusicfrommultiplelocations,youcanremoveduplicatesongsandsettheapptoaLightorDarkbackground.
Toaddmusictoyourcollection,gototheSettingsoptionintheHamburgermenuandselectChoosewherewelookformusic,thentaporclickontheAddbuttonandselectalocation.
IfyouhaveacopyofyoursongsonOneDriveandanothercopylocally,GrooveMusicwilloffertoremovetheduplicatesongsstoredlocallyandstreamtheminsteadfromOneDrive.ThismightsoundlikeagoodideabutI’dsuggestreadingthefineprintbecauseitcouldcauseproblemswithyoursmartphonemusic.
Don’tliketheall-whitethemeintheMusicapp?SimplygotoSettings,scrolldowntotheBackgroundsectionandselecttheDarkthemefromthedropdownbox.
Tip#65–Pins&Playlists
GrooveMusicletsyouquicklycreatenewplaylistsandPinyourfavoritesongs,artists,albumsorplayliststotheStartmenuforquickaccess.
Touch–Therearenumberofwaystocreateaplaylist,butthequickestwayistotapthe
SongsbuttonintheHamburgermenu,taptheSelect buttonandselectthesongsyouwant,thentaptheAddtobuttonandselecttheNewPlaylistoption,givetheplaylistanameandselectSave.ToPinasong,artist,albumorplaylisttotheStartmenu,taptheSelectbuttonandtaptoselecttheitemthenchoosePintoStart.
Key/Mouse–Oneofthequickestwaystocreateaplaylistissimplytoclick&dragasongtotheAdd/NewPlaylistbuttonintheHamburgermenu,givetheplaylistanameandselectSave,thendragmoresongstotheplaylist.Toaddabunchofsongs,clickthe
Select buttonandselectthesongsyouwant,thenclickontheAddtobuttonandselectyourplaylist.ToPinasong,artist,albumorplaylisttotheStartmenu,clickontheSelectbuttonandclicktoselecttheitemthenchoosePintoStart.
Tip#66–MusicattheBar
Windows10allowsyoutoquicklyplayandpauseyourmusicfromtheTaskbar.
Simplystartplayingasong,andthenmoveyourmousepointeroverthemusicappiconintheTaskbar.TheThumbnailPreviewwillshowPrevious,Play/PauseandNextbuttonsthatyoucanusewithoutswitchingtothemainappwindow.
Tip#67–GrooveMusicPass
TheGrooveMusicPassgivesyoustreamingaccesstomillionsofsongs.YoucanalsosetupRadioStationsbasedonyourfavoriteartists.
GotoSettingsintheHamburgermenuandselectGetaGrooveMusicPass.Youcanchoosefromafree30daytrial*,a1monthpassora12monthpass.Login,selectNextandConfirmtoaccesstheMusicPass.TwoadditionaloptionswillbeaddedtotheHamburgermenu,ExploreandRadio.Exploreletsyoubrowseandlistentothelatesttunesfromtopsellingartists,youcanalsosearchforyourfavoritemusicfromacatalogofmillionsofsongs.
TheRadiofeatureletsyoucreatea“RadioStation”thatwillplaysongsfromartiststhataresimilartoyourfavoriteartists.SelecttheStartastationbutton,thenstarttypingthenameofanartistandselectitfromtheresultslist.GrooveMusicwillthenpickandplaymusicbasedontheartistyouselected.
Note:*OfCourse,the“free30daytrial”hasacatch,ifyoudon’tcancelitbeforethe30daysisupitbecomesamonthlysubscription,youneedtologintothewebsitehttp://xbox.com/accounttocancelthesubscription.YoucanalsoPinaRadioStationtotheStartmenubyusingtheSelectbutton,thentaporclicktoselecttheRadioStationandchoosePintoStart.
Tip#68–AddYourPhotos
ThePhotosappinWindows10automaticallyshowsimagesfromyourPicturesfolder.Youcanalsoaddotherfoldersonyourcomputer,displayphotosandvideosfromOneDriveorimportimagesfromanexternaldevice.
OpenthePhotosappandtaporclickontheSettingsbuttoninthebottomleft-handcorner,thenscrolldowntotheSourcessection.HereyoucanaddmorephotolocationsandturnontheShowmyphotosandvideosfromOneDriveswitchtoviewphotosandvideosfromOneDrive.
Toimportimagesfromanexternaldrive,simplyconnectthedriveandtaporclickontheImportbuttonintheCollectionview.
Tip#69–ExpressPhotoOptions
Whenyouselectanimagefileyougetaccesstosomequickphotooptions,likeShare,Slideshow,Enhance,RotateandDelete.
YoucanalsotaporclickontheSeemore buttontocopy,printorsettheimageasyourDesktopbackgroundorlockscreenimage.SelectFileinfotoseethename,date,sizeandimagedimensions.
Note:TheEnhanceoptionisnotavailableforallfiles.
Tip#70–PhotoEditing
AswellastheEnhanceandRotateeditingoptions,thePhotosapphasagoodselectionofphotoeditingtools.
Simplyselectanimage,thentaporclickontheEdit button.Nowyoucanselectfromfiveoptionsontheleftofthescreen,Basicfixes,Filters,Light,ColorandEffects.Thenchooseoneofthesettingsontherightofthescreen.
Tip#71–Snip&Print
TheSnippingToolthatallowsyoutocaptureimagesofyourscreengetsacoupleofnewfeaturesinWindows10,atimedelaysettingsoyoucancapturepop-upsandmenus,plustheabilitytoprintyourscreencapturesdirectlyfromthetool.
TousetheSnippingTool,gototheStartbuttonandtype“snip”,thenselectitfromtheresults.YoucanusethenewDelaybuttonifyouwanttosetacountdowntimerandselectthedropdownarrownexttheNewbuttontochooseasnippingoption.
Afterthescreeniscapturedyoucandosomebasicediting,copyittotheclipboard,senditviaemailorsavetheimage.YoucanalsoprinttheimagefromtheFilemenuorusethekeyboardshortcutCtrl+P.
Note:Youcanstillusethekeyboardshortcut +PrtSc(PrintScreen)tocapturescreenshotsonanormalPCorpresstheWindowsbutton+theVolumeDownbuttonona
tablet.SurfaceProuserscanusethekeyboardshortcutFn+ +Spacebar.ThesescreenshotswillbeautomaticallysavedtoyourPicturesfolder.
Tip#72–QualityDownloads
WhenyoubuyorrentamovieorTVepisodefromtheStoreitwillappearinthenewMovies&TVapp,alongwithanyvideosyouhaveintheVideosfolderonyourPC.
Bydefault,whenyoudownloadamovieorTVepisodefromtheStore,Windows10willaskyouifyou’dliketheSD(StandardDefinition)orHD(HighDefinition)versionoftheshow,ifavailable.Dependingonthespeedandqualityofyourinternetconnectionyoumightprefertoalwaysgetoneortheotherandnotbeaskedthesamequestioneverytime.OpentheMovies&TVappandtaporclickontheSettingsbutton,thenunderDownloadqualityyoucanselectSD,HDorAskeverytime.
Note:IfyouhavevideossavedtomultiplelocationsonyourPC,youcanaddthoselocationsinSettingsbyselectingtheChoosewherewelookforvideosoption.
Chapter9–MicrosoftEdge
After20yearsofserviceInternetExplorertakesabackseattoanewkidinWindows10.MicrosoftEdgeisamodernwebbrowserdesignedfromthegrounduptobesimple,secureandfast.Itincludesnewwaystoview,searchandannotatewebpages.
Inthischapteryou’lllearnhowtogetthemostoutofyourWindows10browsingexperience.
Tip#73–MakingYourselfAtHome
Thefirstthingyou’llwanttodoissetupyourhomepageorifyoupreferyoucansetupmultiplehomepages.ThiswayallyourfavoritewebpagesloadautomaticallyeverytimeyoustartMicrosoftEdge.
SimplygototheMoreactions menuandselectSettings,undertheOpenwithsectionselectAspecificpageorpages,thenchoosetheCustomoptionfromthedropdownlist.Nowyoucanenterthewebaddressofapageandtaporclickontheplusbuttontoadditandrepeatforanyadditionaladdressesyouwanttoadd.Toremoveanaddresstaporclickonthedeletebutton.
Bydefaulttheabout:startpagewillalsoloadinMicrosoftEdge.Thispageshowsnewsfeeds,sportsreports,weatheretc…thatyoumightfindhelpfulorifyou’relikemeyoumightfinditannoying,ifsojustselectthedeletebuttontoremoveit.
Note:AnotherwaytoquicklygettoyourfavoritewebpagesisbypinningthemtotheStartmenu.TopinawebpagegotothepagethenselecttheMoreactionsmenuandtaporclickonPintoStart.
Tip#74–WebSearch
MicrosoftEdgeintegratessearchingintotheAddressBarsoyoucanjusttaporclickintheonespotandstarttyping.Aswellaswebresultsyou’llseeyourbrowsinghistoryandsearchsuggestionsinthedropdownboxasyoutype,justtaporclicktomakeaselection.
CortanamakestheleaptoMicrosoftEdgeaswell.YoucangetCortanatolookthingsupforyoubyhighlightingawordorphraseofinterest,long-pressingorright-clickingonitandthenselectingAskCortana.She’llthendisplaytheresultsontherightofthescreenwithoutleavingthewebpage.
Tip#75–UseTheHub
AlsonewinMicrosoftEdgeistheHub,aplacetofindallyourfavorites,itemsyou’dliketoreadlater,yourbrowsinghistoryandyourrecentdownloads.
SimplytaporclickontheHub buttoninthetoolbartothetoprightofthescreen.ThenselectbetweenFavorites,ReadingList,HistoryandDownloads.
Tip#76–ReadingView
Thesedays’webpagesarefilledwithdistractions,fromflashingannoyingads,toeyecatchingsidearticlesandmanysitesunnecessarilysplitarticlesacrossmultiplepagesjusttoshowyouevenmoreofthisstuff!TohelpwiththisproblemMicrosoftEdgehasa
Readingview iconintheaddressbar.Whenselecteditwilldisplayacleanunclutteredversionofthearticleyou’retryingtoread.
Youcanadjusttheviewstyleanddefaultfontsizetoyourpersonalpreference.Gotothe
Moreactions menuandselectSettingsthenscrolldowntotheReadingsection.UsethedropdownboxestochangetheReadingviewstyleandthefontsizeoptions.
Note:YoucanalsoquicklymakethingsbiggerorsmallerwiththezoombuttonsintheMoreactionsmenuorusethekeyboardshortcuts,Ctrl+PlusorMinus.Whilemostwebarticlesshouldjustwork,notallsitesarecompatiblewithReadingview.
Tip#77–ReadingList
AnothergreatfeatureofMicrosoftEdgeistheReadinglistwhichallowsyoutobookmarkarticlesyouwanttoreadlaterwhenyouhavemoretime,likewhenyou’reathomeoratthecoffeeshop.
SelecttheAddtofavorites button,taporclickontheReadinglistoptionandselectAdd.Whenyouwanttoreadthearticle,justgototheHubbuttonandselectReadinglist,thentaporclicktodisplaythearticle.
Note:Unfortunatelythisdoesn’tactuallysavethewebpageforofflineviewingasyoumightthinkitwould,soyou’llstillneedaninternetconnectiontoviewarticlesinyourreadinglist.
Tip#78–WebNotes
You’lllovethis!Edgeletsyoudrawandwritenotesdirectlyonwebpages.Youcanuseamouseorifyouhaveatouchscreenyoucanwritewithyourfingerorastyluspen.
TotryitoutselecttheMakeaWebNote buttoninthetoolbar.TheWebNoteToolbarwillappearallowingyoutochoosefromthefollowingoptions;Pen,Highlighter,Eraser,Typednote,Clip,Save,ShareandExit.Long-pressorclickonthelittletrianglethatappearswhenselectedonthePen,HighlighterandEraseroptionstoseemoreoptions,likechangingcolorsandpointsizes.
Note:YoucanevensaveyourWebNotestoOneNote!
Tip#79–ThePersonalEdge
OneofthemainthingsMicrosoftwastryingtoachievewithEdgewastodesignacleanandsimpleinterface,butit’salittletoocleanforsomeofus.ThefirstsettingsIchangedwasaddingtheFavoritesbarandaHomebutton.YoucanalsochangethebrightLightthemetoaDarkthemethatyoumightfindmorereadable.
ToadjustthesesettingsgotoMoreactions>Settings.Thentochangethetheme,selecttheChooseathemedropdownboxandselectDark.ToaddaFavoritesbar,taporclickontheShowthefavoritesbarswitch.
ToaddaHomebuttonscrolldownandselectViewadvancedsettings,thentaporclickontheShowthehomebuttonswitch.
Tip#80–ForYourEyesOnly
InPrivateBrowsingletsyoubrowsethewebwithoutleavingbehindahistoryofwhereyou’vebeen.YoucanstartInPrivateBrowsingfromtheMoreactionsmenu.
Note:EachInPrivateBrowsingsessiononlylastsuntilyouclosethebrowserwindow.
Tip#81–EdgeVSInternetExplorer
WhileMicrosoftEdgeisthenewkidontheblockinWindows10,InternetExplorerstillexistsforcompatibilityreasons.AtthemomentsomeolderwebsitesmightstillworkbetterinInternetExplorer,ofcoursethiswillchangeovertimeaswebsitesareupdatedbutthatcouldtakeyears.Ifyoufindthatawebpagedoesn’tlookquiterightinMicrosoftEdge,youcanquicklyswitchittoInternetExplorer.SimplytaporclickontheMoreactionsmenu,thenselectOpenwithInternetExplorer.
Note:IfyouwonderingwheretheInternetExplorericonisinAllApps,you’llfinditundertheWindowsAccessoriesfolder,withotherclassicWindowsappslikeNotepadandPaint.
Tip#82–ImportYourOldFavorites
IfyouhaveupgradedtoWindows10butcan’tseeyourfavoritesinMicrosoftEdgeyou’llneedtoimportthem.
GototheHubandselectFavorites,thentaporclicktheImportfavoritesoption.SelectawebbrowserandtaporclicktheImportbutton.
Tip#83–BlockthePop-UpBlocker
Pop-upwindowsarepainful&annoying.MicrosoftEdgeandmostmodernbrowsersnowblockallpop-upsbydefault,savingyoufromdealingwiththem,butsomelazywebdevelopersstillinsistonusingpop-ups.
Ifyoureallyneedtoseeapop-upwindowonawebsiteyoucanturnthePop-upBlockeroffbygoingtoMoreactions>SettingsandscrollingdowntoselectViewadvancedsettings,thentaporclickontheBlockpop-upsswitchtoturnitOff.
Tip#84–TakeOutTheTrash
Overtimeallthelittlefilesthatmakeupeachwebpagethatyouvisit,createabitofamessonyourcomputerandstartslowingthingsdown.
Todeletethesefiles,gotoHub>History,thenselectClearallhistoryandClear.
Note:Bydefault,thisoptionwillclearyourbrowsinghistory,cookiesandcacheddatawhichshouldgetthingsworkingfaster,butyoucanalsochoosetodeleteotherdatalikeyourdownloadhistoryifrequired.
Chapter10–Safety&Security
ThegrowthoftheInternethasputtheworldatyourfingertips;youcanbankandshoponline,playgames,usesocialnetworksandaccessinformationandentertainmentlikeneverbefore.
Unfortunatelythegrowthincyber-crimehasbeenequallyamazingwithsomeestimatesoftheglobalcostofcyber-crimein2014at400billiondollars.Computersinfectedwithmalicioussoftware(malware)arestillthecybercriminalsgreatesttool.Onceyourcomputerisinfectedtheycanstealyourbankingdetails,useyourcomputeraspartofacriminalnetworkofcomputers(calledbotnets)toattackbiggercomputersystemsorevenencryptyourdataandaskforaransomifyouwanttogetitback.
MicrosofthasbeenmuchfocussedonsecurityinrecentyearsandbuiltmanyimprovementsintoWindows7and8.Windows10buildsonthesesecurityenhancements.Youcanprotectagainstmalware,setupsecureeasytousepasswordsanduseParentalControlstosetlimitsonyourchildren’scomputerusage.
Thischapterintroducesyoutotheseandothertechniquestohelpyousafeguardyourcomputer.
Tip#85–DefendingWindows
Protectingyourcomputeragainstmalwarelikeviruses,spywareandransomware,isanongoingbattle.Malwareinfectionscandeletedata,stealpersonalinformationandtakecompletecontrolofyourcomputer.InWindows10,Microsofthasincludedbuilt-inAnti-MalwareprotectioncalledWindowsDefender.PreviouslyjustanAnti-spywareprograminWindows7,WindowsDefenderhasbeenbeefeduptoincludeAnti-virusprotectionsinceWindows8.Ofcourse,youcanstillchoosetoinstallyourpreferredsecuritysoftware,butWindows10givesyouabasiclevelofsecurityfromtheverybeginning.TorunascanwithWindowsDefender:
TaporclickontheStartbuttonandstarttyping“WindowsDefender”,thenselectit.ChoosefromQuick,FullandCustomscantypesthentaporclickontheScannowbutton.
Note:Malwareinfectionsgenerallycomefromemailattachments,maliciouswebsites,downloading“free”softwaresuchasscreensaversandsearchtoolbarsorfrommusicandfilesharingnetworks.
Tip#86–GoneinaFlash
IpersonallyrecommendthatyoushoulddisableAdobeFlashfromrunninginyourwebbrowser.Thissoftwarewasoncethefavoritetoolofwebsitedeveloperstheworldoverbuttodayithasbecomeafavoriteofhackersandifnotconstantlyupdateditcanleaveyourcomputervulnerabletoattack.
TodisableAdobeFlashinMicrosoftEdge,gotoMoreactions>Settings>ViewadvancedsettingsandturnofftheUseAdobeFlashPlayerswitch.
Note:Ifyouuseadifferentwebbrowser,simplygotoStartandstarttyping“disableadobeflashin…”,thenselectyourbrowserfromtheresultsforinstructionsonhowtodisableit.UnfortunatelysomewebsitesstillrequireAdobeFlash,Idon’tknowifthisisbecausethewebdevelopersarejustplainlazyorthebusinessownersdon’twanttopaytoupdatetheirsitesbutit’sarealcompromiseofyoursecurity.I’drecommendtryingtolivewithoutthosewebsitesforawhile,ifenoughpeopletakeastandtheywilleventuallyupdatetheirsiteswithmoresecuresoftware.
Tip#87–PicturePassword
Windows10allowsyoutodrawaseriesofgesturesonapictureasanalternativepassword.
Touch–TapontheStartbuttonandstarttyping“PicturePassword”,thenselectSetuppicturepasswordandtapontheAddbuttonunderthePicturepasswordoption.Signinwithyournormalpasswordthenchooseapicture.Drawthreegesturesonyourpictureusinganycombinationofcircles,straightlinesandtaps.Thenrepeattoconfirm.
Key/Mouse–Pressthe keyandstarttyping“PicturePassword”,thenselectSetuppicturepasswordandclickontheAddbuttonunderthePicturepasswordoption.Signinwithyournormalpasswordthenchooseapicture.Usingthemouseyoucandrawthefollowinggestures:
·Straightlines–Clickanddragthemousepointertodrawaline,releasetofinish.
·Circles–Clickanddragtodrawacircle.
·Dot–Justclicktocreateasingledot.
Useanycombinationofthesegesturestodrawapasswordonyourpicture.Thenrepeattoconfirm.
Tip#88–PinPassword
AnotherquickwaytologintoWindows10isbysettingupaPINinsteadofapassword.
TaporclickontheStartbuttonandstarttyping“PIN”,thenselectSetupPINsign-inandtaporclickontheAddbuttonunderthePINoption.SigninwithyournormalpasswordthenchooseaPIN,repeatthePINtoconfirmitandselectOK.
Tip#89–SayHellototheFuture
Forgetpictures,PINsandpasswords,howaboutfingerprintreaders,facialrecognitioncamerasandirisscanners?Yes,thefutureishere,WindowsHelloisthenewwaytosign-intoyourcomputer,wellonlyifyourdevicehascompatiblehardwarethatis!Microsofthopes,thataspeopleupgradetheirhardwareinthenextfewyears,thenewWindowsHellosign-infeaturewillputanendtoinsecurepasswordsandtheresultingprivacyanddatabreachestheycancause.
Ifyou’reoneoftheluckyfewthatalreadyhavethehardwarerequiredtouseWindowsHello,youcangotoStart>Settings>Accounts>Sign-inoptionstosetitup.
Tip#90–ParentalControls
Windows10includesParentalControlsthatletyousetrulesforyourkidssuchaswhichgamestheycanplay,thehoursduringwhichtheycanusethecomputerandyoucanevenstopthemfromusingcertainapps.ToenableParentalControls:
GotoStart>Settings>Accounts>Family&otherusers.Tosetupanewaccountforachild,taporclickontheAddafamilymemberbuttonandselectAddachild.Entertheaccountdetailsandwhenyou’refinished,taporclickontheManagefamilysettingsonlinelink.Loginandselectthechild’saccount.Hereyoucansetuptimelimits,app&gamerestrictions,webfilteringandalsoviewactivityreports.
Note:IfyoujustsetupanewMicrosoftAccountforyourchildandyoucan’tseetheiraccountintheManagefamilysettingsonlinepageyoumayhavetoaddtheaccountonlineaswell.SelectAddachild,thenentertheemailaddressandselectSendinvite.Thenlogintoyourchild’saccountandaccepttheemailinviteandfollowtheinstructionstoconnecttheaccount.
Chapter11–AdvancedBits&Bytes
Windows10makesiteasyforyoutorecoveryoursystemifitcrashesorbecomesunstable,forceappstoexit,changeaccessibilitysettings,changepowersettings,managestoragespaceandevenresetyourmachinebacktofactorydefaults.
Inthischapteryou’lllearnhowtousesomeoftheadvancedfeaturesinWindows10.
Tip#91–YouhavethePower
Dependingonthehardwareyouhave,Windows10offersarangeofpowermanagementoptions.TochangethepowersettingsinWindows10:
Touch–TaptheStartbuttonandstarttyping“PowerOptions”,thentaptoselectit.Hereyoucanadjustvarioussettingsincludingbrightness,display,sleepandpowerbuttonoptions.
Key/Mouse–Press +XtoshowtheQuicklinksmenu,thenselectPowerOptions.Hereyoucanadjustvarioussettingsincludingbrightness,display,sleepandpowerbuttonoptions.
Tip#92–TaskMaster
Ifyouhaveanappthatstopsworkingandlocksup,Windows10willattempttoautomaticallycorrecttheproblemandsaveyourchanges,butifWindowscan’tfixtheproblem,youcanmanuallyforcetheapptoclose.
Touch–TaptheStartbuttonandstarttyping“TaskManager”,thentaptoselectit.GototheMoredetailsviewandselecttheProcessestab,thenselecttheapp&tapEndTask.
Key/Mouse–PressCtrl+Shift+EsctobringuptheTaskManager,gototheMoredetailsviewandselecttheProcessestab,thenselecttheapp&clickEndTask.
Tip#93–TakeItEasy
InWindows10,thefullaccessibilitycontrolsarefoundintheEaseofAccessCenter.Youcanadjustsettings,makethingseasiertosee,turnonthenarratorandmore.ToopentheEaseofAccessCenter:
Touch–TaptheStartbuttonandstarttyping“EaseofAccessCenter”,thentaptoselectit.
Key/Mouse–Usethekeyboardshortcut: +U
Tip#94–CustomNarrator
Youcanchooseadifferentnarratorvoiceandadjusttheirspeed,pitchandvolume.
Touch–TaptheStartbuttonandstarttyping“Narrator”,thentaptoselectit.OntheDesktop,double-taptheNarratorSettingswindowintheTaskbaranddouble-taptoselectVoice.Youcanusethedropdownboxtoselectadifferentvoiceandusethesliderstomakeanyrequiredadjustments.
Key/Mouse–Press +EntertostarttheNarrator.OntheDesktop,double-clicktoselecttheNarratorSettingswindowintheTaskbaranddouble-clicktheVoiceoption.Youcanusethedropdownboxtoselectadifferentvoiceandusethesliderstomakeanyrequiredadjustments.
Tip#95–ManagingAppSpace
Ifyoufindthatyou’rerunninglowonstoragespaceyoucancheckhowmuchspaceisbeingtakenupbyindividualapps.
TaporclickontheStartbuttonandstarttyping“Apps&features”,thenselectit.Hereyoucanidentifyanyappstoremovefromyoursystem,selectthemandtaporclicktheUninstallbutton.Ifyouhavemultipleharddrivesorstoragelocationsyoucanalsomovesomeappstodifferentdrivestofreeupspace.
Note:Manyoftheappsthatcomebuilt-intoWindows10cannotbeuninstalled.
Tip#96–Backup&RestorewithFileHistory
Windows10includestheWindows8backupsystemcalledFileHistory.Whensetuptoanexternaldriveornetworklocationitwillautomaticallybackupyourfilesonaregularbasisandallowyouto“gobackintime”torestoreanolderversionofafile.ToconfigureFileHistory:
TaporclickontheStartbuttonandstarttyping“FileHistory”,thenselectit.TaporclickonSelectdriveandchooseanexternalbackupdriveoraddanetworklocation,thenselectOKandTurnontostartthefirstbackup.UnderAdvancedsettingsyoucanchoosehowoftenthebackupoccursandhowlongtokeepthefiles.
Torestoreafile,youcaneitherusetheHistorybuttonontheHomeTabinFileExplorerorgotoStartandtype“restore”,thenselectRestoreyourfileswithFileHistory.
Tip#97–Backup&RestorewithSystemImage
YoucanstillusetheWindows7basedBackupandRestoretooltocreatesystemimages(completesystembackups)orrestorefilesfromanoldbackup.
GotoStartandtype“backup”,thentaporclickonBackupandRestore(Windows7).Hereyoucancreateasystemimage,setuparegularbackuporrestorefilesfromanexistingWindows7backup.
Note:YoucanalsogettothesebackupoptionsviaStart>Settings>Update&Security>Backup.
Tip#98–CreateaRecoveryDrive
Aswellassettingupabackupforyourcomputer,youshouldcreateaSystemRecoveryDrivethatcanbeusedtorestoreWindowsifyoursystemevercrashesorbecomesunstable.
TocreateaRecoveryDrive,firstcloseallopenfilesandapps,gotoStartandtype“recovery”.ThentaporclickonCreatearecoverydrive.SelectYesandNext,thenconnectaspareUSBflashdrive(AnyexistingdataontheUSBdrivewillbeDELETED!).SelectNextandtaporclickontheCreatebutton.Whentherecoverydriveisready,selectFinish.OpenFileExplorerandselectthedriveinthenavigationpane,thengototheDriveToolscontextualtabandEjectthedrive.YoushouldthenlabelandstoretheRecoveryDriveinasafeplace.
Note:IfyouhaveaCD/DVDdriveyouwillgettheoptiontocreateanopticaldiscinsteadofaUSBflashdrive.
Tip#99–AdvancedStartup
Windows10includesanAdvancedStartuptooltohelpexperienceduserstroubleshootproblemswiththeircomputers.YoucanaccessaUSBornetworkdrive,runawindowsrecoveryDVD,usesystemrestore,recoverwindowsfromasystemimage,fixstartupproblems,changefirmwaresettingsandaccessotheradvancedtroubleshootingtools.
ToaccesstheseAdvancedsettings,gotoStart>Settings>Update&Security>Recovery.SelecttheRestartnowbuttonundertheAdvancedstartupoption.
Tip#100–ResetyourPC
Ifyourmachineisn’trunningwell,youcanusetheResetthisPCtooltorefreshWindows10.Youwillbegiventhreechoices:
1.Keepmyfiles:willkeepyourdatabutremoveappsandsettings.You’llhavetoreinstallyourappsandreconfigureyoursettingsbutthisoptionshouldfixanysoftwareissuesinWindows.
2.Removeeverything:willremoveallofyourdata,appsandsettings.THISWILLCOMPLETELYREMOVEALLYOURDATA&APPS!Somakesurethatyouhaveanyimportantdatabackedupbeforeyoubegin.
3.Restorefactorysettings:willremoveallofyourdata,appsandsettingsandthenreinstalltheoriginalversionofWindowsthatcamewithyourPC.THISWILLCOMPLETELYREMOVEALLYOURDATA&APPS!Somakesurethatyouhaveanyimportantdatabackedupbeforeyoubegin.
ToResetyourPC,gotoStart>Settings>Update&Security>RecoveryandtaporclickontheGetstartedbuttonundertheResetthisPCoption,thenyoucanchoosebetweenKeepmyfiles,RemoveeverythingorRestorefactorysettingsandfollowtheprompts.
Chapter12–KeyboardShortcuts
ThischapterisalistofthemostcommonWindows10KeyboardShortcuts.Designedasaquickreferenceguide,theshortcutshavebeensplitintothefollowingcategories:Classic,Accessibility,Communication,Desktop,FileExplorer,MicrosoftEdgeandPowerUsershortcuts.
Youcanbrowsethroughthischapterwheneveryouneedashortcutortakethetimetowritedownanyyouthinkyoumightusetospeedthingsup.
Classicshortcuts
=ShowtheStartmenu
+L=Lockthescreen
Alt+Tab=Cyclebetweenopenapps
Alt+F4=Closetheactiveitemorapp
Ctrl+X=Cuttheselecteditem
Ctrl+C=Copytheselecteditem
Ctrl+V=Pastetheselecteditem
Ctrl+A=Selectallitems
Ctrl+P=Print
Ctrl+Y=Redoanaction
Ctrl+Z=Undoanaction
Ctrl+Leftarrow=Movethecursortothestartofthepreviousword
Ctrl+Rightarrow=Movethecursortothestartofthenextword
Ctrl+Uparrow=Movethecursortothestartofthepreviousparagraph
Ctrl+Downarrow=Movethecursortothestartofthenextparagraph
Accessibilityshortcuts
General
+U=StarttheEaseofAccessCenter
LeftAlt+LeftShift+PrtSc=SwitchHighContrastonoroff
LeftAlt+LeftShift+NumLock=SwitchMouseKeysonoroff
UsingtheMagnifier
+Plussign=StartMagnifierandzoomin
+Minussign=Zoomout
Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar=Whenzoomed-inusingfullscreenmode,thiswillpreviewthedesktop
Ctrl+Alt+D=SwitchtoDockedmode
Ctrl+Alt+F=SwitchtoFullscreenmode
Ctrl+Alt+I=Invertcolors
HoldNumlockfor5seconds=SwitchToggleKeysonoroff
HoldRightShiftfor8seconds =SwitchFilterKeysonoroff
PressShift5times=SwitchStickyKeysonoroff
Ctrl+Alt+L=SwitchtoLensmode
Ctrl+Alt+R=Resizethelens
Ctrl+Alt+arrowkeys=Panleft,right,upanddown
+Esc=ExitMagnifier
UsingtheNarrator
+Enter=StartNarrator
CapsLock+M=Startreading
Ctrl=Stopreading
CapsLock+H=Readdocument
CapsLock+W=ReadWindow
CapsLock+PageUporDown=IncreaseordecreasethevolumeoftheNarrator’svoice
CapsLock+thePlusorMinussign=IncreaseordecreasethespeedoftheNarrator’svoice
CapsLock+Esc=ExitNarrator
Communicationshortcuts
Calendarapp
Ctrl+N=CreateaNewevent
Ctrl+S=SaveorSendanevent
Ctrl+D=Deleteanevent
Mailapp
Ctrl+M=Checkfornewmail
Ctrl+Q=Markasread
Ctrl+U=Markasunread
Ctrl+N=CreateaNewmessage
Alt+I=Insertattachment
Alt+S=Sendmessage
Desktopshortcuts
General
+A=OpenActionCenter
+C=StartaCortanavoicesearch(Thisonlyworksifyouhavethe“HeyCortana”featureturnedon.)
+D=ShowDesktop
+H=ShowSharingoptions
+I=ShowSettings
+K=Connectwirelessdisplaysandaudiodevices
+S=Startaregularsearch
+,=PeekattheDesktop
+PrtSc=Saveascreenshot
Ctrl+Mousescrollwheel=ResizeDesktopicons
TaskView&Taskbar
+Tab=LaunchTaskView
+Ctrl+D=CreateanewVirtualDesktop
+Ctrl+LeftorRightarrows=SwitchbetweenVirtualDesktops
+Ctrl+F4=ClosethecurrentVirtualDesktop
+T=SetfocusontheTaskbar&cyclethroughrunningDesktopapps
+1to9=LaunchtheappatthegivenpositionontheTaskbar
WindowDisplay
+Leftarrow=ResizeorSnaptheactivewindowtotheleftofthescreen
+Rightarrow=ResizeorSnaptheactivewindowtotherightofthescreen
+Uparrow=Maximizetheactivewindoworifthewindowisalreadysnappedtoonesideofthescreenthensnapittothetopcorner.
+Shift+Uparrow=Stretchwindow
+Downarrow=Minimizetheactivewindoworifthewindowisalreadysnappedtoonesideofthescreenthensnapittothebottomcorner.
+M=Minimizeallwindows
+Shift+M=Restoreallwindows
+Home=Minimizeallwindowsexcepttheactiveoneandrepeattorestoreallwindows.
FileExplorershortcuts
+E=OpenFileExplorer
Alt=UseRibbonKeyTips
Alt+D=SelecttheAddressbar
Alt+P=DisplaythePreviewpane
Alt+Enter=ShowPropertiesfortheselecteditem
Alt+Uparrow=Gouponelevelinthedirectorystructure
Alt+Leftarrow=Showthepreviousfolder
Alt+Rightarrow=Showthenextfolder
Ctrl+Shift+N=Createanewfolder
Ctrl+E=Selectthesearchbox
Ctrl+N=Openanewwindow
Ctrl+W=Closetheactivewindow
Ctrl+Mousescrollwheel=Resizefileandfoldericonsbyswitchingtheviewlayouts
MicrosoftEdgeshortcuts
Navigation
Alt+Home=Gotoyourhomepage
Alt+Leftarrow=GoBack
Alt+Rightarrow=GoForward
F5=Reload
Spacebar=Scrolldown
Shift+Spacebar=Scrollup
Home=Gotothetopofthepage
End=Gotothebottomofthepage
Ctrl+Plussign=Zoomin
Ctrl+Minussign=Zoomout
Ctrl+Zero=Resetthezoomlevel
Ctrl+N=Openanewbrowserwindow
Ctrl+P=Printthecurrentwebpage
Ctrl+Shift+P=OpenanewInPrivateBrowsingwindow
Ctrl+Shift+R=StartReadingView
Ctrl+Shift+Del=OpentheClearBrowsingDatawindow
Shift+Leftclick=Openalinkinanewwindow
Esc=Stoploadingthewebpage
Searching&Saving
Ctrl+D=Savethecurrentwebpagetoyourfavorites
Ctrl+E=Startasearch
Ctrl+F=Findonthispage
Ctrl+G=OpenyourReadingList
Ctrl+H=OpenyourBrowsingHistory
Ctrl+I=OpenyourFavorites
Ctrl+J=OpenyourDownloads
Ctrl+L=SelecttheAddressbar
TabBrowsing
Ctrl+1to8=Switchtothespecifiedtab
Ctrl+9=Switchtothelasttab
Ctrl+Tab=Switchtothenexttab
Ctrl+Shift+Tab=Switchtotheprevioustab
Ctrl+K=DuplicateTab
Ctrl+T=Openanewtab
Ctrl+W=Closethecurrenttab
Ctrl+Shift+T=Reopenthelastclosedtab
HoveryourMousepointeroveraTab&Clickthescrollwheel=Closesthetab.(Yesthat’sright,thescrollwheelonyourMouseisactuallyabuttonthatcanbeclickedandissometimescalledtheMiddle-Clickbutton.)
Ctrl+LeftClick=Openalinkinanewtabinthebackground.YoucanalsousetheMiddle-Clickbuttononalinktoopenitinanewtab
Ctrl+Shift+Leftclick=Openalinkinanewtabandswitchtoit.YoucanalsoperformthisshortcutbyusingShift+Middle-Click
PowerUsershortcuts
+X=QuickLinkmenuofadvancedusercommands
+R=Runcommand
+Break=SystemProperties
Ctrl+Shift+Esc=TaskManager
+P=Projectionoptions
+Shift+LeftorRightarrows=IfyouhavemultiplemonitorssetuponyourPC,youcanusethisshortcuttomovetheactivewindowtotheleftorrightmonitor
Thanksforreading!
Ihopeyou’velearnedsomeusefultipsthatmakeusingWindows10easier.
Formoretipsortoleaveyourideas,feedbackandsuggestions,pleasevisitmywebsite:
www.tims-tips.com
Regards,TimSievers.
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