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!

Top100TipsforWindows10

ByTimSievers

Copyright©2015byTimSievers

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisworkmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageorretrievalsystem,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightownerandthepublisher.

Trademarkednamesmayappearinthisbook.Ratherthanuseatrademarksymbolwitheveryoccurrenceofatrademarkedname,weusethenamesonlyinaneditorialfashionandtothebenefitofthetrademarkowner,withnointentionofinfringementofthetrademark.

Theinformationinthisbookisdistributedonan“asis”basis,withoutwarranty.Althougheveryprecautionhasbeentakeninthepreparationofthiswork,theauthorshallnothaveanyliabilitytoanypersonorentitywithrespecttoanylossordamagecausedorallegedtobecauseddirectlyorindirectlybytheinformationcontainedinthiswork.

Website:www.tims-tips.com

Introduction

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.

Inthischapteryou’lllearnhowtonavigateandcustomizethenewStartmenu.

Tip#1–ResizingtheStartMenu

Dependingonthesizeandresolutionofyourscreen,thenewStartmenucanberesizedtodisplayasmuchinformationasyou’dlike.

ClickontheStartbuttontoviewthemenu,takethemousepointertothetopedgeofthemenuthenclickanddragthemouseupanddowntomaketheStartmenutallerorshorter.Youcanalsoclickanddragontherightedgeofthemenutomakeitthinnerorwider.

Ofcourse,ifyou’reoneoftheminorityofuserswhoreallydon’tknowwhatthefusswasaboutwithWindows8andactuallylikedtheStartScreen,youcanevensetthenewStartmenutofullscreen.SimplyselecttheStartbutton,thengotoSettingsandselectthePersonalizationoption.HereyoucanchoosetheStartsectionandturntheUseStartfullscreenswitchtoOn.

Note:YoucanalsoquicklygettoSettingsbyusingthekeyboardshortcut: +I

Tip#2–LaunchingApps

InWindows10,yourapplicationsareeasilyaccessibleviatheStartmenu.ShortcutstocommonlyusedappsareshownintheMostusedsection.

ToviewalistofallyourappssimplyselecttheStartbuttonandgotoAllApps,thenscrollupanddownthelistandtaporclicktomakeaselection.

YoucanalsotaporclickonthesectionheadingsinAllAppstoquicklyjumptoadifferentsection.

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

unpinthemindividuallyasshowninTip#5.ThenyoucanresizetheStartmenutomakeitthinner.

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.

Key/Mouse–Right-clickontheStartbuttontorevealtheQuickLinkmenuorusethe

keyboardshortcut: +X

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.

Note:InTabletMode,youcancloseanappbyswipingordraggingitfromthetopofthescreentothebottomofthescreen.

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.

Atthetopofthescreenyou’llseeseveraloptionsincludingUndo,Redo,SaveandCancel.

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.

Note:YoucanquicklyexitNarratorbypressing:CapsLock+Esc

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

Ctrl+Alt+Del=ShowtheWindowsSecurityscreen

Esc=Stoporexitthecurrenttask

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.