Windows 10 modernises Windows, but also keeps features from earlier versions. It is designed to adapt to devices from phones and tablets to computers and large screens.
This guide is for computers and larger tablets, but many parts also apply to smaller tablets. It shows the basic features of Windows 10 as well as how to customise them to suit yourself. Microsoft has said that they will be continually improving Windows 10, so parts of this guide may be out of date by the time you read it.
When you first run Windows 10 When you start Windows 10 for the first time, it will take a while to set itself up. It will also ask how you want to sign in, and whether you want to use express settings or make your own choices.
Getting a Microsoft account Microsoft email addresses @outlook.com If you have Microsoft email, you have a Microsoft ID (login) @hotmail.com If you don’t have one already, Windows will help you open one @live.com After it is set up, you can then login to Windows using your @xbox.com Microsoft account name and the password that you created. and others
Advantages of signing in with a Microsoft ID Apps that need a Microsoft login (the Store, Cortana, Skype, etc) Microsoft Store will be already logged in. Apps obtained from the Store will be available for no extra charge on other computers logged in with your account 5GB of OneDrive online storage for free OneDrive Outlook.com Sync some settings with other computers that you log into You get an Outlook.com email address if you want to use it A Skype login for messaging, voice calling and video calling Skype When you use Bing search or Cortana, they learn about your preferences and tailor the results (and possibly ads) for you
Signing with a local account (not a Microsoft ID) Many built-in apps like Mail and Calendar still work. Some, like Solitaire, warn that data is not saved in the cloud. Apps that require a Microsoft ID can still be used if they are signed in individually with a Microsoft account Unlike when using a Microsoft login, local accounts can be set up with no login password, however this is not recommended.
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 1 Privacy and data collection options
After setting up your login, Windows asks about other settings
Click ‘Use express settings’ to use what Microsoft suggests, or
click ‘Customise settings’ to make your own choices Settings app Whatever choice you made, the Settings app lets you to review them later and make changes if you want. (See later for more)
Changing your login type After logging in: Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Your email and accounts. Click either ‘Sign in with a Microsoft account instead’ or ‘Sign in with a local account instead’
Starting Up Windows Once you have completed the set up tasks, your computer will start up normally each time.
The Lock screen The lock screen This is the first screen you see after the blue Windows logo Sometimes you have to wait for updates to be installed It shows the date and time and there are no controls on it There may be ‘quick status’ icons at bottom right that show information like network connection or battery level Notification icons can be added that show new emails, etc Quick Status icons Click the mouse, press a key, or swipe up to see the login screen
The Login screen This is the screen that you see next after the lock screen The login screen Your profile picture will be shown (or a generic one). Under it is your user name with a typing box under it. At bottom right there are three icons that can be clicked; o Network: can set up your cabled of Wi-Fi connection o Accessibility: has switches to turn on these features like
the Narrator, Magnifier, High Contrast. It will speak the Login screen icons options. I suggest that you do not turn these on unless you know how to turn them off again. o Power: is used to Shutdown, Restart or Sleep
Type your password in the box. Check with the eye icon If you wish, click and hold on the eye icon to check your typing Press Enter to log in. (Or click the arrow at the right hand end)
More tips about logging in You’ll only see this If you don’t login by 30 seconds, it goes back to the lock screen if you have set a PIN Don’t click outside the password box or the cursor will disappear. Click inside the box to bring it back so you can type If you have more than one user account, they are listed at bottom left. Click on one to choose which the account to log in If you have set up a PIN as well as a password (See below), under the password box is a button called ‘Sign-in options’
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 2 Making changes to the login screens Creating a PIN These changes are made from: Start menu > Settings The changes will occur the next time you log in. Setting up a PIN: Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign in options > PIN > Add. It must be at least 4 digits. If you add a PIN, you still can use the password if you wish using ‘Sign-in options’. Windows PIN numbers only work on the computer where they are created. You can even create a different PIN for the same Changing the background account on another computer. Lock screen options: Go to Settings > Personalisation > Lock screen. Change the background picture or make it a slideshow and the apps that show status on the lock screen. One can show ‘detailed status’ and other just show ‘quick status’ You can also make the sign in screen the same as the desktop background
The Desktop
After you have logged in, the Windows desktop appears. The desktop is where you do your computer activities.
The default background is dark blue with bright window panes. The Recycle Bin is in the top left corner. The bar across the bottom is the Taskbar. The Start button is on the left end and the yellow File Explorer folder near the middle. On first use, it also has the Edge and Store apps.
Are they programs or apps? Windows users are used to talking about computer programs. When smartphones arrived, their programs were called apps. Since Windows now aims to be for all types of devices, Microsoft is using the term app for all software that is used on Windows 10. This guide follows that convention.
Some mouse skills
There may be some icons (small pictures) on the desktop and along the
bottom on the taskbar. Some of these are control buttons, some are Start Edge folders and some are apps. Hover: Moving the mouse pointer over an icon without clicking. This can show the name of the icon or information about it. Click: with the left mouse button. Selects an object, opens a
window or starts an app. Click the X in the top right corner to
close a window or app again. Try it on File Explorer File Explorer Recycle Bin Double click an icon to open a window or start an app. Try it on the Edge browser. Click the X to close The Recycle Bin stores deleted files. To empty it: right-click on it > you will see a menu > Empty Recycle Bin. Drag an object by putting the mouse pointer over it > press the mouse button > keep it down while you move the mouse > let the object go by releasing the mouse button. Some of the taskbar icons can be moved by dragging
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 3 Mouse vs touchpad, touchscreen and pen controls This guide focusses on mouse control. This chart compares other controls you may have.
MOUSE TOUCHPAD TOUCHSCREEN PEN
HOVER Slide finger X X Tap touchpad or click Tap with point or click CLICK Tap on screen left hand button button if it has one Touch pointer on RIGHT-CLICK Tap with two fingers Touch, hold and wait screen, hold and wait Use two fingers or one Drag finger on the Drag pen tip while DRAG finger while holding the screen holding mouse button right button
Changing the desktop Choosing a background Manually set the background Go to Start > Settings > Personalisation > Background On the Background menu: choose Picture, Solid colour or Slideshow > then choose from the items below it Click the Browse button to choose from your own pictures Alternatively, use the pre-set background themes Go to Personalisation > Themes > Theme settings Click ‘Get more themes online’ to download picture sets Themes can also change desktop colours, sounds and the screen saver. Modify them with the buttons along the button Mouse settings Go to Start > Settings > Mouse & touchpad > Related Settings > Mouse pointer In the Pointer tab you can change the pointer size
In the Pointer Options tab > Motion: changes the speed that the mouse pointer moves on screen when you move the mouse After making changes in this control panel, click Apply > OK Lining up desktop icons Right click in an empty space on the desktop to see a menu Choose View > Auto arrange icons
The Taskbar
The bar along the bottom. It is black unless you have changed it. It has icons that open programs, apps or controls. You can add, remove and change most of the icons on it. The standard parts are discussed in more detail going left to right in the sections below.
Task Start Cortana search box View App icons and File Explorer Notification area Clock
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 4 The Start Menu Click the Start button to open the Start menu. It gives access to everything on your computer. The Start menu has two parts: the left column of app icons and buttons; the right column of tiles
The Start menu left column This column has icons that represent apps or buttons. Click them once to open or start them User list: Shows the currently logged in user. Click to see other users that have been created on this computer. Most people only have one. Click a different user to login as that user Most used list: automatically shows the apps that you often use Recent: only appears if you have recently installed an app. It is useful if you want to run it or pin it to the Start menu, etc. (See below in the section about All Apps on how to pin apps) File Explorer: opens a window that gives access to all the files on your entire computer. Files can be documents, photos, apps, etc. This button is the same as clicking the yellow folder on the taskbar. (See the later section on File Explorer for more details) Settings: opens the Settings menu. (More on this throughout this guide as we go through various items you may want to personalise. There is also a special section on Settings later) Power: usually has options to Sleep, Shutdown or Restart All Apps: opens an alphabetical list of every app that is on your computer. It scrolls vertically. Click an icon to start an app
More about All Apps Click on a group letter heading to see all letters. Greyed out letters mean that you have no apps starting with those letters. Clicking a letter shows its group at the top. Click an app, or Back at bottom left, to leave this view. All Apps list has folders with apps inside them. They open when you click them. Windows Accessories folder contains classic apps like: Internet Explorer, Paint, WordPad and Snipping Tool. The Windows Ease of Access has accessibility apps. Windows Media Player is listed under W
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 5 Options for apps in the left-hand column Right click on an app icon in the left column, or in All Apps, for a menu: Pin to Start: adds a tile in the tiles area on the right. (If the app is already in the tiles area, it will say ‘Unpin from Start’) More: has a sub-menu of choices that can vary Right click menus o Turn Live tile off (or on): only for some apps o Pin to Taskbar: adds a shortcut there o There are number of other possibilities that are not discussed here Uninstall: see more on this in the tiles section below
The Start menu tiles in the right-hand section Tiles The Start menu tiles is where you can put regularly used app icons (called shortcuts) rather than having to find them each time in the All Apps list Microsoft puts a number of pre-installed tiles in this area and you can also add your own from the All Apps list It is possible to delete all of the tile shortcuts and only have the left hand side of the Start menu. (Not recommended) Removing shortcut tiles does not remove the app from your computer If there is one column, and your screen is wide enough, you may be able to make two columns by dragging the right-hand edge Some tiles can be made ‘live’ and show content like Mail or News apps. Tiles can be up to four different sizes
If there are more tiles than will fit, scroll the menu vertically by The Photos and Twitter either: dragging the scroll bar on the right-hand edge; rolling apps are live tiles your mouse wheel; or swiping up or down on a touch screen
The two categories of apps Windows Store apps Windows 10 computers have two types of apps Microsoft calls the simpler, mobile-style, apps ‘Windows store apps’ or ‘universal apps’ or even just ‘Windows apps’ The more powerful, older-style apps that were once called programs are now called ‘desktop apps’. There are differences in the way these two types of apps work, Desktop apps for example: where they store their files; if they can be live tiles; if they can be obtained from the Store; how they are installed and uninstalled; whether they work on small tablets, etc There are also differences in the right-click options offered
Starting an app from the Start menu Click the cross to close Click on an app tile to start the app Close it by clicking the cross at top right. You may have to hover
your mouse in the top right corner to make the cross appear
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 6 Options for the Start tiles A right-click menu with a jump list Right-click on a tile for some options. These vary greatly depending on the app. Not all possibilities are covered here Unpin from Start: removes the tile from the tiles area, but not from the All Apps list or from your computer Resize: gives a choice of two, three or four sizes More: has a sub-menu of choices that can vary o Turn Live tile off (or on): only applies to some apps like Mail, News or Weather. The tile changes back to a plain icon if the ‘live’ function is turned off o Pin to Taskbar: adds a shortcut there o There a number of other possibilities Uninstall: some built-in apps don’t have this option. When an
app is uninstalled it is removed from the computer and the All A resize menu with 4 sizes Apps menu. Some apps will warn you that you will also lose all the app’s related data. Uninstalling desktop apps will take you to the older-style ‘control panel’. Underneath these items, some apps have a list of other ‘Tasks’ than can be started, or ‘Recent’ files that can be opened with single click or tap. These lists are called ‘jump lists’ (see below)
Re-arranging the Start menu tiles Moving a tile Move tiles by dragging them: Click (or touch and hold) > wait for a response where the tile shrinks a little, or the other tiles go pale > move the tile and release when it is where you want it. The other tiles will get out of the way Create groups: Drag tiles away from the group to make a gap. Add or change group headings: Click above the top tiles in the group and type in the text box that appears Move groups: Hover or tap above the group and drag the double lines icon that appears at top right
Jump lists A jump list for Word 2016 by right-clicking the icon These lists of documents can be seen by right-clicking on the app icon in the taskbar in the Start menu or on the taskbar. Although some sources say that these lists can appear with ‘Windows apps’ I have only seen them on ‘Desktop apps’ Recently opened documents are added automatically to a maximum of 11. Click on a document to open it You can also pin documents that are on the list to place them in a separate section. Right-click again on the document name > Pin to this list. It stays there until you right click and Unpin (You can also hover over the document name in the Recent list > a pin appears on the right > click the pin to add it to the Pinned section
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 7 More settings for Start, taskbar and desktop Choose an accent colour Change the tile colours: Go to: Start > Settings > Personalisation > Colours Choose an accent colour for the plain coloured tiles Turn on: Show colour on Start, taskbar… to have a variation on the colour applied to other places Add or remove items from Start Go to Start > Settings > Personalisation > Start Show more tiles: make the tile columns one square wider Add extra folders to Start Occasionally show suggestions…: these are ads for apps Show most used apps: Not sure of the usefulness of this Show recently added apps: helps you find an app you have just installed so you can add it to the Start tiles or the taskbar Use Start full screen: the left column becomes narrow and more tiles will fit. Click the menu button (three lines) to expand Show recently opened items in Jump Lists…: this makes useful lists of recent and often used documents (see more below) Choose which folders appear on Start: This adds or removes shortcuts to a number of folders to the Start Menu. Adding more makes the Start menu more like Windows XP, Vista and 7
Search and Cortana
As well as searching for files on your computer, you can choose to add Internet search and Cortana. Cortana is a personal assistant and is represented by a circle icon. It is used by typing in the search box, or by voice if your computer has a microphone. You’ll need an internet connection and a Microsoft login to use Cortana. As well as search, Cortana can make suggestions, show reminders, play music, send messages and answer questions. Cortana learns your voice and interests in order to be more effective.
Option 1: Use Cortana with voice and typing Cortana in action Click in the box that probably shows ‘I’m Cortana. Ask me anything’ At the bottom click Next > Use Cortana It asks you to setup your language > Settings > Speech o Speech Language should be English (Australia) o In the microphone section > click Get Started When speech is set up correctly, you can click the microphone icon in the search box and speak what you want. Or just say ‘Hey Cortana’ before speaking. Cortana may speak answers You can also ask by typing in the box Search computer & web Option 2: Search your computer and Internet Click in the search box as above, choose Not Interested > Sure The search box will now say ‘Search the web and Windows’ It uses your Bing Internet search history to improve and customise your searches. After typing your search words, there are icons to click along the top to restrict your search to specific types of files or tools There also buttons at the bottom to choose My stuff or Web
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 8 Option 3: Search only on your computer Settings for searching only on your computer Click in the search box > click the Settings gear icon near top left. (if you have previously turned on Cortana there is a notebook icon there. Click it to find settings) Turn off the three switches to only look for items on your computer and not use search history. You may also want to click Clear all to remove all previously captured search history The search box will then say ‘Search Windows’ and has a looking glass icon instead of the Cortana circle icon
Changing the size of the search box To reduce the search box to a small looking glass icon: right-click in an empty space in the taskbar > Search > show search icon
More about using Cortana with voice Check that your Time and Language settings are up to date and that you have the right region It may say that your microphone is not good enough or it may not seem sensitive enough for the speaking test, but it may work anyway You may have to talk loudly and be in a quiet place There may be errors and you may see ‘Somethings not right. Try again in a little bit.’ It is said that the more that you use Cortana the better it gets a learning how you speak (There are settings and options that can help Cortana to serve you better. They are beyond the scope of this guide and are not explained here, but you can: . Go to Control Panel > Sound > Recording > right click on Microphone > there may be settings to increase sensitivity or other options . When ‘Hey Cortana’ is turned on, go to the search box > Notebook icon > Settings > Respond best to me > Relearn my voice)
Task view button
App switcher function: If you have some apps running, click this button App switcher to see all the apps in miniature across the screen Click one to make it full sized and come to the front. Click away from them to have the windows enlarge again Hover the mouse on a mini app window for an X to close it
Extra desktops function: allows you to create and manage extra (virtual) desktops with the + button at bottom right When an extra desktop is first created, two miniature desktops appear at the bottom: your original one and a new, blank one Click one to do your work on it. Click the task view button to switch to a different desktop by clicking on it.
Programs that are open in one desktop are not seen in another Click the X to remove a When you have more than one desktop, the task view button desktop can be used to see the program open in each desktop by hovering over the miniatures at the bottom. Clicking the X to delete a desktop. The programs open on it will be moved to the adjacent desktop
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 9 File Explorer Either click the yellow folder in the taskbar or the button on the left side of the Start menu to open the File Explorer window. It gives access to all the files on your computer. Files are documents, photos, apps, emails, system files and many other types. Folders can also contain other folders with more files and folders inside them.
The File Explorer window Click File Explorer and a window opens. A line also appears under the icon in the taskbar to show that the item is in use. The letters highlight aspects of File Explorer that are explained below the picture
Arrowhead icons: > ˄ ˅ Click on them to expand or close a folder list (and sometimes a toolbar). In the picture above Quick access, This PC, Frequent folders and Recent files are all expanded
The top section A - Title bar: Has the name of the folder or window that is open. Shown here is the default view with Quick access folders and Recent files shown. Opening a different folder changes this title B - Quick Access Toolbar: gives one-click access to commonly used tools. By default, there are two buttons: Properties (of whatever is selected) and New Folder. The down arrow on the right of these two lets you add more. At least add Undo to reverse deleting or moving of items C - Window Controls: going from left to right, these three buttons are: Minimise (shrinks the window into the taskbar. Click the taskbar to enlarge it again) Maximise or Restore down (can either make the window fill the screen or go from full screen back to its previous size)
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 10 D - Menu Tabs: click them to bring down a ribbon menu. By default, the menus are hidden and will roll up again. Click the ˅ button at the right-hand end of tab bar to have the ribbons stay down. (More on the ribbon menus later) E - Help button: the blue spot with the question mark opens your browser to show results about Windows 10. Without an Internet connection, it seems that there is no help. F - Back and Forward buttons: are greyed out (unavailable) unless you have opened a folder. Folders are the yellow coloured icons. In the left-hand column, a single click expands a folder. In the right-hand column you must double click. The left (back) arrow takes you to the folder that you came from, the right (forward) arrow takes to back to where you had visited G - Up Folder button: takes you to the folder that contains the one that you are in. You don’t need to have visited it before. It is the opposite to opening a folder H - Folder Path: the route through folders can be thought of as a path. The default Quick Access view does not show a path, but if you open a folder and another inside it you may see something like this: Pictures > Photos > Shared > Family. Each folder is inside the one to the left of it. The last folder on the right of the path is the one that you have open now I – Refresh button: this circular arrow asks the window to recreate the contents. Use it when the window’s contents is not shown correctly, or it does not reflect a recent change J - Search box: searches the open folder for items containing the words you type. The open folder is the one showing its content on the right-hand side below the search box
The Left-hand navigation pane This column shows the main folders, but not individual files. Click on the arrowheads to expand folders to see the folders inside them. (If the arrowhead disappears then it has no folders inside.) Click on a folder to select it and it will have a blue or grey background. Selected folders show their file and folder contents in the right-hand column of File Explorer.
K - Quick Access: recently used files and folders are added to this list automatically. You can also right- click and pin items so they stay there. Pinned items show a small pin on the right. Right-click > Unpin from Quick access to remove the pin L - OneDrive Folder: appears even if you have not enabled it. OneDrive is Microsoft’s online storage and you get 5GB free if you have a Microsoft ID M - This PC: click this to see the main document folders. On the right it shows the your external and internal drives, including USB sticks, SD cards and cameras that are attached by cable N - Item Count: shows how many files and folders are in the right hand column. This is very useful when comparing folder with large numbers of items O - Scroll bar: helps to see items that don’t fit inside the window. Drag the dark grey part (called the thumb) up or down to move the list. There can be also be horizontal scroll bars that drag side to side. The length of the thumb indicates the portion of the page that you can see. The arrows at the ends can be clicked to move the thumb. Touchscreens use ‘natural scrolling’ where the actual window content is dragged
The Right-hand pane This column shows the contents of the folder that is selected on the left. If Quick access is selected, however, it also shows recently used files in the bottom section.
R - View buttons: these buttons allow you to quickly switch between Details view (text columns of file names and properties) and Large Icons view (icons of files and folders, including thumbnails of photos and some documents). There are other views available from the View menu, but these 2 views are usually all that you’ll need.
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 11 Right-click menus Common items on a right-click context menu Right-click almost anywhere on the desktop, taskbar, on files and on folders to see a menu. These are called contextual (or context) menus because they change depending on the item clicked and the location.
The right-click menus for files and folders, duplicate many of the commands in the File Explorer ribbons and mouse users may find them quicker to use.
Some have long lists of choices and some include sub-menus that are indicated by an arrowhead. Be sure to navigate to sub menu items by moving at right angles or the menu may close unexpectedly.
Items on a typical context menu for a file Open: opens the file with the default program set for that type of file. The default program determines the icon that it has Edit: usually does the same as open New: opens a new copy of the file with a generic file name Open with: used when you want to open the file in a program other than the default. The sub-menu gives you choices Properties window Share with: is for setting up Windows file sharing for a picture Send to: send to another app like email or another location Cut: remove the item from its location to the Windows clipboard. Usually for pasting it somewhere else. (The clipboard is a hidden part of the computer’s memory that stores one item at a time. Adding a new item into the clipboard removes the old one. Turning the computer off also erases the clipboard.) Copy: the same as cut, but a copy is also left in the old location Create shortcut: creates a pointer that opens the original item Properties: information about the item, like file size, creation date, who it is shared with. It can have a number of tabs
Changing File Explorer
Some of these changes make Windows 10 more like earlier versions
Colour the title bar: Go to Start > Settings > Personalisation > File Explorer with Colours > choose an accent colour > turn on Show colour on This PC as the default Start, taskbar, action center and title bar. This colour will only appear when the window is active (you are working in it), otherwise it will be white Make default location This PC: instead of Quick Access. Go to View menu > Options > Change folder and search options > General tab > Open File Explorer to > This PC Turn off Quick Access recent items: Go to Change folder and search options > General tab > Privacy > Remove both ticks > click Remove to delete all current auto-added items Show Libraries in the left-hand pane: Libraries are hidden, but they still exist and can be used. Go to View menu > Panes group > Navigation pane > Show Libraries. They will be below the This PC folder. Unless you have a good reason to use Libraries and understand how they work, it is best not to make them visible
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 12 The File Explorer menus
Click the tabs to see these menus. The File menu drops down and the others are horizontal ribbon menus.
File menu They replicate many buttons that are also available on the right-click menus of files and folders. However, these ribbon tools are more touch and pen friendly.
Only a limited number of items on each menu will be covered in this guide. Some parts are beyond the scope of this course
Most of the menu tools are not available (greyed out) unless a file or folder is selected
The File menu Open new window: makes a new File Explorer window. Good for moving or copying files Open command prompt: opens a window for direct programming commands
Home menu Copy, Cut, Paste and Move to, Copy to are similar ways of doing the same thing Delete and Rename tools could be useful if you have no other way Select tools would be useful with touch as selection can be hard without a mouse For more detail on some of these tools see the previous section on right-click menus Home menu
Share menu Only appears if something is shareable Share icon means share to other apps. The app could then be used to send them to people. Seems to only apply to files or sets of files and not folders Email: setup your email in the Outlook app first Zip: quickly creates a compressed folder that can have a number of items Share menu
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 13 View menu Navigation pane: modifies the left hand pane Details pane: shows properties without having to right click Layout: has other views other than the two available in the right hand pane Current view: all options are not available unless you are in details view Show/hide: item check boxes are useful to multi-select items when you don’t have a mouse and keyboard. Having File name extensions shown helps identify the type of file Options > Change folder and search options: useful changes and troubleshooting options View menu
Picture Tools/Manage menu This context menu appears when you select a picture, or folder containing some pictures Rotate: select a single picture > rotate it by 90 degree increments Slide show: select a folder or group of photos > click this for a desktop slideshow. Right-click on the desktop while running for more options including Exit. Or press Esc to stop Set as background: select a picture > click this. Backgrounds can only be removed by replacing them with another one Picture tools/Manage menu
Other context menus Extra menus appear when items are selected such as: This PC, Search box, a music file, a video file, etc
Working with Windows
Moving a Window
Drag the title bar with a mouse, finger or pen. On touchscreens,
move the finger right away and don’t touch and hold first Window sizing controls
Resizing a Window
In the top right corner, the middle button goes either full screen, or back to the original size. The line button minimises Click an icon with a line into the taskbar. On some apps you’ll need to hover here first under it to bring its window Another way is to move to a corner or side edge and drag. You to the front may have to see a double ended arrow cursor before you drag.
Bringing a window to the front This also makes it ‘active’ or gives it ‘focus’ Apps can have more than If you can see part of it, click on it one Window open If it is out of sight, click the program’s taskbar icon or the File Explorer icon. If there is more than one window open for the icon, mini versions of the windows pop up to show the choices
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 14 Moving windows side by side (Windows snap) Snap a window to the side, Have both windows open and drag one by the title bar until the click another one cursor touches the side. If you move the cursor toward the to fill the space middle, the window will be half screen. If you move it towards a corner, it will be quarter screen. Any other windows that you have open are shown as min version in the leftover space. Click one to fill the space With two windows side by side, the divider can be dragged and both windows will resize to fit Cascaded windows
Other arrangements for windows Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and there are choices to cascade, stack, or go side by side. These apply to all open windows, so close any windows you don’t want included For most purposes, this is not as useful as Windows snap
Customising the taskbar Adding or removing app icons A new installation of Windows 10 has only icon shortcuts for the Edge browser and the Store. To add more, right-click on The taskbar right-click menu apps in Start or All apps > More > Pin to taskbar If you add more than can fit (not recommended), the middle area will have two rows and a scroll bar at the right-hand end
Moving the icons Drag them and the others will move out of the way Some icons like Start, Search, Task view cannot be moved
The taskbar right-click menu Right-click in an empty space to see this. If there is no space, right-click on the ˄ icon, or on the clock at the end Toolbars turns on extra toolbars in the taskbar. They take up space and are not usually all that useful Search has a sub-menu to hide the Cortana/search box altogether, or reduce it to only an icon Task View button can be shown or be removed Touch keyboard button can be shown or be removed If you have a number of windows open on the desktop, there are three options for how windows are arranged: cascade, stacked or side by side. These may not be as useful as using Windows snap discussed above Show the desktop by minimising all windows Show the Task Manager. The use of this set of controls is not covered in this guide Lock the taskbar. Unlocking the taskbar allows you to drag up the top edge to make it thicker or drag the taskbar to move it to the sides or top Properties has a set of options that repeat some options from the main list. This section is not discussed in this guide
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 15 The Notification area This is on the right-hand end of the taskbar and has an assorted collection of icons that are indicators for apps that run in the background or are buttons to open something. Many carry out both functions. Whatever appears in this area partly depends on the computer’s hardware and software.
Typical icons in the notification area Possible hidden icons The arrowhead: shows a pop up menu of hidden items. Often they are controls panels for sound, video or trackpad. The
OneDrive sync client may also be here. Battery, Wi-Fi, Sound Battery level indicator: if you have a laptop. It shows a plug if the battery is charging Network connection: shows a cable or Wi-Fi icon. It will have an X if it is disconnected Remove USB Remove USB: appears when a USB device, like a drive, is attached. It may appear in the taskbar or in the hidden items.
To remove a drive, click on the icon > click ‘Eject xxxx’ > when it says ‘Safe to remove hardware’ > pull out the drive Action Centre Sound control: Click to see a slider. Click the speaker at one end to turn sound off and an X is shown next to the icon Action Center: has notifications from apps and from system messages at the top. (See more below) Touch keyboard Touch keyboard: click or tap to bring this keyboard on screen. If you don’t have this button: right click the taskbar > Show
touch keyboard button (See more below on keyboards) Clock and calendar: click to see full monthly calendars and Clock, Calendar adjust time and date settings and Show Desktop Show desktop: if the desktop has app windows covering the desktop, click the thin ‘Show desktop’ button up against the right-hand end to minimise all the windows into the taskbar
The Action Centre Click the icon in the taskbar (or swipe in from the right) to see the Action Centre.
The top section: shows alerts and messages from Windows or apps Some of them duplicate the notifications (called ‘toasts’) that slide out at the bottom left of the desktop Click the Clear all button at top left to empty the list The bottom section: has ‘quick action’ buttons that turn items on and off or open controls. The Collapse/Expand arrow at top right of the buttons reduces them to one row or back to four rows. A dark colour tile is turned on. Right-click a button to go to the corresponding section of the Settings app where it explains more about the control and gives more options Buttons you might use: Project: join your computer to a projector or TV Bluetooth: connect to speakers, a mouse or keyboard Screen: changes brightness Network: shows your connection to the Internet
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 16 Customising Notifications and Action Centre
These settings are in Start > Settings > Notifications & actions
Choose the top row of quick actions In the quick actions section > click each of the buttons in turn and choose an action from the menu. This is so the four you choose will be still be visible when you Collapse the buttons
Choose the icons that appear in the taskbar notifications area Click Select which icons appear… > show all or select some Click Turn system icons on or off > select from another set
Choose what notifications to show text alerts and sounds There first are 5 system items to turn off. Make sure you turn off Hide notifications from these apps In Show notifications from these apps > the size of the list depends on the apps you use that can do alerts. If you use the Mail and Calendar apps you may want the alerts on There is no option to turn off sounds separately here, but you can type ‘Change system sounds’ into the Settings search box > in the Sound Control Panel that appears > Sounds tab > Program Events box > Notification > go to Sounds box at the bottom > choose None at the top > Apply > OK
Keyboards
Physical keyboard Most windows devices can support a physical keyboard &123 brings up the Physical keyboards support dozens of keyboard shortcuts and number keyboard a few popular ones are shown below The smiley brings up the emoji keyboard Touch keyboard Touchscreen computers show the touch keyboard when a space for typing appears or you tap the keyboard icon.
It does not have the Windows key (WinKey) and does not support shortcuts using it. The letterbox icon makes Only some keyboard shortcuts using the Ctrl key are supported the keyboard float (like Copy, Paste, etc) and are shown when Ctrl is held There is no forward delete. For numbers, tap the [&123] key There is an emoji key for pictures The ‘letterbox’ icon makes the keyboard float. Drag it around by the title bar. Tap the same place to anchor it again On the number keyboard, choose other keyboards at bottom The emoji keyboard right including a handwriting recognition page
On-Screen Keyboard This keyboard can be made an option on the touch keyboard in Settings > Devices > Typing > Add the standard keyboard It has most of the missing keys, but cannot do all shortcuts
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 17 Popular keyboard shortcuts Many apps, especially desktop apps and File Explorer, support these shortcuts
Copy = Ctrl + C Undo = Ctrl + Z Paste = Ctrl + V Redo = Ctrl + Y Cut = Ctrl + X Copy whole screen as a picture to the Select all = Ctrl + A Screenshots folder = Winkey + PrtSc Select continuous group = Shift Click Select non continuous group = Ctrl Click Zoom in or out = Ctrl + roll mouse wheel
Settings
Go to Start > Settings or click the button in the Action Centre
To find the settings you want, the best way is to use the search box at top right. This will give you a list of choices. Those with the gear icon are found in the Settings app and others are elsewhere, but, if you click an item on the list, it will take you to the right place in an uncomplicated way.
This list from the Settings app covers items not covered already in this guide.
SYSTEM Display: some screens may need to be scaled up by dragging the slider or everything would be too small. You will probably will need to sign out and login again Default apps: you may want to choose a different app to open certain files. Install the preferred app first before doing this. A simple way is to ‘Choose defaults by app’ > choose an app from the list > Set this program as default > OK. Two worthwhile apps to consider installing and making default are Acrobat reader and VLC Player About: has details of your computer including the processor, RAM memory
DEVICES Printers & Scanners: add and remove them here AutoPlay: Turn AutoPlay on > in Removable drive > ‘Open folder to view files’
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 18 NETWORK & INTERNET Data usage: Click Usage details to see what is using the most data
PERSONALISATION These have been covered earlier
ACCOUNTS These have been covered earlier
TIME & LANGUAGE Make sure the Date & time and Region & language settings are correct
EASE OF ACCESS Mouse: Consider changing the pointer size, especially for presentations
PRIVACY General: Consider turning off all except ‘Turn on Smartscreen’ Location: Make up your own mind on this. Some apps, like Maps will not work as well. Photos will not be tagged with location. If you choose to turn it off, click the ‘Clear’ button as well Camera: Let apps use your camera, but turn off the apps that you don’t permit Microphone: Let apps use the microphone, but turn off the apps that you don’t permit Speech, inking and typing: If you don’t use Cortana click ‘Stop getting to know me’. Go to Bing and manage personal info if you have been using a Microsoft account and want to remove your personal data Account Info: If you have been using a Microsoft account for apps you may want to leave this on Contacts: Turn off access for those you don’t want using this list Calendar: only need this on if you use Mail or Calendar apps Call history: Only have this on if you use apps that need it, like Skype Email: Only have this on if you use apps that need it, like Mail Messaging: Only have this on if you use apps that need it, like Skype Radios: You are unlikely to need this Other devices: These two sections scan be off unless you recognise a device that you want to have trusted by your computer and apps Feedback & diagnostics: Feedback frequency > Never. Diagnostic and usage data > Basic Background apps: these can use up data and battery. Leave on Music and Weather. Turn the rest off unless you have a reason to do otherwise
UPDATE & SECURITY Windows Update: Home version users have no other choice but getting automatic updates so nothing needs to be done. In Advanced options > have a tick in ‘Give me updates…’ Also in advanced settings > Choose how updates are delivered > turn off Windows Defender: If you are using this, leave everything on Backup: Both File History and the Backup and Restore programs are worth using for backup. Setting them up and using them is needs a separate guide and they are not covered here Recovery: you need to have a recovery drive or disk. Not covered in this guide Activation: Check to see if it says ‘Windows is activated’, if not get advice Find my device: You need to have logged in with a Microsoft account and have location turned on. Microsoft will then record your device’s location periodically when it is connected to Wi-Fi. Go to the website to see it on a map. Make you own decision on privacy vs security for this one
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 19 Power User menu Right-click the Start button or press Winkey – X This has the traditional Control Panels and useful controls like Run and Task Manager. It includes Backup and Restore (Windows 7) as well as File History. It no longer has Windows Update For most people, there is no need to go here. They should just use search in the Settings app which will take them to virtually all of these function as needed.
Useful included Windows apps Windows 10 has dozens of included Windows apps. Listed below are some that I have used with some suggestions about them. Windows apps are often undergoing changes and improvements.
Features of a typical Windows app Click the three lines to expand the side column A thin left column down the side with icons Click the 3 lines button at the top to expand the list to see the headings as well The icons in the list differ with each app There may be choices of content to view Personal settings at the bottom of the list Your Microsoft ID and information help personalise and sync the content across computers logged in with your Microsoft ID Along the top of the app may be a row of tabs These are actions or more content choices A pencil means you can edit the selection of content that you see Controls, Navigation and search Sometimes a back arrow appears at top left The usual three window controls are at top right. At the top right The middle button can be a double arrow. In tablet mode there is only the X There may be a search box near top right
Mail The app will help you add your email account Support all kinds of email accounts, but works best with online mail systems like Outlook.com or Gmail so that mail folders are automatically imported. Simple to use, but has the features that most people want in a home account To show the folder list click the three lines menu. For a plain background go to the Settings gear button at the bottom of the folder list > Personalisation The Mail app and the Calendar app are interlinked. Each has a button to the other app at the bottom of the folder list
People This address book is used by Mail (and the Messenger app if you allow it). If you have added online accounts like Outlook.com or Gmail, contacts will be added to it. You can also add contacts manually
When you begin to type an address in an email in the Mail app, the People app helps with suggestions
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 20 News A reasonable free collection of short, Australian-oriented, news items Click the Interests and Sources buttons to alter the content shown, although the default selection of features may satisfy most people
Photos This is the default viewer and editor for pictures Its best use is as a photo editor. Double click on a photo > click on the pencil at the top. There are a large number of useful tools down each side
Microsoft Edge This is a simplified web browser that loads pages quickly At the moment it is missing things like: automatic browsing history removal, full screen browsing, an easy way to change the search provider
It also does not yet support extensions, so parts of some sites may not work It does have the ability to ink pages with handwritten notes and drawings. Use a pen or finger on a touchscreen or use a mouse. They can be saved to OneNote. To find settings: click three dots at top right > Settings
OneDrive To use this online (cloud) storage system, you need to have a Microsoft ID You get 5GB free storage, but have to pay for more – usually by subscribing to Office 365 (that includes a copy of Microsoft Office)
OneNote An organised way of keeping notes and clippings. It supports drawing as well This is a free version of OneNote and you must have a Microsoft account It only saves to OneDrive so you
Weather There are settings to choose for favourite locations A useful app to run as a live tile
Microsoft Solitaire Collection An updated version of the 5 classic solitaire games. It is free to play There is also a paid premium version with challenges and (virtual) coin prizes
Films & TV The default video player for movies bought from the store and your own video This app cannot play some formats including DVD discs. It is a good idea to install VLC player from Videolan.org as well
Groove Music The default player for purchased music and your own music files. It can play the non-protected music from Apple iTunes. It also has a streaming service Windows Media Player is still in All Apps and can be made the default player if you prefer it
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 21 Windows Store app The Store is the official source for Windows apps. It does not have Desktop apps. There are other things for sale, such as games, music, movies and TV shows.
You need a Microsoft ID to obtain apps even if they are free. Once you own an app, you can install it on up to 10 other Windows 8.1/10 devices logged in with your Microsoft ID. If you delete an app, you can download it again for free.
Things to keep in mind The majority of apps are free, because many people resist paying. To be able to make money, many free apps offer in-app purchases. Some are worthwhile, add features or remove ads, but other apps require expensive bundles of tokens or equipment to progress in the game Apps can have the similar names to popular apps, but are just fake versions. Check the name of the publisher before you install
Setting up payments To buy paid items, set up a payment method Go to your ID picture near the Search box > Payment Options This takes you to a special website where you’ll login again There are a number of choices. Credit card or PayPal are convenient and have safeguards Alternatively, you could buy a Microsoft gift card then go to your login picture > click Redeem a code and be taken to the same website area and add the amount to your account
To purchase a free or paid app Store suggestions You must be logged into your Microsoft account You must be connected to the internet. Downloading apps through Wi-Fi is cheaper than downloading using cellular
Click the Store app. It may be in All Apps If you want to look for an app by name go to the search box at the top with the looking glass icon. Type in your search word A list of apps will match your search. Tap one to find out more. Otherwise browse the suggested lists
Before clicking the Install button, check a few things:
o Is it free or paid? Microsoft gift cards o Does it have in-app purchases? o How many stars does it have? o Swipe or click through the sample screens at top right o Read the Description. Click ‘More’ if needed o Read some of the Reviews o Read Additional information to see the publisher, file size, processors, hardware, permissions, etc
Once you have decided, click the button with Free or a price in it. If it is a paid app you may have to login to your payment provider as well. The app will download. When finished, it will be in All Apps and probably in Recent. Right-click and put it in the Start tiles or taskbar
Mark Young for ASCCA 12.07.2016 Page 22 Upgrading to Windows 10
Why upgrade to Windows 10 It combines the best of Win 7 and Win 8 features with worthwhile new things of its own o Easier to learn, runs efficiently and takes up less resources o Has a proper Start menu and programs list, along with tile app shortcuts o Does away with Win 8 problems like charms, Start screen, app switcher, all apps list, etc o Expanded Settings app, but still has access to the Control Panels o All programs and apps can work in split screen mode o New, easily accessible, Action and Notification centre o Includes File History backup system and keeps Win 7 Backup and Restore Capabilities o Works on desktop, laptop, hybrid, tablet, phone, as well as other specialised devices o Works with keyboard, mouse, trackpad, touch, pen o It will be more secure and has the free antivirus program Windows Defender There are many more controls and customisations o Start menu can be modified o Privacy controls are available o Useful free apps are included and more available from the Microsoft Store It extends the time that Microsoft will support your operating system o Windows 7 is supported until 14 January 2020 o Windows 10 is supported until 14 October 2025 It’s free for most Windows 7 or 8.1 users till 29 July 2016 o After that it may be at least $179 a copy o It is not free for XP or Vista computers, because it may not perform well
Why you might not want to change You have Windows 7 and you are happy with it You’ll upgrade when you get a new computer You’ve had enough of Windows and will maybe use a Mac, tablet or phone now You have important software that only works on older machines
Installing Windows 10 on an existing computer Easier to install on newer model computers, and likely that all your software will run on it Many older computers may upgrade fine, but some can have problems with drivers for some components. The manufacturer may not be upgrading these to Windows 10 Some computers may be past their use by date. They have slow processors, old hard drives, low amounts of storage and RAM memory.
Backing Up Keep your computer updated Backup your files before you begin Locate your Windows key if you have it Best to install through the Windows flag when it says you can Do not uninstall your current version of Windows first Make your own decisions during the install Login with a Microsoft account or a local account Choose to keep files and programs, one of these or nothing
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