2017 Fall Creators Edition BDM’s

The
Windows10
Manual
App Guides Expert Tutorials Advanced Help

192
PAGES
of Windows 10
tutorials
 BDM’s Independent Manual Series
BDM’s

The
Windows10
Manual
Fully updated to include the best features of the new 2017 Creators updates, The
Windows 10 Manual is your complete guide to getting the best from the most powerful
Microsoft operating system ever released. Containing hundreds of tutorials, guides and
tips, the bookazine you hold in your hands is the best way to get more from Windows 10.

From first time installation and set up, to using the core apps and keeping your PC safe,
The Windows 10 Manual shows you everything you need to know to get started with
Microsoft’s newest and greatest operating system; and to then take your knowledge
further. Whether you are a long time PC user or a complete Windows novice booting up
your first laptop, there is something new to learn inside!

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Contents
The Windows 10 Manual

78 How to Use Microsoft OneDrive

6 Windows 10 Essentials
80 Using OneDrive Files On-Demand
8 Start Menu, Action Center and Taskbar 82 Inside Microsoft OneNote
10 How to Use the Start Menu 84 How to Use the OneNote App
12 How to Use the Action Center 86 Five Alternative Ways to Take Notes
14 How to Use the Taskbar 88 Installing Alternative Browsers
16 Task View and Virtual Desktops 90 Exploring GIMP on a Windows 10 PC
18 How to Use Snap Assist 92 Create Presentations with Sway
20 Inside the File Explorer 94 Using the Phone Companion
22 How to Use the File Explorer 96 Using the New Night Light Mode
24 Create and Manage Folders 97 Using the Dynamic Lock Security Tool
26 Complete Guide to Personalisation 98 Creating Web Apps with Chrome
34 Get Online with Microsoft Edge 100 Changing File Associations and Protocols
36 How to Use the Edge Browser 102 Move or Install Apps to a Different Drive
40 How to Use Windows Mail 104 Back Up with a Recovery Drive
42 How to Set Up Email Accounts 106 How to Update Windows 10
46 How to Use the Search Feature 108 Exploring the Groove Music App
48 How to Use the Cortana Assistant 110 Understanding the Gaming Tools
52 Inside the Calendar App 112 Exploring Skype in Windows 10
54 Tracking Dates and Appointments 114 How to Call and Message with Skype
56 Using the Updated People App 116 Top Ten Antivirus and Security Packages
58 Creating a Separate Child Account
118 Windows 10 Advanced Guides
60 Windows 10 App and Software Guides
120 Limiting Data Usage when Tethering
62 Exploring the Windows App Store 122 Manage Disk Partitions in Windows 10
64 How to Use the Windows App Store 124 Disable Adverts and Annoyances
66 Exploring the Windows 10 Maps App 126 Tweak and Modify Windows 10
68 Navigating with the Maps App 128 Using the New Power Menu
70 Importing Photos to Your PC 129 Using Windows 10 Storage Sense
72 Working with Photos and Images 130 Ten Things to Disable in Windows 10
76 Understanding the OneDrive Interface 132 Using the Task Scheduler Tool

4 BDM’s: The Windows 10 Manual

 Welcome

6
Windows 10
Essentials
Learn more about the core
elements of Windows 10, from
the Start menu to the Edge
browser and beyond.

136 Managing Your Notifications

60
138 Set Up the Quick Actions Panel Windows 10
140 Disable Unneeded Start-up Items
142 Turn Off Unnecessary Visual Effects
App and
144 Essential Cortana Commands List
Software Guides
146 Setting Cortana Reminders Explore some of the best
148 Windows 10 Registry Tweaks preinstalled and free software for
the Windows 10 environment and
150 Add a Shutdown Timer to the Desktop see what it can do for you.
152 Run Ubuntu on a Windows 10 PC
154 Defragment Your Hard Drive
156
158
Updating Your PC Device Drivers
Update Your Motherboard BIOS 118
162 Windows PC Touchpad Gestures
164 Mastering Windows 10 Hotkeys
Windows 10
Advanced Guides
Get to grips with some of
166 Windows 10 Security the advanced things you
and Maintenance Guides can do in Windows 10, from
controlling data usage to
168 Windows 10 Maintenance Tools tweaking the registry.
170 Exploring the Windows Task Manager
172 Monitor Tasks with the Task Manager

166
174 Manage Your Privacy in Windows 10
176 Understanding and Preventing Malware Threats
180 Protect Your PC with Windows Defender
182 Free Windows 10 Security Software Windows 10
184 Windows Security Checklist Security and
186 Remove Windows 10 Bloatware Maintenance
188 How to Free Up Space in Windows Guides
190 Troubleshooting Windows 10
192 Windows 10 Troubleshooting Tips Learn how to make your
computer and Windows 10 a
much more stable, secure and
virus free environment.

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 Index

Windows 10
Essentials
Windows 10 essentials includes guides to everything from the best way to
get your PC set up with new user accounts and the all-important Microsoft
account, to all of the main elements of the Windows 10 desktop, including
the brand new Start menu, Action Center and taskbar. These essential
guides will make sure you understand the core features.

18 48 56
How to Use How to Using the
Snap Assist Use Cortana People App
Learn how to multi-task more Discover some of the useful ways Add, edit and organise your
easily with the incredibly useful the Cortana assistant can help contacts easily using the newly
Snap Assist feature. you day-to-day. updated People app.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

8 Start Menu, Action Center 34 Get Online with Microsoft Edge

and Taskbar
36 How to Use the Edge Browser
10 How to Use the Start Menu
40 How to Use Windows Mail
12 How to Use the Action Center
42 How to Set Up Email Accounts
14 How to Use the Taskbar
46 How to Use the Search Feature
16 Task View and Virtual Desktops
48 How to Use the Cortana Assistant
18 How to Use Snap Assist
52 Inside the Calendar App
20 Inside the File Explorer
54 Tracking Dates and Appointments
22 How to Use the File Explorer
56 Using the Updated People App
24 Create and Manage Folders
58 Creating a Separate Child Account
26 Complete Guide to Personalisation

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Start Menu, Action Center

and Taskbar
The Start menu, taskbar and Action Center are likely to be three of the most used areas of the Windows 10 interface
for most people. There have been several additions and improvements to these tools in the recent Anniversary
update, making them even easier and more intuitive to use, so let’s take a look at what you can do with these
essential Windows tools.

All Apps List

As you use Windows 10 and the

various apps and software, a
list of your most used tools will
appear here. This is constantly
updated as your use of the OS
evolves. At the top of the All
Apps list is a Recently Added
section, showing newly installed
software and a Most Used
section showing your favourite
applications. Click either heading
to open a jump to letter menu.

System Folders

You can change the folders

that appear in the bottom half
of the Start menu, depending
on how you use Windows
10. Settings, Power and All
Apps will always be present
in this part of the menu but
everything else can be chosen
in Settings > Personalisation.

Search Bar

The search bar is always visible

to the right of the Windows
button, unless viewing an app or
game in full screen mode. Click
in the Ask me Anything box and
the search window will open.
You can either type your search
term or, if set up, use the Mic to
ask Cortana. When the search
menu opens, it will hopefully
be prefilled with relevant
information and links.

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 Start Menu, Action Center and Taskbar

PERSONALISATION
You can personalise the Start menu and taskbar in a number of ways.
Open the main settings and click on Personalisation. In the Start
section you will see sliders to control whether you see recently added
apps, most used apps, etc. You can also set the Start menu to display in
full screen like it did in Windows 8.1.

Action Center Notifications

Start Menu Tiles
Notifications in the Action Center
range from security alerts and
Just as with Windows 8.1, the tiles
system errors, to emails and
that appear in the Start menu display
Facebook updates. If you are
information (when appropriate) from
seeing notifications here that you
the apps and services they link to. You
don’t need, Twitter updates for
can customise the look of the tiles by
example, you can right-click the
right-clicking on them and selecting an
heading and turn off notifications
option from the menu that appears. Tiles
for that app.
are now automatically split into relevant
sections, e.g. Play and Explore.

Quick Settings

The Quick Settings displayed

Start Menu Folders here will vary depending on the
device you are using. You will
If you pin apps to the Start menu, normally see Wi-Fi, Note, All
their icons will appear below the Settings, Bluetooth, Location and
block of tiles. You can now move Quiet Hours here at the very
these app icons into folders within least. If the Quick Settings menu
the Start menu. To do this, click and is collapsed, click the Expand
drag one icon on top of another. If button to show the full menu.
the bottom icon expands slightly You can now customise the quick
rather than moving out of the way, settings buttons shown in
drop the icon to create the folder. Settings > System > Notifications
and Actions.

Taskbar (left) Taskbar (right)

The taskbar contains shortcuts to many of The right-hand side of the

the most commonly used apps, including the taskbar contains several essential
Edge browser, App Store and File Explorer. Windows tools. Here you can
You can add any app to the taskbar by check battery power (if using a
right-clicking on the tile or app icon and laptop), your Wi-Fi connection
selecting Pin to taskbar from the menu. details, speaker volume and
Right-clicking on the taskbar will also allow several other things. You will
you to add different toolbars to it. also find the button to open
the new Action Center here.
The Anniversary update added
notification badges here, so
you can see unread notification
amounts at a glance.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Use the

Start Menu
The Start menu in Windows 10 is about much more than just displaying a list of your apps and software. It includes
Live Tiles, shortcuts to folders and settings, and you can now even create folders within the menu itself. So whether
you just want to use it as a simple list or if you want to make it the hub of your PC, the Start menu has it covered.

Get to Grips with Start

Microsoft has completely redesigned the Start menu for a new era and it seems to get improved with every update to the OS, so it takes a
little getting used to at first. Here’s our tour of the new Start.

1 You open the Start menu by clicking the Windows icon in the 3 You can right-click anything in the live tiles area of the Start menu
bottom left of the desktop or by pressing the Windows key on to bring up the tile menu. This lets you resize, unpin and even turn
your keyboard. The menu in Windows 10 is a mix of the Windows 7 and the live tile into a static tile. There are up to four different sizes of live
8 styles but works better than either, with a list of apps on the left and tile: small, medium, wide and large, giving you lots of ways to build the
Live Tiles on the right. perfect Start menu.

2 The live tiles work in the same way as they did in Windows 8. 4 The tiles are split into groups. You can click the headings on
You can drag any of them around the menu should you wish to existing groups to rename them. Dragging one of the tiles to
reorder them. You can right-click any file, folder or app in Windows 10 the bottom of the menu, to an unused area of the menu, enables you
and select Pin to Start to include it here. Once in the menu, click and to create a new group. A bar will appear at the bottom to indicate
drag to rearrange tiles. that a new group will be created.

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 How to Use the Start Menu

5 The Start menu now allows for the creation of folders. This 8 The Most Used section at the top of the list enables you to access
means that you can further organise the menu by keeping recently opened programs. This will also show recently opened
related app icons in a single place. To create a folder, simply click files, so if you have Microsoft Word installed, simply go to the menu next
and drag an app icon over another. The icon beneath will expand to the icon in the most used apps menu and you can instantly open
slightly. Drop the dragged icon and the folder is created. your recently worked upon files.

6 On the left-hand side at the bottom, there’s a list of key items, 9 Clicking on any of the headings (including the individual letters)
such as the Settings app and a shortcut to the File Explorer. Click of the apps list will open an A-Z selection menu. You can then
the power icon and you can shut down or restart your PC. You can add quickly click on any of the letters to skip directly to the listed apps that
more options to this shortcut section in Settings > Personalisation > begin with that letter, rather than having to scroll down through the
Start > Choose which folders appear. entire thing.

7 The final area of the Start menu is the apps and software list. This 10 Finally, Windows 10 also makes it easy to resize the Start menu.
displays all of the installed apps and software on your computer Move the mouse to the edges and resize handles will appear, so
(software which doesn’t require installation to run won’t be shown here). you can have it covering half your screen or a much smaller proportion.
Scroll up and down to view the full list and click the arrow next to apps You can even set the Start menu to open full screen, by going to Settings
to see more options. > Personalisation > Start.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Use the

Action Center
There have always been pop-up messages in Windows. But now there’s a centralised way in which these are
treated. Called Action Center (but titled simply ‘Notifications’), it’s actually designed to be a direct equivalent of the
same menu on the Windows Phone.

Make the Most of the Action Center

The new Action Center is a key interface element in Windows which provides you with many switch-on, switch-off options. It’s influenced by
smartphone and tablet interface designs and really comes into its own in Tablet Mode.

1 The bottom right corner of Windows’ desktop taskbar takes on 3 The most powerful part of this pop-up bar is actually at the
new significance within Windows 10 thanks to a special area for bottom. This is the new equivalent of the Windows 8 Charms
notifications called the Action Center. Hover over the Action Center bar and enables you to perform some key functions (or actions). You
button and it will tell you if you have any new notifications. can expand or collapse this bar depending on the functions you need
to access.

2 This is what the Action Center looks like when you click the 4 Clicking a notification will take you to the app which generated
button. As you can see, notifications are grouped by app – which that notification – here we’ve clicked on a Windows Update
apps are listed changes depending on which apps have sent you a notification and the notification has now disappeared. But you might
notification. Older notifications are greyed out if you have already seen find yourself taken to a file or folder if appropriate.
them but not dismissed them.

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 How to Use the Action Center

5 Clicking on the appropriate charm/action at the bottom of the 8 Switching back shrinks the Start menu once again. Tablet mode
Action Center app will enable the appropriate setting – here we’ve should trigger automatically on devices with a detachable
unclicked Bluetooth and Location. The latter enables us to control keyboard when you undock the keyboard – we’ll talk more about Tablet
whether our Windows device shares its location with apps as well as mode later on. You always retain manual control, however.
with Windows itself for things such as weather updates.

6 Whether you’re on a Windows tablet or laptop, at some point 9 Notifications are very useful, but can be a distraction sometimes;
you’ll either take it on an aircraft or you’ll want to shut down the say if you need to concentrate on a particular task or you’re in a
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your device to save power. Clicking the Flight meeting. To stop distractions during this time you can click the Quiet
mode switches off all wireless communication and places an aeroplane Hours button in Action Center. No notifications will appear and the
icon in your notifications area instead of the Wi-Fi signal icon. Notifications icon changes.

7 Tablet mode is another function you can control from the buttons 10 When you’re done with the notifications on the menu, you can
at the bottom of Action Center. Tablet mode automatically click the Clear All button at the top to dismiss them (see
prepares the desktop for use with a touchscreen and your fingers – so previous step). In Settings > System > Notifications and Actions, you can
the Start menu automatically becomes a Windows 8-style Start screen, choose the Quick Actions that appear at the top of the bottom panel in
the search bar disappears and so on. the Action Center.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Use
the Taskbar
The taskbar has certainly undergone a revival since its relegation in preference of the Start screen in Windows 8.
Although it was still present in Windows 8’s desktop view, it is now back where it belongs. A few slight tweaks in the
Anniversary update have made it an even more useful tool now.

Mastering the Windows 10 Taskbar

The taskbar has always been more useful than many users realise, and with Windows 10 there are several new features and options which
make it even more so. Let’s take a look at some of the most important.

Welcome to Windows Windows 10’s taskbar is more powerful Using Jump Lists Right-clicking anything on the taskbar once
than ever as you’re about to find out. It’s again brings up a context menu. Apps such
now more integrated with the Start menu than before, so if you open as Word and Excel feature jump lists, showing you recent files that you
Start and start typing, the search bar on the taskbar comes alive, rather can pin to the list using the drawing pin icon. What appears in the jump
than being separate within the Start menu. list varies between apps. Here, File Explorer shows your recently
accessed locations.

Search For It We’ve covered Windows 10’s search features in Window Previews Hovering over any open app icon in the
more detail elsewhere but thanks to our mobile taskbar brings up this live preview of the
phones there’s no denying that we’re more used to searching for files, window. If a movie is playing, for example, you’ll see it playing here too.
folders and settings rather than having to browse for them. Windows 10 If you mouse over the preview, the X icon appears so you can close the
reflects this with a flexible search feature that’s also a great way to window down directly from the taskbar should you wish to.
launch apps.

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 How to Use the Taskbar

Task View The simple white outline icon next to the search bar is Action Center This is another key control area of Windows 10. It
Task View. This is Windows 10’s brand new way to gathers together all your pop-up notifications from
switch between open apps and it’s rather good, providing you can get things like the email app or Windows update. It also features quick
used to using it. You can also open the Task View by pressing the settings buttons for things like Wi-Fi. The Anniversary update added
Windows Key + Tab. Hide the icon by right-clicking on the taskbar and notification badges, meaning you can see how many unread
disabling in the menu. notifications you have more easily.

Power and Brightness If we were using a laptop here rather Taskbar Calendar Click the clock in the taskbar and a small
than a desktop, a battery icon would calendar readout appears. The Anniversary
appear in the notifications area. There’s also a link to further settings, update improved this, connecting it to your main Windows calendar
taking you to the appropriate area of the all new Settings app. The exact app (for some strange reason it wasn’t previously) and this now shows
icons that appear here will vary depending on your system set up and upcoming events you have added. You can hide the Agenda readout
apps installed. using the button at the bottom.

Other Adjustments You’re also able to alter the brightness of Taskbar Menu There is still a right-click menu to change taskbar
your laptop screen as well as enable settings; make sure you right-click on an unused
Power Saving mode by clicking on the battery icon. The volume area of the taskbar. You can lock the bar, as well as change how the
control next to it features this simple slider but no other settings. You search bar displays. You can make it just a button, like the one in Tablet
need to right-click to alter other sound settings such as the sound mode, should you wish to.
output you wish to select.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Task View and

Virtual Desktops
Windows 10 has made huge steps towards creating an operating system which is suited to busy multitaskers. It’s
easier than ever to switch between tasks and you can even have extra workspaces for when you’re working in
different apps. All these features are available inside a new Task View feature.

Using Task View

Task View is a quick way to view and manage all of the windows and apps open on your PC at any given moment, even those that
are minimised.

1 There’s an almost imperceptible new button on the Windows 10 3 As well as clicking on one of the apps you want to launch, you can
taskbar next to the search box. It’s the new Task View button and also flick between them using the arrow keys and hit return on
it gives you a new way to switch between apps. Microsoft has the one you want. What’s more, you can also close apps from here too;
experimented with various task switchers over the last couple of versions as you hover over with the mouse, a cross will appear.
of Windows and this is the latest iteration.

2 Clicking the button (or pressing Windows + Tab) brings up this 4 If you’re used to using Alt + Tab to flick between apps then don’t
display. It’s simple and remains active until you click on one of the worry, this feature is still enabled. This brings up a similar
apps to switch to that; or click on the taskbar, press Windows + Tab thumbnail panel, which you can use to select the apps you want to
again or Esc to cancel. The more windows you have open, the smaller switch to, or you can use to close apps (and windows) by hovering over
the thumbnails will be. each one and clicking the X that appears.

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 Task View and Virtual Desktops

Using Virtual Desktops

The virtual desktop feature is a great way of separating apps, so you won’t be distracted by your email while you’re trying to get on
with work.

1 One of the great features in Task View is the ability to add extra 4 You can also drag apps between the open desktops by dropping
desktops. Virtual desktops are essentially extra workspaces, so for them onto the appropriate desktop icon. An app can only reside
example you can have one space with your email and chat windows on one desktop at once, so clicking an icon on the taskbar or Start
open and another where you’re working on a PowerPoint presentation menu could flip you between desktops if the app is open elsewhere.
without email distraction.

2 Click or tap the Add a Desktop button at the bottom of the screen 5 If you hover over the desktop icons, you’ll see an X appear so you
and you’ll see an entirely blank desktop like this. Don’t worry, you can close superfluous desktops down to save resources. Doing
haven’t just lost all the apps that were on your screen before, they’re on this doesn’t close any apps down but it will add them to the oldest
the other desktop. Here we’ve opened two more apps in a completely (original) desktop. They’re called virtual desktops for a reason.
different workspace.

3 You can right-click the apps in Task View to send them to the 6 Virtual desktops are great for having different areas for different
other desktop, all clever stuff. At the bottom of the screen you’ll tasks. However, if you wish you can select certain apps and have
see a representation of this desktop and your other desktop alongside it. them appear on all open desktops. To do this, open Task View,
If you hover over another desktop, you can see all the open apps on it. right-click on an app and choose Show window on all desktops or Show
windows from this app.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Use
Snap Assist
Snap Assist enables you to ‘snap’ windows to the sides of the screen. With displays getting bigger, the logic is that
we can have more windows on our screens. Being able to split the screen into different sections for different
windows is useful and Snap Assist in Windows 10 is designed to help.

Snapping Windows
It is very easy to have several windows open after just a few minutes of working on your PC and it is equally easy to lose track of them.
Snapping windows helps prevent that.

1 To snap any open window or app to the side of the screen, 3 If you have several windows open when you snap one to the left or
left-click on the title bar at the top of it and drag it over to either right, the snap assist display will be shown. This display contains
the far left or right of the screen. Your mouse cursor will need to reach all of your other open windows as smaller thumbnails, positioned on the
the edge, not just the side of the window, for this to work properly. side of the screen opposite where you snapped the window.

As the cursor reaches the edge of the screen, a transparent Left-click on any of these thumbnails and that window will snap
2 4
outline will appear with a small flash, to show where the window to the other side of the screen (opposite the one already
will appear once snapped. Release the mouse button and the snapped). You can also snap windows by selecting them and
window will snap into place. You don’t need to wait to see the outline, pressing the Windows key and an arrow button on your keyboard.
just drag and release.

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 How to Use Snap Assist

5 You can also snap four windows in Windows 10, one into each 7 You can also combine snapped windows in different ways. For
corner of the screen. Having four windows snapped into the four example, one full height window snapped to the left, and two
corners of your screen is only really workable if you have a large monitor, windows snapped in the two corners on the right, giving you three
although anyone with Windows 10 can do it. windows open at once but keeping one of the windows at a more
usable size.

6 To snap four windows, you click and drag in the same way as 8 To unsnap windows you simply click on the title bar of each
explained above but you drag into the corners rather than just to window and drag it away from wherever it is snapped to: sides or
the edge. You will see the transparent outline appear but it will now only corners. Snapping is a great multitasking tool and once you start using
cover a quarter of the screen. The snap assist display will still appear. it, you won’t want to go back to randomly floating windows.

Snapping Vertically
Windows 10 also adds support for vertical window snapping. This works slightly differently to normal window snapping, as most modern
monitors make vertical snapping a less useful option for splitting a screen.

1 Press Windows Key + Up or Windows Key + Down to snap the 2 You can’t do this with the mouse, you need to use the keyboard
current app to the top or bottom halves of the screen. Pressing shortcuts. Dragging a window’s title bar to the top of your screen
Windows Key + Up a second time will maximise the window, while will just maximise it, while dragging it to the bottom of your screen won’t
pressing Windows Key + Down a second time will minimise it. do anything. Some universal apps may not behave well with vertical or
2×2 snapping.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Inside the
File Explorer
Although the File Explorer is much the same as it was in previous versions of Windows, it is still worth exploring it a
bit more. The File Explorer is one of the most overlooked tools in Windows but if you want to be able to find your
accumulated photos, music files, word documents and other files without having to use Search every time, it is
definitely something you should be familiar with.

File Explorer Toolbar

This tabbed toolbar contains all of the tools

you need to manage the different files and
folders you can view. The main tab is Home,
which contains tools for pinning to the Quick
Access pane in the Start menu, copying,
pasting, moving and renaming files. Once
you have selected a file or folder in the main
pane, the tools become active.

Navigation Pane - Folders

The left-hand sidebar contains a list of

different file folders on your computer.
Clicking on any of the folders shown here will
display the various files and folders inside, in
the main pane. The list is split into sections,
including Quick Access/Recent, OneDrive and
This PC. If you right-click on a blank area, you
can choose to show All Folders here.

Folder Contents Pane

Info Bar When a folder is selected in the File Location

sidebar, its contents are shown in the main
pane. The contents of any single folder may
The thin bar along the bottom of the File
vary greatly of course but Windows uses
Explorer displays several bits of useful
standard icons to show Word documents,
information. If nothing in the main window
text files, various different image formats and
is selected, the info bar shows the total
shortcuts to apps and software. As you can
number of items in the selected folder. Click
see here, images will usually be displayed as
on a file and the file size is also shown here. If
a thumbnail unless view settings have been
you select several files, the number of items
changed.
selected is shown, along with the total size of
all selected items combined.

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THE VIEW TAB SHOW LIBRARIES

The View tab in the File Explorer allows you to completely change Your Libraries in Windows 10 are preset system folders that are
how the window looks, how files are displayed and even whether the default locations for your Camera Roll, Music, Saved Pictures,
each item has a permanent check box next to it. One of the most Documents, Pictures and Videos. You can easily have these displayed
useful tools in the View tab is the Details Pane button. This switches in the File Explorer. Right-click on any free area of the Navigation
the Preview Pane to show a list of file details instead. This is Pane and from the menu, click Show Libraries. You can then expand
particularly useful if you are looking at images. the list of libraries by clicking the small arrow.

Window Controls

Almost every window that opens in Windows

includes these controls. From left to right
they are: Minimise, Maximise and Close. Just
below the standard window controls is a
small arrow and a question mark. The arrow
is used to show and hide the File Explorer
toolbar, which is useful for smaller displays.
The question mark will, when clicked, open a
help page.

Preview Pane

If the preview pane is enabled, approximately

a third of the File Explorer window and
indeed, any other folder that you open will be
reserved for a preview of any selected files.
Normally, only image, html and text files will
display a preview in this pane. The preview
pane can be increased or decreased in size
by clicking and dragging the scroll bar to the
left of it.

Folder View

The two buttons here let you choose

between viewing the contents of the folder in
a thumbnail format or alternatively, as a list.
When the folder items are displayed as a list,
you can choose to display a varying amount
of information, including date last modified,
file type and file size. Items shown as a list
will still display a preview in the Preview Pane
when selected.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Use the

File Explorer
Here we’ll take you through the improvements to the general Windows 10 file browser. Many features remain from
Windows 7 and 8 (such as clicking in the far right of the taskbar to minimise everything) and apps on the taskbar
work the same.

What’s New in File Explorer?

File Explorer is a much undervalued part of Windows. And while it hasn’t fundamentally changed for several versions of the operating
system, Windows 10 introduces some interesting enhancements, which we’ll take you through here.

1 The way you browse files in Windows 10 is broadly similar to 3 There are also new icons across all File Explorer views, while there
previous versions of Windows, but File Explorer has been are a lot more file operations that you can access on the menu at
enhanced. The main Quick Access window shows you your most the top of the window (known as the ‘ribbon’ in Microsoft speak) without
frequently used folders (after all, how many of us dip into more than five the need to use the right-click menu. This is to make it easier for PCs
or ten folders in a day?) and also recent files. with touchscreens.

2 The sidebar also works on the same principle and via a new Quick 4 This PC is similar to before, but the link to Control Panel has been
Access feature you can pin folders or files that you want to stick replaced by the Settings app, which you can now see on the
around. It will also show you Frequent folders too. You can pin things menu bar. Although the Control Panel is still present in the background
permanently onto Quick Access by right-clicking them and selecting Add of Windows 10, Microsoft intends for you to use the new Settings app
to Quick Access. and directs you there wherever possible.

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5 Also from This PC (you might know it as My Computer if you 8 The Windows 8 Charm bar has been abandoned in Windows 10
previously used an older version of Windows), you can access and the functions for Windows Store apps are hidden away inside
the Programs and Features Control Panel area if you want to uninstall the apps themselves; functions such as the Settings for the app itself
something. and the ability to Print or Share.

6 File Explorer’s Share tab also gets a new treatment, with the 9 If you’ve come from an earlier version of Windows, you might not
Share logo (first introduced with Windows 8’s Charm bar) now be familiar with OneDrive. It’s Microsoft’s cloud storage application
used for file sharing from all apps. You can choose to email a file and it’s available right from File Explorer in Windows 10, so you can
straight from the File Explorer window, add it to a zip file or share it access your files just as if they were on your own computer.
with other Windows users.

7 If you want to see what other options you have for sharing – 10 On-screen notifications have changed in Windows 10. Unlike in
perhaps using the Windows Mail app - highlight the files you Windows 8, where they display in the top right of the screen, all
want to share, then click Share. A pop-up bar will appear on the left of notification action is now centred around the bottom right. There’s also a
the screen and will show you the options you have to share that file(s) place where notifications reside after they’ve popped up.
or folder(s).

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Create and
Manage Folders
Despite all of the new improvements to Windows over the years, folders have remained as one of the core tools to
organise your files. Folders are much more than just boxes to keep your photos or music files in and learning how to
make the best use of them can really improve how you use Windows.

Creating New Folders

It may sound too simple if you are a long time Windows user but here’s a look at how to create new folders on the desktop and within
other folders.

1 On the desktop, right-click and select New folder from the action 3 Double-click any folder to open it and view the contents. You can
menu that appears. The familiar yellow folder icon will then move items into a folder by selecting, dragging and dropping into
appear at that position on the desktop (wherever you clicked), with the an open folder or a closed one. If the folder is closed, drag the selected
name automatically set as ‘New folder’ but highlighted ready to change. items over the top of it until the folder is highlighted, then release.

2 You can leave the name as ‘New folder’ if you wish. If you then 4 To delete a folder, right-click on it and select Delete from the
create a second folder next to the first, it will automatically be action menu. You can also click and drag the folder to the Recycle
named ‘New folder (2)’. You can rename a folder at any time by Bin icon on your desktop. Anything in the folder will also be placed in
left-clicking on the title once, or right-clicking and selecting Rename the recycle bin. To move folders around the desktop, just click, drag and
from the menu. drop them.

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Managing Your Folders

Once created, folders can be adapted and customised in a number of ways. You can even change the default icon used whenever a new
folder is added.

1 You can manage a folder in a number of ways without even 4 Most of these options are self-explanatory, such as copy, paste and
opening it. Right-click on any folder and the action menu select all but some are a little more confusing. Most casual
appears. The exact options that appear will depend on the apps or computer users won’t need to use 90 per cent of the options in their
software you have installed but can include scan for viruses, compress, day-to-day use but it is worth understanding them anyway. Add a few files
shred, zip and more. to the folder and experiment.

2 The standard (Windows 10) options in the folder action menu 5 If you want to get really deep into managing your folders, there
include Pin to Quick Access, Open, Share With, Pin to Start, Send are even more options to explore. Open any folder and right-click
To, Cut, Copy and Create Shortcut. If there is a small arrow next to an anywhere inside the main window. From the action menu that appears,
option in the menu, it means a further options menu will open when click Properties. Here you can manage all sorts of things, from security to
rolled over. icon style. security to icon style.

3 Open the folder and a whole range of further options are available 6 To change the icon style, that will change the style of all folder
along the top of the new window. You will see four main tabs along icons, click the customise tab and then click Change Icon at the
the top: File, Home, Share and View. Each one of these, when clicked, will bottom. Scroll to view all of the available icons (downloaded icons can be
display a different set of further options relevant to the section. accessed by browsing), click on your preferred icon and click Ok.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Complete Guide to
Personalisation
One of the most welcome features of Windows 10 is the return to the familiar desktop environment and
there are many ways to customise it to suit your needs and tastes; including icon size, background image
and colour scheme.

Change the Desktop Background

The Desktop personalisation procedure hasn’t changed much since Windows 7, so if you’ve used that OS before this will feel very familiar.

1 You can get started with personalising the Windows 10 Desktop 3 To select your own pictures for the background, click on the
in exactly the same way as you did with Windows 7. For anyone Browse button and navigate to the folder containing the images
completely new to Windows, that means right-clicking anywhere on you want to use. For best results, you might need to crop some of your
the Desktop screen and selecting Personalise from the action menu pictures to the same aspect ratio, i.e. widescreen, as your monitor screen.
that appears.

2 The Background settings will be displayed first by default. Click 4 To set a picture as your Desktop background, simply click on it. It
the first drop-down menu to select whether to use the default will instantly be set as your new Desktop background image (a
backgrounds, solid colours or choose to display folders of your own preview will display). The screen shows you the last five images used or
images. Your choices here changes what is displayed in the you can click the Browse button to choose a new one from your folders.
background settings.

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5 If you opt for Slideshow, you will see some additional options to 6 Even if you set a background image, you can also change the
choose from. You can set the interval for the slide show from the colour of the actual desktop. Click on the Colours option at the
‘Change picture every’ menu and decide how you’d like the images to fit bottom and choose a background colour. You can also choose a custom
on the screen by clicking the ‘Choose a fit’ menu. colour from a more detailed hexadecimal colour selector.

Set Accent Colours

By accent colours we mean the colour of the taskbar, the Start menu and the frames of new windows and so on, that you open on
your computer.

1 Apart from the desktop background, you can also change the 3 You can actually choose where the colour accent is applied. You
colour of the taskbar and the Start menu and other system can set it so it changes the Start, taskbar and Action Center and
components. Click on the Colours option in the menu sidebar and the Title bars of windows. You can also pick one or the other, or a
choose an accent colour from the swatch. Recently selected colours are combination of all options. You can also make these elements
also displayed. semi-transparent.

2 You can also let Windows automatically match the accent colour 4 Since the Creators update, most of the core Microsoft apps
to the current desktop image. This isn’t a perfect solution and allow you to choose either a light or dark theme (several have
works best if the desktop background image you are using is had this option for a while now). You can set the default app theme
predominantly one colour. To do this, just tick the checkbox. colour in the colours section of personalisation; this can be overridden
in the app settings.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Lock Screen Customisation

The lock screen can feature custom backgrounds with Spotlight Images, display app statuses, and even give you direct access to Cortana.

1 The first thing to choose is whether to display one of your own 4 You can check how the detailed and quick statuses are displayed
images, a slideshow of images or something from Windows on your lock screen by letting your PC sleep; or by pressing the
Spotlight. If you choose either of the first two of these, more options will Windows key and choosing Sleep. Be aware however, that statuses may
appear to select the images you want to use (single or multiple). not show up straight away for things like Messages and Email.

2 You will see that there are two separate sections for adding apps 5 There are several other lock screen customisation options here.
here. The section with the single app icon is the one which will You can choose whether to display an image on the sign-in screen
display more detailed information and the section with seven icons/ as well as the main lock screen and there are direct links to Cortana
spaces for adding apps which will show quick statuses. settings, where you can control how Cortana works on the lock screen.

3 You can add as many apps as you wish here, up to the maximum 6 The final two links take you to screen timeout and screen saver
of eight. To choose which apps have statuses displayed, click on settings. The settings you choose there will depend on your
one of the spaces and choose from the pop-up menu that appears. The personal preference and also on your computer location. Setting a
menu for the detailed information space will be slightly shorter than for shorter timeout means that your computer will be secure if you have to
quick statuses. leave it.

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Disable the Lock Screen

There is no setting to disable the lock screen completely but it is still possible to do by delving into the Registry. This is fairly advanced
customisation, so approach with care.

1 To access the Registry, press the Windows key + R, enter regedit, 2 Name this new key “Personalisation” and then navigate inside it.
and then click OK. With the Registry open, navigate to HKEY_ Right-click inside the right-hand pane and select New > DWORD
LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\. Right-click (32-bit) Value. Name it “NoLockScreen”. Then double click this new value
the final Windows folder and click New > Key. and change the Value data to 1. Then click OK and exit the Registry Editor.

Adding New Themes

Themes can be added from a variety of sources but the best place to find them initially is the official theme page from Microsoft, or from the
Windows 10 Store.

1 You can access the current theme page in a couple of different 3 Each theme is displayed with a thumbnail and the number of
ways. You can open the web browser and navigate to www. images supplied shown. The Microsoft theme page doesn’t allow
support.microsoft.com/en-gb/themes, or Google “Windows 10 themes”. you to view all of these images before you download, you just have to
Alternatively, open Settings > Personalisation > Themes and click ‘Get base your choice on the title and thumbnail. Click Download on any you
more themes in the store’. like the look of.

2 All of these actions should bring you to the same themes page. Be 4 Different themes will contain different amounts of content.
aware that all themes here will soon be moved into the Windows Some might only have a colour profile and a few desktop
Store app. Themes are listed in a variety of categories down the side of wallpapers; others might contain icons, colours, wallpapers and
the page, ranging from Featured Themes, to themes with custom sounds. Even the simplest of themes is likely to be more than just
sounds supplied. changing the desktop wallpaper.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Applying and Modifying Themes

Once themes are downloaded you can view, customise and select them from a fairly new section in the main settings (settings >
personalisation > themes).

1 Once a theme is downloaded, you may need to open it to activate 3 Themes downloaded from the Windows Store won’t need to be
it. You can do this directly from the download interface that activated in this way. You can just click the Get button on the
appears at the bottom of the browser window (showing download theme page in the store and then view the theme in settings >
progress) or you can go to your Downloads folder, right-click on the file personalisation > themes. You can switch between themes here just by
and click Open. clicking the thumbnail.

2 The theme will then be applied, and the first desktop wallpaper in 4 Each theme applied can be customised further using the
the sequence will appear on your screen. Any colour profile options in the Themes section. You can alter the background,
changes will also be applied. If you want to manage the theme settings, colour, sounds and even the mouse cursor of any theme, making it
head to Settings > Personalisation > Themes > Theme Settings. completely unique to you. When you have chosen the changes, you
will need to click Save Theme.

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Change Your Desktop icons

If you use desktop icons such as This PC, your personal folder or Network connections, you can change those icons. You can even download
complete icon packs online, giving your desktop a completely different feel.

1 Open the Personalisation screen of the Settings menu and select 3 If you wish to do so, it is possible to choose different icons for
Themes from the sidebar menu. You now need to look for the these system tools and you can even download custom icons
Related Settings option. In the Related Settings section, click on the link online. To change the appearance of the desktop icons, click on the icon
to Desktop icon settings. you want to change and then click the Change Icon button.

2 The window that now opens lets you choose which default icons 4 The icon chooser window that appears will look very familiar to
appear on your desktop. The Recycle Bin is just about essential veteran Windows users, since it’s essentially unchanged from
but the others, including Computer, Users Files, Network and Control Windows 98. Scroll through the gallery until you find an icon you like or
Panel icons are optional. use the Browse button to navigate to any icon pack you’ve downloaded.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Personalise Windows Sounds

You don’t like the default Windows sounds? You want to replace them with all your favourite Star Trek sound effects? No problem!

1 To change the sounds that Windows uses to notify you about 2 To change a sound, first select it from the list of sounds shown in
events and problems, open the Personalisation control panel as the Sounds control panel, then click on the Browse button.
explained previously and click on Themes in the sidebar menu, then Navigate to the folder containing the sounds that you want to use and
click on Advanced sound settings. then double-click the new sound. You can click on the Test button to
hear what it sounds like.

IMPROVING VISIBILITY
Windows 10 incorporates a number of features designed to improve
accessibility for people with impaired sight, including a range of high
contrast Desktop themes. You can activate these from the
Personalisation control panel. Activate the panel by right-clicking on
the Desktop and selecting Personalisation and then click on one of the
high contrast themes presented. You can exit the theme by clicking
back on the previous theme.

Personalise the Start Menu

The final Customisation menu option lets you customise the Start menu to a limited extent.

1 You are presented with a list of toggle switches that activate 2 Clicking on ‘Choose which folder appear on Start’ lets you choose
certain options. The ‘Use Start full screen’ effectively returns you from a list of preinstalled shortcuts to your Library folders. Choose
to the Windows 8.1 Start screen, so you’ll probably want to leave it off only those you really need to have there; otherwise the Start menu can
unless you have a specific need for a full-screen menu. quickly become hopelessly cluttered.

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Add Tools to the Desktop

If you want to take your customisation of the desktop to the next level, you can begin to add desktop tools such as Rainmeter.

1 Start by downloading the Rainmeter installer from the Rainmeter. 4 You can use the context menu to load skins from your library.
net. To install the software, run the installer program that you Right-click on any of the skins and select illustro > Google >
downloaded and follow the instructions. You will have the choice to Google.ini. The Google skin will appear in the top left corner of your
choose from the 32 or 64bit versions during the process. desktop. You can now drag it into place alongside your other skins.

2 The first time you run Rainmeter, your desktop will look 5 You can also unload (remove) a skin with the context menu.
something like the image here. Each small window on the right Right-click the new Google skin and select Unload skin. You will
side of your screen (System, Disk, etc.) is a skin. This is the illustro skin see the skin fade away and disappear (useful for getting rid of the
set. The app remembers each skin’s location and settings independently. welcome skin). When a skin is unloaded, its location and settings are
still saved.

3 To move a skin, just click and drag it to a new location. The 6 Skins can have different variations. To see an example of one with
easiest way to interact with Rainmeter skins is through the context variants, right-click the Disk skin and select Variants in the context
menu (right-click on the skin). A skin may have any number of tabs, menu. Variants share the same location and settings, and only one of a
buttons, menus or other bells and whistles in its design. skin’s variants may be loaded at a time.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Get Online with

Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge lets you move quickly from browsing to doing. Write or type notes directly on web pages and share
them with others, read online articles free of distraction and save your favourite reads for convenient access later.

Browser Controls

Up in the top left corner, where you would

probably expect to find them, are the browser
controls. These include the button to add a
new tab, the page refresh button and the page
forward/page back buttons. Right-click on the
main tab and you will see additional options,
including Re-open Closed Tab.

Search Bar

There’s no need to go to a website to search for

pictures of adorable penguins or cute kittens. Stay
put and save time by entering your search in the
handy address bar. You’ll get search suggestions,
instant results from the web and your browsing
history on the spot.

News Feed

The main Home screen of Microsoft Edge is your

News Feed. The news feed is provided by MSN
and is made up of news stories based on your
geographical location. If you are in the UK, the
news will be from UK news websites, in the US,
the news will be from American sources.

Task View

The taskbar, which remains at the bottom of

the screen when using Edge, contains a button
that switches to Task View. Task view allows you
to quickly view any open windows and folders,
displaying them as thumbnails. This includes any
open Edge browser windows.

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EDGE SETTINGS
Alongside options to change the style of the Edge browser, including
changing to a dark theme, are several important settings. You can
choose how the Edge browser opens, showing the Start page or
another specified page for example. The advanced settings include
options to block pop-ups and allow Flash Player.

Customise Feed

You can customise the news feed to provide

stories and articles that interest you personally.
Click the “Customise” button and then choose
your required location (UK, US, etc.). You can
then click on the various categories, including:
Entertainment, Money and Sport, and make them
your favourites.

Share

Windows Edge gives you more ways to share

your discovered content than ever before. Click
the Share button whilst on any web page and
the Sharing panel will open. The title of the page
will be displayed. Click this to choose whether to
share a link or a screenshot. Then click the app
you wish to share with.

Web Note

Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 allows you to hand

write notes on top of ANY website you visit. When
you are on a website and want to add a written
note, simply click the Web Note button. A new
menu bar opens, allowing you to choose pen
colour and thickness. Now write your note and
click Save.

The Hub

The taskbar contains shortcuts to many of the

most commonly used apps, including: the Edge
browser, the App Store and File Explorer. You can
add any app to the taskbar by right-clicking on
the tile or app icon and selecting “Pin to taskbar”
from the menu.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Use the

Edge Browser
Microsoft Edge replaces the old and creaky Internet Explorer as the main preinstalled Internet access tool in
Windows 10. Edge is focused on modern web standards and is designed to be safe and fast. It also boasts several
innovative features, such as the ability to highlight parts of web pages and share them with others.

Get Started with Edge

Edge is fast and fluid and we think you’ll like it. It may not have the capability of Chrome or Firefox as yet but for basic web browsing it’s
almost perfect.

1 Microsoft Edge carries on Internet Explorer’s use of a stylised ‘e’ as 3 As well as Edge’s main controls in the top left, there are other
its logo. This is to make things simple for users who are familiar items in the top right including the main menu to access more
with Internet Explorer. Click on this icon in the taskbar to open Edge or options. This is shown by the ellipsis (…) icon. From the main menu you
on the Start menu and find it in the All Apps list. can open a new window or a new InPrivate window as well as zoom into
the current page.

2 If you’re familiar with almost any modern browser, you will 4 You can begin using Edge by typing a search term or a complete
instantly be at home. The forward, back and refresh panel is website URL (address) in the search field near the top of the
almost identical to other browsers. The default new tab page shows your screen. Search results are then displayed in a fairly standard mixed list
most visited sites but you can have news from MSN appear instead. of links, images and videos. Click on any of them to see the website they
link to.

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Customising Microsoft Edge

Once you become accustomed with the basics of Microsoft Edge you can start to explore the many options and settings available for
personalising and customising.

Accessing the Settings From this menu you’re also able to Change the Search Engine Microsoft Edge is set to use Bing as
access Settings as well as Print and its default search engine but you
Find, to locate a word or phrase in the open web page. Another option can change search provider in the Advanced Settings menu. As you type
enables you to pin a particular web page to the Start menu as a tile into Edge’s search box, the browser recommends search suggestions.
should you wish to. You can turn this off here should you want to. We find it quite useful.

Advanced Edge Settings The basic Settings menu is pretty lean The Edge Sidebar Again in the top right, the ≡ icon launches
on options but an Advanced Settings the sidebar featuring your Reading List,
button at the bottom takes you into another menu with further options. Favourites, Downloads and History. If you’ve used Internet Explorer at
This part of Edge is for more advanced users and it covers privacy, such all recently, this sidebar will be familiar to you as it’s basically the same
as enabling browser cookies and other security settings. interface element. However, Reading List is new.

Change the Edge Theme As well as the ‘light’ default theme Pinning the Sidebar In the top right of the sidebar there’s a pin
of Microsoft Edge, there’s an option to keep the sidebar open, rather than just
in Settings to display a black theme. It’s becoming a lot more common temporarily. You can move easily between your Reading List, Favourites,
for applications to have dark themes, with the Windows 10 taskbar dark Downloads and History; just use the icons at the top of the bar to select
too. It’s a good alternative to having super bright apps. the one you need.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Set Aside Tabs You can now set tabs aside, rather than closing Read eBooks in Edge The latest update to Microsoft Edge lets
them completely, so that they are easier to go you read eBooks in .epub format. Books
back to later. Tabs that are set aside should not take up bandwidth, so in this format automatically open in Edge when double-clicked. They
you don’t need to worry about lots of open tabs slowing down your can then be saved to the Reading List for easier viewing at a later date.
browsing. Tabs set aside are still there even after closing Edge. Take a look at www.feedbooks.com/publicdomain for some freebies.

View and Restore Tabs Tabs that are set aside can be viewed Enable the Favourites Bar One of the folders is called
in the new Tab Viewer. You can Favourites Bar. This is a bar you
access this by clicking the small down-facing arrow next to the New Tab can toggle on and off to permanently display certain Favourites in a strip
button at the top of the window. Clicking any tab here switches to it. underneath the address bar. To enable this feature, go to Settings via the
Alternatively, click the Tabs sidebar button at the top left of the window. main menu and switch the Favourites bar on using the toggle.

Import Your Bookmarks Edge now makes it easy to import Annotating Pages Making notes on web pages and sharing the
bookmarks saved in another results is one of the best new features in Edge.
browser (Google Chrome for example). Quickly get your bookmarks, Launch this mode using the pen button next to the sidebar control in
saved passwords and browsing history from other places on your PC the top right of the main window. The editing controls include a pen, a
by selecting More > Settings > Import from another browser, and then highlighter, an erase function, an annotation feature and a copy tool.
choosing the correct one.

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Microsoft Edge Extensions

A new addition to the Edge browser in the Windows 10 Anniversary update is extensions. Extensions are small pieces of software you can
add to Edge to give additional functions.

1 Open the Edge browser on your PC and look for the small menu 4 To begin installation of your chosen extension, click the Get
button at the top right of the window. Click this and then click the button at the top of the page. This then changes to show
new Extensions link. When the extensions panel opens for the first time, installation progress which, depending on the size of the extension,
it should be empty apart from a link to Get extensions from the Store. should take just a few seconds. The button then changes to say Launch.

2 Click the link and the Microsoft Store app opens, displaying the 5 Clicking Launch will take you back to Edge with the extensions
available extensions. There are not that many to choose from sidebar open. You then need to choose to enable the extension
right now but more will be added as app developers learn to take in Edge or keep it turned off for the present. Important information,
advantage of this new Anniversary feature in Windows 10. such as whether the extension needs access to certain details on your
PC is shown.

3 Click on any of the extension icons shown to open the 6 How you use your new extension depends on what it actually
information page. This tells you more about what the extension does. The one we installed here is for analysing the structure of
does, which devices it is available on and the minimum system websites, so when we get to a website we want to examine, we have
requirements to run it properly. Scroll down the page to see user reviews to click the menu button and then select the extension from the list at
and recommended extensions. the top.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Use
Windows Mail
Long gone are the days of Microsoft Outlook Express being included with new releases of the OS, replaced instead
by the Microsoft Mail app. This app first appeared in Windows 8, was vastly improved in 8.1 and has now been
improved yet again for Windows 10.

Mail Folder
The messages in whichever
email folder you have
selected are shown in this
panel. By default, the most
recent emails are at the top of
the list. You can change how
the emails are viewed, so that
only unread or flagged emails
are displayed, using the
dropdown menu at the top of
the inbox.

New Mail Button

If you are not replying to an
email, but rather starting a
new email, you can do so in Mail Menu
a couple of different ways.
You can either click the New The left-hand menu, which can be minimised and
Mail button at the top of the expanded using the button at the top of the panel,
Mail Menu or you can use contains all of your email accounts (those you have
the Ctrl-N. Both methods added to Windows Mail). Click on any of your email
open a new email in the account headers and the individual folders, such
main window, with a blank as Inbox and Sent Items, are displayed here also.
recipient field.

Calendar View
You can open the Windows
Calendar app directly from
within the Mail app. Click the Mail Settings
Mail app icon at the bottom
The settings for the mail app allow you to easily
of the Mail Menu panel and
add accounts, change how emails are displayed
the calendar screen will open
when they arrive, whether outgoing emails have
in a second window. If you
a signature (which can be customised) added
have never used the calendar
to them, as well as how you are notified of new
app before, you will need to
emails in Windows 10.
link it to an account.

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CUSTOMISE MAIL
You can customise how the email app looks in a number of ways,
from simple changes like choosing between a light and dark theme,
to setting the overall colour and changing the background image for
the app. To personalise the Mail app, click the settings button and
select “Personalisation”.

Message Options
In a row along the top of the
main message window are the
message options. These include
Reply, Reply All, Forward, Archive
Message Tools and Delete emails; more options
can be seen by clicking the menu
Roll over or click on any of the
button to the right. The message
messages in your inbox, sent items
options only appear when
or drafts folders and three icons will
viewing a received message.
appear. These let you quickly Archive,
Delete or Flag any message directly in
the folder panel. Archived messages can
be recovered at any time and returned
to the inbox if required.
Taskbar Icon
Whenever you open an app
in Windows 10, a highlighted
taskbar icon will appear at
the bottom of the screen.
This makes it easy to switch
between multiple open apps,
or to quickly see which apps
are currently running. You can
pin your most used apps to the
taskbar by right-clicking and
selecting Pin to taskbar.

Main Message Window

When you start a new email or
select an email in one of the
mail folders, it will appear in
the main message window. As
you would normally, you can
scroll down to view all of the
messages shown. You can roll
over the address in the To: field,
to see more contact details.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Set Up
Email Accounts
Windows 10’s new email client is a lot different from previous versions’ apps such as Outlook Express in the late
1990s. But it’s a relatively recent idea for us to have all our email in one place, whether it’s our work account, a
Hotmail or Outlook address or email from Gmail.

Meet Your New Email Client

Mail has been completely redesigned for Windows 10 and is wholly unrecognisable from the Windows 8 equivalent (that’s a good thing). But
even with these improvements, it still needs a bit of tweaking before it comes into its own.

Welcome As it says here, the idea behind the Mail app in Account Type If you click Add Account, you can add accounts
Windows 10 is to gather all your emails together in one from many popular providers including Google,
place to “simplify life a bit”. The app is quite clever in how it handles Yahoo and Apple’s iCloud. You can also set up other more specialist
email and it certainly differs to older apps such as Windows Live Mail accounts if you have the details. Finally, there’s also an option to add a
and Outlook Express. Microsoft Exchange account if your workplace uses that (including
Office 365).

Default Account If you signed into Windows 10 with a Microsoft Advanced Setup If you need to select the Advanced Setup
account, the Mail app will automatically pull option, you can choose between the types of
this in if it’s enabled for email. As you can see, you can also click Add account you’re setting up. Usually you’ll select the Internet Email option
Account if you have other email accounts you want to add (this can be – this includes accounts that use the POP3 or IMAP protocols to retrieve
from basically anywhere as long as it’s your account). email (if your provider gives you the choice of which of those to use,
select IMAP).

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Google Accounts If you’re adding a Google account, you’ll get Writing a Mail There’s also a Refresh button as well as a Select
this somewhat familiar pop-up appearing mode, so you can select various emails (with a
inviting you to enter your username and password. If you have Google’s view to moving or deleting them). Now we’ve clicked the Forward button
two-step authentication enabled, you’ll get a text message to confirm along the top to forward this email. As you can see, this has created a
your identity and you’ll be asked to enter it. draft under the original email on the left.

Microsoft Accounts As we said before, your Microsoft account Insert Attachment Emails are ‘grouped’ like this in Mail,
will hopefully have already pulled in meaning that if you and a friend have a
automatically. If not, you can add it manually. Just enter your email conversation, all the emails will be grouped together so that they’re easy
address and password. We looked at Microsoft accounts in more detail to retrieve. You’ll notice we’re still composing our email here, and we’ve
elsewhere, but if you want to sign up afresh you can do that here too. clicked the Attach button to select an attachment.

Your Inbox Here’s your inbox! Your email list is shown on the left, Sent Mail This is what a sent mail looks like. As you can see, it’s
with the contents of each email appearing on the now ‘nested’ under our original email and the sender is
right. We have three new emails here, designated by the blue colour. You me (or you). You’re able to look at just sent items in your folder still, and
can also search for any emails using the search box at the top – this we’ll show you how to do that in a few steps.
works much more quickly than in older apps.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Edit Text As well as just writing simple plain text emails, there are More Text Options As well as styles, Bold, Italic and Underline,
plenty more editing functions in Mail, which we’ll check there are other ways you can make text
out in the next few steps. Using the Format tab at the top of the editing stand out or add emphasis. As in Word, you can have subscript or
window, you can change selected text – here we’ve used bold to superscript text or add highlighting (quite useful for quick editing of
highlight a particular phrase. paragraphs in emails). Finally, you can clear the formatting of any
selected text.

Apply Styles There are also various pre-defined styles you can Change Colour You’re able to easily change the colour of the
apply to text – useful if you’re writing a long email text in your email and, while you still have a
and you need to have sub-headings or headlines in the text. These work limited range to choose from, you’ve still got a lot of choice (far more
very similarly to styles in Microsoft Office; styles that you might use for a than in many other apps, anyway). Strangely Windows chooses to take
report or essay. most of these colours from your current Windows theme. No, we’re not
sure why, either.

Define Styles You can browse through these styles using the Inserting Images As well as the button to include attachments,
drop-down arrow next to the style selection box. As the Insert tab features a Picture button so you
well as fairly standard styles, there are some other ways you can get text can insert an image into your email, as opposed to just sending it as an
to stand out including quotes and what are called ‘Intense’ styles, which attached file. Once inserted, you can select it with your mouse and
place quotes in between parallel lines to encourage reading. adjust its size (drag the corners as you can see here).

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Spelling Options Before you send an email, you can always spell Change Zoom If the text in emails is too small for you, you can
check it – this is integrated into Mail under the zoom in to your messages – again, this is also
Options tab. You can select the language you need (you might be accessed through the … menu. A handy keyboard shortcut for zooming
emailing a hotel in France so using French, for example) and correct any in is Ctrl-+ to zoom in or use Ctrl and – to zoom out. This actually works
spelling errors as you go. in most apps, including many web browsers, too!

Email Menu As well as the basic reply, reply all, forward, archive Right-Click Even if you’re not actually looking at a particular
and delete commands at the top of each email, email, you can still perform numerous actions on it.
there’s also this extra menu – just click the … button. You can move to You can right-click on emails to move, archive or delete them or mark
the next email or previous message if you want to do that, but crucially them as read/unread. If you’re deleting emails, you can also just select
you can also move your email into a folder. them and use the delete key (we find this is actually the easiest way).

Move Folder If you chose to move your email in the previous Print It Off From this menu you can also print off emails – this
step, you’ll see this browser view which enables you will open the now-standard Windows print dialog
to add your email to an existing folder. You can always create a new box which is now black (presumably to make the predominantly white
folder for storing emails in particular categories. If you just want to print preview stand out). You can select to print off the whole email or
remove your email from the inbox but still keep it, use Archive. just the first page, as well as browse through the pages using the
controls at the top.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Use the

Search Feature
Until you use it, it’s difficult to put into words just how much better search is in Windows 10 than in previous
versions of Windows. Microsoft did have a lot of ground to make up to match the search on offer in rival operating
systems such as Apple’s macOS.

Find Whatever You Want

Search now not only finds files, but settings, emails and apps too. You can even search for websites as well, providing you’re happy with
results from Microsoft’s own Bing search engine. Here’s how to make Search work for you.

Improved Search If you need to search for anything on your Browser Search Launching a web search via the taskbar search
Windows 10 PC, the taskbar search bar is now will use your default browser, so if you have
the place to do it. You can still hit the Start button (or Start key on your Google Chrome installed, you can launch that. But at the moment it will
keyboard) and start typing if you used to do that to search in previous use Bing to perform the search rather than Google – this may change in
versions of Windows. due course.

Search the Web As well as files and folders, you can also launch Apps and Settings As well as files and folders, Windows 10
a web search from the taskbar. Note that you search can be used to find settings (such as
can filter the search menu by ‘My Stuff’ or ‘Web’, although we haven’t the Power Options shown here) or apps (such as PowerPoint in this
filtered this view. Note the file name at the top is the closest match, example). Hitting return will launch the top result, while you can always
rather than being an exact match. click on the result you want, of course.

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Search Settings Incorporating web searches in Windows 10’s My Stuff If you do select to search ‘My Stuff’ only using the option
taskbar search may not be everyone’s cup of at the bottom of the search results pop-up, this is the
tea, so you can turn this off should you wish – just hit the cog in the kind of thing you’ll see. As you can see we’ve used another generic
left-hand sidebar to go to Settings and turn this off. We find it useful a lot phrase for effect – ‘pod’ – which has found podcasts and some images
of the time, however. of old iPod accessories. You’re able to refine the search using the
drop-down.

What is Cortana? Another setting you can change is to turn on In-app Search Search has also been improved within apps. Like
Cortana. This is Microsoft’s virtual assistant. in Windows 8.1, most apps have a search box in
Essentially this means that you can ask natural questions in the search the top right. If you used Windows 8 you’ll remember that searching was
bar – such as ‘what will the weather be like in Doncaster today?’ as down via the Charm bar (swiping in from the right) and it would adjust
well as give it voice commands. We’ve covered Cortana in a lot more to search within whatever app you were in. This has gone for good.
detail overleaf.

Diverse Results Don’t be surprised to see very diverse results File Explorer Search You can always search for files and folders
turn up in Windows 10’s search. If you type in File Explorer as you could in previous
something generic (such as ‘man’ in this example) you’ll get results in versions of Windows. With the new taskbar search you won’t need to use
apps, files, folders and settings simply because that kind of phrase is this as often as you did, but it’s still there if you need it. We don’t find it
used as part of other words and, therefore, names of things in Windows. as quick as the taskbar search, though.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

How to Use the

Cortana Assistant
Cortana is Microsoft’s ‘virtual assistant’. If you’ve heard of Siri on the iPhone, it’s very similar. You can talk to it, while
it will pick out relevant information that’s appropriate for you. If that sounds like it’s too much, we’d encourage you
to give it a chance.

Meet Your Digital Assistant

The Cortana personal assistant could well be a completely new experience for many users. So we’ve gone into quite a lot of detail here in
order to give you the complete picture on how Cortana can be of help to you day-to-day.

Welcome to Cortana On the previous pages we talked you Tell It Your Name Now you’ll begin a bit of further
through Search in Windows 10. Cortana is personalisation of Cortana so it understands
like a layer on top of this search; you can either enable it or ignore it. your voice and, as here, knows your name. As the Microsoft statement
Cortana isn’t on by default in Windows 10. To enable it, click the Circle said in the previous step, you can always change individual parts of
icon at the bottom of the Search sidebar. what Cortana remembers (via the Notebook, which we’ll come onto
shortly) or disable it entirely.

Setting Up Click Next and you’ll see this screen. Basically, you’ll Allow Location Access As with virtual assistants on mobiles,
need to allow Cortana to access all the information Cortana works best when it knows
on the rest of your computer. It sounds alarming that you’re enabling where you are in the world. All our phones know where we are, so why
Cortana to look at your Calendar, browsing history and so on, but it not your PC? Unless you’ve a specific reason to forbid it, we recommend
needs to process this information to make things relevant for you. letting Cortana know your location.

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Location Settings If you’re concerned about the amount of Back to Cortana We’ve trained, we’ve configured and we’ve
location access you’re giving at any time, you allowed Cortana full access. Let’s see what
can always disable Location completely in the Settings app. You’re also Cortana has for us… Don’t forget you can still use the search bar just as
able to decide what apps have access. If you want to turn it off before. Cortana is another way to search, providing different
temporarily, you can do this using the Location button at the bottom of information. It doesn’t have to be seen as a replacement.
the Action Center.

Set Up Your Microphone If you want to talk to Cortana (or at Your Interests To finish the setup, Cortana will pick you a few
least have the option to), you’ll need starter interests. This changes the default content
to ensure it can hear you correctly. Here we’ve got a problem with our you’ll see when you click the search box to bring up Cortana. Now, it’s
microphone which we need to remedy. Many desktop PCs won’t have perfectly possible Cortana could pick you the wrong stuff. It’s all part of
microphones unless you have one in your webcam or another the process as, if you correct it, Cortana will learn from its mistakes.
accessory, for example.

Get in Training As with any app that requires talking to your PC, Changing Settings So Cortana picked us out a batch of things
Cortana will take you through a little bit of including general news. To change these
training. It will adjust to your voice and the distance you are from your further, bring up the Cortana menu from the left-hand sidebar and bring
microphone. Some laptop microphones are especially bad, so Windows up Notebook. Note that Reminders is a further useful feature; you can
needs to compensate for that. ask Cortana to remind you to go shopping at 12 or home at 5, it’s
completely up to you.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Your Notebook As you can see, your Notebook (we don’t think Popular Now If you scroll down the Cortana window there are
it’s a particularly accurate name) contains other things for you to browse through, most of it
various interests that Cortana will show you information about, as well powered by Bing, Microsoft’s web portal, which gathers news and
as access to Cortana’s settings (more on those shortly) and your entertainment from various sources. There’s an area for articles that are
personal information. Connected Accounts will show other things popular now and you can click through to anything that’s of interest.
Cortana is connected to, like Microsoft Office.

Change an Interest If you want to disable or enable an interest Eat and Drink If you selected the oddly-named Eat and Drink as
for Cortana, click that particular option. an interest, you’ll see restaurant settings from Yelp
You’ll then see a window like this one, which enables us to enable or or Foursquare. In the settings you can say how often you like to go out,
disable the interest as well as fine-tune the details. In this case, we can what your budget is and how far you usually like to go. Most useful for
select which stocks and shares we’d like Cortana to show us. regular business travellers, we’d have thought.

The Main Cortana View So we’ve gone back to the main Weather Probably Cortana’s most used feature is that it will
Cortana window, where we’re shown present you with weather for your current location.
some automated content we’ll talk you through in a second. Once again, Clicking on it for more information will launch the Windows 10 Weather
if you start typing or say something if you’ve got voice set up, this app (which is rather good, so no problems there), although the basic
automated content will disappear in favour of the Search menu. forecast should be enough for most needs.

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‘Hey Cortana’ In Settings, you can turn Cortana off completely as Find a Setting Of course, asking natural questions also means
well as choose whether it should present you with you can ask about where things are on your PC.
flight and other transportation information. To track this Cortana will read Here we’ve asked where we can find the settings for Windows 10’s Tablet
your emails! There’s also the option here to have your device constantly mode, which are now opening. Clever stuff. If you’re willing to talk to
listening out for Cortana requests beginning with ‘Hey Cortana’. your PC, you can really speed things up.

Speaking to Cortana So if you enable it, saying ‘Hey Cortana’ Find an App And here we’re finding an app – the oft used
will wake up Cortana. You’ll see the Calculator which receives a bit of a makeover in
search box jump into life and you can then launch into your question Windows 10. By the way, it will use more laptop or tablet battery life if
pretty much straight away. Alternatively, you can just click the you do enable the setting that enables you to say ‘Hey Cortana’ to wake
microphone icon on the right-hand end of the search bar. up the search bar.

Asking Natural Questions The idea is that you should be able Pipe Down Finally, it’s worth mentioning one further setting,
to ask Cortana quite natural towards the bottom of the menu. Called taskbar
questions. Here we’ve asked what the weather will be like at the Tidbits, having this enables Cortana to greet you with a phrase in the
weekend, but you could equally ask if you’ll need your umbrella. You search box – mainly to encourage you to use Cortana. It’s not a big thing,
can also ask specifics like “where is good round here for Italian food?”. but it could be irritating to some, but you can turn it off should you wish!

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Inside the
Calendar App
The Windows 10 Calendar app is a fully integrated planning tool, linked up to your email accounts and can easily be
synced to your Windows Phone. Adding new events can be done manually or you can simply use it to view national
and public holidays, all of which are automatically added based on your location.

New Event

There are two main ways to add a new

event to your calendar. You can either
click on the date in the main window or if
the date you want is not in view, you can
click the New Event button here. You can
then add an event name, location and a
start and end date. Give the event a short
description, especially if you plan to share
it with a contact. You can do that by adding
people using the pane on the right of the
Add Event screen.

Month Preview

No matter which view you choose for the

main calendar pane - day, week, etc. - the
month preview will always show a full
month. You can use the arrows above the
mini calendar to skip to different months
and clicking on a date will then bring
that date into view on the main calendar
panel. The current day is highlighted in
the Month Preview.
Switch to Mail

The Mail and Calendar apps are closely

linked and you can quickly switch
Linked Calendars between the two using the buttons here.
Receive an email with an appointment
Your calendar can be linked to your email in it and you can quickly add it to your
account, which will be shown here. If you calendar using the tools in the Mail app.
are using Gmail for your email account, When you switch to the Mail app, it will
and have any calendars set up in Google open in a new window, so the Calendar
Calendar, these will also be shown here. can be viewed at the same time.
You can use the check boxes to select and
deselect calendars from showing in the
main pane and each is colour coded, so
you know which custom calendar an event
comes from.

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Calendar Pane Calendar View

The main Calendar pane, however you choose to view it with the view Along the top of the main window are the controls for changing how
buttons, contains a number of different bits of useful information. the calendar is viewed. The default is the full month view. You can
Public and national holidays are automatically added based on switch to Day or multi-day using the dropdown menu and the calendar
location. The current day is highlighted in your chosen highlight colour. will be split into hourly sections. Work Week shows Monday to Friday
The current day, along with a few days after, will also show weather only, letting you easily plan business or school commitments. To
and temperature information. Clicking the weather symbol will open quickly return to the current day, click the Today button here.
the Weather app.

Add Event

Click on any day in the main pane or any

hourly slot in day view and a mini Add
Event pane will open. You can use this to
Calendar Settings quickly add an event to your calendar.
The pane includes event name, time
Alongside various customisation settings, slots and location; it also lets you choose
such as the ability to choose light and dark which custom calendar to add it to. If you
themes and change the default highlight want to add more details, click the More
colour, are settings for adding new email Details button. If not, click Done to add
accounts and changing the default view. the event.
You can also add public or national
holidays manually, in Calendar Settings,
if they have not been correctly added
automatically. custom calendar an event
comes from.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Tracking Dates and

Appointments
Digital calendars are no longer the preserve of business people scheduling appointments via email. With mobile
phones now our new diaries, digital calendars are being used by increasing numbers of people to organise their
busy lives. Welcome to Calendar.

Schedule Appointments and More

If used properly, and particularly if synced to a Windows phone, the calendar can be a great tool. We’ll show you how to set up your
calendar, arrange events and change settings so your calendar is exactly the way you want it.

Multiple Calendars The best thing about the Windows 10 Sign In Now add the accounts you want to incorporate into
Calendar app is how admirably it copes with Calendar. You can come back and do this at any point you
multiple calendars. So providing they invite your account, you’re able to choose via Settings > Accounts. From there you can easily add an
easily see calendars from friends and relatives. It’s also easy to schedule Outlook.com, Exchange, Google or iCloud calendar or enter advanced
your own events, of course. settings for any other calendars you may have from other providers.

Different Accounts Like Windows 10’s email app, Calendar also Allow Location Next, you’ll be asked to enable location access
enables you to add multiple accounts and for Mail and Calendar. This is predominantly for
from different providers, too. So whether you use an Outlook calendar at one very simple reason – Calendar shows you the weather for your
work or have shared Google calendars, you can join them all together in location each day. You can always revoke access via the Settings app. Go
the Calendar app. First click on Add Accounts. to Location and you can turn off Calendar’s access to Location. You can
always turn off location permanently there, too.

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 Tracking Dates and Appointments

Your Calendar This is our calendar. Notice that this week has the Weekly View Here’s our thrice-weekly gym event in our calendar.
weather showing – a nice touch if you enabled This is a weekly calendar view (we were on the
location in the previous step. Notice that we’ve only got one calendar at monthly one in our previous steps); you can change the view in the top
the moment on the left. If we had multiple calendars from different right. You can also go forward or back through the weeks using the
providers, these would show here and you could turn them on and off. arrows – also in the top right.

New Event Click the New Event button in the top left and you’ll Change Settings The cog icon in the bottom left takes you to
see a screen that looks very much like this. Add the your Calendar Settings menu. Here you can do
name of the event, a location should you wish to, plus start and end things like edit settings for extra accounts, but you can also change the
dates and times. You’re also able to invite people by email using the calendar to suit the way you work – which days are in your work week,
field on the right-hand side. This will then insert the event into their for example, and which day do you consider to be the first of the week?
calendar as well.

Repeat Events You can also choose to repeat events – just click Calendar Colours You’re able to assign different colours to
the Repeat button in the toolbar when you’re different calendar accounts. Note that our
creating a new event. Here you’ll see we’re creating a recurring event for Outlook.com account has also synchronised two more calendars from
our trips to the gym. Check the days you want. You can repeat daily, our online account – UK Holidays and our Birthday calendar – and that
weekly, monthly or yearly depending on what you need to do. we’ve given these different colours so they show up better in the main
calendar view.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Using the Updated

People App
The People app has been a part of Windows 10 for some time but in the more recent update to the OS, it has had an
overhaul. New features and options have been added, along with a brand new taskbar icon. Let’s take a look at this
excellent way of keeping track of your friends, family and other contacts.

The New People Button

If you can’t see the People button in the taskbar, and can’t activate it in the action menu, you may be running an older version of Windows 10.
Check your available updates.

1 After the newest Creators update has installed, you will see a 3 You may need to connect the apps before People will start
small people icon on the right-hand side of the taskbar. If you checking for contacts. If an app is not already connected, but is
don’t see the icon (it looks like two people, one standing behind the available to be, it will have a link next to it: Click to connect this app.
other), right-click on the taskbar and select “Show the People Button” The app in question will open and it will be linked to People. Any new
from the action menu. contacts in the app will be added.

2 Click on the button and a new People panel will open. Click on 4 The People tab in the panel will eventually show a list of
the Get started button at the bottom of the new panel. Now regular contacts, or people you have Shoulder Tapped (or who
click on the Apps tab. This will show you a list of apps that the people have Shoulder Tapped you). Right now it will probably be empty and
app is currently pulling contact information from. It may includes you can’t manually add people to this panel; although this option
apps such as Skype and Mail. may be added in the future.

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5 You can open the original (but updated) People app either 8 The new People app allows you to pin a number of contacts to
through the People panel on the taskbar, or by clicking on it in the right side of the taskbar for quick access. Click the People
the main apps list in the Start menu. To add a new contact manually button and then click “Find and pin contacts”. A list of your contacts
to the People app, click on the People button, select the More button will appear in the panel. Scroll down until you find the contact you
and then New Contact. want to pin.

6 The main app will open in a new window and you will be asked 9 Click on the contact to pin it to the taskbar. A separate window
to choose and account to save the contact to: usually Outlook but will also open, showing you the contact details. This is the
can also include things like Gmail accounts, if you use one. You can then windows that will open each time you click on a pinned contact. A well
enter the name, phone number and any other contact details in the as the contact details, it also contains links to the main app, and options
fields provided. for unpinning.

7 You can add a photo to your contacts, just like on a smartphone, 10 Shoulder Taps are notifications from contacts, from apps like
if you have one to hand. Click the Add photo circle on the new Skype, that animate in the taskbar. To enable Shoulder Taps, go
contact creation screen and navigate to the photo you want to use. The to Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar and scroll down to People. You
default photo selection is the Photos app but you can browser to any can enable or disable Shoulder Taps and enable or disable Shoulder
folder you want. Tap sounds here.

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 Windows 10 Essentials

Creating a Separate
Child Account
If you’re sharing a Windows 10 computer with your children, or they have one for themselves, then setting them up
with their own account will work better for you both in the long run. A Windows 10 child account gives them
freedom, whilst allowing you to set up certain restrictions for your own peace of mind.

Windows 10 Child Account

With a Windows 10 child account you’re able to set up age restrictions and time limits and ensure they’re not visiting sites or using apps
they shouldn’t.

1 Start off by clicking the Windows Start button and typing ‘account’. 3 You’ll need to sign in with a Microsoft account for this to work.
The first result that should appear is Manage your account, if If you’ve not already set up a main Microsoft login account for
anything else appears, as in you have some work labelled ‘account’ or Windows, you’ll need to click the Sign in with a Microsoft account
such, then scroll down until you find the Manage your account option. option. Once done, you’ll be presented with the current family members
who already have MS accounts.

2 You’ll now find yourself at the Windows 10 Settings page, in the 4 Next, click on the Add a Family Member link, by the plus sign
Accounts section portal. Notice there are links down the left-hand under the Your Family section. This will launch a new pop-up
side, look for the Family & Other People link and click it to continue with window to create a new Microsoft account. You need to make sure
the process. that your child has an email address and that you or they can currently
access it to authenticate the process.

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5 Click the Add a Child option in the new account window and 8 The child’s account is now ready to be activated. The message
enter their email in the text box section below. When you’re box informs you that you’ll need to respond to the email
ready, click on the Next button. Microsoft has sent before they’re able to login in to the Windows 10
computer. Click the Close button when you’re ready.

6 You’ll now get the message that it’s not a Microsoft account, click 9 Microsoft will send some emails to the child’s account. One will
the link to Create a Microsoft Account. This will bring you to a be a Verification email, which you, or your child, will need to click
new window with the email address you’ve entered already filled in. the link to activate the account. They need to login to Microsoft online
Complete the relevant details and click the Next button to continue. to complete the process. The other email will be an invitation to join the
family account, which you also need to Accept.

7 The next section details what level of search and advertising 10 Using the child account to join the family will send emails to
Microsoft will allow to the account. Obviously you can untick you confirming the accepted invitation. Back at the Windows 10
both boxes, or leave them as they are, depending on what you want. Family & Other People window, you can now click the child’s account
However, for the sake of enhanced privacy, we recommend unticking and allow it to login; or manage it via the Microsoft Family portal online,
both. Click Next when you’re ready. which we’ll look at in the next tutorial.

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 Index

Windows 10 App
and Software Guides
Get the most from the powerful apps available to you. Save time and
frustration by knowing exactly what you can do with the preinstalled or free
apps that can be found on the app store and elsewhere. Whether you are
looking for the best productivity app or if you simply want to link up with
friends on Skype, you can find out more here.

80 102 116
OneDrive Files Moving Apps to Top Ten
On-Demand a Different Drive Antivirus Packages
Discover the updated and Learn how to change where apps Discover some of the best
incredibly useful Files and other software is installed on antivirus and security software
On-demand feature OneDrive. your PC. available right now.

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62 Exploring the Windows App Store 94 Using the Phone Companion

64 How to Use the Windows App Store 96 Using the New Night Light Mode
66 Exploring the Windows 10 Maps App 97 Using the Dynamic Lock Security Tool
68 Navigating with the Maps App 98 Creating Web Apps with Chrome
70 Importing Photos to Your PC 100 Changing File Associations
and Protocols
72 Working with Photos and Images
102 Move or Install Apps to a
76 Understanding the Different Drive
OneDrive Interface
104 Back Up with a Recovery Drive
78 How to Use Microsoft OneDrive
106 How to Update Windows 10
80 Using OneDrive Files On-Demand
108 Exploring the Groove Music App
82 Inside Microsoft OneNote
110 Understanding the Gaming Tools
84 How to Use the OneNote App
112 Exploring Skype in Windows 10
86 Five Alternative Ways to Take Notes
114 How to Call and Message with Skype
88 Installing Alternative Browsers
116 Top Ten Antivirus and
90 Exploring GIMP on a Windows 10 PC Security Packages
92 Create Presentations with Sway

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Exploring the
Windows App Store
Windows 10 comes with great built-in apps including Skype and OneDrive but that’s just the beginning. The Store
has loads more to help you stay in touch and get things done, plus more games and entertainment than ever before
– many of them free!

Category Tabs
Just as with other online app stores, the
Windows Store features several different
download categories. These include
Apps, Games, Music and Films. Each
category has its own Home screen,
which displays: Most Popular, Top Free
and Trending sections.

Software Charts
These links take you to lists of the most
popular and most downloaded apps
and games on the Windows Store. Once
you click on one of the links, you can
further refine the chart using the links
on the left-hand sidebar. Filters include
Top Free, Top Paid, Best Rated and New
& Rising.

APP INFO SCREEN

Once you have found the app or game you want
to install, click on the icon to open the app info
screen. This screen displays the average app
score, user reviews, similar app suggestions, as
well as a list of features and updates. Click the
Free, Buy or Try button to install the software.

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Downloads/Updates Store Settings

If there is an update or new download Click the small Account icon here to see the
available for any app you currently have store settings option. Here you will find
installed on your computer, a notification details of the Microsoft account currently
will appear here. The number shows how being used, along with several sliders used
many updates/app downloads are to control things like automatic app
waiting. Click the arrow and select the updates. You can also control who can
required action (update, retry etc.). install new apps on your PC.

Search Bar
You can use the main search bar in
the taskbar to search for apps,
games, music and films in the
Windows Store (store results will
have the store icon next to them in
the results list). Alternatively, you can
search just inside the store by using
this search bar.

Featured Apps
The Featured Apps slider will display
those apps or games that are
trending or have been particularly
popular. This display is constantly
updated and is a good way of
finding out what other Windows 10
users are using and playing.

Windows Store Offers

Periodically, the Windows Store will
feature offers for its users. This could
be a free Groove Music 30 day trial,
or other download offers. Click on
the link to read more about the offer
and then follow the instructions to
take advantage of it.

Apps and Games

As you scroll down the main page of
the App, Game, Music or Film home
screens, you will see additional
sections showing Most Popular, Top
Free, etc. If you want to see all of the
apps in a particular section, click the
“Show All” button on the right.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

How to Use the

Windows App Store
There was a Windows Store inside Windows 8, but Microsoft has a new version inside Windows 10. That’s because
– like the new so-called ‘Universal’ apps - the Store will work across all Microsoft devices including Windows Phones
and the Xbox One.

Take a Look Around

The great thing about the new Windows Store is that the quality of the apps has improved, so it’s actually worth browsing. But aside from
better apps, the whole experience of looking for new software has been improved in Windows 10.

1 As well as being more responsive to use, the Windows Store has 3 Each section also features charts of the most downloaded apps
improved vastly in terms of content – as well as apps and as well as curated app recommendations. Here the selection is
games there are now movies to buy or rent and music to download. reasonably uninspiring but presumably this would improve as you
You can switch between the major sections using the buttons at the downloaded more apps. You can also easily flick through the top free
top of the window. and paid apps.

2 Clicking on one of these main sections – here we’ve clicked on 4 As in many Windows 10 apps, there’s a search box in the top right.
Apps – takes you to a Browse… screen where you’re presented The search will pick up results from across the Store, whatever you
with the latest apps as well as those that are growing in popularity at the search for. Here we’ve found a film we’d like to see. This page is roughly
moment. You can also refine your search using the categories on the left the same whether you’re looking at a game, movie or app.
– say you just wanted to see Education apps, for example.

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5 Here’s what it looks like if you go to an album page in the Music 8 You don’t to pay for most apps on the Windows Store. There are
section. Like the movie page in the previous step, there’s a Buy stacks of apps you can get hold of for free. Each app has a helpful
link but no button to rent as there is with movie downloads. With movies star rating and user reviews, so you can always see which apps aren’t
you can also choose to watch the trailer, while you can preview a ones that are recommended by others.
snippet of music.

6 You’re also able to buy single tracks, too – here they’re 99p. At 9 When you download an app or other content, it will be added to
every stage the Windows Store will select other appropriate your download queue. Apps will download and then install
content for you to look at (often from the back catalogue or related relatively quickly but other content – especially HD movies – could take
artists), while you can also click any artist or album name to go to the longer. You can also click the blue Check for Updates button to check for
relevant page. app updates, though these will install automatically.

7 Should you wish to, you’re also able to join Microsoft’s 10 Paid-for apps use your credit or debit card. This is all connected
subscription music service Groove Music Pass. We’ve talked more to your Microsoft account and you can view your current
about the service in our Groove Music app tutorial, but essentially it account and billing information at account.microsoft.com. You can have
gives you unlimited access to the Windows Store music catalogue and multiple payment options should you choose to. At the Microsoft
you can listen on basically any device, including Android and iPhone. account site you’re also able to view what Microsoft services (like Groove
There’s a 30-day trial but the service usually costs £9 per month. Music Pass) you’re currently signed up to.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Exploring the
Windows 10 Maps App
Just like Google, Microsoft provides its own mapping service with the Maps app. This incredibly useful tool not only
shows you a 2D map of anywhere in the world but also lets you see satellite view, traffic information and even view
major cities in 3D. A new addition to Maps is the ability to draw or write on top of maps and save them for later.

Directions
You can use the Map app to plan routes: in
a car, by public transport and even on foot.
Select your chosen transportation method
using the icons at the top of the Directions
pane. You can either leave the A field as My
Location or type a new one. In the B field,
type your destination. The route will appear
on the map. You can refine the route by
clicking the options button.

Search
Click the search button on the left-hand
side of the map window and a new pane
will open. This pane contains some
search suggestions, such as Hotels and
Coffee and Shopping, with the standard
search field at the top. As you type your
search, suggestions will appear in the
search pane. You can click any of these
to find that location.

Maps View
The Maps view is the default one for the
Maps app. This is what will greet you
when you first load the app on your
Windows 10 PC. You can zoom in and
out of the map using either the + and –
buttons on the control panel on the right
of the window or by scrolling back and
forward with the scroll wheel on your
mouse (if you use one).

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Your Location Windows Ink Maps Settings

When you open the Maps app it will try Windows Ink allows you to write or draw The Maps app settings let you choose
to pinpoint your approximate location. on a map using the various pen tools the units of measurement used,
You may be asked to allow this location (including colours). You can also use depending on your preference and your
tracking to happen. Your location will the pen to trace a route and have Maps preferred defaults for directions and
then be show on the map as a small tell you the distance of the line drawn, location. This last option will be used if
black and grey circle. You can click or even the directions for the route the app can’t find you, by using location
on this to see more information, if you marked out. You can then save the services. You can also download maps
available, and then save the location customised map. It is really very clever for offline use or upload maps that have
as a favourite by clicking the star in the and fun to play around with. been saved elsewhere, that have been
pane that opens. shared with you perhaps.

Saved Places 3D Cities

The Saved Places pane contains all The 3D Cities button should be fairly
of your saved locations. These can be self-explanatory. Click the button to
anything from a favourite coffee shop to open the pane and you will see an
the street where you parked your car in alphabetical list of the cities with
a new city. To add places, search for a thumbnails that have been mapped in
location and select the star underneath 3D. Click the Country/Region heading
the correct one in the search results list. at the top to refine the list. Click on any
You then have the option to give the of the thumbnails to load the 3D map;
favourite a nickname or set it as Home loading time will vary, depending on your
or Work. Internet connection speed.

Rotate & Tilt

The small floating control panel on
the right of the Maps window contains
several useful tools for changing the
current view. The top two controls are
rotate and tilt, allowing you to either
rotate the map around the central point
or tilt the map to give you an isometric
view. You can easily centre your view on
your location again by clicking the third
icon down.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Navigating with
the Maps App
Boasting excellent mapping, great aerial photography, up-to-the-minute traffic and the ability to calculate
directions by public transport, road or foot, the Maps app is one of the very best ways to navigate. New additions
make the Maps app even more useful, with new ways to get directions and plan routes added in the latest update.

Moving Around in Maps

There are few controls in the Maps app but they allow you to do a lot of things very easily. Let’s take a look at how you move around in
the app.

1 The easiest way to move the map around is to left-click and drag 3 Clicking on things like Saved Places or 3D Cities in the top control
it and use the mouse wheel or trackpad slider to zoom in and out. bar, tabs will line up alongside the permanent Search and
This allows you to move the map around to focus on the area you need. Directions buttons at the top left of the window. You can then click on
If you are zoomed far out of the map, double-clicking the mouse zooms them at any time to see the information contained in each pane or tab.
in quickly.

2 Maps has a dedicated control panel on the side of the window 4 Right-clicking on the map brings up a small action menu. This lets
containing, from top to bottom: Rotate, hold pointer on it to see; you set a To location, a From location (for planning a route), add
Tilt, hold pointer over to see options; Show Location; Map Views/Layer; a new destination and drop a pin in a specific location. When you drop
and Zoom in and Zoom out. You can also tilt by holding the right mouse a pin, a new window opens allowing you to search for things at that
button and moving up and down. location, add favourites and more.

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Planning a Route
Maps is great just for checking out an area, looking around a city or just finding businesses local to you. It is also great for planning
detailed routes.

1 To start planning a route, click the Directions tab at the top left 4 The route is now shown on the map, with an estimated travel
of the Maps window. A small panel opens with boxes for your time readout above the destination. If alternative routes are
starting and ending location. You can either type a destination or you available, they are shown as a light blue line, with the main route shown
can choose one from the list that appears below the box when you click as a dark blue line. Points along the route are marked, usually where a
on it. change of direction is needed.

2 If you need to make detours or multiple stops along your route, 5 If you click Go in the directions pane, Maps switches to a
you can click the + button to add more destination boxes. Each satnav-style view and traces your route as you continue along it.
one can have a destination in it, making up your complete route. When This is more for portable devices such as phones and tablets that you
you view directions, each of the destinations you added is marked with could use for directions in a vehicle. Click the back button to return to
a relevant letter. the normal maps view.

3 Routes vary depending on whether you are driving, walking or 6 You can also plan a route by drawing it. Click the Ink button and
need to take public transport. You can quickly flick between these then the Directions tool in the menu that opens. Draw a line along
options using the buttons at the top of the directions pane. When you the route you wish to take and Maps refines that into a proper route
have your start and end points entered and travel method chosen, click along roads, missing dead-ends, etc. You can save or share the route just
Get Directions. as with any other.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Importing Photos
to Your PC
Importing your photos from a digital camera or phone on to your PC may seem like a very simple task to some but if
you have never done it before, you can encounter problems and have no idea how to get around them. Here we
take a look at importing photos from phone, tablet or camera, using a standard USB cable and tools already
included in Windows 10.

Importing to a Folder
Importing your photos or images directly to a folder on the desktop, or elsewhere, is the traditional method. It tends to be quicker but offers
fewer importing options.

1 The first thing you need to do to import photos directly from a 3 Normally, when you first plug a device in to your computer which
phone or camera is to connect the relevant cable to your PC. In contains storage of some sort, Windows will ask how you want to
almost all cases, this will be a USB cable of some sort. You will have handle the files in that storage. Scroll own the list to see ‘Open in a
been supplied a transfer cable with the device you are using. Plug this Folder’. In some cases, Explorer will open showing the connected device.
into a free USB port.

2 Plug the other end in to your phone or digital camera and wait a 4 Now click on the device storage: this may be Phone and Card on
few moments. Your PC should detect the device and may need to a smartphone and navigate to where the photos are stored. This
install some drivers to make the USB connection work. will normally be in a folder called DCIM on your phone or camera. You
can now simply cut and paste or drag and drop images to a new folder
on your PC.

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Importing to the Photos App

The Windows 10 Photos app is a great tool for importing photos from a phone, tablet or camera. It allows you to preview and individually
pick images more easily, and even sorts them.

1 Open the Photos app on your Windows 10 PC. Now connect your 4 By default, every image detected on your device will be selected
phone or camera to your computer using the relevant USB cable. for importing. If you want to import everything, click Continue. If
If you see the pop-up menu asking how you want to deal with the not, you can use the check boxes on the images to select those you
storage media you just connected, ignore it or click it closed. want to import; use the Clear All and Select All buttons as required.

2 The Photos app should have opened up with the Collections 5 You can now choose where the imported photos will be saved. By
screen showing. If not, click the tab at the top to open it now. Along default, this will probably be somewhere like C:\Users\
the top of the Collections tab are your controls: Refresh, Select, Slideshow YourName\Pictures. Click the ‘Change where they’re imported’ link to
and Import. Import is the only one you need to click at this point. do just that. You can also choose to import into folders arranged by
month or day.

3 The Photos app will now search for photos available to be 6 Click Import. Your image will now begin to appear in the Photos
imported. If your device is not connected properly, or the correct app window, within the Collections section. An album will also be
USB drivers are not installed, it will fail to find anything at this point. If created called Last Import. Click on one of the images shown to begin
you are transferring from a phone or tablet, you may also have to unlock editing or enhancing it with the tools Photos offers.
the screen to continue.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Working with
Photos and Images
The integrated Photos app was first introduced in Windows 8 but it wasn’t the best experience when compared to
most third party apps. In Windows 10 and again in the Anniversary update it has been much improved, with better
ways to browse photos and a lot more editing options and controls to make the most of the images on your PC.

Managing Your Images

The Photos app has seen some useful improvements over the last few years and is actually very powerful now. It doesn’t offer the flexibility
of an app like Photoshop Elements, but it does a lot of simple edits very well.

1 Photos shows all of your images in a scrolling timeline of images, 3 If you’re signed into Windows 10 with your Microsoft account,
like we’re now used to seeing on many smartphones or tablets. you’ll also be signed in automatically to the Photos app. The
This is called your photos Collection. You can click on any image to get a benefit of this is that photos stored on OneDrive also appear in Photos.
full-window view and then click the Back arrow in the top left corner to You can auto-upload photos from the OneDrive app for your phone as
return to the main list. you take them.

2 Albums is a completely automated feature. If you have an iPhone 4 Photos settings, click the More button at the top right, lets you
or iPad, you may have seen Apple’s Moments feature; this works in choose whether the Photos app atomically enhances badly
much the same way. Albums gathers together groups of photos you took exposed photos as well as whether you want the app to show
around the same time, so you can easily look back through them later. duplicate images as one file; say you saved a photo twice or imported
it twice without realising.

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5 You can also choose where Photos should look for images here. 8 You can also copy your photos and images into another app or
Your own Pictures folder, plus Windows’ public Photos folder are File Explorer window. To do this, select the photos you want,
automatically included; but it’s really useful to be able to change this if then click the Copy button in the toolbar (the old Ctrl-C keyboard
you store your images somewhere else, perhaps an external hard drive shortcut works too). You can then paste the photos wherever you want
you always use. on your computer.

6 Back to the Photos Collection. You’re now going to use the Select 9 To delete photos, select them as detailed previously and click
feature, found in the menu at the top right. This enables you to the Delete button in the Toolbar. You will see a pop-up to
select individual or multiple images. You’ll see the top menu bar has confirm you want to continue with the action. Deleted photos are
now changed, while each image has a tick box appear on it. Click it to moved to the recycle bin anyway, so you have a chance to retrieve
choose the images you want. photos deleted in error.

7 The Photos app allows you to do several things with your photos 10 The final tool in the Select toolbar is the Add to Album button.
and images. The first is to email them. Select the images you want This adds any images you have selected to either one of the
to send and click the Share button in the toolbar. The share options auto-created albums, or to an album you create for the purpose. Click
window will open, allowing you to choose how to share the images, ‘Create new album’ in the pop-up window, give it a name and then click
including Mail. ‘Create album’.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Drawing on Images
The Photos app in Windows 10 allows you to draw or write on top of your images, as long as you have installed the Anniversary update, and
then save them as a completely new file.

1 Open the Photos app and select your image (or double click an 3 The contextual menus allow you to change the colour and the
image to open it in Photos if that is the default app). Along the thickness of the pen or pencil tools. When you have picked a
top of the image are several buttons, click the Draw button to begin style, colour and size, you can begin to draw or write over the top of
editing your image. You will see a new set of buttons and controls your image. The drawing tool in Photos works best with a touchscreen
appear at the top. PC, of course.

2 From left to right, these buttons allow you to draw/write in pen 4 Once you have completed drawing or writing on your image, you
style, pencil style, calligraphy style, erase, switch out of touch can save it. If you want to retain the original image, change the
writing mode, save your file, share your file, and exit drawing mode. If name of the edited image in the save dialogue box before you finish. If you
you click on any button and see a small arrow, click again to open a click on Share, a list of sharing possibilities will appear to choose from.
contextual menu for it.

Editing Images
The image editing tools in the Photos app have been improved and added to in the Anniversary update, including the addition of preset
filters and effects.

1 Open your image in Photos and click on the Edit button at the top 2 Starting at the top of the editing toolbar, you have the crop and
right of the screen. If you had the Photos app running in full rotate button. Click this to see further options for managing the
screen, the image will be shrunk down slightly to fit the new toolbar, aspect of your image. You can choose a preset aspect ratio, or drag the
down the right of the editing window. handles at the corners to crop to a custom shape.

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 Working with Photos and Images

3 If you need to straighten the image, you can do so using the 6 The tools in the Adjust tab allow you to tweak the Light, Colour,
handle to the right of the photo. Click on this and move your Warmth and Clarity of an image. You can also use a slider to apply
mouse up or down to carefully rotate the image in small amounts. As a Vignette (lighten or darken the edges of an image). Just use the sliders
you do this, a grid appears to help you line up the photo. Click Finished to adjust any of these effects until you are happy with your image.
when done.

4 Moving down the main edit toolbar you will see the Enhance 7 At the bottom of the Adjust tab are Spot Fix and Red Eye tools.
button. You can click this to let the software make changes and Click Spot Fix and the cursor will change to a blue circle. Place this
improvements to the image automatically. You will see the image over the part of the image you want to fix and click. The software will try
change slightly, and you can then use the slider on the button to to match the location of dot to the scenery or colour around it, hopefully
increase or decrease those changes. removing it.

5 You can, of course, apply enhancements yourself. Below the 8 The Red Eye tool works in a similar way. Click the tool and move
auto-enhance button are the photo filters. Click on any of these to the circle cursor over the red part of your subject’s eye and zoom
see the changes applied to your image. You can apply a filter and then in if you need to. The tool will try to take the red out of the image and
adjust its effects by clicking on the Adjust tab at the top of the toolbar. match it to the surrounding colour. The results are usually very good.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Understanding the
OneDrive Interface
OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage or file hosting service, giving you the option to keep your files in a folder
which is accessible from more than just the computer or device on which they are initially saved. OneDrive was
previously known as SkyDrive or Windows Live Folders and although the name has changed, the basic service is
much the same.

OneDrive Tabs
Many of the standard Microsoft
Office tabs are here, allowing you to
quickly switch between different
toolbars. You can find tools for
saving, copying, pasting, changing
formatting, inserting images, tables
and other media and many others.
Everything you need to create,
manage and save your notes can
be found here.

OneDrive Folders
You can quickly see all of your
OneDrive folders whenever
the folder sidebar is shown in
a window. If the main folder is
the only one shown, you can
expand the view by clicking on
the arrow next to the title. If any
of the folders in OneDrive have
additional folders inside them,
you will see another arrow next
to that folder which allows you to
expand the view again.

Quick Access Folders

The sidebar on the left of the
OneDrive window shows your
standard Quick Access folders at
the top. You can use this panel to
quickly navigate to your local files,
ready to copy and paste them into
your OneDrive folder. The pins next
to some of the folders show that
they are pinned to appear in that
menu whenever it is shown. The
others may vary.

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ONEDRIVE FILE SECURITY

There are several ways we try to help keep your files safe in OneDrive. Your files aren’t
shared with other people unless you save them in the Public folder or choose to share
them. To help protect your OneDrive files from hardware failure, multiple copies of each
file are saved on different drives and servers. You can also use two-step verification. This
helps protect your account by requiring you to enter an extra security code whenever you
sign in on a device that isn’t trusted.

Toolbar Ribbon
The default Toolbar Ribbon selected is the Home
toolbar. This contains most of the common tools you
will need when creating and managing your notes.
You can customise the ribbon, and the quick toolbar,
by right-clicking on the ribbon and selecting
“Customise Ribbon”. You can minimise the ribbon, to
give yourself more page space, by right-clicking and
selecting “Collapse the Ribbon”.

Synced Folder
When your OneDrive folders have been synced to
the cloud (successfully stored online), the blue
rotating arrow symbol will change to a green
checkmark. You can manually resync files and
folders in the OneDrive folder by right-clicking on
them and selecting “Choose files to resync”. The
window that then appears also allows you to stop
certain folders from syncing if you wish.

OneDrive Contents
When you select the OneDrive folder in the sidebar,
some standard folders, along with any you have
created, will appear in the main window as normal.
The difference with the OneDrive folder is that it
backs up the files to the cloud, rather than just
storing them in a new location on your computer.
You can tell this is happening by the blue rotating
arrow symbol on each folder.

Folder View
You can quickly change how your OneDrive files
and folders are displayed, just as you can with any
other folder in Windows 10, by clicking the different
folder view buttons at the bottom right of the main
window. The Thumbnail view displays files as large
icons, allowing you to get an idea of the image etc.
without opening them. The Information view uses
smaller icons but displays file size, etc.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

How to Use
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage app. It can be used with various devices including Android and iOS as well as
Macs and with any system providing you can access a web browser. Windows 10 includes deep integration with
OneDrive and we’ll explain more below.

OneDrive in Windows 10
Here we’re going to show you how to use the integrated OneDrive app that’s pre-installed with Windows 10. It enables you to access your
files offline, which we will look at in more detail later, as well as giving you cloud storage.

1 OneDrive has its own app within Windows 10. It’s not an app like 3 What we’re going to do is to copy some images across to
the Universal apps that come from the Windows Store, but is OneDrive from our Pictures folder. Just select and drag them
instead classified as a desktop app. That’s because it runs in the across in the usual way. You can copy and paste them as well. Bear in
background in Windows. In fact, you’ll barely know it’s there most of the mind that, since the OneDrive folder is also on your PC, they will move
time. Let’s look at it in more detail. rather than duplicate by default.

2 In File Explorer, select OneDrive from the sidebar. You’ll probably 4 Here’s what our Pictures folder looks like after we’ve copied some
see a view that’s very similar to this with a folder for Documents, more files into our OneDrive folder. Fairly unremarkable you might
another for Pictures and a Get Started file. You don’t have to keep any of think. But what is actually happening now is that OneDrive is copying
this but it’s just there for starters and we’ll show you how to add more. them to the cloud via the OneDrive app that’s running in the
notifications area.

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5 Go to the OneDrive app in the notifications area and click for the 8 You’re also able to specify which folders OneDrive uses by
latest status. If all the files have copied (as ours just have, last default using the Choose Folders command. For example, you
modified 16 seconds ago) you’ll get the message that your OneDrive is may have a huge folder on your OneDrive (perhaps old files) that is
up-to-date. Large files will obviously take a while to upload, but it all pointless to have on your PC using up space. You can exempt it from
happens in the background. downloading offline.

6 The right-click menu of the OneDrive app enables you to go to 9 The Performance tab is a little bit of an odd one, as we can’t
OneDrive online (more on that overleaf) as well as upgrade access the setting, but you may be able to if you have a slow
your storage. You get 15GB for free, which should satisfy most needs. connection or if you often use mobile Internet. It essentially governs
You can upgrade to 100GB for just £1.99 per month or 200GB for £3.00 whether you want OneDrive to upload in batches. It’s faster but uses
per month. more Internet bandwidth.

7 Selecting Settings from the right-click menu takes you to this 10 If you need help with OneDrive, there is a link in the About
rather basic Settings window, which we’ll look at over the next few section of the desktop app which will take you to further online
steps. You can choose whether OneDrive starts up when your PC does as help. OneDrive can be a little mystifying as to how quickly it uploads
well as choose to unlink OneDrive from your PC – perhaps you want to files, so you can always visit OneDrive.com (see overleaf) to see if they
change the account you’re using or stop using OneDrive altogether. have uploaded!

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Using OneDrive Files

On-Demand
With Files On-Demand, you can access all your files in the cloud without having to download them and use storage
space on your device. All your files, even online-only files, can be seen in File Explorer and work just like every other
file on your device. 

Using Files On-Demand

1 First, make sure you are signed in to OneDrive on your computer. 3 You can now open your OneDrive folder to begin checking how
Right-click the white OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, your files are currently stored, and to change the status of any
at the far right of the taskbar. If you don’t see the OneDrive icon on the you want to move offline or online. You will see the files and folders
taskbar, click the ‘Show hidden icons’ arrow, also at the bottom right of on OneDrive now have symbols attached to them, showing you their
the screen. current status.

2 You should see a panel pop-up asking if you want to turn on Files 4 To mark a file or folder for offline use or as online-only, right-click
On-Demand. If so, click the blue button and wait whilst OneDrive on it and look in the action menu for ‘Always keep on this device’
sets this up. If you don’t see this panel, click Settings from the OneDrive or ‘Free up space’ depending on what you wish to do. If you mark a
action menu, click the Settings tab and then check ‘Save space and folder as ‘Always keep on this device’, new files in that folder are set as
download files…’. always available files.

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5 Sometimes you might want to make sure a folder doesn’t show 6 When you delete an online-only file from your device, you delete
up on a device for privacy reasons. In the OneDrive Activity Center, it from your OneDrive on all devices and online. You can restore
select the Settings gear. Next to the location where you want to choose deleted files and folders from your OneDrive recycle bin on the web for
folders, click Choose folders. Clear the check box next to the folder you up to 30 days. If you delete a locally available file, it also appears in your
want to keep off this device. device recycle bin.

On-Demand Files

Viewing Files When you turn on Files On-Demand, you see all Locally Available Files When you open an online-only file, it
your files in File Explorer and get new information downloads to your device and becomes
about each file. New files created online or on another device appear as a locally available file. You can open a locally available file anytime, even
online-only files, which don’t take up space on your device. When you’re without Internet access. If you need more space, you can change the file
connected to the Internet, you’ll be able to use the files like every other back to online-only.
file on your device.

Online-only Files Online-only files don’t take up space on your Always Available Files Only files that you mark as ‘Always keep
computer. You see a cloud icon for each on this device’ have the green circle with
online-only file in File Explorer but the file doesn’t download to your the white check mark. These files will always be available even when
device until you open it. You can only open online-only files when your you’re offline. They are downloaded to your device and take up space.
device is connected to the Internet.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Inside Microsoft
OneNote
OneNote is a great way of recording ideas, projects or creating to-do lists quickly. When you use OneNote on a
Windows PC, a taskbar tool allows you to quickly create notes from almost any source, at the click of a
button. OneNote is one of the least appreciated Office tools but once you begin to use it, it can quickly
become a daily essential.

OneNote Tabs
Many of the standard Microsoft
Office tabs are here, allowing you to
quickly switch between different
toolbars. You can find tools for
saving, copying, pasting, changing
format, inserting images, tables and
other media and many others.
Everything you need to create,
manage and save your notes can
be found here.

Notebooks
Each new notebook you create will
appear in the list here. You can
switch between notebooks easily
by clicking on the tabs at the side.
Clicking on the small downward
pointing arrow next to the
notebook title will show the
sections it contains, allowing you to
jump directly to a particular section
instead of main notebook.

Quick Notes Button

Quick Notes are designed to be
small notes, which are contained in
a separate notebook; you can
actually make the notes as large as
you wish. Just as with normal
notes, you can add text, images
and other media and also add
To-Do Lists, important notes and
questions, using the tools in the
Home Ribbon.

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ONENOTE AND OFFICE

OneNote is a member of the Office family you already know. Shape notes with points
pulled from Outlook email, or embed an Excel table. Get more done with all your
favourite Office apps working together. It’s easy to pull up your content from anywhere,
even if you’re offline. Start on your laptop then update notes on your phone. OneNote
works on any device or platform. You can even take handwritten notes and convert them
to typed text later. Highlight what’s important and express ideas with colours or shapes.

Toolbar Ribbon
The default Toolbar Ribbon selected is the Home
toolbar. This contains most of the common tools you
will need when creating and managing your notes.
You can customise the ribbon, and the quick toolbar,
by right-clicking on the ribbon and selecting
“Customise Ribbon”. You can minimise the ribbon, to
give yourself more page space, by right-clicking and
selecting “Collapse the Ribbon”.

Section Tabs
Each notebook can be made up of many sections
and each section can have many pages, see
“Notebook Pages”, meaning that your notes can be
incredibly large and detailed if you need them to be.
You can easily add sections by clicking the + tab at
the top of the main content section. Right-click on
any of the section tabs to see a contextual menu.

Notebook Pages
As mentioned elsewhere, you can add many pages
to each section of a notebook. You can add pages
by clicking on the Add Page button at the top of the
pages sidebar. If you want to reorder your pages
within the list, select the page, right-click on it again
and drag it down to the position you desire. The
page title will be taken when you fill the main title
box on the page.

Notebook Content
This is your main content area for notes. You can
type anything you like here and copy and paste text
from other sources (a website for example). Then
you can add images, tables, media files and much
more. Typing and formatting works in much the
same way as it does in all Microsoft Office tools, so
you can add headings etc. with ease.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

How to Use the

OneNote App
If you’re used to taking notes on Microsoft Word or Notepad then stop! You need OneNote. It’s a one-stop note-
taking shop and it synchronises everything to your Microsoft account, so you can view your notes on your phone or
on other PCs too.

How to Use OneNote

OneNote has a hierarchy of how it stores notes; notebooks are for your home, job or hobby and sections are sub-categories within that, like
file dividers. Then there are pages. Let’s take a deeper look at how these different tools work.

Sign In OneNote is a free app included with Windows 10, but it will Add Notes We’ve added images to these notes using the Picture
prompt you to get an Office 365 account when you first sign command in the toolbar and, as you can see in the
in. Dismiss this – you don’t need one for this app. However, if you want to previous step, there are handles to resize the image as well as editing
use Office 365, you will get the latest versions of the desktop Office apps. commands we can perform on the picture, such as cut and copy. Here
you’ll also see we’ve created more notes on the left.

Create a Note Notes are meant to be scribbled on and shared, Add Files As well as the aforementioned Picture command for
and are just thoughts. You don’t need to create a inserting images, you can also add in files using the
‘worthy’ document – they really are just digital notes. Here we’ve pasted Insert menu. And that’s not all – you’re able to add tables or web links as
some text in from a web page, and used the Bold and Underline well. You can see here that the file has been inserted right into the note.
commands to highlight some of the text.

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Draw It! Notes are for drawing on too, using the Draw menu. This Paragraph Marks As well as being able to draw on notes, you
is a fairly crass map, but you can see what’s possible, can also add some markings to various
especially if you had a touchscreen and a stylus. You can add text labels, paragraphs in your notes using this drop-down under the Home tab.
use a thick or thin pen and change the colour you want to use. It’s no This adds a symbol in the margin of your text to remind you to follow up
Paint, but it’s there. on things – so you might star an action point, for example.

Add Notebooks As well as the notebook you’re in, you can easily Rule Lines If you really do want to emulate a written notebook –
add more via the + icon on sidebar menu perhaps you really are using a touchscreen PC with a
accessed using the ≡ button in the top left. You can also search from this stylus – you can add several different types of rule lines to your notes.
menu, access settings and print, too. Remember you’d probably want a And if you’re intending to be even more creative, you can mark out a
notebook for home, one for work, one for hobbies and so on. grid too.

Add Sections You can also add sections to notebooks using the + Sync Settings The OneNote options are accessed via the
icon above the editing window. Here we’ve added pop-out sidebar. You can choose whether to sync
one for a particular work project and added some meeting notes. Notice your notebooks (we recommend ‘yes’) and files and images. You can
that a new tab has appeared. If you switch notebooks, you won’t see also disable touch input if you use a pen with OneNote on a
these tabs; you’d see some different ones. touchscreen, otherwise you’ll accidentally zoom in all the time.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Five Alternative
Ways to Take Notes
There are times when apps like LibreOffice or Microsoft Word can be overkill for taking quick notes or saving
snippets of text from websites or emails. There are several much simpler and quicker apps available which
allow you to save snippets of information, including screenshots or images, for Windows 10. There is no right or
wrong app to use, you just need to find the one that works for you and contains the features you need now and
in the future.

Evernote
Download From: www.evernote.com

Evernote is available across several platforms,

including mobile, and can be installed as a free
or premium version. The free version is actually
very powerful and a great place to start with note
taking apps.

3 Key Features:
• Easily save notes and synchronise them
• Clip web pages and images
• Find text in images
• Premium upgrade available
• Lots of well-designed features

OneNote
Download From: Preinstalled

OneNote is a member of the Office family, so if you

already use Office, it makes it easier to shape notes
with points pulled from Outlook email, or embed
an Excel table. Even without Office, OneNote is a
powerful note taking tool.

3 Key Features:
• Type, write or draw on a touchscreen
• Search and clip from the web to picture ideas
• Easily collaborate with work or school teams
• Works brilliantly with other Microsoft Apps
• Newly redesigned for the Creator update

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Simplenote
Download From: www.simplenote.com

If you just need a simple note taking tool, without as

many bells and whistles, then SimpleNote’s name says
it all. This light, clean and completely free software
keeps notes simple but includes several useful syncing
and organising tools.

3 Key Features:
• Instant searching and simple tagging tools
• Time travel. Slider to view earlier versions of notes
• Share, sync or publish your notes
• Extremely lightweight and easy to use
• Works like a simple Word document

Power Note
Download From: Windows Store

Power Note offers a pleasingly large amount of tools in

an easy-to-use interface and it’s completely free from
the Windows App Store. The design is not dissimilar
to the Notes app for iOS, with a default yellow pad for
typing on (although the colour can be changed).

3 Key Features:
• The ability to pin notes to the Start menu
• Easy sorting and colour-coding of notes
• Can be easily synced with other devices
• One of the best looking note apps
• New features being added regularly

Action Note
Download From: Windows Store

Action Note is possibly our favourite note-taking app of

all those mentioned here. It integrates beautifully with the
Action Center and gives you fast and intuitive access to all
of your notes, even those with attachments and photos.

3 Key Features:
• Allows for attachments, even in Action Center
• Multi-language support built in to the app
• Lets you turn notes into Live tiles in the Start menu
• Looks like it’s part of Windows 10
• Simple but very well thought out

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Installing
Alternative Browsers
The Edge browser is a great tool for surfing the Internet but it isn’t perfect and it certainly isn’t as feature-rich as
some of the more established web browsers available; but just because Edge comes preinstalled with Windows 10,
that doesn’t mean you can’t install a second browser to use instead.

Browser Choice
There are dozens of different browsers available, from the market leaders such as Chrome and Firefox, to more specialised offerings which
focus on security or speed.

Chrome Google Chrome is a freeware web browser developed by Opera Opera is a web browser developed by Opera Software. The
Google. It was first released in 2008 for Windows and was latest version is available for Microsoft Windows, macOS
later ported to most other platforms. As of September 2016, StatCounter and Linux. Opera includes built-in tabbed browsing, a bookmarks bar,
estimates that Chrome has a 62 per cent worldwide usage share of add-ons and a download manager. Opera Speed Dial allows users to
desktop web browsers. add an unlimited number of pages shown in thumbnail form.

Firefox Firefox, or Mozilla Firefox, has consistently been one of the Torch If you really fancy something different, Torch is definitely
fastest browsers around since its launch more than 10 niche. Torch is a Chromium-based web browser and
years ago. Features include tabbed browsing, spell checking, Internet suite developed by Torch Media. Torch handles common
incremental find, live bookmarking, Smart Bookmarks, a download Internet related tasks such as displaying media, sharing websites via
manager, private browsing and location aware browsing. social networks, accelerating downloads all directly from the browser.

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Installing a Browser
Installing an alternative browser is very easy once you have decided which one to go for. Let’s take a quick look at the process of installing
Google Chrome.

1 To install Chrome for your user account, the first thing you need 4 Signing in to Chrome connects your Google account to your
to do is download the installer file from https://www.google. browser for a more personalised browsing experience. All your
com/chrome/browser/desktop/index.html. Just click the big blue Chrome data, like your bookmarks, history, passwords and other settings,
button and wait for the installation to finish. is synced to your Google account and available on any device where you
sign in to Chrome.

2 When prompted at the bottom of the browser windows (where 5 Most of the mainstream browsers offer some sort of account, so
download progress is shown), click Run or Save. If you chose Save, your information is saved, although few do this quite as
double-click the installer file to start the installation process. Follow the thoroughly as Google Chrome. If you don’t want to sync everything, you
steps shown on screen to complete this part of the process. can also select which types of Chrome data you do.

3 If you have used Chrome in the past, on a previous PC or before you 6 You can customise Google Chrome to open any page for the
installed Windows 10, you should have a Google account. Use this homepage or start-up page. Your start-up page is the one that
to sign in and Chrome will import all of your previous bookmarks, settings shows when you first launch Chrome on your computer. Your homepage
and extensions. Click Settings > Sign in to Chrome. is the one you go to when you click Home. Head into Settings and look
for the relevant section.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Exploring GIMP on
a Windows 10 PC
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a multi-platform, completely free, extremely powerful image editing
suite. It is perfect for photo retouching, image composition and image authoring and also advanced enough to
allow the creation of impressive original artwork. The software provides further extensibility through integration
with several key programming languages, including Scheme, Perl and Python.

Main Toolbox
If you have used any image editing
software before, such as Photoshop, you
should recognise at least some of the tools
here. The Main Toolbox contains a set of
icon buttons used to select tools. By
default, it also contains the foreground and
background colours. You can add brush,
pattern, gradient and active image icons in
the toolbox preferences.

Image Window
This is your main working area, the Image
Window. Each image open in GIMP is
displayed in a separate window. Many images
can be open at the same time, limited by only
the system resources. Before you can do
anything useful in GIMP, you need to have at
least one image window open.

Tool Options
When you select a tool from the Main Toolbox,
tool options will be displayed below it (if any
further tool options are available). In the
image here, the tool options for the selected
Zoom tool are slightly hidden behind a floating
tool window.

Floating Tool Windows

Certain tools will open in a floating window,
rather than in the docks. Here you can see
that the Sharpen filter window is open. You
can have several filter windows open at the
same time, although too many might affect
system performance.

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SINGLE OR MULTI-WINDOW MODE

When you open GIMP for the first time, it opens in multi-window
mode by default. You can enable single-window mode through
Windows > Single-Window Mode in the image menu bar. After
quitting GIMP with this option enabled, GIMP will start in
single-window mode next time. Here we are in multi-window mode.

GIMP Tool Tabs

If you have used any image editing software,
or even things like Microsoft Word, you
should be fairly familiar with the tabs running
along the top of the main window. The tabs
here give you access to every tool, option
and setting in GIMP, from File options to Help
files. It is worth taking the time to explore
these tabs when you first start using the
software, to help navigation later.

Multi-column Docks
This window can display a variety of different
tools and information, including Layers,
Channels, Paths and the Undo History. By
default, this will be a single column window
but you can add a second column (to house
more panels) in Windows > Dockable Dialogs.

Status Area
The Status Area is at the bottom of the
image window. By default, the Status Area
displays the original name of the image.xcf
file and the amount of system memory used
by the image. You can customise what
information is displayed here in the Image
Window preferences.

Navigation Control
The Navigation control is a small cross-shaped
button at the lower right corner of the image
display. Click and hold on the navigation
control to display the Navigation Preview to
display a miniature view of the image. Move
your mouse to move the image around the
Image Window.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Create Presentations
with Sway
Sway is a new app from Microsoft Office that makes it easy to create and share interactive reports, personal stories
and presentations. Its built-in design engine takes care of making your creation look its best. If the initial design
doesn’t quite match your taste or mood, you can easily apply another.

Sway Presentations
You can create a Sway presentation or storyline from the new Windows 10 app or you can visit www.sway.com and use the same tools
in a browser.

1 The Storyline is where you type, insert, edit and format the 3 To add basic content to your Sway, such as text and images, click
content that tells your story. Content is arranged in sequential or tap the + icon in the bottom left corner of any existing card and
order by adding cards, each of which holds the type of content you then choose the type of content you want to add. To see all options,
want, including text, images, videos and even Office documents. Cards click Cards on the top menu bar. You can also drag and drop content
can be reordered at any time. right onto your Storyline.

2 So let’s get started building a story/presentation. Click the ‘Title 4 Each time you want to add a new card, click the + button at
your Sway’ placeholder text shown in the first card on the the bottom of the previous card. You can also group two or
Storyline and then type a short description of what your Sway is about. more cards together into one. Click and drag a card on top of another
When you share your finished Sway later, this title will be the first thing and a new menu will appear that lets you choose how the combined
that others will see. cards are displayed.

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5 You can easily search for and add additional content to your 8 You can also adjust a specific part of the currently applied theme,
Sway, such as an image that is stored on your computer. You can such as colour, font choices and the emphasis of animation by
also search the web for relevant content. On the top menu bar, click clicking the ‘Customise’ button in the Design pane. This gives you
Insert, select your preferred content source and then enter any search complete control over how the finished presentation looks, without
keyword into the Search box. making things too tricky.

6 Sometimes it is difficult to know how a Sway will look during its 9 If you want to control how others will view and navigate your
creation, so the app includes a handy preview panel. Click the Sway once you’ve shared it, click the ‘Layout’ button on the top
left-facing arrow in the top right corner of the Sway workspace. Click menu bar and then select whether your content should scroll vertically,
once for a mini preview and twice for a full preview. Click the right-facing horizontally or appear like a presentation.
arrow to close it.

7 To choose a design for your Sway, click ‘Design’ on the top menu 10 Ready to share your Sway with the world or perhaps just with
bar and then select the theme you want. To choose a random look selected people? Click the ‘Share’ button on the top menu bar
and mood for your Sway at any time, click the ‘Remix!’ button on the top and then select how you want to share your Sway. Your choices on this
menu bar until you find a design that suits your taste. menu depend on the type of account that you used to sign in to Sway.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Using the
Phone Companion
The Phone Companion app allows you to connect and sync your phone to your Windows 10 computer more easily.
With a Windows phone, there’s nothing extra needed. But for an Android phone or iPhone, to make it work seamlessly
in conjunction with your Windows 10 PC, you need to follow a few steps to get the right apps on your phone.

Setting Up Phone Companion

Before you get started, you will need to make sure that you’re logged into your machine using a verified Microsoft Live account, and that you
have your Android or iOS device on hand.

1 If, for some reason, you do not already have Phone Companion 3 Connect the device to your PC using a USB data cable (the
installed on your Windows 10 PC, you can download it from charging cable that came with your phone). After a few seconds
the Store for free. To open Phone Companion, click the Start button when the phone connects to the computer, a hidden tab will appear at
and then select Phone Companion from the apps list; or type phone the bottom of the Phone Companion window labelled Show. 
companion in the search box.

2 When you run Phone Companion for the first time, you see a 4 If you click on the Show link at the bottom of the screen, it reveals
simple screen with the top three mobile operating systems. To more details about your device, such as the amount of storage
get started, click your desired mobile OS. In this example, we are using used, with links to import photos, videos and files using File Explorer. If
Android but the process is almost identical for iOS. Windows phones you are using a Windows phone, you will also see additional info, such
have slightly more features available. as battery life remaining.

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5 You’re also able to get a link to those items (or anything else). This 7 OneDrive apps are available for numerous devices including
is really useful for sharing a folder of pictures on social media, Windows Phones, iOS and Android. Here we’re just about to install
over a messaging app like Skype or in an additional email. Sharing the Android app from the Google Play Store on an Android handset. The
something just sends a copy – it doesn’t affect your files in any way. OneDrive app can be configured to automatically back up your phone
photos to OneDrive, while you can access and share your files.

6 If you click into one of the images you’ve got stored on OneDrive 8 Going to Options enables you to configure various aspects of your
you’ll be shown this lightbox-style preview of it. OneDrive is great OneDrive, such as which devices are connected to your account
for previewing (and sharing) photos. As you can see from the controls at or what notifications you receive. Here we’re looking at the amount of
the top of the browser window here, you can add it to an album or play storage we have for our account, which is 30GB (15GB is the default).
an image slideshow.

OFFICE ON ANDROID
The Microsoft Office Mobile apps have the familiar look and feel of Office maintain the same formatting across your PC and mobile devices and
with an intuitive touch experience designed for Android phones and you can easily share your documents with others by just emailing an
tablets. They are completely free to use on Android, allowing you to attachment or a hyperlink. You can install the Microsoft apps using the
view, edit and create documents on the go; and get quick access to your Phone Companion app for Windows 10, which is explained above, or
files in the cloud whenever you need them. Your Office documents you can simply go into the Play Store and search for the apps you want.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Using the New

Night Light Mode
Most screens give off blue light, which is known to activate our brains and keep us awake. It can also cause tired or
sore eyes. The latest version of Windows 10 (the recent Creators Update) has added a Night Light mode to the
settings. This setting, when enabled, will take much of the blue light out of the monitor.

Set Up and Use Night Light

There are a couple of different ways you can use Night Light mode and a few settings that can be used to make it perfect for your display
and personal preference.

1 To turn Night Light on, head in to Settings > System > Display. At 3 Click Night Light Settings and then Turn on now, if you just want
the top of the display settings you will see the Night Light slider the feature activated. Alternatively, you can set a schedule, so
switch and you can simply click the slider to turn Night Light on as you that your device switches to Night Light mode at the same time each
need it. If you don’t see it, you will need to check that you have updated evening. Click ‘Schedule night light’ and choose the on and off times
Windows 10 with the Creators update. using the clock interface.

2 As soon as you click the slider you see the screen change. Some 4 You can also alter the colour temperature of the display change
of the blue light is stripped out and the colour shifts towards the when Night Light is activated. Some displays may respond better
red spectrum. If you don’t see a change, it may be that the feature is to the default change than others, so if you think you need more blue
configured to activate during certain set hours (between 19:00 and 7:00, light blocked out (or less), use the colour slider to change the amount
for example). until it suits you.

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 Using the New Night Light Mode/Using the Dynamic Lock Security Tool

Using the Dynamic Lock

Security Tool
The Creators update for Windows 10 introduces several new tools and features, including Dynamic Lock. This
allows you to have more control over the security of your Windows device, with even less effort. It is designed to
detect a trusted device nearby and lock and unlock the computer as it moves away or comes close.

Setting Up Dynamic Lock

Dynamic Lock works by sensing the proximity of a paired device, such as the smartphone you have in your pocket. In this example, the first
thing we need to do is pair with our phone. Pairing with other Bluetooth devices will be almost exactly the same as shown here.

1 Dynamic Lock will only work if your PC has Bluetooth connectivity. 3 Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options and scroll down to
This usually means a laptop, which makes sense as these more see the Dynamic Lock section. Check the box that says ‘Allow
portable devices are more in need of security measures. Open Settings > Windows to detect when you are away and automatically lock the
Devices > Bluetooth & Other devices. Turn Bluetooth on using the slider device’. Hopefully, assuming Bluetooth is working, that is all you need to
switch and do this on your phone as well. do to start using the feature.

2 Once you see the phone listed under available devices, select it 4 Dynamic Lock does have some limitations at the moment,
and pair to it. If you can’t see your device listed, you may need to although these might be ironed out. The lock will not kick in until
update your USB drivers for your PC: look for Bluetooth USB Module in 30 seconds after it detects the Bluetooth signal has moved away, and if
Device Manager. Once paired successfully, you are ready to begin setting someone jumps on your computer within that time and starts to use it,
up and using Dynamic lock. it doesn’t activate at all.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Creating Web
Apps with Chrome
Modern browsers allow you to create web apps, give them their own place on your taskbar and even run offline and
in the background. Chrome is one such browser, letting users create web apps that can replace desktop apps for
everything from email to playing videos.

Chrome Web Apps

Chrome isn’t the only browser that lets you create Web Apps for use in Windows 10 but it is the one that offers the best results in most cases.
It is worth remembering that not all sites make for good apps.

1 Your first steps should be to install Chrome (if not already done) 3 Once you have the website that you wish to turn into an app open
and make sure that it is fully updated. Check your copy of in your Chrome browser, click on the fly out menu in the top right
Windows 10 is also up to date. You then need to choose a website to hand corner of the browser; that’s the three horizontal lines icon. From
turn into a Web App. You can choose any website but some work better the drop-down menu, choose More Tools > Add to Desktop.
as an app than others.

2 Websites that work well as a Web App include but are not limited 4 Previously, you could add the site directly to the taskbar but
to: Gmail, Facebook, Google Hangouts, YouTube, Twitter and Chrome now makes you add it to the Desktop first. You can
Google News. For this guide, we will use both Gmail and Facebook but rename your Web App link here, although sticking to the original name
feel free to experiment with your most used sites. is usually less confusing. Some websites won’t auto fill the name field, so
be sure to check.

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 Creating Web Apps with Chrome

5 The most important part of this process is to check the box below 8 You can then easily right-click the app in the Recently Added
the icon and title labelled as ‘Open as window’. If you don’t do menu and add it as a tile to the main Start menu panel. You might
this, you will simply create a browser shortcut to the site, rather than a want to do this after creating each Web App, as Windows 10 only allows
proper Web App. With the checkbox filled, click Add to finish this step. you to have one app in the Recent menu at one time.

6 The shortcut to the Web App will now be on your desktop. To add 9 If you lose track of your Web Apps, you can view them in the
it to your taskbar, do so in the normal way. If your memory needs following location in Windows Explorer: C:\Users\[Your User
jogging, you do this by right-clicking and selecting ‘Pin to taskbar’ from Name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Startmenu\Programs\
the contextual menu. You can then delete the desktop icon. Chrome Apps; or right-click on a web app in your Start menu and ‘Open
file location’.

7 The app will also now appear in your main app list in the Start 10 Finally, go to the location of the apps in Windows Explorer and
menu; but for it to do so, you need to enable Recently added in right-click on the one you want to change. Choose Properties
the Start menu. This can be done in your Windows settings > right at the very bottom, and choose the Shortcut tab. The Change Icon
Personalisation > Start > Show recently added apps > On. button is here, as well as the option to add a shortcut key to open the
Web App instantly.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Changing File Associations

and Protocols
Windows 10 comes with its own default set of associations that open specific file types. A file association controls
which apps or programs are set to open which types of files. If you’re not happy with the default associations and
want to choose your own, it’s easy to do.

Default Programs and Protocols

The ability to change the default apps and programs that Windows 10 uses goes a long way to helping you take full control of your PC and
the system software.

1 Click on the search bar on the left of the taskbar and type “default 3 Below the description, you will see two options: Set this program
programs”. You can also navigate to this settings tool by opening as default and Choose defaults for this program. The amount of
the All Apps list, scrolling down to W and clicking Windows System > default file associations are also shown. Click ‘Set this program as
Default Programs. Either way, open the tool on screen. default’ first.

2 A list of apps already associated with various functions will 4 Next, click on the ‘Choose default apps by file type’ option to see
appear. Click on any of these to see alternative options. The a list of all the file types that can be associated with your
options shown will vary depending on the apps you have installed at currently installed apps. These are the types of files which will
this time. If a function has no apps associated with it, you can click ‘Look automatically open in that app when clicked. Anywhere a + is shown, is
for app in the Store’. without a default app.

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 Changing File Associations and Protocols

5 You can also choose default apps based on protocols. This 7 You now have two options: Setting the app as default for any and
generally means that typing or accessing a certain URL will trigger all files or protocols it can open, or choosing individual defaults
the app to open, rather than a webpage. For example, if MAILTO is the app will use. Clicking the first results in an instant change, clicking
detected by the browser, our default email client (Thunderbird) will the second will show you a list of current defaults for that app, allowing
launch to handle the request. you to choose.

6 Finally, you have the ability to set defaults by app, rather than 8 If you run into problems after changing protocols and defaults,
choosing apps to go with certain files or actions. Click ‘Set you can easily reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults with
defaults by app’ at the bottom of the screen. A new window will open, a click of the button on the Default Programs screen. This may mean
displaying a list of apps on the left. Click on any app you want to change that you have to go back through your list and change some settings but
the defaults for. it can be a useful fix.

Running Services
Being able to check which Windows Services are running at any particular time is also a useful option, as it can help to diagnose
performance or stability issues

1 The easiest way to get to the Services panel is by going through 2 Click the ‘Services and Applications’ option in the left-hand panel
the Power User menu. Right-click on the Start menu button on of the window that opens. Then click ‘Services’ to show the full
the far left of the taskbar and select ‘Computer Management’ from the list. The list will be large but not all services will be running at any one
menu that pops up; this is the Power User or Win-X menu. time. Click on any to see more details, including management option,
for that service.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Move or Install Apps

to a Different Drive
Windows 10 makes it easier than ever to control where your downloaded apps and software is installed. There is
now no reason to worry about moving all your apps to another internal drive, or even to a removable USB flash
drive, in the event that you need to create space on your main hard drive. With just a few clicks of your mouse, you
can move apps around to whichever storage area suits you best.

Change Where Apps are Installed

Not every user realises that apps can be installed on the hard drive of their choice, not just the one preselected by the Windows 10 OS.
Knowing this is useful for general Windows 10 maintenance.

1 By default, apps you install will be saved to the main partition 3 Click on ‘Change where new content is saved’ and a new list will
of the hard drive (usually the C drive). However, you can choose open. Here you can see exactly where apps, documents, music,
to save them to any other connected drive, both internal and even photos, videos and more are saved by default (unless this has been
removable external hard drives (including USB flash drives). changed previously). Each of the listed items will have a drop-down
menu below it.

2 In the newer versions of Windows 10, this is a reasonably easy 4 Click the drop-down menu below Apps and choose the new drive
thing to do. Open the main Settings and click on System. Here or partition you want apps to be saved to. This only changes
you will see a whole list of useful sections, but the one you need to open where apps (from the Store) installed after this moment are installed.
is the Storage section. This will show a visual representation of your Previously installed apps will still be saved on to the drive that was set
storage drives as a whole. when they were added.

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 Move or Install Apps to a Different Drive

Move Installed Apps

If you have a lot of apps installed, moving them to a different drive can be one of the easiest ways to free up space on your main storage
volume. Be aware that not all apps can be moved.

1 You can move already installed apps, if you like. There’s no limit to 3 You may see a Modify button instead of the Move button. This
the number of different drives you can store apps on. This allows means the app is a traditional desktop app, and you can’t move
you to make the most of the storage space you have available. To do it. If you see a Move button, but it is greyed out, this is a Microsoft system
this, head to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Click an app and click app and also cannot be moved. You can only move apps installed from
the Move button. the Windows Store.

2 You will then be shown where the app is currently installed and 4 If you move or install apps to an external drive, the apps will cease
will be asked to choose another drive for the app to be saved on to work if the drive is unplugged. This is why you cannot move
to. Drives are listed in a drop-down menu, with their drive letter shown Microsoft system apps to a different drive. Apps that you need to have
to make picking the right one easier. Click Move again when you are always available should be left in the main system hard drive partition.
happy with your choice.

Removing Apps and Software

There are two different ways to remove apps and other software from your Windows 10 computer, but both options may not be available in
every instance, so it is useful to understand each.

Remove in Settings In Windows 10, the easiest way to remove Remove in Control Panel On the Start  menu, enter Control
apps or other software is in Settings. Open Panel in the search box and
settings and select Apps. Select the program and then select Uninstall. select Control Panel from the results. Select Programs > Programs and
Follow the instructions on the screen. Be aware that some apps built Features, and then select the program. To fix the program, select Repair or,
into Windows can’t be uninstalled. if that’s not available, Change. To remove the program, select Uninstall.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Back Up with a
Recovery Drive
A recovery drive is one of the best ways to ensure that you don’t lose everything on your computer in the event of a
critical malfunction. It can help you both troubleshoot and fix problems, even if the PC won’t start as it normally would.
All you need is a blank, formatted USB flash drive (sometimes called a thumb drive) and this step-by-step guide.

Creating the Recovery Drive

Creating a recovery drive is a relatively simple process, although it takes a bit of time, but one which could save a lot of frustration in
the future.

1 The first thing you need to do is find a USB drive that is large 3 Your USB drive needs to be wiped of everything currently on it
enough and then make sure it is ready to be used. The USB drive you before the recovery drive is created. You can do this during the
decide to use won’t be able to be used for anything else like storing other set up process later or you can format it yourself right now: a useful
files, etc. so make sure it is a spare, or bought specifically for the task. thing to know how to do. Insert your USB drive into a free USB slot on
in your computer.

2 A basic Windows 10 recovery file will be less than 500MB but if you 4 Open the File Explorer on your computer and you should see the
choose to include system files in the backup (recommended), so USB flash drive listed in the sidebar. It will probably be labelled as
you can use it to reinstall Windows, you will need much more space. A the (E:) or (F:) drive. Right-click on the drive label and select Format from
basic recovery drive can be as small as 1GB but a full recovery drive the action menu. Leave the settings as default (should be FAT32) and
needs to be at least 8GB. then click Start.

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 Back Up with a Recovery Drive

5 You should now be ready to create your recovery drive. In the 8 Click Create on the next screen and the process will begin. This
search field, type “Recovery Drive” and select the Create a may take a while to complete, so go make a coffee and leave it to
Recovery Drive result. In newer versions of Windows 10, you might also run. A progress bar shows how far along it is, should you need to check.
be able to find the Recovery Drive in the main apps list, opened by Do not remove the USB drive, or turn off your computer, before the
clicking the Start menu button. process finishes.

6 Allow the software to “make changes to this PC” and the setup 9 When the process is complete, you should be prompted to delete
wizard will open. This first screen is where you choose whether you the recovery partition on your PC, to save some space; as long
want to back up system files with the recovery drive, so you can use it to as you plan to keep your recovery drive, this is safe to do. If you are not
reinstall Windows 10. If you do, tick the checkbox and then click Next. sure, you can leave the recovery partition in place; it can be deleted at a
later date if you wish.

7 After a few moments, you will be asked to select the USB flash 10 If you did not already have a recovery partition on your
drive you wish to use. If you only have one USB drive inserted, it computer, you won’t see this step. You will simply be informed
will be the only one shown and will be automatically selected. You are that the recovery drive is ready, and to click Finish. Remove the USB
reminded again how much storage space the drive needs, and that all drive from your computer and put it somewhere safe. It is a good idea to
existing data will be wiped. label the drive so it is not reused.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

How to Update
Windows 10
Keeping your Windows 10 computer up to date is important for many reasons. First, major updates, such as the
Anniversary update, will add major new features that you shouldn’t miss out on. Second, all updates are there for a
reason, usually to fix problems, close security holes and add improvements.

Checking for Updates

If you think that your PC needs to be updated, you don’t need to wait for the automatic update process to kick in. You can quite easily check
for updates yourself.

1 You can find the Windows 10 update information in the main 3 Any available updates will now display at the top of the window
settings app. Tap the Windows key or click the start menu and the Check button will change to an Install button. You can
button and then select the Settings icon from the side of the menu. install the updates straight away, but you will need to restart your PC
Click the “Updates & Security” heading in the menu to open the after the install is complete, or you can reschedule to a more
relevant settings screen. convenient time.

2 At the top of the window you should immediately see a message 4 If you want to check which updates have been installed,
telling you whether Windows 10 is up to date or if updates are perhaps if you need to confirm a security update for work, you
currently available. Directly below this message is a button labelled can easily do so by clicking the “Update History” link directly below
“Check for updates”. Even if the message says up to date, it is worth the check for updates button. Updates are displayed, with more info
clicking this button. available by clicking.

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 How to Update Windows 10

Windows Update Settings

There are several additional and advanced options available which can make the whole update process quicker, easier and more efficient,
which is always a good thing.

Active Hours By setting your active hours, you can tell your Automatic Setup Some updates require you to restart your PC
computer when you will most likely be using it. If and sign in to Windows in order to finish
you have updates set to automatically install and restart, they will only installing the update. Windows 10 can help prevent this from happening
do so outside of your active hours. Useful for ensuring updates don’t by allowing Windows to use your sign in info to create a special token.
lose you school or office work. Go to Advanced update options > Use my sign-in info...

Custom Restart Time When a restart is scheduled, this option Uninstall Updates If for some reason you need to uninstall a
is available to temporarily override particular update, perhaps the update is
active hours and schedule a custom time to finish installing the current causing some software to not behave properly, you can do so fairly
update. You will still need to make sure your device is plugged in at the easily. From the Updates windows, click Update History > Uninstall
scheduled time. Updates and use the interface to remove the update.

Update Delivery You can choose how Windows updates are Windows Insider As a beginner, you probably aren’t too worried
delivered in the Advanced Options. Windows about seeing updates before they are released
Update Delivery Optimisation lets you get Windows updates and to the general public but this is exactly what the Windows Insider
Windows Store apps from sources in addition to Microsoft. This can help program lets you do. By joining the Insider program, you are potentially
you get updates and apps more quickly. helping in the development of Windows 10 and beyond.

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Exploring the
Groove Music App
Microsoft Groove Music is brand new for Windows 10. It plays your music collection and lets you make and listen to
playlists. Add your MP3s to OneDrive and you can use the Groove Music app to play your songs on other devices as
well – PCs, tablets, Windows Phone and Xbox – for free.

Music Search
You can use the music search bar to
quickly find specific tracks or albums
on your computer. As you search,
suggestions will appear below the
search box. When results are shown,
you can play the song or album directly
from the results. You can also search on
the Music Store for the same term.

Music Menu
Your music collection is organised into
sections, including Artist, Album and
Songs. You can view your collection via
any of these headings by clicking the
links. The Now Playing option, as the
name suggests, shows you the current
song or album in the music player.

New Playlist
You can create a playlist of any music
currently on your computer. Click
the New Playlist button and give
your playlist a name. This will then
be listed under the “New Playlist”
button. To add songs to your playlist,
right-click on one and select “Add to”
and choose your playlist.

Music Store
The Music Store can be accessed
directly from the Groove Music app.
For a low monthly fee, Groove Music
Pass lets you stream and download
music from one of the biggest music
catalogues on the planet. Custom radio
stations play hours of music based on
your favourite artists.

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 Exploring the Groove Music App

GROOVE MUSIC SETTINGS

Along with options for setting up a Groove Music Pass and
some basic customisation options, the Groove Music settings allow
you to change where it looks for music on your computer and also
lets you import iTunes playlists in a few simple steps.

Pinning Music
The Groove Music app allows you
to pin specific songs or albums to
the Start menu, making playing your
favourite music quicker and easier. To
pin a song, search or navigate to it and
then right-click on the name. From the
contextual menu, select “Pin to Start”.

Groove Radio
Once you have a Groove Music account,
a new option will appear in the music
menu: Groove Radio. As with the other
platforms’ music services, you can start a
radio station of music similar to an artist,
song, or album you select. Once you
start a station, the related music plays.

Track Listing
All of the music in a particular
category (Albums, Artists, etc.,) is
shown in the main screen when the
category is selected. You can filter the
listed music and change how the list is
displayed using the controls along the
top of the list. Double-click any song
to start it playing.

Music Controls
When a song is selected in the track
listing screen, the Music Controls along
the bottom of the screen become
usable. As well as a progress bar, skip
forward/backward, play, volume, shuffle
and repeat buttons are available. The
title of the currently playing song will
also be displayed.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Understanding
the Gaming Tools
The Creators update to Windows 10 has added to or improved the existing tools for gamers. Tools include a DVR and
a new way to broadcast your games over the Internet, whilst the updated Game bar makes recording or sharing
your gaming achievements easy. The gaming tools and the Xbox app are now also more closely linked.

The Game Bar

The Game bar is the main game tool controller, allowing you to perform certain actions whilst other programs (games and other software)
are running.

1 Before you can access the Game bar and the gaming tools, you 3 The Game bar itself includes buttons to open the Xbox app, take
may need to activate it in the main settings and of course, you will a screenshot of the program or game you are currently using,
need to make sure that you have installed the Creators update. Click on record the last few moments of gameplay to make a game clip, stop and
Gaming and the Game bar settings should be displayed. Use the slider start recording the game on screen, open gamer settings and move the
to turn it on. Game bar.

2 There are a couple of additional options for the Game bar, 4 Game bar won’t appear for some PC games in full-screen mode.
including the ability to open it using the middle button of an To start and stop recordings without using the Game bar, use the
Xbox controller connected to your PC. You can also choose to change keyboard shortcut Windows logo key+Alt+R to start and stop recording.
the keyboard shortcut that is used to open the Game bar: the default is The screen will flash to indicate the start and end of recording.
Windows Key + G.

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 Understanding the Gaming Tools

Explore Game Bar Tools

Here’s a look at the Gaming tools in Windows 10 in a bit more detail, including the ability to beam your gameplay to others to watch online.

The Xbox Button The Xbox button launches the Xbox App, which Game DVR The Game DVR lets you record game clips and
alternates with your gamer pic. The Xbox app screenshots of the games you play. To start taking
lets you link your Windows 10 pc to your Xbox account on your Microsoft screenshots and making game clips, press the Windows logo key+G to
console (Xbox One), and share things like gamer achievements and open the Game bar. Find the game clips and screenshots you made with
contacts between the two. Game DVR at Xbox app > Game DVR > On this PC.

Screenshot The camera icon is the screenshot button. Clicking Broadcast Mixer broadcasting makes it easy to stream your
this (or using the shortcut Windows + Alt + Print gameplay and let viewers watch and interact with you
Screen) will take a still image of the contents of your screen. This will in real-time. Use the Game bar to broadcast to www.mixer.com on your
work if you are playing a game, or even if you simply want to grab a Windows 10 PC. Some games must be broadcasted in desktop mode, so
record of something on your Windows 10 desktop. if you’re having trouble broadcasting your game, try that.

Record That The Record that button turns the most recent Game Bar Settings Game bar settings are split into three
few moments of gameplay into a game clip when categories: General, Audio and Broadcast.
background recording is turned on. You will need to activate this feature These are not the same settings you will find in the Gaming section of the
before you can control it from the Game bar. To turn it on, go to Game Windows settings, so if you can’t find something there, look here. Next to
bar > Settings > Record game in the background. the settings button is the handle for moving the Game bar around.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Exploring Skype
in Windows 10
Skype is a great way of keeping in contact with friends and family in faraway places, without running up huge
phone bills. It allows you to phone, video chat and instant message, all from within the same easy-to-use interface.
It can even be installed on a mobile device so you never miss a Skype call whilst away from your PC. Skype has seen
a recent update, bringing the style more in line with other Windows 10 apps. Let’s take a look at the Skype interface.

Skype Controls

Most of the Skype controls are now

arranged along the left-hand edge.
From top to bottom: Recent
conversations, Contacts, Bots, Help,
Settings and Account info. The default
view should normally be the Recent
conversations panel and the default
theme the dark one shown here. You
can change this by clicking the
Setting button at the bottom.

Bots

Bots are artificially intelligent

programs that can do many useful
things like search for news, summarise
webpages, play games and more. You
can start chatting with a bot just like
you chat with friends. For example,
add the Bing News bot and start a
conversation. Type a word such as
“finances” and the bot will return
news stories into the feed.

Call and Message Log

You will see all of your recent calls and

messages listed here, both in and out.
Click on any of the logs to see the
conversation or details about the call.
The log is split up into days, with a
larger ‘Older than a week’ section at
the bottom of the list. At the top is a
search bar, allowing you to search for
contacts or specific conversations.

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 Exploring Skype in Windows 10

Call Controls SKYPE REQUIREMENTS

If a contact, or conversation with a contact, who uses Skype is
All you need to get up and running with Skype is an Internet
selected, you will see the call controls in the top right corner.
connection, broadband is best. You don’t even need to download
This may only be a voice-call button or it might also show a
the Skype app, you can get started with “https://web.skype.com/”
video-call button. The third icon is a group call button, allowing
Skype for Web directly in your browser. Now you’re all set up to
you to add contacts to a group call or message.
start instant messaging with your friends. If you want to make voice
calls, you need speakers and a microphone. If you want to make
video calls, you also need a camera.

Main Video and Chat Panel

This is where the video will appear

when you start a video call with
Skype; or where the chat
conversation will be displayed if
instant messaging. If no
conversations are selected in the
recent panel, it will display your
avatar (the image you use for your
account) and a prompt to start a
conversation. Clicking this opens
your contacts list.

Dialler Keypad

Clicking this button (or pressing Ctrl

+ D) will open the dialler on the
right-hand side of the screen and
allow you to enter a phone number
to call. If you are making calls to
non-Skype contacts, you will need
to have Skype credit in your
account. If you need to add credit,
click the ‘Add credit’ link and follow
the instructions.

Instant Message

As well as being able to make calls,

Skype also allows you to send
instant messages, just like in apps
such as MSN and Facebook chat.
Click inside the text field and type
your message to the contact that is
currently selected. You can add
emoticons to a message by clicking
the smiley face at the end of the text
field. Click Send to send your
message. If the contact is offline,
they will receive the message the
next time they log in to Skype.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

How to Call and

Message with Skype
Now that Microsoft owns Skype it has tried to incorporate it into Windows 10 but rules on being anti-competitive
seem to have prevented it from bundling the chat and video call service with the OS. However, you get a Windows
app that’s basically an invitation to download the full version as we shall explain.

Install and Use Skype

After a recent update, Skype has now been turned into a proper Windows 10 universal app and follows the Windows design style more
closely. This also means it integrates with other apps better.

1 Skype has a dedicated Windows 10 app and this may be 3 The Skype window should now be open on screen. The default
preinstalled on your Windows PC but you might need to view is the Recent conversations screen but this may be
download it from the Windows store. You can also download Skype completely empty if you are new to Skype. The first thing you need to do
directly from www.skype.com as well as check that you have the latest as a fresh user, is to begin adding contacts.
version available.

2 Once installed, you will need to sign in to the Skype app. If you 4 Click the Contacts button (2nd button down from the top) and
already have a Skype account, which is completely free to set up, either select the add contact icon at the bottom of the sidebar or
just enter your login details when prompted. If not, you can go to www. click directly in the search text box and type the name, Skype name or
login.skype.com and create a new account in just a few minutes. email of the person you want to add. Click Search Skype.

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 How to Call and Message with Skype

5 Select your friend from the search results, assuming you can see 8 If you want to make calls to contacts not using Skype (you can
them in the list, and click Add to Contacts. Type a quick note to make calls to mobiles and landlines too), you will need to add
introduce yourself and then click Send. They will receive a request from some Skype credit. To do this, click on your profile picture in the bottom
you, along with the message and can choose whether to accept you left and click the ‘Add Skype credit’ link.
or not.

6 You can select any contact from your contacts list and then either 9 Skype also now includes Bots. Bots are artificially intelligent
instant message them or start a voice or video call. If the contact programs that can do many useful things like search for news,
you click on has Skype, the call option buttons will appear in the top summarise webpages, play games and more. You can start chatting
right corner of the window. Click the relevant button to start a call. with a bot just like you chat with friends, just choose a bot and click
Get started.

7 Skype instant messaging makes it easy to keep in touch with 10 Bots vary in how useful they are but some are well worth taking
your contacts and groups wherever they are. You can share files, a look at. Take the Bing News bot for example. Add this and
photos and contacts. To instant message one of your contacts, select then type a word (“Crime” for example) in the conversation window. The
their name and start typing at the bottom of the main window. bot will return news stories based on that subject.

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 Windows 10 App and Software Guides

Top Ten Antivirus and

Security Packages
While the built-in Windows Defender is a great antivirus and security tool, it’s nowhere near as capable as one of the
many third-party security suites. The likes of Bitdefender, McAfee and Symantec have years of security specialism
behind their products.

Better Protection
A third-party security suite offers much more than virus scanning. Here are ten security suites worth considering if you’re serious about your
digital protection.

Bitdefender Symantec

Bitdefender Total Security Norton Security Premium is

2017 is the latest security the top choice for the home
suite from one the world’s user from Symantec. With it
leading security specialists. you can protect up to ten
This version offers unrivalled PCs, Macs, smartphones or
levels of protection and tablets, and it keeps you
performance for Windows, safe when shopping online,
macOS and Android general surfing or when
platforms. There’s even an conducting transactions.
advanced ransomware
protection element to help
protect your folders.

McAfee McAfee Total Protection offers a 100 per cent guarantee Webroot
of virus removal, or you get your money back. There are
three main versions Out of the three possible
available: Antivirus Plus, solutions available from
Total Protection, and Webroot, Webroot Internet
Livesafe, each has its own Security Complete is the
particular twist but all offer one to consider as a home
excellent security features user. With it you’re
and benefits. protected from virtually
any threat, as well as
getting 25GB of secure
online cloud storage.

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 Top Ten Antivirus and Security Packages

Kaspersky ESET

Kaspersky’s Total ESET Internet/

Security 2017 is one Cyber Security is
of the best security a comprehensive
products available protection package
on the market. for everyday users. It
It’s great value for offers online banking
money and offers protection, alerts for any
superb protection malicious attempts to
for your PC and control your webcam
other devices. You and is a fine-tuned
get parental controls, balance between
secure password security and privacy.
storage, encryption
and identity
protection, all in a
single security suite.

Avast Avast has offered free antivirus software for many F-Secure
years but its other products, Internet Security and
Premier, are also well worth looking into. With both versions, F-Secure has been
you get online banking protection, identity protection and email in the security and
protection; and all at a reasonable cost too. protection business
for many years, and as
such its products are
often considered one
of the best available.
F-Secure Total is the
top choice for the
home user, as not only
does it provide superb
antivirus protection
but also offers a Virtual
Private Network (VPN)
for added privacy
when online.

Emsisoft Trend Micro

Emsisoft Internet Security Trend Micro Maximum

is an award winning Security offers
security suite that offers superlative protection
plenty of great features and for up to five different
elements. It’s quick, easy to devices along with
use, cost effective and does extended protection
an excellent job at for children, Internet
protecting you and your passwords and privacy
devices from modern on social media sites.
security threats. It’s great value for
money and performs
excellently too.

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 Index

Windows 10
Advanced Guides
Using Windows successfully is all about knowing the little tips and tricks
that make seemingly difficult tasks easier. With every page filled to bursting
with great advice and invaluable security shortcuts, The Windows 10 Manual
is the guide for helping you go from Windows novice to Windows expert.

122 129 164

Manage Disk Windows 10 Windows 10
Partitions Storage Sense Hotkeys
Learn how to create and manage Discover how Storage Sense can Learn how to navigate and
partitions on your internal make your Windows 10 PC run control Windows 10 using
Windows hard drive. more efficiently. nothing but the built-in hotkeys.

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120 Limiting Data Usage when Tethering 142 Turn Off Unnecessary Visual Effects
122 Manage Disk Partitions in Windows 10 144 Essential Cortana Commands List
124 Disable Adverts and Annoyances 146 Setting Cortana Reminders
126 Tweak and Modify Windows 10 148 Windows 10 Registry Tweaks
128 Using the New Power Menu 150 Add a Shutdown Timer to
the Desktop
129 Using Windows 10 Storage Sense
152 Run Ubuntu on a Windows 10 PC
130 Ten Things to Disable in Windows 10
154 Defragment Your Hard Drive
132 Using the Task Scheduler Tool
156 Updating Your PC Device Drivers
136 Managing Your Notifications
158 Update Your Motherboard BIOS
138 Set Up the Quick Actions Panel
162 Windows PC Touchpad Gestures
140 Disable Unneeded Start-up Items
164 Mastering Windows 10 Hotkeys

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Limiting Data Usage

when Tethering
If you are out and about with your Windows 10 laptop and need access to the Internet, you have the option of
connecting through your smartphone, using a tethered connection. Tethering means connecting your phone to
the mobile data network (e.g. 3G, 4G) and then connecting a second device via Wi-Fi to the phone to make use
of that connection. The trouble is, Windows 10 can be data-heavy, a problem if your phone has limited mobile
data allowance.

Set Your Tethered Connection to Metered

Windows 10 can be quite data-heavy, as mentioned, especially if an update happens to become available when tethered. Luckily, you can
tell Windows to automatically limit data use.

1 Cellular data connections are set as metered by default. Wi-Fi and 2 To set a Wi-Fi network connection as metered,
Ethernet network connections can be set to metered but aren’t click Start  > Settings  > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi  > Manage
by default. Some apps might work differently on a metered connection known networks. Select the Wi-Fi network > Properties > turn on Set as
to help reduce your data usage. Some updates for Windows won’t be metered connection. Unfortunately, many Windows apps completely
installed automatically either. ignore the metered connection setting.

CHECK NETWORK
USAGE DETAILS
You can also view a log of how much
data applications on your PC have
used in the last 30 days. This can help
you identify applications that might
be using data in the background. To MANAGE BROWSING DATA
check this, head to Settings >
Network & Internet > Data usage and
You should now have reduced background data use, including
click the graph to see more details.
updates and cloud syncing, so data use will be in the apps you use; for
example, Google Chrome. You can install a handy extension for
Chrome which limits data. Go to www.chrome.google.com/webstore/
and search for Data Saver.

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 Limiting Data Usage when Tethering

Pause or Disable OneDrive

If you use OneDrive to backup images, etc., pausing it while you are tethering can help to reduce data use. If you never use OneDrive, you
can even completely disable it.

1 Stopping OneDrive just for the duration of your tethering is easy. 3 Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type gpedit.
Click the Hidden Icons arrow in the taskbar, bottom right of the msc and click OK. In the Local Group Policy Editor, in the folder
screen, and right-click on the OneDrive icon (the cloud). From the Action list under Local Computer Policy, navigate the folders to Local Computer
menu, either click on Pause Syncing” (you can choose a duration) or Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows
click Exit. Components > OneDrive.

2 OneDrive in Windows 10 can be disabled through your computer’s 4 On the OneDrive screen, under Settings, click Prevent the usage of
Local Group Policy Editor. This doesn’t remove OneDrive from OneDrive for file storage. In the Prevent the usage of OneDrive for
your PC but it stops it from syncing with the cloud or connecting with file storage box, select Enabled, then click OK. Be aware that disabling
other apps, and removes it from the navigation pane in File Explorer. OneDrive like this will disable it for all users of the PC, not just you.

CHECK TASK REDUCE STREAMING

MANAGER VIDEO QUALITY
The Task Manager is a great tool Streaming or downloading videos is a
for checking to see which apps or surefire way to burn through your data
services are using a lot of data at quickly and is best avoided when
any time. To open the Task tethering. However, if you need to view
Manager, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc or video over a tethered connection, you can
search for it in the Start menu tell Windows to reduce quality in Settings
search field. Click at the top of the > Apps > Video Playback. Click ‘Allow
Network tab to display high usage video to play at low res’.
services at the top.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Manage Disk Partitions

in Windows 10
Disk partitioning is the creation of one or more separate regions on a PC hard disk (hard drive) and all modern
drives need at least one partition to begin storing files. A partition could be the size of the whole drive or just a tiny
part of it. There are several reasons why you might need to create a new partition on an existing hard drive and
Windows 10 now allows you to do that relatively easily.

The Disk Management Tool

There are several free programs available for creating partitions but the Disk Management tool is just as good and built right in to
Windows 10.

1 The first thing you need to do is find the Disk Management 3 You can use the seemingly simple Disk Management tool to
tool. The easiest way to open the tool is to use the hidden Start resize, create, delete and format  “https://www.howtogeek.
button menu. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Disk com/184659/beginner-geek-hard-disk-partitions-explained/”
Management from the menu that appears. There are several system partitions and volumes, as well as change their drive letters and all
tools here, so it is a useful trick to know. without downloading or paying for any other software. You can also
simply use it to check the health of your disks.

2 The Disk Management tool shows all of your internal and 4 The tool shows partitions and volumes, which are similar but
removable drives (even USB flash drives, etc.) along with details different. A partition is space that’s set aside on a disk separate
of the capacity and current amount of space being used. Depending from the other space on that disk. A volume is a partition that’s been
how your hard drive was initially configured, you will see one or more formatted with a file system. We will mainly be talking about volumes in
partitions in place. this guide.

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Resizing a Volume
If your disk is set up as one big volume and you want to create an extra partition for a second volume, you will need to know how to resize
the existing one.

1 You will need to make sure that there is enough free space on 4 To create a new volume in that unallocated space, right-click on
the drive before you can shrink a volume. For example, if you it and select New Simple Volume from the Action menu. In the
have a 500GB volume which has 200GB of data already stored on it, you New Simple Volume Wizard window, click Next to get started. Specify the
will only be able to shrink it by a maximum of 300GB, the amount of volume size you want to create and then assign it a drive letter on the
remaining space. next screen.

2 Right click on the volume you want to shrink in either the top 5 You will then need to decide whether to format the partition. You
panel or the bottom one and click ‘Shrink volume’ from the will need to format it before you can begin using it but if you are
Action menu. You will then need to enter the amount you want to shrink planning on installing a second operating system, in order to dual-boot,
the volume by in MB. So if you wanted to shrink it by approximately you will need to let the new OS format the partition during its installation.
500GB, you enter ‘500000MB’.

3 When you have clicked the Shrink button, you should see that 6 Otherwise, go ahead and format the disk; pick a  “https://www.
the disk now contains the shrunken volume and some new, howtogeek.com/235596/whats-the-difference-between-
unallocated space. If desired, you could now extend the volume back fat32-exfat-and-ntfs/” file system to use and assign a volume label.
into that space, by right-clicking and selecting ‘Extend volume’ from the Click Next when you’re ready and then click the Finish button; Windows
Action menu. will now start to create the volume and, if you chose to, format it. When
finished, you will see your new volume listed.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Disable Adverts
and Annoyances
Windows 10 has a lot of built-in advertising. This is part of the business model and is to be expected in some
respects. That doesn’t stop them being really annoying at times. Thankfully, if you know what you are doing, you
can disable most of the advertising that Windows tries to slip in front of you.

Disabling Annoyances
Windows 10 is pretty good at putting adverts in front of you and certainly, some of the adverts may not even seem like adverts until you
start to take notice of them.

Lock Screen Ads Shortly after you enable Windows Spotlight for Get Rid of Fun Facts Although Cortana will occasionally provide
the lock screen, you will soon start to see the you with an interesting fact when you click
occasional advert for games like Tomb Raider appear among the pretty the search bar; often they are interspersed with adverts too. You can
images. To disable the adverts, simply switch to the Picture or Slideshow disable ‘Get fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana on your
options in the Personalisation settings. lock screen’ in Settings > Personalisation > Lock Screen.

Suggested Apps Windows 10 will occasionally show suggested Calm Cortana Down Following on from the previous tip, you can
apps in your Start menu. Sometimes these are also stop Cortana from doing that annoying
free apps but often they are paid apps and games. Essentially, these are thing when it bounces around in the taskbar to get your attention. If you
adverts. Head to Settings > Personalisation > Start and set the don’t want Cortana nagging you, click the Cortana search bar, click
‘Occasionally show suggestions in Start’ setting to Off. Settings, scroll down and disable the ‘taskbar Tidbits’ option.

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 Disable Adverts and Annoyances

Microsoft Tips Okay, so this might be classed as borderline as far Disable Live Tiles While you can remove the apps that are
as it being advertising but if you are fed up of installed as part of the Microsoft Consumer
being advised to ‘Use Edge to save battery life’, head to Settings > Experience program, Windows 10 also includes a few apps you can’t
System > Notifications & Actions and disable the ‘Get tips, tricks and uninstall but will use the Live Tiles to advertise. To disable live tiles that
suggestions as you use Windows’ option. annoy you, right-click a tile and select More > Turn live tile off.

Get Office Notifications Windows 10 includes a ‘Get Office’ Unpinning Windows Apps Rather than turning live tiles off, you
app that sits there, suggesting you can simply unpin the tile from the
download the software for a free trial period. Head to Settings > System Start menu. Right-click a tile and select ‘Unpin from Start’ to get rid of the
> Notifications & Actions, scroll down and turn it off. You could also find tile entirely. If you prefer a less cluttered Start menu, you can even choose
the Get Office app in your Start menu, right-click it, and select ‘Uninstall’. to unpin all the tiles and only use the All Apps list to launch apps.

AD BLOCKING SOFTWARE
The tips above will allow you to block many of the adverts Microsoft has AdBlock, The No.1 ad blocker with over 200 million downloads, blocks
added to the Windows 10 interface but what about the adverts you see YouTube, Facebook ads and others in most places on the web. AdBlock
on your favourite websites. Unfortunately, there isn’t a Windows 10 works automatically but lets you choose to continue seeing unobtrusive
setting to turn these off, but there is bit of software that can help. ads, white-list your favourite sites or block all ads by default.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Tweak and Modify

Windows 10
There are plenty of ways to customise Windows 10 built right in to the operating system. However, if you really
want to tweak and modify the system, you will need to resort to external software. Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4.1
allows you to modify the appearance, security and performance of Windows 10.

Set Up Windows Tweaker

The Ultimate Windows Tweaker software is not available as an app, so you will need to download the file from http://www.
thewindowsclub.com/ultimate-windows-tweaker-4-windows-10.

1 Once you have downloaded the zip file, extract its contents and 3 These tweaks are not really meant for beginners. It is
move the program folder to your desired location. Pin its recommended that you do not over tweak your system in one go.
executable file to your Start menu for easy access. Do not separate out We suggest you apply tweaks for only 1 category every day, see how
the contents of the download as it is important that the contents stay in your system performs, before moving on to apply more tweaks if you
the same folder. don’t see problems.

2 As when making any large system changes to your computer, you 4 To apply a particular tweak, check or uncheck the boxes or use
should create a system restore point first. You can use the Create the sliders provided. Once you have selected one or more tweaks,
Restore Point button that UWT offers. The software prompts you to click on the Apply button. Some tweaks may apply instantaneously. If a
create one, before using the tweaks, so that you can revert back should system restart is required, you will be reminded to restart your computer
you feel the need to. when you exit.

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 Tweak and Modify Windows 10

Tweak and Mod Menus

Each of the menus in UWT4 contains lots of different settings and options, from simple appearance tweaks to more complicated
performance mods.

Customisation Menu Under this category you will be able to Security & Privacy Menu If you want to restrict access to some
tweaks settings of your taskbar, Control Panel applets like Windows
Thumbnails, File Explorer and the Modern UI. You can opt to use Light or Updates you can do so easily. You can disable Telemetry, Biometrics,
dark theme for OS or apps, disable Start animations, use default or Advertising ID, Cortana, Windows Update sharing, Feedback requests,
change Battery Date & Time flyouts or change the Volume Control. password Reveal button, Steps Recorder, disable Wi-Fi Sense and
Application Telemetry.

User Accounts Menu Under the User Accounts tab, you will be Context Menu Add Windows Store apps, features and useful
able to change your User Account settings, functions to the right-click context menu and Scan
Logon information and sign in options. You can also change the User with Windows Defender, Clear Clipboard, all built-in default Windows
Account Control settings here. Store apps and more to the context menu.

Performance Menu The Performance tab offers tweaks to Additional Tweaks Menu Under this category, you will see
optimize Windows 10 to best suit your some additional system and
requirements. While most of these settings are best left at their default Network tweaks. You can also set UWT to behave the way you want it
values, this panel gives you quick access to change them, should you too. By default, when you apply a tweak and click Apply, UWT4 will
wish to. Tweak these settings VERY carefully at first. automatically restart explorer.exe to apply the tweak. Change its
behaviour if you wish.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Using the New

Power Menu
Windows 10 boasts a secret power menu (as did the version of Windows before it), that gives you access to several
useful system and maintenance tools and features. Here we show you how you can use it to your advantage to
quickly access networking settings and extra features that power users need.

Power Up
The secret Power Menu enables the more advanced Windows 10 users among you to quickly access key settings that you probably
commonly use, but are buried deeper within the system.

Start it Up You open the Power Menu using the Start button, but Uninstall Desktop Apps The Power Menu is also a quick route
instead of just clicking it to open the Start menu, to getting to the part of Control Panel
right-click the button. You’ll see this menu appear. Note that you can that enables you to uninstall desktop apps. Now Windows 10 enables
also shut down or sign out here, too. This menu was created for users you to uninstall any application by right-clicking it and selecting
who felt the Windows 8 Start screen didn’t give them access to what Uninstall from the context menu that appears – but this is the best route
they needed. if you need to uninstall several things.

Command We’ll look at the Command Prompt on the next page. Control Panel The Power Menu is also the best way to get to
You can access it from the Power Menu. If you’re an Control Panel. The Settings app may be the new
administrator on your PC, you can start what’s called an Elevated user-friendly method to change things in Windows 10, but Control Panel
Command Prompt that enables you to get deep access into files and still contains a lot of advanced settings – not least hardware
programs, rather than just basic access. troubleshooting, themes, backup, restore and network sharing options.

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 Using the New Power Menu/ Using Windows 10 Storage Sense

Using Windows 10
Storage Sense
When your Windows 10 computer begins to run out of space, typically you manually empty the recycle bin and
delete temporary files to free up storage space; then use different tools, such as the built-in Disk Cleanup utility. You
can now use Storage Sense to automatically get rid of junk files. In this guide, we’ll show you the steps for setting up
this feature in Windows 10.

Updated Storage Sense

Storage Sense has been a part of Windows 10 for some time but it has been updated and added to in the Creators update. If you don’t see
the options mentioned here, make sure your OS is up to date.

1 To enable Storage Sense on Windows 10, open Settings > System 3 You can, within certain limitations, select which items Storage
> Storage. Click on the Storage Sense toggle switch. Once you Sense should remove automatically. In Settings > System >
enable the option, Windows 10 will automatically delete junk files from Storage, click on the ‘Change how we free up space’ link below the
your PC, including some temporary files and items in the recycle bin Storage Sense slider. You can see that there are three different options,
older than 30 days. which can be combined in any way you like.

2 Storage Sense isn’t a manual storage wipe. If you need to clear 4 You can also see the option to ‘Delete previous versions of
out space right now, and you have large files in the recycle bin Windows’. These are deleted anyway, but not for several days after
that aren’t 30 days old, you will need to delete them manually. Things an update. If you really need to clear some space, select the option and
like old versions of Windows, installation files and update logs will also then just click the Clean Now button and wait for the process to complete.
need to be removed manually.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Ten Things to Disable

in Windows 10
When you install Windows 10 you will possibly activate several features that you won’t use or need. Some of these
are no real problem but some can mean a reduction in computing speed and a reduction in security, especially if
you’re not really aware of what is going on in the background.

Applying Changes
You may not need to apply all of these tips to see an improvement in system speed, and it is actually a good idea to apply one at a time and
test the results before trying the next.

File Sharing Updates Windows 10 features an improved way to Start Menu Adverts Part of Microsoft’s business model for
receive updates. More specifically, it allows Windows 10 seems to be selling its apps
you to get updates from sources other than Microsoft in a sort of through the OS. Suggestions for apps you might like will appear in the
file-sharing network. The catch is that your computer is also sharing files. Start menu and although you can just ignore them, you can also turn
Turn this off in Settings > Update & Security > Advanced options > them off. Settings > Personalisation > Start > Occasionally show
Choose how updates are delivered. suggestions in Start.

Unwanted Notifications Notifications are generally, but not Targeted Adverts Every Microsoft account now has an
always, a good thing. Windows 10 advertiser ID tied to it, allowing Microsoft and
does a good job of letting you know what is going on with your PC but third-party partners to deliver targeted adverts. You can turn this
sometimes you can get notification overload. You can turn some of the information sharing off by going to Settings > Privacy > General > Let my
less useful ones off in Settings > System > Notifications & actions. Turn apps use my advertising ID for experiences across apps (turning this off
off things like: Show me tips about Windows. will reset your ID).

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 Ten Things to Disable in Windows 10

Getting to Know You To better answer your queries, Cortana is The Lock Screen The lock screen in Windows 10 can be a useful
constantly learning about you in a process feature but it can also just slow you down. You
called Getting to Know You. This includes typing history and speech can disable the Lock Screen but only by delving into the Windows
patterns. If you find this invasion of privacy a little creepy, you can turn it Registry. You can read more about disabling the lock screen in our Lock
off in Settings > Privacy > Speech, inking & typing, and clicking Stop Screen Tips and Tricks guide. To access the registry, press the Windows
getting to know me. key + R and enter ‘regedit’.

Background Apps In Windows 10 many apps will run in the The Visual Interface The visual effects in Windows 10 go a long
background. These apps can receive way towards making the OS look modern
information, send notifications, download and install updates and and smooth. However, every pretty visual element has an effect on the
otherwise eat up your bandwidth and your battery life. You can, running of your computer. Right-click the Start button and go in to
however, disable this feature in Settings > Privacy > Background apps. System > Advanced system settings. Under the Advanced tab, go to
You can turn off each app individually. Performance and click Settings.

Windows 10 Syncing Windows 10, upon the default install, Automatic Updates Windows 10 will download and install
does a lot of syncing with your other updates automatically and you can’t really
Windows devices. If you use several different Microsoft devices and turn them off; but you can choose to stop the updates happening whilst
don’t want everything shared between them, you can disable syncing in you are using your computer. Head into Settings > Update & Security
Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings. You can selectively turn off and click on Change Active Hours. You can then set a time frame in
specific sync settings. which updates won’t happen.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Using the Task

Scheduler Tool
The Task Scheduler in Windows 10 is, in many ways, very similar to that found in older versions of the OS. However,
in Windows 10, Battery Saver Mode can impact on how it operates (if using a laptop). This guide looks at how the
new scheduler works and how we can modify its use.

Scheduling New Tasks

The Task Scheduler can be a very powerful tool for increasing automation in Windows 10. Let’s take a quick look at exactly how to use the
Windows 10 Task Scheduler in normal day-to-day PC operation.

1 Search for “Task Scheduler” in the Cortana search pane 3 The Basic Task wizard will now open. Give your task a name
or navigate to it in Start menu > All Apps > Windows and description (optional) and click Next. You now need to
Administrative Tools > Task Scheduler. The simple scheduler window choose the trigger. This can be set to happen daily, weekly or monthly,
will now open. This is split into three sections: Scheduler Library, to happen just once. You can choose starting or logging on to your PC
Scheduler Summary and Actions. as a trigger also.

2 You have three main options for adding new tasks to the 4 If you choose daily, weekly, etc. you will need to set further time
schedule: Create Basic Task, Create Task and Import Task. For options when you click Next. If you chose the final trigger option,
now we will stick to creating a Basic Task. You can start the process by When a specific event is logged, you will see a set of drop down menus.
clicking in the Action panel or using the Action menu in the menu bar Here you can choose the event log, source and give the event an ID.
of the window.

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5 For now let’s stick to a timed trigger. Choose Weekly and click Next. 8 You can also add optional arguments, which some programs
Use the various boxes to choose when the task starts and how support. For example you can specify the /AUTO argument
it should recur from then on. Click Next to continue. You now need to with CCleaner to automatically run CCleaner on a schedule. The exact
choose the Action being triggered by your choices in the previous steps. arguments supported will differ between programs and if you’re not
sure, it is best to check.

6 The main action is Start a Program or app but you can also 9 Get creative. Task Scheduler doesn’t just need to be used to run
choose to send an email or display a message. If you choose CCleaner or Defrag. If you use a specific program on a regular basis,
to send an email, you will then need to complete things like recipient you can use the Task Scheduler wizard to create a task that opens the
address and the message itself. If you choose to display a message, you program for you automatically according to the schedule you choose.
will need to write it.

7 For this guide, we will look at starting a program. You can now 10 You can now review the completed task creation by clicking
type the name of the program or script in the Program/Script Finish once. If you are happy with all of the settings, etc. click
field. If you prefer you can click Browse and search through available Finish again. If you want to change anything, use the Back button
programs to find the one you want to start. You are looking for .exe to navigate to the relevant section. You can also choose to open the
(executable) files here. Properties after finishing.

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TASK SCHEDULER IN WINDOWS 10

Although the method of creating and managing tasks manually is the If Windows 10 detects that the user isn’t using their computer, it
same in Windows 10 as it was in 7 and XP, if you are using a portable considers the system idle. This means that some scheduled processes
device, the way the OS prioritises tasks has changed. This change is due won’t execute. For example, disk optimisation runs at set intervals when
to the new Battery Saver mode, which is able to postpone certain tasks the computer idles. However, when operating on battery power, running
if they meet certain criteria. disk optimisation on a spin-up Hard Disk Drive (HDD) could negatively
affect your system’s uptime.

Modifying or Deleting Tasks

You may want to modify existing Windows 10 tasks or even delete them altogether. This should always be done with care and
research beforehand.

1 If you are looking to modify or disable any scheduled task, open 2 Looking at the left-hand panel in the Task Scheduler will allow
the Task Scheduler. You can just type “Task Scheduler” into you to see all of the existing scheduled tasks (Task Scheduler
Windows Search and it should show up in the results. If you are creating Library). Click on the folder and the tasks will be displayed in the
or modifying a lot of tasks, it might be worth pinning the Task Manager middle panel. You can dig down further into the folder structure using
to the Start menu. the arrow toggles.

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3 For example, click on the left facing arrow for Microsoft. Then 4 The properties pane shows the triggers and conditions that
click on the left facing arrow for Windows. From the list of entries control the Defrag utility’s behaviour. If you want the process to
that appear, find the Defrag option and click on it. In the centre panel, run regardless of Battery Saver, you’ll need to make sure that none of
double-click on ScheduleDefrag. This will open a new properties pane. the triggers are idle state, or are part of auto maintenance. They must
run though when logged out.

Turn Off Task Scheduler

Although there is no simple switch to turn off individual tasks or to turn off the Task Scheduler as a whole, you can disable it in another way.

1 To turn off or disable the Task Scheduler temporarily whilst in 3 You should see the Task Scheduler in this list. Right-click on the
Battery Saver Mode, as turning it off all the time could adversely entry and choose Disable from the contextual menu. To re-enable
affect performance, you need to open the Task Manager. You can it, simply right-click and choose Enable from the contextual menu.
search for this using the Cortana search field or by looking in Start Remember to turn this service back on after leaving Battery Saver Mode.
menu > All Apps.

2 You can also open the Task Manager by pressing the key 4 The Task Scheduler offers much more than optimized battery
combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Next locate the entry for Service performance. It can automate boring processes, including
Host: Local System (followed by a number) on the processes tab and suspend and sleep. For anyone looking to shave a few precious minutes
click on the left facing arrow to show the full list of processes inside. off their work routine, the Task Scheduler is a must have tool.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Managing Your
Notifications
If you’ve used a modern smartphone, you’ll be all too familiar with Notifications, those urgent little messages that
tell you something has just happened. Windows 10 seems to have embraced notifications in a much bigger way
than older versions. This is how to manage those pop-ups.

It’s a feature of modern life in the digital age that we don’t have to or one of your friends has posted another cat picture on Facebook and that
remember things anymore. Just a decade or so ago we used to have to you’ve only got 15 minutes to get to the dentist. While they can certainly
remember dozens of phone numbers but with mobile phones now storing be useful for anyone trying to juggle a job, family and busy social life, if you
all our contacts we’re lucky if we can remember our own number. We don’t manage your notifications you’ll never get a moment’s peace. The
used to have to remember facts but today we have Wikipedia constantly same is true of Windows Notifications; if you don’t set them up properly
at our fingertips. We used to have to remember appointments and tie a you’ll be constantly notified about things that you just don’t need to
knot in a hanky to remember to buy a pint of milk but these days we have know about.
Notifications to remind us of everything. These changes in the ways that we
find and use knowledge is actually changing the ways that our brains work; First introduced with Windows 8, Notifications are the messages that
as we rely more on machines to store and recall everyday information, our pop-up in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, reminding you of
memories are becoming less efficient, although our critical faculties may calendar events, letting you know that you’ve got emails and generally
be improving to help us weed out false information. Whether this is a good keeping you informed about what’s going on with your life and your
thing or not, only time will tell. computer. There’s no doubt that Notifications are useful, especially when
they remind you of a forgotten appointment or signal the arrival of an
Notifications have become an everyday fact of life for anyone who uses a important email. However if you don’t take a firm hand with them you
smartphone, tablet or personal computer. All through the day you’ll hear can be overwhelmed with pop-up messages about trivial Twitter posts or
that insistent little “ping” that lets you know that you’ve received an email, friends’ Facebook status updates.

Notification Settings
In Windows 10 you can choose what sort of Notifications you receive and even decide which apps can post Notifications and what type of
Notifications each app can use. Read on to find out how you can manage your notifications.

1 To view your recent Notifications, click on the Action Center icon 2 The Action Center sidebar will open, showing all your recent
in the System Tray area of the Task Bar, at the bottom right of the Notifications, as well as a panel of buttons at the bottom of the
screen. It’s the one that looks like a rectangular speech bubble. screen. Click on All Settings to open the Settings screen.

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3 On the Settings screen, click on System and then in the sidebar 6 Scroll down further and you’ll find a list of installed apps that can
menu on the left of the System screen, click on Notifications send Notifications, each one with a switch. To disable
& Actions. Notifications from individual apps, flip that app’s switch to off.

4 Under the Notifications header you’ll see a row of five switches 7 If you just want to see important Notifications, try setting
controlling general Notifications options. By default they’re all set everything except Mail, Calendar, News and Windows Explorer
to on except “Hide notifications while presenting”. to off.

5 If you don’t want any of your installed apps to be able to send you 8 If you click on the list entry for a particular app you see further
Notifications, set the switch for “Show app notifications” to off. options, allowing you to turn off Notifications for that app, just
You can also turn off “Show me tips about Windows”. turn off the on screen banner notifications and also toggle whether the
notification plays a sound.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Set Up the
Quick Actions Panel
If you’re using Windows 10 on a device with a touch screen, such as the fantastic Surface Pro 4 tablets, you’ll find
that the Quick Actions panel is a very useful additional feature. It’s easy to set up and quick to use, and really helps
to make the Windows OS feel like it was built for mobile.

THE QUICK ACTIONS PANEL

The Quick Actions panel is one of the many hidden little features is a lot more accessible if you’re using a tablet or a laptop with a touch-
of Windows 10 that would probably get a lot more use if only more screen. On touch enabled systems you can access the Notifications &
people knew about it. You’ll find in at the bottom of the Notifications & Actions panel by simply swiping in from the right-hand edge of the screen
Actions panel, which you can open by clicking the icon that looks like a and the Quick Actions buttons are ideally sized to be easy to hit with
rectangular speech bubble in your system tray, in the bottom right corner a finger. If you’re a tablet user, once you get used to using them you’ll
of your desktop screen. Alternatively you can open the Notifications & wonder how you ever managed without them. You can use them to
Actions panel using a keyboard shortcut, Windows key + A. quickly access settings, Wi-Fi connections, set up your locations options,
jot down quick notes, set up Quiet Hours times and even log on to your
At the bottom of the panel you’ll see a row of four buttons. Depending on company’s VPN if you have one. For touch-screen users, especially in
whether you’re using a laptop, a tablet or a deskbound PC, these buttons a professional environment, there’s no doubt that Quick Actions are a
may include wireless connection, battery saver mode, screen brightness, potentially useful feature.
airplane mode, notes, quiet hours or tablet mode, the settings menu, as
well as several other options. As the name suggests these Quick Action The most useful part about it is that you can configure which buttons
buttons provide instant access to these features and once you start using appear in the top row of the Quick Actions panel and in which order they
regularly them you’ll find they’re actually a very useful feature. appear, yet another way that Windows 10 lets you set things up your way.
If you think this might be something that you’d use more often, if only it
If you’re using a desktop machine you’ll probably be thinking that this is was set up correctly, we’ll show you how to configure the Quick Actions
just another way of accessing things you can already find easily by using buttons to streamline your Windows experience.
the Settings menu or control panel, and you’d be correct but the format

1 Press Windows + A, or click on the Notifications icon in the system 2 Click on the Start button and open the Settings menu. Click on
tray to open the Notifications & Actions panel. You’ll see a row of System and then select Notifications & Actions. At the top of the
four Quick Actions buttons at the bottom. If you click on the Expand link, page you’ll see a row of four icons. These are the four actions that
you’ll see several more. appear in the top row of the Quick Actions panel.

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3 Click on the first icon and you’ll see a pop-up menu with 4 Choose the first quick action from the list, then move on
the list of available Quick Action icons. Desktop users with to the second, third and fourth. The remaining icons will
LAN connections will only see six or seven, laptop and tablet be relegated to the lower rows of the Quick Actions panel,
users will see up to a dozen. invisible in collapsed mode.

Select Your System Tray Icons

While we’ve got this settings page open, let’s quickly look at the System Tray taskbar icons.

The System Tray is an area on the right-hand end of the task bar, in the be used to display a lot of useful extra system information, such as the status
bottom right of your computer screen. It has been part of the Windows of your anti-virus software, USB quick eject options, links to cloud storage,
desktop interface since Windows 95 and makes a welcome return in Windows graphics card and audio equipment drivers, location information, keyboard
10. It is an often overlooked area and many users won’t even know it’s there, input and language options, email notifications and more; depending on
since by default it only displays the system clock, your connection status, the what apps you have installed. Let’s take a look at this often neglected area
volume control and the Notifications & Actions panel icon. However it can and show you how to get more out of it.

1 Click on the link “Select which icons appear on the taskbar”. It will 2 Go through the list, and select which ones you’d like to see
show you a list of the apps that can present System Tray icons for appearing in the bottom right of your taskbar. We’d suggest that
quick access. safely remove hardware, your anti-virus app and your cloud storage
service are all useful, as well as the default network connection and
volume icons.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Disable Unneeded
Start-up Items
Windows 10 launches pretty quickly when it’s newly installed but as you install more apps it may slow down over
time. Any app that starts and runs automatically in the background will be using up precious processor resources.
Here’s how to keep that initial fast launch speed.

CUSTOMISING START-UP
If you first installed Windows 10 on a clean hard drive you probably perfectly safe; none of the start-up files are vital to the running of your
notice that it launched much more quickly than Windows 8.1 ever did. PC and all of them can safely be disabled. Disabling a start-up file will
However over time, as you’ve installed more programs, you may have not uninstall the software that it launches; all the apps that they affect
noticed that the once sprightly boot-up time now takes noticeably can be started manually when needed and Windows will start-up
longer. The reason for this is that many programs add files to the completely safely without them. The only one you really need to leave in
Windows start-up process, which are run as Windows launches, slowing place is the one that starts up your anti-virus software, unless you’re
down the launch process. relying on Windows Defender, since you do need your PC to be
protected from the moment it starts. In some cases the anti-virus
Some of these files are genuinely useful, doing things like updating your software launcher will not even appear in the list to prevent you from
anti-virus software or launching and synchronising Dropbox, OneDrive accidentally disabling it.
and Google Drive; others are simply checking for software updates or
initialising drivers for seldom used hardware. Some software If you regularly use a cloud storage service such as Dropbox, OneDrive or
manufacturers, notoriously Apple and Adobe, often install several Google Drive you might also want to leave the start-up files for these
start-up files at once and even if you disable them as we’re about to show active, since they ensure that your files will be synchronised
you, any subsequent software updates will re-activate the start-up files. automatically as soon as your PC boots up and you won’t miss any
This is particularly annoying, since the more of these start-up items there important updates the day before an important deadline!
are, the slower Windows will launch.
Fortunately there’s a very simple way to check and if necessary disable
You may have looked at these start-up items before and wondered these start-up items, restoring your Windows launch speed to its former
whether or not it’s safe to remove them. The simple answer is yes, it’s brisk pace. Here’s what you need to do:

1 To get started, right-click on the Start button and select Task 2 The More details view shows you not just running apps but all the
Manager from the power menu. This shows you a list of your other services and routines that Windows is currently running, and
currently running apps. To see more, click on the “More details” button there are a lot of them! However what we’re interested in is found on the
at the bottom of the screen. Start-up tab, so click on that.

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3 The Start-up tab shows you a list of the apps that run every time 6 Note that disabling an app in the start-up menu doesn’t uninstall
you launch Windows. On the left column is the name of the app, the app from your system, and you can always start any app you
followed by the manufacturer’s name, then the status: enabled or need manually. All disabling an app in the start-up list does is to prevent
disabled. The right column shows the impact on start-up speed. it from starting on launch.

4 Next you need to look through the list and decide which 7 Once you’ve been through the list and disabled any apps that
programs you really need to have starting up at launch, paying don’t need to start on launch, close the Task Manager and try
particular attention to any high impact apps. Things like iTunes Helper restarting your PC. You should find that it now boots up more quickly.
and cloud storage apps are prime examples.

5 To disable an app, select it and click on the Disable button at the 8 Whenever you install a new app it’s a good idea to check the
bottom of the window. If you’re wondering which apps it’s safe to start-up list again to make sure that it hasn’t added itself to
disable, the answer is all of them; Windows will still run, however it’s best your launch process; if it has, simply disable it to maintain your fast
to leave your security app as an enabled start-up item. boot-up time.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Turn Off Unnecessary

Visual Effects
Windows 10 has fewer obvious visual effects in its default setup than either Windows 7 or 8 did but it still has a
number of subtle effects that take up processor power. Although they can help to make your PC seem smoother,
they can actually be slowing things down for you.

MANAGING SYSTEM SETTINGS

A lot of your PC’s resources are used up presenting you with the high windows and under the mouse pointer. While these certainly looked very
resolution display interface that makes a modern computer so easy and pretty and gave Windows a pleasing high-tech look, users quickly
pleasant to use. Old computers from the 1970s and early 1980s used realised that these effects were having a significant impact on their
minimal text based interfaces that you needed a degree in computer system performance and so many users disabled them, preferring a
science to understand, but which used virtually no resources to run, Windows environment that looked more like Windows 98 but had all the
leaving all the system’s limited resources for running software and performance advantages of the latest version. When Windows 8 came
processing data. When Windows and other graphical user interface (GUI) along things got even worse. The infamous Start screen with its partial
operating systems such as Apple’s Mac OS came along in the mid-1980s transparency and flashy backgrounds was a notorious resource hog but
they made computing a lot more accessible for the domestic user by unfortunately it was very difficult to do anything about it, which was one
presenting an easy-to-understand operating environment but required a of the many reasons why Windows 8 was so unpopular.
lot more of the system’s power to run them.
Windows 10 has definitely cut back on the pretty but excessive graphical
While earlier versions of Windows had quite a stark and utilitarian effects, opting for a simpler, cleaner looking interface that looks more like
appearance, mostly due to the limited graphical capabilities of older PCs, Windows 7 than 8. However there are still a lot of visual effects that are
successive versions have added more and fancier graphics. Windows 7 being used, it’s just that they’re a lot more subtle. The drop shadow effect
was a prime example, introducing a number of clever visual effects to the is still there around the active window and there are lots of little
interface to take advantage of the increased performance of modern animations, such as the smooth way that windows open. Fortunately
computers. The bells and whistles it added included such things as Windows 10 is a lot more accessible than 8 and provides options to
partial transparency of window borders and the task bar, smooth customise which visual effects it uses.
animations to open and close windows and drop shadow effects around

1 Right-click on the Start button and select Control Panel. When it 2 Click on the System icon and in the window that opens click on
opens, select one of the two icon views from the upper right the Advanced System Settings link on the left side bar.
drop-down menu.

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3 In the System Properties window that opens, click on the 6 If your PC is close to the minimum spec to run Windows 10, you
Advanced tab, then click on the Settings button in the can get the most out of it by clicking the button labelled “Adjust
Performance section at the top of the window. for best performance”. This deactivates all the visual effects in the list,
reducing the strain on your processor.

4 You’ll see the Performance Options window appear, which you’ve 7 If you have a powerful system and want all the bling that
probably never seen before. In the Visual Effects tab it lists all the Windows 10 can provide, click on “Adjust for best appearance”.
advanced appearance settings and effects. This turns on all available visual effects.

5 Above the list you’ll see four buttons, labelled “Let Windows 8 If you want to decide for yourself, click in the check-boxes down
choose what’s best for my computer”, “Adjust for best the left of the list to manually activate or deactivate the effects
appearance”, “Adjust for best performance” and “Custom”. By default the that you want. The most demanding are the drop shadow effects and
first one is activated. thumbnails, so you can turn these off.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Essential Cortana
Commands List
The more you use Cortana and the more you get used to the ways in which it can help you, the more impressive it
becomes. Cortana can help you with everything, like checking events, setting reminders, composing emails and
launching apps. All this and without having to even touch the keyboard.

Scheduling/Reminders
Cortana is very good at understanding conversational commands, so try to remember to talk to her as if you are requesting something from
a human.

Check Calendar Events: “How’s my schedule looking?” or

“What appointments do I have next week?” or “What day is
my doctors appointment?”
Add an appointment: “Add bank appointment to Monday at
11 am.” or “Schedule meeting with Dave tomorrow at 10 am.”
Move an appointment: “Move my bank appointment to
Friday at 1pm.”
Set a reminder based on time, contact, or location:
“Remind me to call Dad at 2 pm.” or “Remind me to check
groceries when I get home.”
Set an alarm: “Set an alarm for 9 am.” or “Wake me up in
an hour.”
See all alarms: “Show me my alarms.”
Ask about national holidays: “What day is Christmas this
year?” or “When is the next public holiday?”

PERFORM FUNCTIONS
Launch a program or app: “Launch Dropbox” or
“Open Mail”.
Open a website: “Open bdmpublications.com.” or
“Show me microsoft.com”.
Make a phone call: “Call John” or “Call Paul on
speakerphone” (Windows Phone only)
Take a note in OneNote: “Take a note” or “Note it
down.” (followed by note content).
Compose an email: “Write an email to [contact]
saying [message].”
Compose a text message: “Write a text to [contact]
saying [message]”
(Windows Phone only)
View messages from a specific contact: “Show
me emails from Jim.” or “Show me messages from
Paula.”
Control settings: “Turn on/off Wi-Fi”, “Turn on/off
Bluetooth”, “Turn on/off Airplane Mode” etc.
Control the Groove Music app: “Play [artist/song/
genre/playlist/album]” or “Shuffle the music”

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Have Fun with Cortana

MAPS AND TRAVEL
Just as with other well-known personal assistants, the developers of
Check current location: “Where am I?” Cortana have made it capable of answering less sensibly and even
Get directions: “Show me driving/public transit/walking directions to cracking a few jokes. This is not a complete list, so why not try out a
[location].” few of your own!
Check travel time: “How long will it take me to get to [location]?”
Traffic updates: “What is traffic like on the way to [location]?”
Show a map of a specific location: “Show me a map of North
London” or “Show me a map of Florida”
Track flight status: “Is my flight on time?” (must be synced with an
email account)
Check weather for any location: “What is the weather like in
Madrid?”
Translate a word or phrase: “How do you say ‘thanks’ in Swedish?”
or “How do you say ‘airport’ in Japanese?”
Convert currency: “What is 900 US dollars in Euros?” or “How much
is 1,000 yen in Euros?”

“Do you love Master Chef?” or “Tell me about Halo 5”

(Cortana was first seen in Halo).
“What’s up?”
“Tell me a joke.”
GENERAL QUERIES “What do you think of Windows 10?”
“What do you think of Google?”
“Do you like Google Now?”
Ask about the weather: “What is the weather like?” or
“Who’s better, you or Siri?”
“What will the weather be like tomorrow?” or “Is it going to rain
“Sing me a lullaby/Sing me a song.”
on Monday?”
“Rock, paper, scissors.”
Perform simple calculations: “What is 15 times 13?” or
“Heads or tails?”
“What is 126 divided by three?”
“Roll a die/dice (one die) or roll dice (two dice).”
Perform conversions: “What is five miles in kilometres” or “How
“Surprise me!”
many ounces in a kilogramme?”
Word definitions: “What is the definition of ‘supreme’?” or “What
does ‘abstain’ mean?”
Hear news headlines: “Show me the top headlines.”
Search for date-specific pictures, videos, documents etc.: “Find
pictures from last week” or “Find documents from April 2016” or
“Find videos from yesterday.”
See basic search results in Cortana’s window: “How old is
Leonardo DiCaprio?” or “Who is the Manchester United’s manager?”
or “When was Big Ben built?”
Search files by name: “Find a document called ‘Expenses’” or
“Can you find a picture called ‘kittens fighting’?”
Track packages: “Where are my packages?” (requires a synced
email account)
Check a sports score: “What was the score of the last
Redsox game?”
Identify a song that’s playing: “What is this song?”

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Setting Cortana
Reminders
There are several different reminder types you can set with Cortana. Almost all can be set using either your voice or
manually by entering them into the main reminders screen. If using a Windows phone, you can also sync your
reminders so that they show on both devices.

Time Based Reminders

Time based reminders are perfect if you want to set an alert at the same time each week or if you want to avoid missing an
important appointment.

1 The easiest way to wake Cortana up and get her listening is to 3 If Cortana doesn’t hear or understand your request, she will ask
click the microphone icon in the search box or press Windows + C you for confirmation or to repeat the request. She might also ask
shortcut on the keyboard. You will hear an audio signature to let you for further details, depending on how you have set her up; you can add
know that the personal assistant is ready and waiting to assist. details to Cortana to make her more useful, such as your home address.

2 You can now set your reminder in a variety of different ways. 4 To add a reminder manually, click inn the Cortana search box,
Cortana is pretty good at understanding inexact terms. For and then click the light bulb icon (the Reminders icon). To add a
example you can say “remind me to pick my wife up in half an hour” or new reminder, click the + button at the bottom, complete the
“Remind me to go to the post office tomorrow morning”. “Remember to” and “Time” boxes and then click “Remind”.

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Location and
Contact-Based Reminders Photo Reminders
You can tell Cortana to remind you of certain things when you leave Set to be improved and expanded in future updates, this feature is
or arrive at specific locations. nonetheless available to Windows 10 users right now.

1 Wake Cortana up and get her listening by clicking the microphone 1 Image or photo reminders probably won’t be appropriate for
icon in the search box or pressing the Windows + C shortcut on every situation but they could definitely come in handy at times.
the keyboard. You will hear an audio signature to let you know that the To set one up, open Cortana by clicking her icon on the taskbar. Open
personal assistant is ready and waiting to assist. Reminders by clicking the light bulb icon and then the + icon in the
bottom right corner.

2 You can then say something like “Remind me to ring mum when I 2 Type your reminder word or phrase, and then click the
get home” or “Remind me to buy milk when I leave the office”. camera icon to the right of the box. You will be able to choose
Again this works better if specific locations are known to Cortana, which Library, which lets you choose a photo on your computer or
we cover in other tutorials in this section. Camera, which lets you snap a photo using your webcam (make
sure your camera is enabled).

3 You can also tell Cortana to remind you anything next time you 3 It may be that you want to capture a picture of an item to buy
talk to certain people in your contacts book. An alert pops up later but might forget exactly what it is, or you had a certain
when you send or open an email from that person. For example window up on your computer that you want to take a screenshot of and
“Remind me to ask for the discount next time I talk to Kim”. recall later. Adding a picture to reminders really helps them be even
more vivid.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Windows 10
Registry Tweaks
The Windows Registry can be a scary place to visit if you don’t understand how things work. It is true that there
are often simpler ways to action some of the changes shown below but understanding the inner workings of your
Windows 10 PC is key to understanding how to accomplish more with your screen time.

WHAT IS THE REGISTRY?

The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores Windows Registry .INI files stored each program’s settings as a text
low-level settings for the Microsoft Windows operating system file, often located in a shared location that did not provide user
and for applications that opt to use the Registry. The kernel, specific settings in a multi-user scenario. By contrast the Windows
device drivers, services, Security Accounts Manager (SAM) and Registry stores all application settings in one logical repository, a
user interface can all use the Registry. The Registry also allows number of discrete files, and in a standardised form.
access to counters for profiling system performance. Prior to the

Backing Up Your Registry

Before you edit any part of your system registry, it is always a good idea to make a backup of all keys that you intend to edit. Here we will
look at the simple and quick method of backing up Windows Registry keys.

1 You can back up any of the keys in the registry by right-clicking on 2 An easier backup method is to make a System Restore point that
any of them in the editor and then selecting Export. This will save includes a snapshot of the registry. Go to Start, type restore, select
into a .reg file that can be run to reapply the old value of that key at a later Create a restore point, select a drive and click Configure…; then pick
date. This is the minimum backup step you should take before editing. Turn on system protection, set the Max Usage space and click OK.

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Registry Tweaks
So let’s get down to tweaking some registry keys. Registry keys always start with HKEY, followed by the location in the file system. Once you
find and select the HKEY you want, you will see that further options are available.

1. Access the Editor To open the registry editor, all you have to 4. Disable System Tray Notification Balloon Pop-ups
do is open the Run prompt with Windows
Key + R, then type in regedit and hit Enter. If you know a certain value In Registry Editor, go to following key:
you want to change, you can navigate through the registry to find it by HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\
clicking the + sign next to each registry key. CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Create a new DWORD value, name it EnableBalloonTips and set its

value to 0.disable Wi-Fi Sense and Application Telemetry.

2. Increase Taskbar Transparency In Registry Editor, go to 5. Hide Folders from This PC In Registry Editor, go to following
following key: HKEY_ key:
LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced CurrentVersion\Explorer\
FolderDescriptions\<FOLDER-GUID>\PropertyBag.
In the right side pane, create new DWORD
UseOLEDTaskbarTransparency and set its value to 1. Substitute the <FOLDER-GUID> above with one of these:
Desktop: {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}
Documents: {f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}
Downloads: {7d83ee9b-2244-4e70-b1f5-5393042af1e4}
Music: {a0c69a99-21c8-4671-8703-7934162fcf1d}
Pictures: {0ddd015d-b06c-45d5-8c4c-f59713854639}
Videos: {35286a68-3c57-41a1-bbb1-0eae73d76c95}

If ThisPCPolicy is set to Show, then the folder is visible. If you change it

to Hide, then the folder will be invisible.

3. Prevent Windows Update from In Registry Editor, go to

Automatically Restarting following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AUkey

Right-click in the right pane and create a new 32-bit DWORD value named:
NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers. Set its value to 1.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Add a Shutdown
Timer to the Desktop
A shutdown timer allows you to delay the shutdown of your computer in the event that you need to leave it on
whilst it completes a particular function, software updates for example, but can’t stay around to shut it down
manually. The process is fairly straightforward and the timer is unobtrusive.

Adding the Timer

Before you can add a shutdown timer to the desktop, you need to understand how to create one using the Command Prompt tool. The
initial set up might seem slightly complicated but is much easier after the first time.

1 The first thing you need to do to create a shutdown timer 3 Press Enter to complete the command and set the timer going;
manually, is open the Command Prompt. You can do this easily you won’t see anything on screen just yet, that part comes in a
by pressing Windows + X and then selecting “Command Prompt” or moment. If you input the wrong time or entered the command by
“Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu that appears. mistake, you can cancel the timer by typing shutdown -a in
Command Prompt.

2 In the Command Prompt, type the command shutdown -s -t 4 You can do this each time you need to use a shutdown timer,
XXXX. The “XXXX” should be the time in seconds you want to which is not really a problem if you only rarely use it, or you can
elapse before the computer shuts down. For instance if you want the create a shutdown timer shortcut that can be placed on the desktop.
computer to shut down in one hour, the command should look like The only real problem with a shortcut is that the shutdown time is fixed.
shutdown -s -t 3600.

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5 Right-click on the desktop, hover over New and select Shortcut in 6 Place the shortcut out of the way on your desktop. Every time you
the side menu. In the path field type shutdown.exe -s -t double-click the shutdown timer shortcut, the timer will start. To
XXXX (where “XXXX” is the time in seconds) and click Next. Enter a name cancel the timer, you can create a second shortcut using shutdown.
for the shortcut, for example “Shutdown 1 Hour”, and click Finish. exe -a or enter the shutdown -a command in Command Prompt.

COMMAND PROMPT TRICKS

Using the Command Prompt to start a shutdown timer is just one of hundreds of ways this admin tool can be used. Let’s take a look at a
few other ways.

1. Command Prompt Function Keys

If you are finding yourself using the Command Prompt tool a

lot, these F Key shortcuts can come in very handy.
F1: Pastes the last executed command (character by character)
F2: Pastes the last executed command (up to the entered
character)
F3: Pastes the last executed command
F4: Deletes current prompt text up to the entered character
F5: Pastes recently executed commands (does not cycle)
F6: Pastes ^Z to the prompt
F7: Displays a selectable list of previously executed commands
F8: Pastes recently executed commands (cycles)
F9: Asks for the number of the command from the F7 list to paste

2. Command Prompt Help The help command (type 3. Abort a Command Just about any command can be
“help [command]”) does not stopped in its tracks with the abort
provide help for every Command Prompt command. However, any command: Ctrl-C. If you haven’t actually executed a command, you
command can be suffixed with the /? option, usually called the help can just erase what you’ve typed but if you’ve already executed it
switch, to display detailed information about the command’s then you can use Ctrl-C to stop it. Remember that even Ctrl-C can’t
syntax and even some examples. undo things that aren’t undoable.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Run Ubuntu on a
Windows 10 PC
It is possible to run a full Linux distribution, like Ubuntu, on a Windows PC without installing it. This is useful for a
number of reasons but initially it is a great way to try out Linux itself, or even a new distribution, before you commit
to installing and using it on your computer.

Creating a Bootable USB Drive

You can try Ubuntu and other distributions from a bootable DVD but it is usually easier and more convenient to use a USB flash drive, and
that is what we will create here.

1 To run Ubuntu from a USB stick, you will need one which has at 3 You now need to get Ubuntu onto the USB stick. This can’t be
least 2GB capacity and preferably more than that (4 to 8GB is done by simply dragging and dropping the file onto the drive, as if
recommended). You can buy a 4GB USB stick very cheaply and as it can you were copying a photo over. You’ll need to make the stick a Bootable
be used again for different purposes, it is a useful thing to have if you Drive. One of the best tools for doing this is called Rufus 2.11: https://
don’t already. rufus.akeo.ie/.

2 To create a bootable USB from within Windows, the next thing you 4 Once downloaded and installed on your PC, click the icon to
need to do is download the Linux distribution you want to use. We open Rufus and select your USB stick in the Device dropdown.
are using Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS (Long-Term Support), that can be Click the CD Rom icon next to the FreeDOS dropdown, then find your
downloaded from the Ubuntu download page: www.ubuntu.com/ downloaded Ubuntu ISO and click Open and then Start.
download/desktop.

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5 Click ‘Yes’ when you’re asked to download Syslinux software and 6 If you are wondering, Syslinux is a boot loader for the Linux
then ‘OK’ to write in ISO Image mode. Confirm that your USB stick is operating system that runs on an MS-DOS/Windows FAT
selected and then ‘OK’ to continue. The process may take a few minutes, filesystem. It is intended to simplify first-time installation of Linux and for
so be patient and wait for the message to tell you it is completed. creation of rescue and other special purpose boot disks.

Booting from a USB Drive

Now you have the Linux ISO file (in our case, Ubuntu) copied onto your bootable flash drive, you are ready to boot into the OS. Here is the
exact process you will need to follow to change the boot order.

1 Turn off your Windows computer and insert the USB drive with 3 Once into the Set up/BIOS screen, look for the option to change the
the Ubuntu ISO file on it. You now need to tell your computer to ‘Boot Device’. This may be on the main screen, or within the System
boot from that USB stick and not from the hard drive, and therefore tab/section. Depending on your computer and how your USB key was
Windows, as it normally would. Some newer computers can start-up formatted, you should see an entry for ‘removable drive’ or ‘USB media’.
automatically from USB.

2 If your computer does not automatically do this, you will need to 4 Move this to the top of the list to force the computer to start from
change the device from which the computer starts up to the USB. USB rather than the hard disk; save your changes and continue.
You can usually do this by watching for an ‘Enter Setup’ message Choose your preferred language and click on Try Ubuntu. Your live
appearing before Windows starts and pressing the key shown (this varies desktop should appear. If you then want to, double-click on ’Install
between devices). Ubuntu 16.04 LTS’.

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 Windows 10 Advanced Guides

Defragment
Your Hard Drive
Over time the data stored on your hard drive may get fragmented and become slower for your system to access.
Windows has always included tools to clean up these fragments and Windows 10 is no different. Using the built-in
Windows utility to tidy up can greatly improve performance.

HARD DRIVE HEALTH

While hard disk drives provide cheap, fast and reliable bulk storage for struggles to access the scattered chunks of data. This is one of the
digital data, they do suffer from one major problem. Using protocols reasons why solid state drives (SSDs) are becoming more popular.
that date back to the days when computer data was stored on big Since they don’t have any moving parts their data retrieval speeds
reels of magnetic tape, data is written onto the hard drive sequentially, should remain consistently high regardless of how much data is
so that it’s faster to read off again. This is fine at first since the data is stored or how often it is changed. See the previous sections of this
stored in neat blocks or sectors that it’s easy for the system to find. A publication if you’d like to upgrade your system to use an SSD.
brand new hard drive will use its storage space efficiently for optimum
performance, saving files in a neat orderly sequence. However over Fortunately Windows includes an option to “defragment” your drive.
time you’ll inevitably delete some files, or replace others with larger This is an automatic process that reorganises the data on your HDD
ones, and the hard drive tries to cope with these changes by splitting back into easily accessible contiguous sectors, making the most of
data files up to fit into available empty space on the drive. This can the available space and greatly speeding up access times. In earlier
mean that your files are broken up into pieces scattered all over the versions of Windows this was a manually selected process that you
drive, which can radically slow down access times both when saving had to remember to perform on a regular basis, but Windows 10
data and when you come to read the data from the drive. The system includes an option to automatically perform an optimisation and
doesn’t lose the data but a hard drive is a mechanical device with defragmentation procedure on all attached drives on a regular basis.
moving parts, and the physical process of moving the read-write head If your system uses a hard disk, as most do, it’s worth performing at
to and fro over the drive platter from one sector to another takes a least the first five steps of this guide, just to see if your system would
finite amount of time, and the more the head has to move the slower benefit from defragmentation. If you’re using an SSD it won’t need to
the access time will be. After a few years of heavy use a hard disk drive be defragmented, since SSDs store data in a different way to HDDs but
can become so fragmented that it slows to a near crawl as the system it can still benefit from optimisation.

1 Log on to your PC as Administrator. You’ll need to be using an 2 Click on the Start button and open File Explorer. Expand the This
Administrator account in order to perform the disk PC file tree so that you can see the list of drives on your system.
defragmentation process.

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3 Right-click on any drive in the list and select Properties. You’ll 6 If any of your hard disk drives are fragmented, click on it and then
see in a moment that it doesn’t matter which drive you select at click on the Optimise button. If it’s a large drive and very
this stage. fragmented the process could take a long time, so only do it if you’re not
going to be using your PC for a couple of hours.

4 In the Properties window, click on the Tools tab. You’ll see that 7 In the lower part of the Optimise Drives window you’ll see
there are two options available. Click on the button for the second Scheduled Optimisation. This should be set to On by default but if
one, “Optimise”. it isn’t click on the Change settings button.

5 This will open the Optimise Drives window. Here you’ll see 8 You can set your drives to be automatically optimised by
another list of all the drives attached to your system, when the ticking the Run on a schedule check box and select the interval;
optimisation routine was last performed on each one, and how for systems used every day a weekly check is recommended.
fragmented it currently is. If your system is operating at peak efficiency
they should all be at 0%.

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Updating Your PC
Device Drivers
Keeping your device drivers up to date ensures that your computer delivers optimum performance
under Windows 10 and makes your whole system more stable and reliable. Once you have updated the drivers for
one device, doing the same for any others is relatively easy and quick.

Finding Device Drivers

Windows 10 comes with default generic drivers that will let it talk to most common peripherals but for optimum performance it’s a good
idea to download and install the latest custom made drivers for your hardware.

1 Go to the website of your peripheral manufacturer. In this case 3 Once you’ve entered the model name and told the site that you’re
we’re looking at the website for Epson printers, to install an looking for Windows 10 drivers, you should be offered a link to
update for an R2400 photo printer. Click on the link for product support download the latest driver. Click on the link and download the driver file
and enter the model name and/or number. to your desktop.

2 Some websites (such as Epson’s) can automatically detect the 4 If you’re installing a driver for a device that has to be plugged in
operating system you’re using and immediately offer you the and switched on in order to work, such as a printer, make sure
latest recommended driver. In other cases you will have to tell the site that the device is connected and powered up before proceeding.
that you’re using Windows 10.

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5 Once the driver download is complete, go to your desktop 8 The driver installation should only take a few seconds. When it’s
and locate the newly downloaded file. Double-click on it to complete you’ll receive a notification telling you that the
begin installation. installation was successful.

6 You’ll see a message from Windows asking if you want to proceed 9 Repeat this process for any other peripherals that are connected
with software installation. Click OK to proceed. to your system. You don’t need to restart between installations for
different types of devices.

7 From here on the process is mostly just clicking OK on a series of 10 Once you’ve finished updating your drivers, it’s a good idea to
windows. Do check that the device driver you’re installing restart your machine, since this should clear out any temporary
matches the device connected to your PC. files created during the installation process, as well as finalising the
deletion of any old drivers.

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Update Your
Motherboard BIOS
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is the built-in software that operates the hardware of your computer. It is an
essential part of the software your computer needs but is often forgotten about or ignored after initial set up. To run
Windows 10 at optimum performance you may need to update it.

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is an often overlooked but ask a computer savvy friend to help you or take your PC to your local
absolutely vital part of your computer system. You see it every time computer store, who will be happy to perform the update for you,
you switch your computer on – it’s responsible for those lines of text usually for a small fee. It’s also a good idea to perform a full backup
that flash up on the screen before Windows launches, listing things of any important data on your system to an external storage device
like installed RAM and other hardware details. It’s the core software before you begin, just in case!
of your system; it boots up the computer, launches Windows and
in some cases allows Windows and other apps to access things like
hard drives, the keyboard, USB connections and other hardware
components. The BIOS is built in to your system and is stored on a
Things you’ll need:
type of flash memory chip on your computer’s motherboard. For this
• The manual or specification sheet that came with your PC
reason it is often referred to as “firmware”, since it is both software
• A used but empty USB flash drive
and hardware. The BIOS is particular to each type of motherboard
and is provided by the motherboard manufacturer.

To get the best performance and system stability under Windows 10,
it’s important to make sure that your computer is running the latest
DISCLAIMER
version of its BIOS, so in this tutorial we’ll show you how to: check
the current version, download an update and then install it. Updating the BIOS carries the risk of damaging your PC and you may
also void the warranty on your equipment. If you are not completely
It’s important to note that the BIOS is a vital part of your computer confident that you can carry out this operation safely DO NOT ATTEMPT
and messing up the update process can cause irreparable damage IT. You do so entirely at your own risk; Black Dog Media cannot accept
to your system, possibly rendering it useless. For this reason any responsibility for any damage to your property as a result of
we recommend that you only undertake this process if you are following this tutorial.
confident that you know what you’re doing. If you have any doubt

Checking Your Current BIOS Version

To check the current BIOS version you’ll have to open the BIOS interface. The exact method varies depending on your
motherboard manufacturer.

1 Close all open apps, then click on the Start button and select 2 As your PC reboots, watch for the BIOS messages that flash up on
Power, then Restart. This will shut down your PC and reboot it. the screen. You’re looking for a message that says something like
“Press F2 to enter BIOS”. The message varies; on some systems it’s the
Delete key, on some it’s Esc or one of the F keys.

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3 Restart your PC but this time as it reboots, press the indicated 4 When you’ve found and noted the BIOS version number, press Esc
keyboard key. If Windows launches restart and try again. If you or navigate to the Exit menu and quit out of BIOS without saving,
don’t know which key it should be, try Delete, Esc, F1, F2, F8, F10 or F12. since you haven’t made any changes to anything. You’re now ready to
You should see the BIOS version number displayed, usually at the top of locate a BIOS update for your system.
the screen. Make a note of it.

Download a BIOS Update

Once you’ve found out your BIOS version number, you’ll need to check to see if an update is available. You’ll have to do this whether or not
your PC has a built-in BIOS update utility.

1 Since some computer manufacturer’s websites hide vital update 3 You may see that there are updates that mention Windows 10
information, by far the easiest way to locate a BIOS update is to specifically. If there is a more recent BIOS version available than
type your computer or motherboard model number into Google, along the one you have, click on the link to download it.
with “BIOS update”.

2 Once you’ve located the right page, click on the link for BIOS 4 Once the new BIOS version has finished downloading, insert a
version information. In most cases you should see a list of USB flash drive into any USB port that is attached directly to your
available BIOS versions. Check to see if any are more recent than the computer (not an external USB hub) and copy the downloaded BIOS
one you have. update onto it. Leave the flash drive plugged in for now.

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Flashing Your BIOS Using a Built-in Utility

Now for the scary part – installing the new BIOS update. Make sure you’ve fully backed up your system before attempting this operation.

If you’re attempting to update the BIOS on a laptop, it’s very important that you have it plugged in to the mains adapter, rather than running on the battery. If the
battery runs out part way through the update process you could render your PC inoperable and end up with an expensive doorstop instead of a computer!

1 With the USB flash drive from the previous section still plugged in, 4 The update utility should recognise the USB flash drive that you
restart your PC and enter the BIOS interface by pressing the key have plugged in and it should find the BIOS update that you
that you discovered in the first part of this tutorial. copied onto it. Highlight the update and press Enter.

2 Look at the main menu or the tabs across the top of the BIOS 5 The BIOS update process will now proceed automatically.
screen. If you see “Tools” navigate to it and you should find the Once it’s complete you will see that the BIOS version number
BIOS update utility. has changed.

3 Using the arrow keys, move the cursor to highlight the BIOS flash 6 Press Esc or navigate to Exit, save changes and Exit the BIOS screen.
utility and press enter. You’ll see a confirmation message appear. Your PC will restart and Windows should now launch normally.
Highlight OK and press Enter.

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Updating the BIOS Using WinFlash

For some systems you will need to update the BIOS from within Windows using a special utility called WinFlash (sometimes WinPhlash).

1 Using Google, type in your computer make and model name 4 WinFlash (or WinPhlash) will now open, showing you the name of
followed by “BIOS update”. You should find the page on the the BIOS file, usually BIOS.BAK, and the new BIOS file name.
manufacturer’s website with BIOS update information and links to Check that the option “Backup BIOS and flash BIOS with new settings” is
download an updated BIOS. selected, then click the button labelled “Flash BIOS”.

2 Before you download, make sure that it’s the correct BIOS for your 5 The update process will now proceed automatically. You’ll see a
exact model. Most manufacturers’ sites have a series of menus to window with the progress of the process shown. Once the update
ensure that you’re on the correct page. If you’re sure you’ve found the process is complete your PC should restart automatically. Let it do so
right one, click to download. and check that Windows launches normally.

3 Once the download is complete, extract the files into a temporary 6 Once Windows launches, check the system date and time. If it’s
folder on your desktop. Close any open apps and make sure not updated automatically, you may need to restart your PC
you’ve fully backed up your system. Open the temporary folder and look again and go into the BIOS interface once more to reset the system time.
for an executable file ending with the .exe suffix. Double-click on this file.

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Windows PC
Touchpad Gestures
If you are familiar with using a laptop, you will no doubt also be familiar with using a touchpad or trackpad to
control it. However even if you are used to controlling your laptop with the touchpad, it can be some time before it
feels as familiar as using a traditional mouse. Luckily Windows 10 allows for several very useful touchpad gestures
which, when combined with hotkeys, make using a laptop much quicker and easier.

Horizontal Scroll Place two fingers on the touchpad and slide

TOUCHPAD SETTINGS horizontally. This gesture will work in any app
that allows horizontal scrolling, such as the Internet browser.
Windows 10 contains some basic touchpad settings when used on a
laptop but you may also need to get into the hardware settings for
your particular laptop. You can usually find this in the taskbar menu.
If not, use the universal search to find “Touch Pad Settings” and click
on “Additional Settings”.

Select Item Tap the touch pad with one finger when over the item Vertical Scroll Place two fingers on the touchpad and
you want to select. You can also tap twice to select slide vertically. This gesture is useful for
items that need a double-click. scrolling down through web pages or when reading long text
documents such as Word docs.

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Zoom In Place two fingers on the touchpad and pinch in Task View Place three fingers on the touchpad and swipe them
diagonally. This gesture will be familiar to anyone who away from you. This is one of the new gestures that
uses a smartphone or tablet. Can be used in several core apps, may not work on your device if it does not have a precision touchpad.
including Photos.

Zoom Out Place two fingers on the touchpad and spread out Show Desktop Place three fingers on the touchpad and swipe
diagonally. When you change zoom in a browser, a them towards yourself. Again, this requires a
pop-up will usually appear as you zoom, showing you the change from precision touchpad to work. This can also be achieved by pressing
the default 100%. Windows Key + D.

Context Menu Tap the touchpad with two fingers or press in the Switch Windows Place three fingers on the touchpad and swipe
bottom right corner. This gesture results in the right or left. Requires precision touchpad. You
same as right-clicking with a traditional mouse, usually opening a can also switch between open windows easily by holding Alt and
contextual menu. tapping Tab.

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Mastering Windows 10
Hotkeys
Hotkeys, or keyboard shortcuts, are a useful way to speed up navigating your way around Windows 10, especially
if you are using a laptop and touch pad. Many users know basic Hotkey combinations, such as Ctrl + C and Alt +
Tab, but there are literally hundreds more to learn. These let you do everything from Snap windows left or right, to
switching between Virtual Desktops. Here are some of the most useful Hotkeys for everyday use.

Basic Hotkeys NEW WINDOWS HOTKEYS

Ctrl+C : Copy the selected item
Windows key + A : Open Action Center
Ctrl+X : Cut the selected item
Windows key‌+ S : Open search
Ctrl+V : Paste the selected item
Windows key‌+ C : Open Cortana in listening mode
Ctrl+Z : Undo an action
Windows key + I : Opens the new Windows 10 Settings menu.
Alt+Tab : Switch between open apps
Windows key + X : Opens a system context menu.
Alt+F4 : Close an active item, or exit an app
Windows key + H : Open the Share charm
Windows key + L : Lock your PC or switch accounts
Windows key + T : Cycle through apps on the taskbar
Windows key + D : Display and hide the desktop
Windows logo key + comma : Peek at the desktop
Shift+Delete : Delete item without moving to Recycle Bin
Windows key‌+ Tab : Open Task view
Windows key + Ctrl + D : Add a virtual desktop
Snap Hotkeys Windows key + Ctrl + Right Arrow : Switch to virtual desktop on
the right
Windows key + Ctrl + Left Arrow : Switch to virtual desktop on the left
Windows key + Up Arrow : Maximize current window Windows key + Ctrl + F4 : Close the virtual desktop you’re using
Windows key + Down Arrow : Restores window size
Windows key + Left Arrow : Snaps current window to the left
Windows key + Right Arrow : Snaps current window to the right
Windows key + 2 Arrow Keys : Snaps current window into one corner

Typing Hotkeys
Ctrl + C : Copy the selected item
Ctrl + D : Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Ctrl + R : Refresh the active window
Ctrl + V : Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Y : Redo an action
Ctrl + Z : Undo an action
Ctrl + Right arrow : Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl + Left arrow : Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl + Down arrow : Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl + Up arrow : Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl + Shift with an arrow key : Select a block of text

Taskbar Hotkeys
Shift + click a taskbar button : Open an app or quickly open another
instance of an app
Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar button : Open an app as an administrator
Shift + right-click a taskbar button : Show the window menu for the app
Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar button : Show the window menu for
the group
Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar button : Cycle through the windows of
the group

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DESKTOP HOTKEYS
Windows key + Home : Minimise all but the active desktop window
Windows key + Shift+Up arrow : Stretch the desktop window to the
top and bottom of the screen
Windows key + Shift+Down arrow : Restore desktop windows
vertically, maintaining width
Windows key + Shift + L arrow or R arrow : Move window from one
monitor to another
Windows key + Spacebar : Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows key + Ctrl + Spacebar : Change to a previously selected input
Windows key + Enter : Open Narrator
Windows key + forward slash : Initiate IME reconversion
Windows key + plus or minus : Zoom in or out using Magnifier
Windows key + Esc : Exit Magnifier
File Explorer Shortcuts
File Explorer is your main interface for organising the files you store Dialog Box Shortcuts
on your PC. Here are some useful shortcuts to speed up operations.
Sometimes you may need to open and use a Windows dialog box
Alt + D : Selects the address bar
when you don’t have access to the mouse or trackpad. For these
Ctrl + E and Ctrl + F : Select the search box
times there are keyboard shortcuts to help.
Ctrl + N : Open a new window
Ctrl + W : Close the current window
Ctrl + Tab : Move to the right through tabs
Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel : Toggles through folder size and
Ctrl + Shift + Tab : Move to the left through tabs
layout options
Ctrl + number (1-9) : Move to the corresponding tab
Ctrl + Shift + E : Display all the folders above the selected folder
Tab : Move forward through the dialogue options
Ctrl + Shift + N : Create a new folder
Shift + Tab : Move backwards through the options
Num Lock + asterisk (*) : Display all sub-folders under the selected folder
Alt + underlined letter : Perform the command corresponding to that letter
Num Lock + plus (+) : Display the contents of the selected folder
Spacebar : Select or clear a checkbox Arrow keys: Select a button
Num Lock + minus (-) : Collapse the selected folder
Alt + P : Display the preview pane
Alt + Enter : Opens the Properties dialogue box
Alt + Right arrow : View the next folder
Cortana Hotkeys
Alt + Up arrow : View the folder in which the current folder is contained
Alt + Left arrow or Backspace : View the previous folder Windows Key + Q: Open up Cortana ready for voice input.
Right arrow : Display the current or select the first sub-folder Windows Key + S: Open up Cortana ready for typed input.
Left arrow : Collapse the current selection or select the folder it was in Windows Key + I: Open up the Windows 10 settings pane.
End key : Display the bottom of the active window Windows Key + A: Open up Windows 10 notifications (Action Center).
Home key : Display the top of the active window Windows Key + X: Open the Start button context menu (the one with easy
F11 : Maximise or minimise the active window access to Command Prompt, etc.)

Display Hotkeys
Windows Key + PrtScr: Take a screenshot saved to your Pictures folder.
Windows Key + G: Open the Game DVR recorder (if supported by your
graphics card).
Windows Key + Alt+G: Start recording activity in the current window.
Windows Key + Alt+R: Stop recording in the Game DVR.
Windows Key + P: Switch between display modes (with a secondary
display connected).
Windows Key + plus: Zoom in using the Magnifier utility.
Windows Key + minus: Zoom out using the Magnifier utility.

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 Index

Windows 10
Security and
Maintenance Guides
Learn how to keep your Windows 10 PC running smoothly and safe from
malware and viruses. Master Windows 10 security and maintenance,
including privacy settings, ease of access, folder and file manipulation and
online safety. These guides will explain the workings of the OS and show
you how to get started with key features.

170 180 190

Using the Using Windows Windows 10
Task Manager Defender Troubleshooting
The Task Manager allows you to Discover the built-in tools for Learn about and fix some of
safely look “under the hood” of making Windows 10 safer and the most common problems in
Windows 10. more secure. Windows 10.

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168 Windows 10 Maintenance Tools 182 Free Windows 10 Security Software

170 Exploring the Windows Task Manager 184 Windows Security Checklist
172 Monitor Tasks with the Task Manager 186 Remove Windows 10 Bloatware
174 Manage Your Privacy in Windows 10 188 How to Free Up Space in Windows
176 Understanding and Preventing 190 Troubleshooting Windows 10
Malware Threats
192 Windows 10 Troubleshooting Tips
180 Protect Your PC with
Windows Defender

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 Windows 10 Security and Maintenance Guides

Windows 10
Maintenance Tools
Before you start to add software to help with PC and Windows 10 maintenance, it is worth checking out the
numerous tools included with the OS. These are slightly spread out over several different settings menus and
tool folders but once you know where to find them, you will see that they can really help with system security
and performance.

Storage Sense Activating Storage Sense lets the system software Background Apps One of the easiest ways to conserve power (for
automatically free up storage space by getting rid laptop users) and reduce processor strain, is
of files you no longer need. These can include temporary files such as to take control of Background Apps. These are apps that are, by default,
cookies and the contents of your Recycle Bin. allowed to receive info, send notifications and update in the background.

You can choose when files are deleted, e.g. after 30 days in the Recycle
Bin or if apps don’t use them for a certain amount of time. Alternatively You can either stop all background apps with a single slider click or
you can simply click a button to Clean Now rather than setting you can prevent individual apps from running in the background. Go to
automatic cleaning. You can find the Storage Sense option in Settings > Settings > Privacy > Background Apps and look through the apps listed.
System > Storage. If you see apps that you don’t need notifications or updates from, click
the slider to disable its background activity.

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Troubleshooters Windows 10 includes a number of Disk Tools There are several tools built in to Windows 10 (and
troubleshooting tools, aimed specifically at also in older versions of the OS) that allow you to
certain problems such as audio loss or patchy Internet connection. This is clean, fix and manage your hard disk. Open the File Explorer and look in
often the best place to start when trying to solve problems with your PC the left-hand column for ‘This PC’. Select it and then right-click on Local
and Windows 10, as the OS contains many drivers for common devices Disk (C:). In the General tab, you will see a button for Disk Cleanup that
and may just need a small software update. lets you get rid of temporary Internet files, old program files and so on.

If you click the Tools tab, you can use the Error Checking tool and the Disk
You simply look through the list of troubleshooters and click on Defragment tool. Both of these tools can help your hard disk run more
the one which applies. Choose Run the Troubleshooter and then efficiently. Click on either button and follow the instructions for each.
follow the instructions to try and solve the problem. You can find the
troubleshooters in Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

Disk Management The Disk Management tool is more about Each column contains information about capacity, free space in MB,
diagnostics than actual maintenance percentage of free space and health status. There are some further options,
but it is a useful way of checking whether your hard disk has space such as the ability to change drive letters and mark partitions as active but
available and is healthy. The panel will show all of your disks, as well as they are probably not worth playing around with unless you know what
all of the partitions. you are doing.

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Exploring the Windows

Task Manager
The Task Manager is a very useful tool but even if you have been using Windows for some time, you might never
have looked at it before. The Task Manager contains information on PC performance, the number of running apps,
how many processes are pulling power from the processor and much more.

Start-up Tab
The Start-up tab contains a list of all
the apps, programs and processes that
are enabled every time you start your
computer. If your computer is brand
new, this list should be fairly small and
filled with essential items. But as you
install new apps and software, this
start-up list can become bloated and
slow down boot up. You can disable
auto start-up here.

Processes Tab
The Processes tab is the default tab
when the Task Manager is opened. You
can open the task manager by simply
searching for it in the main search panel.
Just as with any other app or piece of
software in Windows 10, you can pin
a shortcut to the Task Manager, to the
taskbar or as a desktop icon.

Process List
With the Processes tab selected, a list
of all processes is shown. Processes
are bits of software that run in the
background, either running or waiting
to run when a corresponding action is
taken. As you can see from the list
here, things like Cortana and AVG are
shown; these you would obviously
want to leave.

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VIEW OPTIONS
The View options at the top of the Task Manager window allows
you to do several things. You can manually refresh the current tab
and also change the automatic update speed. For example you can
change how the processes are displayed. Either by grouping them by
type, expanding or collapsing the list, or showing status values.

Performance Tab
Another useful tab in the Task Manager is
Performance. This gives you a real-time
performance overview, allowing you to
pinpoint exactly how well your hardware
is coping with whatever you are doing at
the time. If Task Manager is the only app
open, the performance chart should be
very stable but if you are running several
apps, it will show any power spikes.

Resource Usage
If you find your PC becoming slow and
sluggish during normal use, you may
have too many processes running. By
looking at the resource usage chart, you
can see exactly which apps are taking
up the most processing power, physical
memory, disk space and even network
bandwidth. If something is particularly
resource hungry, you can right-click and
stop it.

Fewer Details
You can view a limited version of the
Task Manager by clicking on the “Fewer
Details” button at the bottom of the
window. This makes the window small
enough that it can be left open, in the
corner of your desktop for example, but
still show relevant information. You can
get more information at any time by
clicking “More Details”

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Monitor Tasks with

the Task Manager
If you have a program that isn’t working, want to control what starts up when your PC does or you want to see
what’s running on your PC, then Task Manager is the place to go. Access it via the Power Menu (right-click on Start)
or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete and selecting it from the Security Options menu.

Manage Your PC
Task Manager is a lot more complex than it used to be and it’s now a useful insight into your PC and app performance, allowing you to check
anything from Wi-Fi usage to app crashes and much more.

1 Task Manager starts life as this fairly unassuming little window. If 3 You can see what system resources each app is using in each
you have an app that is unresponsive, select it and click End Task. column. Here Excel is using around 74MB of memory, for example.
Beware that if you do this to an app with unsaved work in it, you will Memory use is almost at its maximum, as you can see at the top of the
lose your work. Clicking the More Details button will expand the Task column. Maxed out resources are no bad thing – after all your PC is there
Manager window. to be used – but when apps crash, they are usually using resources and
not relinquishing them.

2 This window is a little more complex, but the ‘Apps’ part of the 4 If an app crashes, then you need to select it and click End Task as
window is essentially what we were looking at in Step 1. Now the before. You should always try and give it time to recover
apps have been joined by background processes. Your PC will most (especially if you will lose work). Now we’ve clicked the Performance tab
likely be running tens of these unless it’s box-fresh. Here we’ve got 41. at the top of the window and we can see the usage of important
These are things such as Cortana, which runs in the background, and elements of our PC.
our trackpad software.

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5 Here’s our disk usage – as you can see it’s pretty active! You will 8 Although it’s of limited general use, the Users tab details what
also have this if you have several big apps open (we’ve got Edge, apps and processes are running on a per-user basis. This might
Spotify, Word and Excel open in this example). In the previous step you be useful if your PC is running slowly and you want to see what
could see our processor usage, and as you may have noticed, we’ve only resources someone else who is logged into the PC is hogging. They
been using around 40 per cent of its capability during the last minute. might have something wasteful running in the background, for example.

6 Wi-Fi usage (you can also see wired network usage if you use that 9 The Details tab is really for pro users only and has full information
to connect) is more sporadic as the network connection tends to on each running process and which user is responsible for it. You
be used intermittently – unless you’re copying files or similar. Here we’re can also see how much resource the process is taking up as well as what
streaming music, which appears to download in chunks. Notice there’s is called a Process ID, or PID, that identifies the process on your machine.
no data being received or sent right at this moment.

7 The Start-up tab is one of the most important in Task Manager. 10 Services are programs that run in the background. The chances
While you can configure an app such as Skype to start-up when are your PC is running lots of them. For example Windows
Windows does and disable the same within the app, some applications Defender, the built-in security software, runs in the background as a
are sneaky and enable themselves to start when Windows does. Here service. As well as viewing the active services in Task Manager, you can
you can select the app and either enable or stop this from happening. click the Open Services link to manage services on your PC.

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 Windows 10 Security and Maintenance Guides

Manage Your Privacy

in Windows 10
Being in control of security on your computer is important but almost as important is being able to control your
privacy. Microsoft recently launched a web-based privacy dashboard and this has now become available to
everyone in the Creators update. Manage privacy settings across multiple devices using a single account.

The Privacy Dashboard

The privacy dashboard is web-based rather than in the settings and it allows you to manage multiple devices from a single interface, as long
as you are logged in to a single account.

1 Open your browser and navigate to www.account.microsoft.com/ 3 Click on one of the main categories, Search, Browsing, Location
privacy. If prompted, use your Microsoft account details to log in. or Cortana, and you will see more information. This could include
You will be logged in to the privacy overview page that lets you quickly a list of searches you have made or websites visited (in Edge only, not
see what privacy settings the dashboard contains and controls. other browsers), interests Cortana has saved for you or locations you
have been.

2 Along with the main Search, Browsing and Location privacy 4 Each section has a Clear button, whether that is clearing browsing
categories, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will history, search history and so on. It is next to a warning that states
see entries for everything from Apps to Xbox, with simple links to take clearing data will stop Windows being able to provide you with accurate
you to the settings and options for those privacy areas. and relevant information. You need to decide what is more important,
privacy or recommendations.

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5 Another useful privacy section in the dashboard is the Advertising 6 There is also a browser tool that lets you choose if the adverts you
Preferences. This lets you control whether personalised adverts see come from companies other than Microsoft. Click the option
are shown to you in the Edge browser. Some of the ads you may receive under More Choices and wait for the Digital Advertising Alliance scan to
on Microsoft websites and apps are tailored to your previous activities finish. You can then choose from the list to see adverts from different
and searches. advert providers.

Privacy Settings
There are, of course, still privacy options in the main settings app in Windows 10. This is generally added to and improved with each
OS update.

General Privacy Privacy has its own section within the settings; Account Info Apps are able to access very basic personal settings
here there are many different categories such as your name and account information. This is
covering everything from Location to Background Apps. Click on each of so they can sign you in automatically to your Windows account for
the privacy categories to see the options within that category. Use the things like Xbox Live or the Windows Store. You can turn this off
slider switches to allow or block privacy actions. wholesale or on an app by app basis.

Messaging Apps We’re using Windows 10 on a laptop here but if Background Apps You can control which apps you allow to run
we had a tablet with a SIM card we would be in the background. If you’re on a laptop or
able to get control over which apps were able to send messages over desktop this probably won’t be that big an issue, but you may want to
SMS and MMS. You probably want this to be restricted to just your turn these off on tablet devices to conserve power. Some apps you may
Messaging app; most apps really shouldn’t have access to your texts. not use, like Get Office, really don’t need to run in the background.

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Understanding and
Preventing Malware Threats
Viruses, malware, ransomware, trojans, worms: the Internet can sometimes seem like a breeding ground for nasty
things that can ruin your day, and your computer. Let’s take a look at the main threats online, learn how to
recognise them and to avoid things like viruses and ransomware. Then, discover simple ways to avoid and fix them
before the damage is done.

Viruses

Viruses are bits of malicious code that hide within software, electronic Our Advice:
files, etc., waiting to be unknowingly installed onto a PC. The aim of a Many infections come from files attached to emails, so make sure you
virus is not always obvious, and not always the same. Some viruses are have antivirus software installed that can automatically scan attachments.
created and released by people who just want to see the world burn, Even with AV in place, treat any email attachment as suspicious, unless
those who like causing chaos and misery for their fellow man. Some are from a known sender. Free downloads from websites can also be a hiding
designed to create back doors into systems or steal information. place for viruses, so make sure you scan these too. Run a full system
In most cases, viruses are designed to do one thing: make your scan with your antivirus software; use the new Offline Scan in Windows
computer inoperable. Defender if in doubt.

Viruses are well named for their ability to spread themselves through Prevention Tips:
a computer system, infecting multiple files, until they are unknowingly Avoid running any software you have not first scanned with an antivirus
passed on by the infected user. Once spread through a system, they program. Always be careful double-clicking executable files (files that end
can be annoyingly difficult to get rid of. The infection happens once an in .exe) and be wary of clicking on links on websites you don’t completely
infected piece of software or an executable file is run for the first time. trust. Know the signs to look for that show you might be infected:
Exactly what is then infected varies depending on the virus. unusually slow computer, lag when opening windows, etc., strange
pop-ups and error messages.

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Malware

Malware is a fairly loose term and can refer to any malicious software, Our Advice:
including viruses, spyware, worms, trojans, ransomware, etc. It can See the previous “Viruses” boxout for advice on Malware removal.
take the form of  “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executable_code” \o
“Executable code” executable code,  “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Prevention Tips:
Script_(computing)” \o “Script (computing)” scripts, active content, and Any good antivirus/antimalware software installed should be your first
other software. Malware is defined by its malicious intent, acting against defence. Make sure system restore points are enabled on a Windows
the requirements of the computer user — and so does not include PC (see the Ransomeware section below for more details) and avoid
software that causes unintentional harm due to some deficiency. opening suspicious links, attachments and files. Run a full system scan
with your antivirus software; use the new Offline Scan in Windows
All good antivirus software will be looking for malware in all its forms. The Defender if in doubt.
term Malware is used interchangeably with Virus in many cases, but as long
as your PC security software mentions it, you should be fairly well protected.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a form of malicious software which is designed to lock Our Advice:

access to files (or even to the whole computer) and threaten the victim Never pay! Take a breath, do a bit of research and you should see that
into paying money for unlocking them. The infected user will often see Ransomware is actually one of the easiest online threats to remove and fix.
just a single window on screen, informing them of the ransomware For a step-by-step guide to restoring a PC infected with ransomware, read
attack and payment demand. Any attempt to close the window in the our guide here.
normal way will fail and they will be prevented from performing almost
all normal functions on their computer. Prevention Tips:
Aside from having a good antivirus program protecting your PC from
This can be extremely scary for an inexperienced computer user, being infected in the first place, Restore Points are the key to surviving a
especially if there is sensitive material on the device, or if it is used Ransomware attack. By default, Windows 10 has system restore switched on,
for running a business. Ransomware attacks appear to be increasing, which allows you to roll back your computer to an earlier point (before the
as many people will believe they must give in and pay to prevent infection occurred). If you want to check, or manually create a restore point,
embarrassment or the loss of years of work. search for Restore Point on your PC and click ‘Create a restore point’ in the
results. You should be able to see if your main system drive is protected.

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Scareware Adware

Scareware is similar to ransomware in its approach but demands Adware is generally less of a threat than viruses, ransomware or
money in a less direct way. Scareware usually appears in the form of a scareware but you should still try to keep your PC free from it. Adware
pop-up telling you that your computer is infected with a virus or some is usually bundled up with other software or apps and is designed
other sort of malware. Often this is in the form of a fake system scan to sell you things or point you in the direction of a website, etc. It is
with multiple angry red results, exclamation marks, flashing warning more annoying than malicious but because adware forces itself to the
symbols. This is all carefully designed to scare you into clicking the foreground, it can use up system resources that you might need to do
Clean Now (or similar) button. When you do so, you will be told that the things you actually want to do on your computer. Add two, three,
you need to pay for the full version of the cleaner software. four bits of adware, all doing the same resource-hungry things and
you can see the potential problems.
Our Advice:
If the software presenting scan results is not something you installed, or Our Advice:
if the warning appears in the web browser, it is very probably scareware If you start seeing adverts popping up or notice a new toolbar at the top
and should be ignored. If you are unsure, it takes just a moment to do of your browser, or indeed anything you are not expecting to see, have a
a system search on your PC for the named software. If you are at all look at your installed programs. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & Features
worried about the warning, update and run a scan in your preferred and go through the list. If you see something you don’t recognise as
antivirus software suite (AVG, Kaspersky, etc.) being installed by you, do a quick Google search on it to see if it is
known Adware. If it is, you can just uninstall it.
Prevention Tips:
It isn’t always possible to avoid seeing scareware, but you can Prevention Tips:
certainly reduce your chances. Choose, install (and keep up-to-date) Adware, as we have already mentioned, is often bundled up with
an antivirus program. Avira, Avast, AVG and Panda Security all offer legitimate software you are installing. In most cases, during the
free virus protection. Be wary also when installing other software, as installation process you will be asked to ‘uncheck the box if you don’t
even seemingly safe software can sometimes ask to install third-party want…’ or ‘Do you want to install so and so for free?’. Just uncheck or
toolbars, etc. If you are not paying attention, you can easily add dodgy don’t check the box (whichever is relevant). The key is to make sure you
software yourself. read each screen of the installation process when adding software.

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Digital Security FAQ

Trying to understand the digital security
world can be hard work. There’s so much
to take in, that it’s easy to become lost in
the quagmire of acronyms and conflicting
information. Hopefully we can help you
out, with these ten FAQs.

Do I need an antivirus program? Does having extra security cost?

Without a doubt, yes. Windows Most of the security changes you can
10 uses the built-in Windows adopt don’t cost anything, just you being
Defender program to help protect more aware and knowledgeable about
you online. It’s more than ample what’s going on. In terms of an antivirus
for most users but often better product, most of the better total security
security is required. suites will cost you an annual subscription.

Viruses and malware are only on dodgy sites, right? How often do I need to update everything?

No, sorry. Even legitimate websites Windows 10 keeps a continual update

can be infected with a virus or cycle in operation, delivering the latest
some other form of malware. updates in the background. However,
Remember too, a computer virus it’s always best to do a regular check
can enter your system in ways for any updates for both Windows and
other than just going online. any programs you regularly use.

Is online banking safe? How do I know if something being offered is a scam?

Online banking is remarkably safe and That’s a difficult question to answer. More
utilises the latest and continually evolving often than not, if it’s too good to be true
security encryption technologies. There’s then it’s likely to be a scam of some form or
military grade security at every level of the another. There are times when genuine offers
online process, and it’s highly unlikely to are made but it’s best to research as much as
be hacked. possible before committing to anything.

Are hackers after me? I think I’ve just been scammed, what do I do?

Whilst it’s true that most hackers aren’t interested If you think you’ve been scammed, you need to
in the average user, they’re after bigger targets, quickly make some changes: change your Windows
there are instances where you could be targeted password, inform your bank that your details may be
for one reason or another. Generally speaking, compromised, email friends and relatives that you’ve
the average user will only be targeted en masse been scammed, file a police report, scan your computer
in a country-wide phishing or similar attack. for threats, and check your credit card reports.

Can I keep a phishing phone scammer on the line? I’ve opened a scam email attachment, what do I do now?

Yes, there’s nothing stopping you. A school of There’s a good chance you may have a virus on
thought is that while you keep them on the your computer. Close all open programs, open
line, turning it into a mock-prank call, you’re Windows Defender and do a Full Scan of the
saving someone else from being duped. system. If anything is detected Defender will tell
However, it’s best to simply tell them you know you what to do; also, consider a third-party AV
they’re trying to scam you and hang up. suite and scan the computer again.

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Protect Your PC with

Windows Defender
Thanks to a fairly recent update, Windows Defender, the preinstalled security tool for Windows 10, is better than
ever. Defender now includes cloud-based protection and automatic analysis of suspicious software or files. You can
even run a powerful offline scan that can pick up nasties that a normal scan may not.

Set Up Defender
By default, Windows Defender should already by running but if you are using a PC that has had anti-virus software on in the past, parts of it
may have been disabled.

1 The first thing to do is check that Defender is already running. 3 Since the Creators update of April ‘17, Defender is much more in
You can quickly check this by clicking on ‘Show hidden icons’ keeping, design-wise, with the rest of the Windows 10 interface,
(the small arrow button) at the right hand end of the taskbar. If you although it still opens in a separate window. The Defender Security
see the Defender shield logo, you are protected. At least, you are Center is split into several sections, including anti-virus, firewall and
protected partially. device performance.

2 Now it’s time to check out the Defender settings and features. You 4 Below each of the section icons, you can see basic info about that
can right-click on the icon in the hidden icons pop-up, and then section, including whether it is currently enabled or not. Click on
click Open. You can also, in the search box on the taskbar, type Defender any of the section titles and you are able to see more information, along
and then select Windows Defender from the list of results. with any options available for that particular part of Defender.

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Running a Virus Scan

You can scan your PC for viruses in a couple of different ways with Windows Defender. Click the Virus & Threat Protection icon to get started.

1 If you are using a third-party antivirus program, such as Kaspersky 3 You can, if you are not sure the Quick scan is enough, perform an
or AVG, it will say so at the top of the window. If you want to check offline scan. This is a much deeper scan and certainly takes longer
exactly which, click the link ‘View antivirus providers’. This opens the to perform. It is, however, much more likely to find some of the more
Windows Control Panel. Click Security to open the panel and look for devious viruses and other threats. Click Advanced scan and select offline
Virus Protection. scan > Scan now.

2 You can still use Defender to scan for viruses, with or without 4 The other options here let you check for protection updates,
other anti-virus software present. Back in the Virus & Threat as well as change the Virus & Threat protection settings; for
Protection window, click the Quick scan button to get started. A progress example whether real-time protection is on. You can also choose files
bar appears, along with some details of files scanned and time elapsed. or software to exclude from scans and change the notification settings
for Windows Defender.

Windows Firewall
A firewall is often the first defence against viruses and other Internet nasties, so make sure you at least use the one provided by Windows 10.

1 You should always run Windows Firewall even if you have another 2 To turn Windows Firewall on or off, select the Start  button,
firewall turned on. Turning off Windows Firewall might make open Windows Defender Security Center > Firewall & network
your device, and your network if you have one, more vulnerable to protection, choose a network profile and then under Windows Firewall,
unauthorised access.  turn it on or off.

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Free Windows 10
Security Software
Finding security software for your PC can seem easy. Finding security software that works as it should and offers
you the protection you need can be harder. From creating strong passwords to protecting your email from spam,
there are lots of ways you can make your computer safer and less likely to suffer from external problems. Here are a
few of our favourite security programs.

Malwarebytes Anti-malware
Download From: www.malwarebytes.com

The term Malware is used as a way of describing lots of potentially nasty

things that can find their way onto your PC, including viruses, hijackers,
adware and ransomware. Malwarebytes Anti-malware Free will scan for
and protect you from all of them for 14 days after installation, and then just
from general malware and rootkits after the trial period. Before the trial
expires, Malwarebytes will detect and remove malware in real-time using
advanced anti-malware, anti-spyware and anti-rootkit technology.
A rootkit is a collection of computer software, typically malicious, designed
to enable access to a computer or areas of its software that would not
otherwise be allowed and often masks its existence or the existence of
other software.

Scans are done for the newest and most dangerous threats automatically,
so you’re protected without having to even think about it. It also wraps
your browser and software programs in four layers of defence, stopping
attacks that use vulnerabilities in those programs to infect your computer.

Avast Passwords
Download From: www.avast.com/en-gb/passwords

There can be few people around these days who do not have at least a
couple of passwords to remember and if you are anything like us, you have
about 15. From making payments to sending emails, strong passwords
are a vital part of our online life. Many browsers offer to store your identity
information but this is not very secure and can be easily hacked. When you
store passwords in your browser, they are stored on your device along with
the information necessary to decrypt them.

Avast Passwords stores your passwords with a much higher level of

encryption and protects all your data with a password known only to you,
so that your data remains safely hidden from any unauthorised access. It
securely stores your sensitive information and enables you to quickly log
into your online accounts and complete web forms. When you use Avast
Passwords you can quickly import any information stored in your browsers,
and be sure it is stored with top of the line security. Quickly import your
autofill info from Chrome and Firefox, which are unsafe places to store your
passwords. Avast Passwords will easily autofill login information for all of
your accounts, so you don’t have to enter the same info every time. Start
storing the safer way without all the copying and pasting.

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 Free Windows 10 Security Software

ALTERNATIVE PARENTAL CONTROLS

OpenDNS FamilyShield Kidlogger Spyrix Personal Monitor
FamilyShield is a free service from OpenDNS. This free parental control software not only Spyrix Personal Monitor is a powerful
Its parental control tools automatically tracks what your children type and which multifunctional program for complete and
block domains that have been flagged under websites they visit, it also keeps a record of detailed remote monitoring of user activity.
headings such as “tasteless”, “sexuality”, which programs they use and any screen grabs It can act as a keylogger, capture screenshots
or “pornography”. they take. and much more.

Qustodio
Download From: www.qustodio.com

Anyone with teenage children will have felt the worry when letting them have
freedom online. The Internet can be such a great thing but at the same time, it
can be a truly awful place for kids if they (and you) are not careful. Qustodio is
parental control designed for today’s busy, web-savvy parents. No hardware,
no complicated set up, just a simple, web-based dashboard that gives you
the info you need at a glance. Whether your kids use the family computer,
personal laptop, tablet or mobile phone, Qustodio is there to set healthy
limits, block questionable sites and keep kids safe.

You can see the apps your kids use, the searches they conduct, the social sites
they visit and the people they hang out with online. The parent dashboard
condenses each child’s Internet activities into easy-to-scan charts and graphs.
You can also access daily timelines for minute-by-minute details on your
child’s activities, plus a full record of the potentially harmful apps, websites
and social profiles your child interacted with. This means that round-the-clock
supervision doesn’t have to be time consuming; just select the sites you wish
to block, choose time limits for online activities and the software does the rest.

MailWasher Free
Download From: www.mailwasher.net

Spam emails are one of those annoying and

potentially harmful things that just don’t seem to
go away, despite the advances in technology and
the evolution of how we use it. It is not always clear
how our email addresses get into the hands of the
spammers but for almost anyone who uses the
Internet regularly, there will come a time when they
start to arrive. The Nigerian princes, the fake bank
messages or even just the sales letters for products
we have no interest in. We can block and delete
these as they arrive and most email clients include
some spam tools. However a far more complete
solution is MailWasher.

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 Windows 10 Security and Maintenance Guides

Windows Security
Checklist
Taking the time to write down an effective security plan for your home
network will pay dividends in the long-run. With it you’re able to spot
potential leaks in security, secure your home network Wi-Fi and
powerline adapter technologies and ensure digital peace of mind.

Plan Ahead
We’ve come up with a template security checklist which you can use to create your
own: for your home network. Tick each section and remember to keep checking
regularly and alter it as new devices are added.

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 Windows Security Checklist

Checklist
Router Check
– Make sure th
unviewable pla at your router’s
ce. So visitors admin passwo
can’t see them rd and access
when they com passwords are
e into your ho in a secure,
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Check – Log in
the currently a in to your route
ttached device r and check th
s for any anom at the Wi-Fi is u
check it’s still fu alie s. If sing WPS2. Ch
nctioning as u you use any oth eck also
pdates can rese er form of router
t routers. security, doub
le
Wireless Posi
tioning Check
the wireless sig – Using a Wi-F
nal from the ro i analyser on yo
u te r. If it’s reachin ur phone or ta
house, then co g blet, measure
nsider moving ou t into the stree the impact of
it. Keep an eye t and not so m
on the signal p uch the rear of
ower and wea the
OS Update Ch k lo cations.
eck – Check fo
mobile device r any operatin
s that connect g system upda
to the home n tes on all the co
etwork. mputers and W
indows
Security Suite
Update Check
other third-pa – Run a simila
rty security pro r update check
grams and app on any antiviru
lications. s clients, VPN cl
ients and
Program and
App Update C
applications. A heck – Run an
fter that, run a y update check
s many update s on frequently
s on other inst used program
alled program s and
Installed Rog s on all your co
ue Program a mputers.
installed progra nd App Check
ms. If there’s a – Check each co
nything in there mputer on the
necessary. Ma th a t network for its
ke a note of th d oesn’t look rig list of
them with each e p rograms installe h t, research it and
frequent check d (as a screen remove it if
. shot or physic
al note) and co
mpare
Password Rese
t Check – Set
be able to rese a regular, usua
t all their passw lly 30-day, pass
ords for every word reset. Ea
using are stron site th ch individual u
g. Use a passw ey visit and ma ser should
ord manager a ke sure that the p
nd password g asswords they’
enerator if nee re
Firewall Integ ded.
rity Check – C
up and runnin heck that the fi
g and that the rewall on each
re are no rogu computer, and
e programs wit potentially any
hin the inboun devices, is
Back up Impo d and outboun
rtant Files – M d rules set.
We’ll cover ho ake sure that e
w to effectively a ch computer and
back up a Win device is regula
documents an d o w s 10 co rly backed up.
d keep the back mputer on late
up copy some r pages. Back u
where safe; co p important
nsider purchasi
ng a fireproof
safe.

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 Windows 10 Security and Maintenance Guides

Remove Windows
10 Bloatware
The choice to enable free upgrades to Windows 10 for existing Windows users was an almost inevitable step by
Microsoft. Almost as inevitable was an increase in bloatware, similar to that seen on Android devices. Thankfully
there are ways to remove or disable most of it.

Working with 10Apps Manager

Adding software to remove other software may seem counterintuitive but this is a safer way to clean up bloatware than trying to remove
it manually.

1 You can download the 10Apps Manager software from a variety 3 As when making any large system changes to your computer, you
of file download sites or you can get it directly from the should create a system restore point first. You can do this via Start
creators at The Windows Club (www.thewindowsclub.com). It should menu > Control Panel > System Properties > System Protection.
be free wherever you download it from, so don’t be fooled into Configure the restore settings and click “Create”.
paying for this software.

2 Extract the contents of the downloaded 10Apps Manager zip file 4 You can now double-click the 10Apps Manager .exe file to open
and place the folder in your Program Folder and pin the shortcut the software on your computer. The extremely simple main
of its .exe file to your Start menu. Do not separate out the contents of the interface will now open. Each of the tiles represents a piece of
Program folder. You don’t need to install the software. preinstalled software that you can uninstall if you have no use for it.

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 Remove Windows 10 Bloatware

5 Click on any of the tiles and then confirm that you want to 6 You can reinstall any of the apps you uninstall through 10Apps
uninstall the app. You may need to wait a few seconds for the Manager. The only slight annoyance is that the software doesn’t
process to complete. You can delete as many preinstalled apps as you remove or alter the tile once the app is uninstalled, so it is a good idea to
wish but if an app does not appear as a tile on the screen, you won’t be make a note of which apps you remove from your system.
able to add it.

Disabling Other Features

There are several other features that, although not technically bloatware, might not be doing your computer performance any favours.
Let’s take a look at some of the worst offenders.

Targeted Ads Windows 10 assigns every user a unique advertising App Location Access Windows 10 third-party apps can access
ID to make it easier to provide you with targeted your location, webcam, microphone and
adverts. While this cannot be removed, it can be disabled. Head to the more by default. Not all apps require these permissions. Go to Start
“General” tab in Windows 10’s Privacy menu. Disable the topmost toggle menu > Settings > Privacy > Location and remove those permissions that
switch labelled “Let apps use my advertising ID ...” seem unnecessary. Repeat for things like camera and microphone.

Getting to Know You Meant to streamline the new Windows 10 Background Apps This last option seems simple but it can make
user experience, the Getting to Know You a big impact in terms of battery life and
feature records logs of your typing history, saves recordings of your voice, performance. From the Privacy menu, scroll down to the bottom of the
collects information from your contacts etc. Go to Start menu > Settings > menu, then select the “Background apps” option. From here, simply use
Privacy > Speech, linking & typing > Stop Getting to Know Me. the toggle switches to prevent these apps from running on start-up.

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 Windows 10 Security and Maintenance Guides

How to Free Up
Space in Windows
Disk Clean-up is the best way to free up space on your PC. It will clear up redundant files accumulating on your hard
drive including temporary files and Downloaded Program files. But that’s not the only way you can free up space, as
you’ll see…

Clearing Space on Your PC

It’s worth giving your machine a little spring clean every so often to keep it lean. And that doesn’t just mean removing unwanted files and
folders from the desktop. Disk Clean-up should be an essential part of your PC maintenance.

Clean Up Disk Clean-up is a utility included with every copy of Scan Results If you’re scanning a second hard drive, it’s unlikely
Windows. When you launch it (here we’ve searched Disk Clean-up will find a lot on it as it is mostly
for it using the search box on the taskbar), you’ll get this small window concerned with Windows files. And that’s what we’re looking at here in
appear. It will help you rid your PC of detritus that builds up over time as the results window. As you can see, you can check which items you want
you download files from the Internet or install and uninstall apps. to remove from your PC. Click OK to remove.

Which Drive? You’ll be asked to select the drive you want to System Files We actually didn’t click OK in the last step; instead
clean up. Most of the time there’ll only be one clicking the Clean Up System Files option. This
drive you wish to clean up (your C: drive), but it could well be that you’ve won’t harm your Windows installation, but will clean up extraneous files
got more than one storage drive on your PC. Disk Clean-up will then that some people prefer to keep. If you upgraded from an old copy of
begin to scan your drive for things it can sweep up. Windows, this includes your Windows.old folder on your hard drive.

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 How to Free Up Space in Windows

More Options If you click the More Options tab, you’ll see this Uninstaller Each desktop app has a different type of installer
window, taking you straight to the Add/Remove (or, in this case, uninstaller). Many are very similar,
Programs area of Control Panel. It also gives you the option to remove but you do get ones that differ, and one such is this app from Microsoft.
old restore points that take up space inside Windows. The latest restore Often you will be asked if you want to repair the application. You don’t –
point will always be kept in case of a problem with your PC. you want to uninstall.

Programs and Features This area of Control Panel is one of the Windows Features This is for advanced users only. Also from
most used, although it’s not designed this screen you can select Turn Windows
to be utilised quite as much in Windows 10 – the idea is that you’d Features On or Off. You’re able to uninstall elements of Windows that
uninstall using the method in the final step on this page. Still, it’s the you don’t use – perhaps the old Internet Explorer, for example, or
only way to see how much space your desktop applications are taking Microsoft’s Print to PDF plug-in if you have an alternative solution that
up. You can also access it via Control Panel > Programs. you use.

Other Users If you try and uninstall a program with other users Uninstall from Start You’re also able to easily uninstall apps
logged onto the PC, you’ll always get a warning that from the Start menu – simply right-click
other people may be using the application and so it may not uninstall on the app in question and select Uninstall from the menu that appears.
properly. Get other users to log off before uninstalling programs if this is It’s the best way to uninstall any app, whether it’s come from the
an issue. Windows Store or not.

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 Windows 10 Security and Maintenance Guides

Troubleshooting
Windows 10
If you have a problem with your Windows 10 machine, your PC will need to go to the Advanced Start-up Options
menu, sometimes called the Boot Options menu. You may also need to boot into what’s called Safe Mode.
Hopefully this isn’t something you will need regularly but we’ll run you through it anyway.

How to Use Advanced Start-up Options

Modern computers are complicated things and there’s a lot that can go wrong. If your PC really isn’t working correctly or seems slow, these
helpful options will help you get it back on track.

1 You may be taken to the Advanced Start-up Options menu. It will 3 You’ll then see this menu, which is a little transitional for our liking
appear automatically if you have two consecutive start-up errors – we’re not sure why these options aren’t on the screen you get
on your PC. But you can get to it manually from inside Windows 10 by after this in Step 4 (by clicking Troubleshoot). From here, you can also
going to the Settings app > Update & Security, clicking on Recovery and continue to boot up Windows 10 or you can decide to turn off your PC if
selecting Restart Now underneath Advanced Start-up. you are going to take it to a repair shop, for example.

2 If your PC didn’t start correctly, you’ll see this screen. It gives you 4 If you selected Troubleshoot, you get the option to Reset this PC.
the option of restarting and trying again, or clicking on Advanced This is a little confusing in name, because it doesn’t mean restart! It
Options. We’re going to run you through what happens if you click on means resetting Windows to its factory settings (it reinstalls Windows,
this second button – various options are available to you. effectively). You can choose whether or not to keep your files, but we
think this is a risky option. You have got your files backed up, haven’t you?

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 Troubleshooting Windows 10

5 Advanced Options is actually the menu that we want, and you 8 If you need to boot from a particular drive, such as USB, you can
probably will do, too, if there’s something seriously wrong with do so by starting from it using the boot options in the Advanced
your PC. It’s almost like the previous steps were tests to see if you really Options menu. You can also access the command prompt should you
did want to get here. You can try and repair the start-up, or roll back need to do any diagnostic checks of your files, though this isn’t a
using System Restore. common thing to have to do.

6 If you select Start-up Settings, you’ll be shown this screen to 9 When your PC boots after going to Start-up Settings in Step 6,
ensure it is actually what you want (you can always go back using you’ll see this menu. You need to press a number to boot your PC
the Back button of course). From this you can instigate Safe Mode with in a particular way. We’d always recommend seeing if your PC will boot
or without networking access, as well as a low resolution video mode if into Safe Mode with Networking. If it starts up there without issue, it’s
you’re having display problems. probably a third-party software or driver problem rather than something
with Windows itself.

7 If you have a system image handy (a complete backup of your PC 10 This is what Safe Mode looks like. As you can see, it’s very much
in a system image file) you can also restore it at this point. like the standard version of Windows 10, but it is lacking a little
Anything you’ve created since the system image was made will be lost, in its graphical finish. It’s designed for you to troubleshoot what is wrong
so again it’s a reason why you should back up your files. with your system – perhaps you need to roll back to an earlier System
Restore point, for example.

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 Windows 10 Security and Maintenance Guides

Windows 10
Troubleshooting Tips
Windows 10 includes some useful tools for checking on and solving problems but sometimes you need to look a bit
further and deeper. Occasionally you just need to go back to basics. These tips will help you solve some common
problems encountered in Windows 10, particularly after installing the Anniversary update.

First Things to Check

If you’re having problems with Windows Update, the Windows Update Troubleshooter might be able to automatically fix the problem. Go to
Microsoft.com and search for Update Troubleshooter.

Windows Update Troubleshooter Microsoft knows that Checking System Spec If you’re having trouble installing or
things don’t always go running a particular app or game, it
smoothly when updating and have provided a dedicated may be that your PC hardware is not up to scratch. All commercial
troubleshooting tool for use during this key task. If you’re having software will provide details of required and (sometimes) recommended
problems with Windows Update, the Windows Update Troubleshooter specification needed to run it. You can check system spec at any time,
might be able to automatically fix the problem. Go to Microsoft.com and just go to Control Panel and select System and Security, then System.
search for Update Troubleshooter.

Check for Updates Keeping your copy of Windows 10 up to App Updates If an app or program isn’t working with Windows
date with the latest releases can really help 10, particularly after the Anniversary update, try
to avoid problems before they happen. Press the Windows logo key and looking in the Windows Store for an update and if that doesn’t work,
click Settings. Then choose Update & security > Windows Update and delete and reinstall it. To check for available app updates on the
then select Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart store, click the user icon next to the search bar and select Downloads
your PC if required. and Updates.

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 Windows 10 Troubleshooting Tips

Slow Boot Fix Like Windows 8 before it, Windows 10 uses a Non-responsive PC Windows 10 has a completely different shell
hybrid boot to enable fast boot times. It sounds than previous versions. The Explorer.exe
great but can actually slow down boot for some users. Disable it by process is still at its core but there are a few additional components as
searching for Power Options in the Start menu and running the matching well. If you click the Start button and nothing happens or if the entire
Control Panel applet, then in the left-hand pane click Choose what the taskbar refuses to respond to an interaction, open Task Manager (press
power buttons do. Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find Windows Explorer in the task list and click the
Restart button.

Fresh Installation Tool

If Windows 10 is really giving you problems and you have tried everything else to fix the issue, you can try using the Fresh Install
tool. You will lose any installed apps but will keep your files.

1 First make sure you have the following: an Internet connection to 3 BACK UP EVERYTHING you want to keep! Launch the tool and
download the tool and the Windows 10 image and sufficient review and accept the licence terms. Choose what you want to
available data storage on the computer you are installing on. You need keep. If you want to keep your personal files, choose the Keep personal
at least 3GB free for the download and the clean Windows 10 image file. files only option. Select the OK button to start the installation.

2 Download the tool https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software- 4 By using the tool, you may lose your digital licences, digital
download/windows10startfresh. There is some advice on the content associated with applications or other digital entitlements.
download page about retrieving and reinstalling Microsoft software Drivers may also be missing. If you experience any missing drivers after
such as Office. It is worth checking this out if you are heavily reliant on the clean installation has finished, go to Settings > Update & security
that software. >Windows Update.

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 BDM’s

The
Windows10
Manual
Windows is about much more than just browsing
websites in Edge or writing that report for work. After
years of improvements and refinements, Windows 10
now provides email with free online storage, photo
management and editing, one of the best new Internet
browsers around, an app store with millions of pieces of
software, unique tablet crossover features, interactive
maps and navigation and much, much more. This guide is
about taking advantage of these features and discovering
how Windows 10 can add to or make your life easier.

• How to Use the Taskbar • Importing Photos to • Backup with a Recovery • Windows 10 Registry
• Task View and Virtual your PC Drive Tweaks
Desktops • Working with Photos • Understanding the • Defragment Your Hard
• Create and Manage and Images Gaming Tools Drive
Folders • Understanding the • Top 10 Antivirus and • Update Your Device
• Complete Guide to OneDrive Interface Security Packages Drivers
Personalisation • How to Use the • Limiting Data Use when • Update Your
• Get Online With OneNote App Tethering Motherboard BIOS
Microsoft Edge • Installing Alternative • Manage Disk Partitions • Windows 10
• How to Set Up Email Browsers in Windows 10 Maintenance Tools
Accounts • Exploring GIMP on PC • Disable Adverts and • Monitor Tasks with the
• How to Use the Cortana • Understanding and Annoyances Task Manager
Assistant Preventing Malware • Using WIndows 10 • Manage Your Privacy in
• Tracking Dates and Threats Storage Sense Windows 10
Appointments • Using the Phone • Using the Task • Free Windows 10
• Creating a Child Companion Scheduler Security Software
Account • Using Dynamic Lock • Managing Your • Remove Windows 10
• Using the People App • Using Night Mode Notifications Bloatware
• Exploring the Windows • Creating Web Apps with • Disable Unneeded Start- • Troubleshooting
App Store Chrome up Items Windows 10
• Navigating with the • Move apps to a Different • Essential Cortana • Skype in Windows 10
Maps App Drive Commands List

This Manual can be used with Windows 10:

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