Making a complete guide on Windows 10 is a work in progress that we are doing in this blog talking about it almost every day.
So you need this post to organize the already updated guides on how to use Windows 10, to draw attention to some tricks that make it easier to use the PC in daily operations and to list the most useful functions.
Obviously, also in order not to repeat ourselves, we focus the discussion above all on how to use the newest Windows 10 functions added by Microsoft in the various annual updates and the changes compared to Windows 7 (skipping the unhappy parenthesis of Windows 8), without therefore starting from zero.
To make a summary of the speech, let's divide the guide on how to use Windows 10 into 12 essential points.
1) The desktop
In Windows 10 the desktop is the same as that seen in Windows 7, although the taskbar has a few more buttons.
In particular, there is a search bar to quickly find files on the PC and a button called activity view which serves to have a history of what is done on the PC and allows you to open different virtual desktops.
At the bottom right, near the clock, there is also an icon of the notification center, which opens a sidebar with quick switches and messages from the apps.
Regarding the application bar and the use of windows, I refer to two very interesting guides:
- Windows taskbar tricks (TaskBar)
- Tricks to organize windows on the Windows desktop
Right click on the desktop, go to Personalize> Wallpaper where you can also choose the Slide Show option to automatically rotate the desktop images.
You can change the appearance of Windows 10 in many ways, as seen in the guide to customize Windows 10.
2) Start menu
The Start Menu of Windows 10 is very different from that of Windows 7, both in appearance and functionality.
The main peculiarity is that the favorite programs can be organized in tiles or boxes while the general list is a column that can be seen or hidden.
From the Start menu it is possible to launch both traditional programs and apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store, which are very similar to those of a smartphone.
To know all the tricks of the Start menu, refer to the guide on how to customize the Windows 10 Start menu.
In Windows 10, moreover, the Start button can also be pressed with the right button to bring up quick shortcuts that reach some crucial parts of the system configuration, such as the Control Panel, Activity Management, Device Management and Command Prompt.
3) Folders and File Explorer
Windows 10 folders work exactly the same as Windows 7, even though the top menu has clearer and easier to use buttons.
In the guide on how to use folders in Windows 10, options and file view.
What is important to know is how to see file extensions (i.e. the three letters after the dot in the file name) so you always know what type of program to use to open a certain file, learning them to recognize.
4) Windows 10 Settings
In Windows 10, in addition to the control panel that remains important even if it is not simple to manage for those with little experience, it is possible to manage almost everything from the Settings menu that can be opened from the Start button, by pressing on it with the right button, or even from the search box or by pressing the gear button.
The Windows 10 settings guide explains all the menus and options included.
5) Security settings
A relevant part of Settings in Windows 10 is devoted to computer security.
We explained Windows 10 security settings in detail in another article.
While these settings can be complicated for those who have no experience, what is important to check is whether the PC is protected with the antivirus integrated in Windows 10, which is absolutely sufficient, as long as it is active.
6) Install the Applications
While nothing changes for programs that are downloaded from the Internet, it is possible in Windows 10 to install apps that are downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
The Store is easily found in the Start menu and allows you to search and install free applications that have the particularity of being integrated into the system and, in some cases, to send notifications as would the apps of a mobile phone.
In another article, the best apps for Windows 10 to download for free.
7) Update Windows 10
Windows 10 is a smarter system than its predecessors, which makes updates automatic and autonomous, asking the user when to install them without interrupting the work.
Update management is done in Settings> Security> Windows Update.
What is important to know is that Windows 10 is also capable of updating device drivers, thus making the PC more stable and performing than what happened with Windows 7.
The Windows 10 Updates released by Microsoft are both Patch type to ensure PC security, and feature updates, which are released twice a year and add or modify some features.
8) Quick keys
The shortcut combinations in Windows 10 allow you to quickly reach folders, programs and settings from your computer keyboard and to activate and deactivate functions without having to search for them with the mouse.
We have seen in another post the main key combinations in Windows 10.
In another article we also saw how to use Windows 10 with gestures on the mouse, touchpad and buttons
9) Print to PDF
One of the most important functions to use in Windows 10 is that of printing to PDF, so as to save any image, screen or document as a PDF without the need for external programs.
10) User and password management
In Windows 10 you can use the traditional simple user or even a Microsoft account.
When you install Windows 10 you are almost forced to use a Microsoft account in Windows 10, which can have advantages for synchronizing the settings between multiple PCs and also for using the integrated Onedrive Cloud function.
As seen in another guide, you can save Photos and files in Onedrive with synchronization between PCs.
In another article, the guide to managing computer users.
11) Backup options
Windows 10 has several integrated backup tools which can be used by going to Settings> Update and security .
While the backup of important files must be done on an external drive or on Onedrive if you prefer, what works well is system recovery in case there are errors.
There is no more need to format and reinstall the system, because there are ways to repair Windows 10 that allow, practically, an automatic reinstallation without data loss.
In another article, the guide to automatic backup of Windows 10.
12) Internet connection
Internet connection options in Windows 10 have not changed much compared to Windows 7, although they can now be managed from Settings more than from the Control Panel.
In this regard, there are three guides to read:
- Set up the private network at home in Windows 10 and publish all the others
- How to share files and folders on a computer network on a Windows PC
- Guide to Windows Networking and Sharing Center
- Improve internet speed in Windows 10
13) Task Manager and Process Management
In Windows 10 the task manager is called in Italian Task Manager and not only shows the active processes, but also the programs that start automatically.
You can then check how the CPU and memory of the computer is used by the active programs and realize which of them can be responsible for slowdowns.
I refer to the guide on the Windows 10 Task Manager for further instructions.
Finally, I refer to the Beginner's Guide for Windows 10 to find the basic instructions for configuring the computer.
READ ALSO:
- Simplify Windows 10 by fixing some options
- First options to be changed in Windows 10
So you need this post to organize the already updated guides on how to use Windows 10, to draw attention to some tricks that make it easier to use the PC in daily operations and to list the most useful functions.
Obviously, also in order not to repeat ourselves, we focus the discussion above all on how to use the newest Windows 10 functions added by Microsoft in the various annual updates and the changes compared to Windows 7 (skipping the unhappy parenthesis of Windows 8), without therefore starting from zero.
To make a summary of the speech, let's divide the guide on how to use Windows 10 into 12 essential points.
1) The desktop
In Windows 10 the desktop is the same as that seen in Windows 7, although the taskbar has a few more buttons.
In particular, there is a search bar to quickly find files on the PC and a button called activity view which serves to have a history of what is done on the PC and allows you to open different virtual desktops.
At the bottom right, near the clock, there is also an icon of the notification center, which opens a sidebar with quick switches and messages from the apps.
Regarding the application bar and the use of windows, I refer to two very interesting guides:
- Windows taskbar tricks (TaskBar)
- Tricks to organize windows on the Windows desktop
Right click on the desktop, go to Personalize> Wallpaper where you can also choose the Slide Show option to automatically rotate the desktop images.
You can change the appearance of Windows 10 in many ways, as seen in the guide to customize Windows 10.
2) Start menu
The Start Menu of Windows 10 is very different from that of Windows 7, both in appearance and functionality.
The main peculiarity is that the favorite programs can be organized in tiles or boxes while the general list is a column that can be seen or hidden.
From the Start menu it is possible to launch both traditional programs and apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store, which are very similar to those of a smartphone.
To know all the tricks of the Start menu, refer to the guide on how to customize the Windows 10 Start menu.
In Windows 10, moreover, the Start button can also be pressed with the right button to bring up quick shortcuts that reach some crucial parts of the system configuration, such as the Control Panel, Activity Management, Device Management and Command Prompt.
3) Folders and File Explorer
Windows 10 folders work exactly the same as Windows 7, even though the top menu has clearer and easier to use buttons.
In the guide on how to use folders in Windows 10, options and file view.
What is important to know is how to see file extensions (i.e. the three letters after the dot in the file name) so you always know what type of program to use to open a certain file, learning them to recognize.
4) Windows 10 Settings
In Windows 10, in addition to the control panel that remains important even if it is not simple to manage for those with little experience, it is possible to manage almost everything from the Settings menu that can be opened from the Start button, by pressing on it with the right button, or even from the search box or by pressing the gear button.
The Windows 10 settings guide explains all the menus and options included.
5) Security settings
A relevant part of Settings in Windows 10 is devoted to computer security.
We explained Windows 10 security settings in detail in another article.
While these settings can be complicated for those who have no experience, what is important to check is whether the PC is protected with the antivirus integrated in Windows 10, which is absolutely sufficient, as long as it is active.
6) Install the Applications
While nothing changes for programs that are downloaded from the Internet, it is possible in Windows 10 to install apps that are downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
The Store is easily found in the Start menu and allows you to search and install free applications that have the particularity of being integrated into the system and, in some cases, to send notifications as would the apps of a mobile phone.
In another article, the best apps for Windows 10 to download for free.
7) Update Windows 10
Windows 10 is a smarter system than its predecessors, which makes updates automatic and autonomous, asking the user when to install them without interrupting the work.
Update management is done in Settings> Security> Windows Update.
What is important to know is that Windows 10 is also capable of updating device drivers, thus making the PC more stable and performing than what happened with Windows 7.
The Windows 10 Updates released by Microsoft are both Patch type to ensure PC security, and feature updates, which are released twice a year and add or modify some features.
8) Quick keys
The shortcut combinations in Windows 10 allow you to quickly reach folders, programs and settings from your computer keyboard and to activate and deactivate functions without having to search for them with the mouse.
We have seen in another post the main key combinations in Windows 10.
In another article we also saw how to use Windows 10 with gestures on the mouse, touchpad and buttons
9) Print to PDF
One of the most important functions to use in Windows 10 is that of printing to PDF, so as to save any image, screen or document as a PDF without the need for external programs.
10) User and password management
In Windows 10 you can use the traditional simple user or even a Microsoft account.
When you install Windows 10 you are almost forced to use a Microsoft account in Windows 10, which can have advantages for synchronizing the settings between multiple PCs and also for using the integrated Onedrive Cloud function.
As seen in another guide, you can save Photos and files in Onedrive with synchronization between PCs.
In another article, the guide to managing computer users.
11) Backup options
Windows 10 has several integrated backup tools which can be used by going to Settings> Update and security .
While the backup of important files must be done on an external drive or on Onedrive if you prefer, what works well is system recovery in case there are errors.
There is no more need to format and reinstall the system, because there are ways to repair Windows 10 that allow, practically, an automatic reinstallation without data loss.
In another article, the guide to automatic backup of Windows 10.
12) Internet connection
Internet connection options in Windows 10 have not changed much compared to Windows 7, although they can now be managed from Settings more than from the Control Panel.
In this regard, there are three guides to read:
- Set up the private network at home in Windows 10 and publish all the others
- How to share files and folders on a computer network on a Windows PC
- Guide to Windows Networking and Sharing Center
- Improve internet speed in Windows 10
13) Task Manager and Process Management
In Windows 10 the task manager is called in Italian Task Manager and not only shows the active processes, but also the programs that start automatically.
You can then check how the CPU and memory of the computer is used by the active programs and realize which of them can be responsible for slowdowns.
I refer to the guide on the Windows 10 Task Manager for further instructions.
Finally, I refer to the Beginner's Guide for Windows 10 to find the basic instructions for configuring the computer.
READ ALSO:
- Simplify Windows 10 by fixing some options
- First options to be changed in Windows 10
