With Navigaweb we are learning to use shortcuts, key combinations, secret tricks and very important functions that deserve to become common and daily use for everyone.
In more than 30 years of history, Windows has added new features and tools to each version, improving existing functions and adding new ones.
In this article, we see a summary of what are the most useful Windows 10 functions, partly also present in Windows 7 and 8, that everyone should know and be able to use, without using external programs.
READ ALSO: Discovering the most hidden functions of Windows 10
1) Shortcuts on the taskbar
Most people who have used Windows long enough may have accidentally used one of these special features from the taskbar at the bottom.
In Windows 7 and Windows 10 there are several shortcuts of very useful and knowable keys that can be used on the icons placed on the taskbar.
Holding down the Shift key and then clicking on the icon of an already open window, a new instance of that program opens.
For example, doing it with Word opens a new independent Word window.
The same thing can be done, even more quickly, by pressing the icon with the mouse wheel.
If you click on a system tray icon while holding down the Shift + Ctrl keys it is the same, a new instance of that program opens, this time with administrator permissions.
Pressing the Windows keys - left and right arrows will move the window halfway to the right or left.
Pressing the Windows keys + up arrow maximizes the window.
By clicking a window and shaking it, all the others are minimized.
READ ALSO: 10 Windows tricks that you must use and know on your PC
2) Reliability monitoring
If your computer's performance is not the same as always, you can use the reliability monitoring tool to understand what is causing problems in Windows and find the cause.
3) Virtual desktops
Virtual desktops, only in Windows 10, allow you to divide your work in order to separate open windows and programs.
By pressing the Activity View button (to the right of the search box on the taskbar), you can see all the open windows and virtual desktops at the bottom.
Pressing on New desktop on can create a new empty space in which to open other windows.
The taskbar changes to show the apps you have opened on that desktop, even if the shortcuts for blocked apps (on the taskbar) remain unchanged on all desktops.
Note that, from the activity view screen, you can scroll through the history of everything that has been done on the PC.
4) Sharing files over the network
If we have two or more PCs in the house, there is no need to transfer files from one computer to another, just activate folder sharing on the network and make sure that the files of one PC can also be viewed on the others.
If there are documents or music to share or even movies and photos that everyone needs access to, these files can be shared with everyone in a very simple way, without sending emails or using USB sticks.
To get started, go to Control Panel> Network and Internet> Network and Sharing Center and enable file sharing, through the advanced sharing settings.
For a detailed guide, see how to share files and folders on a computer network on Windows PC.
5) Recovery of disk space
To recover disk space when it is almost full, you can use the disk cleaning tool, capable of freeing up even several gigabytes by deleting files that we no longer need.
For the most part, leftover files from Windows Update updates and those that have been put in the recycle bin will be removed.
In another article all the ways to open the Windows disk cleanup tool and the guide to use it.
READ ALSO: 5 useful tools hidden in the Windows command line
6) Print to PDF
In Windows 10 you can save every document or web page in PDF, thanks to the integrated PDF printer.
Without the need to install other third-party programs, to save any printable text to PDF, just use the Print option and select, instead of our printer, the Microsoft Print to PDF option from the list.
7) Record the screen into a video
In Windows 10 it is very easy to record a movie with what we are doing on the computer.
To do this, just press the Windows + G keys together and open the recording console.
The red recording button starts recording the movie and creates the video of what you see on the screen.
8) Emoji
In Windows 10, the Emoji selector is very convenient, especially when chatting or writing a post.
To open the Emoji panel just press the Windows and keys together . (the point).
9) Secondary Start Menu
The Windows 10 hidden Start menu is the one that contains all the quick links to the sections of the Windows system, to quickly reach things like the Control Panel, settings, command prompt, Run box and more.
To use it, simply press the Windows X keys together or press the right mouse button on the Start menu.
10) Research
The search box in Windows 10 is very efficient and allows you to quickly find programs, settings and files just by writing the initials.
Whenever you don't know where to find a PC program or option, just type in the search field on the taskbar.
11) Remote assistance
In Windows 10, you can search from the Start menu for remote assistance that allows you to connect to someone's PC in remote desktop to provide assistance or to invite someone to connect to our PC to give us assistance.
We talked about this useful feature of Windows 10 in the guide to the easiest ways to give someone PC assistance.
In more than 30 years of history, Windows has added new features and tools to each version, improving existing functions and adding new ones.
In this article, we see a summary of what are the most useful Windows 10 functions, partly also present in Windows 7 and 8, that everyone should know and be able to use, without using external programs.
READ ALSO: Discovering the most hidden functions of Windows 10
1) Shortcuts on the taskbar
Most people who have used Windows long enough may have accidentally used one of these special features from the taskbar at the bottom.
In Windows 7 and Windows 10 there are several shortcuts of very useful and knowable keys that can be used on the icons placed on the taskbar.
Holding down the Shift key and then clicking on the icon of an already open window, a new instance of that program opens.
For example, doing it with Word opens a new independent Word window.
The same thing can be done, even more quickly, by pressing the icon with the mouse wheel.
If you click on a system tray icon while holding down the Shift + Ctrl keys it is the same, a new instance of that program opens, this time with administrator permissions.
Pressing the Windows keys - left and right arrows will move the window halfway to the right or left.
Pressing the Windows keys + up arrow maximizes the window.
By clicking a window and shaking it, all the others are minimized.
READ ALSO: 10 Windows tricks that you must use and know on your PC
2) Reliability monitoring
If your computer's performance is not the same as always, you can use the reliability monitoring tool to understand what is causing problems in Windows and find the cause.
3) Virtual desktops
Virtual desktops, only in Windows 10, allow you to divide your work in order to separate open windows and programs.
By pressing the Activity View button (to the right of the search box on the taskbar), you can see all the open windows and virtual desktops at the bottom.
Pressing on New desktop on can create a new empty space in which to open other windows.
The taskbar changes to show the apps you have opened on that desktop, even if the shortcuts for blocked apps (on the taskbar) remain unchanged on all desktops.
Note that, from the activity view screen, you can scroll through the history of everything that has been done on the PC.
4) Sharing files over the network
If we have two or more PCs in the house, there is no need to transfer files from one computer to another, just activate folder sharing on the network and make sure that the files of one PC can also be viewed on the others.
If there are documents or music to share or even movies and photos that everyone needs access to, these files can be shared with everyone in a very simple way, without sending emails or using USB sticks.
To get started, go to Control Panel> Network and Internet> Network and Sharing Center and enable file sharing, through the advanced sharing settings.
For a detailed guide, see how to share files and folders on a computer network on Windows PC.
5) Recovery of disk space
To recover disk space when it is almost full, you can use the disk cleaning tool, capable of freeing up even several gigabytes by deleting files that we no longer need.
For the most part, leftover files from Windows Update updates and those that have been put in the recycle bin will be removed.
In another article all the ways to open the Windows disk cleanup tool and the guide to use it.
READ ALSO: 5 useful tools hidden in the Windows command line
6) Print to PDF
In Windows 10 you can save every document or web page in PDF, thanks to the integrated PDF printer.
Without the need to install other third-party programs, to save any printable text to PDF, just use the Print option and select, instead of our printer, the Microsoft Print to PDF option from the list.
7) Record the screen into a video
In Windows 10 it is very easy to record a movie with what we are doing on the computer.
To do this, just press the Windows + G keys together and open the recording console.
The red recording button starts recording the movie and creates the video of what you see on the screen.
8) Emoji
In Windows 10, the Emoji selector is very convenient, especially when chatting or writing a post.
To open the Emoji panel just press the Windows and keys together . (the point).
9) Secondary Start Menu
The Windows 10 hidden Start menu is the one that contains all the quick links to the sections of the Windows system, to quickly reach things like the Control Panel, settings, command prompt, Run box and more.
To use it, simply press the Windows X keys together or press the right mouse button on the Start menu.
10) Research
The search box in Windows 10 is very efficient and allows you to quickly find programs, settings and files just by writing the initials.
Whenever you don't know where to find a PC program or option, just type in the search field on the taskbar.
11) Remote assistance
In Windows 10, you can search from the Start menu for remote assistance that allows you to connect to someone's PC in remote desktop to provide assistance or to invite someone to connect to our PC to give us assistance.
We talked about this useful feature of Windows 10 in the guide to the easiest ways to give someone PC assistance.
