How to Use Windows 10 (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-31 09:30

Windows is an operating system that is used by billions of people around the world. Windows 10, Microsoft's newest system, was introduced to the public in July 2015. This operating system offers better synchronization when switching devices. To increase productivity and ease of use, Windows 10 has various features, such as Cortana, Microsoft Edge, Action Center, integrated OneNote app, additional Xbox Live features, and the return of the Start menu. With the addition of new features and changes to the system, you may find it difficult to use Windows 10. But don't worry, this wikiHow will teach you how to use it.

Step

Part 1 of 7: Using the Start Menu

Step 1. Understand the function of the new Start menu

On the left side of the Start menu, you'll find Places, which shows the location on your computer. You will also see the Most Used feature which displays the applications you have opened frequently, Recently Added which displays the recently installed applications, and All Apps to see all the applications installed on the device.

Step 2. Make sure the Start menu fills the entire screen

At the top right of the Start menu, you can use the Resize button to make the Start menu fill the entire screen for easy viewing of all applications.

Step 3. Pin (pin) your favorite app on the Start menu

In the application list, you can press and hold or right-click the application and select the Pin to Start option to pin it to the Start menu.

Step 4. Move the location of the app

You can drag apps around the Start menu and place them in folders by moving them to an empty Start menu area until a bounding bar appears. After that, you can name the folder.

Step 5. Quickly search for files and applications

Click Start and enter a search keyword. The search field on the Start menu has the same function as Cortana and can be used to activate it. However, Cortana can only be activated by voice. After entering the search keyword, Windows 10 will search the internet and the computer simultaneously.

Step 6. Change or log out of the user account or shut down the computer

The power button has been moved to the top right of the Start menu. You can also right-click the Start button and select the "Shut down or sign out" option to shut down the computer or change user accounts. If you haven't installed the major update released in November 2015 for Windows 10, you can use that option as a temporary workaround. Otherwise, if you use the power button on the Start menu, the system will experience an error and the Start menu will not be hidden when you restart the computer.

Part 2 of 7: Installing the App

Step 1. Learn the functions of the Windows Store

Applications available in the Windows Store for Windows 10 can be used on various Windows devices. You can download thousands of apps that entertain, make work easier, increase productivity, and connect you with others.

Step 2. Find the desired application

Open the Microsoft Store in the Start menu or taskbar and search for the desired application. You can search for apps using the search field or view the available categories, such as Featured, Top apps, and Best selling apps. Make sure you are signed in to your Microsoft account and set the correct date on your computer.

Step 3. Use the app

Look for the app in the Apps list or in the Recently added category of the Start menu. After installing it, the app will be updated automatically and for free.

Step 4. Open multiple apps in one time

Drag an app to a corner of the screen to open multiple apps at the same time. After that, use Task View to access open applications.

Step 5. Change app settings

To change application settings, select the menu button at the top left of the window. You can also search, share, and print almost all available applications.

Step 6. Create multiple desktops

Windows 10 allows you to have specific application windows on different desktops. To do so, you just need to open Task View and select the Add a desktop option.

Part 3 of 7: Navigating Windows 10

Step 1. Understand how finger gestures work

To quickly browse Windows 10, Microsoft introduced a new finger gesture. In this finger gesture, you can slide your finger from the tip of the touchpad.

Step 2. Learn new finger gestures for touch screens

Move your finger from right to left to view the Action Center (now no longer opens the Charms Bar), move your finger from left to right to view Task View (now no longer opens the application list), move your finger from top to bottom to view the Title Bar, and move your finger from bottom to top to see the Task Bar.

Step 3. Learn new finger gestures for touchpad

Move three fingers from the bottom up to view Task View, move three fingers down to view the desktop, and move three fingers sideways to switch apps.

Step 4. Learn a new keyboard shortcut

Press Ctrl + Windows + D keys to add a desktop. To switch desktops, press Ctrl + Windows + left arrow or right arrow. To see action center, press Windows key + A.

Step 5. Browse Windows 10 using the mouse (mouse) and touch screen (touchscreen)

You can drag apps around the Start menu and place apps side by side so you can use them at the same time.

Part 4 of 7: Trying Apps Available on Windows 10

Step 1. Use Microsoft Edge, the latest Microsoft browser

Edge is an internet browser that integrates well with Cortana, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services. This way, you can search for files and programs more quickly, save websites in the Hub, doodle on website pages to create notations that can be used with the integrated OneNote app, and add websites to your Reading list.

Step 2. Use the Photos app

All photos are stored in the Photos app. This app will sync photos with OneDrive and beautify photos by correcting the red light that appears in the eyes, color, glow, and more.

Step 3. Use the Xbox app

Xbox features will be available in Windows 10. You can search for friends, game history, achievements, activities, and Xbox messages.

Step 4. Use the Maps app

Using this app, you can browse maps in three dimensions, view maps in street view mode, download maps, view directions, and search for new places.

Step 5. Use the Microsoft Store app

This application offers better performance and a uniform architecture for all Microsoft devices. There are thousands of apps that can help keep you entertained and increase your productivity.

Step 6. Use Settings to set up the computer

To open this app, you have to click on the gear-shaped Settings button in the Start menu. After that, you can select the desired category of settings. The Settings app in Windows 10 has a different category and appearance than the Settings app in previous versions of Windows. By setting up your computer, you can improve its performance and change its appearance to your liking.

Step 7. Use the OneNote app that integrates with Windows 10

By using Windows 10, you can create virtual notebooks without having to buy expensive office applications (office suites or collections of applications commonly used in offices, such as Microsoft Office). OneNote is a fairly light and flexible application. This app can help you take notes. Also, if you have taken notes in OneNote or synced notes from the OneDrive website, you can download and access them on other devices. However, if you open notes created using other applications in OneNote, you may not be able to use available features, such as tables and graphics, even if you can adjust the text format.

Note that Microsoft Office 2016 has an app called OneNote as well. To differentiate between OneNote provided by Windows 10 and Microsoft Office, you should pay attention to its name when looking for it in the Start menu. The OneNote application provided by Microsoft Office is named "OneNote 2016", while the OneNote provided by Windows is simply "OneNote"

Part 5 of 7: Tracing Files

Step 1. Use the search field

You can search for files using the search field on the taskbar. Enter the search keywords and you will get search results from the internet and computers.

Step 2. Find the file

Select the My stuff option to search for music, video, settings, and documents files on your computer and OneDrive.

Step 3. Set up a OneDrive account

Log in to your Microsoft account on your device so you can access files stored on OneDrive from File Explorer. After signing in to your Microsoft account, your files will be automatically synced and updated.

Step 4. Save the file on OneDrive

Drag and drop files from File Explorer to the OneDrive folder. When saving files, you can also select a OneDrive account so you can save them there directly.

Step 5. Select the files you want to sync

If you run out of free space or have a limited internet quota, you can choose the folders you want to sync. To do so, press and hold or right-click the OneDrive icon and select the Choose Folders option on the settings tab.

Step 6. Study the Quick access page

When you open File Explorer, you can use the Quick access page to open and view files that are currently open or frequently used. Click the View tab and select Options to adjust Quick access settings.

Part 6 of 7: Using Microsoft Edge

Step 1. Understand how Microsoft Edge works

Microsoft Edge is the latest browser created by Microsoft to replace Internet Explorer.

If you want to use Internet Explorer, you can search for it using the search field on the taskbar or the Start menu. Type "Internet Explorer" and look for the app in the search results list. Apart from that, you can also open Internet Explorer in Microsoft Edge. To do this, browse to the desired website and open the Settings and more menu by clicking the "…" button in the upper right of the window or pressing alt=""Image" + X. After that, select the Open with Internet Explorer option.</h3" />

Step 2. Use Microsoft Edge to perform a quick search

When you search for something on the internet using Microsoft Edge, you will get search results from the internet, your browsing history, and your favorite websites or pages.

Step 3. Go to the Hubs tab

On this tab, you can find your favorite websites or pages, browsing history, reading lists, and downloads. To open the Hub tab, click the star icon at the top-right of the window.

Step 4. Make a doodle on the website

Click the pencil-shaped Add notes button at the top-right of the window to use the pen, highlighter, and take notes.

Step 5. Add pages to Reading list Using this feature, you can save websites to read them at a later time

You can even change the font (font) and set the theme of the page. Keep in mind that the Reading list can be accessed in the Hub.

Part 7 of 7: Setting Up Windows 10

Step 1. Understand the new Windows settings

Microsoft updated the Windows settings system with a new category. As explained earlier in this article, you can find the new Settings app by opening the Start menu and clicking on the Settings app.

Step 2. Set the settings for each app

Each application has its own settings that can be changed. Click the menu button at the top left of the window and open the Settings menu.

Step 3. Change the appearance of the computer

Open the Personalization app in the Settings app to change the lock screen image, background, sound, and more.

Step 4. See Action Center

Action Center serves to accommodate all notifications and allows you to quickly confirm each notification. To open the Action Center, click its icon on the taskbar. Action Center replaces the Notification Center available in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.

• Provide confirmation for each notification. Tap the notification available in the Action Center to get more information. After that, you can confirm without opening the app or clearing the notification by moving your cursor over the notification and clicking the "X" button at the top right of the notification.

  

Step 5. Change Windows 10 settings via Action Center

At the bottom of the Action Center you can see frequently used settings.

Step 6. Use Tablet mode

If you have a touchscreen device in Action Center, you can select Tablet mode to use the touch screen device.

Warning

• If you've pinned a website on your taskbar, Start menu, or desktop using Internet Explorer that was available in earlier versions of Windows, clicking on the website will open it in Internet Explorer. These embedded websites cannot be opened using Edge so you cannot use the features available in Edge when opening those websites. Also, websites cannot be permanently deleted until Microsoft provides a way to remove them from the Start menu, taskbar, or desktop. However, you can hide it in the taskbar.
• Microsoft says that they will support its operating system for several years. Therefore, it is advisable to update the operating system regularly. Microsoft provides major updates for Windows every five to six months. Windows update frequency is more frequent than Apple operating system update. Usually Apple releases a major update once a year.