Get the most out of the latest and greatest from Microsoft with these 47 tips and tricks.–PC Pitstop.
47 Windows 10 Tips & Tricks
by Anand Khanse for The Windows Club
Windows 10 is perhaps the last operating system from Microsoft. The new operating system is being offered as a free upgrade to Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 users, for the first year, and will be supported for 10 years by Microsoft. The new operating system has a lot to offer including some great new features. Let us check out some Windows 10 tips and tricks that will help you get the best out of it.
Windows 10 tips and tricks
1] Make Windows 10 behave the way you want it to
Besides Control Panel, Windows 10 has an easy to use PC Settings window where you can easily change and control the settings related to Windows Updates, Networks, Apps etc. Manage your System, change Network and Internet Settings, harden Privacy settings, manage your Devices, Personalize your PC, manage your User Accounts, set your Time & language, use tools for the differently abled and manage Windows Update and Security here. To know what all changes you can make from PC Settings window, read How to open and use Windows 10 Settings app.
2] Open individual settings using Desktop shortcuts
You can create Desktop shortcuts or Context Menu items to open various Settings in Windows 10. See the URI for Settings apps, that open the particular Settings page directly.
3] Edge browser tips and tricks
There is much to Microsoft Edge than what appears. At the core of Edge is the EDGEHTML rendering engine that was developed from scratch to provide a better browser. These Edge browser tips and tricks will make you an Edge ninja!
4] Using Internet Explorer in Windows 10
The default browser in Windows 10 is the all-new Edge. Windows 10 also contains Internet Explorer for legacy purposes which I think will be continued to be used for a considerable time to come. This tip will show you how to open Internet Explorer in Windows 10.
5] Using Cortana in Windows 10
Windows 10 features Cortana, a personal assistant that goes as far to provide you with local information and replace typing in Windows 10 taskbar search box with voice. To give you an idea of how it works, it is like Apple’s Siri. Check out how to set up Cortana in Windows 10 to start using it. If you do not use it, you can disable Cortana. Know how to use Cortana in Edge?
6] Make File Explorer open to This PC instead of Quick Access
Windows 10 users may have noticed that by default, File Explorer opens to Quick Access. Make Explorer open his PC folder. If you don’t use it, you may disable Quick Access.
7] Booting in Safe Mode
This post will show you how to enable and start or boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode. There maybe other ways, but we will cover only 2 of the most convenient ways.
8] Change the look of Windows 10 Start Menu
The Start menu in Windows 10 is divided into two parts: one contains apps and settings, the other part towards the right allows displays live tiles and allows you to pin apps in groups. Check out how to customize Start Menu in Windows 10 to be able to customize Start menu according to your interest and ease of usage.
9] Make Start more private
The major components of Start Menu in Windows 10 are Most Used List, Recent Programs List, PC Settings, Power Options, and Apps Sub-menu. Show or Hide Recently added apps group. Remove Most Used list from the Start Menu in Windows 10.
10] Enable Start Screen or Full-screen Start
Miss the Start Screen? You can enable Start Screen by enabling the Tablet Mode. If wish to enable Start Screen without enabling the Tablet Mode, then the best option for you would be to enable full-screen Start.
I don’t know about you guys, I find it to soon for installing a new OS. Haven’t you learned
your lesson yet? It takes at least 18 months after official release before most of the bug
are recognized and ironed out.
It is true that the new OS will be faster than the previous, then again by the time you have
installed the programs and drivers you are used to working with, I doubt very much if you’ll notice it that much. For me speed is one main factor for computers. The big change came
with the Win8 (15sec) startup, this was the only reason I installed it, to see the difference
from Win7 for myself. After playing around with it for a few weeks, due to lack of drivers I
decided it was too soon and the screen took too long to get used to. I then removed it and
didn’t bother with the 8.1 update. So, I haven’t really used Win8 at all!
Now, after a short time there is yet a new release from Microsoft. Does this mean they won’t
be supporting Win7 for very long?
Personally I think the new release will be an even more privacy issue. As if it’s not bad enough.
As for the “perhaps the last OS from Microsoft” Is this a sales technique? Or is this the
beginning of the end for desktop/laptop computers? Most of the people I know are so used
to their phones and tablets they don’t have time to sit at a computer, or are less comfortable
behind one.
How do I negate the download? I like 7 and my Firefox. It all works well enough for me and I’m not greedy.
I keep postponing and would rather err on the side of caution and reject it.
Put Windows 10 on my laptop before changing it to it on my desktop. There was no sound – not good for the device I use to watch most of my movies. There was no fix that worked after searching both Microsoft and Google, and I went back to Windows 7. Thank God that the reconversion worked properly
I’m a pc tech and I can fix almost anything but Stupid.
People line up at the stores to get windows 8 which is actually win 7 with and app
store……you see microsoft does not have to hit you with all their ads anymore
they just put a store on you comp and called it windows 8.
Sure, like drugs the first couple of apps are free and then……………..Win 7 is
win xp and vista merged with crap jumbled around or renamed.
BUT AS WITH ALL MS OPERATING SYSTEMS MICROSOFT WILL JUST FIX IT ON THE FLY WHILE YOU
FRUSTRATINGLY USE IT.
IN PAST WIN OPERATING SYSTEMS YOU PAID THEM TO BE THEIR GUINEA PIGS.
WIN 10 FREE?
HOW MUCH IS YOUR SANITY WORTH?
Can anyone spell anymore??
I refuse to listen to any idiot that can't even spell correctly. If you can't spell – how valid are your comments?
Why should I trust the word of an uneducated person??
Can anyone spell anymore??
I refuse to listen to any idiot that can't even spell correctly. If you can't spell – how valid are your comments?
Why should I trust the word of an uneducated person??
Where can I download Windows10 … there is no update icon on my task tray/bar.
Thank you
10 is the biggest turd myyoursoft has ever offered! What idiot thought stuffing all those app icons in the "programs popup" was a good idea.. jeez. Even with the popup expanded it is still jammed with "crap apps" . The list gets longer but 10 is gone off my computer now to let the bad memories fade. Moron abound at Redmond. I couldn't remove 10 fast enough. 10 is screwed.
@T Hank Oase: I’m regretting the Win10 download already. Every time I dl anything msft, it takes hours and I have a new 23″ HP that scares me. Began install at 1PM almost midnight and still have a blank monitor non functioning keyboard but a cursor does appear on the screen.
My ASUS laptopn keyboard is a bit ballsed up. @ is under " and vice versa. But aprrt from that it works just fine.
Cant wate to haves iot on my other computers.
Every thing works like it spose to fore me
If Windows is free for first year, how much after that?
How do you go back to Windows 8.1? My DS mobile 600 scanner and Pocket Jet 3 printer are not compatible with 10 and no updates from brother int’l for them don’t want to spend $400 plus for new scanner and printer when these worked find for mobile use.
My windows live and hotmail work ok in windows 10
Fount that some windows on Windows 10 when you click the red X for closing the window. the window closes and then reopens and needs to be close again. Weird ? Windows 10 background colors have to be picked from a block of diff colors and you have no control over the density or customization of those colors. Lots of differences between Windows 10 and 8.1. Now I know why this OS was free. We all are Beta Testers.
Yes, i have Office 2013, works fine in Win10.
Wonder if it is going to let us use the Yahoo.com and Gmail.com for out E mailing?
Downloaded and install W10 yesterday,very nice and fast,just one minor (?) problem,not supporting Windows Live mail and Hotmail,so had to downgrade to 7 again.
TO DOWNLOAD WINDOW 10 YOU WILL NEED TO PAUSE THE SUPER SHIELD FOR 1HOUR OR WINDOWS 10 WILL NOT DOWNLOAD SUPER WILL BLOCK IT
@Tom Cook:I downloaded it (Win 10)the other day….I have Super Shield and had no problems….guess I got lucky but good advice as I have had to disable it with other downloads
Thanks – still waiting to upgrade but I'm sure your advice will be much appreciated when the time comes.
GWXUX error
I keep getting GWXUX error.
anyadvice??
I hope windows 10 will not have any bugs!
2010 and 2013 will work don't know about 2000
Windows 10 is free for a time but will office 2000 or 2013 work in 10?