Windows® 10 Tips and Tricks

Windows® 10 Tips and Tricks

by Guy Hart-Davis
Released November 2015
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 9780134268132

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Book description

Easily Unlock the Power of Your New Windows 10 Computer
Discover hundreds of tips and tricks you can use right away with your Windows 10 computer to get more done and have more fun.

You’ll learn how to use your Windows 10 computer both as a powerful communication, organization, and productivity tool and as a feature-packed entertainment device. Guy Hart-Davis shows you strategies for making the most of Microsoft’s robust built-in apps, from the new Edge browser to your Cortana personal assistant.

Easy to understand and nontechnical, Windows 10 Tips and Tricks is perfect for beginners--and for more experienced users ready to get more productive or move to a new computer. Whether you’re running Windows 10 on a desktop, a laptop, or a tablet, get this book and run it better!

Here’s just a sampling of what this book’s tips, tricks, and strategies will help you do:

  • Set up your Windows 10 computer and make it work just the way you want

  • Navigate Windows 10 like a pro

  • Make the most of Windows’ resurrected and improved Start menu

  • Explore the web faster, smarter, and more safely with Microsoft Edge

  • Enter text whatever way you like best--including the on-screen keyboard and handwriting panel

  • Communicate via email, Skype, and much more

  • Quickly find whatever you’re looking for, wherever you’ve stored it

  • Share your device with others and still keep it secure

  • Connect to wireless networks more reliably, with better performance--even hidden networks!

  • Use multiple displays at once--even TV screens

  • Give yourself faster access to the apps and files you need the most

  • Protect your privacy and choose which notifications to receive

  • Organize and share your media library

  • Supercharge your productivity with virtual desktops and other shortcuts

  • Improve performance, fix problems, and keep Windows 10 working reliably

    •

    Table of contents

    1. About This E-Book
    2. Title Page
    3. Copyright Page
    4. Contents at a Glance
    5. Table of Contents
    6. About the Author
    7. Dedication
    8. Acknowledgments
    9. We Want to Hear from You!
    10. Reader Services
    11. Introduction
      1. What Does This Book Cover?
      2. What Do I Need to Know to Get Started?
    12. 1. Setting Up Windows
      1. Starting the Installation
      2. Choosing Between an Upgrade and a Custom Installation
      3. Choosing the Drive and Partition for a Custom Installation
      4. Making the Right Choices on the Setup Screens
        1. Choosing Between Using Default Settings and Configuring Windows Manually
        2. Choosing Personalization and Location Settings
        3. Choosing Browser, Protection, Connectivity, and Error Reporting Settings
        4. Working on the Who Owns This PC? Screen
        5. Working on the Make It Yours Screen
        6. Setting a PIN and Meeting Cortana
        7. Working on the Create an Account for This PC Screen
        8. Working in the Networks Pane
      5. Signing In and Out of Windows
      6. Locking Windows
      7. Restarting Windows
      8. Putting Your Computer to Sleep or into Hibernation
      9. Configuring and Using Cortana
        1. Configuring Cortana
        2. Searching with Cortana
      10. Shutting Down Your Computer
    13. 2. Navigating Windows Like a Pro
      1. Using the Start Menu
        1. Opening the Start Menu
        2. Getting Around the Start Menu
      2. Tweaking Your Input Devices
        1. Adjusting the Mouse or Touchpad
        2. Choosing the Right Pen and Touch Settings
        3. Configuring Pen and Touch Input
        4. Configuring Your Keyboard
        5. Configuring Typing Settings
        6. Configuring Your Language and Keyboard Layout
        7. Setting Up Speech Recognition
      3. Inputting Text
        1. Inputting Text with a Hardware Keyboard
        2. Inputting Text with the Touch Keyboard and the Handwriting Panel
        3. Inputting Text via Speech Recognition
      4. Resizing and Arranging Windows
        1. Resizing and Closing Windows with the Command Buttons
        2. Using Snap and Snap Assist
        3. Arranging Windows Manually
        4. Resizing, Arranging, and Closing Windows with Keyboard Shortcuts
        5. Switching Among Open Windows
    14. 3. Connecting to Networks and the Internet
      1. Connecting to a Wired Network
      2. Connecting to a Wireless Network
        1. Connecting to a Wireless Network That Broadcasts Its Name
        2. Connecting to a Hidden Wireless Network
        3. Disconnecting from and Reconnecting to Wireless Networks
        4. Whitelisting Your Device on a Wi-Fi Network
      3. Managing Your Network Connections
        1. Using Airplane Mode and Turning Off Wireless Devices
        2. Configuring IP Settings Manually
        3. Connecting Through a Proxy Server
        4. Prioritizing One Network Connection over Another
        5. Bridging Two or More Network Connections
        6. Improving Wireless Speed and Reliability
        7. Forgetting a Wireless Network
      4. Connecting Through a VPN
        1. Setting Up a VPN Connection
        2. Connecting via the VPN
      5. Mapping a Drive to a Network Folder
      6. Sharing Your Computer’s Internet Connection
      7. Diagnosing and Repairing Network Problems
        1. Determining Whether a Problem Has Occurred
        2. Using the Troubleshoot Problems Feature
    15. 4. Connecting External Hardware
      1. Connecting External Drives
        1. Making the Physical Connection
        2. Formatting a Drive
        3. Configuring an External Drive for Better Performance
        4. Ejecting an External Drive
      2. Sorting Out Your Displays
        1. Connecting a Display
        2. Opening the Display Pane in Settings
        3. Choosing Essential Display Settings
        4. Choosing Advanced Display Settings
      3. Using Virtual Desktops
      4. Setting Up Your Printers
        1. Connecting a Local Printer
        2. Connecting a Network Printer
        3. Configuring Your Printer
    16. 5. Customizing Windows to Suit Your Needs
      1. Customizing the Start Menu
        1. Choosing Which Categories of Items to Display on the Start Menu
        2. Customizing the Start Menu Directly
      2. Customizing the Taskbar
        1. Moving and Resizing the Taskbar
        2. Configuring the Taskbar’s Behavior
        3. Putting the Apps You Need Most on the Taskbar
        4. Making the Most of Taskbar Toolbars
        5. Choosing Which Icons to Display in the Notification Area
      3. Saving Time with Automatic Login—and Why You Shouldn’t
      4. Making the Lock Screen Show the Information You Need
        1. Displaying the Lock Screen Pane
        2. Setting the Picture or Slideshow
        3. Adding Apps to the Lock Screen for Quick Reference
      5. Making the Recycle Bin Work the Way You Prefer
      6. Telling Windows Which Notifications You Want to Receive
        1. Opening the Notifications & Actions Pane
        2. Choosing Essential Notifications Settings
    17. 6. Sorting Out Your Files, Folders, and Storage
      1. Navigating File Explorer Quickly and Efficiently
        1. Opening a File Explorer Window
        2. Putting Useful Buttons on the Quick Access Toolbar
        3. Using the File Menu
        4. Finding Your Way Around the Ribbon
      2. Customizing How File Explorer Looks and Works
        1. Changing the Layout
        2. Customizing the Quick Access View
        3. Choosing How to Lay Out the Items
        4. Sorting and Grouping Items
        5. Choosing Which Items to Show and Which to Hide
        6. Adjusting Folder and Search Options
      3. Finding the Files and Folders You Need
      4. Using Libraries and Folders the Smart Way
        1. Coming to Grips with the Default Libraries
        2. Creating a New Library
        3. Including Folders in Your Library
        4. Setting the Library’s Default Save Location and Public Save Location
        5. Configuring the Library to Work Your Way
        6. Restoring Your Default Libraries
      5. Managing Your Storage
        1. Seeing What’s Taking Up Space on Your Computer
        2. Controlling Where Windows Saves Games, Apps, Music, and Other Items
      6. Creating Pooled Storage with Storage Spaces
        1. Understanding Simple Spaces, Mirror Spaces, and Parity Spaces
        2. Creating a Storage Space
        3. Using the Storage Space
        4. Changing an Existing Storage Space
        5. Deleting a Storage Space
    18. 7. Securing and Sharing Your Computer
      1. Configuring Accounts for Practicality and Security
        1. Setting Your Profile Picture
        2. Connecting a Local Account to a Microsoft Account
        3. Securing Your Account with a Password, Picture Password, PIN, or Windows Hello
        4. Creating Accounts for Others
      2. Tightening Your Computer’s Security
        1. Locking Your Computer with a Startup Password
        2. Setting Your Computer to Lock Automatically
        3. Increasing Login Security with Secure Sign-In
        4. Configuring User Account Control
        5. Controlling Recent App Switching
        6. Setting Up Assigned Access
      3. Configuring Sharing
        1. Sharing via a Homegroup
        2. Using Advanced Sharing
    19. 8. Optimizing Your Computer’s Performance
      1. Adding Memory If You Can
      2. Turning Off Eye Candy to Boost Performance
      3. Configuring the Paging File
      4. Controlling Data Execution Prevention
      5. Stopping Unnecessary Services
      6. Turning Off Superfetch and Prefetch
        1. Turning Off Superfetch
        2. Turning Off Prefetch
      7. Reducing the Number of Startup Items
      8. Optimizing and Defragmenting Your Computer’s Hard Drive
        1. Checking Free Space and Opening the Optimize Drives Window
        2. Analyzing and Optimizing a Drive
        3. Choosing Settings for Scheduled Optimization
      9. Getting Rid of Useless Apps
      10. Extending Runtime on the Battery
        1. Setting a Sensible Power Plan
        2. Using Airplane Mode and Turning Off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
        3. Avoiding Power-Hungry Apps
      11. Choosing Settings for Playing Games
    20. 9. Installing, Running, and Managing Apps
      1. Getting the Apps You Need
        1. Getting Apps from the Store
        2. Getting and Installing Apps from Other Sources
      2. Managing the Apps You’re Running
        1. Closing an App That Stops Responding
        2. Going Further with Other Actions in Task Manager
      3. Removing Unwanted Apps
      4. Setting the Default Apps You Need
        1. Opening the Default Apps Pane in the Settings App
        2. Choosing Your Default Apps
        3. Choosing Default Apps by File Types or by Protocols
        4. Choosing Default Apps by Apps
        5. Opening a File in a Non-Default App and Changing the Default App
    21. 10. Enjoying Music, Photos, and Videos
      1. Understanding Windows Media Player and Groove Music
      2. Using Windows Media Player
        1. Setting Up Windows Media Player to Protect Your Privacy
        2. Navigating Windows Media Player
        3. Adding Your Music to Windows Media Player
        4. Playing Music with Windows Media Player
        5. Syncing Music with Your Phone or Tablet
        6. Importing Photos and Videos Using Windows Media Player
        7. Sharing Media Libraries
      3. Exploring the Groove Music App and the Groove Service
        1. Getting Started with Groove Music
        2. Adding Music to Your Groove Music Collection
        3. Playing Music with Groove Music
        4. Creating Playlists in Groove Music
      4. Watching Videos and DVDs
    22. 11. Browsing the Internet Safely
      1. Navigating Microsoft Edge Like a Pro
        1. Viewing Pages
        2. Working with Tabs and Windows
        3. Browsing Fast with Page Prediction
        4. Copying Text with Caret Browsing
        5. Removing Distractions with Reading Mode
        6. Browsing the Smart Way with Favorites
        7. Returning to Pages You Viewed Earlier
        8. Catching Up with Your Reading List
      2. Annotating Web Pages with Web Note
      3. Controlling Microsoft Edge with Keyboard Shortcuts
      4. Configuring Microsoft Edge for Comfort and Security
        1. Configuring General Settings
        2. Configuring Essential Advanced Settings
        3. Configuring Privacy and Services Settings
        4. Clearing Your Browsing Data
    23. 12. Communicating via Email and Skype
      1. Communicating via Email
        1. Setting Up Your Email Accounts
        2. Navigating in the Mail App
        3. Configuring Your Email Accounts and the Mail App
      2. Communicating via Skype
        1. Getting the Skype App
        2. Completing the Initial Setup Routine
        3. Navigating the Skype Screen
        4. Communicating via Skype
        5. Configuring Skype to Work Your Way
        6. Configuring Keyboard Shortcuts on the Hotkeys Screen
        7. Choosing Options on the Accessibility Screen
        8. Saving Your Configuration Changes
    24. 13. Updating and Troubleshooting Windows
      1. Making Windows Update Work Your Way
        1. Configuring Windows Update
        2. Applying an Update
      2. Backing Up Key Files with File History
        1. Enabling File History
        2. Using History to Restore Files
      3. Resolving Issues in Action Center
      4. Reviewing Security and Maintenance Issues
      5. Creating and Using System Restore Points
        1. Creating System Restore Points
        2. Restoring Windows to a System Restore Point
        3. Undoing a System Restore Operation
      6. Solving Problems with the Recovery Tools
        1. Accessing the Recovery Tools
        2. Resetting Your PC
        3. Going Back to an Earlier Build of Windows
        4. Using the Advanced Startup Tools
    25. 14. Going Further with Advanced Moves
      1. Working with Partitions
        1. Examining the Partitions on Your Computer’s Drive
        2. Shrinking a Partition
        3. Creating a New Partition
        4. Extending a Partition
        5. Deleting a Partition
      2. Running Multiple Operating Systems on Your Computer
        1. Dual-Booting or Multi-Booting Windows with Another Operating System
        2. Installing and Running Other Operating Systems with Hyper-V
        3. Installing and Running Other Operating Systems with Third-Party Virtual-Machine Software
      3. Making Advanced Changes by Editing the Registry
        1. Opening Registry Editor and Navigating Its Interface
        2. Understanding What’s What in the Registry
        3. Backing Up and Restoring the Registry
        4. An Example: Removing an App from the Open With Submenu in File Explorer
    26. Index

    Product information

    • Title: Windows® 10 Tips and Tricks
    • Author(s): Guy Hart-Davis
    • Release date: November 2015
    • Publisher(s): Que
    • ISBN: 9780134268132