Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide for Getting Started and Getting More Out of Windows 10 - Explore the New Interface, Apps, Settings, and More
Windows 10: The Beginner's Guide on how to enjoy and make the most of Windows 10
Windows 10 is the latest and most advanced operating system from Microsoft. It offers a range of features and benefits that can help you work more efficiently, have more fun, and stay safe online. Whether you are new to Windows or upgrading from an older version, this guide will show you how to install, set up, use, troubleshoot, and optimize Windows 10 for your needs.
Windows 10: The Beginner's Guide on how to enjoy and make the most of Windows 10 mobi download 20
Introduction
What is Windows 10 and why you should use it
Windows 10 is the successor of Windows 8.1 and was released in July 2015. It is designed to run on a variety of devices, such as PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, Xbox One consoles, and even some IoT devices. It also supports touchscreens, styluses, keyboards, mice, voice commands, facial recognition, and other input methods.
Windows 10 has many advantages over previous versions of Windows. Some of them are:
It is faster, more stable, more secure, and more compatible with modern hardware and software.
It has a user-friendly interface that adapts to different devices and modes (desktop or tablet).
It has a unified app store that lets you download and install apps for various purposes.
It has a built-in digital assistant called Cortana that can help you with tasks, reminders, searches, and more.
It has a new web browser called Microsoft Edge that is faster, safer, and more feature-rich than Internet Explorer.
It has a new Action Center that displays notifications and quick settings from all over the system.
It has a new Timeline feature that lets you see and resume your activities across different devices.
It has a new Nearby Sharing feature that lets you share files and links with nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
It has a new Dynamic Lock feature that locks your PC automatically when you walk away from it.
It has a new Game Bar feature that lets you record and stream your gameplay clips.
It has a new Game Mode feature that optimizes your PC for gaming performance.
What are the main features and benefits of Windows 10
To give you an overview of what Windows 10 can do for you, here is a table that summarizes some of its main features and benefits:
FeatureDescriptionBenefit
Start menuA menu that appears when you click on the Start button or press the Windows key. It shows your most used and pinned apps, a list of all your apps, and some live tiles that show updates from your apps.It gives you quick and easy access to your apps and settings. You can customize it to suit your preferences and needs.
TaskbarA horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen that shows your open apps, the system tray, the date and time, and some icons for quick actions.It lets you switch between your apps, see your notifications, adjust your volume and network settings, and more.
Action CenterA panel that slides out from the right side of the screen when you click on the notification icon in the system tray or swipe in from the right edge of the screen. It shows your notifications from various sources and some quick settings for common actions.It keeps you informed of important events and lets you take action on them. You can also customize which notifications and settings you want to see.
CortanaA digital assistant that can help you with tasks, reminders, searches, and more. You can activate it by clicking on the Cortana icon in the taskbar, saying "Hey Cortana" if you have a microphone, or pressing the Windows key + C.It makes your life easier by doing things for you, such as setting alarms, checking the weather, sending emails, finding files, and more. You can also ask it questions and get answers.
Microsoft EdgeA web browser that replaces Internet Explorer as the default browser in Windows 10. It is faster, safer, and more feature-rich than Internet Explorer. It supports extensions, tab previews, reading mode, PDF viewing, ink annotations, and more.It lets you browse the web more efficiently and enjoyably. You can also sync your bookmarks, history, passwords, and settings across your devices.
TimelineA feature that lets you see and resume your activities across different devices. You can access it by clicking on the Task View button in the taskbar or pressing Windows key + Tab. It shows a chronological list of your activities in supported apps.It helps you keep track of what you were doing and continue where you left off. You can also see what other people were doing on shared devices.
Nearby SharingA feature that lets you share files and links with nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can enable it by going to Settings > System > Shared experiences and turning on Nearby sharing. You can also choose who can share with you and where to save your received files.It makes sharing easier and faster than using email or cloud storage. You can also share with people who don't have an internet connection.
Dynamic LockA feature that locks your PC automatically when you walk away from it. You can enable it by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and turning on Dynamic lock. You also need to pair your PC with your phone or another Bluetooth device.It protects your PC from unauthorized access when you are not around. You don't have to remember to lock it manually.
Game BarA feature that lets you record and stream your gameplay clips. You can activate it by pressing Windows key + G in any game. It shows a toolbar with buttons for capturing screenshots, videos, audio, and broadcasts.It lets you capture and share your gaming moments with others. You can also adjust some gaming settings and access Xbox Live features.
Game ModeA feature that optimizes your PC for gaming performance. You can enable it by going to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turning on Use Game Mode. It will automatically activate when you launch a game.It improves your gaming experience by minimizing background processes and prioritizing resources for your game.
How to install and set up Windows 10
How to upgrade from a previous version of Windows or perform a clean install
If you have a PC running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you may be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10. To check if you are eligible, go to this website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-upgrade . If you are eligible, follow the instructions on the website to download and install Windows 10.
If you want to perform a clean install of Windows 10 instead of an upgrade, or if you have a new PC without an operating system, you will need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space and a valid license to install Windows 10. You can download the media creation tool from this website: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 . Follow these steps to create the installation media:
Run the media creation tool and accept the license terms.
Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.
Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10 and click Next.
Select USB flash drive and click Next.
Select the USB drive that you want to use and click Next.
Wait for the tool to download and copy the Windows 10 files to the USB drive.
When the process is finished, click Finish and safely remove the USB drive from your computer.
To install Windows 10 from the USB drive, you need to boot your PC from the USB drive. This may require changing the boot order in your PC's BIOS or UEFI settings. To do this, follow these steps:
Insert the USB drive into your PC and restart it.
Press the key that opens the boot device menu. This may vary depending on your PC model and manufacturer. Some common keys are F2, F10, F12, Esc, or Del.
Select the USB drive from the list of boot devices and press Enter.
Wait for the Windows 10 setup screen to appear.
How to customize your Windows 10 settings and preferences
After you install Windows 10, you can customize it to suit your preferences and needs. You can change various settings such as your display, sound, network, privacy, personalization, and more. To access the settings app, click on the Start button and then click on the gear icon. Alternatively, you can press Windows key + I to open it. You will see a list of categories that you can explore and modify. Here are some of the most important settings that you may want to change:
Display: You can adjust your screen resolution, brightness, scale, orientation, night light, and multiple displays.
Sound: You can adjust your volume, output device, input device, sound effects, and troubleshoot problems.
Network & Internet: You can connect to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network, set up a VPN or hotspot, manage your data usage and proxy settings.
Privacy: You can control which apps and features can access your location, camera, microphone, notifications, contacts, calendar, and other personal information.
Personalization: You can change your background image or color, lock screen image or slideshow, themes, colors, fonts, start menu layout, taskbar settings, and more.
How to secure your Windows 10 PC with Windows Hello and other features
Windows 10 offers various features to help you protect your PC from unauthorized access and malware. One of them is Windows Hello, which is a biometric security system that lets you log in to your PC using your face, iris, fingerprint, or PIN. To set up Windows Hello, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and select Windows Hello Face, Windows Hello Face, Windows Hello Fingerprint, or Windows Hello PIN. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your face, fingerprint, or create a PIN. You can also choose to improve recognition or change your sign-in options.
Windows Hello is a more secure and convenient way to sign in to your PC than using a password. It uses your biometric data or a PIN that is only associated with your device and not stored online. You can also use Windows Hello to sign in to some apps and websites that support it.
Other features that can help you secure your Windows 10 PC are:
Windows Defender Antivirus: A built-in antivirus software that protects your PC from viruses, malware, ransomware, and other threats. You can access it by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
Windows Firewall: A built-in firewall software that blocks unauthorized network connections to your PC. You can access it by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
BitLocker: A built-in encryption software that encrypts your hard drive or removable drive to prevent unauthorized access to your data. You can access it by going to Settings > Update & Security > Device encryption or by right-clicking on a drive and selecting Manage BitLocker.
Find My Device: A feature that lets you locate your lost or stolen PC using your Microsoft account. You can enable it by going to Settings > Update & Security > Find My Device and turning on Save my device's location periodically.
How to use Windows 10 for productivity and entertainment
How to use the Start menu, Taskbar, Action Center and Cortana
The Start menu, Taskbar, Action Center and Cortana are some of the most useful features of Windows 10 that can help you work more efficiently and have more fun. Here is how to use them:
The Start menu: The Start menu is where you can access your apps, settings, files, and more. You can click on the Start button or press the Windows key to open it. You can also type in the search box to find what you need. You can customize the Start menu by resizing it, pinning or unpinning apps and tiles, creating folders and groups, and changing the color and transparency.
The Taskbar: The Taskbar is where you can see your open apps, the system tray, the date and time, and some icons for quick actions. You can click on an app icon to switch to it or right-click on it to see more options. You can also pin or unpin apps to the Taskbar for easy access. You can customize the Taskbar by moving it, hiding it, locking it, changing its size and color, and choosing which icons to show or hide.
The Action Center: The Action Center is where you can see your notifications and quick settings from all over the system. You can click on the notification icon in the system tray or swipe in from the right edge of the screen to open it. You can also press Windows key + A to open it. You can dismiss or reply to notifications by clicking or swiping on them. You can also expand or collapse the quick settings panel by clicking on the Expand button. You can customize the Action Center by choosing which notifications and settings you want to see and how they appear.
Cortana: Cortana is a digital assistant that can help you with tasks, reminders, searches, and more. You can activate it by clicking on the Cortana icon in the Taskbar, saying "Hey Cortana" if you have a microphone, or pressing Windows key + C. You can also type or speak your query in the Cortana box. You can customize Cortana by changing its settings, voice, language, skills, permissions, and history.
How to use the Timeline, Nearby Sharing and Dynamic Lock features
The Timeline, Nearby Sharing and Dynamic Lock are some of the new features of Windows 10 that can help you stay connected and productive across different devices. Here is how to use them:
The Timeline: The Timeline is a feature that lets you see and resume your activities across different devices. You can access it by clicking on the Task View button in the Taskbar or pressing Windows key + Tab. It shows a chronological list of your activities in supported apps. You can scroll down or use the timeline slider to see your past activities. You can also click on an activity to resume it or right-click on it to see more options. You can customize the Timeline by choosing which activities to show or hide and how long to keep them.
The Nearby Sharing: The Nearby Sharing is a feature that lets you share files and links with nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can enable it by going to Settings > System > Shared experiences and turning on Nearby sharing. You can also choose who can share with you and where to save your received files. To share something, you can use the Share button in supported apps or right-click on a file or link and select Share. You will see a list of nearby devices that you can share with. To receive something, you will see a notification that you can accept or decline.
The Dynamic Lock: The Dynamic Lock is a feature that locks your PC automatically when you walk away from it. You can enable it by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and turning on Dynamic lock. You also need to pair your PC with your phone or another Bluetooth device. When you move away from your PC with your paired device, your PC will lock itself after 30 seconds. When you come back with your paired device, you can unlock your PC with Windows Hello or your password.
How to use the Game Bar, Game Mode and other gaming features
The Game Bar, Game Mode and other gaming features are some of the features of Windows 10 that can help you enjoy and improve your gaming experience. Here is how to use them:
The Game Bar: The Game Bar is a feature that lets you record and stream your gameplay clips. You can activate it by pressing Windows key + G in any game. It shows a toolbar with buttons for capturing screenshots, videos, audio, and broadcasts. You can also adjust some gaming settings and access Xbox Live features.
The Game Mode: The Game Mode is a feature that optimizes your PC for gaming performance. You can enable it by going to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turning on Use Game Mode. It will automatically activate when you launch a game. It improves your gaming experience by minimizing background processes and prioritizing resources for your game.
Other gaming features: Windows 10 also offers other gaming features such as Xbox app, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Cloud Gaming, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and more. You can access them by going to Settings > Gaming or by using the Xbox app.
How to troubleshoot and optimize Windows 10
How to update and maintain your Windows 10 PC
Updating and maintaining your Windows 10 PC is important to keep it running smoothly and securely. Here are some tips on how to do it:
Check for updates regularly: Windows 10 updates provide new features, security patches, bug fixes, and performance improvements for your PC. You can check for updates by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and clicking on Check for updates. You can also choose when and how to install updates by changing the advanced options.
Clean up your disk space: Over time, your PC may accumulate unnecessary files that take up disk space and slow down your PC. You can clean up your disk space by using the Disk Cleanup tool or the Storage Sense feature. To use the Disk Cleanup tool, go to Start > Windows Administrative Tools > Disk Cleanup and select the drive that you want to clean up. To use the Storage Sense feature, go to Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense.
Uninstall unwanted apps: Some apps that you don't use or need may be taking up disk space and resources on your PC. You can uninstall unwanted apps by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and selecting the app that you want to uninstall. You can also sort the apps by size, name, install date, or usage.
Back up your files: To prevent losing your important files in case of a system failure or a malware attack, you should back up your files regularly. You can back up your files by using the File History feature or the OneDrive cloud storage service. To use the File History feature, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup and turn on Automatically back up my files. To use the OneDrive service, go to Start > OneDrive and sign in with your Microsoft account.
How to fix common Windows 10 problems and errors
Sometimes, you may encounter some problems or errors while using Windows 10. Here are some tips on how to fix them:
Restart your PC: Many problems and errors can be fixed by simply restarting your PC. This can clear the memory and resolve any software conflicts that may have caused the problem. To restart your PC, click on the Start button and then click on the Power button. Choose Restart from the menu.
Use the troubleshooter: Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter that can diagnose and fix various problems, such as blue screen errors, network issues, hardware and devices issues, and more. To use the troubleshooter, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and select the type of problem that you want to troubleshoot. Click on Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.
Use the System File Checker: Windows