Windows 10 Absolute Beginner's Guide

by Alan Wright

Overview

Book + Content Update Program

Make the most of your new Windows 10 device–without needing to be a technical expert! This book is the fastest way to take control of Windows 10, and use it to create, connect, and discover… simplify and organize your whole life… learn more, play more, do more, live better! This book will show you how to do what you want, the way you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time. Windows 10 has never, ever been this simple!

Who knew how simple Windows 10 could be?

This is the easiest, most practical beginner’s guide to using your new Windows 10 desktop, notebook, or tablet… simple, reliable instructions for doing everything you really want to do!

Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:

• Make the new Windows 10 Start menu work just the way you want
• Tweak Windows to reflect your personality and maximize your security
• Reliably connect to your home network or public Wi-Fi
• Master the speedy new Microsoft Edge web browser
• Install and use the best new Windows Store apps
• Enjoy all of your digital photos, videos, movies, and music
• Find whatever you’re looking for–or let Cortana find it for you
• Use free OneDrive cloud storage to store, sync, and back up your files
• Play games and media through Xbox Live
• Manage all email from one easy app: Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo!, and more
• Share files and printers the easy way with Homegroups
• Retrieve up-to-the-minute news, sports, weather, and financial data
• Set up the notifications you want–and turn off those you don’t want
• Create efficient virtual desktops to get more done faster
• Connect multiple monitors to one computer
• Keep your computer safe and healthy–painlessly

Alan Wright has spent a decade providing IT support to enterprises, small businesses, and residential users. He holds several certifications from CompTIA and Microsoft, was technical editor on Using Windows 8 and Microsoft Project 2013 In Depth, and co-authored both Windows 8.1: Absolute Beginner’s Guide and Visio 2013: Absolute Beginner’s Guide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780789754561
Publisher:	Pearson Education
Publication date:	09/14/2015
Series:	Absolute Beginner's Guide
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	528
Sales rank:	1,134,389
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Alan Wright has worked professionally in and around IT for more than 10 years. He has provided enterprise-level support in the Detroit, Michigan, area and now focuses on developing training materials for computer users while continuing to provide software and hardware support for small business and residential users. He holds several certifications from CompTIA and Microsoft and enjoys working with technology and teaching others how they can make technology work for them as computers and tablets continue to evolve. Alan has been the technical editor on other books from Que Publishing, including Using Windows 8, and co-authored Windows 8.1 Absolute Beginner’s Guide.

Table of Contents

Introduction ......................................................................................................................1

What Is an Absolute Beginner? ............................................................................... 3

How This Book Is Organized .................................................................................... 3

Special Bonus Content Online ................................................................................. 4

Conventions Used in This Book ............................................................................... 4

Selects and Selecting ........................................................................................... 4

Special Elements .................................................................................................. 5

Let Me Know What You Think ................................................................................. 5

I Getting Started

1 Meet Windows 10 ....................................................................................................7

What’s New in Windows 10 ..................................................................................... 8

Starting Up Windows .............................................................................................10

Signing In with an Existing Microsoft or Local Account .................................11

Signing In to a New Windows 10 Device ........................................................15

Introducing the Start Menu ....................................................................................19

Displaying All Apps ............................................................................................21

Pinning an Application to the Start Menu .......................................................23

Seeing Tiles That Are Offscreen .......................................................................23

Using the Getting Started App ..............................................................................24

Exiting Windows ......................................................................................................24

Signing Out of Windows 10 ..............................................................................25

Locking Windows 10 ..........................................................................................26

Putting Windows 10 to Sleep ...........................................................................26

Shutting Down Your Windows 10 Computer ..................................................27

2 Interacting with Windows ....................................................................................29

Getting to Know the Windows 10 Interfaces .......................................................30

Working with Continuum and Tablet Mode ....................................................30

Using the Mouse in Windows 10 ......................................................................32

Using the Keyboard in Windows 10 .................................................................33

Using Touch in Windows 10..............................................................................35

Using the Touch Keyboard................................................................................37

Using Controls .........................................................................................................40

Window ...............................................................................................................40

Button ..................................................................................................................41

Text Box ..............................................................................................................42

Check Box ...........................................................................................................42

Switch ..................................................................................................................43

Drop-Down List ...................................................................................................43

Combo Drop-Down List ....................................................................................44

Hamburger Menus .............................................................................................44

3 Optimizing the Start Menu ..................................................................................47

Organizing All Those Tiles......................................................................................48

Accessing the Context Menu of a Tile .............................................................48

Making a Tile Bigger or Smaller .......................................................................49

Controlling Live Tiles .........................................................................................50

Moving a Tile ......................................................................................................51

Show More Tiles .................................................................................................52

Personalizing Tile Groups .......................................................................................53

Creating a Tile Group ........................................................................................53

Moving Tile Groups ...........................................................................................55

Naming a Tile Group .........................................................................................55

Organizing the Navigation Menu of the Start Menu ...........................................56

4 Introducing Windows Apps ..................................................................................61

Learning About Windows Apps .............................................................................62

Shopping at the Windows Store ............................................................................66

Purchasing an App .............................................................................................69

Managing Your Windows Store Purchases ......................................................71

Uninstalling Apps .....................................................................................................74

5 Working with Windows Apps ..............................................................................77

Running Windows Store Apps ...............................................................................78

Starting a Windows Store App .........................................................................78

Stopping a Windows 10 App ............................................................................80

Using Common Windows App Menu Tools ...................................................80

Managing Windows Apps ......................................................................................82

Choosing Default Apps .....................................................................................83

Managing Storage Options for Windows Apps ..............................................84

6 Finding Your Way Around the Windows Desktop ..........................................89

Introducing the Desktop .........................................................................................90

Using the Desktop in Desktop Mode ..............................................................91

Using the Desktop in Tablet Mode .................................................................93

Using Task View .......................................................................................................94

Working with the Taskbar .......................................................................................97

Using the Action Center ....................................................................................98

Customizing the Taskbar .................................................................................100

Working with Applications from the Taskbar ................................................103

Keeping the Desktop Organized .........................................................................105

Arranging the Desktop ...................................................................................105

7 Working with Windows Desktop Applications .............................................. 109

Introducing Desktop Applications .......................................................................110

Working with Desktop Applications ....................................................................111

Starting Desktop Applications ........................................................................113

Using Run as Administrator .............................................................................115

Pinning Desktop Applications to the Taskbar ...............................................116

Saving Shortcuts for Desktop Applications to the Desktop ........................116

Exiting Desktop Programs ...............................................................................118

Working with Windows .........................................................................................118

Installing and Removing Programs ......................................................................120

Installing Programs ...........................................................................................120

Removing Windows Programs ........................................................................121

II Customizing Your Windows 10 Computer

8 Tweaking Windows to Reflect Your Personality ........................................... 125

Personalize Windows.............................................................................................126

Personalizing the Desktop Background .........................................................127

Changing the Color Scheme ...........................................................................130

Customizing the Lock Screen ..........................................................................131

Modifying the Theme ......................................................................................139

Personalizing Your Account Picture ................................................................143

Syncing Your Account Settings .......................................................................145

9 Using Search and Cortana ................................................................................. 149

Using Windows Search .........................................................................................150

Configuring Search...........................................................................................154

Getting to Know Cortana .....................................................................................156

Setting Up Cortana ..........................................................................................157

Using Cortana ...................................................................................................159

Managing Cortana ...........................................................................................163

10 Configuring Input Device Settings .................................................................. 169

The Control Panel or PC Settings? ......................................................................170

Setting Up Your Mouse or Touchpad .................................................................171

Mouse Settings .................................................................................................171

Touchpad Settings ...........................................................................................175

Setting Up Your Keyboard ...................................................................................176

Changing Keyboard Settings ..........................................................................176

Personalize Language, Keyboard, and Date Formats ..................................178

11 Configuring Display and Sound Settings ....................................................... 183

Setting Up Your Display........................................................................................184

Understanding Resolution ..............................................................................184

Setting Up Multiple Monitors .........................................................................187

Make Things Bigger on Your Display .............................................................190

Adjusting Brightness ........................................................................................192

Setting Up Sound ..................................................................................................195

Setting Up Your Speakers ...............................................................................195

Managing Sound for Windows Events ...........................................................197

12 Configuring Notifications and Advanced Settings ....................................... 201

Managing Notifications You Receive ..................................................................202

Ease of Access .......................................................................................................207

Managing Power Options .....................................................................................210

A Simple Approach to Using Power Plans ....................................................210

Common Options Related to Power ..............................................................212

The Manual Method to Manage Power Options ..........................................213

13 Connecting to Networks and the Internet ..................................................... 215

Reviewing Important Internet Connection Basics ..............................................216

Learning About Internet Service Providers ....................................................216

Checking the Hardware Required to Connect ..............................................217

Learning the Internet Connection Services Typically Available .......................217

Understanding Routers for Internet Connection Sharing ............................220

Understanding the Network Adapter.............................................................220

Connecting to the Internet ...................................................................................221

Connecting to a Wireless Network ................................................................222

Connecting Where Free Wi-Fi Is Advertised .................................................225

Connecting to Pay-as-You-Go Wi-Fi ..............................................................227

Connecting to a LAN/Wired Network ...........................................................228

Connecting After Upgrading to Windows 10 ...............................................229

Connecting After You Restart Your Device ...................................................229

III Being Productive

14 Browsing the Web .............................................................................................. 231

Introducing Microsoft Edge .................................................................................232

Surfing the Web with Cortana ........................................................................233

Using Reading View .........................................................................................236

Making Web Notes ..........................................................................................237

Using the New Tab ..........................................................................................239

Browsing the Web with Microsoft Edge .............................................................241

Entering the URL of a Site You Want to Visit ................................................241

Searching the Web ...........................................................................................242

Following a Hyperlink ......................................................................................243

Working with Favorites ...................................................................................244

Using the Hub Pane .........................................................................................246

Working with Tabs ...........................................................................................247

Enhancing Your Browsing Experience ................................................................248

Getting to Know Microsoft Edge Settings ....................................................250

Using Internet Explorer .........................................................................................251

Creating Shortcuts to Websites ......................................................................252

Opening All Links in the Desktop Browser....................................................253

15 Keeping Up with Your Contacts in the People App .................................... 255

Introducing the People App.................................................................................256

Adding Contacts to the People App ..................................................................258

Managing Your Contacts ......................................................................................261

Locating Your Contacts ...................................................................................262

Modifying or Sharing a Contact .....................................................................262

Filtering Contacts .............................................................................................263

16 Setting Up the Mail App .................................................................................. 267

Exploring the Mail App .........................................................................................268

Setting Up Your Email Accounts ..........................................................................269

Setting Up Your Outlook.com, Google, Yahoo!, iCloud, POP, or IMAP Account ..............271

Setting Up Your Exchange or Office 365 Account .......................................273

Manually Setting Up an Email Account Using Exchange, EAS, POP, or IMAP .................275

Managing Your Email Accounts ...........................................................................278

Managing Account Settings ............................................................................278

Managing Account Options ............................................................................281

17 Using the Mail App ............................................................................................. 285

Reading Your Email ...............................................................................................286

Replying to a Message ....................................................................................287

Filing a Message in a Folder ...........................................................................289

Deleting a Message .........................................................................................290

Forwarding a Message ....................................................................................291

Marking a Message as Unread .......................................................................291

Writing an Email Message ....................................................................................293

Addressing Your Message ...............................................................................294

Formatting Your Email Message.....................................................................295

Attaching a Photo, File, Table, or Hyperlink to Your Message ...................297

Checking Spelling in Your Message ...............................................................298

Managing Your Inbox............................................................................................299

Pinning Accounts to the Start Menu ..............................................................299

Flagging Messages ..........................................................................................300

Printing Emails ..................................................................................................301

Future Improvements .......................................................................................302

18 Managing Your Calendar ................................................................................... 305

Starting the Calendar App ...................................................................................306

Controlling the Calendar View ........................................................................307

Setting Calendar Colors ..................................................................................310

Synchronizing with Other Calendars ...................................................................311

Adding Events to Your Calendar .........................................................................313

Customizing the Calendar View......................................................................316

19 Sharing Your Windows Computer with Others ............................................. 319

Windows 10 Users and Account Basics ..............................................................320

Adding a New User ...............................................................................................323

Adding a New User with a Local Account .....................................................323

Adding a New User with a Microsoft Account ..............................................325

Creating a PIN or Picture Password ....................................................................328

Adding a PIN to Your Account .......................................................................329

Adding a Picture Password to Your Account ................................................329

Making Changes to User Accounts .....................................................................332

Changing a User’s Type ..................................................................................332

Removing a User Account ...............................................................................334

Maintaining Security ..............................................................................................337

Windows Hello ..................................................................................................337

Using the Screensaver to Add Security .........................................................338

Two-Step Verification .......................................................................................339

20 Sharing Files and Printers .................................................................................. 343

Networking with Homegroup ..............................................................................344

Using the Windows Homegroup .........................................................................345

Creating a Homegroup ....................................................................................346

Joining a Homegroup ......................................................................................349

Leaving a Homegroup .....................................................................................350

Troubleshooting Homegroup Connections...................................................350

Setting Up Sharing ................................................................................................351

Disabling Sharing for Specific Files or Folders .............................................353

Sharing Files and Folders Only with Specific Users......................................354

Sharing Your Printer ..............................................................................................356

Seeing Stuff Shared by Others ............................................................................360

21 File and Folder Basics ........................................................................................ 363

Files and Folder Basics .........................................................................................364

Understanding Files .........................................................................................364

Understanding Folders ....................................................................................365

Exploring with File Explorer .................................................................................367

Working with Quick Access .............................................................................368

Working with Libraries .....................................................................................369

Navigating the Folder Tree .............................................................................372

Customizing the Content Pane .......................................................................375

Exploring the Preview and Details Pane ........................................................377

Folder Options .................................................................................................379

22 Working with OneDrive ..................................................................................... 383

Introducing OneDrive ...........................................................................................384

Setting Up OneDrive .......................................................................................387

Adding Files to Your OneDrive ......................................................................390

Managing Your OneDrive Files .......................................................................390

Sharing a File on Your OneDrive ...................................................................392

Viewing OneDrive Status ......................................................................................394

Configuring OneDrive Preferences .....................................................................396

Sync Settings with OneDrive ...........................................................................396

Using OneDrive in the Photo App .................................................................397

Using OneDrive with the Music App..............................................................398

Managing Metered Connections Considerations ..............................................400

Troubleshooting OneDrive Issues .......................................................................402

IV Having Fun

23 Working with Photos in Windows ................................................................... 405

Using the Photos App ...........................................................................................406

Viewing Your Collection ..................................................................................407

Using Albums ....................................................................................................412

Tweaking the Photos App with Settings ........................................................415

Editing Your Photos ..............................................................................................417

Using the Camera App .........................................................................................422

Controlling Camera Security ...........................................................................424

Organizing the Pictures Library ............................................................................426

Renaming Your Pictures ...................................................................................426

24 Using Your Microsoft Account for Purchases ................................................ 431

What Are Xbox Services? .....................................................................................432

Purchasing with Your Microsoft Account ............................................................433

Managing Your Microsoft Account .................................................................436

25 Having Fun with Movies and TV Shows ......................................................... 441

Getting Started with the Movies & TV App .......................................................442

Navigating the Movies & TV App ..................................................................442

Adding Your Videos to the Videos Library ....................................................445

Playing Videos in the Movies & TV App .............................................................448

Shopping for Videos .............................................................................................450

Making a Purchase ...........................................................................................451

Renting a Selection ..........................................................................................454

26 Enjoying Music ..................................................................................................... 457

Getting Started with the Groove Music App .....................................................458

Learning What’s Where in the Groove Music App .......................................459

Adding Music to the Groove Music App ............................................................461

How to Link Your Music ...................................................................................462

How to Move Your Music ................................................................................465

Using Album View ............................................................................................466

Creating Playlists ...................................................................................................469

Purchasing Music ...................................................................................................470

Using Groove Music Pass ................................................................................470

Purchasing Music in the Windows Store ........................................................472

Importing Music and Creating Music CDs..........................................................474

Importing Music from a CD ............................................................................474

Creating a Music CD ........................................................................................476

27 Having Fun and Playing Games ....................................................................... 479

Gaming with Windows 10 ....................................................................................480

Understanding Xbox Live Services ......................................................................481

Using the Xbox App ..............................................................................................485

Index ...................................................................................................................... 491

V Online Bonus Content

BC1 These Are a Few of My Favorite Apps .................................................... online

BC2 Working with Other Windows Apps ......................................................... online

BC3 Advanced File and Folder Management .................................................. online

BC4 Keeping Your Computer Healthy .............................................................. online

BC5 Resolving Common Problems .................................................................... online