Windows 10 in easy steps, 3rd Edition

Covers the Creators Update

Nick Vandome

• Publisher: In Easy Steps Limited
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781840787986
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Operating Systems
• Index: Computer Science

Windows 10 in easy steps, 3rdEditionprovides full-colour and comprehensive coverage of the latest Windows operating system and shows how to get the most out of it, whether you are using a desktop computer or a mobile device. It details the new features and shows how these integrate with the more traditional elements of the operating system. It covers the new features, and includes: Upgrading to Windows 10 and personalising it for your needs; Getting to grips with the Windows 10 interface, navigating with the Start menu, the Start button, and the Taskbar; Customising the live tiles feature, so that you can create your own look and feel; Accessing and downloading apps, and how to work with them and organise them; Working with files and folders, using OneDrive for free storage and sharing files; Using Cortana, the Personal Digital Assistant, to search your computer or the web, or to perform actions like opening apps or documents; Getting online with the new browser, Microsoft Edge, and keeping in touch by email and Skype; Perfecting photos, viewing movies, playing music and games. Windows 10 in easy steps, 3rdEditionalso covers the new features in the operating system, which include: The Settings app has been updated to include more options; There is a new Settings category for Gaming, and there is also a new Game Bar which can be activated when playing games; The Start menu has been enhanced, with the option of creating folders on the Start menu so that several items can be stored and accessed within one menu tile; Cortana, the Windows 10 personal digital assistant has new voice commands for turning off, sleeping or restarting a PC, and also a greater range of apps now support Cortana; The Microsoft Edge web browser has enhanced tabs functions, whereby they can be grouped together and also previewed by moving the cursor over a tab; The Share menu has been redesigned to display apps with which certain items can be shared, and this is available from the Share button in a range of apps; 3D features prominently in the Windows 10 Creators Update, with a new app, Paint 3D, for creating your own 3D pictures. Other 3D enhancements include being able to upload and view 3D images in the Edge web browser, and 3D models can be used in PowerPoint for transitions between slides; Developing the 3D theme further, the Windows 10 Creators Update also includes a number of Mixed Reality (MR) features. Mixed Reality is the combining of the real and virtual worlds to create a unique user experience. Windows 10 is one of the most significant upgrades in Microsoft's history andWindows 10 in easy steps, 3rd Editionis ideal for newbies and for those wanting to quickly grasp the essentials in the new Creators Update version. Covers the CreatorsUpdate, releasedApril 2017

1

Introducing Windows 10

This chapter explains what Windows is, and shows how to get started with the operating system, including the changes in Windows 10 Creators Update and its interface, keyboard shortcuts, creating a Microsoft Account and signing in.

What is Windows?

About Windows 10

About Creators Update

Windows 10 Interface

Obtaining Windows 10

Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows 10 for Touch

Control Panel and Settings

Using a Microsoft Account

Sign-in Options

32-Bit versus 64-Bit

What is Windows?

Windows is an operating system for PCs (personal computers), laptops and tablets. The operating system is the software that organizes and controls all of the components (hardware and software) in your computer.

The first operating system from Microsoft was known as MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System). This was a non-graphical, line-oriented, command-driven operating system, able to run only one application at a time. The original Windows system was an interface manager that ran on top of the MS-DOS system, providing a graphical user interface (GUI) and using clever processor and memory management to allow it to run more than one application or function at a time.

The basic element of Windows was its “windowing” capability. A window (with a lower-case w) is a rectangular area used to display information or to run a program or app. Several windows can be opened at the same time so that you can work with multiple applications. This provided a dramatic increase in productivity, in comparison with the original MS-DOS.

Microsoft released four versions of this interface management Windows, with numerous intermediate versions, including:

•1985 – Windows 1.0

•1987 – Windows 2.0, 2.1 & 2.11

•1990 – Windows 3.0, 3.1, 3.11 (Windows for Workgroups)

•1995 – Windows 95

•1998 – Windows 98, 98 SE

•2000 – Windows Me (Millennium Edition)

The next version, Windows XP, was a full operating system in its own right. This was followed by Windows Vista and then Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 (there was no Windows 9).

•2001 – Windows XP (eXPerience) Home and Professional

•2007 – Windows Vista Home, Home Premium, Ultimate etc.

•2009 – Windows 7 Starter, Home Premium, Ultimate etc.

•2012 – Windows 8 Starter, Pro, Enterprise and RT

•2013 – Windows 8.1 Starter, Pro, Enterprise and RT

•2015 – Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise and Education

•2016 – Windows 10 Anniversary Update

The New icon pictured above indicates a new or enhanced feature introduced with the Windows 10 Creators Update.

About Windows 10

The latest version of Windows was released in April 2017:

•2017 – Windows 10 Creators Update, which can be used to upgrade any existing version of Windows 10.

All major computer operating systems (OS) undergo regular upgrades and new versions. Sometimes these are a significant visual overhaul, while others concentrate more on the behind- the-scenes aspect of the OS. In terms of Microsoft Windows, Windows 8 was one of the most radical updates to the User Interface (UI), and introduced a number of new features for both desktop and mobile versions of Windows. However, it was not met with universal approval, as it was perceived that it was two separate operating systems (desktop and mobile) bolted together, and not satisfying either environment completely.

If you are upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, you will be able to keep all of your settings, files and apps.

With Windows 10, a lot of the problems with Windows 8 were addressed: the familiar Start menu was reinstated to return to a UI similar to earlier versions of Windows; there was a greater consolidation between desktop and mobile devices running Windows 10; and the operation of apps was standardized so that it is similar for t...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• 1 Introducing Windows 10
• 2 Getting Started
• 3 Working with Apps
• 4 Standard Controls
• 5 Customizing Windows
• 6 File Explorer
• 7 Managing Files and Folders
• 8 Digital Lifestyle
• 9 Microsoft Edge Browser
• 10 Keeping in Touch
• 11 Networking
• 12 System and Security
• Back Cover