Windows 10 (Beginners Guide)

Summary

This beginner's guide to Windows 10 offers a comprehensive overview for new users. It covers the basic layout, including the desktop, taskbar, and Start menu, and delves into personalization, settings, and the Microsoft Store. The tutorial also highlights features like Cortana, virtual desktops, and app management, providing tips on customization and performance optimization for a seamless Windows 10 experience.

Takeaways

• 🖥️ Windows 10 has been out for several years, and this beginner's guide is aimed at new users to help them navigate the operating system.
• 🔍 The script covers basic settings, tasks, and a tour of Windows 10, including how to use Cortana, the Start menu, and the taskbar.
• 🏠 The desktop is the primary workspace in Windows 10, where users can customize their wallpaper, arrange icons, and manage shortcuts.
• 🔍️ To add a shortcut to the desktop for software that didn't automatically create one, users can find the application through Cortana and create a shortcut via 'Send to > Desktop (create shortcut)'.
• 📊 The taskbar is customizable, allowing users to pin favorite programs, adjust icon positions, and manage open windows with 'Peek'.
• 📝 Cortana is a voice-activated assistant similar to Siri and Google Assistant, capable of answering questions and performing searches.
• 📱 Task View allows users to create multiple virtual desktops for different purposes, such as separating personal and work tasks.
• 🛠️ The Settings app in Windows 10 provides access to system configurations, device management, and personalization options.
• 🛒 The Microsoft Store is the platform for downloading apps and games, with features to search, categorize, and manage downloads and updates.
• 🎮 For gamers, the Game Bar can be toggled on or off depending on whether they record or broadcast gameplay, which can affect game performance.
• ♿ Accessibility settings are available for users with hearing, sight, or motor skill difficulties, offering options to enhance the user experience.
• 🔒 Privacy settings allow users to control data collection for personalized ads and speech services, enhancing user privacy.

Q & A

How long has Windows 10 been out?

Windows 10 has been out for more than a couple of years at the time of the video script.

What is the purpose of the video script?

The purpose of the video script is to provide a beginner's guide to Windows 10, covering basic settings and giving a tour of the operating system.

What is the primary window in Windows 10?

The primary window in Windows 10 is the desktop, which can have various customizations and shortcuts.

How can you add a shortcut to the desktop if a software installation does not create one?

You can add a shortcut to the desktop by using the Cortana search bar, right-clicking on the software in the search results, selecting 'Open file location', right-clicking the icon, hovering over 'Send to', and then clicking 'Desktop (create shortcut)'.

What is the function of Cortana in Windows 10?

Cortana is a virtual assistant in Windows 10, similar to Google Assistant and Siri, which can be used to search the computer and answer questions using voice commands or text input.

How can you change the desktop wallpaper in Windows 10?

You can change the desktop wallpaper in Windows 10 by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting 'Personalize', and then choosing a new background from the options provided.

What is the Start menu in Windows 10 and how do you access it?

The Start menu in Windows 10 is a feature that provides access to programs and settings. It can be accessed by clicking on the Windows icon on the taskbar or by using a keyboard shortcut.

How do you pin a program to the taskbar in Windows 10?

You can pin a program to the taskbar in Windows 10 by dragging the program's shortcut from the desktop or Start menu onto the taskbar.

What is the Microsoft Store and how can you find it in Windows 10?

The Microsoft Store is an app marketplace for Windows where you can find and download apps, games, movies, TV shows, and books. You can find it in the Start menu by selecting the letter 'M' and clicking on 'Microsoft Store'.

What settings can be adjusted in the 'System' category of Windows 10 settings?

In the 'System' category of Windows 10 settings, you can adjust display settings, night light settings, notification and action settings, power and sleep settings, and tablet mode settings.

How can you customize the look of Windows 10 using the 'Personalization' settings?

You can customize the look of Windows 10 using the 'Personalization' settings by changing the background, accent color, and theme. You can also set a slideshow for the background, choose a solid color, or pick specific pictures from your computer.

Outlines

00:00

🖥️ Windows 10 Basics and Interface Overview

This paragraph introduces the Windows 10 operating system, addressing common questions about its use and settings. It targets new users, including those who have recently upgraded, purchased a new computer, or switched from Mac OS. The guide offers a basic orientation to the OS, including the desktop layout, taskbar, Start menu, and Cortana. It also explains how to create shortcuts on the desktop, change wallpaper, and access various settings like display and personalization. The paragraph sets the stage for a beginner-friendly tutorial on Windows 10.

05:01

📊 Customizing Windows 10 with Taskbar and Start Menu

The second paragraph delves into customizing the taskbar and Start menu in Windows 10. It explains how to pin programs to the taskbar, rearrange icons, and access the status bar for quick settings. The Start menu's functionality is explored, including accessing apps, pinning them for easy access, and managing app tiles. The paragraph also touches on the Microsoft Store and how to navigate it, as well as the Settings app, which is the primary way to adjust system preferences in Windows 10.

10:02

🛠️ Navigating Windows 10 Settings for Personalization and Device Management

This paragraph provides an in-depth look at the Windows 10 Settings app, covering a range of categories from system displays and notifications to power and sleep options. It discusses storage management, device connections, and the customization of typing and USB settings. The focus then shifts to personalization, where users can change the appearance of Windows 10, including themes, background images, and accent colors. The paragraph also mentions the ability to link phones to PCs and the importance of checking USB device connections.

15:05

🔒 Privacy, Updates, and Additional Windows 10 Features

The final paragraph wraps up the tutorial by discussing privacy settings, such as turning off advertising ID and speech services. It also covers the update and security settings, advising users on how to manage active hours and restart options for updates. The paragraph briefly mentions the ease of access settings for users with disabilities and ends with a call to action for viewers to subscribe for more Windows 10 tips and tech-related content.

Keywords

💡Windows 10

Windows 10 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, succeeding Windows 8.1. It is the main subject of the video, which aims to guide new users through its basic features and settings. The script mentions Windows 10's interface, settings, and features, such as the Start menu and Cortana, to help users navigate and customize their experience.

💡Start Menu

The Start Menu is a feature in Windows 10 that provides users with a central location to access programs and settings. It has evolved from previous versions and now includes tiles for live updates and quick access to apps. The script describes how to customize the Start Menu by pinning programs and resizing tiles.

💡Cortana

Cortana is Microsoft's digital assistant, similar to Siri or Google Assistant, integrated into Windows 10. It allows users to perform voice-activated searches and commands. The script provides examples of using Cortana for searching the web and setting reminders, illustrating its role in enhancing user interaction with the OS.

💡Taskbar

The Taskbar is a persistent part of the Windows 10 interface that allows users to pin and launch applications quickly. It is customizable and can be used to manage open windows and access system notifications. The script explains how to pin programs to the Taskbar and customize its appearance.

💡Settings

Settings in Windows 10 is an app that consolidates system preferences and configurations. It is the primary way for users to adjust options for display, sound, privacy, and more. The script walks through various settings categories, emphasizing ease of access and customization.

💡Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store is the official app store for Windows 10, where users can download and install applications, games, and other content. The script mentions the Store as a place to find and install apps, highlighting its importance in the Windows 10 ecosystem.

💡Personalization

Personalization in Windows 10 refers to the ability to customize the look and feel of the operating system, including themes, wallpapers, and colors. The script discusses personalization options, such as changing the background, accent colors, and themes, to reflect user preferences.

💡Control Panel

The Control Panel is a legacy feature in Windows that provides access to older system settings and tools. While it is being phased out in favor of the Settings app, it is still available for users who prefer its interface or need specific options not yet migrated. The script briefly mentions the Control Panel as an alternative to the Settings app.

💡Multitasking

Multitasking in the context of Windows 10 refers to the ability to manage multiple applications, windows, and desktops simultaneously. The script touches on features like virtual desktops and snap assist that facilitate multitasking, allowing users to organize their work more efficiently.

💡Notifications

Notifications in Windows 10 inform users of system events, app updates, and messages. They can be customized and managed through the Settings app. The script describes how to access and interact with notifications, as well as how to control which apps can send them.

💡Cortana Search Bar

The Cortana Search Bar is a feature in Windows 10 that allows users to search for files, apps, and perform web searches using either the keyboard or voice commands. The script demonstrates using the search bar to find and create shortcuts for applications like Google Chrome.

Highlights

Overview of Windows 10 basic settings and features for beginners.

Introduction to the Windows 10 desktop layout including the taskbar and Start menu.

How to add a shortcut to the desktop for software that doesn't automatically create one.

Customizing desktop icons and wallpaper through the view and personalization options.

Using Cortana for voice commands and searching the computer.

Managing virtual desktops with Task View for organizing personal and work spaces.

Pinning programs to the taskbar for quick access and customizing the taskbar appearance.

Accessing and customizing the Start menu, including tile management.

Navigating the Microsoft Store for apps, games, and other digital content.

Exploring the Settings app for Windows 10 and its various configuration options.

System display settings, including multi-monitor arrangements and night light feature.

Power and sleep settings customization for energy efficiency.

Storage management with Storage Sense and disk cleanup tools.

Personalization of Windows 10 appearance, including themes and accent colors.

App management, including uninstalling and setting default apps.

Accessibility settings for users with hearing, sight, or motor skill impairments.

Cortana's capabilities and settings for voice interaction.

Privacy settings adjustments to limit data collection and enhance user privacy.

Update and security settings, including active hours and update restart options.

Transcripts

the Windows 10 operating system has been

out for more than a couple years now

I still get questions on how to perform

certain tasks and which settings to use

within the operating system whether

you're new to Windows 10

having just upgraded from an older

operating system recently purchased a

new computer with Windows 10

pre-installed or like many others that

have become frustrated with Mac OS

operating system from Apple and have

finally made the switch to a Windows

computer in this beginner's guide I will

go over the basic settings and give you

a tour of Windows 10 to get you started

with using the operating system coming

up next on tech combo if you're familiar

with the other tutorials on this channel

I try to present everything in simple

terms this video will follow that same

format I'll go over the basic layout

show you how to perform certain tasks

and later in this video we'll dig deep

into the settings menu for Windows 10 if

you're a power user you may not learn a

whole lot here since this is a

beginner's guide this video is intended

for brand new users to the operating

system to learn the absolute basics

let's dive right in when you log into

Windows 10 you will see your desktop

your layout may vary slightly from mine

you'll have your main window with the

bar covering the bottom of the page that

is where you will find the Start menu on

the far left the Cortana bar task view

the task bar the status bar

notifications and arrow peek to the far

right more on those later let's first

look at the primary window you'll have

your wallpaper in the background I've

run a multiple monitors setup so I

typically don't keep shortcuts or

anything else on my primary screen I'll

drag them over right now from another

monitor most software that you install

will put a shortcut on your desktop if

you happen to install software that

doesn't I'll now show you a quick way to

add a shortcut to your desktop let's

pretend that the Google Chrome browser

did not add a shortcut to your desktop

to add it go to the Cortana search bar

here at the bottom type Google Chrome

into the search bar do not use the

microphone function

for this right-click on Google Chrome

and select open file location' find the

icon right-click hover over sendto then

click on desktop create shortcut now the

shortcut for chrome is on the desktop

let's close out this window you can move

the icons wherever you want them also in

the main window if you right-click you

have several choices in view you can

change the size of the icons you can

sort them by name size item type date

modified if you select next desktop

background you can change your wallpaper

for new you have several options

including adding a new folder to your

desktop if you select display settings

here you can make changes to your

display I'll go into more detail on

these later on and if you select

personalize it will open up the

personalization options I'll go into

more detail on these later on in the

video as well now let's take a look at

the bottom bar starting with Cortana

which is similar to Google assistant and

Siri and can also be used to search your

computer you could either click on the

microphone or you could use the word hae

followed by the word Cortana to ask your

questions here's an example hey Cortana

what's the weather in New York City

right now there's a winter storm warning

in effect until 1:00 a.m. tomorrow right

now

it's cloudy and 27 in New York hey

Cortana tell me a joke what is the

difference between a well dressed man on

a unicycle and a poorly dressed man on a

bicycle attire those are a couple of

quick examples on how to use for tana

I've made a couple videos last year on

how to use the assistant and another

video with questions you can ask Cortana

I'll click into the search bar along the

left side if you go down to the Settings

icon to be able to use your microphone

to get the assistant to respond to the

key

you'll want to turn this on to the right

of Cortana is task view where you can

add virtual desktop layouts so for

example if you work from home you could

have desktop one be your personal

workspace and desktop two everything

associated with your work and you can

add new desktops by selecting the plus

sign let's go back to desktop one to the

right of task view is the taskbar where

you can pin some of your favorite

programs pinning from your desktop is

easy I'll go up here and grab upper

aniion and drag it down here to the

taskbar and that will pin it to the

taskbar to remove programs just

right-click on the icon and select unpin

from taskbar and you can move these

icons around if you want you so I'll

drag the baldy here to the right and

Adobe Creative Cloud to the left to the

far right is the status bar you can

choose what is visible and what is not

if you select the up arrow it will show

you those programs that are not visible

here in the status bar to move one of

those items to the status bar you can

click and drag it down and to remove an

item from the status bar you can just

click and drag it up here is where

you'll find your notifications so if you

click on notifications they'll show up

right here if you have any and you'll

have a quick access menu to your network

all settings Bluetooth VPN and others

and to the far right you can barely see

it it's just a sliver is arrow peak just

to the right of notifications I'll open

up a program to show you what it does

when I select arrow peek it'll show the

desktop and selecting it again will show

open windows one of the most

controversial aspects of Windows 10 is

the Start menu if you left-click you get

the new Start menu if you right click

you get a menu that looks like the

classic start menu found on Windows 7 or

older here you can quickly access many

features and settings for the purposes

of this video both

focus on the primary Start menu by

left-clicking on the windows icon along

the left you'll see programs listed in

alphabetical order if you select any of

the letters I'll select a you can

quickly jump around the list I'll select

s I'll hover my mouse over a program

right-clicking you have the option to

pin to the Start menu which will make

the program appear to the right where it

says more you have the option to pin to

your taskbar rate and review and share

and you can also uninstall the program

from here to the right our tiles of your

applications I'll admit that I still

don't like and have not used this

feature much since it was introduced in

Windows 8 I just showed you how to pin

tiles to your Start menu if you

right-click a tile you have several

options most notably being able to

resize the tiles currently I have

Netflix set on medium and I'll make this

wider you can even move the tiles around

if you want to along the far left of the

Start menu is where you'll find File

Explorer which is where you can access

files and folders on your computer

settings and below that is power where

you can restart shutdown or put your

computer to sleep more on settings later

just like iOS and Android

Microsoft has its own App Store for

Windows you can find it in the list by

selecting a letter jump to M and finding

Microsoft Store in the list if you plan

to go here often

I'd recommend pinning it to your taskbar

currently it's in my taskbar just to the

right of file explorer so I'll open it

up on their home page you'll find

featured items along the top you can

select categories that include apps

games movies and TV and books if you

know what you're looking for you can do

a search I'll do a search for Kody and

there it is to install any app select

get to the far right if you select the

menu icon

you have the options to view downloads

and updates store settings your library

along with other account information now

let's go take a look at the various

settings for Windows 10 if you've used

older versions of Windows you should be

familiar with the control panel which

you can still access by typing control

panel into the search bar or you could

say hey Cortana control panel alright

which control panel do you want to open

control panel or settings control panel

alright starting control panel here you

can still access many of the settings

for your computer since Microsoft is

slowly phasing out the control panel

will focus on the primary Settings app

for Windows 10 you could ask Cortana to

open settings or you could just go to

the Start menu and select the Settings

icon with settings open

I'll move quickly through each of these

categories highlighting options that

might be of interest to you we'll go

through these in order starting with

system displays where you can rearrange

and change settings for your monitors

you can change the order of your

displays by selecting the number and

dragging it to the left or to the right

a cool feature introduced last year is

nightlight which can reduce the blue

light on your screens at night which

studies claim can make you sleep better

in notifications and actions you can add

or remove quick actions which show up

when you select notifications that I

showed you earlier if you scroll down

this page you can turn on or off which

apps are allowed to send you

notifications power and sleep is where

you can set your power settings for more

options select additional power settings

and select a plan that works best for

you here you can see your storage

storage sense is something that I leave

on to automatically free up space tablet

mode is useful for those of you that

have a Microsoft Surface or similar

device that can be used as a tablet and

in multitasking

there is no need to turn any of these

off now for devices most of these are

self-explanatory bluetooth and other

devices you can see what's connected to

your system or add devices printers and

scanners will show you what's connected

to your system here's where you can

change your mouse settings in typing I

would suggest leaving these turned on

especially if you're a horrible speller

and in USB make sure this one is checked

so you can get notified if there are any

issues connecting to USB devices if you

select phone you can link an Android or

iPhone to be able to work continuously

between your PC and phone with

compatible apps for some of you this is

a feature that might be useful in

network and Internet you can see your

network status set up Wi-Fi and other

options for those of you that thought

dial-up was dead it's not there are

still many areas in the United States

and around the world that don't have

broadband service yet personalization is

where you can make changes to the

overall look of Windows 10 I'll spend a

little bit more time in this category

you can set the background to be a

slideshow just a single picture or a

solid color you can browse your computer

for other pictures that you would prefer

to have as your background you can set

how often the picture gets changed

anywhere from one minute to one day if

you put a checkmark here you can

automatically have the system pick an

accent color based on your background

currently the accent color on my system

is blue but you can change it to any of

the colors listed and if you scroll down

this page in previous videos many have

asked how I got this dark background for

the settings menu when you first launch

Windows 10 light is the default for me

it's a little too bright so I prefer the

dark when you're on your lockscreen

the default pictures are going to be

from Microsoft if you want to change

that you can choose your own picture or

use your slideshow I'll just stick with

the windows spotlight here themes is a

great place to personalize Windows 10

I currently have several themes you can

get additional themes in the Windows

Store and there are a lot to choose from

if you need more screen space and you

want to get rid of the taskbar when I

use often is automatically hide the

taskbar in desktop mode when you head

into the apps category you will see a

listing of all the software and apps on

your system

this is a good place to uninstall

software that you no longer need so just

find a program that you want to get rid

of and then select uninstall default

apps as the name implies is a good place

to set defaults for email maps music

player and so on and so forth when you

first install Windows 10 Microsoft edge

will be your default web browser on your

system this is a shocker it even says

here it's recommended for Windows 10 to

change any of the defaults just to

choose another app that's listed will

skip over accounts which is where you

can add accounts to your system time and

language is an area where you shouldn't

have to message the settings too much

for some of you the text-to-speech

settings may be useful to change the

voice to one of the three listed and to

change the speed some youtubers use

text-to-speech to narrate their videos

in gaming if you don't plan to record or

broadcast your gameplay you may want to

consider turning the game bar off many

players that have installed games from

the Microsoft Store have experienced a

multitude of game crashes on low and

high powered systems many have noticed

by turning the game bar off that crashes

to their desktop have reduced

substantially the ease of access

settings is where you want to go if you

have difficulty hearing seeing or

working with your keyboard or Mouse just

select one of the categories on the left

that you think will help you out and

adjust the settings we already discussed

Cortana earlier so let's go into the

privacy settings in a recent video I

discussed a couple settings that might

be useful for you to increase your

privacy first in general you can turn

off advertising ID then go down the left

pane to speech inking and type

and you can turn off speech services and

typing suggestions if you turn the

second one off you won't be able to

speak to Cortana the last settings

category is update and security the only

settings in this category that have had

to change are in Windows Update it says

I have an update that's available the

status is a waiting restart which will

happen outside of active hours you don't

want your system to restart if you're

actively using your computer so select

change active hours and select the hours

you do not want windows to automatically

restart your computer if you want to

specify a time for Windows to restart to

finish installing updates go to restart

options make sure this toggled on and

select a time and day below that you'll

see show more notifications it's

typically a good idea to leave this

turned on just in case you forgot that

you had scheduled it'll time to restart

your computer the notification will

allow you to delay the restart if needed

and with that this closes out the

Windows settings portion of this video

if you need further assistance with

using Windows 10 I've created a playlist

that I will link to in the description

with 17 other videos including useful

keyboard shortcuts tips to speed up

performance along with others that

hopefully will help you out thanks for

watching give this video a thumbs up if

it was useful for you it's difficult to

cover everything in this type of video

so let me know in the comments if you

have any other tips that you think might

be beneficial for others to know and if

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