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

Absolutely no experience required! Informative, and easy-to-understand instruction for the new Windows 10 user with coverage of laptops, workstations, and tablets, too!

• Learn how to work with and customize Windows using you mouse, keyboard or touch
• Follow easy to follow guides to connect to the internet or a network quickly
• Get online with Internet Explorer and surf the web safely and keep your info safe and private
• Learn how to use Windows Apps to get news, weather and sports information
• Keep up with all of your contacts and friends using built-in tools

- A return to a functioning and more familiar Windows Start Menu
- No more Charms menu
- A single, 64-bit version of Windows 10 is expected (rather than multiple versions for different users)
- Control Windows with hand gestures
- New voice control features
- An expansion (and hopeful) improvement to the Metro interface
- Cross-platform compatibility (Microsoft's goal is for developers to be able to create a single app and port it between Windows 10, RT, Windows Phone and Xbox One)