Pro Tips and Tricks To Utilize Windows 10
Even though Windows 10 has been around since 2015, there are some features that a user might not know about. To help you navigate Windows 10 more quickly, we have listed down some hidden features and shortcuts that are easy to learn, enabling you and your computer to work smoother.
Useful Shortcuts on Windows 10
Show Desktop
To minimize all your open windows at the same time, you just have to click on the secret button, located at the bottom-right corner of your desktop. It’s a very thin vertical line, beside the notification icon.
Windows 10 also provides you an option to minimize the windows by hovering over the secret button instead of clicking it. If you prefer this, you can go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, then switch on the “Use peek to preview the desktop” option.
This should save you tons of time minimizing or closing each window on your desktop.
Secret Start Menu
The regular start menu can be accessed by just clicking over the Windows icon on the bottom left of your screen. It has the familiar applications and features, as well as the power options.
However, if you hold down the Windows key on your keyboard while tapping the letter X, or right-clicking on the Windows icon on the bottom left of your screen, it will show you the advanced menu including Task Manager, Device Manager, and Disk Management options.
You can also change the look of your start menu by customizing it. To do this, go to your Settings > Personalization > Start and choose which system folders you want to see on the left side, resize and rearrange tiles, and much more.
If you prefer the old menu, you can simply turn off every button excluding the “Show App list in Start menu” to bring back a more familiar start menu.
Search Windows Quickly
The search function on Windows 10 is not just meant to help you find a misplaced file, it is now integrated into the systems menu and is the most useful tool in the entire operating system. You can narrow the search a bit further since the update last May 2020.
To enhance your Windows Search, go to Settings > Search > Searching Windows, select Enhanced to search the whole computer system.
Minimize all windows excluding the active one
If your desktop has gotten crowded with all the open windows, there is a quicker way to minimize all of them except the one you are currently working in.
Click on the title bar of the window you want to keep open, then move your mouse up and down quickly. After a couple of quick shakes, all the windows you haven’t selected will minimize, only retaining the one you’ve selected to be open.
Creating an event without opening the calendar
Windows 10 allows you to add events to your Microsoft calendar through the Taskbar. To create or add an event, follow these steps:
- Click the time and date box on the bottom right corner of your screen
- Select the date you want to schedule an event
- Type in the event name, time, and selection
- Click Save and your event should show in your Calendar app
Jump between Virtual Desktops
If you are a user who is keen on multitasking, you will benefit from these Windows 10 features. To use it, you can click on the Task View icon located beside Cortana.
Once clicked, it will separate all the open apps and windows, and you can start dragging them to where it says, “New Desktop.” This will enable you to split your work or personal apps into multiple virtual desktops.
To toggle between the desktops, you can press Windows key + Ctrl + left or right arrows. If you want to remove the virtual desktops, you can easily do so by selecting the Task View icon and deleting it. Note that all the apps from the other desktops will not close and will be moved to the other desktop.
Enable Nearby Sharing
Similar to Apple’s AirDrop function, Windows 10 has a similar feature where you can share files directly to nearby devices. To turn this on or off, you can go to Settings > System > Shared Experiences.
To start sharing documents, images, or other files, select Tap to turn on nearby sharing to see the device you want to share you document with. Ensure that the other device has also turned on this setting to receive files.
Update to the latest Windows 10
Generally, updates happen automatically, but Microsoft doesn’t implement Windows updates at once so they can check for issues regarding hardware configurations or compatibilities.
But you have the option to install it manually by going into your Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Then, look for a download and install link under the Feature Update to start installing the new version of Windows 10 on your PC.
Keep up to date with the latest in technology by subscribing to our newsletter or if you have questions regarding your devices, contact us today!