Jan's Working with Windows 10:

    Project 1: Windows Basics

Project Objectives

Windows uses a GUI (Graphical User Interface) so almost everything can be done using clicks on icons and buttons or combinations of keys on the keyboard or by touching or swiping on a touchscreen or touchpad. You can SEE what you are doing. When you have a physical keyboard available, you will find it useful, less tiring, and often faster to use those odd combinations of keys.

Mouse or Touch: Windows 10 is designed to be used on tablets and smart phones as well as on desktop computers. You can set Windows 10 to automatically use Tablet Mode or to remember what mode you used last. In Tablet Mode, all apps use full screen. It is easy to use your fingers to touch or swipe or pinch on the touch screen. The directions in these lessons will mention the methods that require touch gestures only occasionally. Keyboard shortcuts are still the fastest way overall to get things done.

Under the hood: These lessons are intended to get you familiar enough with Windows 10 to be able to use Windows programs like Paint and Notepad and as well other installed programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The lessons will not cover the 'under the hood' topics like running batch files, changing drive partitions, or editing the Registry, which can easily create a disaster!

Version: This unit of lessons is about Windows 10. Windows 10 updates automatically (with an Internet connection, of course). No more buying of new versions every few years. That's good! Updates can include small changes or add new features. This may make you happy or just be confusing. You must learn to go with the flow! It is the way of the future.

These lessons will be updated to match the current version. It takes time to review for possible changes and get the updated lessons online and in the download/disc versions. I don't get the updates any sooner than anyone else.

Version number: Windows versions are numbered with like yymm, for the year and month of release. Major updates also have a name.

Version	Number	Date
Windows 10	1507	2015 July
Anniversary update	1607	2016 July
Creators update	1703	2017 March

Microsoft has announced that we should expect new major versions every 6 months or so. In between there may be minor updates, especially for security issues, but no new version number until the next major update.

Your workplace, friends, and school may all be using a different version of Windows. If you need to compare, look at the lessons about previous versions of Windows .