Jan's Working with Windows 10

Before we can dig into the really fun and productive applications for the computer, we must first learn some basics about "driving" your computer. For most people this means Windows. Even if you are new to computers, you won't find this a difficult task. To learn ALL about Windows would be a course in itself. We will be touching on just enough to get you started.

Be sure to read the page Before you start... , and the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

Windows 10 with Start Menu open

This unit of lessons is about Windows 10. Other lessons cover previous versions of Windows from Vista through Windows 8.1.

The lessons will be updated to the currect version of Windows 10 as soon as I can manage. [April 2017 - Windows 10 Creators Update ver. 1703]

Even if Windows 10 is your first experience with Windows, it can be helpful to view the lessons on other versions. You never know when a friend or family member will ask for your help or when you will get a job that requires you to work with an older version of Windows.

What you need

• Computer: A device running Windows 10.
  You can use a PC, a tablet, or a 2-in-1 device. It will help to be able to display directions on a tablet or smart phone while following the step-by-step directions on a laptop or PC.
  
  The illustrations and directions are primarily from a desktop PC using a keyboard and a mouse with Windows 10 from the fall of 2015. The Anniversary update from the summer of 2016 made some changes. Only a few of those changes are worth showing with separate illustrations.

End-of-life: [August 11, 2015] Mainstream support has ended for Windows 7 and earlier versions. That means there will be no more program updates. Extended support has ended for Windows XP and earlier versions. That means that there will be no security updates for those versions either.
Microsoft's End-of-Life chart

• Removable File Storage: A USB drive or other removable storage media for saving the files that you will create. These lessons are written with classroom computer labs in mind, for which you need your own storage media. For these lessons you do not need large capacity unless you have other files saved on the device.

  Be careful as you work to check how much space is left on your device. It is VERY frustrating to try to save a document only to find out that there is not enough room left!

• Connection to the Internet: You can work through most parts of the Windows lessons without an Internet connection, if you have purchased a download or disc copy of the lessons. But, there are features of Windows 10 that require access to web sites, like accessing most of the Help information.

  With an Internet connection, you can take advantage of one of the cloud storage services like OneDrive (which comes with Windows 10), Dropbox, or Google Drive to save copies of your work. Start good backup habits early and you won't kick yourself later when your files are lost or corrupted.