A reader is finding Windows 10 to be very confusing:
“I’ve just upgraded from Win 7 to 10 and am finding it very difficult. Nothing seems logical as in XP and 7, which I had no problems with. Can you help at all please, I’d be eternally grateful.”
I promise you, it’s not as confusing as it may seem. So let’s start at the beginning with the Start Menu:
Remember back when Microsoft removed the Start Button in Windows 8? If you don’t, count yourself fortunate to have missed that debacle. The Start Button is the foundation of Windows. If you’re moving to Windows 10 from Windows 7, you’ll notice that it’s changed from round to square. But it’s still in the same spot at the far-left bottom of the screen. Just click to see the Start Menu. Make sure to click on the square Windows button to get the Start Menu. If you click the magnifying glass or the search box, you’ll get the search window.
Here’s a look at the basic Start Menu. To the left, you’ll see an alphabetical list of all of the programs installed on your PC and to the right you have Live Tiles. Live Tiles can freak some folks out. I promise there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll get into them in-depth in a separate lesson. Let’s break down the parts of the Start Menu.
When we talk about ‘apps’ in Windows 10, it means exactly the same thing as saying ‘program.’ App is short for application. An application and a program are the exact same thing. Just scroll through your apps to view them in alphabetical order.
At the top, you’ll see any recently installed apps and your most recently used programs.
To quickly navigate click the heading of the group of apps. In this case, the ‘A’.
You’ll see a map that you can navigate by clicking on a letter or symbol.
Click the letter and you’ll be taken to that group of apps.
Remember, to search for an app, just type the name in the search box and click on the result to open.
Right-click on an app for options to Pin to the Start Menu or taskbar or uninstall the program. For some programs, you’ll have options to run as an administrator or even to access recently used files.
If you choose to Pin something to the Start Menu, you’re making a shortcut for it among the Live Tiles on the right.
Pin an app to the taskbar and you’ll have a shortcut on the bar at the bottom of your desktop.
If you want more Windows tips, consider buying my Windows 10 Guide from our store.
It’s free for Platinum Members with their special codes.
Thank you so much for this, once I get to grips with it I will probably have more questions.