Tabla de contenidos para The Windows 10 Book 2nd Edition en The Windows 10 Book

Windows remains the most popular operating system around, and Windows 10 is the latest iteration of Microsoft’s ubiquitous platform. But while it packs in more features than ever, Windows 10 boasts a sleek look that can look rather alien to those still using Windows 7 or even 8. Fortunately, with the Windows 10 Book, you can explore every aspect of the highly improved operating system, from setting up your PC or tablet for the first time, to getting to know Cortana, your personal digital assistant. Our simple, stepby-step tutorials cover all the essential Windows apps, as well as offering some more advanced tips to help you get the most out of your machine. Read on and discover how to become more productive, enjoy entertainment, organise your photos, keep everything safe…

“The Windows 8 taskbar returns. And it is just as useful as ever” A more accessible interface The Start menu packs in all of the apps and features, leaving the desktop free and uncluttered to carry out your work. Like in Windows 8.1, you can right-click on the tiles in your Start menu to bring up a contextual menu of options relating to them. Continuation of the taskbar The taskbar that was introduced with Windows 8.1 returns. And it is just as useful as ever in providing easy access to various services and for pinning your favourite apps, folders and documents to. You can also change its position on the screen. Built-in local and web searches If you need to find something in a hurry, be it an application or…

Are my details safe? Windows 10 is able to use your name, location and account picture, sharing this information with its apps. If any of that concerns you, however, then you can change it via the privacy options. First, either hold the Windows (Window) key and press ‘I’, or access your Start menu and click on the ‘Settings’ opoptitoino n at the bottom. Now locate and click on the Privacy section. In the centre of the screen, this will bring up a list of privacy options, each with sliding toggle button that you can use to turn the option on or off. Initially, all of these buttons will be turned on. Modify these buttons to suit your requirements. Are there more tools? If you have previous experience in handling Windows,…

Windows 10 heartily embraces the cloud with its newly retitled OneDrive service. OneDrive is a free online storage service that can be used to back up your files in the cloud. It works in the same way as any normal folder that resides on your computer. Files can be uploaded to your OneDrive account in the same way you would save a document or copy/paste a file. These files can then be viewed and accessed via a mobile phone, tablet or a web browser. You can keep your files private, set them to public or only grant access to certain people. You can also create links so content can be quickly and easily shared via online services like Facebook, Twitter, and more. Windows users are granted 15GB of free storage…

Unlike other recent app-based platforms, the PC has a rich history of creating games that reaches back towards the dawn of computing. There are millions of the games available to play, with new titles being created all the time. Similarly, the type of games available for the user is quite staggering. From the shoot-’em-up, mindless action-type apps to the role-playing games that often combine action with a measure of puzzle solving. There are also the puzzle-based titles that require serious thought. The PC has a wealth of examples on offer that will appeal to all ages and all interests. The following list of titles doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s available, but it does provide a flavour of the sort of games that you can download – often for…

Photography is one of the most vibrant sections of the app store. There is a gamut of impressive cameras and technology out there: from specialist digital cameras or the increasingly complex phone-based affairs. Along with digital technology, modern photography also takes advantage of cloud technology (like OneDrive), syncing photos snapped on a phone, for example, to virtual storage, as well as to a Mac or PC, streamlining the process of backing up photos or sharing them with friends. It’s another convenience that makes the new breed of smart cameras a killer type of technology. Using this kit, users often build some wildly inventive images. Whether you’re a professional photographer or a just complete beginner, you can’t help but appreciate the variety and quality of photography apps that are on offer…

The benefit of blending Windows 10 with the vast resources of the internet is that if you want to read a book or research information within a reference section, then you are more than likely to find what you are looking for. Books can range from the literary classics such as the likes of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens to more modern fare. There are also both paid-for and free titles – these are either out of copyright or are tomes that are privately pressed and have been issued freely to gain publicity. Research can be done at sites that provide a wide, catch-all service bringing you information from all areas of interest. More specialist research areas can provide information from science to history and from astronomy to gastronomy. Whatever…

Are you the type to spice up your gastronomical experience by trying out new food recipes every now and then? Do you enjoy a little bit of adventure, trying new tastes, new techniques and venturing forth into an unknown world of cultural delicacies? There are food magazines all over newsagents with a gamut of food channels splintering all over your TV. The internet is similarly awash with foodie ideas and suggestions bursting with recommendations, but you can also check for recipes right from the comfort of your Windows 10 device. Take a look at the Windows Store and you’ll find lots of downloads that can help you out with your food adventure, whether you like to cook things on your own or try new restaurants. We have listed a selection…

All great travel apps have one thing in common: they all solve a problem you didn’t realise you had. That said, with app stores bursting at the virtual seams with software claiming to make your life easier, being simply useful is no longer enough for app developers aspiring to greatness. Whether they’re cutting down journey times on your plane, train or car ride, or pointing you in the tight direction for authentic local nosh in Morocco, New York or somewhere in Italy, there's something for you. Each and every one of our travel apps has earned its place in this list by virtue of being innovative, quirky or just darned useful. So have a browse, take your pick and get globe-trotting. With a few of these on your PC, you…

The star programs of the PC world grab all of the headlines. That is true. Microsoft Office is one of the heavyweights of the computing universe, while eBay is a shopping capital and the BBC’s iPlayer is a media hub packed with entertaining fare. None of these major apps would get very far, however, without those tools that ease the pain of day-to-day computer use. Their task might only be small and, quite possibly, rather one-dimensional, but many of these tools do their own niche job well. So well that many of us simply wouldn’t use a computer without them. This section gives you a brief idea about what kind of tools are available for use, and you'll be pleased to learn that many of them are free too. Take…

You hear a lot about the appropriate size of government. But one type of smaller government that all sides can agree on is moving helpful applications, or apps, to computing devices, where they can be used by the public for free at any time and almost any location. One thing to note is that most (not all) government apps today are rather primitive compared to private sector offerings. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you’re trying to find your embassy in a foreign country in a hurry, you probably don’t want to have to tackle a level of Angry Birds first. The second thing to note about today’s crop of government apps is that almost all of them act as a mobile gateway to information stored in other forms.…

Whereas Windows 7 looked and felt like an evolution from the earlier iterations of the Windows operating system, such as Vista, Windows 8 was an entirely new prospect, delivering an interface more akin to mobile devices. Windows 10 brings the best of both worlds. The Start button – loved by many in Windows 7 – makes a welcome return and by clicking on it you will bring up the Start menu, which is like the Windows 8 Start screen, but compacted into one handy menu that is hidden from view when not in use. The result is that you have an expansive desktop to work from, without the whole thing being populated by app tiles – all of which now reside exclusively in the Start menu. There are still many…

A visual, menu-based interface – such as that used by Windows 10 – is a wonderful thing: easy to use and self-explanatory. Sometimes, though, it’s not the fastest method of getting a job done. On occasion, issuing the same command from a keyboard is a lot faster. Whatever your views on the matter, it’s nice to have an alternative option, so here are a selection of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for you. Window + Begin typing This key combination quickly accesses Windows’ built-in Search function. The text that follows after the Windows key is the subject of the search. Show all apps It’s possible to have a gamut of apps spread over several Start section screens. This command offers a bird’s-eye view of all of your apps. Charms menu…

Windows 10 introduces new ways to control your PC. Windows 8 was created with touch screens in mind and for those without a touch screen, the interface proved difficult to use. Fortunately, Windows 10 addresses these problems by adding features that allow its desktop mode to become a more prominent replacement for the tiled interface. One of the key features is the ‘boot to desktop’ option, which you’ll be shown how to activate here. We’ll also reveal several ways in which you can make use of features that either enhance the Windows 10 desktop or that have been carried over from previous versions. In addition to improving Windows 10’s usability, there are ways to quickly access ‘Modern UI’ features. Specifically, we’ll look at making the lockscreen background image the same…

Edge is a great web browser and it has some unique features that are not in rivals. It is very different to Internet Explorer, which was used previously in Windows and it has new menus, new settings, and new tools. For example, Edge lets you write and draw on web pages, which is actually more useful than you might think and the internet is a fantastic resource for researching topics. Drawing, highlighting and attaching notes to web pages is a brilliant way to save your ideas and web finds. There are new startup options and the page that is displayed when Edge opens is not limited to a home page. It can be one of several different views and we look at these in one of the tutorials. Microsoft has…

The fact that most Windows PCs have one storage drive should not deter you from looking at ways to customise and add more flexibility to your Windows 10 experience. There are many options available to you which are not always obvious, but we will attempt to show you what is possible with a little effort. The end result will be a setup that works exactly as you need, and can potentially be used for multiple projects and even increase general stability. From creating virtual drives that will not be touched by the installed software to ensuring that your main drive is running as smoothly as possible, the options are endless. Shortcuts to any part of your drives and bridging the gap between the Start menu and desktop can also be…

One of the great things about recent software and hardware developments is the ever-increasing progress in the field of communication. The computer has become a force for good in communications, in terms of keeping you in touch with people you love, making friends, forging links with like-minded individuals and hobbies and bringing down the costs of telecommunications. Technologies like Skype have forced phone companies to look again at their tariffs, which have produced far more competitive and enlightened price points, especially when communicating abroad. Add immensely popular services such as Facebook and Twitter and you can see how complex our communications are today and, with the continuing ‘Arab Spring’ movement, for example, how much it has changed the entire world. “The computer has become a force for good, keeping you…

Both of these app genres ask you to search for downloadable files or provide the option to load up and play such content. Some of them allow you to handle both data types from one app. Hence both variants being bundled together into one section. Both music and video have, like much of the other data content types, been evolving at a tremendous pace, becoming more sophisticated with new features hanging off them like fruit from a tree. Some offer official video or music from major record labels or broadcasters, others give independent content creators a look-in. Some ask for money to experience the full experience while others give away their files free. Whatever the deal, be sure that, no matter what genre of music or video you enjoy, there…

Combine the best in fast computing technology with an internet connection via a sprightly broadband link and you have a wealth of information at your fingertips. There are two distinct categories of information, however, that depend on speed to remain relevant: news and weather. Maintaining the latter can mean that you can successfully plan your day. Friends and family may or may not have to make journeys to meet up depending on weather-based information, while the threat of extreme weather conditions has made such reports less a figure of amusement and fun and more of a serious matter. Similarly, keeping in touch with the news via computer and the internet means that you can follow breaking stories on a minute-by-minute basis, monitoring a changing situation which, again, might have repercussions…

The lifestyle genre of any app collection is a bit of a strange one. It tends to feature all of those tiny little useful apps we use every day, which are hard to categorise but can sometimes be attributed to more leisure-like activities. This category often features apps that focus on how we live and why. So you will often find unique but also crossover subjects in this category. Explore apps for sports activities, healthy and balanced dieting, managing household duties, fashion and style, and also apps for favourite hobbies such as gardening, cooking and similar areas. Apps relating to these subjects can be quite wide-ranging, from those that seek information in order to do the activity and those that help you to manage information while you are within that…

A wealth of financial apps on the market give you plenty of options to learn how to be more responsible with your personal finances. Are you trying to handle your own income and expenses, manage an entire household or run a small business? Whatever it is you're doing or want to do, there’s a program that can help get your finances in order. Thanks to these apps, managing money and potential savings is easier than ever. Which app should you use to ensure you’ll always be within your spending limit, always have that holiday fund and always be on top of your finances? Although there are plenty of options, we’ve narrowed the list down to the top five apps to help keep you focused on your hard-earned cash without giving…

Computer security issues make the news just about everyday, from malicious apps to malware. While Windows is a flexible and easy-to-use operating system available on a wide variety of devices, the threats make it extremely essential for users to install extra security options. Keep in mind that the most basic security precautions, like password-protecting your device and setting it to auto-lock after a period of time don’t require a separate app. But don’t stop there. From anti-virus apps (crucial at this point) to enhanced password protection, it’s worth looking at more advanced options. The vast number of security apps available for the platform makes it impossible to cover them all, but this should give you a good idea of what's available to protect your Windows device and the data that…

While Windows 10 provides the best of both Windows 8’s tilebased operating system and the more traditional desktop system of yore, getting around it and managing your files can still take some getting used to. In this guide we will look at the various ways in which files can be managed in the desktop mode of Windows 10. We’ll cover basic file management techniques such as creating folders, searching for files and opening files. Beyond the basics of file browsing, you will learn how to customise File Explorer’s abilities to suit your needs. Windows 10 also features the Ribbon UI that was introduced in Microsoft Office; we’ll show how to use it in File Explorer. We will also look at making files easier to find with the Library system, which…

Microsoft Office is a suite of tools that will help you produce documents for home, education and work. Since its debut in 1990, the product has evolved into a mainstream document standard used by millions worldwide. Until recently, Office was considered more a standalone product. Today however, Office 2013 is more cohesive and – as of Windows 8 – more social, with integration of cloud services, web content from the likes of Skype and Flickr, and new options for adding interactive video. Documents can be edited across multiple devices, and web versions of applications allow for real-time collaboration. Use Microsoft Word to produce your CV, or a colourful report; Excel to graph seasonal rainfall or track monthly budgets; PowerPoint to produce a sleek slideshow with transition effects; and OneDrive to…

Every modern computer operating system worth its salt comes with a built-in online app store these days, and Windows 10 is no exception. The excellent Windows Store that takes pride of place on your Start screen is ready to take you gently by the hand and lead you through an exciting and enticing assortment of apps spread around 20 different categories. You can download them to your computer (in a lot of cases completely free of charge) and enjoy them for a multitude of different purposes, whether work or leisure. In this feature we carefully go through each category in the Windows Store and hand-pick the very best apps to help you get the most out of your PC. As you will soon discover, there most definitely is something for…

Your computer is made for productivity. From word processors to databases, it has helped businesses become more efficient and industrious. Furthering business, after all, was one of the main reasons for creating the personal computer in the first place. Yet, as technology has progressed, PC productivity is also doing a terrific job of delivering an unwelcome by-product: stress. Therefore, entertainment on that same platform has been recognised as a salve to the user’s sanity. More than a counter for over-working, though, the PC has now been welcomed into the living room, becoming more widely accessible and is now offering a realistic way to integrate entertainment within the home. From movies to music, the PC has become an essential friend of the family to not only escape a hard day’s work…

The crack of the cricket bat, the roar of the rugby crowd, the heckling of the football referee… Sport – you can’t beat it. No matter which sports or team you follow, there is bound to be an app that covers it. What role can your Windows 10 device play in a professional sports setting? The possibilities are limitless. Whether you’re tracking the statistics on your favourite players or lining up the bet that will make your fortune, download a few of the best sports apps onto your Windows 10 PC, laptop or tablet and you’re sure to have an edge on the competition. The apps themselves range from batting-average calculators to statistics databases and up-to-the-minute news trackers. Sports apps can definitely add a new dimension to a favourite pastime…

Need a nutritionist to answer questions at the supermarket? Perhaps a personal trainer for running a first-time 5K? Often, we need an added push to go the extra mile with exercise. For some, that extra push comes in the form of an overzealous spin instructor or passionate personal trainer. If your Windows 10 device isn’t already your best workout buddy, it could be. Tracking your progress on an app makes it easier to eat right, sleep well and push a workout harder. The availability of health apps is climbing fast and the industry expects the number of health and fitness apps to quadruple between 2010 to 2016. For those who like exercising solo or individuals who prefer being outside the gym – whether you’re a runner or need help tracking…

Technology has fundamentally changed society in many different ways. One of those has to be found within the shopping category. Shopping on a computer has been accused of destroying the High Street (although the major supermarkets have to take most of the blame) but it also has given an immense of degree of choice to people in small towns and rural areas. Before, hard-to-find and niche goods could only be sourced after a pre-planned and very expensive trip to larger cities. Now, with online shopping, all that is required is a quick peruse on the web to source even the rarest of items. This sort of shopping doesn’t stop within the boundaries of this country either. Europe and the USA are popular shopping destinations. Couple that with largely efficient delivery…

It is the productivity element of software where the PC has been rightly lauded. If you want to be productive in any serious endeavour then the PC has always, from the dawn of computing, been the platform that has been the ‘go-to’ system. All of the top quality, most well-known and fully featured packages have all appeared on the PC, at one time or another, in some guise. Of course, Microsoft’s own Office suite of programs have been the stars of the show for some time now but there are plenty of other apps on the market that are just as accomplished an offering, in some cases, unique features and for free. These programs range from word processors, databases and presentation software to complex lifestyle planning, translation and mailing software.…

The featured apps listed here represent a wide variety of software. What they all have in common are ways to enhance your business. Some of the apps focus on financial aspects, allowing you to easily manage a general ledger, accounts payable and receivables. Other apps focus on productivity. They allow the creation and management of documents that comprise your business data, help you keep sensitive data protected and retained within company walls and aid communication and collaboration among employees, customers and external contacts. As apps become more prevalent and more powerful, entrepreneurs and small business owners are relying on these savvy tools to help their businesses grow and run more smoothly. These top five apps can get you organised, connected and help you succeed. “Some of the apps focus on…

The wave of the future is here, in particular for education and learning. Terms like 21st Century Computing, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and Cloud Computing have now become mainstream. The introduction of mobile devices and tablets has brought technology to more students than ever before. A one-to-one computing environment is not only a possibility but also a reality in more schools than people realise. Teachers can use apps for everything from communicating with students to dissecting virtual frogs. Whether you’re currently in school or just seeking a little self-improvement, a whole host of Windows apps are just waiting to enhance your knowledge base. We’ve picked a few of the top applications in a number of categories but they are but a mere taster of what’s available within the Windows…