Summary
The following guide provides articles you can use to get up to speed with the new features and functions included in Windows 10. I have been evaluating Windows 10 since October 1st 2014 and I have managed to the see the operating system go through its ups and downs during that time. The experience has afforded me the ability to have an intimate experience with this platform. For the average user who probably just started learning about Windows 10 a couple months ago, a few days ago or even a few months from now, these Getting Started guides should help you hit the ground running. Don't worry, I will continually update this wiki-article with new content. Please don't hesitate to share your feedback in the comments.
Details
Before you start
- 12 Things You Should Do Before Installing A Windows 10 Feature UpdateNew!
- Tutorial: The Window 7 User’s Guide to Getting the Most Out of Windows 10 New!
- Five Extensions for Microsoft Edge and How to Use Them
- Frequently Asked Questions: Windows 10
- Should I upgrade to Windows 10?
- Windows 10 Terminology, Locations and Keyboard Commands
- Get Started with Microsoft Edge - Tips and Tricks for the new user.
Product Reviews:
Windows 10 Review: Introduction, Specifications and Setup
Windows 10 Review: Daily Usage
Windows 10 Review: Microsoft Edge web browser
Windows 10 Review: Applications and Compatibility
Windows 10 Review: Multimedia and Productivity
Windows 10 Review: Advanced features, Security and Connectivity
Windows 10 Review: Windows Update, Support, Recovery, Easy Upgrade
Windows 10 Review: Conclusion, Pros, Cons, Rating
Pre-requisite Task
When making significant changes to your computer such as updating the operating system, you should always backup. See links to resources about backing up by clicking the link for the respective version of Windows you are running: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1
- How to manually backup and restore your files
- How to free up disk space in Windows
- How to: 10 Tips before installing Windows 10
- How to: Determine if an application or hardware device is compatible with Windows 10
- Will documents and apps remain, or are app installs required
Installation
- How You Can Upgrade to Windows 10 Creators Update Right Now New!
- Check this List to Determine if Your Computer is Compatible with the Windows 10 Creators Update or Anniversary Update or Not New!
- How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Feature Update 1903 from Versions 1507, 1511, 1607, 1709, 1803 or 1809New!
- How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Feature Update from Windows 7 New!
- How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Feature Update from Windows 8.0 or Windows 8.1 New!
- Use a Digital
License to Manage and Activate Windows 10
- How to Transfer your Windows 10 License to a New Computer
- How to Safely Sell or Donate Your Old Windows 10 PC New!
- How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Feature Update on a Drive with Limited Space New!
- How to: install Windows 10 from within Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 using Windows Update
- How to download official Windows 10 ISO files Updated
- How to Prepare Bootable Install Media for Windows 10 - DVD, USB or SD Card
- How to: upgrade from previous versions of Windows using Windows 10 ISO file
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- How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10
- How to: Perform a custom installation of Windows
- How
to Verify If You Downloaded or Installed the Latest Version Windows 10
- How to install and activate Windows 10 using your Windows 7 or Windows 8 product key
- How to Perform a Clean Install of Windows 10 with the Refresh Tool
- Use Recover from the Cloud to Reinstall Windows 10 on Surface Book or Surface Pro
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- How to: Upgrade a dual boot installation of Windows and Linux to Windows 10 - Part 1
- How to: Setup Windows 10 on your Mac using Boot Camp
- How to: setup a dual boot configuration with Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows
- How to: Switch from 32 bit versions of Windows to Windows 10 64 bit
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- How to: Complete the Windows 10 Out of Box Experience
- How to Perform an Easy Upgrade in Windows 10
- How to upgrade from the Windows 10 Insider Preview to Windows 10 RTM build
- How to: Create a Recovery Drive for reinstalling Windows 10
Troubleshooting installation:
- How to: perform a repair upgrade using the Windows 10 ISO file
- How to Use The Rollback Function in Windows 10 New!
- Having Problems Installing iTunes on Windows 10? Try These Tips
- Troubleshooting log in issues in Windows 10 – Incorrect Password Errors
- How to Downgrade Windows 10 to Windows 7/8.1
- How to Fix the Most Common Windows 10 Upgrade and Install Errors
- Stop What’s Revving Your CPU Fan Constantly in Windows 10
- Run Older or Incompatible Software on Windows 10 in a VM
- How to Enable 16-bit Application Support in Windows 10
- Tips for Repairing a Broken Windows 10 Installation
- How to Reset Microsoft Edge Default Settings
- Fix Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Defaulting to Home Instead of Pro
- How to: Upgrade to Windows 10 if you are on a slow or metered Internet connection?
- How to: 10 things to do if Windows 10 Setup fails.
- How to: Troubleshoot common Setup and Stop Errors during Windows 10 Installation
- How to: Reinstall or Restore your original Windows installation after upgrading to or evaluating Windows 10
- How to recover data from a non booting hard disk
- How to Recover Your Lost Windows Password
Customize and Personalize
- How to Install Wallpaper Themes in Windows 10 New!
- Windows 10 Tip: How to Hide the All Apps Column in the Start Menu and Create App Folders New!
- How to Change the Color and Appearance in Windows 10 New!
- How to Save Windows 10 Spotlight Lock Screen Pictures
- Working in Tablet Mode in Windows 10
- Customize Taskbar Settings in Windows 10
- How to Disable the Windows 10 Sign In Hero Image
- How to: enable the Start screen in Windows 10
- Quick Tip: Add Personal Folders to the Start menu
- How to personalize your lock screen in Windows 10
- Quick Tip: Customize which icons appear in the Windows 10 System Tray
- Quick Tip: Create desktop shortcuts in Windows 10
- How to Limit Windows 10 Data Over a Metered Connection
- How to manage Default Printers in Windows 10
- How to Make a Windows 10 PC a Wi-Fi Hotspot
- How to Install the Fonts You Want in Windows 10
- How to Use the Windows 10 Storage Sense Feature
- Windows 10 Cortana: Create Time, Location Based Reminders
- How to Setup Family Safety in Windows 10
- How to Install and Change Languages in Windows 10
- Replace Photo Viewer in Windows 10 After a Clean Install
Hardware & Drivers
Productivity
- More Tips for Using Windows 10 Advanced Search Options
- How to Create Your First Microsoft Sway
- Back to School Tips for Students Using Microsoft OneNote
- Pen Tip Integration with OneNote Mobile in Windows 10
- Add a Calendar Event from the Taskbar in Windows 10
- Windows 10 Anniversary Update Tip: Use Inking with Sticky Notes and Cortana
- New OneDrive Universal App Arrives for Windows 10
- Getting Started with the Windows 10 Inking Feature
- Windows 10 Tip: Get the Most Out of File Explorer Layouts
- How to Use Inking and Web Notes in Microsoft Edge
After Installing Windows 10
- Activate Your Windows 10 License via Microsoft Chat Support
- How to Find Your Product Key After Upgrading to Windows 10
New!
- How to: 10 things to do after installing Windows 10
- How to: Install and Update drivers in Windows 10
- How to Activate and resolve common Product key issues in Windows 10
- How to: Create a system image in Windows 10
- How to restore a Windows 10 system image to an existing or larger storage device
Everyday Tasks
- Get Started with the New Start Menu in Windows 10 Anniversary
Update or later
- Windows 10 Tip: Capture Images and Take Selfies with the Camera App
- Basics: Using Start and Taskbar in Windows 10
- Basics: Using Apps in Window 10
- Basics: How to open a document in Windows 10
- Quick Tip: Find and launch programs quickly using All Apps in Windows 10
- Basics: Managing Files and Folders using File Explorer in Windows 10
- Basics: Finding information on the Web and in Windows using Cortana
- Basics: Using Settings to customize Windows
- Basics: End your Windows Session - shutting down your PC
- How to: manage running programs and virtual desktops using Task View in Windows 10
- How to crop a photo in Windows 10
- Complete Guide to Importing Your Photos in Windows 10
- How to connect and browse your Apple devices on a Windows 10 PC
Maintenance
- How to Migrate Your Files and Settings from an Old Computer to Windows 10
- How to Find Your Systems Complete Specifications in Windows 10
- How to Manage Registered Computers and Devices in Windows 10
- Tutorial: Using Windows Defender – Update Definitions and Scan for Viruses
- How to Prevent Automatic Driver Installation in Windows 10
- How to Manage Windows Update with Active Hours Feature
- Check for Windows 10 Errors with Memory Diagnostics Tool
- How to Manage Audio Devices in Windows 10
- Windows 10 Beginner: How to Adjust Display Settings
- How to Defer, Block or Uninstall Windows 10 Updates
- How to Use the Windows 10 Settings App to Free Up Disk Space
- How to know the Edition, Architecture, Channel and build of Windows 10 installed
- How to enable and use the built in Windows Defender for Antivirus Protection in Windows 10
- Quick Tip: Download and Update apps in Windows 10
- How to: Create a Recovery Drive for reinstalling Windows 10
- How to: create a Local Account in Windows 10
- How to: connect to a Microsoft Account in Windows 10
- How to: block automatic updates in Windows 10
- Use Battery Saver in Windows 10 to Prolong Laptop Battery Life
- Limit the Amount of Disk Space Used by Recycle Bin in Windows 10
- How to Manage and Troubleshoot Downloads in Windows 10
Miscellanous
- Set Up a Mobile Hotspot in Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- How to Pair a Bluetooth Device with Windows 10
- How to Share Files Over Bluetooth in Windows 10
- Tips to Get Started with the Windows 10 On-screen Keyboard
- How to locate and open Internet Explorer in Windows 10
- How to locate and open Windows Media Player in Windows 10
- How to disable Cortana on the Windows 10 Taskbar
- A look at running older versions of Microsoft Office on Windows 10
- Here’s How to Use Apple’s iCloud on Windows 10
- Install Windows 7 Games Hearts, Solitaire and More On Windows 10
- How to Use the New Phone Companion App in Windows 10
- How to install JAVA on Windows
Advance
- Get Started with Bash in Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- Share Your Network Connection with Hyper-V in Windows 10
- Get Started with Microsoft Azure – Create Your First Virtual Machine
- How to Network Windows 10 and OS X and Share Files
- How to Install Windows 10 on OS X in VMware Fusion 8
- Create a Custom Windows 10 VM on Mac with VMware Fusion 8
- Tips for Using OS X and Windows 10 Together in VMware Fusion 8
- How to: install the latest Windows 10 in Oracle VirtualBox
- Your Guide to Using BitLocker Encryption in Windows 10
- How to Attach and Copy files from a VHD in Windows 10
- How to setup a virtual machine using Hyper-V
- How to install Windows 10 on a Mac using Oracle VirtualBox
- How to add and use a second monitor with Windows 10
- How to: Connecting to Networks in Windows 10
- Quick Tip: Join a Windows 10 PC to a Domain
- How to Find the IP Address of Your Windows 10 PC
- How to Map a Network drive using Windows 10
- How to Enable Wake-on-LAN in Windows 10
Archive
- Three Ways to Upgrade to Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Anniversary Update version 1607 using ISO File
- Force Windows 10 Update to Deliver the November Update
- How to install the November Update on Windows 10 Enterprise edition
- Usability Improvements in Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- Windows 10 Anniversary Update: Questions, Issues and Answers
- Frequently Asked Questions Windows 10 Anniversary Edition version 1607
- How to Disable the Get Windows 10 Update GWX App Completely