On Windows 10 you can do things that users of versions 7 and 8 can only dream of. Most likely, you have already heard something about shortcomings and “dampness” new system, but all this is temporary. But what we will tell you about will be with you all the time.
1. Talk to your computer out loud with Cortana
The voice assistant that first appeared on Windows Phone, is now available to desktop OS users. You can turn on Wi-Fi or launch applications with a few words. Try asking a question about the weather or celebrities - Cortana has an answer for almost everything. You just need to click the corresponding shortcut in Start and activate the application with the phrase “Hey Cortana”. Yes, for now only in English. But soon Russian will also appear among the working languages.
2. Resize windows using keys
If you still think that the screen in Windows can only be divided into two parts, you are left in the deep past. In Windows 10, quadrants rule the roost. Simply drag the window to one of the four corners of the screen - this way you can simultaneously work and view four workspaces on one screen. You can also use a combination for this Windows keys+ cursor.
3. Analyze the disk space on your PC
Just write "storage" in the Start menu bar and you will get all the information you need about how much space is being taken up system files, how many are applications and games, and how many are regular files.
4.Easily manage virtual desktops
To switch between multiple desktops, you should press the Task View button or the Windows + Tab key combination. This way you can quickly move from one screen to another.
5. Fingerprint access
This is one of the Windows Hello technology options that allows users to unlock their computer using their fingerprint, face or iris recognition. But to use it, you need to have not only touchscreen and a special web camera - something computer manufacturers should also provide for.
So, as they say, the “feature” is supported, but we won’t be able to use it on our computers yet.
6. Take control of notifications
By opening Action Center, you can view notifications from any application - no matter whether it is running or not. There is no need to open every program to see if there are updates or if you have a new message.
7. Switch between desktop and tablet mode
In the same Action Center, you can switch to tablet mode with one click. Moreover, it is available even when a mouse or keyboard is connected. You can also switch back - just tap the corresponding button in Action Center.
8. Transfer games from Xbox One to Windows 10
If you were playing on Xbox, but the kids came and drove you away - don't despair! Save and grab your Windows 10 laptop. Find the Xbox icon button on the taskbar, select Connect to Xbox => Stream. And keep playing your favorite game!
9. Experience all the features of Microsoft Edge
It is unlikely that now you will dare to say that the new browser from Microsoft is still the same “stupid donkey”.
Impressive performance, annotating web pages before they load, integration with Cortana search technology, and the ability to draw directly on pages are just some of the benefits of Edge.
10. Pin Recycle Bin to Start Menu
Just right-click on the Trash and select “Pin to Start Screen.” Perhaps this will provide you with more convenience, because you won’t have to minimize everything to get to the Desktop.
11. Share Wi-Fi passwords with friends
12. Quick access to Settings
You can easily access the main settings directly from the Taskbar. Now it will take you much less time to get to the Control Panel.
13. Install apps purchased from the Windows Store on iOS and Android
But this is absolutely a bomb! If you once purchased the application in Windows Store, you can now install its iOS equivalent on your iPhone or Android for free. Just follow simple instructions by running Phone app Companion.
Windows 10 comes with more than just standard features. The new version of the OS has many features that most users are not aware of. Some of them will be useful only to a certain circle of people, but others will make it easier for everyone to work with the system. Therefore, each user needs to familiarize themselves with the new options in order to choose those that are useful for themselves.
Unusual features of Windows 10
In addition to the standard functions that everyone uses every day, Windows 10 contains unusual features that are useful in one situation or another. Some of them are not available in the Russian version of the system or in the absence of additional equipment, but most of the features are available to all users.
Voice assistance and speech control
Control the computer, open necessary programs and you can perform some actions using your voice if you activate the Cortana assistant. But she is not available for Russian speaking users, so to start using it, change your location region, and only then turn on speech control.
- Expand system settings.
In the Start menu, find and open the Settings program.
- Go to the “Time and Language” block.
IN Windows settings open the “Time and language” section to change the region
- In the list of regions, find and set the value to “US” or “UK”.
In the region and language selection menu, indicate: USA or UK
- Wait until the new language is downloaded and installed.
We are waiting for the download and installation of the language to complete.
- Without leaving the language and time settings, go to the “Voice Recognition” subsection and set any available language in which you will communicate with the assistant.
You may need to restart your device to start using Cortana, after which you can open applications and perform some actions, such as turning off the computer, activating a mode, etc., using voice commands.
Video: Activating Cortana
Dividing the monitor into blocks
If you often have to work in several windows at the same time, then the mode will come in handy Snap Assist. It allows you to divide the monitor into two, three or four parts.
- Proceed to split by dragging one of the windows off the right or left side of the screen. In this case, two blocks will appear - right and left. One will contain a working window, and the second will contain a list of running applications.
Drag the window to the side to split the screen into two parts
- Drag the window to top corner screen again to divide it into four parts.
Drag the window to the top corner of the screen to divide it into four parts
- Configure the placement of blocks in detail using the Win key and arrow keys (right, left, up, down). For example, you can make the working window occupy a quarter of the screen, and the rest of the area works as usual.
We control screen splitting using the Win key and arrows, choosing the location and size of working windows
Memory details
Not needed on Windows 10 third party programs to obtain detailed information about computer memory. This data is located in the computer settings: in the “Storage” subsection of the “System” section.
The “Storage” subsection contains detailed information about the disk
By selecting, for example, drive C, you can find out what file formats it is filled with. A detailed analysis will allow you to find out what data you should pay attention to when cleaning the system.
By selecting a section, you can view detailed information about him
Additional desktops
The user can create multiple desktops and switch between them. This feature will come in handy if you like order: one table for work, the other for relaxation. You can go to the list of tables using the icon in the shape of three rectangles located in the lower left corner of the quick access panel.
In Windows 10 you can sort, delete and create desktops
Here you can create a new table, delete an old one, or go to a previously created one. The function supports hotkeys: Win+Ctrl+D - generates a new table, Win+Ctrl+F4 - closes the active table, Win+Ctrl+arrows - switches between existing tables.
Video: working with additional desktops
Fingerprint password
The system has the ability to confirm your identity with a fingerprint. To do this, you will need a built-in or third-party touchpad that can read a fingerprint. Set a password and pin, and after that - fingerprint verification.
- While in the system settings, select the “Accounts” section, and in it - the “Login Options” subsection.
In the “Accounts” section, open the “Login Options” subsection.
- Create a password and come up with a pin that will help you log in if you forget your password.
Set a password and pin
- Switch to Windows features Hello to register your fingerprint. It can be used instead of a password and PIN code.
Registering a fingerprint to log in
- Now, when you try to log in, you will be asked for your password and fingerprint.
Place your finger on the touchpad to log in
Video: Setting up a fingerprint to log in
Sync with Xbox One
if you have Xbox One, then you can synchronize it with a computer running Windows 10. One account will allow you to manage your existing games both from the computer and from the console. Microsoft also announced that players with Windows 10 and Xbox will be able to play on the same servers, that is, cross-platform will be supported.
In the computer settings, find the “Games” section, which has a “Game Menu” subsection. Enable game control using your Xbox controller.
In the “Game Menu” section, enable the use of the Xbox gamepad
All computers have the Xbox application installed by default (you can find it through the system search bar), through which it is convenient to manage your Xbox live account: buy games, view statistics, view new products and updates.
You can manage your Xbox live account through the Xbox app on Windows 10
Built-in browser
IN previous versions Windows is built in by default Explorer browser, but appeared in Windows 10 a new version- Edge. Innovations include:
- EdgeHTML engine, which supports new web programming technologies;
- ability to control voice using Cortana;
- support for stylus control;
- logging into websites using a fingerprint - Windows Hello (how to set up support for authorization using a fingerprint was described above in the article).
The design has changed radically - it has acquired the features of minimalism and has been simplified. By default there are two themes: night and day. But the main innovation is the ability to install extensions from the store, which will help each user expand the set of browser functions to suit their needs.
The new Edge has a radically different design and new features.
Video: Edge browser review
Automatically connect friends to Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Sense option allows you to create a list of friends taken from Skype, Facebook and others social networks and services for which Wi-Fi will connect automatically, without entering a password. That is, if friends added to Wi-Fi list Sence, come to visit you with their devices, the computer will recognize their devices as friendly and allow connection without a password.
Turn on Wi-Fi Sense to automatically connect friends to Wi-Fi
The only exception is that the function does not work with corporate and public networks, because this would threaten the security of users. To start using the option, just open the network connection window and check the box next to the Share network with my contacts function.
Screen keyboard
The design of the on-screen keyboard has changed in Windows 10. You can also launch it in new ways:
- Right-click on the Quick Access Toolbar in the lower left corner. In the window that opens, activate the “Show touch keyboard button” function.
In the context menu of the quick access panel, enable the “Show touch keyboard button” function
- A corresponding icon will appear on the quick access panel, clicking on which brings up the keyboard.
A button for calling up the on-screen keyboard has appeared on the quick access panel
- In the computer settings, in the “Accessibility” section, there is a “Keyboard” subsection. By going to it, you can move the slider responsible for the touch keyboard to disable or enable it.
You can enable or disable the on-screen keyboard in System Settings
- You can enter “On-screen keyboard” in the system search bar, and the system will display the right application, which launches the keyboard.
We look for the on-screen keyboard through the search bar and launch it
- In the “Run” window, opened with the Win+R combination, executing the osk command also brings up the keyboard.
Run the osk command to bring up the on-screen keyboard
Video: On-screen keyboard in Windows 10
New cmd features
This item will be of interest to those who often work with the command line. Firstly, you can now select multiple lines at once using the mouse. Secondly, support for hotkeys has appeared: Ctrl+A (select all), Ctrl+C (copy), Ctrl+V (paste). Thirdly, when you change the window scale, words that do not fit will automatically be moved to the next line, which increases the readability of information.
In cmd you can select multiple lines at once
Another important change - if you paste text containing unsupported characters from the clipboard, they will be automatically replaced with familiar characters command line. In previous versions of Windows, this action caused an error.
Lines in cmd are transferred automatically
Unified gesture system
In previous versions of the system different models touchpads and laptops, there were various gestures that replaced the functions of the mouse and keyboard. But in Windows 10 they introduced a single system that supports the following actions:
- Swiping up or down with two fingers will rewind the page;
- by sliding two fingers from the center or from the corners to the center, you will change the scale of the active window;
- quick double tap - call context menu, that is, an analogue of the right mouse button;
- movement with three fingers - launches a list of open windows.
There are other special gestures, but they are used extremely rarely. Remembering the above steps, you will do without a mouse if you have a touchpad at hand.
Support for new formats
Now the built-in media player is able to open music in flac format and video in mkv format. Additional applications to run these formats is not required.
Windows Player supports new formats
Creating a Backup
The OneDrive service allows you to transfer user data to cloud storage, which will not be damaged if the system itself stops working. To work with OneDrive you will need internet. You can transfer it to storage a large number of files: music, pictures, videos, documents, etc. You can view the list of downloaded files from any device, including a mobile one, if you have access to the Internet and the password for the account used to log into OneDrive.
Through OneDrive you can create backups files
Storage is managed in the official OneDrive application, which is installed by default on all computers. In the program settings, you can enable data copying, as well as configure which files will be saved and under what conditions.
Video: Working with OneDrive
Minimized Explorer
Found in the system file manager, which supports much less functionality than the original, but still has its place. Launch in the usual way it is not allowed, and it is unclear for what purpose it is present in the system. Perhaps this is a prototype of a simplified explorer for tablets. If you want to test it, follow these steps:
Partitioned media support
A flash drive or disk, like a hard drive or SSD drive, can be divided into several sections. In previous versions of the system, only one partition was shown, and all others were discarded. But in Windows 10, by opening Explorer, you can work with each partition of the media.
In Explorer, the media is divided into several sections that you can work with
Gamer mode
By activating Game Mode, you indicate to the computer that gaming will be a priority for the near future, so performance and power should be optimized for running game. Game mode allows you to increase FPS in games.
- In the computer settings, select the “Games” block, and in it - the “Game Mode” subsection. Activate the mode.
In the “Games” computer setting, find and enable game mode
Check the box to confirm the use of the game mode
Video: Windows 10 Game Mode
Quick screenshots
Through the system search bar you can find the “Scissors” program. Using it, you can create screenshots by highlighting one window, the entire screen or its area. An unusual function is to create a screenshot using a timer. You can choose how many seconds after the screenshot is taken.
Use the Scissors app to take screenshots
Quick PDF creation
If you find a page or file that you need to quickly save to PDF format, then click the “Print” button, and in the list of printers, select the Microsoft Print to PDF option. By saving the result, you will receive a file with the given name, which you can use and edit.
Convert the desired file to PDF via printing
Windows 10 introduces many little-known features. Each user will determine their importance for himself. Some of them will not be useful, but some options can be used in certain conditions.
The long-suffering Start menu is finally back! Now Microsoft company, learned from bitter experience, provided the opportunity for users to customize the size and location of this menu. To do this, you just need to hook and drag the mouse cursor on the border of the start menu. And if you want to use the Start screen from Windows 8 again, just go to Settings → Personalization → Start and activate the “Open Start screen in full screen” option.
2. WiFi Sense
This is very interesting feature, which is already known Windows users Phone. It works as follows. Every time you connect to Windows network remembers and sends entered passwords to the cloud. In this way, an online database of access passwords is formed. wireless networks, which can be used together. You can allow friends to connect to your network (contacts from Facebook, Skype, Outlook) and use the same networks that they use or have previously used. In this case, you do not even need to enter any passwords, since when such a network is detected, the connection occurs automatically. You can activate and configure this function at: “Settings” → “Network and Internet” → Wi-Fi → “Manage Wi-Fi network settings”.
3. Selecting the starting folder for Explorer
The standard Windows 10 file manager has a new section called “Quick Access Toolbar”. In the settings of this program, there is also an option to select the directory that will open by default upon startup.
4. New application management tool
We are already accustomed to the fact that in each version of Windows, a well-known applet in the “Control Panel” section is responsible for installing and uninstalling programs. In addition to this, Windows 10 has a new tool called Apps & Features. With its help you can not only get rid of unnecessary programs, but also estimate how much space each of them takes up on your hard drive. This function is located at: “Settings” → “System” → “Applications and features”.
5. Cloud protection
Yes, Windows Defender may not be the most powerful or secure antivirus currently available. But he now has a chance to correct this state of affairs, because in Windows 10 he learned to send data about potentially dangerous files to Microsoft servers, where specialists will deal with their contents. You can activate this feature in system settings: “Settings” → “Update and Security” → “Windows Defender”.
6. Update from local networks
Previously, operating system updates were always downloaded directly from Microsoft servers. In Windows 10, it is additionally possible to download updates from other computers that have already downloaded necessary files previously. This function works using peer-to-peer technology. You can access it here: “Settings” → “Update and Security” → “ Extra options→ “Choose how and when to receive updates.”
7. Data usage analysis
Since Windows 10 became unified system for devices of different form factors, it contains some functions designed for mobile devices. However, they can also be useful on desktops. For example, the network usage monitoring function will allow you not only to monitor the total amount of traffic, but also to identify the most power-hungry applications. You can open it by following the address: “Settings” → “Network and Internet” → “Data Usage” → “Usage Information”.
8. Battery saving
Another feature that was borrowed from Windows Phone. However, laptop owners will only be glad to see it. A special saving mode will turn on automatically when the battery charge is low and will allow you to add additional operating time to it. You can configure this mode at: “Settings” → “System” → “Battery Saver”. Here you can find out which programs consume the most energy.
9. Place management
We have already touched on this innovation in the article “”. The "Storage" section allows you to get detailed information about what is occupied by the space of your hard drives, and clean it of temporary files, garbage and unnecessary applications. In addition, here you can set the default location for saving documents, videos, music and installing applications. This useful tool is located here: “Options” → “System” → “Storage”.
10. Offline maps
Possibility of using cards in offline mode will be appreciated by all travelers who often need to get their bearings or find the right point, but do not have access to the Internet. The Maps app included with Windows 10 can download maps of selected countries to your HDD, and then use them for navigation. To select the cards you need, go to: “Options” → “System” → “Offline maps”.
Such interesting things can be found in the depths of Windows 10. I am sure that further careful study of this operating system will bring us many more surprises. What new feature of Windows 10 did you like best?
The long-suffering Start menu is finally back! Now Microsoft, having learned from bitter experience, has given users the opportunity to customize the size and location of this menu themselves. To do this, you just need to hook and drag the mouse cursor on the border of the start menu. And if you want to use the Start screen from Windows 8 again, just go to Settings → Personalization → Start and activate the “Open Start screen in full screen” option.
2. WiFi Sense
This is a very interesting feature that is already known to Windows Phone users. It works as follows. Every time you connect to the network, Windows remembers and sends the entered passwords to the cloud. This creates an online database of wireless network access passwords that can be shared. You can allow friends to connect to your network (contacts from Facebook, Skype, Outlook) and use the same networks that they use or have previously used. In this case, you do not even need to enter any passwords, since when such a network is detected, the connection occurs automatically. You can activate and configure this function at: “Settings” → “Network and Internet” → Wi-Fi → “Manage Wi-Fi network settings”.
3. Selecting the starting folder for Explorer
The standard Windows 10 file manager has a new section called “Quick Access Toolbar”. In the settings of this program, there is also an option to select the directory that will open by default upon startup.
4. New application management tool
We are already accustomed to the fact that in each version of Windows, a well-known applet in the “Control Panel” section is responsible for installing and uninstalling programs. In addition to this, Windows 10 has a new tool called Apps & Features. With its help, you can not only get rid of unnecessary programs, but also estimate how much space each of them takes up on your hard drive. This function is located at: “Settings” → “System” → “Applications and features”.
5. Cloud protection
Yes, Windows Defender may not be the most powerful or secure antivirus currently available. But he now has a chance to correct this state of affairs, because in Windows 10 he has learned to send data about potentially dangerous files to Microsoft servers, where specialists will deal with their contents. You can activate this feature in system settings: “Settings” → “Update and Security” → “Windows Defender”.
6. Update from local networks
Previously, operating system updates were always downloaded directly from Microsoft servers. In Windows 10, it is additionally possible to download updates from other computers that have downloaded the necessary files earlier. This function works using peer-to-peer technology. You can access it here: Settings → Update & Security → Advanced options → Choose how and when to receive updates.
7. Data usage analysis
Since Windows 10 has become a unified system for devices of different form factors, it contains some features designed for mobile devices. However, they can also be useful on desktops. For example, the network usage monitoring function will allow you not only to monitor the total amount of traffic, but also to identify the most power-hungry applications. You can open it by following the address: “Settings” → “Network and Internet” → “Data Usage” → “Usage Information”.
8. Battery saving
Another feature that was borrowed from Windows Phone. However, laptop owners will only be glad to see it. A special saving mode will turn on automatically when the battery charge is low and will allow you to add additional operating time to it. You can configure this mode at: “Settings” → “System” → “Battery Saver”. Here you can find out which programs consume the most energy.
9. Place management
We have already touched on this innovation in the article “”. The “Storage” section allows you to get detailed information about what is occupied by the space of your hard drives and clear it of temporary files, garbage and unnecessary applications. In addition, here you can set the default location for saving documents, videos, music and installing applications. This useful tool is located here: “Options” → “System” → “Storage”.
10. Offline maps
The ability to use maps offline will be appreciated by all travelers who often need to get their bearings or find the right point, but do not have access to the Internet. The Maps application included in Windows 10 can download maps of selected countries to your hard drive, and then use them for navigation. To select the cards you need, go to: “Options” → “System” → “Offline maps”.
Such interesting things can be found in the depths of Windows 10. I am sure that further careful study of this operating system will bring us many more surprises. What new feature of Windows 10 did you like best?
Summer means that many people are on vacation and spending less time in front of computer screens than usual. However, Microsoft decided this year to introduce its new operating system just in the summer, namely on July 29.
With Windows 10, Microsoft promises to fix all the shortcomings of Windows 8 and significantly modify its software platform so that it is more tailored to the demands of the modern computer market. The Windows Insider testing program showed that Microsoft is more ready than ever to listen to users' opinions, and at the same time fueled interest in the system.
1. Start Menu
After being absent from Windows 8, the Start menu returns with a revamped look. It is because of its absence that many did not switch to Windows 8; the menu now offers a combination of the traditional approach and tiles home screen, which will be familiar and familiar to those who were not afraid to get acquainted with Windows 8.
2. Notification Center
Where Microsoft's operating system lagged behind competitors' products was in the delivery of notifications. In both Windows 7 and Windows 8, there was no single place where all system and application notifications were collected. Action Center in Windows 10 addresses this shortcoming. It is available on both PC and smartphone versions of the system, eliminating the need to open separate applications to find out the essence of the notification.
3. Cortana
Another feature borrowed from the mobile operating system is voice assistant Cortana. This program has found application in many segments of Windows 10, in particular, in search within the system and on the global network. The function is so important that Toshiba even allocated a separate key on the keyboard to launch it in its Windows 10 laptops.
Unfortunately, Cortana is not yet available to Russian Windows 10 owners, and it is not yet clear when it will start working. Over time, when voice assistant will work in all regions, machine learning capabilities will make Cortana even better.
4. Continuum
An interesting feature for owners of smartphones running Windows 10. It turns smartphones into real computers when you connect a keyboard, mouse and monitor to them. The interface of the mobile operating system changes to the interface of the PC version. A number of manufacturers are already preparing special docking stations for smartphones that will allow you to connect peripheral devices to them.
A single Windows on all Microsoft devices and a focus on cloud technologies. If everything works out as planned, the smartphone may become the only one computer device users, both mobile and landline.
5. Switch between tasks
Not all new features of Windows 10 should become eye-catching sensations; some are just the result of the evolutionary development of the system. For example, the keyboard shortcut Alt + Tab. Previously, you could use them to switch between programs, the same thing happens now, only with improved appearance and the location of windows.
6. Snap
7.Edge
The browser was introduced in the 90s Internet Explorer, and although it got better with each version, it lagged behind many of its competitors in terms of features. New browser Microsoft has dubbed it Edge, and by doing away with IE's legacy code, it better meets the specifications of the modern web. This makes it faster to use, and features like support for stylus input further increase user interest.
8. Universal applications
Windows 10 will put an end to fragmentation software products Microsoft. It will work on computers, tablets, smartphones, set-top boxes and a number of other devices. Universal apps must also work on different types devices, with changes in the user interface. This should fill the store Windows applications Store and show Microsoft's vision for the future of operating systems.
In recent years, especially after the emergence iPhone smartphone 5S, fingerprint sensors found in mobile devices more often. Windows Hello is a biometric authentication feature that will allow users to unlock their computer using facial recognition or iris scanning. Thus, users can be spared the need to remember and enter passwords. The future will show how reliable and popular this function will be.
Computers are becoming more powerful, and there are more and more cores in central and graphics processors. However, so far the ability to exchange information between these cores has been limited. Only one core could communicate with another at a time. GUI DirectX 12 should improve things, and multiple cores will be able to communicate at once, increasing energy efficiency. Developers will be able to improve this lighting effects and other graphics capabilities.
As you can see, the new system has many opportunities to lure users away from Windows 7, which still remains the most common operating system in the world. Updating from licensed Windows versions 7 and 8.1 before Windows 10 will be free for the first year after July 29th. The transition guide can be viewed.