HP PCs - Understanding and using Windows 10

In Windows 10, you can create custom virtual desktops to arrange your apps in groups that work best for you.

1. To add a virtual desktop, click Task View, and then the plus sign (+) next to New desktop.

2. Open the apps you want to use on the virtual desktop.

3. Select Task View again to switch between virtual desktops.

Optimize the system for tablet and touch by enabling Tablet mode. In this environment, the Start screen and Windows apps are full-screen, making them easier to see and use on a smaller screen.

1. To enable Tablet mode, press the Windows logo key + A on the keyboard to open the Action Center, and then select Tablet mode.

   

2. To choose what happens when you sign in, search for and open Tablet settings. Then make your selection for the following:

   • When I use this device as a tablet: Open the drop-down menu to select what happens when your device switches modes.

     

     • Don't switch to tablet mode

     • Ask me before switching modes

     • Always switch to tablet mode

       Note:

       Default switching might not work correctly on some HP notebooks.

3. Click Change additional tablet settings to open the Change additional tablet settings menu.

4. Turn tablet mode on or off and make your selections for the following settings:

   

   • When I am using tablet mode: Configure how your desktop appears in tablet mode.

     • Hide app icons on the taskbar

     • Automatically hide the taskbar

   • When I'm not using tablet mode: Configure your desktop to use selected tablet mode settings when not in tablet mode.

     • Make app icons on the taskbar easier to touch

     • Show the search icon without the search box

     • Make buttons in File Explorer easier to touch

     • Show the touch keyboard when there's no keyboard attached

You can choose from several methods to close the Lock screen and sign in to Windows.

1. Select one of the following methods.

   • Press the Enter key or the Space bar.

   • Click the mouse pointer on the bottom of the screen.

   • On a touch screen, swipe upward from the bottom of the screen.

2. On the sign-in screen, type your password, and then click the arrow or press Enter to open Windows.

   

You can create a personalized identification number (PIN) to use in place of a password to sign in to Windows. Having a PIN makes it easier to sign in to Windows, apps, and services.

1. In Windows, search for and open Sign-in options, and then select Windows Hello PIN.

   

2. Click Add, and then click Next. If a window displays prompting you to verify your identity, type the requested credentials.

   

3. On the Windows Security window, type a PIN in the PIN field (1), type the PIN again to confirm in the Confirm PIN field (2), and then click OK.

   

Alarms and Clock is an app that provides you with alarms, a world clock, a timer, and a stopwatch to help you manage and keep track of time.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Alarms & Clock.

   

2. To add an alarm, click the plus sign (+) in the lower-right corner.

   

3. Select a time and type in a name for the alarm. Choose whether the alarm should occur one time or several times, choose the sound, and then set a snooze time.

   

4. Click the Save icon in the lower-right corner.

The Calendar app is part of the Windows Communications apps that are designed to help you stay organized and connected with the people in your life.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Calendar.

   

   The Calendar app opens. When you open the Calendar app for the first time, the app might prompt you to select a calendar.

   

2. Select the view.

   • Day: Choose to view 1–6 days.

   • Week: Choose to view a work week, your agenda, or a week.

   • Month: Choose to view a month.

   • Year: Choose to view a year.

3. To add an item, click New event.

   

4. Type in the event name, location, time, and notes. Click Save in the upper-left corner.

5. If you have more than one calendar, such as Hotmail, Outlook, or Google, you can view them all by adding that account to the Calendar app.

   To add a calendar, click the Settings icon in the lower left, and then click Manage Accounts.

   

6. Click Add account, click the type of account you want to add, and then follow the on-screen instructions to add the account.

   

With the Camera app, you can take photos or shoot video using the camera in your computer. When you open the app, the camera displays an image preview.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Camera.

   

   When you open the Camera app for the first time, the app might prompt you to allow access to your location.

   

2. Click the Take Photo icon or the Switch to Video mode icon on the screen to take a picture or video. To view your pictures and videos, click the Camera roll.

   

   • Settings

   • Switch to Video mode

   • Take Video

   • Take Photo

   • Switch to Photo mode

   • Camera roll

   • Photo timer

   • HDR (high dynamic range)

3. Select the Settings icon to change the photo or video settings:

   • Camera: Turn on or off advanced controls or select a framing grid for your photos or videos.

   • Photos: Select the photo quality or turn on time lapse.

   • Videos: Select the video quality or set the flicker reduction rate.

   • Related settings: Change where photos and videos are saved, choose whether camera can use location info, change privacy settings, or choose to try out new experimental features.

Cortana is the personal assistant included with Windows 10. Cortana can help you search the web, find things on your computer, and keep track of your calendar.

The Cortana personal assistant feature uses specific hardware such as a microphone, speakers, GPS, and an Internet connection. The microphone in your computer might need to be configured to work with Cortana, and results vary based on the specific microphone.

Note:

Cortana and some Cortana features might not be available in your country or region. However, if Cortana isn't available or is turned off, you can still use search. For information on Cortana availability, see the Microsoft Cortana's regions and languages page (in English).

1. Make sure your computer is connected to a network with an active internet connection.

2. In Windows, open Cortana by selecting the Cortana icon on the taskbar.

   

3. On the Cortana window, click the Account icon , and then select Sign in.

   

4. When prompted, sign in to your Microsoft account, and then click Continue.

5. Type or say commands to set up Cortana devices and features.

6. Select the More icon to sign out, configure settings, send feedback, or learn more about Cortana.

With Groove Music, you can play music files from your computer or add your music to OneDrive so you can play it anywhere.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Groove Music.

   

2. The first time you open Groove Music, the app displays help links and options for loading music.

   Note:

   If you have music loaded on your PC, the app finds and adds your music library.

   

3. To listen, click Songs, Artists, or Albums, and then click the Play button .

4. Click More in the upper-left corner to display the Music menu. You can view search for music, shop, and create and share playlists.

   Note:

   To use the Radio and share playlists with the Your Groove feature, you must buy a Groove Music Pass.

The Mail app is part of the Windows Communications apps and is linked with the Calendar app. The Mail app works with several mail providers, including Exchange, Outlook, Google, iCloud, Yahoo! Mail, and others.

1. In Windows, search for and open Mail.

   

2. The first time you open the Mail app, you need to choose your account. Select your Microsoft account or click Add account, and then follow the on-screen instructions to add a new account.

   Note:

   You can also add new accounts at any time by clicking Manage accounts in the Settings menu.

   

3. After adding a new mail account, the new account is listed in the left pane of the Mail app. Click Sync to retrieve your mail items.

   

4. Click Inbox to display your messages. Click a message to read it.

   

5. To send a message, click New mail in the menu.

   

6. Type a name in the To box, or click the contacts icon to see your contacts. Then type the subject and message.

   To add emoji to your message, press the Windows logo key + . (period), and then select an emoji.

   When done, click Send.

   

7. To open the Mail settings, click the Settings icon in the menu. In the Settings, you can manage your Mail app, including adding another mail account, personalizing the colors, and setting up a signature.

   

With the Maps app, you can search for places to get directions, business info, and reviews. Download maps to use when you’re offline or find your way with voice navigation and driving directions. When Cortana is enabled, receive turn-by-turn directions in Cortana’s voice. If you have Windows Ink Workspace enabled, you can draw your route and then measure the distance.

1. In Windows, search for and open Maps.

   

2. The first time you open Maps, Windows requests access to your location. Click Yes to allow this.

   

3. To search for a location, type your search request into the Search box, and then click the location in the search results.

   

Microsoft Edge is the newly designed browser for Windows 10. Search directly from the address bar, pin tabs to keep them in the same place every time you open your browser, and highlight and take notes directly on webpages. With a touchscreen, swipe to go back or forward in the browser.

Use the following instructions to learn how to use Microsoft Edge.

For more information about using Microsoft Edge, see HP PCs - Using Microsoft Edge browser (Windows 10).

1. In Windows, search for and open Microsoft Edge.

   

2. To open a new tab, click the plus sign (+) on the top bar.

3. To search, type the search term in the address bar.

   

4. To add notes and highlights to a webpage, click Add notes.

   

5. Select one of the tools in the menu. You can use the pen, highlighter, type a note, or handwrite a note. When you're done, click Save.

   

6. Select a place to save your Web Note: OneNote, Favorites, or Reading list, and then click Save. When done making Web Notes, click the X in the menu to return to Microsoft Edge.

   

7. To open your saved Web Note, click Favorites (or the folder where you saved it), and then click the Web Note.

   

With the Movies and TV app, you can play videos already on your computer and buy or rent movies and TV shows. You can also watch high-definition programs.

1. In Windows, search for and open Movies & TV.

   

2. To search for a video, select a category, click Search, and then type your search in the search field.

   

3. Select a tile from the search results and click to play the video.

The News app provides news gathered from a variety of sources across the Web. See the top stories of the day and breaking news from around the world. Stories are grouped into categories such as World News, Business, and Technology, or choose your own interests.

1. In Windows, search for and open News.

   

2. Scroll across to see top stories in categories such as World, Technology, Sports, and Entertainment.

   

3. Select a category to display stories from that category. Select a tile to open and read the news story.

With the People app, you can keep track of all of your contacts from your LinkedIn, Twitter, and email accounts in one central location that is automatically backed up. When you sign in from a new Windows 10 device, your contacts are available—no need to enter them again. You can pin the contacts you use the most to the taskbar.

1. In Windows, search for and open People.

   

2. Click Import contacts to import your contacts from your email account.

3. Select the type of account. Choose from Microsoft account, Outlook.com, Exchange, Google, or iCloud, and then follow the on-screen instructions to add the account.

   

4. When you are finished adding accounts, click Ready to go.

5. Click a contact to see their individual information. From this page, depending on which services you have linked to People, you can do the following:

   • Call them

   • Send them an e-mail

   • View their profile

   • Get directions to their address

   • Edit their profile

   • Link them to another contact

   • Share the contact

6. Click the plus sign (+) to add a contact.

   

7. Enter the information in the new contact form, and then save your changes.

8. To link a contact to the taskbar, right-click a contact, and then select Pin to Taskbar.

   The contact displays on the taskbar.

   

With the Photos app, you can keep all your photos in one place. When you take a picture with the Camera app, it is saved in the Photos app. You can also upload photos from other devices such as your cell phone, external hard drive or memory stick, or digital camera.

In addition, you can connect the Photos app to your OneDrive. To do this, in the Photos app, open the Settings menu, and then scroll down to the OneDrive settings.

If your photos are stored in a secondary drive, add them to the Pictures Library using File Explorer. If you have photos on OneDrive, add OneDrive to the Sources list in the Photos settings.

Use the following information to store and work with your pictures in the Photos app.

1. In Windows, search for and open Photos. Photos opens to your picture collection sorted by date. Scroll down to see more.

   

2. To work with a picture, click the thumbnail. Select an icon to open photo editing tools such as zoom, delete, rotate, edit or draw on the photo, share, or print. Select the More icon for additional options such as creating a slideshow, saving the photo, opening the photo with a different app, or setting the photo as your background or lock screen.

   

3. Click Edit to open more photo editing tools. For example, you can crop, straighten, rotate, fix red eye, retouch, and apply special effects.

   

4. When done editing, click Save, or Save a copy.

   Click Undo all edits if you don't want to save your changes.

   Click Share to share your edited photo. You can email it, or share it with OneNote, Twitter, Box, Dropbox, or Line.

If you want to update Windows or get more apps, go to the Microsoft Store where you can get free apps or purchase apps.

1. In Windows, search for and open Microsoft Store.

   

   The Microsoft Store opens to the home page.

   

2. Browse by category or type in a search.

   Tiles for individual items show the name of the item, as well as the price, current star rating, and information.

3. For more information about an item, click the tile.

   On this page, you can find more information, or purchase and install the item.

   

The Tips app provides overviews of basic Windows 10 features and includes a What's new section, short videos, and help topics. In the Tips app, learn about the Start menu, Cortana, Photos, and many more topics.

1. In Windows, search for and open Tips.

   

2. Click a category to get more information, or view videos or help topics.

   

3. Click More options to change the view or open the Settings menu.

4. In the selected category, click the arrows to view a slideshow of tips.

With Windows 10, you can have more control over your Xbox experience.

1. In Windows, search for and open Xbox Console Companion.

   

   The Xbox welcome screen displays.

2. Sign in on the Welcome screen or create an Xbox log in, and then click Let's Play.

   Note:

   If you already have an Xbox login and have signed in to Windows with your Microsoft account, Xbox automatically signs you in.

   

3. On the home screen, click the menu icon to expand the options.

   

   The following list describes some of the features:

   • Stream music or videos to your Xbox.

   • Record game clips and take screenshots of your games with the Game bar. To open the Game bar, press the Windows logo key + G on the keyboard.

   • Use Beam to easily broadcast game play and create tournaments.

   • Take screenshots of Windows PC games by pressing the Windows logo key + prt sc at the same time. You can also do this by clicking the Screenshot button on the Game bar.

   • The Xbox Console Companion tile on the Windows 10 Start menu is a live tile. It welcomes you back, displays your gamer pic, and alerts you about new messages and activity.

   • The Clubs feature allows you to form a moderated community group based on custom criteria. The Find a Club feature lets you formulate a specific search relating to games or type of play.

   • Use the More Info page to view another gamer’s bio, location, and other information.

   • With real name sharing, you can choose to share your real name on the Xbox app with your friends or with everybody.

Use the following steps to change your account picture:

1. In Windows, search for and open Manage your account.

2. On the Accounts window, select Your info.

3. Under Create your picture, select Camera to take a picture or Browse for one to select a saved picture.

   

Use the following steps to add a folder to the Start screen.

1. In Windows, search for and open File Explorer.

2. Navigate to the folder you want to pin to the Start screen, right-click the folder, and then click Pin to Start.

   

The folder tile displays on the Start screen.