Task Manager

One of the main uses of the Task Manager is to force close a program which has stopped responding to the mouse or keyboard. The Task Manager in Windows 10 is the same as Windows 8 and it shows much more information than the version in Windows 7.

The most popular way of starting Task Manager is to type CTRL-ALT-DEL keys and selecting the Task Manager option. You can also run it by pressing CTRL-SHIFT-ESC keys.

A program/app which has stopped responding will be marked as “Not responding”. So, if you cannot use a program and it is in a “frozen” state, select it from the list of apps in Task Manager and then click “End Task” button. Windows will then attempt to force the program to close. Any information that you were working with in your program that was not saved will probably be lost, but if the Program is no longer responding then this may be the only course of action to take.

Also in the screen above, you can see more details about the CPU, Disk and Network usage of all running processes. A process might be an application (either one on you Taskbar or hidden in the Notification area) a sub-system or a service managed by Windows 10.

The other tabs available in Task Manager are less frequently used but here are links to tutorials for further information:

See more at:
http://www.windowscentral.com/task-manager-optimize-your-windows-10-experience

Power Options

A power plan is a collection of hardware and system settings that manages how your computer uses power. Power plans can help you save energy, maximize system performance, or achieve a balance between the two.

Note: Changes made to a power plan will affect all users that have chosen the same power plan as their default active power scheme.

Windows 10 provides the following default plans:

• Balanced - Offers full performance when you need it and saves power when you don't. This is the best power plan for most people.
• Power saver - Saves power by reducing PC performance and screen brightness. If you're using a laptop, this plan can help you get the most from a single battery charge.
• High performance - Maximizes screen brightness and might increase PC performance. This plan uses a lot more energy, so your laptop battery won't last as long between charges.
• Custom power plan - These are only available if either your PC manufacturer (OEM) provided additional power plans, and/or you create a custom power plan. These are available to all users.

See more at:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2843-power-plan-settings-change-windows-10-a.html

Disk Cleanup

You can use Disk Cleanup to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your drives, which can help your PC run faster. It can delete temporary files and system files, empty the Recycle Bin, and remove a variety of other items that you might no longer need.

To find out how to use Disk Cleanup, check this link…
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3012-disk-cleanup-open-use-windows-10-a.html

System Restore

System Restore is a way to undo system changes by using restore points to return your system files and settings to an earlier point in time without affecting your personal files.

System Restore uses a feature called system protection that regularly creates and saves information about your PC's drivers, programs, registry, system files, and settings as restore points. By default, it automatically creates a restore point every time you install new software or drivers, so you don't even have to set it up to take advantage.

See more at:
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html?filter[1]=Backup%20Restore
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-system-restore/

Recovery Options

If you wish to learn about recovery options available in Windows 10 to help you overcome problems that occur while running your PC, check out this article…
https://www.howtogeek.com/107511/how-to-boot-into-safe-mode-on-windows-8-the-easy-way/

If you're having problems with your PC, the following table can help you decide which recovery option to use.

See more at:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-ie/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options

Accessibility Features

Check this link to find out about Accessibility Features in Windows 10.
https://www.howtogeek.com/223319/how-to-manage-accessibility-features-in-windows-10/

Windows 10 includes some built-in features to keep your computer safe from viruses, malware, and intruders. You can learn more about some of the most important features below.

User Account Control

The User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature that helps prevent unauthorised changes to your Windows 10 computer or device. These unauthorised changes can be initiated by users, apps, viruses, or other types of malware. UAC ensures that these changes are made only with the administrator’s approval. If these changes are not approved by the administrator, they will never be executed, and the system will remain unchanged.

To access User Account Control, follow the steps below:

1. Click in the search box on the taskbar.
2. Type ‘uac’

A list of search results appears.

3. Click “Change User Account Control settings”.

The User Account Control Settings window appears.

4. Set the UAC switch to the position you want.

Figure: User Account Control Settings with default set, which is shown in green in the full list below.

• Always notify.
  The UAC prompt is shown when apps try to install
  software or make changes to your computer and when you try to change
  Windows settings. The Desktop is dimmed when a UAC prompt is shown.
• Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (default)
  This is the default setting for UAC. UAC prompts
  aren’t shown when you try to make changes to Windows settings. The
  Desktop is dimmed when a UAC prompt is shown.
• Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my
  desktop)
  UAC prompts are not shown when you try to make changes
  to Windows settings, but the Desktop isn’t dimmed when a UAC prompt is
  shown.
• Never notify.
  This is the equivalent of turning off UAC. It is not
  recommended that you use this setting.

See more at:
https://www.howtogeek.com/220232/how-to-use-the-built-in-windows-defender-antivirus-on-windows-10/

Windows Firewall

A firewall, at its most basic level, permits or denies communications between computers, between networks, or between computers and networks (for example, your home computer and the Internet) based on the firewall’s configuration rules. You can access the settings for Windows Firewall through the Network and Security section in the Control Panel.

Only connections that are explicitly allowed, using firewall rules, are permitted. Windows Firewall, by default, allows all outbound connections, and permits only established inbound connections (that is, an inbound connection that is in direct response to an outbound connection initiated from your computer or network).

To find out how to configure Windows Firewall, check out this tutorial…
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-configure-windows-7-firewall

Windows Defender

Windows provides support for both antivirus and anti-spyware security, in a single program called Windows Defender. It offers both active and passive protection, and it’s regularly updated with new virus definitions, thanks to the Windows Update process.

Antivirus utilities such as Windows Defender feature two modes of operation:

Passive: In this mode, the program lurks in the background and monitors the computer’s activity, looking for malware.

Active: In this mode, the antivirus program probes all parts of the computer’s memory and storage system, looking for signs of infection. Active scans can be done manually, or they take place on a schedule.

Like other antivirus apps, Windows Defender automatically runs in the background, scanning files when they’re downloaded, transferred from external drives, and before you open them.

You don’t really have to think about Windows Defender at all. It will only pop up to inform you when it finds malware. It won’t even ask you what you want to do with the malicious software it finds—it just cleans things up and quarantines the files automatically.

To find out about other features of Windows Defender, check out this tutorial…
https://www.howtogeek.com/220232/how-to-use-the-built-in-windows-defender-antivirus-on-windows-10/

How does Windows Defender Compare with Commercial Anti-Virus Products

Security experts at AV-Test Institute rate antivirus programs on three criteria, Protection, Performance, and Usability. The antivirus can earn up to six points for each of these. For certification, a product needs a total of 10 points and no zeroes. Windows Defender got 5.0 points for Protection, 4.5 points for Performance, and 4.0 points for Usability, a total of 13.5 points. That's a passing grade, but not a high one. Kaspersky rated a perfect 18 points. Among free products, Avast, AVG AntiVirus Free, and Avira earned 16.0, 16.5, and 17.0 points respectively.

Above excerpt taken from the following article dated 17^th Oct 2017…
http://uk.pcmag.com/windows-defender-beta-2/25697/review/microsoft-windows-defender-security-center

Windows Updates

In order to keep your computer secure, Microsoft automatically provides regular updates to your computer. These include important security updates, as well as new features.

To learn more about Windows Updates, check out this tutorial,
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/manage-windows-update-windows-10/

Setting windows 10 privacy when using Microsoft Account

With the rise of Cloud-based services, more and more computer users are putting the trust of their private data with remote servers. This is at a time when the security of online data has come into question following many high-profile breaches.

This should especially be a concern for Windows 10 users as it might surprise you to learn that Microsoft's makes it clear in its Privacy Statement of its intention to collect your data: when you create a Microsoft account, submit a search query to Bing, speak a voice command to Cortana, upload a document to OneDrive, or contact Microsoft for support.

You may be relieved to know that Windows 10 provides settings that allow you to choose what to share and what to keep private. The problem is, those settings are scattered all over Windows 10, so finding them all is time-consuming and not always that easy.

Don't panic, as there is a free tool called O&O ShutUp 10 which runs directly from your desktop and provides convenient access to the privacy settings you may want to examine and tweak.

Check this link below to discover how to use this tool so you choose what content you want to share with Microsoft
http://www.techradar.com/how-to/computing/how-to-use-windows-10-privacy-settings-1322915

Check this link, if you would like to know more about Windows 10 Privacy Settings…
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/privacy-settings-windows-10

Activities - keeping your computer secure -

Activity 3a - Check that a Firewall is Active on Your Computer

First of all check to see if the Windows Firewall is active, and if not, find out if a third-party firewall is active instead.

Local account vs Microsoft account

When starting Windows 10 for the first time you now have to make a choice between using a Local Account or a Microsoft Account. With a Local Account, you only have access to the computer you are currently using. While with a Microsoft Account, you can set it up to give access to all your Windows 10 devices like Desktop, Laptops and Microsoft Tablets and Smartphones.

While a Local Account works much the same as in previous versions of Windows, a Microsoft Account also gives streamlined access to the Windows Store, Onedrive and also allows you sync your settings across all devices. When logging in just with a local Account, you will still need a Microsoft Account to access Windows Store and Onedrive.

If you have ever used Microsoft services like Xbox Live, Hotmail, Outlook.com, OneDrive or Windows Messenger, then you already have a Microsoft Account. Microsoft has simply combined all of their services together and allows you access them all with a single account.

Main Benefits of Microsoft Account

• Access to the Windows Store - Signing in to Windows 8/8.1 or 10 gives you access to the new Windows Store where you can download modern apps to your Windows 8 computer. These modern apps are similar to the apps you see in the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. The difference is Windows Store apps can be used on your PC like regular desktop apps
• Free Cloud Storage – you automatically get access to Onedrive where you will have 5GB of free storage available. Once signed-up, you will be able to access your stored files from all devices running Windows 10 including tablets and mobile phones.
• Sync your Windows Settings – First of all, set-up your main computer with your preferred wallpaper, themes, update settings, Start screen tile layout and language preferences. So when you login to another Windows device with the same Microsoft Account, your settings will automatically be configured for you. Obviously, this could be a privacy concern for some users as the data could include browser history, favourites and passwords.

Main Drawbacks of Microsoft Account

• Encouraging users to reveal usage information – Microsoft has come under criticism for opting users into some privacy options by default when the express setup is used during installation of Windows 10. In section below Setting windows 10 privacy when using Microsoft Account, these default settings can be set quickly for optimum privacy so you can use a Microsoft Account with more confidence.

Which Account Type should you use?

When you first start Windows 10, it is usually better to create a local account to get up and running as a Microsoft Account requires an active internet connection on first use. You then have to decide if it is worth switching to a Microsoft Account.

If you only have one computer, you have no interest in Windows Store Apps and you don’t need access to your files outside your home, then a local account will be fine. While if you are interested in new features of Windows 10 then you will need a Microsoft Account to take full advantage of them.

See more at:
http://windows.about.com/od/windowsforbeginners/fl/The-Difference-between-Local-and-Microsoft-Accounts.htm

Start Menu & Taskbar

The Windows 10 Start menu is a hybrid of the old Windows 7 Start menu and the Windows 8 Start screen. Anything you could do from the either of those menus can now be done in the Windows 10 Start menu.

Areas on the Start menu

The new Start menu is made up of several areas which have been numbered in the screenshot below.

Area 1 – Most used programs – This is where your most frequently run programs will be placed. If there is an arrow next to them, you can click on it and a ‘Jump List’ will open. This is usually a list of files that this program has recently opened.

Area 2 – Recently added Programs or Apps – which have been installed from the Windows Store or through the Desktop.

Area 3 – Common Tasks – these are shortcuts to commonly used tasks.

Area 4 – All Apps – This section allows you to browse all the Programs and Apps on your PC in alphabetical order.

Area 5 – Tiles – Each of the tiles on the right of the Start menu represents an App from the Windows store. The pictures/text on the tiles may constantly change depending on the App unlike traditional icons which are usually static. You can pin shortcuts to desktop programs and add more Apps to this area. If you have more tiles than will fit on the Start menu, a scroll bar will appear on the right so you can scroll down to see more tiles.

Area 6 – User Account – In this section you can logout or switch user.

Using File Explorer

Understanding how to work with files and folders is an important part of using your computer. Once you understand how files and folder work, you'll use them all the time.

Check out link below to learn the absolute basics of working with files, including how to open files, move your files into folders, and delete files.
https://www.gcflearnfree.org/windowsbasics/working-with-files/1/

Activities – Getting Started

Activity 1a - Set-up User accounts for All Computer users

Set-up User accounts on your home computer for all users and set appropriate permissions.

To learn how to Create a New User Account in Windows 10, check out this tutorial…
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/create-a-new-user-account-in-windows-8-1

Activity 1b - Check speed of internet connection and compare with advertised speed

Check the speed of your internet connection and compare result with the advertised speed of the broadband deal that you have signed up for.

To find out the download and upload speed of your internet connection, check out this website…
http://www.speedtest.net

Activity 1c - Create copy of your Music collection on portable drive

Create a synchronised copy of your MP3 music collection on a backup drive using Allway sync, which can be downloaded from this website…
https://allwaysync.com/