What's New in Windows 10

You are probably aware that Microsoft is no longer providing support for Windows 7 as of January 14, 2020.  If you're like me, particularly if you have an older computer, you may still be using Windows 7 as your operating system.  The January deadline may have prompted you to upgrade to Windows 10 and you may be curious to know what's different about it.  Below, I have provided a snapshot of some of the things that have changed in Windows 10.  For this and other tutorials, check out LearningExpress Library - Computer Skills Center. 

Start Menu     

• The Start Menu is back in Windows 10.  It was not available in Windows 8. 
• The Start Menu displays who is logged in, the most used apps, file explorer, settings, the power button and all apps (alphabetical listing of apps), the equivalent of all programs in Windows 7.   
  

Action Center    

• Borrowed from Windows phone, it shows you a list of notifications in Windows 10 from your apps (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, e-mail). 
• It features tools such as Tablet Mode, Quiet Hours, and others which can be quickly accessed with a click or touch. 

Cortana    

• The Windows 10 personal assistant.  Similar to Siri on Apple and Google Assistant on Android.  
• Cortana can give you suggestions, ideas, reminders, alerts and more.  Ask Cortana to answer a question, open an app, do an Internet search, etc. 

Microsoft Edge 

• Microsoft’s new Internet browser released as part of Windows 10. 
• Automatically updates to new version. 

Quick Access    

• A feature of File Explorer that displays your recently used files and frequently used folders. It will also display folders that you pin there.   

Tablet Mode    

• Makes it easy to move from one device to another (e.g. PC to tablet). 

• Formatted to be used with apps rather than the start button and the desktop is not available.  
• Great format for touch screen devices. 

Task View    

• Allows you to create and use more than one desktop. 

• As you close desktops, your apps automatically shift to the desktop to the left. 

Settings and the Control Panel      

• Settings can be found in two places:  the Action Center and using the Start Menu. 
• You can use the Search feature in Settings to gain access to the Control Panel. The Control Panel looks the same as it did in Windows 7. 

Snap 

• Windows 10 allows you to view as many as four apps on the same screen by “snapping” them into the four corners.   
• Automatically resizes apps that are open side by side if you choose to make one screen larger than the other. 

Accessories 

• In Windows 7, Accessories appeared as the first folder after your list of programs.  In Windows 10, the official name is “Windows Accessories” and it is listed alphabetically with the other apps. 
• Some accessories that appeared in the folder on Windows 7 such as the calculator are not a part of Windows Accessories in Windows 10.  Search for these items using the search tool.   
• Internet Explorer is included in Windows Accessories.