Microsoft sees Windows 10 as a one-size-fits-all solution that works equally well on all supported platforms: desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

Believe it or not, you can even see the familiar Windows 10 interface on a TV screen by running the operating system on the Xbox One game console, manufactured by the same Microsoft company. The behavior of the operating system on all these types of devices is almost the same, and this has its advantages. Rest assured that all universal apps will run on any Windows 10 platform: smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and even Xbox One.

Working in almost all devices except the old radio, Windows 10 provides the user with the following tools.

Start button and menu. Disappeared in Windows 8 and cosmetically added in Windows 8.1, the Start button has been completely reincarnated in Windows 10. The updated Start menu has been expanded with a new panel located on the right side of it. It displays application tiles that are sized to be tapped with a finger, not just a mouse click.

Desktop Applications. Applications, which are small programs familiar to smartphone and tablet users, ran exclusively in full screen mode in Windows 8/8.1. In Windows 10, you get the ability to specifically specify what to do with them: run in full screen capture or display in a separate window.

Continuum. This intricate term hides a special service that analyzes the actions performed by the user and changes the behavior of Windows 10 according to them. For example, when you start Windows 10 on a tablet, this service expands the Start menu to the entire desktop, and the applications in it are represented by larger tiles so that they it was comfortable to press with your fingers. When you connect a mouse and keyboard to such a tablet, the desktop is restored to the screen familiar to desktop computers, which is accompanied by a decrease in the size of the Start menu and the launch of applications in separate windows. The automatic mode of operation of the Continuum feature ensures fast switching between tablet and desktop modes (and vice versa) only with appropriate changes in the hardware configuration.

Cortana. A new digital assistant that is first introduced to the Windows operating system. With the help of Cortana, you can easily complete many tasks that seem difficult at first glance: find lost files, organize reminders in your calendar, track the traffic situation in your city, and regularly receive the latest news from the Internet. Controlled by voice or using the keyboard, this service is launched from the search field, which is equipped with the Start menu (Unfortunately, this function was not implemented in the Russian version of Windows 10 at the time the book was published - Note ed.).

OneDrive. Originally known as SkyDrive, is a Microsoft cloud storage service that is integrated into the Windows 10 desktop. With OneDrive, you don't have to keep copies of your work files on both your computer's hard drive and external (cloud) storage available through Internet. Note that you need to tell OneDrive exactly where you want your work files to be: cloud only, hard drive only, or both hard drive and cloud storage.

Additional Applications. Microsoft's online store, known as the Windows Store (or simply the Store), has about 200,000 apps at the time of writing. It is still difficult to seriously compare it with the electronic stores of Apple (iPhone, iPad) and Google (Android), although it contains many high-profile names, such as Facebook, Netflix and some others.

Fewer redundant tools. Windows 8 and 8.1 operating systems often discouraged users by duplicating the same functionality across many system tools. For example, they had two control panels, two browsers, and two photo viewers. Windows 10 has tried to fix such inconsistencies, so you will have to use several tools at once to perform the same task much less often.

Multiple desktops. Windows 10 supports the ability to create multiple desktops at once, switching between them with a single click or finger tap on the screen. It is best to create separate desktops for different types of tasks, for example, one for gaming, and the second for work. (There is nothing stopping you from continuing to use just one classic desktop and simply ignore the new feature.)

Windows 10 is a service. Perhaps the most important change Microsoft has made to Windows 10 is to make it a service. Once installed on a computer, this operating system can no longer be considered a complete and unchanged software product. Microsoft plans to continually expand its capabilities with new apps, tools, and services, updating throughout the life of the device running Windows 10.

While working in Windows 10, you will not be haunted by the feeling that there are several operating systems on the computer at once, as it was in Windows 8/8.1. The solidity of the working environment is felt immediately, from the first minutes of launching the operating system on any type of device, be it a tablet or a regular computer.

During the first year of release, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free from any edition of Windows 7 and 8.1 on every computer on which it is installed. Moreover, when you update the operating system, all work files, as well as installed applications and programs, are saved on the computer. Owners of older computers running operating systems other than those listed will have to upgrade the computer for a fee; when installing Windows 10 on the system hard drive of the computer, all work files and previously installed programs will be deleted. Be prepared to reinstall working software from scratch. (If your old computer is considered low performance by today's standards, then you should not expect that after installing Windows 10 it will work noticeably faster. Your best bet is to purchase a completely new computer with Windows 10 preinstalled.)

The latest generation of the Windows operating system is not represented by a separate RT version. If you own a Windows RT tablet, such as Surface RT or Surfac

This documentation has been archived and is no longer maintained.

What's new in Windows 10

Developing Universal Drivers for Windows

It is now possible to write a single driver that will run on all versions of Windows that share a common set of interfaces. The Universal Windows Driver can use the Kernel Mode Driver Framework (KMDF) Runtime, the User Mode Driver Framework (UMDF) 2, or the Windows Driver Model (WDM). Windows Driver Development Kit (WDK) 10, built into Microsoft Visual Studio and debugging tools, provides the tools you need to develop, build, package, deploy, test, and debug drivers that run on multiple devices running Windows 10. Learn more about For new features for developing Universal Windows Drivers, see .

Windows One Core

Windows OneCore is a platform for any device: phone, tablet, desktop or IoT. Windows 10 contains a set of APIs and DDIs that are common to multiple editions of Windows 10. This set of interfaces is called OneCore. OneCore also enables drivers and applications built with OneCore interfaces to work across multiple devices. See the section for more information.

Continuum

Continuum is a new adaptive user experience in Windows 10 that optimizes the look and feel of Windows apps and shell based on the device's physical form factor and user preferences.

Device capabilities with Cortana

First introduced with Windows 8.1, Cortana's personal assistant technology is now supported on devices running Windows 10. Windows 10 uses the speech processing platform to provide all of the voice features in Windows 10, such as Cortana and dictation. To take advantage of the technology, see guidance and best practices for designing, developing, and testing audio input devices for use with the Microsoft Speech Platform.

Hardware Compatibility Program

The new Hardware Compatibility Program lets you demonstrate to customers that your hardware meets Microsoft standards for compatibility and reliability. If you're familiar with the Windows 8.1 hardware certification, you'll find that the new Compatibility Program and the new Hardware Design Kit (HLK) for Windows 10 still have tools and features available. Compatibility can be verified by testing the product using the Windows HLK tests. And ISVs can now validate the signature of a driver and have their hardware appear on the list of certified products. This program is designed to increase user confidence in the compatibility and reliability of your products with Windows 10. For more information about the Windows HLK for Windows 10, see .

See the and sections for more available kits for Windows 10.

New graphical user interface for image personalization and customization

The new Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD) provides a graphical user interface that helps you quickly install drivers, configure system settings, and add languages ​​and other Windows settings so you can install Windows 10 on test or commercial devices. With a single tool, hardware developers can create model or reference images, deployment solutions, and device provisioning packages for mobile, desktop, or IoT devices. See the section for more information.

Internet of Things

Quickly iterate and expand hardware and software projects with the new release of Windows 10. It's specifically designed for small form factor IoT devices with or without a display. This platform brings Windows to a new class of small devices and allows Windows manufacturers and developers to get the most out of best-in-class development and debugging tools on a variety of hardware resources, including the Raspberry Pi 2. Stay up to date with the latest information about Windows 10 on Raspberry Pi 2 devices - enroll in the program Windows Developers for IoT.

Rapid Deployment of Small Windows Images

We offer new tools to help you save production time and hard drive space. You can now separately package and apply Windows desktop applications to images, eliminating several time-consuming steps in provisioning and reimaging. You'll also be able to take advantage of quick reset enhancements and language packs, which will save you several gigabytes of hard drive space. To try out the new tools, see the Comprehensive Manufacturing Lab section.

Mobile device management

With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets at work, the burden on IT administrators who are responsible for managing these devices is increasing. In Windows 10, desktops and mobile devices can be configured with mobile device management (MDM) and converged administrative controls to make it easier to manage devices across organizations. A single mobile device enrollment protocol, unified across desktop and mobile devices, provides a higher level of user experience.

The Windows 10 operating system was developed in an open test mode. Any user could bring something of their own to the development of this product. Therefore, it is not surprising that this OS has acquired many interesting features and newfangled "chips". Some of them are improvements to time-tested programs, others are something completely new.

Talk to your computer aloud with Cortana

Cortana is an analogue of the popular Siri application, which is very much loved by iOS users. This program allows you to give your computer voice commands. You can ask Cortana to take a note, call a friend via Skype, or search the web. In addition, she can tell a joke, sing and much more.

Cortana is a voice control program

Unfortunately, Cortana is not yet available in Russian, but you can enable it in English. To do this, follow the instructions:

1. Click on the settings button in the start menu.

   Enter settings

2. Enter the language settings and then click on "Region and Language".

   Go to the "Time and language" section

3. Select from the list of regions USA or UK. Then add English if you don't have it.

   Select US or UK in the "Region and Language" window

4. Wait for the download of the data pack for the added language to finish. You can set accent detection to improve the accuracy of commands.

   The system will download the language pack

5. Choose English to communicate with Cortana under Voice Recognition.

   Click on the search button to get started with Cortana

6. Restart your PC. To use Cortana's features, click the magnifying glass button next to Start.

If you often have problems understanding your speech, check if the accent recognition option is installed.

Video: How to enable Cortana on Windows 10

Splitting the screen into parts using Snap Assist

Windows 10 has the ability to quickly split the screen in half for two open windows. This feature was available back in the seventh version, but here it has been improved somewhat. The Snap Assist utility allows you to manage multiple windows using your mouse or keyboard. Consider all the possibilities of this option:

1. Drag the window to the left or right edge of the screen so that it takes up half of it. In this case, a list of all open windows will appear on the other side. If you click on one of them, it will occupy the other half of the desktop.

   From the list of all open windows you can choose what will occupy the second half of the screen

2. Pull the window to the corner of the screen. Then it will take a quarter of the resolution of the monitor.

   Drag a window to a corner to collapse it into a quarter

3. Place four windows on the screen in this way.

   Can fit up to four windows on the screen

4. Manage open windows with the Win key and arrows in improved Snap Assist. Just hold down the Windows icon button and use the up, down, left, or right arrows to move the window to the appropriate side.

   Minimize the window several times by pressing Win + arrow

The Snap Assist utility is useful for those who often work with a large number of windows. For example, you can place a text editor and a translator on the same screen, so as not to switch between them once again.

Analysis of disk space through "Storage"

In Windows 10, by default, a program has been added to analyze the occupied space on the hard drive. Its interface will certainly seem familiar to smartphone users. The main functional features are the same here.

The "Storage" window will show the user how much disk space is occupied by different types of files

To find out how much disk space different types of files take up, go to your computer settings and go to the "System" section. There you will see the "Storage" button. Click on any of the drives to open a window with more information.

You can open a window with additional information by clicking on any of the disks

It is very convenient to use such a program. With its help, you can accurately determine how much of the memory is occupied by music, games or movies.

Virtual Desktop Management

The latest version of Windows adds the ability to create virtual desktops. With their help, you can conveniently arrange your workspace, namely shortcuts and the taskbar. Moreover, you can switch between them at any time using special keyboard shortcuts.

Managing virtual desktops is easy and simple

Use the following keyboard shortcuts to manage virtual desktops:

• Win + Ctrl + D - create a new desktop;
• Win + Ctrl + F4 - close the current table;
• Win + Ctrl + left / right arrows - switch between tables.

Video: How to set up virtual desktops in Windows 10

Fingerprint login

In Windows 10, the user authentication system has been improved, and synchronization with fingerprint scanners has also been configured. If such a scanner is not built into your laptop, you can buy it separately and connect via USB.

If the scanner was not built into your device initially, it can be purchased separately and connected via USB

You can set up fingerprint recognition in the "Accounts" settings section:

You can always use the password or PIN code entry if the fingerprint scanner breaks.

Video: Windows 10 Hello and fingerprint reader

Transfer games from Xbox One to Windows 10

Microsoft Corporation is seriously concerned about creating an integration between its Xbox One game console and Windows 10.

Microsoft wants to integrate the console and OS as much as possible

So far, such integration has not yet been fully configured, but profiles from the console are already available to the user of the operating system.

In addition, the possibility of cross-platform multiplayer mode for future games is being developed. It is speculated that the player will even be able to play from the same profile on both Xbox and Windows 10 PC.

Now the operating system interface provides the ability to use the Xbox gamepad for PC games. You can enable this feature in the "Games" settings section.

Windows 10 lets you play with a gamepad

Microsoft Edge browser

The Windows 10 operating system has completely abandoned the infamous Internet Explorer browser. He was replaced by a conceptually new version - Microsoft Edge. According to the creators, this browser uses only new developments that fundamentally distinguish it from competitors.

Microsoft Edge browser replaces Internet Explorer

Among the most significant changes:

• new EdgeHTML engine;
• voice assistant Cortana;
• the ability to use a stylus;
• the ability to authorize on sites using Windows Hello.

As for the performance of the browser, it is clearly better than its predecessor. Microsoft Edge really has something to oppose to such popular programs as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

WiFi Sense Technology

Wi-Fi Sense technology is a unique development of Microsoft Corporation, previously used only on smartphones. It allows you to open access to your Wi-Fi to all friends from Skype, Facebook, etc. So, if a friend comes to visit you, his device will automatically connect to the Internet.

Wi-Fi Sense allows your friends to automatically connect to Wi-Fi

All you need to do to open access to your network to friends is to check the box under the active connection.

Please note that Wi-Fi Sense does not work with corporate or public networks. This keeps your connection secure. In addition, the password is transmitted to the Microsoft server in encrypted form, so it is technically impossible to find out using Wi-Fi Sense.

New ways to turn on the keyboard on the screen

Windows 10 provides four ways to enable the on-screen keyboard. Getting access to this utility has become much easier.

1. Right-click on the taskbar and check the box next to "Show touch keyboard".

   Turn on showing the keyboard in the tray

Now it will always be available in the tray (notification area).

Access to the on-screen keyboard will be carried out by pressing one button

2. Press the key combination Win + I. Select "Ease of Access" and go to the "Keyboard" tab. Click on the corresponding switch and the on-screen keyboard will open.

   Tap the switch to open the on-screen keyboard

3. Open the alternative version of the On-Screen Keyboard that was available back in Windows 7. Start typing in the On-Screen Keyboard search on the taskbar, then open the appropriate program.

   Type in the search "On-Screen Keyboard" and open the alternative keyboard window

4. An alternative keyboard can also be opened using the osk command. Just press Win + R and enter the indicated letters.

   Enter the command osk in the Run window

Video: How to enable the on-screen keyboard in Windows 10

Working with the "Command Line"

Windows 10 has greatly improved the Command Prompt interface. Several important features have been added to it, without which it was very difficult to do in previous versions. Among the most significant:

• selection with transfer. Now you can select several lines at once with the mouse, and then copy them. Previously, you had to resize the cmd window to highlight only the words you needed;

  In Windows 10 Command Prompt, you can select multiple lines with your mouse and then copy them

• filtering data from the clipboard. Previously, if you pasted a command from the clipboard that contained tabs or uppercase quotes, the system would throw an error. Now, when pasting, such characters are filtered and automatically replaced with the appropriate syntax;

  When pasting data from the clipboard into the "Command line", the characters are filtered and automatically replaced with the appropriate syntax

• word transfer. The updated "Command line" implemented word wrapping when resizing the window;

  Words in Windows 10 Command Prompt wrap when resizing window

• new keyboard shortcuts. Now the user can select, paste or copy text using the usual Ctrl + A, Ctrl + V, Ctrl + C.
  

Gesture control

From now on, Windows 10 supports a system of special touchpad gestures. Previously, they were only available on devices from certain manufacturers, but now any compatible touchpad is capable of all of the following:

• scrolling the page with two fingers;
• scaling by pinching fingers;
• double-clicking on the touchpad surface is equivalent to right-clicking;
• Show all open windows when swiping the touchpad with three fingers.

Touchpad control made easier

All these gestures, of course, are not so much a necessity as a convenience. If you get used to them, you can learn to work much faster in the system without using the mouse.

Video: Gesture control in Windows 10

Support for MKV and FLAC formats

Previously, to listen to music in FLAC format or watch videos in MKV, you had to download additional players. Windows 10 added the ability to open multimedia files of these formats. In addition, the updated player performs quite well. Its interface is simple and convenient, and there are practically no errors.

Updated player supports MKV and FLAC formats

Scrolling an inactive window

If you have multiple split-screen windows open, you can now scroll them with the mouse wheel without switching between windows. This feature is enabled in the Mouse and Touchpad tab. This small innovation greatly simplifies the work with several programs at the same time.

Enable scrolling of inactive windows

Using OneDrive

In Windows 10, you can enable full data sync on your computer with your OneDrive personal cloud storage. The user will always have a backup copy of all files. In addition, he will be able to access them from any device. To enable this option, open the OneDrive program and in the settings allow it to be used on the current computer.

Turn on OneDrive to always have access to your files

The developers of Windows 10 really tried to make the system more productive and convenient. Many useful and interesting features have been added, but the creators of the OS are not going to stop there. Windows 10 updates automatically in real time, so new solutions are constantly and quickly appearing on your computer.

Windows 10 has more than just standard features. The new version of the OS has many features that most users do not know about. Some of them will be useful only to a certain circle of people, but others will simplify the work with the system for everyone. Therefore, each user needs to familiarize himself with the new options in order to choose useful ones for himself.

Unusual features of Windows 10

In addition to the standard features that everyone uses on a daily basis, Windows 10 has unusual features that are useful in a given situation. 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

You can control your computer, open the necessary programs and perform some actions using your voice if you activate the Cortana assistant. But it is not available for Russian-speaking users, so to start using it, change the location region, and only then turn on speech control.

1. Expand system settings.

   In the "Start" menu, find and open the program "Settings"

2. Go to the "Time and language" block.

   In Windows settings, open the "Time and language" section to change the region

3. In the list of regions, find and set the value to "US" or "UK".

   In the menu for selecting the region and language, specify: USA or UK

4. Wait for the download and installation of the new language to complete.

   We are waiting for the download and installation of the language to finish

5. 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 working with Cortana, after which you will be able to open applications and perform some actions, such as shutting down the computer, activating a mode, etc., using voice commands.

Video: Activating Cortana

Division of the monitor into blocks

If you often have to work in several windows at the same time, then the Snap Assist mode will come in handy. It allows you to split the monitor into two, three or four parts.

1. Move to the split by dragging one of the windows outside the right or left side of the screen. In this case, two blocks will appear - right and left. In one there will be a working window, and in the second - a list of running applications.

   Drag the window to the side to split the screen in two

2. Drag the window to the top corner of the screen again to split it into four parts.

   Drag the window to the top corner of the screen to split it into four parts

3. Customize the location of the blocks in detail using the pressed Win key and the arrows (right, left, up, down). For example, you can make the working window take up a quarter of the screen, while the rest of the area works as usual.

   We control the splitting of the screen using the Win key and arrows, choosing the location and size of the working windows

Detailed memory information

Windows 10 does not need third-party programs to get detailed information about the computer's 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 format 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 it.

Additional desktops

The user can create multiple desktops and switch between them. This opportunity 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 form 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 switch to a previously created one. The function supports hotkeys: Win+Ctrl+D - generate a new table, Win+Ctrl+F4 - close the active table, Win+Ctrl+arrows - switch between existing tables.

Video: work with additional desktops

Fingerprint password

The system has the ability to verify the identity of the fingerprint. To do this, you need a built-in or third-party touchpad capable of reading a fingerprint. Set a password and pin, and after that - fingerprint verification.

1. 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

2. Create a password and come up with a pin that will help you log in if you forget your password.

   Set password and pin

3. Go to the Windows Hello feature to enroll your fingerprint. It can be used instead of a password and pin code.

   Register fingerprint for login

4. Now, when you try to log in, you will be asked for a password and fingerprint.

   Put your finger on the touchpad to enter

Video: Set up a fingerprint to sign in

Synchronization with Xbox One

If you have an Xbox One, you can sync it with your Windows 10 computer. One account will allow you to manage your existing games from both the computer and the console. And also Microsoft 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, in which there is a subsection "Game menu". Turn on gamepad controls from Xbox.

In the "Game Menu" section, enable the use of the Xbox controller

All computers have the Xbox app 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 items and updates.

You can manage your Xbox live account through the Xbox app on Windows 10

Built-in browser

Previous versions of Windows have the Explorer browser built in by default, but Windows 10 has a new version called Edge. Innovations include:

• EdgeHTML engine supporting new web programming technologies;
• the ability to control voice using Cortana;
• support for stylus control;
• signing in to sites using a fingerprint - Windows Hello (how to configure support for authorization using a fingerprint was described above in the article).

The design has radically changed - 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 to expand the browser's feature set to their needs.

The new Edge has been redesigned with new features

Video: Edge Browser Overview

Auto connect friends to Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi Sense option allows you to create a list of friends taken from Skype, Facebook and other social networks and services for which Wi-Fi will be connected automatically, without entering a password. That is, if friends added to the Wi-Fi Sense list come to visit you with their devices, the computer will recognize their devices as friendly and allow connection without a password.

Turn on the Wi-Fi Sense function to activate the auto-connection of friends to Wi-Fi

The only exception is that the function does not work with corporate and public networks, because this would threaten the safety 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

Windows 10 has changed the design of the on-screen keyboard. And also it can be launched in new ways:

1. Right-click on the quick access toolbar in the lower left corner. In the expanded window, activate the "Show touch keyboard button" function.

   In the context menu of the Quick Access Toolbar, enable the function "Show touch keyboard button"

2. The corresponding icon will appear on the quick access panel, clicking on which brings up the keyboard.

   The on-screen keyboard button has been added to the quick access toolbar

3. In the computer settings, in the "Ease of Access" section, there is a subsection "Keyboard". By going to it, you can override the slider responsible for the touch keyboard to disable or enable it.

   You can enable or disable the on-screen keyboard in system settings

4. In the system search bar, you can enter "On-Screen Keyboard", and the system will display the desired application that launches the keyboard.

   We are looking for the on-screen keyboard through the search bar and launch it

5. In the "Run" window, opened by the Win + R combination, executing the osk command also brings up the keyboard.

   Execute the osk command to bring up the on-screen keyboard

Video: On-Screen Keyboard in Windows 10

New features of cmd

This item will be of interest to those who often work with the command line. First, now with the help of the mouse you can select several lines at once. Secondly, there is support for hotkeys: Ctrl+A (select all), Ctrl+C (copy), Ctrl+V (paste). Thirdly, when you change the scale of the window, words that do not fit will automatically be transferred to the next line, which increases the readability of information.

You can select multiple lines at once in cmd

Another important change is that if you paste text containing unsupported characters from the clipboard, they will be automatically replaced with characters familiar to the command line. In previous versions of Windows, this action caused an error.

Lines in cmd wrap automatically

Unified gesture system

In previous versions of the system, on different models of touchpads and laptops, there were different gestures that replaced the mouse and keyboard functions. But Windows 10 introduced a single system that supports the following actions:

• swiping up or down with two fingers will rewind the page;
• swiping from the center or from the corners to the center with two fingers will change the scale of the active window;
• quick double click - call the context menu, that is, an analogue of the right mouse button;
• move with three fingers - launch the list of open windows.

There are other special gestures, but they are rarely used. By remembering the above steps, you can 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 are not required.

Windows Player supports new formats

Create a backup

The OneDrive service allows you to transfer user data to cloud storage that will not be damaged if the system itself stops working. You will need internet to use OneDrive. You can transfer a large number of files to the storage: music, pictures, videos, documents, etc. You can view the list of downloaded files from any device, including mobile, if you have access to the Internet and a password from the account with which Authorization was carried out in OneDrive.

OneDrive lets you back up your files

Storage is managed in the official OneDrive app, 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: Work with OneDrive

Minimized Explorer

A file manager was found in the system, which supports much fewer functions than the original one, but still has a place. It cannot be launched in the usual way, and it is not clear 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, then follow these steps:

Support for partitioned media

A flash drive or disk, like a hard 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 the explorer, you can work with each of the partitions of the media.

In Explorer, the media is divided into several sections that you can work with

Gamer Mode

By activating the game mode, you will indicate to the computer that the priority is given to games in the near future, so performance and power should be optimized for the running game. Game mode allows you to increase FPS in games.

1. In the computer settings, select the "Games" block, and in it - the "Game Mode" subsection. Activate the mode.

   In the computer parameter "Games" we find and turn on the game mode

   Press the Win + G key combination to open a special menu and go to the game mode settings

2. In the general settings, check the box to confirm that you want to use the game mode for this game.

   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. With it, you can create screenshots by highlighting one window, the entire screen or its area. An unusual feature is the creation of a screenshot by a timer. You can choose how many seconds after the screenshot is taken.

Taking screenshots with the Snipping app

Quick PDF creation

If you find a page or file that you want to quickly save as a PDF, then click the "Print" button, and in the list of printers, select the Microsoft Print to PDF option. After saving the result, you will receive a file with the given name, which can be used and edited.

Converting the desired file to PDF through printing

Windows 10 has a lot of little-known features. Each user will determine their importance for himself. Some of them will not be useful, but some options can be used under certain conditions.

Today we will talk about the new features of Windows 10, the popularity of which among PC and portable device users is gaining momentum every day, and for good reason.

System positioning

The latest operating system from Microsoft is positioned as a universal axis that can be installed on all types of devices: laptops, netbooks, personal computers, smartphones and communicators, tablets, hybrid laptops, all-in-ones.

The system automatically adapts to the screen size and changes all elements so that the user can interact comfortably in this environment.

Windows 10 interface

The Metro interface is still used, but the standard “start” that many users lacked in Windows 8 has also returned to the system.

On the screen in the lower left corner, there are now two interfaces at once - the standard classic with "start", and Metro-style tiles, each of which can be customized to the user's requests.

For example, you can change the size, change the configuration and settings (change the city for displaying weather, mail, XBOX services), remove any tiles.

The standard Restart, Shut Down, and Sleep tabs are accessible from the Start panel.

The interface strongly resembles Windows 7, but significant differences in the tenth version are still visible when you first work with the system.

If you like the Metro interface from Windows 8, then in the settings you can switch to Metro without using start.

Search system

Internal search is similar to Windows 8. It is carried out throughout the operating system (files and folders, local directories and partitions), as well as in the Bing search engine.

Now you do not need to open a browser and enter a request. It is enough to use the standard form in the operating system.

Edge Browser

The standard Internet Explorer browser is a thing of the past! Microsoft Corporation decided to surprise users and completely revise the work of built-in applications in the OS, including the browser.

IE constantly slowed down, took a long time to load pages, and sometimes did not open sites at all.

It was replaced by Edge - a completely new program.

There are not as many functions here as in other browsers, but it works a little faster, supports all the standards of the latest Java, HTML, Script, Flash technologies. Moreover, we can say that the Edge functionality is very poor!

Even those features that were previously unique in Internet Explorer were cut out.

One can only hope that Microsoft will update its brainchild in the future, and will come out on a par with competitors such as Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla.

Virtual Desktops in Windows 10

This is indeed one of the most interesting and useful features, although in Linux and Mac OS this has been implemented for a long time!

Now each user will be able to create an unlimited number of desktops, and transfer any tabs, windows, open programs there. Where can such a function be used? Yes, anywhere!

For example, you are working with Word and Excel files. You can transfer doc files opened in the program to one virtual desktop, and Excel to another desktop, so as not to switch between dozens of windows.

Such an implementation will allow all users to work with the new system much faster and more comfortably. This is a great alternative to real monitors.

After all, earlier it was necessary to connect several output devices or use third-party software to implement such functionality.

Updated task manager

The task manager in Windows 10 has been completely redesigned. What is only the statistics on the load on each type of component in the computer - the central processor, cores, the amount of RAM, temperature, and much more.

Information is displayed in graphs, charts and tables. Also added additional data on the load of the CPU, RAM from each process, and the most active are constantly highlighted with colored tabs.

Snap function - pinning windows

On Windows 10, Snap can be used in conjunction with virtual desktops.

You can pin from one to four programs, and work with all of them at the same time. For example, start Skype, and type text in Word. Previously, in Windows, when one window was opened, all others were left “behind”.

CMD Command Prompt

This feature will be useful mainly to those users who have previously worked with the command line.

Over the years, Microsoft has ignored this window, adding only new commands.

Now users will be able to copy and paste information directly into the address bar, select data, undo actions and much more.

In addition, an additional window with a large number of settings is available.

This is just a small list of the features of Windows 10, which are described in this article.

Some of the features may not be known yet, so if you're a big fan of Windows 10, be sure to stay tuned!