The provided text serves as a beginner’s guide to navigating and customizing the Windows 11 operating system. It explains fundamental elements such as the taskbar, start menu, and desktop, detailing how to interact with icons, open applications, and manage windows. The text further instructs users on personalizing their experience through settings adjustments like display resolution, text size, and taskbar behavior. Finally, it covers essential file management skills using File Explorer and introduces the concepts of cut, copy, and paste, along with guidance on basic internet browsing with Microsoft Edge.

Windows 11 Orientation Study Guide

Quiz

1. Where is the Start button located in Windows 11, and what appears when you click it?
2. Explain the “pinned apps” and “recommended” sections of the Start menu. How can you manage pinned apps?
3. Describe two ways to launch an application in Windows 11 and highlight a key difference in how you interact with icons in those locations.
4. How do you shut down or restart your Windows 11 computer using the Start menu? Why is restarting periodically recommended?
5. Explain how to pin and unpin applications from the taskbar. Why might you want to customize the taskbar?
6. What is the purpose of the small upward-pointing arrow icon on the right side of the taskbar? What kind of applications might you find there?
7. Describe the functionality of Microsoft OneDrive as explained in the source.
8. Explain how to access and adjust the volume and network settings from the taskbar. What other settings can be found in this area?
9. What is the “Task View” feature in Windows 11, and how can you access it? How does it help with managing open windows?
10. Explain the difference between “cut and paste” and “copy and paste” when working with files or text in Windows. What are the keyboard shortcuts for these actions?

Quiz Answer Key

1. In Windows 11, the Start button is located in the center of the taskbar. Clicking it opens a menu displaying pinned applications at the top and recommended recent files, folders, and newly installed apps below.
2. “Pinned apps” are applications that have been manually placed in the Start menu for easy access. “Recommended” shows recently opened files, folders, and recently installed applications. You can manage pinned apps by right-clicking on an app icon in the Start menu and selecting “Pin to Start” or “Unpin from Start.”
3. You can launch an application by single-clicking its icon in the Start menu or on the taskbar. You can also launch an application by double-clicking its icon on the desktop. A key difference is that you single-click icons in the Start menu and taskbar, but double-click icons on the desktop to open them.
4. To shut down or restart, click the Start button, then click the power icon located at the bottom right of the Start menu. From there, you can choose “Shut down” or “Restart.” Restarting periodically is recommended to refresh the system, as programs can accumulate memory and resources over time, potentially slowing down the computer.
5. To pin an application to the taskbar, find the application (either in the Start menu or the “All apps” list), right-click on its icon, and select “Pin to taskbar.” To unpin an application, right-click on its icon on the taskbar and select “Unpin from taskbar.” Customizing the taskbar allows you to keep frequently used applications readily accessible.
6. The small upward-pointing arrow icon on the right side of the taskbar reveals a hidden area for background applications that don’t always need to be visible. Examples of applications found here include Windows Security (antivirus) and other utilities running in the background.
7. Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage service that allows you to save files online and synchronize them across multiple devices, such as a desktop and a laptop. This ensures that changes made on one device are automatically updated on others, eliminating the need for physical storage devices for transferring files.
8. Clicking the network or volume icon on the right side of the taskbar opens a panel where you can adjust volume using a slider and see your network connection status. This area also provides access to other settings like airplane mode (if applicable), accessibility settings, and the Night Light feature to reduce blue light emissions.
9. Task View is a feature in Windows 11 that displays all currently open windows as thumbnails, allowing you to quickly switch between them. You can access it by clicking the Task View button on the taskbar (it looks like overlapping rectangles) or by pressing the Windows key + Tab. It helps manage multiple open applications by providing a visual overview.
10. “Cut and paste” moves an item (text, file, or folder) from its original location to a new location. The original item is removed. “Copy and paste” creates a duplicate of the item in a new location, while the original item remains in its original place. The keyboard shortcut for cut is Ctrl+X, for copy is Ctrl+C, and for paste is Ctrl+V.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the evolution of the Windows Start Menu from earlier versions to Windows 11. Analyze the changes in its design and functionality, and evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of these changes for user experience and productivity as described in the source.
2. Explain the importance of taskbar customization in Windows 11. Describe the various ways a user can personalize their taskbar, including pinning/unpinning applications and modifying taskbar behaviors. Discuss how effective taskbar customization can contribute to a more efficient workflow based on the information provided.
3. The source emphasizes the built-in security features of Windows 11 and cautions against unnecessary third-party antivirus software. Elaborate on the advice given regarding Windows Security. Discuss the reasoning behind this recommendation and the potential advantages and disadvantages of relying solely on the built-in antivirus.
4. Describe the basic file management functionalities in Windows 11 as explained in the source, including creating folders, moving and copying files, and understanding file extensions. Explain the importance of organizing files and folders effectively and how the features discussed can aid in this process.
5. The source provides guidance on initial setup and basic troubleshooting, such as restarting and managing updates. Based on this information, discuss the key recommendations for maintaining a stable and functional Windows 11 system for a new user.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Taskbar: The bar located at the bottom of the Windows desktop that displays the Start button, pinned applications, and system information.
• Start Button: An icon (typically a Windows logo) on the taskbar that, when clicked, opens the Start Menu.
• Pinned Apps: Applications that users have chosen to display in the Start Menu or on the taskbar for quick access.
• Recommended: A section in the Start Menu that displays recently opened files, folders, and newly installed applications.
• All Apps: A section in the Start Menu that lists all installed applications on the computer.
• Desktop: The main visual work area on a computer screen, displaying icons and the background wallpaper.
• Power Button (Start Menu): An icon in the Start Menu used to access power options such as Shut down, Restart, and Sleep.
• System Tray (Notification Area): The area on the far right of the taskbar that displays icons for background processes, notifications, date, and time.
• Widgets: Dynamic information displays (like weather, news) that can be accessed from the left side of the Windows 11 taskbar.
• Task View: A feature that displays thumbnails of all open windows, allowing for easy switching between them.
• Taskbar Behaviors: Settings that control how the taskbar functions, such as alignment and how buttons are combined.
• File Explorer: The file management application in Windows used to browse, organize, and manage files and folders.
• File Name Extension: A suffix at the end of a file name (e.g., .pdf, .exe, .jpg) that indicates the file type.
• Control Panel: A system utility in Windows that allows users to configure various settings, although many of its functions are now integrated into the Settings app.
• Settings App: The modern interface in Windows 11 for configuring system settings, replacing much of the functionality of the Control Panel.
• Windows Update: A service that allows Windows to download and install updates for the operating system and other Microsoft software.
• Personalization: Settings that allow users to customize the visual appearance of Windows, such as background, colors, and themes.
• Accessibility: Features and settings designed to make computers easier to use for people with disabilities, such as text size adjustments and high contrast themes.
• Cut: A command that removes selected content from its original location and places it on the clipboard.
• Copy: A command that duplicates selected content and places the copy on the clipboard, while the original remains.
• Paste: A command that inserts the content currently stored on the clipboard into the current location.
• Clipboard: A temporary storage area in computer memory used for holding data that has been cut or copied.
• Microsoft Edge: The default web browser included with Windows.
• OneDrive: Microsoft’s cloud storage and file synchronization service.

Windows 11 Orientation: A Briefing Document

This briefing document summarizes the main themes and important ideas from the provided source, which serves as an introductory guide to Windows 11. The source focuses on familiarizing new users with the operating system’s interface, key functionalities, and essential settings.

Main Themes

• Interface Navigation: The primary focus is on helping users understand and navigate the Windows 11 desktop environment, including the Taskbar and the Start Menu.
• Essential System Functions: The guide covers critical actions such as launching applications, managing files and folders, connecting to the internet, and shutting down/restarting the computer.
• Basic Customization and Settings: It introduces users to fundamental personalization options for the Taskbar, Desktop background, display, and accessibility features like text and cursor size.
• Internet Access and Web Browsing: The source provides a step-by-step walkthrough of launching and using Microsoft Edge for the first time, along with basic web browsing concepts.
• File Management Fundamentals: It explains core concepts like cut, copy, paste, and basic file and folder organization using File Explorer.
• Importance of System Maintenance: The guide emphasizes the need for regular restarts and software updates to ensure system stability and security.
• Security Considerations: It touches upon the built-in Windows Security and advises caution regarding third-party security software and online scams.

Most Important Ideas and Facts

The Taskbar

• The Start button has moved from the far left to the center of the Taskbar.
• “start button on all other versions of Windows prior to Windows 11 was always on the far left right now the far left is taken up by this little widget area all right but start button right here”
• Clicking the Start button reveals pinned apps (default and user-defined) and recommended items (recent files, folders, and newly installed apps).
• “when you click on your start button you get a view of a bunch of pinned apps which means uh just things that have been set into the uh default start area here right in front of you”
• “underneath recommended you’re going to see uh recent files and folders that you’ve opened”
• An All apps button in the top right of the Start Menu provides a full list of installed applications, accessible alphabetically with a jump-to-letter feature.
• “if you want to see all your apps you have to go to this little button right here in the top right hand corner and when you click there you get the full list of installed apps and all their little icons”
• Users can pin and unpin applications to both the Start Menu and the Taskbar for quick access.
• “you can right click on it and say pin to start or if it’s already in start uh unpin from start”
• “we could rightclick and we can say pin to taskar so so just as you can pin things into the start area you can pin and unpin things from the taskbar itself”
• Single-clicking icons on the Taskbar or within the Start Menu opens applications, unlike the double-clicking required for desktop icons.
• “double click on it from the desktop single click from start and single click when you’re looking at uh clicking on an icon in the taskbar”
• The Power button is located within the Start Menu, offering options for shutdown, restart, and sleep. Shutdown is recommended over sleep for better system stability.
• “when you’re done with Windows for the day you can click on the start button click on this little power icon and then click shut down I recommend shutting down over sleep”
• Restarting the computer regularly (ideally daily or at least weekly) is important for releasing memory and resources, preventing system sluggishness.
• “you shouldn’t let a computer run say for 30 days without restarting it because what happens is programs take up bits of memory and resources and they don’t always release them”
• The right side of the Taskbar includes a hidden icons area (accessed via an upward arrow) for background applications like Windows Security.
• “if you click on that and you may not have one depending on how many icons you have at play but uh what this is is like an area where they hide icons that are just for things that are just running in the background”
• Visible icons on the right Taskbar provide access to features like OneDrive, language settings, network status, and volume control. Clicking the network or volume icon opens a quick settings panel.
• “things that aren’t in this little hidden menu are the more visible icons that we see to the left of the uh time and here so uh one of these is Microsoft One Drive… and here is our little language area… and then we have our little Network icon… so the next one over is volume”
• The notification area (bell icon) displays system notifications. Users should be cautious of urgent-sounding notifications, especially from websites, as they could be scams.
• “right next to that we have a little notification area that little bell here… notifications do pop up just like this in the lower right hand corner… be careful because uh people can also get uh notifications from websites and other third parties… be wary of scams and stuff right”

The Desktop

• The area above the Taskbar is called the desktop, featuring a customizable wallpaper and icons for software and utilities.

Taskbar Settings

• Right-clicking the Taskbar and selecting Taskbar settings allows customization of Taskbar elements and behaviors.
• Users can hide or change the appearance of the search bar, widgets, and the Task View button.
• The Taskbar alignment can be changed to move the Start button back to the left.
• “come down to the bottom here where it says taskbar behaviors right and click the little arrow pointing down there and then it has taskar alignment and you can choose to place the start button back on the left where your brain expects it to be”
• The setting “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” controls how multiple windows of the same application are displayed on the Taskbar. “Never” will show each window separately with its label.
• “where it says combine taskbar buttons and hide labels right so generally by default it’s on to always do that… if we switch this to uh never for example now instead of that layered File Explorer icon… now it actually shows me that I’m in pictures music and desktop”

Desktop Icons

• Right-clicking a desktop icon provides a context menu with options like cut, copy, rename (represented by an icon), share, and delete.
• Deleted items are moved to the Recycle Bin and can be restored.

Internet Access with Microsoft Edge

• Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 11.
• The first-time setup of Edge involves several prompts regarding data syncing, tracking, and theme selection. Beginners are advised to “start without your data” and decline most tracking offers to reduce complexity.
• “this is the first time it’s sprun so you know welcome to Microsoft Edge and it’s going to ask you if you want to sign in to sync data right… but you know we’re beginners here so we’re going to say start without your data right now it’s going to ask you know you always want to have access to your recent browsing data right typically I like to say no to most of these offers”
• The default homepage is Microsoft Bing. Users can navigate to other websites by typing the URL in the address bar.
• Web browsing involves tabs, which can be opened using the “+” icon or by right-clicking a link and selecting “open link in new tab.” Tabs can be reordered.
• The three-dot menu in Edge provides access to settings and other functionalities, including the option to hide the sidebar.
• “this these three little dots here is the menu for all kinds of things right and that’s standard on Windows these days”
• The default search engine used in the Edge address bar can be changed in the browser’s settings (e.g., from Bing to Google).

Windows 11 Settings

• The main Windows 11 Settings app can be accessed by right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Settings.” It is organized into different categories for system configuration.
• Windows Update allows users to check for and install updates for Windows and other Microsoft products. Optional updates, including driver updates, can be found in Advanced options. Restarting the computer is often required to complete updates.
• “right click on the start button and then click on settings right… Windows update if you click on that you can click on check for updates”
• Personalization settings enable users to change the background (picture, solid color, slideshow, Windows Spotlight), colors, and themes, including high contrast themes for accessibility.
• “One you might want to jump into right away if you like things to look the way you like them to look is personalization right and here is where you can change background and colors and themes Etc”
• The classic Control Panel is still accessible by searching for “control” in the Start Menu. It provides access to various system settings.
• “you can click on the start button but and type in the word control and you’ll see the control panel come up as an offering”
• Key Control Panel settings include:
• Mouse: Adjusting double-click speed and changing the pointer size and visibility (e.g., showing pointer location with the Ctrl key).
• “One thing that I like to do on every new system is click on Mouse right and then here under double click speed I pull that all the way to the left so that it’s slow… I like to go down to Windows standard extra large right”
• Power Options: Configuring power plans and sleep settings.
• “another feature I would point out to you uh right now is programs and features so if we click on that uh it’s going to show us a list of all the programs that are installed on the system”
• Programs and Features: Managing traditionally installed software. Note that modern “apps” are often managed differently (e.g., via right-click in the Start Menu).
• Devices and Printers: Accessing settings for connected devices.
• Date and Time: Adjusting the system date, time, and time zone. It’s recommended to set the correct time zone first.
• “often that’s wrong when you get a new computer and you’re sitting in front of it the time Zone’s wrong or the or the just the time your right time zone but the time is off by a few minutes so you can jump in here and click on change date and time… also you can change your time zone right”

Cut, Copy, and Paste

• Cut (Ctrl+X): Moves selected text or files to the clipboard, removing them from the original location.
• Copy (Ctrl+C): Duplicates selected text or files to the clipboard, leaving the original intact.
• Paste (Ctrl+V): Inserts the content of the clipboard into the current location.
• These functions work with text in applications like Notepad and with files and folders in File Explorer. Right-click menus also provide these options (often as icons in Windows 11).
• “The default keys for uh those commands are it’s control X for cut… copy is contrl c for copy and then uh pasting is contrl V right”

File Explorer

• File Explorer is used to manage files and folders.
• The left-hand navigation pane can be resized.
• It’s useful to show file name extensions in the View settings to easily identify file types.
• “what I like to do is click on view View and then go to show and then choose or select file name extensions right and then uh instead of it just saying Firefox installer here now it says Firefox installer.exe”
• The “Expand to open folder” option (in Options > View) makes the navigation pane on the left dynamically display the currently open folder in the file system hierarchy (though this feature has a temporary bug in a recent update).
• “if we scroll down to the bottom here I choose expand to open folder”
• Files and folders can be viewed in different layouts (e.g., extra large icons, details). The “Details” view is recommended as it shows name, date modified, type, and size. Columns can be clicked to sort by that attribute.
• “the one I tend to like is the details view here so that gives you the name the date modified the type and the size right and you can you can click on any of these headings to sort by that bit”
• Users can create new folders by right-clicking in an empty area or using the “New” button in the ribbon. Files and folders can be dragged and dropped between locations.
• “make sure you’ve clicked on the right somewhere in the white space on the right hand side right right and then you can click on new up here in the upper left and choose folder”
• Right-clicking is context-sensitive, offering different menus and options depending on the element clicked.

Display and Text Size

• In Display settings (right-click desktop > Display settings), users can adjust the screen resolution. While the recommended resolution is usually the default, lower resolutions can make interface elements appear larger. Avoid resolutions with a vertical height below 768.
• “you can click on display resolution here and choose a different resolution now the higher the highest number it tends to be the uh recommended resolution for your monitor and usually that’s going to be your default right but uh if you choose some smaller numbers uh you may find that uh everything just looks uh you know that much bigger and more visually accessible for you”
• Text size can be adjusted in Accessibility settings (search “text size” in Settings). A slider allows users to increase or decrease the default text size. Be cautious of making text too large, as it may cause layout issues in some applications.
• “in the uh find a setting area here just type in the word text and you’ll see text size all right click on that it’ll bring you to the accessibility Tex size area and there’s a little slider here”

This briefing document provides a foundational understanding of the Windows 11 interface and essential functions as described in the source. New users are encouraged to explore these areas further to become comfortable with the operating system.

Windows 11: Getting Started Guide

Frequently Asked Questions: Getting Started with Windows 11

1. Where is the Start Menu located in Windows 11, and how do I access my applications? In Windows 11, the Start button is located in the center of the taskbar, unlike previous versions where it was on the far left (that area is now occupied by the widgets). Clicking the Start button opens a view of pinned applications. You can navigate through multiple pages of pinned icons using the dots or arrows at the top. Below the pinned apps, you’ll find a “Recommended” section showing recent files, folders, and newly installed applications. To see a full list of all installed apps, click the “All apps” button in the top right corner of the Start Menu. Some apps may be located within folders, indicated by a yellow folder icon; click on the folder to see its contents. To quickly jump to apps starting with a specific letter, click on any letter in the app list, and it will highlight the sections of the alphabet that have content.

2. How do I pin and unpin applications to the Start Menu and Taskbar for quick access? To pin an application to the Start Menu, go to the “All apps” list (via the Start button), right-click on the desired application, and select “Pin to Start.” This will add the application’s icon to your pinned apps view in the Start Menu. To unpin an application from the Start Menu, simply right-click on its icon in the pinned apps area and select “Unpin from Start.” Similarly, you can pin applications to the Taskbar for even quicker access. From the “All apps” list or the Start Menu, right-click on an application and choose “Pin to taskbar.” To remove an application from the Taskbar, right-click on its icon on the Taskbar and select “Unpin from taskbar.”

3. What is the Taskbar, and how can I customize its appearance and behavior? The Taskbar is the bar located at the bottom of your screen in Windows 11. It contains the Start button, pinned applications, running applications (indicated by a small dot underneath their icons), widgets (on the far left), and the system tray (on the far right). You can customize the Taskbar by right-clicking on an empty area of it and selecting “Taskbar settings.” In the settings, you can toggle the visibility of search, task view, widgets, and the co-pilot (if available). Under “Taskbar behaviors,” you can change the “Taskbar alignment” to move the Start button back to the left. The “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” option controls how multiple windows of the same application are displayed; you can choose to always combine them (default), never combine them (showing individual icons with labels), or combine them when the taskbar is full. You can also unpin default icons you don’t use (like the Microsoft Store or Teams) by right-clicking on them and selecting “Unpin from taskbar.”

4. How do I manage running applications using the Taskbar and Task View? The Taskbar displays icons for applications that are currently running. A small underline or dot beneath an icon indicates that the application is open. Single-clicking on an icon in the Taskbar will bring that application to the forefront. Hovering your mouse over a combined application icon (if you have multiple windows of the same app open) will show you thumbnails of all the open windows, allowing you to choose the one you want. Task View, which can be enabled in the Taskbar settings, provides a visual overview of all currently open windows. Clicking the Task View button on the Taskbar (it looks like two overlapping rectangles) will display all your open windows as thumbnails, allowing you to easily switch between them by clicking on the desired window.

5. How do I shut down, restart, or put my Windows 11 computer to sleep? To shut down or restart your Windows 11 computer, click on the Start button, then click on the power icon located at the bottom right of the Start Menu. A small menu will appear with options to “Sleep,” “Shut down,” and “Restart.” It is generally recommended to shut down your computer fully rather than relying on sleep mode, as sleep can sometimes lead to issues with devices not waking up properly. Restarting your computer periodically (ideally daily or at least weekly) can help maintain system stability by clearing out used memory and resources that programs may not always release.

6. How do I connect to the internet using Microsoft Edge for the first time, and what are some basic browser navigation tips? To connect to the internet, click on the Microsoft Edge icon on the Taskbar (it’s the blue and green “e” icon). The first time you open Edge, you will be guided through a setup process. It will ask about syncing data (you can choose to “Start without your data” for a simpler initial setup), importing data from other browsers (you can skip this), and allowing Microsoft to track browsing data (you can choose “Don’t allow” for more privacy). After going through these steps and potentially selecting a theme, you will arrive at the Microsoft Bing homepage, indicating you are online. To navigate to a specific website, click in the address bar at the top and type the website’s address (e.g., google.com). You can open new tabs by clicking the “+” icon next to the existing tab. To open a link in a new tab, right-click on the link and select “Open link in new tab.” You can switch between tabs by clicking on them. To change the default search engine used in the address bar, click the three dots (…) in the top right corner of Edge, go to “Settings,” search for “address bar and search,” and then choose your preferred search engine from the drop-down menu. You can also disable the sidebar in Edge settings under the “Sidebar” section.

7. How do I manage files and folders using File Explorer in Windows 11? You can access File Explorer by clicking its icon on the Taskbar (it looks like a folder) or by searching for it in the Start Menu. In File Explorer, the left pane provides a navigation view of your folders. You can expand or collapse folders by clicking the small arrows next to them (though a recent Windows update may temporarily affect this functionality). The right pane displays the contents of the selected folder. You can change the view of files and folders (e.g., details, large icons) by clicking on the “View” tab at the top. To see file extensions (like .exe, .jpg), go to the “View” tab, click “Show,” and select “File name extensions.” To sort files and folders, click on the column headers (Name, Date modified, Type, Size). To create a new folder, navigate to the desired location, right-click in an empty area, select “New,” and then “Folder,” and give it a name. You can move or copy files and folders using cut (Ctrl+X), copy (Ctrl+C), and paste (Ctrl+V) commands, or by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate options. You can also drag and drop files and folders. Deleted items go to the Recycle Bin, from which you can restore them if needed.

8. How can I adjust display settings and text size in Windows 11 for better visual accessibility? To adjust display settings, right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select “Display settings.” Here, you can change the display resolution. If icons and text appear too small on a high-resolution monitor, try selecting a lower resolution. Be cautious not to go below 1024×768 to avoid compatibility issues with some software. Also, pay attention to the aspect ratio to ensure the display fits your monitor without black bars. To change the text size, right-click on the Start button, go to “Settings,” type “text size” in the search bar, and select “Text size.” In the “Accessibility” settings, you’ll find a slider to adjust the text size. Drag the slider to make the text larger or smaller and click “Apply.” Be mindful that making the text too large might cause layout issues in some applications. You can also adjust the mouse cursor size in the Control Panel (search for “Control Panel” in the Start Menu, go to “Mouse,” then the “Pointers” tab, and choose a larger scheme under “Scheme”). In the Control Panel’s “Ease of Access” settings (or by searching for “make the mouse easier to use”), you can also enable features like showing the location of the pointer when you press the Ctrl key.

Windows 11 Basics: A User’s Guide

Let’s discuss some Windows 11 basics based on the information in the source.

When you first encounter Windows 11, the bar at the bottom of your screen is called the taskbar. Several elements reside on the taskbar, with the most crucial being the start button, which is the four-square window icon. Unlike previous Windows versions where the start button was on the far left, in Windows 11, the far left is occupied by the widgets area, and the start button is located more towards the center.

Clicking the start button reveals a view of pinned apps, which are applications set into the default start area. You might see multiple pages of these pinned icons, indicated by dots or arrows that allow you to navigate between the pages. Below the pinned apps, you’ll find the recommended section, displaying recently opened files and folders, as well as recently installed applications.

To access all your installed apps, you need to click the button in the top right corner of the start menu. This will present a full list of apps and their icons. Some apps might be organized within folders, requiring you to click on the folder to see its contents. To quickly navigate this list, you can click on any letter, and it will highlight the sections of the alphabet that contain content.

You can customize the start menu by right-clicking on an app in the ‘all apps’ list and choosing ‘Pin to Start’. If an app is already pinned, the option will be ‘Unpin from Start’. Pinned items generally appear at the bottom of the pinned apps view. Remember that opening a program from the start menu requires a single click.

The taskbar itself also contains other icons by default. You can unpin these icons by right-clicking on them and selecting ‘Unpin from taskbar’. Similarly, you can pin applications to the taskbar by right-clicking on them in the start menu (either pinned or in the ‘all apps’ list) and choosing ‘Pin to taskbar’. Opening an application from the taskbar also requires a single click. Be mindful of this, as double-clicking can lead to opening multiple instances of the same application.

On the far right of the taskbar, you’ll typically find a small up arrow that, when clicked, reveals a hidden area for background applications’ icons, such as Windows Security (the built-in antivirus). To the left of the time, you’ll see more visible icons, which might include Microsoft OneDrive for cloud file synchronization, language settings, the network icon indicating your internet connection status, and the volume icon for adjusting the system volume. Clicking on the network or volume icon often brings up a small panel where you can manage your network connection, volume, and access other settings like Night Light.

Next to the time and date is the notification area, indicated by a little bell. Notifications from Windows and some applications will appear here and might also pop up in the lower right corner of the screen. Be cautious of notifications that create a sense of urgency, as they could be part of scams.

The area above the taskbar is the desktop, where your desktop wallpaper is displayed and where you can place icons for frequently used software, utilities, files, and folders. Opening items on the desktop typically requires a double click.

You can customize the taskbar by right-clicking on it and selecting ‘Taskbar settings’. Here, you can toggle the visibility of elements like the search bar, Co-pilot (which is in preview and might be best turned off initially), widgets, and the task view button. Task view, when enabled, allows you to see all your open windows at a glance and switch between them.

In the taskbar settings, under ‘Taskbar behaviors’, you can change the taskbar alignment to move the start button back to the left, a familiar location for users of older Windows versions. Another useful setting here is ‘Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels’. By default, Windows 11 combines multiple windows of the same application into a single icon. You can change this to ‘Never’ or ‘When taskbar is full’ to see individual icons with labels, making it easier to identify specific open windows.

On the desktop, right-clicking provides a context menu with options. In Windows 11, this menu initially shows icons for common actions like cut, copy, rename, share, and delete. If you prefer the classic right-click menu with full text options, you can often find an option like ‘Show more options’. You can rename desktop icons and delete them. Deleted items are moved to the Recycle Bin, which is usually located in the top left corner of the desktop. You can restore deleted items from the Recycle Bin by right-clicking on them and choosing ‘Restore’.

To access the internet, the default browser in Windows 11 is Microsoft Edge, which is typically pinned to the taskbar. The first time you open Edge, you will be presented with several setup screens asking about data syncing, importing data, and tracking. For a basic setup, you might choose to start without your data, decline data synchronization, and opt not to allow Microsoft to track your browsing. The default homepage for Edge is usually the Microsoft Bing page. You can navigate to other websites by typing the address in the address bar at the top. You can open new tabs using the plus sign and close tabs with the ‘X’. You can also open a link in a new tab by right-clicking on it. The three dots menu in Edge provides access to various settings, including the option to hide the sidebar and to change the default search engine used in the address bar (e.g., from Bing to Google).

The main Windows 11 settings can be accessed by right-clicking on the start button and selecting ‘Settings’. The settings are organized into different categories. Windows Update allows you to check for and install updates for Windows and other Microsoft products, including optional driver and Net Framework updates. It’s generally a good idea to keep your system updated. Personalization settings let you change the background wallpaper, colors, and themes, including high contrast themes for accessibility. You can choose a picture, solid color, slideshow, or Windows Spotlight as your background and adjust how the picture fits the screen.

The older Control Panel is still available in Windows 11. You can access it by clicking the start button and typing ‘control’. In the Control Panel, you can switch to a small icon view for easier navigation. Some useful settings within the Control Panel include:

• Mouse: Here, you can adjust the double-click speed (slowing it down can be helpful for users who struggle with fast double-clicks) and change the pointer size and options, such as showing the pointer location when you press the Ctrl key.
• Power Options: You can manage your power plans and configure when the display turns off and when the computer goes to sleep. On laptops, you’ll have separate settings for battery and plugged-in power.
• Programs and Features: This lists many of the traditionally installed software programs, allowing you to uninstall them. Note that some modern apps are managed separately through the start menu.
• Devices and Printers: This area, which now redirects to the modern Settings app, shows your installed printers and scanners.
• Date and Time: You can adjust the system date, time, and time zone here. It’s often a good idea to set the correct time zone first.

Cut, copy, and paste are fundamental concepts in Windows for moving and duplicating text and files. You can perform these actions by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate option (icons in Windows 11’s initial right-click menu, full text options under ‘Show more options’) or by using keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+X (cut), Ctrl+C (copy), and Ctrl+V (paste). When you cut or copy an item, it is temporarily stored in the clipboard. The clipboard usually holds only the last item you cut or copied. You can use these commands with text in applications like Notepad and with files and folders in File Explorer.

File Explorer is the tool you use to manage your files and folders. You can adjust the width of the left-hand navigation pane by dragging the vertical line. By default, File Explorer shows the file type, but it’s helpful to enable file name extensions by going to View > Show > File name extensions. This will display the full file name, including extensions like ‘.exe’, ‘.jpg’, ‘.png’, making it easier to identify file types.

In File Explorer’s options (accessed via the three-dot menu > Options), under the View tab, you can select ‘Expand to open folder’. This setting, when working correctly, should cause the left-hand navigation pane to automatically expand and highlight the folder you are currently viewing, providing a clear visual representation of your location within the file system. However, the source mentions a potential bug where this might not always work as expected after a recent update.

File Explorer offers different views for your files and folders (accessed via the down arrow on the ‘View’ option), including extra large icons, large icons, small icons, list, and details. The details view, which is often preferred, shows the file name, date modified, type, and size. You can sort the files by clicking on these column headers.

The left-hand pane of File Explorer displays the folder structure. You can expand or collapse folders by clicking the arrows next to them. To organize your files, you can create new folders within existing ones by right-clicking in the right-hand pane and selecting ‘New > Folder’ or by clicking ‘New folder’ in the upper left. You can then drag and drop files into these folders to create a logical structure. You can also create new files, like text documents, by right-clicking and selecting ‘New’. The breadcrumb bar at the top of File Explorer shows your current location and allows you to navigate back up the folder hierarchy.

Right-clicking is a context-sensitive action in Windows. The menu that appears depends on what you click on. Experimenting with right-clicking on different elements like files, the taskbar, icons in the system tray, the start button, and the desktop can reveal various options and shortcuts. For example, right-clicking on the desktop allows you to access Display settings and Personalize.

In Display settings (accessed via right-click on the desktop > Display settings), you can adjust the display resolution. On high-resolution monitors, the default resolution might make icons and text appear very small. Lowering the resolution can make everything larger and more accessible. However, it’s advised not to go below a resolution of 768 in the vertical dimension to avoid compatibility issues with some software. Also, be mindful of the aspect ratio when choosing a resolution to avoid black bars on the sides of your screen.

For further visual adjustments, you can change the text size in Windows 11. To do this, search for ‘text size’ in the settings app (Windows key + I, then type ‘text size’) and go to the Accessibility > Text size area. A slider allows you to increase or decrease the text size, with a preview of how it will look. Be cautious not to make the text too large, as it might not fit properly within some application interfaces.

Windows 11 Start Button Functionality

The Start button in Windows 11 is represented by a little Four Square window icon located on the taskbar. Unlike previous versions of Windows where the Start button was always on the far left, in Windows 11, the far left of the taskbar is occupied by the widget area, and the Start button is positioned to its right.

Clicking the Start button reveals several key areas:

• Pinned Apps: This is the default view upon clicking the Start button, displaying a set of applications that have been set into this area for quick access. There can be multiple pages of pinned icons, indicated by little dots at the bottom, allowing you to navigate between these pages.
• Recommended: Below the pinned apps, this section displays recent files and folders that you have opened. It also shows recently installed applications, making them easier to find. For example, if you installed the Chrome browser, its icon would likely appear under “recommended”.
• All Apps: In the top right-hand corner of the Start Menu, there is a button that, when clicked, displays a full list of all installed applications and their icons. Some of these apps may be organized within folders, requiring you to click on the folder to see its contents.
• Alphabetical Navigation: Within the “All Apps” list, you can quickly jump to different parts of the alphabet by clicking on any letter. The letters that have associated content are displayed in a highlighted or bold manner.
• Pinning and Unpinning: You can customize the pinned apps area by right-clicking on any app in the “All Apps” list and selecting “Pin to Start“. Conversely, if an app is already pinned, right-clicking on it in the Start Menu will give you the option to “Unpin from Start“. Newly pinned items generally appear at the bottom of the pinned apps list.

The Start button also provides access to the power options. By clicking the Start button, you will find a little power icon, which, when clicked, presents options to “Shut down“, “Restart“, or “Sleep” your computer. The source recommends shutting down over using sleep to avoid potential issues with the system not fully awakening. Restarting your computer regularly (e.g., daily or at least weekly) is advised to maintain system stability by releasing memory and resources that programs may hold onto.

In summary, the Start button in Windows 11 serves as a central point for accessing installed applications, recent files, and system power options. It offers a customizable view of frequently used apps through the pinning feature and allows for easy navigation through the entire list of installed software.

Windows 11 Taskbar Customization Guide

The Windows 11 taskbar offers several ways to be customized. You can access these customizations by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Taskbar settings”.

Here are the key areas for taskbar customization discussed in the sources:

• Pinning and Unpinning Apps: You can remove default icons from the taskbar that you don’t use by right-clicking on them and selecting “Unpin from taskbar“. Conversely, you can add applications to the taskbar for quick access by clicking on the Start button, finding the desired app in the pinned apps or the “All apps” list, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Pin to taskbar“.
• Managing Hidden Icons (System Tray): On the right side of the taskbar, a small up arrow may be present. Clicking this arrow reveals a hidden area for icons of applications running in the background that don’t need constant visual presence. You can interact with these background apps by clicking on their icons in this hidden menu.
• Taskbar Settings: The “Taskbar settings” menu provides various options to modify the taskbar’s appearance and behavior:
• Search: You can choose to hide the search bar, show only the search icon, or display the full search bar. Even if hidden, the search functionality is still accessible by clicking the Start button and typing in the search bar at the top.
• Co-pilot: There is an option to turn off the Co-pilot (preview) feature.
• Widgets: You can turn off the widgets that appear on the left side of the taskbar if you are not interested in seeing information like weather updates.
• Task View: The Task view button can be turned on or off. When enabled, clicking it shows a list of all currently open windows, allowing you to quickly switch between them.
• Taskbar Alignment: You can change the alignment of the taskbar icons and the Start button. By default, they are centered, but you can choose to align them to the left, which is where the Start button was located in older versions of Windows.
• Combine Taskbar Buttons and Hide Labels: This setting controls how multiple windows from the same application are displayed on the taskbar.
• The default is to “Always, hide labels“, which means multiple instances of an application are grouped under a single icon with a visual cue (like a shadow) indicating multiple windows are open. Hovering over the icon shows previews of the open windows.
• You can change this to “Never“, which will display a separate icon with its label for each open window. This takes up more space on the taskbar but allows you to see immediately which windows are open.
• The “When taskbar is full” option will show individual icons and labels until the taskbar runs out of space, at which point it will start combining them.

In addition to these settings, you can also directly unpin an application from the taskbar by right-clicking on its icon and selecting “Unpin from taskbar”.

Windows 11 File Explorer Management

File Explorer in Windows 11 provides various tools and features for managing your files and folders. Here’s a discussion of File Explorer management based on the information in the sources:

Accessing File Explorer: While not explicitly stated how to open File Explorer, the source demonstrates its usage by navigating to “downloads”, opening different folders, and accessing the “documents” folder. It can generally be accessed via an icon on the taskbar or through the Start Menu.

Navigating the File System:

• File Explorer displays a left-hand pane that shows the folder structure.
• Folders can be expanded or collapsed by clicking the arrows next to them. A downward-pointing arrow indicates an expanded folder.
• Clicking on a folder in the left-hand pane displays its contents in the main right-hand pane.
• The vertical line separating the left and right panes can be dragged to adjust the width and make folder names more readable.
• The source mentions a feature “expand to open folder” which, when enabled in the Folder Options (accessed via the hamburger menu -> Options -> View tab), is intended to automatically expand the folder you are currently in within the left-hand navigation pane, providing a constant visual of your current location in the file system. However, the source notes a potential bug where this might not always function as expected.

Viewing Files and Folders:

• File Explorer offers different ways to view the files and folders within a selected location, accessible via the View tab in the ribbon. These include:
• Extra large icons, Large icons, Small icons.
• List view, which shows only the file names without additional details.
• Details view, which displays the name, date modified, type, and size of the files and folders. This is the preferred view according to the source.

Sorting Files and Folders:

• In Details view, you can sort the displayed items by clicking on any of the column headers (Name, Date modified, Type, Size). Clicking once sorts in ascending order, and clicking again reverses the sort order. This allows you to easily organize files by name, find the most recent files, group files by type, or order them by size.

Showing File Name Extensions:

• By default, Windows may hide file name extensions (e.g., .exe, .jpg, .docx). The source strongly recommends showing file name extensions for better clarity about file types. This can be enabled by going to the View tab, clicking on Show, and selecting “File name extensions“. Once enabled, the full file name, including its extension, will be visible (e.g., “Firefox installer.exe”).

Organizing Files and Folders:

• You can create new folders within any location in File Explorer. To do this, right-click in an empty area in the right-hand pane and select New > Folder. You can then type a name for the new folder. Alternatively, you can click on New in the upper left corner of the File Explorer window and choose Folder.
• You can create a folder structure with main folders and subfolders to better organize your files. Files can be dragged and dropped into these folders from other locations within File Explorer.

Renaming and Deleting Files and Folders:

• To rename a file or folder, you can right-click on it. In Windows 11, a context menu with icons will appear. The icon that looks like a file with a pencil is for Rename. Hovering over the icons will also show their function. In older versions of Windows, selecting “Show more options” in the right-click menu would display the classic menu with the full word “Rename”. After clicking the rename option, you can type the new name and press Enter. The source demonstrates renaming an icon on the desktop, and the same principle applies within File Explorer.
• To delete a file or folder, you can right-click on it and select the delete icon (which looks like a trash can) from the context menu. Again, selecting “Show more options” might show the full word “Delete” in a classic menu. Deleted files and folders are moved to the Recycle Bin.
• You can restore deleted items from the Recycle Bin by opening it (usually found in the top-left corner of the desktop by default), right-clicking on the desired item, and selecting “Restore“.

Cut, Copy, and Paste:

• File Explorer supports the cut, copy, and paste operations for managing files and folders.
• Cut (Ctrl+X or right-click and select the scissors icon or “Cut” under “Show more options”) removes the selected item from its current location and places it on the clipboard.
• Copy (Ctrl+C or right-click and select the two overlapping rectangles icon or “Copy” under “Show more options”) duplicates the selected item and places the copy on the clipboard, while the original remains in its location.
• Paste (Ctrl+V or right-click in the destination location and select the clipboard icon or “Paste” under “Show more options”) inserts the item from the clipboard into the current location.
• The clipboard temporarily holds only the last item that was cut or copied.

These features within File Explorer enable you to effectively navigate, organize, and manage your files and folders in Windows 11.

Windows 11: Cut, Copy, and Paste Essentials

The concepts of cut, copy, and paste are fundamental for managing information within Windows 11, whether it be text, files, or folders. These actions allow you to move or duplicate data between different locations or applications.

How Cut, Copy, and Paste Work:

• Cut: The cut operation (Ctrl+X or right-click and select the scissors icon or “Cut” under “Show more options”) removes the selected item from its original location and places it temporarily on the clipboard. Think of it like physically cutting something out.
• Copy: The copy operation (Ctrl+C or right-click and select the two overlapping rectangles icon or “Copy” under “Show more options”) creates a duplicate of the selected item and places this copy on the clipboard, while the original item remains in its place.
• Paste: The paste operation (Ctrl+V or right-click in the destination location and select the clipboard icon or “Paste” under “Show more options”) inserts the item currently stored on the clipboard into the new location.

The Clipboard:

The clipboard is a temporary storage area in your computer’s memory. When you cut or copy an item, it is stored in the clipboard. By default, the clipboard can hold only one item at a time. If you cut or copy something new, it replaces the previous content of the clipboard. When you paste, you are inserting the last item that was cut or copied.

Using Cut, Copy, and Paste with Text:

The source demonstrates these actions within Notepad, a basic text editor.

1. Select the text you want to cut or copy by clicking and dragging your mouse over it.
2. To cut: Right-click on the selected text and choose cut (or press Ctrl+X). The text will disappear from its original location and be placed on the clipboard.
3. To copy: Right-click on the selected text and choose copy (or press Ctrl+C). The text will remain in its original location, and a copy will be placed on the clipboard.
4. To paste: Position your cursor where you want the text to appear, right-click, and choose paste (or press Ctrl+V). The text from the clipboard will be inserted at the cursor’s location.

Using Cut, Copy, and Paste with Files and Folders:

You can also use these operations to manage files and folders within File Explorer, as discussed in our previous turn.

1. Select the file or folder you want to cut or copy.
2. To cut: Right-click on the selected file or folder and choose the scissors icon (or select “Cut” under “Show more options”). The item will be removed from its current location.
3. To copy: Right-click on the selected file or folder and choose the two overlapping rectangles icon (or select “Copy” under “Show more options”). The original item will remain.
4. Navigate to the destination folder where you want to move or duplicate the item.
5. To paste: Right-click in an empty area within the destination folder and choose the clipboard icon (or select “Paste” under “Show more options”). The cut or copied item will now appear in the destination.

The source emphasizes that the concept of cut, copy, and paste is a fundamental skill in Windows and is consistent across various applications, including text editors, file managers, and even within applications like Microsoft Excel for manipulating cells in a spreadsheet. You can use either the right-click menus or the keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) to perform these actions.

The Original Text

welcome to Windows 11 the first thing you need to do is get oriented so what are you looking at here this bar along the bottom is called the taskbar and on the taskar there are a variety of elements uh the most important of which is this icon right here the little uh Four Square window icon and that is your start button so start button on all other versions of Windows prior to Windows 11 was always on the far left right now the far left is taken up by this little widget area all right but start button right here now when you click on your start button you get a view of a bunch of pinned apps which means uh just things that have been set into the uh default start area here right in front of you when you click on the button and if you’ll notice these two little dots there’s a couple of pages of pinned icons right so you can move between those pages by clicking on the dots or clicking on the little arrow to go to the next one so if you have a lot of pinned items you might have five pages right that kind of thing underneath recommended you’re going to see uh recent files and folders that you’ve opened right this is a new installation here so nothing’s been opened uh there’s just the get started welcome to Windows thing but uh recent files and folders and if you’ve recently installed something uh generally the icon will show up here so if you installed the Chrome browser for example you would see the Chrome uh browser icon under recommended that makes it easier to find uh you know what you’ve recently taken action on all right now if you want to see all your apps you have to go to this little button right here in the top right hand corner and when you click there you get the full list of installed apps and all their little icons now some of them like here for example you have little yellow folder symbol uh it you actually have to click on the folder and then you get uh the full set of icons in that folder right so a lot of them aren’t in folders uh but some of them are right and uh things that you should know about these little icons are that if you’re trying to search for something that’s you know way down in a further letter you don’t want to scroll scroll scroll right you can uh click on any of the letters you know here we click on G for example and it’ll show you a highlighted map of which letters have uh content right so anything in the Bold like our for example here brings us back to that folder that uh we looked at earlier uh so again any letter and you can jump anywhere in the alphabet and you know get more quickly to what you want to see the other thing is that if you have something that you uh like to run into or open up a lot uh you can right click on it and say pin to start or if it’s already in start uh unpin from start so what that means of course is that when we click on start here that was paint right so here we already have uh the paint icon but if it was out say if I unpin it here and then I go back into all apps and then click on any letter go to P there’s our paint rightclick I can pin to start and then it will show back up but generally at the bottom yeah it it’ll become the last item all right so that’s a quick view of this area for getting into programs and you just click once on any of these icons to open that actual program or app they call the maps these days uh which is different from the desktop over here if you wanted to open Firefox Firefox from the desktop you’d have to double click so double click on it from the desktop single click from start and single click when you’re looking at uh clicking on an icon in the taskbar right A lot of people get confused about that and say they’ll click twice here on Microsoft Edge and actually open two copies of it right so because they’re used to you know in older versions of Windows almost everything was double clicked open right so a lot of things now are single click so try and keep that in mind uh and that’s almost certainly what’s happening if you open two things at once when you meant to open one you’re double clicking when you should have single clicked now also in your start button is your power button so uh that’s pretty critical to know a lot of people can’t figure out immediately how to shut down their system right so when you’re done with Windows for the day you can click on the start button click on this little power icon and then click shut down I recommend shutting down over sleep uh you know generally speaking because Microsoft has never seemed to get sleep right in terms of uh you know I do it stuff right so I often have people call me up and say this isn’t working that’s not working and what’s happened is their computer’s gone to sleep but when it’s uh awakened not all of it has awakened so their say their network card didn’t wake up properly and now they can’t get online until they restart their computer computer and everything gets refreshed so and that’s another thing that you should know okay so you’ve got your little power button you know aside from shutting down restarting is often uh something that you should do particularly if you if you like to leave your computer on all the time which is something that I tend to do myself uh but you shouldn’t let a computer run say for 30 days without restarting it because what happens is programs take up pits of memory and resources and they don’t always release them and then your computer has less and less and less to work with and it’s kind of like uh you know going crazy you your your mind is getting smaller and smaller until the system starts acting really weird and uh the cure for that so often just restart your computer so I tend to restart mine at least once a day just you know as I’m leaving for lunch or something just hit the restart and then so by the time I come back it’s all up and ready to go again of course uh you don’t have to every single day I’m not saying that it’s a hard and fast rule if you’ve got a lot of things open and you you know restarting would interrupt your workflow you know let it ride but don’t let it go for more than a week uh if you want uh to keep things stable all right so that is the start button um these other icons on the taskbar here are the default ones at least for my uh region here and you can you can change these and clean these up right so for example I don’t use the Microsoft store uh very often so I would rightclick and say unpin from taskbar right and uh I don’t use Microsoft teams much so I would right click and say unpin from taskbar but if we wanted to put something on the taskbar we could click on start and see a lot of people like uh to play solitire and that would be something they’d want down there so we could rightclick and we can say pin to taskar so so just as you can pin things into the start area you can pin and unpin things from the taskbar itself so uh moving on down the line into the right hand side of the taskbar uh first thing we come across is this little up Arrow here if you click on that and you may not have one depending on how many icons you have at play but uh what this is is like an area where they hide icons that are just for things that are just running in the background that don’t necessarily always need to be visually in front of you but need to be available so for example this here is Windows security which is the built-in antivirus for Microsoft Windows so I can click on that little up arrow click on that icon and then it brings me my security add glance here right so I can expand that and uh when you have these little triangles with the exclamation point here it’s it’s giving you uh hints warnings advice that kind of thing so uh you know you can read the notices and see whether you want to act on that right I won’t go into all of the details of the security right now but what I would say is generally speaking you don’t really need to buy something like Norton Antivirus or maffy or what have you uh you know they do have the built-in Antivirus for Windows and generally speaking it it’s pretty good it’s not the best out there but uh in some ways it is just because uh you know say for example maafi is just going to keep trying to sell you more and more and more security it’s like uh you know if You’ got a a club and you need a bouncer at the door you know one bouncer is going to generally be fine right you don’t need seven bouncers they’re just going to block the door and slow things down and maybe scare away customers right so uh if that analogy works for you I don’t know but it’s kind of how I feel about you know third party companies coming in and and trying to oversell security to you right so now things that aren’t in this little hidden menu are the more visible icons that we see to the left of the uh time and here so uh one of these is Microsoft One Drive which is uh kind of like a cloud offering for sharing files and between your different systems so say if you have a laptop and you have a desktop and you have your one Drive account so you can use one drive to synchronize your documents and pictures and music and stuff between those two computers so there’s there there’s uh everything’s going to be save to the cloud and then whenever you change something it gets updated in the cloud and when you whenever you go to the other computer and turn it on it’s going to download all the changes so so that if you’re working on a book for example on your desktop you know you’ve gotten up to chapter 3 you go over to your laptop you turn it on it synchronizes you’ve got chapter 3 on your laptop without having to run around with you know a USB stick or a CD or whatever so uh you know that that’s that thing and here is our little language area so you know I’m in Canada uh the default language for PCs is the US and so I have those two languages you may have more but uh this is how You’ switch uh with your mes between languages right and then we have our little Network icon which tells us uh you know whether we’re online or offline or whatever this is a wired network uh you may have a wireless bit there but when you when you click on that you see how these two both these icons get highlighted when I click so the next one over is volume right uh so whether I click on volume or network I get this little uh area here that pops up and you know I can I can change my um volume by using this slider here and then uh you know depending on uh what kind of network you’re on if it if there if this was a Wi-Fi network for example it might have airplane mode you know or this kind of thing going on and you can change other things here like accessibility settings and you know whether you want your screen to uh I think it could cut back on Blue Light the Night Light thing right uh so that uh it doesn’t interfere with your sleep as things go later in the day you can change the way the light comes off your monitor and and make things healthier for you that kind of thing so so this is it’s kind of like another widget area you know uh but more technical than the one on the left hand side here and of course here we have our time and date and right next to that we have a little notification area that little bell here right now uh do not disturb is on um but you know if if that was on we might see a few notifications from Windows about things that have been happen happening recently Etc and notifications do pop up just like this in the lower right hand corner so if the system has something to say to you generally speaking uh something will pop up in the lower right but be careful because uh people can also get uh notifications from websites and other third parties uh generally through uh giving them permission when you’re using your browser and uh those third part parties often try to imitate your system and you know for example pretend that you’ve got a virus and that you have to take action right away and basically I’m saying be wary of scams and stuff right so so be careful uh what you click on and what you react to and you know I guess generally speaking the way scams tend to work is that uh they they give such a sense of urgency like you have to act now without thinking right and usually your system won’t treat you quite that roughly so so that’s one way to kind of tell the difference between the two so uh you know that’s a quick overview of the taskbar above the taskbar is what we just generally call the desktop right and uh this is the picture here is your desktop wallpaper right which can be changed and then of course you have all your icons on your desktop for uh different software and utilties and stuff and this whole list can change and if you’ve been working on your computer for a while it basically fill up your whole screen with these kinds of things so you get files and folders and and icons to programs and stuff so uh now if you want to do some uh tweaking of your taskbar you can right click on it and click on taskbar settings all right and the first area here let’s expand this can maximize it with that middle button so so we can quickly go over that so every window in Windows generally speaking uh there there’s going to be a few exceptions where you only see the X right but uh you’re going to have the X here which will close the window you’re going to have this icon which you can use to maximize or restore right and then you see if you hover over it you get these uh little options so if I wanted to put it on the right hand side of the screen we can do that right or um if uh you know we wanted top right corner like so all right and uh but if you just click on it once you’re going to get the maximize right which is what we were after in the first place and the one here this is just minimize so if you click on the little dashed line there it’ll shrink down just to the tab bar and you see that it has this little dott under it showing that it’s it’s running right it’s it’s open but not visible so we can click back on that to uh restore it to whatever size it was before it was minimized so anyway this is the settings for the taskbar and you can actually turn things off like so if you don’t use your search you can turn that off you can say you know hide search and it’ll disappear or if you don’t want it to be so big you can put search icon only and then you you’d have to click on the icon before you put in any search um one thing I would just tell you is that if you hide it uh you save all that space and you still have that search functionality if you click on start and you click up on the the search bar at the top you’re going to get the the same kind of uh functionality right so not necessarily necessary but uh you know we’ll put it back to the default so that things look familiar now co-pilot is is something that’s in preview uh I would just turn that off for the moment um myself because um you know I I generally don’t like to play with things that are in beta mode right um and we have other things that we can turn off like we could turn off the widgets in the left if you’re not interested in and seeing the weather and the you know currency conversion rates and stuff showing up on your computer Compu all the time and uh also there’s this little um task view button here that we can turn on and off and I’ll show you what that is so save right now we have the taskbar settings open and if I open say file explorer here now we have two different windows open if I click on task view then it shows me a list of all the windows that are open so if I had 12 things open I’d have 12 little squares here and then you can you see the little preview and then you can quickly switch between them right so I’ve pulled up my file explorer if I go back to task view here and click on settings then I bring settings to the front right so uh we’ll close file explorer here for the moment so so if you use that you could leave it on again if you don’t save a bit of room and turn it off all right and uh another thing that a lot of people really appreciate because they’re used to older versions of Windows is you know uh hide your widgets right and then come down to the bottom here where it says taskbar behaviors right and click the little arrow pointing down there and then it has taskar alignment and you can choose to place the start button back on the left where your brain expects it to be right and another thing that I would say is very useful here where it says combine taskbar buttons and hide labels right so generally by default it’s on to always do that and and what that means is that say here again if we open File Explorer I can open another File Explorer by uh right clicking and clicking on file explorer again and then I say I can do that a third time and you see we still only have the one icon although it has that little uh shadow of or visible edge of something behind it to show that there are some stacked and if you want to move between the three uh windows that you have open if you hover over that icon you see the three different uh panels that you you can just choose between them now so if you know let’s go to the desktop here and this one was on let’s go to music here and let let’s put this one to pictures right so we’re in these three different folders now if we go if we go back to our settings and we switch this to uh never for example now instead of that layered File Explorer icon which visually doesn’t give you a lot of information now it actually shows me that I’m in pictures music and desktop takes a bit more room on your taskbar but you can actually see immediately what it is and then you can just go up I want to go back to my desktop I want to go back to my pictures I want to go back to my music so that’s why I would say uh you know if you follow my personal preference either choose never or uh when taskbar is full which would mean that it’ll it’ll show you the bigger bits until you fill up the taskbar and then it’ll start layering things all right so um you know your choice I’m going to stick it back on the default uh for the the moment but uh you know if it was my system I would put put it on never right let’s close these guys off now so that’s an overview of the the uh basic visuals right now if we wanted to delete an icon or rename an icon on the desktop we would rightclick and we get this menu here and this is different than earlier versions of Windows where say uh if we had uh right clicked well actually what we would see I can show you what we would normally see if I click on show more options now I’m going to get that classic uh rightclick menu uh where I have you know rename for example is spelled out for us right but now in Windows 11 if I rightclick I get this little icon for renaming right so a lot of the basic most common functions the the the the full typed name has been replaced by these little things so here’s if you hover over it shows you what it is here’s cut right copy rename share and delete right so if I wanted to just take the x64 off of Reaper here I could delete that and hit enter it wants admin permission I’m going to say go ahead and continue so I’ve renamed that icon I can also right click cck and delete it right and then a handy thing to know is that if you delete something it’s going to go into your recycle bin right so we open up the recycle bin which by default is going to be tucked away here in the top leftand corner of your desktop we can find the file in the recycle bin right click on it and click on restore it wants to confirm that we click on continue and and there it is back on our desktop now one of the most common things that you’re going to want to do on your windows 11 PC is Jump onto the internet and to do so in the normal case you’re going to use Microsoft Edge which we have down here on the taskbar you can install Firefox or Chrome or any other browser but uh you know if you’re new to Windows you probably haven’t done that and you’re going to need to start with Microsoft Edge now the warning is is that the first time that you open Microsoft Edge Microsoft is going to hit you with a number of questions and offers and it’s going to be quite confusing just to get to the point where you’re actually online and can do something so let me walk you through that process here so we’re going to click on edge and this is the first time it’s sprun so you know welcome to Microsoft Edge and it’s going to ask you if you want to sign in to sync data right so syncing data is a kind of an advanced thing where if you have a desktop and a laptop you work computer you can sign in with your the same Microsoft account and your your settings like your favorites and you know your your site history search history that kind of thing will be synchronized across the computer so so that your experience on each computer is uh standardized and very similar right but you know we’re beginners here so we’re going to say start without your data right now it’s going to ask you know you always want to have access to your recent browsing data right typically I like to say no to most of these offers so you know the less tracking that Microsoft does or that any third party does uh you know the less your computer has to do and the less there is to go wrong and the less other people know about every little thing that you’re doing of course so I’m going to say don’t allow and confirm and continue right and then here they’re offering to import data from elsewhere again you know let’s forego the data synchronization stuff say continue without this data and then uh Microsoft wants to track everything you do so that they can see you know how you work and how other people work and then based on that information ostensibly you know make their offerings more useful and targeted to their customers again let’s reduce the complexity and the flow of data going to say don’t allow and say confirm and start browsing so you think that means start browsing but not quite yet right so here we have uh they’re offering different themes right so you know there’s different colors Etc if you’re into having you know public G browser or whatever go ahead and click on one of those but um basically I would just click finish here now we’re actually on the web all right so the the default uh homepage is uh the Microsoft Bing uh homepage right uh here they’re asking questions you can close these little popups in the right hand bottom right hand corner can be quite annoying anyway so here we go we’re online if you want to go to a particular website like for example if you want uh instead of searching the web with Bing if you want to go to Google you can click in the address bar at the top here and type in google.com or whichever oneca whichever you use and you get to that site they have their own offerings right so we can say stay signed out right there’s there’s different tabs right so here’s here’s another tab uh which is just a welcome to Microsoft Edge tab that automatically opened right we can close that by hitting the little X but if we wanted to open our own extra tab there’s there’s a little plus sign right here we can open that up and we have a whole new page so say if I went to Google on both tabs and here on this tab you know we can search for pigs and on this tab we can search for ducks all right you don’t stay signed out there ah sport Ducks I was thinking the animal but there you go so then you can move between the two tabs you can even reorder the tabs you know drag one over and and put them in order so in this way uh if you’re doing a bit of research on something and you know for example you’re looking at real estate you can open several tabs and and kind of keep track of the properties you’re interested in ETC so uh one thing also to know is that you know instead of doing a search and going through the whole trying to find a page once you open a new tab uh when you are on a tab say if we’re looking at uh the links here and you say okay well the Wikipedia article would be interesting you can right click and say open link in new tab and it’ll open in a new tab right next to the one that you’re on right and then you can keep going down and go oh National Geographic Kids has something right right click opening a new tab so now we have you know these two articles on pigs that we can refer to and of course you can you can just keep going and have a whole bunch of tabs open and uh you know be able to move freely between them all right and uh the other thing to know about Edge that would be most significant I would say is that this these three little dots here is the menu for all kinds of things right and that’s standard on Windows these days and even on the web you’ll probably have noticed that these little uh uh three dot I think they call them hamburger menus but anyway uh those are the menus that get you into all the extra functionality right so for example if we click on those dots and we click on settings we get a whole area here where we can tweak things so for example Edge has this sidebar here which uh you may just find distracting as a beginner so you could click on sidebar here and just say uncheck always show sidebar right and then voila it disappears right and say if we want to go to a particular setting we can say type in Search and it will give us the different elements that are relevant to search right and if we look for our default say address bar and search right down here near the bottom if we click on that we can say which search engines we want to use by default when we search from the address bar so right now of course on a Microsoft system it’s Microsoft Bing but we could switch that to Google right and now if we go and we just go to the address bar and we type in save horses we get a Google result right so it’s a quick way to uh enable your favorite default search engine speaking of settings if you want to jump into the settings area for Windows 11 itself right click on the start button and then click on settings right we can maximize that right we have all these different categories where we can jump in and tweak things right so for example Windows update if you click on that you can click on check for updates and windows will you know reach out to Microsoft and see what updates for Windows there happen to be uh there’s some Advanced options for that if we clicked on that uh we can click on this is usually off by default I tend to turn it on receive updates for other Microsoft products like Microsoft Office or whatever and uh also I like to be notified whenever restart is required that’s usually off I turn that on all right and uh and here’s an interesting area so uh you know if you noticed when we were on just the plain Windows update thing just says you’re up to date right but if when we go into advanced options we go down to optional updates there’s two available all right so if we click on that we get these different categories driver updates and other updates under driver updates we have a display update for this system and other under other updates we have a Net Framework update right so if you find that your system is uh acting a little unstable or if you just like to know that everything is as up to date as it can be you can pop into this area select those updates and click download and install right and once you click on that it’ll bring you back to the main Windows update uh area and you’ll see that the updates are downloading now generally speaking when uh updates are running you can go ahead and do other things you know we could close this off and just do other things well updates are running and eventually you’ll get a notification in the bottom right saying that the computer would like to restart you don’t have to restart right away uh you know if you’re writing out something a letter an email or you know reviewing do something online uh you could wait but uh ultimately you’ll want to restart to finish the update uh you saw the screen go black there that’s because one of the updates was for the display and it’s not unusual for the display to uh jump around while the video uh display driver is being updated so now those updates are complete and we can look around at some of the other offerings here uh one you might want to jump into right away if you like things to look the way you like them to look is personalization right and here is where you can change background and colors and themes Etc so if we click on background you know we have the default Windows 11 swirly here is is uh what we’ve been looking at so far uh this is a relatively nice one uh I minimize this to show you what that looks like one of the reasons I like this one is that uh it’s it’s mostly dark and the icons on the desktop that show up with their names nice and cleanly against that darker background all right uh this one looks fairly interesting as well uh it looks like colorful potato chips to me anyway so um let’s just switch back to what we’ve been looking at so that’s with the picture background but you could also just choose a solid color for for example right so uh black is the default choice for that uh which would just give us uh a nice clean black screen with that high contrast uh for icons and stuff if I don’t have a picture this is the color I would prefer on my system right and uh other than that uh it’s a bit more advanced I won’t get into it right now but you can set up a slideshow or you can uh let Microsoft put things all over your desktop by choosing Windows Spotlight all right but we’ll go back and just put it back to picture and the other thing that you should know about when you have a picture as a background is you’ve got these fill options right uh how it’s going to I should say fit options the option chosen here is fill but uh if you’re going to fill the screen then there’s going to be no uh no edges visible like like if the aspect ratio is different than your monitor uh you know whichever side needs to stretch out to fill the screen is going to stretch out and then some of the image might be cropped up if you choose fit then the whole image will fit but then you might have uh you know black or other colored bars on either side or on the top and bottom because of the different aspect ratio for the image uh versus the Monitor uh then we have stretch which would uh just stretch the image to exactly fit your monitor uh but could distort it if the aspect ratio is off uh there’s also tile so say if you had a small square image of uh you know whatever a cookie and you had uh it could tile you know so many times across and so many times up and down you’d have so many cookies right and of course we have Center which is just put it in the center of your screen at its natural size so if it’s a tiny picture you would have a tiny picture in the center of the screen if it was a huge picture of uh like a dartboard and you know you might only see the bullseye on the dartboard all right and uh we have span which I’m not sure how that differs from the others but you could always click on it and find out if you’re playing with a picture of your own on the desktop and then we also have uh different themes now here we have what they call contrast themes right and these are for those who are visually impaired or just prefer things to be uh very Stark so you know if we if we click on one of these choose one of these here’s the samples here if we choose one of these from the drop-down say Aquatic and we choose apply then you get immediately a view of how that’s going to look uh on your system right and this desert is the next one here right there’s another option we have dusk we have night sky and of course we can switch it back to none all right so uh those are what we would call accessibility themes generally speaking and then under related settings here we have themes which is uh a of more uh usual themes not so high contrast and uh I won’t preview all of those but uh there’s a bunch on offer here and you can also click on browse themes to get an even larger list now that was the new windows 11 settings area if you’re used to the old windows settings area which is the control panel that is still available so you can click on the start button but and type in the word control and you’ll see the control panel come up as an offering if you click on that your control panel will pop up and we can maximize that I like to switch from category view to the small icon view right and then in here you can play with all kinds of things right so uh one thing that I like to do on every new system is click on Mouse right and then here under double click speed I pull that all the way to the left so that it’s slow because the issue there is that uh when it’s in the middle you have to click so fast to get you know this is where you can test your double clicking is open it close it right uh you have to click so fast that uh well some people simply can’t do it right so they’ll they’ll be clicking and clicking and trying to open something like on the desktop you have to double click on an icon to open a program and uh it just won’t it won’t work for them you know nine times out of 10 or whatever but if I pull that all the way to the left suddenly you know they can click click make a double click at that speed and it will work all right so fairly important U even if you don’t need it to be uh slower if you ever share your computer it’ll reduce frustration for somebody else I’m sure so uh the other bit in here is pointers uh for the mouse and you can see the size note the size of the little arrow here that I’ve been using the default size uh if we click on the drop down here I like to go down to Windows standard extra large right and then you see uh here a preview of what that’s going to give us and then this one that we’ve been using so it’s twice as big right so I can click apply and then now I have that nice large cursor or arrow and if we go to pointer options right uh we have the pointer speed that we can adjust um generally I don’t find that that needs adjusting but uh sometimes on certain systems with certain mice you know every time you move your mouse a little bit it seems to fly across the screen right if that’s happening to you you can pull that uh to the left generally I wouldn’t pull it all the way to the left because uh you know if we click apply here uh things start to go way too slow right um but uh you know adjust to your taste usually just one tick at a time uh until you fine-tune it uh the way that you want another uh nice option is to click on show location of pointer when I press the control key so uh basically that means that when you press the control key you’ll get this little blip these circles that’ll show you where your mouse is so if you have trouble finding your mouse sometimes on your screen just hit the control key and then you’ll see immediately where it has gone right um other things here I don’t tend to tweak but uh if you use the wheel on your mouse to scroll through things you can adjust how many lines it Scrolls at a time right if you find that it moves too fast you could lower that if you want it to move faster of course you could uh increase that number right and then we click okay and we have our new mouse cursor right and of course here in the uh control panel there’s all kinds of other useful options one is power options right so if we jump in there uh you know there’s generally different Power plans on your system that you can choose m’s on high performance uh at the moment if you want to tweak that or see what the settings actually are you can click on change plan settings and uh you know a typical setting here might be you know to turn off the display every 15 minutes and on high performance to never put the computer to sleep but if if you have a power saving mode it might be uh you know 20 minutes or whatever that it’s going to put the computer to sleep you don’t necessarily want that to happen if uh every time you step away you got to come back and log in and do the whole thing right so uh if you’re like me I like to have uh both of these at never and if if you know I want to save power or whatever I can put my computer to sleep and I can turn off my monitor right so you would hit save changes to save that and if you’re on a laptop you would you would see more options because there’s going to be a battery options versus um you know your plugged-in options and you can you can tweak each of those accordingly on on battery I would recommend uh having your computer go to sleep after a certain time just to conserve the battery and to keep the system from uh just running out of juice and and turning off suddenly uh without because it has no more power uh which is more dangerous and can corrupt your system all right and we can go up at the top here to the breadcrumb back to all control panel items and uh another feature I would point out to you uh right now is programs and features so if we click on that uh it’s going to show us a list of all the programs that are installed on the system now uh that that’s a bit deceptive it’s not all of them it’s all of the standard uh style programs uh that we would traditionally think of as a program uh that’s been set up on a on a system but now there’s a sort of a distinction between programs which are listed here in apps which are things that are uh just access differently by the computer and and you might see under here so for example photos here you know I could rightclick and uninstall photos here from you know the start area but photos is not listed here in in the in the program list right so say if you installed uh Norton Antivirus uh which by the way I don’t recommend Norton Antivirus so you know uh I would I would rather see you use uh something else but um as I mentioned earlier just use the Microsoft One the free one but uh that would be in this list right that’s not an app it’s actually you know full-fledged software so you may need to manage software from here and you may need to manage apps from the start menu all right and we go back to all control panel items uh other bits that would be useful to know devices and printers all right that actually brings you now into the standard settings and then you can see your printers and scanners list uh right now I don’t have any physical devices but we have the Microsoft print to PDF printer there and uh what else would be interesting here you can you know tweak your sound settings uh you can look at your system information right see what kind of computer you have what kind of processor Etc so you have access to that area quickly from here yeah and one more thing would be the date and time um often that’s wrong when you get a new computer and you’re sitting in front of it the time Zone’s wrong or the or the just the time your right time zone but the time is off by a few minutes so you can jump in here and click on change date and time you know tweak the date make sure the the years right right you know you can you can go month by month Etc here and then uh you know go into whichever uh area hour minute second right and you can use the up and down bits to to change the time or or minutes Etc and uh you can also type it in right so you can just type in the number right just cancel that because it’s correct on this system and also you can change your time zone right so um I often find that computers come set up for the wrong time zone so just choose your correct time zone from the drop- down list in fact you may want to do that first change your time zone because that if your if your time is off by you know 3 hours or whatever changing your time zone may just put it right where it needs to be uh otherwise if you’re if you’re messing with this first and then you change your time zone you’re going to have to go back and mess with this again if you know what I mean anyway we can click okay there and that’s a preview of the control panel now an important concept to understand in Windows is cut copy and paste now you can do that with text but you can also do that with files and and folders and other things so uh let me show you what I mean by that so we’re going to click on start and I’m going to type in note and so I can get notepad coming up right and uh notepad is basically a little text editor right very just text there’s no formatting or anything you can’t make things bold or Center them or whatever uh you would use wordpad for that um as a default little app on Windows but I just want to show you some things here so uh this is a sentence this is a note this is the oops and there we go okay so uh you can select things by clicking you hold down your mouse and draging right so I have selected this whole sentence now if I want to move that sentence I can rightclick and I can say cut all right and then I place my cursor wherever I want the sentence to now appear I rightclick and I choose paste so I cut it and I’ve pasted it so those words are are literally from pre-computer days when you would cut something out of a page and paste it onto another page if you’re moving paragraphs or sentences around right so uh now there’s also copy and paste right so if I select this sentence here right click and instead of choosing cut I choose copy then I can place my cursor where I want it right click and paste and now I get a copy of it right so the way that this works is that there’s there’s something called the clipboard there a little area of memory when you when you cut something it goes into the clipboard and it’s removed from where it initially was when you copy something it’s put into the clipboard but it stays where it originally was right so now it’s in the clipboard the clipboard uh unless you get a clipboard utility uh is is by default it’s just going to hold one item right so if I copy one thing and then I copy another the another thing is in the clipboard not the first thing right so so when I paste I’m only going to get the last thing that I cut or I copied right so uh keep that in mind right and uh that’s just with text right so we can close that off there and I can show you that this is also possible to do with files so if I go into downloads here I have a list of files I’m going to right click on name at the top and choose size all columns to fit so we can see all the full file names and essentially we can rightclick on a file and uh it’s a little bit different here in terms of uh the rightclick menu that comes up uh different than a notepad right so uh we have little icons for cut and copy as opposed to the words now on older versions of Windows if I click on show more options uh we had cut and copy as menu full menu items not tiny little icons uh but you know they’ve changed the default here so we’re going to rightclick and if I say cut for Chrome setup here and then if I go to my desktop on the left here so here’s my desktop if I right click and now the icon is paste right another little icon to look at you can click on that and you see that that file has been pasted into uh or onto the desktop all right so on the desktop I can right click and I can click on copy right and then say if I go to documents I can rightclick I can choose paste again and now I have a copy of chrome both on the desktop and in documents so you can do that with documents and folders as well uh and you know if you’re in like say Microsoft Excel doing a spreadsheet uh you can copy and paste or cut and paste uh cells in the in the spreadsheet right so the whole idea of cut copy and paste uh Works across all kinds of Vari of Windows and it’s an important skill to have now I’ve been right clicking to uh do the cutting copying and pasting but the default keys for uh those commands are it’s control X for cut so that means hold down your control key and you can you can just keep your finger on it right uh you keep your finger on it for 30 seconds if you like it’s not that’s the timing there isn’t critical the the the critical thing is well you have your finger on that then you tap the X like just like you would be you’re going to type in the letter X in in a letter just hold down the control key tap the X and then let go with the control key all right um so you don’t have to try and hit them both at the same time is what I’m I’m trying to say some people get that impression and and of course it doesn’t always work out and they end up hitting the X before the control and well that doesn’t work so well so hold down the control key tap the X let go of the control key that’s cut right so similar uh copy is contrl c for copy and then uh pasting is contrl V right so uh you know for example if I have now I’ve got my Chrome setup selected in documents I’m going to press controll X right and then if I go over to pictures here and I click on the right so that that’s the active window I go control+ V and then I get my Chrome setup has moved from documents to pictures right and then you know I can rightclick on that and one of the little icons is delete I can delete that and then I can also delete it from my desktop right so uh let’s have another look at the downloads here maximize this and just show you a few things about file explorer right so this is the default view here uh few things you should know is that uh if things aren’t fully readable on the left hand side this vertical line here is movable so if you hover over it in just the right spot you get this little Double Arrow you can click and you can drag to give yourself more or less room all right and then uh another thing is is that we have all of these uh files and it tells us under type what type of file it is right but um what I like to do is click on view View and then go to show and then choose or select file name extensions right and then uh instead of it just saying Firefox installer here now it says Firefox installer.exe right so that’s an executable file I don’t have to look over here to figure out what type of file it is I can see immediately by the extension and this works great for uh pictures so you’ve got a a bunch of pictures in your uh pictures folder and some of them are jpegs some of them are gifts you know some of them are pings so you got you know your jpg extension your GF and your PNG extension um you know a lot of times those things don’t matter but sometimes they really do right uh you know if you’re creating a web page and you want you know a certain kind of optimized image or whatever you know it’s important to know what the extension is so I like to turn that on another thing that I like to turn on uh is uh we go into the little hamburger menu here and we go to options right and click on The View tab if we scroll down to the bottom here I choose expand to open folder right so let me drag the by the way when you click on the title bar of of a window and drag you can move the window around all right so uh I’ve CHS an expand to open folder click okay right and then now when I’m in uh different folders it’s going to expand on the on this edge here on this left side here to show me that folder so right now I’m I’m on edge here if I double click on application to enter this folder it’s going to expand and show me that folder that I’m in so so you’ll always have a a direct visual view of where you are in the structure of your file system um on the leftand side it’ll follow your your movements on the right otherwise uh all of this would have just stayed you know tightly closed like this you’d be you know all the way down here but you wouldn’t have any view of where you were and uh it it’s often the case that when you’re when you’re in one folder then you’re um needing to see and interact with other folders so for example if I wanted to pull this file just up one level then I can see that level immediately here so uh that I find very useful and uh there’s different views here right so if you click on the little uh down arrow on the right there you know we’ve got our extra large icons all right your large icon view your small icon view all right and we got a list view which is just the file name and no no additional information right and then the one I tend to like is the details view here so that gives you the name the date modified the type and the size right and you can you can click on any of these headings to sort by that bit right so now I’ve got them sorted by size largest to smallest if I click again it’ll reverse the sort so it goes smallest to largest now I can sort by type so if you if you got various types of files in a folder and you know you’re looking specifically for a PDF it’ll put all the PDFs together and you’ll have uh you know fewer files to search through you can ignore all the non- PDFs right you can sort by date if you want to see uh what’s the most recent or what are the oldest files uh or or just looking for something in a particular date range makes it much easier to to find and then of course the uh the default sorting is by name and you can have that go um you know up the alphabet or down so another thing to know uh is that you know let let’s just stretch this out a little bit here further so on on the left here you see see this the structure and there’s the little arrows right so when the arrow is pointing down that means that that folder is expanded right if I click that down arrow it collapses the folder right if I want to expand say here the common files folder I click on that and then it shows me the files immediately uh or the folders I should say immediately um below uh there could be files but the files will never be listed on this side um this is just the folder structure right so and you can keep expanding right uh to get deeper and deeper into the folder structure uh so so that that’s how you kind of walk through it right and um another thing you should know is let’s go into documents here for example so you’ve got your documents folder you’re creating documents by default if you’re using Microsoft Word or something similar uh your documents are going to be saved in this folder right but uh you know once you get to a few hundred files uh it can get confusing just trying to find one or make sense of it all so uh the thing is to create your own folder structure right the the computer comes with a bunch of folders but you know you’re going to want to make your own so in that case we’re in documents make sure you’ve clicked on the right somewhere in the white space on the right hand side right right and then you can click on new up here in the upper left and choose folder right and then here you can say uh you know different categories right uh you know click again in the Whit space new folder right and then new folder right and then you can drag and drop your files into those folders um from from anywhere right if you have uh if you have this area expanded on the left hand side you can go into another folder and drag them from that folder into these ones right so and of course you can keep you can keep going and doing subfolders right uh and if you don’t want to click new there you can rightclick and say new folder right from in this area right and then you know right click new folder right and and so on so now we have right your uh documents repairs laundry and in this breadcrumb there’s there’s so many ways to move around here right so you you can click the little arrow between repairs and laundry and it’ll show you uh the other options right so we can click on kitchen there for example and uh now we’re in the other folder there are even some options for creating some file types when you right click so you can right click and say new text document right and then you could create a document you know relevant to your current uh folder topic right and uh even here we have similar choices in the upper left corner now I’m not sure why it’s not actually expanding here on the left the way it normally would let’s just try closing and reopening file explorer here we go into documents repairs oh it maximize it kitchen H for some reason this system is a little bit buggy yeah so I just paused recording and checked on why this might be happening and a recent update to Windows 11 has uh introduced this strange little bug so um I would I would still turn on expand to folders but it won’t necessarily always work until Microsoft fix it it uh where we should see ourselves right if we’re in documents repairs kitchen is uh you know under Drive C we got users right and uh you know under under users you’ve got different usernames depending on how your system is set up if you click on your start button you can see what your actual username is in this case someone else right so uh we click on that folder and then if we go into documents right and we’ve got repairs kitchen that’s what should have expanded right on the left hand side and for some reason won’t do it today but maybe tomorrow so I just mentioned a a little bit about right clicking so the thing about right clicking is that it’s context sensitive so it depends on what you’re clicking on uh will it depends what your menu you’re going to get right so for example if I right click on this file on the desktop you know I get these particular choices right if I right click on the taskbar I get these particular choices you know if I right click on the one drive icon here in uh the system tray you know I get a whole other uh bunch of options right for example I can quit one drive and uh right clicking which we’ve already done on the start button gives us a bunch of uh options quick access to Common tasks in Windows right so um just keep in mind that if you’re not sure what to do in Windows just try right clicking wherever you are so here I’ve right clicked on the desktop you know I could go into display settings or personalize and tweak things there um in fact let’s jump into display settings because I will show you something that uh will help a lot of you if you have a monitor uh high resolution monitor on a new computer uh the icons are going to seem uh very small con compared to you know older uh let’s call uh classic monitors right and uh that that might be too small for your comfort right so you can click on display resolution here and choose a different resolution now the higher the highest number it tends to be the uh recommended resolution for your monitor and usually that’s going to be your default right but uh if you choose some smaller numbers uh you may find that uh everything just looks uh you know that much bigger and more visually accessible for you so a couple of notes about that um don’t choose any numbers below uh 7 68 uh just because anything smaller than that uh a lot of software just won’t fit right so you’ll open up a window it’ll have a bunch of settings and everything there’ll be a save button at the bottom but because the window is taller than your 768 uh you can’t even see the save button you can’t click on it you don’t know it’s there and you’re stuck right so that would be the very lowest uh that you would want to go and um otherwise the other thing to look out for is the aspect ratio right so if you have a a very uh say a widescreen monitor um you you don’t want uh the number pairings that are more square right because then you’re going to have uh you know those black bars on the left and right hand side of your monitor uh where you know your your monitor is just not being used so um play around with the different settings and find one where the icon look a good size but the uh background of your desktop fits completely on the monitor all right um and other than that I think I can show you how to change the text size on your system which is also something that can help for visuals so to do that let’s start from scratch here we’re going to close that window there we’re going to right click then click on settings right click on the start button of course and then in the uh find a setting area here just type in the word text and you’ll see text size all right click on that it’ll bring you to the accessibility Tex size area and there’s a little slider here right this is a preview of how things are so this is the default a on this computer and we can pull that uh until things get uh very large right so um now a warning would be if you make them if you pull it all the way to the right uh you’ll find that on in some software the text is so big it no longer fits in the space allotted to it in the software so things are going to either overlap or or be cut off right so uh you want to find some nice median uh compromise so that you know you’ve got the bigger text but it’s not too big uh what that means for you on your system will differ so you can play around with it but you know you could start by just pulling this into the middle for example and hitting apply note the size of the options here on the left when I hit apply and see how much bigger they are right so uh for those of you with limited Vision uh or just don’t like squinting you have you have the option to play around with the size of your text let’s close that off and we’ll close off this video just if you have any questions comments Etc um put them in the comment section below

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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The provided text serves as a beginner’s guide to navigating and customizing the Windows 11 operating system. It explains fundamental elements such as the taskbar, start menu, and desktop, detailing how to interact with icons, open applications, and manage windows. The text further instructs users on personalizing their experience through settings adjustments like display resolution, text size, and taskbar behavior. Finally, it covers essential file management skills using File Explorer and introduces the concepts of cut, copy, and paste, along with guidance on basic internet browsing with Microsoft Edge.

Windows 11 Orientation Study Guide

Quiz

1. Where is the Start button located in Windows 11, and what appears when you click it?
2. Explain the “pinned apps” and “recommended” sections of the Start menu. How can you manage pinned apps?
3. Describe two ways to launch an application in Windows 11 and highlight a key difference in how you interact with icons in those locations.
4. How do you shut down or restart your Windows 11 computer using the Start menu? Why is restarting periodically recommended?
5. Explain how to pin and unpin applications from the taskbar. Why might you want to customize the taskbar?
6. What is the purpose of the small upward-pointing arrow icon on the right side of the taskbar? What kind of applications might you find there?
7. Describe the functionality of Microsoft OneDrive as explained in the source.
8. Explain how to access and adjust the volume and network settings from the taskbar. What other settings can be found in this area?
9. What is the “Task View” feature in Windows 11, and how can you access it? How does it help with managing open windows?
10. Explain the difference between “cut and paste” and “copy and paste” when working with files or text in Windows. What are the keyboard shortcuts for these actions?

Quiz Answer Key

1. In Windows 11, the Start button is located in the center of the taskbar. Clicking it opens a menu displaying pinned applications at the top and recommended recent files, folders, and newly installed apps below.
2. “Pinned apps” are applications that have been manually placed in the Start menu for easy access. “Recommended” shows recently opened files, folders, and recently installed applications. You can manage pinned apps by right-clicking on an app icon in the Start menu and selecting “Pin to Start” or “Unpin from Start.”
3. You can launch an application by single-clicking its icon in the Start menu or on the taskbar. You can also launch an application by double-clicking its icon on the desktop. A key difference is that you single-click icons in the Start menu and taskbar, but double-click icons on the desktop to open them.
4. To shut down or restart, click the Start button, then click the power icon located at the bottom right of the Start menu. From there, you can choose “Shut down” or “Restart.” Restarting periodically is recommended to refresh the system, as programs can accumulate memory and resources over time, potentially slowing down the computer.
5. To pin an application to the taskbar, find the application (either in the Start menu or the “All apps” list), right-click on its icon, and select “Pin to taskbar.” To unpin an application, right-click on its icon on the taskbar and select “Unpin from taskbar.” Customizing the taskbar allows you to keep frequently used applications readily accessible.
6. The small upward-pointing arrow icon on the right side of the taskbar reveals a hidden area for background applications that don’t always need to be visible. Examples of applications found here include Windows Security (antivirus) and other utilities running in the background.
7. Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage service that allows you to save files online and synchronize them across multiple devices, such as a desktop and a laptop. This ensures that changes made on one device are automatically updated on others, eliminating the need for physical storage devices for transferring files.
8. Clicking the network or volume icon on the right side of the taskbar opens a panel where you can adjust volume using a slider and see your network connection status. This area also provides access to other settings like airplane mode (if applicable), accessibility settings, and the Night Light feature to reduce blue light emissions.
9. Task View is a feature in Windows 11 that displays all currently open windows as thumbnails, allowing you to quickly switch between them. You can access it by clicking the Task View button on the taskbar (it looks like overlapping rectangles) or by pressing the Windows key + Tab. It helps manage multiple open applications by providing a visual overview.
10. “Cut and paste” moves an item (text, file, or folder) from its original location to a new location. The original item is removed. “Copy and paste” creates a duplicate of the item in a new location, while the original item remains in its original place. The keyboard shortcut for cut is Ctrl+X, for copy is Ctrl+C, and for paste is Ctrl+V.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the evolution of the Windows Start Menu from earlier versions to Windows 11. Analyze the changes in its design and functionality, and evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of these changes for user experience and productivity as described in the source.
2. Explain the importance of taskbar customization in Windows 11. Describe the various ways a user can personalize their taskbar, including pinning/unpinning applications and modifying taskbar behaviors. Discuss how effective taskbar customization can contribute to a more efficient workflow based on the information provided.
3. The source emphasizes the built-in security features of Windows 11 and cautions against unnecessary third-party antivirus software. Elaborate on the advice given regarding Windows Security. Discuss the reasoning behind this recommendation and the potential advantages and disadvantages of relying solely on the built-in antivirus.
4. Describe the basic file management functionalities in Windows 11 as explained in the source, including creating folders, moving and copying files, and understanding file extensions. Explain the importance of organizing files and folders effectively and how the features discussed can aid in this process.
5. The source provides guidance on initial setup and basic troubleshooting, such as restarting and managing updates. Based on this information, discuss the key recommendations for maintaining a stable and functional Windows 11 system for a new user.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Taskbar: The bar located at the bottom of the Windows desktop that displays the Start button, pinned applications, and system information.
• Start Button: An icon (typically a Windows logo) on the taskbar that, when clicked, opens the Start Menu.
• Pinned Apps: Applications that users have chosen to display in the Start Menu or on the taskbar for quick access.
• Recommended: A section in the Start Menu that displays recently opened files, folders, and newly installed applications.
• All Apps: A section in the Start Menu that lists all installed applications on the computer.
• Desktop: The main visual work area on a computer screen, displaying icons and the background wallpaper.
• Power Button (Start Menu): An icon in the Start Menu used to access power options such as Shut down, Restart, and Sleep.
• System Tray (Notification Area): The area on the far right of the taskbar that displays icons for background processes, notifications, date, and time.
• Widgets: Dynamic information displays (like weather, news) that can be accessed from the left side of the Windows 11 taskbar.
• Task View: A feature that displays thumbnails of all open windows, allowing for easy switching between them.
• Taskbar Behaviors: Settings that control how the taskbar functions, such as alignment and how buttons are combined.
• File Explorer: The file management application in Windows used to browse, organize, and manage files and folders.
• File Name Extension: A suffix at the end of a file name (e.g., .pdf, .exe, .jpg) that indicates the file type.
• Control Panel: A system utility in Windows that allows users to configure various settings, although many of its functions are now integrated into the Settings app.
• Settings App: The modern interface in Windows 11 for configuring system settings, replacing much of the functionality of the Control Panel.
• Windows Update: A service that allows Windows to download and install updates for the operating system and other Microsoft software.
• Personalization: Settings that allow users to customize the visual appearance of Windows, such as background, colors, and themes.
• Accessibility: Features and settings designed to make computers easier to use for people with disabilities, such as text size adjustments and high contrast themes.
• Cut: A command that removes selected content from its original location and places it on the clipboard.
• Copy: A command that duplicates selected content and places the copy on the clipboard, while the original remains.
• Paste: A command that inserts the content currently stored on the clipboard into the current location.
• Clipboard: A temporary storage area in computer memory used for holding data that has been cut or copied.
• Microsoft Edge: The default web browser included with Windows.
• OneDrive: Microsoft’s cloud storage and file synchronization service.

Windows 11 Orientation: A Briefing Document

This briefing document summarizes the main themes and important ideas from the provided source, which serves as an introductory guide to Windows 11. The source focuses on familiarizing new users with the operating system’s interface, key functionalities, and essential settings.

Main Themes

• Interface Navigation: The primary focus is on helping users understand and navigate the Windows 11 desktop environment, including the Taskbar and the Start Menu.
• Essential System Functions: The guide covers critical actions such as launching applications, managing files and folders, connecting to the internet, and shutting down/restarting the computer.
• Basic Customization and Settings: It introduces users to fundamental personalization options for the Taskbar, Desktop background, display, and accessibility features like text and cursor size.
• Internet Access and Web Browsing: The source provides a step-by-step walkthrough of launching and using Microsoft Edge for the first time, along with basic web browsing concepts.
• File Management Fundamentals: It explains core concepts like cut, copy, paste, and basic file and folder organization using File Explorer.
• Importance of System Maintenance: The guide emphasizes the need for regular restarts and software updates to ensure system stability and security.
• Security Considerations: It touches upon the built-in Windows Security and advises caution regarding third-party security software and online scams.

Most Important Ideas and Facts

The Taskbar

• The Start button has moved from the far left to the center of the Taskbar.
• “start button on all other versions of Windows prior to Windows 11 was always on the far left right now the far left is taken up by this little widget area all right but start button right here”
• Clicking the Start button reveals pinned apps (default and user-defined) and recommended items (recent files, folders, and newly installed apps).
• “when you click on your start button you get a view of a bunch of pinned apps which means uh just things that have been set into the uh default start area here right in front of you”
• “underneath recommended you’re going to see uh recent files and folders that you’ve opened”
• An All apps button in the top right of the Start Menu provides a full list of installed applications, accessible alphabetically with a jump-to-letter feature.
• “if you want to see all your apps you have to go to this little button right here in the top right hand corner and when you click there you get the full list of installed apps and all their little icons”
• Users can pin and unpin applications to both the Start Menu and the Taskbar for quick access.
• “you can right click on it and say pin to start or if it’s already in start uh unpin from start”
• “we could rightclick and we can say pin to taskar so so just as you can pin things into the start area you can pin and unpin things from the taskbar itself”
• Single-clicking icons on the Taskbar or within the Start Menu opens applications, unlike the double-clicking required for desktop icons.
• “double click on it from the desktop single click from start and single click when you’re looking at uh clicking on an icon in the taskbar”
• The Power button is located within the Start Menu, offering options for shutdown, restart, and sleep. Shutdown is recommended over sleep for better system stability.
• “when you’re done with Windows for the day you can click on the start button click on this little power icon and then click shut down I recommend shutting down over sleep”
• Restarting the computer regularly (ideally daily or at least weekly) is important for releasing memory and resources, preventing system sluggishness.
• “you shouldn’t let a computer run say for 30 days without restarting it because what happens is programs take up bits of memory and resources and they don’t always release them”
• The right side of the Taskbar includes a hidden icons area (accessed via an upward arrow) for background applications like Windows Security.
• “if you click on that and you may not have one depending on how many icons you have at play but uh what this is is like an area where they hide icons that are just for things that are just running in the background”
• Visible icons on the right Taskbar provide access to features like OneDrive, language settings, network status, and volume control. Clicking the network or volume icon opens a quick settings panel.
• “things that aren’t in this little hidden menu are the more visible icons that we see to the left of the uh time and here so uh one of these is Microsoft One Drive… and here is our little language area… and then we have our little Network icon… so the next one over is volume”
• The notification area (bell icon) displays system notifications. Users should be cautious of urgent-sounding notifications, especially from websites, as they could be scams.
• “right next to that we have a little notification area that little bell here… notifications do pop up just like this in the lower right hand corner… be careful because uh people can also get uh notifications from websites and other third parties… be wary of scams and stuff right”

The Desktop

• The area above the Taskbar is called the desktop, featuring a customizable wallpaper and icons for software and utilities.

Taskbar Settings

• Right-clicking the Taskbar and selecting Taskbar settings allows customization of Taskbar elements and behaviors.
• Users can hide or change the appearance of the search bar, widgets, and the Task View button.
• The Taskbar alignment can be changed to move the Start button back to the left.
• “come down to the bottom here where it says taskbar behaviors right and click the little arrow pointing down there and then it has taskar alignment and you can choose to place the start button back on the left where your brain expects it to be”
• The setting “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” controls how multiple windows of the same application are displayed on the Taskbar. “Never” will show each window separately with its label.
• “where it says combine taskbar buttons and hide labels right so generally by default it’s on to always do that… if we switch this to uh never for example now instead of that layered File Explorer icon… now it actually shows me that I’m in pictures music and desktop”

Desktop Icons

• Right-clicking a desktop icon provides a context menu with options like cut, copy, rename (represented by an icon), share, and delete.
• Deleted items are moved to the Recycle Bin and can be restored.

Internet Access with Microsoft Edge

• Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 11.
• The first-time setup of Edge involves several prompts regarding data syncing, tracking, and theme selection. Beginners are advised to “start without your data” and decline most tracking offers to reduce complexity.
• “this is the first time it’s sprun so you know welcome to Microsoft Edge and it’s going to ask you if you want to sign in to sync data right… but you know we’re beginners here so we’re going to say start without your data right now it’s going to ask you know you always want to have access to your recent browsing data right typically I like to say no to most of these offers”
• The default homepage is Microsoft Bing. Users can navigate to other websites by typing the URL in the address bar.
• Web browsing involves tabs, which can be opened using the “+” icon or by right-clicking a link and selecting “open link in new tab.” Tabs can be reordered.
• The three-dot menu in Edge provides access to settings and other functionalities, including the option to hide the sidebar.
• “this these three little dots here is the menu for all kinds of things right and that’s standard on Windows these days”
• The default search engine used in the Edge address bar can be changed in the browser’s settings (e.g., from Bing to Google).

Windows 11 Settings

• The main Windows 11 Settings app can be accessed by right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Settings.” It is organized into different categories for system configuration.
• Windows Update allows users to check for and install updates for Windows and other Microsoft products. Optional updates, including driver updates, can be found in Advanced options. Restarting the computer is often required to complete updates.
• “right click on the start button and then click on settings right… Windows update if you click on that you can click on check for updates”
• Personalization settings enable users to change the background (picture, solid color, slideshow, Windows Spotlight), colors, and themes, including high contrast themes for accessibility.
• “One you might want to jump into right away if you like things to look the way you like them to look is personalization right and here is where you can change background and colors and themes Etc”
• The classic Control Panel is still accessible by searching for “control” in the Start Menu. It provides access to various system settings.
• “you can click on the start button but and type in the word control and you’ll see the control panel come up as an offering”
• Key Control Panel settings include:
• Mouse: Adjusting double-click speed and changing the pointer size and visibility (e.g., showing pointer location with the Ctrl key).
• “One thing that I like to do on every new system is click on Mouse right and then here under double click speed I pull that all the way to the left so that it’s slow… I like to go down to Windows standard extra large right”
• Power Options: Configuring power plans and sleep settings.
• “another feature I would point out to you uh right now is programs and features so if we click on that uh it’s going to show us a list of all the programs that are installed on the system”
• Programs and Features: Managing traditionally installed software. Note that modern “apps” are often managed differently (e.g., via right-click in the Start Menu).
• Devices and Printers: Accessing settings for connected devices.
• Date and Time: Adjusting the system date, time, and time zone. It’s recommended to set the correct time zone first.
• “often that’s wrong when you get a new computer and you’re sitting in front of it the time Zone’s wrong or the or the just the time your right time zone but the time is off by a few minutes so you can jump in here and click on change date and time… also you can change your time zone right”

Cut, Copy, and Paste

• Cut (Ctrl+X): Moves selected text or files to the clipboard, removing them from the original location.
• Copy (Ctrl+C): Duplicates selected text or files to the clipboard, leaving the original intact.
• Paste (Ctrl+V): Inserts the content of the clipboard into the current location.
• These functions work with text in applications like Notepad and with files and folders in File Explorer. Right-click menus also provide these options (often as icons in Windows 11).
• “The default keys for uh those commands are it’s control X for cut… copy is contrl c for copy and then uh pasting is contrl V right”

File Explorer

• File Explorer is used to manage files and folders.
• The left-hand navigation pane can be resized.
• It’s useful to show file name extensions in the View settings to easily identify file types.
• “what I like to do is click on view View and then go to show and then choose or select file name extensions right and then uh instead of it just saying Firefox installer here now it says Firefox installer.exe”
• The “Expand to open folder” option (in Options > View) makes the navigation pane on the left dynamically display the currently open folder in the file system hierarchy (though this feature has a temporary bug in a recent update).
• “if we scroll down to the bottom here I choose expand to open folder”
• Files and folders can be viewed in different layouts (e.g., extra large icons, details). The “Details” view is recommended as it shows name, date modified, type, and size. Columns can be clicked to sort by that attribute.
• “the one I tend to like is the details view here so that gives you the name the date modified the type and the size right and you can you can click on any of these headings to sort by that bit”
• Users can create new folders by right-clicking in an empty area or using the “New” button in the ribbon. Files and folders can be dragged and dropped between locations.
• “make sure you’ve clicked on the right somewhere in the white space on the right hand side right right and then you can click on new up here in the upper left and choose folder”
• Right-clicking is context-sensitive, offering different menus and options depending on the element clicked.

Display and Text Size

• In Display settings (right-click desktop > Display settings), users can adjust the screen resolution. While the recommended resolution is usually the default, lower resolutions can make interface elements appear larger. Avoid resolutions with a vertical height below 768.
• “you can click on display resolution here and choose a different resolution now the higher the highest number it tends to be the uh recommended resolution for your monitor and usually that’s going to be your default right but uh if you choose some smaller numbers uh you may find that uh everything just looks uh you know that much bigger and more visually accessible for you”
• Text size can be adjusted in Accessibility settings (search “text size” in Settings). A slider allows users to increase or decrease the default text size. Be cautious of making text too large, as it may cause layout issues in some applications.
• “in the uh find a setting area here just type in the word text and you’ll see text size all right click on that it’ll bring you to the accessibility Tex size area and there’s a little slider here”

This briefing document provides a foundational understanding of the Windows 11 interface and essential functions as described in the source. New users are encouraged to explore these areas further to become comfortable with the operating system.

Windows 11: Getting Started Guide

Frequently Asked Questions: Getting Started with Windows 11

1. Where is the Start Menu located in Windows 11, and how do I access my applications? In Windows 11, the Start button is located in the center of the taskbar, unlike previous versions where it was on the far left (that area is now occupied by the widgets). Clicking the Start button opens a view of pinned applications. You can navigate through multiple pages of pinned icons using the dots or arrows at the top. Below the pinned apps, you’ll find a “Recommended” section showing recent files, folders, and newly installed applications. To see a full list of all installed apps, click the “All apps” button in the top right corner of the Start Menu. Some apps may be located within folders, indicated by a yellow folder icon; click on the folder to see its contents. To quickly jump to apps starting with a specific letter, click on any letter in the app list, and it will highlight the sections of the alphabet that have content.

2. How do I pin and unpin applications to the Start Menu and Taskbar for quick access? To pin an application to the Start Menu, go to the “All apps” list (via the Start button), right-click on the desired application, and select “Pin to Start.” This will add the application’s icon to your pinned apps view in the Start Menu. To unpin an application from the Start Menu, simply right-click on its icon in the pinned apps area and select “Unpin from Start.” Similarly, you can pin applications to the Taskbar for even quicker access. From the “All apps” list or the Start Menu, right-click on an application and choose “Pin to taskbar.” To remove an application from the Taskbar, right-click on its icon on the Taskbar and select “Unpin from taskbar.”

3. What is the Taskbar, and how can I customize its appearance and behavior? The Taskbar is the bar located at the bottom of your screen in Windows 11. It contains the Start button, pinned applications, running applications (indicated by a small dot underneath their icons), widgets (on the far left), and the system tray (on the far right). You can customize the Taskbar by right-clicking on an empty area of it and selecting “Taskbar settings.” In the settings, you can toggle the visibility of search, task view, widgets, and the co-pilot (if available). Under “Taskbar behaviors,” you can change the “Taskbar alignment” to move the Start button back to the left. The “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” option controls how multiple windows of the same application are displayed; you can choose to always combine them (default), never combine them (showing individual icons with labels), or combine them when the taskbar is full. You can also unpin default icons you don’t use (like the Microsoft Store or Teams) by right-clicking on them and selecting “Unpin from taskbar.”

4. How do I manage running applications using the Taskbar and Task View? The Taskbar displays icons for applications that are currently running. A small underline or dot beneath an icon indicates that the application is open. Single-clicking on an icon in the Taskbar will bring that application to the forefront. Hovering your mouse over a combined application icon (if you have multiple windows of the same app open) will show you thumbnails of all the open windows, allowing you to choose the one you want. Task View, which can be enabled in the Taskbar settings, provides a visual overview of all currently open windows. Clicking the Task View button on the Taskbar (it looks like two overlapping rectangles) will display all your open windows as thumbnails, allowing you to easily switch between them by clicking on the desired window.

5. How do I shut down, restart, or put my Windows 11 computer to sleep? To shut down or restart your Windows 11 computer, click on the Start button, then click on the power icon located at the bottom right of the Start Menu. A small menu will appear with options to “Sleep,” “Shut down,” and “Restart.” It is generally recommended to shut down your computer fully rather than relying on sleep mode, as sleep can sometimes lead to issues with devices not waking up properly. Restarting your computer periodically (ideally daily or at least weekly) can help maintain system stability by clearing out used memory and resources that programs may not always release.

6. How do I connect to the internet using Microsoft Edge for the first time, and what are some basic browser navigation tips? To connect to the internet, click on the Microsoft Edge icon on the Taskbar (it’s the blue and green “e” icon). The first time you open Edge, you will be guided through a setup process. It will ask about syncing data (you can choose to “Start without your data” for a simpler initial setup), importing data from other browsers (you can skip this), and allowing Microsoft to track browsing data (you can choose “Don’t allow” for more privacy). After going through these steps and potentially selecting a theme, you will arrive at the Microsoft Bing homepage, indicating you are online. To navigate to a specific website, click in the address bar at the top and type the website’s address (e.g., google.com). You can open new tabs by clicking the “+” icon next to the existing tab. To open a link in a new tab, right-click on the link and select “Open link in new tab.” You can switch between tabs by clicking on them. To change the default search engine used in the address bar, click the three dots (…) in the top right corner of Edge, go to “Settings,” search for “address bar and search,” and then choose your preferred search engine from the drop-down menu. You can also disable the sidebar in Edge settings under the “Sidebar” section.

7. How do I manage files and folders using File Explorer in Windows 11? You can access File Explorer by clicking its icon on the Taskbar (it looks like a folder) or by searching for it in the Start Menu. In File Explorer, the left pane provides a navigation view of your folders. You can expand or collapse folders by clicking the small arrows next to them (though a recent Windows update may temporarily affect this functionality). The right pane displays the contents of the selected folder. You can change the view of files and folders (e.g., details, large icons) by clicking on the “View” tab at the top. To see file extensions (like .exe, .jpg), go to the “View” tab, click “Show,” and select “File name extensions.” To sort files and folders, click on the column headers (Name, Date modified, Type, Size). To create a new folder, navigate to the desired location, right-click in an empty area, select “New,” and then “Folder,” and give it a name. You can move or copy files and folders using cut (Ctrl+X), copy (Ctrl+C), and paste (Ctrl+V) commands, or by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate options. You can also drag and drop files and folders. Deleted items go to the Recycle Bin, from which you can restore them if needed.

8. How can I adjust display settings and text size in Windows 11 for better visual accessibility? To adjust display settings, right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select “Display settings.” Here, you can change the display resolution. If icons and text appear too small on a high-resolution monitor, try selecting a lower resolution. Be cautious not to go below 1024×768 to avoid compatibility issues with some software. Also, pay attention to the aspect ratio to ensure the display fits your monitor without black bars. To change the text size, right-click on the Start button, go to “Settings,” type “text size” in the search bar, and select “Text size.” In the “Accessibility” settings, you’ll find a slider to adjust the text size. Drag the slider to make the text larger or smaller and click “Apply.” Be mindful that making the text too large might cause layout issues in some applications. You can also adjust the mouse cursor size in the Control Panel (search for “Control Panel” in the Start Menu, go to “Mouse,” then the “Pointers” tab, and choose a larger scheme under “Scheme”). In the Control Panel’s “Ease of Access” settings (or by searching for “make the mouse easier to use”), you can also enable features like showing the location of the pointer when you press the Ctrl key.

Windows 11 Basics: A User’s Guide

Let’s discuss some Windows 11 basics based on the information in the source.

When you first encounter Windows 11, the bar at the bottom of your screen is called the taskbar. Several elements reside on the taskbar, with the most crucial being the start button, which is the four-square window icon. Unlike previous Windows versions where the start button was on the far left, in Windows 11, the far left is occupied by the widgets area, and the start button is located more towards the center.

Clicking the start button reveals a view of pinned apps, which are applications set into the default start area. You might see multiple pages of these pinned icons, indicated by dots or arrows that allow you to navigate between the pages. Below the pinned apps, you’ll find the recommended section, displaying recently opened files and folders, as well as recently installed applications.

To access all your installed apps, you need to click the button in the top right corner of the start menu. This will present a full list of apps and their icons. Some apps might be organized within folders, requiring you to click on the folder to see its contents. To quickly navigate this list, you can click on any letter, and it will highlight the sections of the alphabet that contain content.

You can customize the start menu by right-clicking on an app in the ‘all apps’ list and choosing ‘Pin to Start’. If an app is already pinned, the option will be ‘Unpin from Start’. Pinned items generally appear at the bottom of the pinned apps view. Remember that opening a program from the start menu requires a single click.

The taskbar itself also contains other icons by default. You can unpin these icons by right-clicking on them and selecting ‘Unpin from taskbar’. Similarly, you can pin applications to the taskbar by right-clicking on them in the start menu (either pinned or in the ‘all apps’ list) and choosing ‘Pin to taskbar’. Opening an application from the taskbar also requires a single click. Be mindful of this, as double-clicking can lead to opening multiple instances of the same application.

On the far right of the taskbar, you’ll typically find a small up arrow that, when clicked, reveals a hidden area for background applications’ icons, such as Windows Security (the built-in antivirus). To the left of the time, you’ll see more visible icons, which might include Microsoft OneDrive for cloud file synchronization, language settings, the network icon indicating your internet connection status, and the volume icon for adjusting the system volume. Clicking on the network or volume icon often brings up a small panel where you can manage your network connection, volume, and access other settings like Night Light.

Next to the time and date is the notification area, indicated by a little bell. Notifications from Windows and some applications will appear here and might also pop up in the lower right corner of the screen. Be cautious of notifications that create a sense of urgency, as they could be part of scams.

The area above the taskbar is the desktop, where your desktop wallpaper is displayed and where you can place icons for frequently used software, utilities, files, and folders. Opening items on the desktop typically requires a double click.

You can customize the taskbar by right-clicking on it and selecting ‘Taskbar settings’. Here, you can toggle the visibility of elements like the search bar, Co-pilot (which is in preview and might be best turned off initially), widgets, and the task view button. Task view, when enabled, allows you to see all your open windows at a glance and switch between them.

In the taskbar settings, under ‘Taskbar behaviors’, you can change the taskbar alignment to move the start button back to the left, a familiar location for users of older Windows versions. Another useful setting here is ‘Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels’. By default, Windows 11 combines multiple windows of the same application into a single icon. You can change this to ‘Never’ or ‘When taskbar is full’ to see individual icons with labels, making it easier to identify specific open windows.

On the desktop, right-clicking provides a context menu with options. In Windows 11, this menu initially shows icons for common actions like cut, copy, rename, share, and delete. If you prefer the classic right-click menu with full text options, you can often find an option like ‘Show more options’. You can rename desktop icons and delete them. Deleted items are moved to the Recycle Bin, which is usually located in the top left corner of the desktop. You can restore deleted items from the Recycle Bin by right-clicking on them and choosing ‘Restore’.

To access the internet, the default browser in Windows 11 is Microsoft Edge, which is typically pinned to the taskbar. The first time you open Edge, you will be presented with several setup screens asking about data syncing, importing data, and tracking. For a basic setup, you might choose to start without your data, decline data synchronization, and opt not to allow Microsoft to track your browsing. The default homepage for Edge is usually the Microsoft Bing page. You can navigate to other websites by typing the address in the address bar at the top. You can open new tabs using the plus sign and close tabs with the ‘X’. You can also open a link in a new tab by right-clicking on it. The three dots menu in Edge provides access to various settings, including the option to hide the sidebar and to change the default search engine used in the address bar (e.g., from Bing to Google).

The main Windows 11 settings can be accessed by right-clicking on the start button and selecting ‘Settings’. The settings are organized into different categories. Windows Update allows you to check for and install updates for Windows and other Microsoft products, including optional driver and Net Framework updates. It’s generally a good idea to keep your system updated. Personalization settings let you change the background wallpaper, colors, and themes, including high contrast themes for accessibility. You can choose a picture, solid color, slideshow, or Windows Spotlight as your background and adjust how the picture fits the screen.

The older Control Panel is still available in Windows 11. You can access it by clicking the start button and typing ‘control’. In the Control Panel, you can switch to a small icon view for easier navigation. Some useful settings within the Control Panel include:

• Mouse: Here, you can adjust the double-click speed (slowing it down can be helpful for users who struggle with fast double-clicks) and change the pointer size and options, such as showing the pointer location when you press the Ctrl key.
• Power Options: You can manage your power plans and configure when the display turns off and when the computer goes to sleep. On laptops, you’ll have separate settings for battery and plugged-in power.
• Programs and Features: This lists many of the traditionally installed software programs, allowing you to uninstall them. Note that some modern apps are managed separately through the start menu.
• Devices and Printers: This area, which now redirects to the modern Settings app, shows your installed printers and scanners.
• Date and Time: You can adjust the system date, time, and time zone here. It’s often a good idea to set the correct time zone first.

Cut, copy, and paste are fundamental concepts in Windows for moving and duplicating text and files. You can perform these actions by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate option (icons in Windows 11’s initial right-click menu, full text options under ‘Show more options’) or by using keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+X (cut), Ctrl+C (copy), and Ctrl+V (paste). When you cut or copy an item, it is temporarily stored in the clipboard. The clipboard usually holds only the last item you cut or copied. You can use these commands with text in applications like Notepad and with files and folders in File Explorer.

File Explorer is the tool you use to manage your files and folders. You can adjust the width of the left-hand navigation pane by dragging the vertical line. By default, File Explorer shows the file type, but it’s helpful to enable file name extensions by going to View > Show > File name extensions. This will display the full file name, including extensions like ‘.exe’, ‘.jpg’, ‘.png’, making it easier to identify file types.

In File Explorer’s options (accessed via the three-dot menu > Options), under the View tab, you can select ‘Expand to open folder’. This setting, when working correctly, should cause the left-hand navigation pane to automatically expand and highlight the folder you are currently viewing, providing a clear visual representation of your location within the file system. However, the source mentions a potential bug where this might not always work as expected after a recent update.

File Explorer offers different views for your files and folders (accessed via the down arrow on the ‘View’ option), including extra large icons, large icons, small icons, list, and details. The details view, which is often preferred, shows the file name, date modified, type, and size. You can sort the files by clicking on these column headers.

The left-hand pane of File Explorer displays the folder structure. You can expand or collapse folders by clicking the arrows next to them. To organize your files, you can create new folders within existing ones by right-clicking in the right-hand pane and selecting ‘New > Folder’ or by clicking ‘New folder’ in the upper left. You can then drag and drop files into these folders to create a logical structure. You can also create new files, like text documents, by right-clicking and selecting ‘New’. The breadcrumb bar at the top of File Explorer shows your current location and allows you to navigate back up the folder hierarchy.

Right-clicking is a context-sensitive action in Windows. The menu that appears depends on what you click on. Experimenting with right-clicking on different elements like files, the taskbar, icons in the system tray, the start button, and the desktop can reveal various options and shortcuts. For example, right-clicking on the desktop allows you to access Display settings and Personalize.

In Display settings (accessed via right-click on the desktop > Display settings), you can adjust the display resolution. On high-resolution monitors, the default resolution might make icons and text appear very small. Lowering the resolution can make everything larger and more accessible. However, it’s advised not to go below a resolution of 768 in the vertical dimension to avoid compatibility issues with some software. Also, be mindful of the aspect ratio when choosing a resolution to avoid black bars on the sides of your screen.

For further visual adjustments, you can change the text size in Windows 11. To do this, search for ‘text size’ in the settings app (Windows key + I, then type ‘text size’) and go to the Accessibility > Text size area. A slider allows you to increase or decrease the text size, with a preview of how it will look. Be cautious not to make the text too large, as it might not fit properly within some application interfaces.

Windows 11 Start Button Functionality

The Start button in Windows 11 is represented by a little Four Square window icon located on the taskbar. Unlike previous versions of Windows where the Start button was always on the far left, in Windows 11, the far left of the taskbar is occupied by the widget area, and the Start button is positioned to its right.

Clicking the Start button reveals several key areas:

• Pinned Apps: This is the default view upon clicking the Start button, displaying a set of applications that have been set into this area for quick access. There can be multiple pages of pinned icons, indicated by little dots at the bottom, allowing you to navigate between these pages.
• Recommended: Below the pinned apps, this section displays recent files and folders that you have opened. It also shows recently installed applications, making them easier to find. For example, if you installed the Chrome browser, its icon would likely appear under “recommended”.
• All Apps: In the top right-hand corner of the Start Menu, there is a button that, when clicked, displays a full list of all installed applications and their icons. Some of these apps may be organized within folders, requiring you to click on the folder to see its contents.
• Alphabetical Navigation: Within the “All Apps” list, you can quickly jump to different parts of the alphabet by clicking on any letter. The letters that have associated content are displayed in a highlighted or bold manner.
• Pinning and Unpinning: You can customize the pinned apps area by right-clicking on any app in the “All Apps” list and selecting “Pin to Start“. Conversely, if an app is already pinned, right-clicking on it in the Start Menu will give you the option to “Unpin from Start“. Newly pinned items generally appear at the bottom of the pinned apps list.

The Start button also provides access to the power options. By clicking the Start button, you will find a little power icon, which, when clicked, presents options to “Shut down“, “Restart“, or “Sleep” your computer. The source recommends shutting down over using sleep to avoid potential issues with the system not fully awakening. Restarting your computer regularly (e.g., daily or at least weekly) is advised to maintain system stability by releasing memory and resources that programs may hold onto.

In summary, the Start button in Windows 11 serves as a central point for accessing installed applications, recent files, and system power options. It offers a customizable view of frequently used apps through the pinning feature and allows for easy navigation through the entire list of installed software.

Windows 11 Taskbar Customization Guide

The Windows 11 taskbar offers several ways to be customized. You can access these customizations by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Taskbar settings”.

Here are the key areas for taskbar customization discussed in the sources:

• Pinning and Unpinning Apps: You can remove default icons from the taskbar that you don’t use by right-clicking on them and selecting “Unpin from taskbar“. Conversely, you can add applications to the taskbar for quick access by clicking on the Start button, finding the desired app in the pinned apps or the “All apps” list, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Pin to taskbar“.
• Managing Hidden Icons (System Tray): On the right side of the taskbar, a small up arrow may be present. Clicking this arrow reveals a hidden area for icons of applications running in the background that don’t need constant visual presence. You can interact with these background apps by clicking on their icons in this hidden menu.
• Taskbar Settings: The “Taskbar settings” menu provides various options to modify the taskbar’s appearance and behavior:
• Search: You can choose to hide the search bar, show only the search icon, or display the full search bar. Even if hidden, the search functionality is still accessible by clicking the Start button and typing in the search bar at the top.
• Co-pilot: There is an option to turn off the Co-pilot (preview) feature.
• Widgets: You can turn off the widgets that appear on the left side of the taskbar if you are not interested in seeing information like weather updates.
• Task View: The Task view button can be turned on or off. When enabled, clicking it shows a list of all currently open windows, allowing you to quickly switch between them.
• Taskbar Alignment: You can change the alignment of the taskbar icons and the Start button. By default, they are centered, but you can choose to align them to the left, which is where the Start button was located in older versions of Windows.
• Combine Taskbar Buttons and Hide Labels: This setting controls how multiple windows from the same application are displayed on the taskbar.
• The default is to “Always, hide labels“, which means multiple instances of an application are grouped under a single icon with a visual cue (like a shadow) indicating multiple windows are open. Hovering over the icon shows previews of the open windows.
• You can change this to “Never“, which will display a separate icon with its label for each open window. This takes up more space on the taskbar but allows you to see immediately which windows are open.
• The “When taskbar is full” option will show individual icons and labels until the taskbar runs out of space, at which point it will start combining them.

In addition to these settings, you can also directly unpin an application from the taskbar by right-clicking on its icon and selecting “Unpin from taskbar”.

Windows 11 File Explorer Management

File Explorer in Windows 11 provides various tools and features for managing your files and folders. Here’s a discussion of File Explorer management based on the information in the sources:

Accessing File Explorer: While not explicitly stated how to open File Explorer, the source demonstrates its usage by navigating to “downloads”, opening different folders, and accessing the “documents” folder. It can generally be accessed via an icon on the taskbar or through the Start Menu.

Navigating the File System:

• File Explorer displays a left-hand pane that shows the folder structure.
• Folders can be expanded or collapsed by clicking the arrows next to them. A downward-pointing arrow indicates an expanded folder.
• Clicking on a folder in the left-hand pane displays its contents in the main right-hand pane.
• The vertical line separating the left and right panes can be dragged to adjust the width and make folder names more readable.
• The source mentions a feature “expand to open folder” which, when enabled in the Folder Options (accessed via the hamburger menu -> Options -> View tab), is intended to automatically expand the folder you are currently in within the left-hand navigation pane, providing a constant visual of your current location in the file system. However, the source notes a potential bug where this might not always function as expected.

Viewing Files and Folders:

• File Explorer offers different ways to view the files and folders within a selected location, accessible via the View tab in the ribbon. These include:
• Extra large icons, Large icons, Small icons.
• List view, which shows only the file names without additional details.
• Details view, which displays the name, date modified, type, and size of the files and folders. This is the preferred view according to the source.

Sorting Files and Folders:

• In Details view, you can sort the displayed items by clicking on any of the column headers (Name, Date modified, Type, Size). Clicking once sorts in ascending order, and clicking again reverses the sort order. This allows you to easily organize files by name, find the most recent files, group files by type, or order them by size.

Showing File Name Extensions:

• By default, Windows may hide file name extensions (e.g., .exe, .jpg, .docx). The source strongly recommends showing file name extensions for better clarity about file types. This can be enabled by going to the View tab, clicking on Show, and selecting “File name extensions“. Once enabled, the full file name, including its extension, will be visible (e.g., “Firefox installer.exe”).

Organizing Files and Folders:

• You can create new folders within any location in File Explorer. To do this, right-click in an empty area in the right-hand pane and select New > Folder. You can then type a name for the new folder. Alternatively, you can click on New in the upper left corner of the File Explorer window and choose Folder.
• You can create a folder structure with main folders and subfolders to better organize your files. Files can be dragged and dropped into these folders from other locations within File Explorer.

Renaming and Deleting Files and Folders:

• To rename a file or folder, you can right-click on it. In Windows 11, a context menu with icons will appear. The icon that looks like a file with a pencil is for Rename. Hovering over the icons will also show their function. In older versions of Windows, selecting “Show more options” in the right-click menu would display the classic menu with the full word “Rename”. After clicking the rename option, you can type the new name and press Enter. The source demonstrates renaming an icon on the desktop, and the same principle applies within File Explorer.
• To delete a file or folder, you can right-click on it and select the delete icon (which looks like a trash can) from the context menu. Again, selecting “Show more options” might show the full word “Delete” in a classic menu. Deleted files and folders are moved to the Recycle Bin.
• You can restore deleted items from the Recycle Bin by opening it (usually found in the top-left corner of the desktop by default), right-clicking on the desired item, and selecting “Restore“.

Cut, Copy, and Paste:

• File Explorer supports the cut, copy, and paste operations for managing files and folders.
• Cut (Ctrl+X or right-click and select the scissors icon or “Cut” under “Show more options”) removes the selected item from its current location and places it on the clipboard.
• Copy (Ctrl+C or right-click and select the two overlapping rectangles icon or “Copy” under “Show more options”) duplicates the selected item and places the copy on the clipboard, while the original remains in its location.
• Paste (Ctrl+V or right-click in the destination location and select the clipboard icon or “Paste” under “Show more options”) inserts the item from the clipboard into the current location.
• The clipboard temporarily holds only the last item that was cut or copied.

These features within File Explorer enable you to effectively navigate, organize, and manage your files and folders in Windows 11.

Windows 11: Cut, Copy, and Paste Essentials

The concepts of cut, copy, and paste are fundamental for managing information within Windows 11, whether it be text, files, or folders. These actions allow you to move or duplicate data between different locations or applications.

How Cut, Copy, and Paste Work:

• Cut: The cut operation (Ctrl+X or right-click and select the scissors icon or “Cut” under “Show more options”) removes the selected item from its original location and places it temporarily on the clipboard. Think of it like physically cutting something out.
• Copy: The copy operation (Ctrl+C or right-click and select the two overlapping rectangles icon or “Copy” under “Show more options”) creates a duplicate of the selected item and places this copy on the clipboard, while the original item remains in its place.
• Paste: The paste operation (Ctrl+V or right-click in the destination location and select the clipboard icon or “Paste” under “Show more options”) inserts the item currently stored on the clipboard into the new location.

The Clipboard:

The clipboard is a temporary storage area in your computer’s memory. When you cut or copy an item, it is stored in the clipboard. By default, the clipboard can hold only one item at a time. If you cut or copy something new, it replaces the previous content of the clipboard. When you paste, you are inserting the last item that was cut or copied.

Using Cut, Copy, and Paste with Text:

The source demonstrates these actions within Notepad, a basic text editor.

1. Select the text you want to cut or copy by clicking and dragging your mouse over it.
2. To cut: Right-click on the selected text and choose cut (or press Ctrl+X). The text will disappear from its original location and be placed on the clipboard.
3. To copy: Right-click on the selected text and choose copy (or press Ctrl+C). The text will remain in its original location, and a copy will be placed on the clipboard.
4. To paste: Position your cursor where you want the text to appear, right-click, and choose paste (or press Ctrl+V). The text from the clipboard will be inserted at the cursor’s location.

Using Cut, Copy, and Paste with Files and Folders:

You can also use these operations to manage files and folders within File Explorer, as discussed in our previous turn.

1. Select the file or folder you want to cut or copy.
2. To cut: Right-click on the selected file or folder and choose the scissors icon (or select “Cut” under “Show more options”). The item will be removed from its current location.
3. To copy: Right-click on the selected file or folder and choose the two overlapping rectangles icon (or select “Copy” under “Show more options”). The original item will remain.
4. Navigate to the destination folder where you want to move or duplicate the item.
5. To paste: Right-click in an empty area within the destination folder and choose the clipboard icon (or select “Paste” under “Show more options”). The cut or copied item will now appear in the destination.

The source emphasizes that the concept of cut, copy, and paste is a fundamental skill in Windows and is consistent across various applications, including text editors, file managers, and even within applications like Microsoft Excel for manipulating cells in a spreadsheet. You can use either the right-click menus or the keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) to perform these actions.

The Original Text

welcome to Windows 11 the first thing you need to do is get oriented so what are you looking at here this bar along the bottom is called the taskbar and on the taskar there are a variety of elements uh the most important of which is this icon right here the little uh Four Square window icon and that is your start button so start button on all other versions of Windows prior to Windows 11 was always on the far left right now the far left is taken up by this little widget area all right but start button right here now when you click on your start button you get a view of a bunch of pinned apps which means uh just things that have been set into the uh default start area here right in front of you when you click on the button and if you’ll notice these two little dots there’s a couple of pages of pinned icons right so you can move between those pages by clicking on the dots or clicking on the little arrow to go to the next one so if you have a lot of pinned items you might have five pages right that kind of thing underneath recommended you’re going to see uh recent files and folders that you’ve opened right this is a new installation here so nothing’s been opened uh there’s just the get started welcome to Windows thing but uh recent files and folders and if you’ve recently installed something uh generally the icon will show up here so if you installed the Chrome browser for example you would see the Chrome uh browser icon under recommended that makes it easier to find uh you know what you’ve recently taken action on all right now if you want to see all your apps you have to go to this little button right here in the top right hand corner and when you click there you get the full list of installed apps and all their little icons now some of them like here for example you have little yellow folder symbol uh it you actually have to click on the folder and then you get uh the full set of icons in that folder right so a lot of them aren’t in folders uh but some of them are right and uh things that you should know about these little icons are that if you’re trying to search for something that’s you know way down in a further letter you don’t want to scroll scroll scroll right you can uh click on any of the letters you know here we click on G for example and it’ll show you a highlighted map of which letters have uh content right so anything in the Bold like our for example here brings us back to that folder that uh we looked at earlier uh so again any letter and you can jump anywhere in the alphabet and you know get more quickly to what you want to see the other thing is that if you have something that you uh like to run into or open up a lot uh you can right click on it and say pin to start or if it’s already in start uh unpin from start so what that means of course is that when we click on start here that was paint right so here we already have uh the paint icon but if it was out say if I unpin it here and then I go back into all apps and then click on any letter go to P there’s our paint rightclick I can pin to start and then it will show back up but generally at the bottom yeah it it’ll become the last item all right so that’s a quick view of this area for getting into programs and you just click once on any of these icons to open that actual program or app they call the maps these days uh which is different from the desktop over here if you wanted to open Firefox Firefox from the desktop you’d have to double click so double click on it from the desktop single click from start and single click when you’re looking at uh clicking on an icon in the taskbar right A lot of people get confused about that and say they’ll click twice here on Microsoft Edge and actually open two copies of it right so because they’re used to you know in older versions of Windows almost everything was double clicked open right so a lot of things now are single click so try and keep that in mind uh and that’s almost certainly what’s happening if you open two things at once when you meant to open one you’re double clicking when you should have single clicked now also in your start button is your power button so uh that’s pretty critical to know a lot of people can’t figure out immediately how to shut down their system right so when you’re done with Windows for the day you can click on the start button click on this little power icon and then click shut down I recommend shutting down over sleep uh you know generally speaking because Microsoft has never seemed to get sleep right in terms of uh you know I do it stuff right so I often have people call me up and say this isn’t working that’s not working and what’s happened is their computer’s gone to sleep but when it’s uh awakened not all of it has awakened so their say their network card didn’t wake up properly and now they can’t get online until they restart their computer computer and everything gets refreshed so and that’s another thing that you should know okay so you’ve got your little power button you know aside from shutting down restarting is often uh something that you should do particularly if you if you like to leave your computer on all the time which is something that I tend to do myself uh but you shouldn’t let a computer run say for 30 days without restarting it because what happens is programs take up pits of memory and resources and they don’t always release them and then your computer has less and less and less to work with and it’s kind of like uh you know going crazy you your your mind is getting smaller and smaller until the system starts acting really weird and uh the cure for that so often just restart your computer so I tend to restart mine at least once a day just you know as I’m leaving for lunch or something just hit the restart and then so by the time I come back it’s all up and ready to go again of course uh you don’t have to every single day I’m not saying that it’s a hard and fast rule if you’ve got a lot of things open and you you know restarting would interrupt your workflow you know let it ride but don’t let it go for more than a week uh if you want uh to keep things stable all right so that is the start button um these other icons on the taskbar here are the default ones at least for my uh region here and you can you can change these and clean these up right so for example I don’t use the Microsoft store uh very often so I would rightclick and say unpin from taskbar right and uh I don’t use Microsoft teams much so I would right click and say unpin from taskbar but if we wanted to put something on the taskbar we could click on start and see a lot of people like uh to play solitire and that would be something they’d want down there so we could rightclick and we can say pin to taskar so so just as you can pin things into the start area you can pin and unpin things from the taskbar itself so uh moving on down the line into the right hand side of the taskbar uh first thing we come across is this little up Arrow here if you click on that and you may not have one depending on how many icons you have at play but uh what this is is like an area where they hide icons that are just for things that are just running in the background that don’t necessarily always need to be visually in front of you but need to be available so for example this here is Windows security which is the built-in antivirus for Microsoft Windows so I can click on that little up arrow click on that icon and then it brings me my security add glance here right so I can expand that and uh when you have these little triangles with the exclamation point here it’s it’s giving you uh hints warnings advice that kind of thing so uh you know you can read the notices and see whether you want to act on that right I won’t go into all of the details of the security right now but what I would say is generally speaking you don’t really need to buy something like Norton Antivirus or maffy or what have you uh you know they do have the built-in Antivirus for Windows and generally speaking it it’s pretty good it’s not the best out there but uh in some ways it is just because uh you know say for example maafi is just going to keep trying to sell you more and more and more security it’s like uh you know if You’ got a a club and you need a bouncer at the door you know one bouncer is going to generally be fine right you don’t need seven bouncers they’re just going to block the door and slow things down and maybe scare away customers right so uh if that analogy works for you I don’t know but it’s kind of how I feel about you know third party companies coming in and and trying to oversell security to you right so now things that aren’t in this little hidden menu are the more visible icons that we see to the left of the uh time and here so uh one of these is Microsoft One Drive which is uh kind of like a cloud offering for sharing files and between your different systems so say if you have a laptop and you have a desktop and you have your one Drive account so you can use one drive to synchronize your documents and pictures and music and stuff between those two computers so there’s there there’s uh everything’s going to be save to the cloud and then whenever you change something it gets updated in the cloud and when you whenever you go to the other computer and turn it on it’s going to download all the changes so so that if you’re working on a book for example on your desktop you know you’ve gotten up to chapter 3 you go over to your laptop you turn it on it synchronizes you’ve got chapter 3 on your laptop without having to run around with you know a USB stick or a CD or whatever so uh you know that that’s that thing and here is our little language area so you know I’m in Canada uh the default language for PCs is the US and so I have those two languages you may have more but uh this is how You’ switch uh with your mes between languages right and then we have our little Network icon which tells us uh you know whether we’re online or offline or whatever this is a wired network uh you may have a wireless bit there but when you when you click on that you see how these two both these icons get highlighted when I click so the next one over is volume right uh so whether I click on volume or network I get this little uh area here that pops up and you know I can I can change my um volume by using this slider here and then uh you know depending on uh what kind of network you’re on if it if there if this was a Wi-Fi network for example it might have airplane mode you know or this kind of thing going on and you can change other things here like accessibility settings and you know whether you want your screen to uh I think it could cut back on Blue Light the Night Light thing right uh so that uh it doesn’t interfere with your sleep as things go later in the day you can change the way the light comes off your monitor and and make things healthier for you that kind of thing so so this is it’s kind of like another widget area you know uh but more technical than the one on the left hand side here and of course here we have our time and date and right next to that we have a little notification area that little bell here right now uh do not disturb is on um but you know if if that was on we might see a few notifications from Windows about things that have been happen happening recently Etc and notifications do pop up just like this in the lower right hand corner so if the system has something to say to you generally speaking uh something will pop up in the lower right but be careful because uh people can also get uh notifications from websites and other third parties uh generally through uh giving them permission when you’re using your browser and uh those third part parties often try to imitate your system and you know for example pretend that you’ve got a virus and that you have to take action right away and basically I’m saying be wary of scams and stuff right so so be careful uh what you click on and what you react to and you know I guess generally speaking the way scams tend to work is that uh they they give such a sense of urgency like you have to act now without thinking right and usually your system won’t treat you quite that roughly so so that’s one way to kind of tell the difference between the two so uh you know that’s a quick overview of the taskbar above the taskbar is what we just generally call the desktop right and uh this is the picture here is your desktop wallpaper right which can be changed and then of course you have all your icons on your desktop for uh different software and utilties and stuff and this whole list can change and if you’ve been working on your computer for a while it basically fill up your whole screen with these kinds of things so you get files and folders and and icons to programs and stuff so uh now if you want to do some uh tweaking of your taskbar you can right click on it and click on taskbar settings all right and the first area here let’s expand this can maximize it with that middle button so so we can quickly go over that so every window in Windows generally speaking uh there there’s going to be a few exceptions where you only see the X right but uh you’re going to have the X here which will close the window you’re going to have this icon which you can use to maximize or restore right and then you see if you hover over it you get these uh little options so if I wanted to put it on the right hand side of the screen we can do that right or um if uh you know we wanted top right corner like so all right and uh but if you just click on it once you’re going to get the maximize right which is what we were after in the first place and the one here this is just minimize so if you click on the little dashed line there it’ll shrink down just to the tab bar and you see that it has this little dott under it showing that it’s it’s running right it’s it’s open but not visible so we can click back on that to uh restore it to whatever size it was before it was minimized so anyway this is the settings for the taskbar and you can actually turn things off like so if you don’t use your search you can turn that off you can say you know hide search and it’ll disappear or if you don’t want it to be so big you can put search icon only and then you you’d have to click on the icon before you put in any search um one thing I would just tell you is that if you hide it uh you save all that space and you still have that search functionality if you click on start and you click up on the the search bar at the top you’re going to get the the same kind of uh functionality right so not necessarily necessary but uh you know we’ll put it back to the default so that things look familiar now co-pilot is is something that’s in preview uh I would just turn that off for the moment um myself because um you know I I generally don’t like to play with things that are in beta mode right um and we have other things that we can turn off like we could turn off the widgets in the left if you’re not interested in and seeing the weather and the you know currency conversion rates and stuff showing up on your computer Compu all the time and uh also there’s this little um task view button here that we can turn on and off and I’ll show you what that is so save right now we have the taskbar settings open and if I open say file explorer here now we have two different windows open if I click on task view then it shows me a list of all the windows that are open so if I had 12 things open I’d have 12 little squares here and then you can you see the little preview and then you can quickly switch between them right so I’ve pulled up my file explorer if I go back to task view here and click on settings then I bring settings to the front right so uh we’ll close file explorer here for the moment so so if you use that you could leave it on again if you don’t save a bit of room and turn it off all right and uh another thing that a lot of people really appreciate because they’re used to older versions of Windows is you know uh hide your widgets right and then come down to the bottom here where it says taskbar behaviors right and click the little arrow pointing down there and then it has taskar alignment and you can choose to place the start button back on the left where your brain expects it to be right and another thing that I would say is very useful here where it says combine taskbar buttons and hide labels right so generally by default it’s on to always do that and and what that means is that say here again if we open File Explorer I can open another File Explorer by uh right clicking and clicking on file explorer again and then I say I can do that a third time and you see we still only have the one icon although it has that little uh shadow of or visible edge of something behind it to show that there are some stacked and if you want to move between the three uh windows that you have open if you hover over that icon you see the three different uh panels that you you can just choose between them now so if you know let’s go to the desktop here and this one was on let’s go to music here and let let’s put this one to pictures right so we’re in these three different folders now if we go if we go back to our settings and we switch this to uh never for example now instead of that layered File Explorer icon which visually doesn’t give you a lot of information now it actually shows me that I’m in pictures music and desktop takes a bit more room on your taskbar but you can actually see immediately what it is and then you can just go up I want to go back to my desktop I want to go back to my pictures I want to go back to my music so that’s why I would say uh you know if you follow my personal preference either choose never or uh when taskbar is full which would mean that it’ll it’ll show you the bigger bits until you fill up the taskbar and then it’ll start layering things all right so um you know your choice I’m going to stick it back on the default uh for the the moment but uh you know if it was my system I would put put it on never right let’s close these guys off now so that’s an overview of the the uh basic visuals right now if we wanted to delete an icon or rename an icon on the desktop we would rightclick and we get this menu here and this is different than earlier versions of Windows where say uh if we had uh right clicked well actually what we would see I can show you what we would normally see if I click on show more options now I’m going to get that classic uh rightclick menu uh where I have you know rename for example is spelled out for us right but now in Windows 11 if I rightclick I get this little icon for renaming right so a lot of the basic most common functions the the the the full typed name has been replaced by these little things so here’s if you hover over it shows you what it is here’s cut right copy rename share and delete right so if I wanted to just take the x64 off of Reaper here I could delete that and hit enter it wants admin permission I’m going to say go ahead and continue so I’ve renamed that icon I can also right click cck and delete it right and then a handy thing to know is that if you delete something it’s going to go into your recycle bin right so we open up the recycle bin which by default is going to be tucked away here in the top leftand corner of your desktop we can find the file in the recycle bin right click on it and click on restore it wants to confirm that we click on continue and and there it is back on our desktop now one of the most common things that you’re going to want to do on your windows 11 PC is Jump onto the internet and to do so in the normal case you’re going to use Microsoft Edge which we have down here on the taskbar you can install Firefox or Chrome or any other browser but uh you know if you’re new to Windows you probably haven’t done that and you’re going to need to start with Microsoft Edge now the warning is is that the first time that you open Microsoft Edge Microsoft is going to hit you with a number of questions and offers and it’s going to be quite confusing just to get to the point where you’re actually online and can do something so let me walk you through that process here so we’re going to click on edge and this is the first time it’s sprun so you know welcome to Microsoft Edge and it’s going to ask you if you want to sign in to sync data right so syncing data is a kind of an advanced thing where if you have a desktop and a laptop you work computer you can sign in with your the same Microsoft account and your your settings like your favorites and you know your your site history search history that kind of thing will be synchronized across the computer so so that your experience on each computer is uh standardized and very similar right but you know we’re beginners here so we’re going to say start without your data right now it’s going to ask you know you always want to have access to your recent browsing data right typically I like to say no to most of these offers so you know the less tracking that Microsoft does or that any third party does uh you know the less your computer has to do and the less there is to go wrong and the less other people know about every little thing that you’re doing of course so I’m going to say don’t allow and confirm and continue right and then here they’re offering to import data from elsewhere again you know let’s forego the data synchronization stuff say continue without this data and then uh Microsoft wants to track everything you do so that they can see you know how you work and how other people work and then based on that information ostensibly you know make their offerings more useful and targeted to their customers again let’s reduce the complexity and the flow of data going to say don’t allow and say confirm and start browsing so you think that means start browsing but not quite yet right so here we have uh they’re offering different themes right so you know there’s different colors Etc if you’re into having you know public G browser or whatever go ahead and click on one of those but um basically I would just click finish here now we’re actually on the web all right so the the default uh homepage is uh the Microsoft Bing uh homepage right uh here they’re asking questions you can close these little popups in the right hand bottom right hand corner can be quite annoying anyway so here we go we’re online if you want to go to a particular website like for example if you want uh instead of searching the web with Bing if you want to go to Google you can click in the address bar at the top here and type in google.com or whichever oneca whichever you use and you get to that site they have their own offerings right so we can say stay signed out right there’s there’s different tabs right so here’s here’s another tab uh which is just a welcome to Microsoft Edge tab that automatically opened right we can close that by hitting the little X but if we wanted to open our own extra tab there’s there’s a little plus sign right here we can open that up and we have a whole new page so say if I went to Google on both tabs and here on this tab you know we can search for pigs and on this tab we can search for ducks all right you don’t stay signed out there ah sport Ducks I was thinking the animal but there you go so then you can move between the two tabs you can even reorder the tabs you know drag one over and and put them in order so in this way uh if you’re doing a bit of research on something and you know for example you’re looking at real estate you can open several tabs and and kind of keep track of the properties you’re interested in ETC so uh one thing also to know is that you know instead of doing a search and going through the whole trying to find a page once you open a new tab uh when you are on a tab say if we’re looking at uh the links here and you say okay well the Wikipedia article would be interesting you can right click and say open link in new tab and it’ll open in a new tab right next to the one that you’re on right and then you can keep going down and go oh National Geographic Kids has something right right click opening a new tab so now we have you know these two articles on pigs that we can refer to and of course you can you can just keep going and have a whole bunch of tabs open and uh you know be able to move freely between them all right and uh the other thing to know about Edge that would be most significant I would say is that this these three little dots here is the menu for all kinds of things right and that’s standard on Windows these days and even on the web you’ll probably have noticed that these little uh uh three dot I think they call them hamburger menus but anyway uh those are the menus that get you into all the extra functionality right so for example if we click on those dots and we click on settings we get a whole area here where we can tweak things so for example Edge has this sidebar here which uh you may just find distracting as a beginner so you could click on sidebar here and just say uncheck always show sidebar right and then voila it disappears right and say if we want to go to a particular setting we can say type in Search and it will give us the different elements that are relevant to search right and if we look for our default say address bar and search right down here near the bottom if we click on that we can say which search engines we want to use by default when we search from the address bar so right now of course on a Microsoft system it’s Microsoft Bing but we could switch that to Google right and now if we go and we just go to the address bar and we type in save horses we get a Google result right so it’s a quick way to uh enable your favorite default search engine speaking of settings if you want to jump into the settings area for Windows 11 itself right click on the start button and then click on settings right we can maximize that right we have all these different categories where we can jump in and tweak things right so for example Windows update if you click on that you can click on check for updates and windows will you know reach out to Microsoft and see what updates for Windows there happen to be uh there’s some Advanced options for that if we clicked on that uh we can click on this is usually off by default I tend to turn it on receive updates for other Microsoft products like Microsoft Office or whatever and uh also I like to be notified whenever restart is required that’s usually off I turn that on all right and uh and here’s an interesting area so uh you know if you noticed when we were on just the plain Windows update thing just says you’re up to date right but if when we go into advanced options we go down to optional updates there’s two available all right so if we click on that we get these different categories driver updates and other updates under driver updates we have a display update for this system and other under other updates we have a Net Framework update right so if you find that your system is uh acting a little unstable or if you just like to know that everything is as up to date as it can be you can pop into this area select those updates and click download and install right and once you click on that it’ll bring you back to the main Windows update uh area and you’ll see that the updates are downloading now generally speaking when uh updates are running you can go ahead and do other things you know we could close this off and just do other things well updates are running and eventually you’ll get a notification in the bottom right saying that the computer would like to restart you don’t have to restart right away uh you know if you’re writing out something a letter an email or you know reviewing do something online uh you could wait but uh ultimately you’ll want to restart to finish the update uh you saw the screen go black there that’s because one of the updates was for the display and it’s not unusual for the display to uh jump around while the video uh display driver is being updated so now those updates are complete and we can look around at some of the other offerings here uh one you might want to jump into right away if you like things to look the way you like them to look is personalization right and here is where you can change background and colors and themes Etc so if we click on background you know we have the default Windows 11 swirly here is is uh what we’ve been looking at so far uh this is a relatively nice one uh I minimize this to show you what that looks like one of the reasons I like this one is that uh it’s it’s mostly dark and the icons on the desktop that show up with their names nice and cleanly against that darker background all right uh this one looks fairly interesting as well uh it looks like colorful potato chips to me anyway so um let’s just switch back to what we’ve been looking at so that’s with the picture background but you could also just choose a solid color for for example right so uh black is the default choice for that uh which would just give us uh a nice clean black screen with that high contrast uh for icons and stuff if I don’t have a picture this is the color I would prefer on my system right and uh other than that uh it’s a bit more advanced I won’t get into it right now but you can set up a slideshow or you can uh let Microsoft put things all over your desktop by choosing Windows Spotlight all right but we’ll go back and just put it back to picture and the other thing that you should know about when you have a picture as a background is you’ve got these fill options right uh how it’s going to I should say fit options the option chosen here is fill but uh if you’re going to fill the screen then there’s going to be no uh no edges visible like like if the aspect ratio is different than your monitor uh you know whichever side needs to stretch out to fill the screen is going to stretch out and then some of the image might be cropped up if you choose fit then the whole image will fit but then you might have uh you know black or other colored bars on either side or on the top and bottom because of the different aspect ratio for the image uh versus the Monitor uh then we have stretch which would uh just stretch the image to exactly fit your monitor uh but could distort it if the aspect ratio is off uh there’s also tile so say if you had a small square image of uh you know whatever a cookie and you had uh it could tile you know so many times across and so many times up and down you’d have so many cookies right and of course we have Center which is just put it in the center of your screen at its natural size so if it’s a tiny picture you would have a tiny picture in the center of the screen if it was a huge picture of uh like a dartboard and you know you might only see the bullseye on the dartboard all right and uh we have span which I’m not sure how that differs from the others but you could always click on it and find out if you’re playing with a picture of your own on the desktop and then we also have uh different themes now here we have what they call contrast themes right and these are for those who are visually impaired or just prefer things to be uh very Stark so you know if we if we click on one of these choose one of these here’s the samples here if we choose one of these from the drop-down say Aquatic and we choose apply then you get immediately a view of how that’s going to look uh on your system right and this desert is the next one here right there’s another option we have dusk we have night sky and of course we can switch it back to none all right so uh those are what we would call accessibility themes generally speaking and then under related settings here we have themes which is uh a of more uh usual themes not so high contrast and uh I won’t preview all of those but uh there’s a bunch on offer here and you can also click on browse themes to get an even larger list now that was the new windows 11 settings area if you’re used to the old windows settings area which is the control panel that is still available so you can click on the start button but and type in the word control and you’ll see the control panel come up as an offering if you click on that your control panel will pop up and we can maximize that I like to switch from category view to the small icon view right and then in here you can play with all kinds of things right so uh one thing that I like to do on every new system is click on Mouse right and then here under double click speed I pull that all the way to the left so that it’s slow because the issue there is that uh when it’s in the middle you have to click so fast to get you know this is where you can test your double clicking is open it close it right uh you have to click so fast that uh well some people simply can’t do it right so they’ll they’ll be clicking and clicking and trying to open something like on the desktop you have to double click on an icon to open a program and uh it just won’t it won’t work for them you know nine times out of 10 or whatever but if I pull that all the way to the left suddenly you know they can click click make a double click at that speed and it will work all right so fairly important U even if you don’t need it to be uh slower if you ever share your computer it’ll reduce frustration for somebody else I’m sure so uh the other bit in here is pointers uh for the mouse and you can see the size note the size of the little arrow here that I’ve been using the default size uh if we click on the drop down here I like to go down to Windows standard extra large right and then you see uh here a preview of what that’s going to give us and then this one that we’ve been using so it’s twice as big right so I can click apply and then now I have that nice large cursor or arrow and if we go to pointer options right uh we have the pointer speed that we can adjust um generally I don’t find that that needs adjusting but uh sometimes on certain systems with certain mice you know every time you move your mouse a little bit it seems to fly across the screen right if that’s happening to you you can pull that uh to the left generally I wouldn’t pull it all the way to the left because uh you know if we click apply here uh things start to go way too slow right um but uh you know adjust to your taste usually just one tick at a time uh until you fine-tune it uh the way that you want another uh nice option is to click on show location of pointer when I press the control key so uh basically that means that when you press the control key you’ll get this little blip these circles that’ll show you where your mouse is so if you have trouble finding your mouse sometimes on your screen just hit the control key and then you’ll see immediately where it has gone right um other things here I don’t tend to tweak but uh if you use the wheel on your mouse to scroll through things you can adjust how many lines it Scrolls at a time right if you find that it moves too fast you could lower that if you want it to move faster of course you could uh increase that number right and then we click okay and we have our new mouse cursor right and of course here in the uh control panel there’s all kinds of other useful options one is power options right so if we jump in there uh you know there’s generally different Power plans on your system that you can choose m’s on high performance uh at the moment if you want to tweak that or see what the settings actually are you can click on change plan settings and uh you know a typical setting here might be you know to turn off the display every 15 minutes and on high performance to never put the computer to sleep but if if you have a power saving mode it might be uh you know 20 minutes or whatever that it’s going to put the computer to sleep you don’t necessarily want that to happen if uh every time you step away you got to come back and log in and do the whole thing right so uh if you’re like me I like to have uh both of these at never and if if you know I want to save power or whatever I can put my computer to sleep and I can turn off my monitor right so you would hit save changes to save that and if you’re on a laptop you would you would see more options because there’s going to be a battery options versus um you know your plugged-in options and you can you can tweak each of those accordingly on on battery I would recommend uh having your computer go to sleep after a certain time just to conserve the battery and to keep the system from uh just running out of juice and and turning off suddenly uh without because it has no more power uh which is more dangerous and can corrupt your system all right and we can go up at the top here to the breadcrumb back to all control panel items and uh another feature I would point out to you uh right now is programs and features so if we click on that uh it’s going to show us a list of all the programs that are installed on the system now uh that that’s a bit deceptive it’s not all of them it’s all of the standard uh style programs uh that we would traditionally think of as a program uh that’s been set up on a on a system but now there’s a sort of a distinction between programs which are listed here in apps which are things that are uh just access differently by the computer and and you might see under here so for example photos here you know I could rightclick and uninstall photos here from you know the start area but photos is not listed here in in the in the program list right so say if you installed uh Norton Antivirus uh which by the way I don’t recommend Norton Antivirus so you know uh I would I would rather see you use uh something else but um as I mentioned earlier just use the Microsoft One the free one but uh that would be in this list right that’s not an app it’s actually you know full-fledged software so you may need to manage software from here and you may need to manage apps from the start menu all right and we go back to all control panel items uh other bits that would be useful to know devices and printers all right that actually brings you now into the standard settings and then you can see your printers and scanners list uh right now I don’t have any physical devices but we have the Microsoft print to PDF printer there and uh what else would be interesting here you can you know tweak your sound settings uh you can look at your system information right see what kind of computer you have what kind of processor Etc so you have access to that area quickly from here yeah and one more thing would be the date and time um often that’s wrong when you get a new computer and you’re sitting in front of it the time Zone’s wrong or the or the just the time your right time zone but the time is off by a few minutes so you can jump in here and click on change date and time you know tweak the date make sure the the years right right you know you can you can go month by month Etc here and then uh you know go into whichever uh area hour minute second right and you can use the up and down bits to to change the time or or minutes Etc and uh you can also type it in right so you can just type in the number right just cancel that because it’s correct on this system and also you can change your time zone right so um I often find that computers come set up for the wrong time zone so just choose your correct time zone from the drop- down list in fact you may want to do that first change your time zone because that if your if your time is off by you know 3 hours or whatever changing your time zone may just put it right where it needs to be uh otherwise if you’re if you’re messing with this first and then you change your time zone you’re going to have to go back and mess with this again if you know what I mean anyway we can click okay there and that’s a preview of the control panel now an important concept to understand in Windows is cut copy and paste now you can do that with text but you can also do that with files and and folders and other things so uh let me show you what I mean by that so we’re going to click on start and I’m going to type in note and so I can get notepad coming up right and uh notepad is basically a little text editor right very just text there’s no formatting or anything you can’t make things bold or Center them or whatever uh you would use wordpad for that um as a default little app on Windows but I just want to show you some things here so uh this is a sentence this is a note this is the oops and there we go okay so uh you can select things by clicking you hold down your mouse and draging right so I have selected this whole sentence now if I want to move that sentence I can rightclick and I can say cut all right and then I place my cursor wherever I want the sentence to now appear I rightclick and I choose paste so I cut it and I’ve pasted it so those words are are literally from pre-computer days when you would cut something out of a page and paste it onto another page if you’re moving paragraphs or sentences around right so uh now there’s also copy and paste right so if I select this sentence here right click and instead of choosing cut I choose copy then I can place my cursor where I want it right click and paste and now I get a copy of it right so the way that this works is that there’s there’s something called the clipboard there a little area of memory when you when you cut something it goes into the clipboard and it’s removed from where it initially was when you copy something it’s put into the clipboard but it stays where it originally was right so now it’s in the clipboard the clipboard uh unless you get a clipboard utility uh is is by default it’s just going to hold one item right so if I copy one thing and then I copy another the another thing is in the clipboard not the first thing right so so when I paste I’m only going to get the last thing that I cut or I copied right so uh keep that in mind right and uh that’s just with text right so we can close that off there and I can show you that this is also possible to do with files so if I go into downloads here I have a list of files I’m going to right click on name at the top and choose size all columns to fit so we can see all the full file names and essentially we can rightclick on a file and uh it’s a little bit different here in terms of uh the rightclick menu that comes up uh different than a notepad right so uh we have little icons for cut and copy as opposed to the words now on older versions of Windows if I click on show more options uh we had cut and copy as menu full menu items not tiny little icons uh but you know they’ve changed the default here so we’re going to rightclick and if I say cut for Chrome setup here and then if I go to my desktop on the left here so here’s my desktop if I right click and now the icon is paste right another little icon to look at you can click on that and you see that that file has been pasted into uh or onto the desktop all right so on the desktop I can right click and I can click on copy right and then say if I go to documents I can rightclick I can choose paste again and now I have a copy of chrome both on the desktop and in documents so you can do that with documents and folders as well uh and you know if you’re in like say Microsoft Excel doing a spreadsheet uh you can copy and paste or cut and paste uh cells in the in the spreadsheet right so the whole idea of cut copy and paste uh Works across all kinds of Vari of Windows and it’s an important skill to have now I’ve been right clicking to uh do the cutting copying and pasting but the default keys for uh those commands are it’s control X for cut so that means hold down your control key and you can you can just keep your finger on it right uh you keep your finger on it for 30 seconds if you like it’s not that’s the timing there isn’t critical the the the critical thing is well you have your finger on that then you tap the X like just like you would be you’re going to type in the letter X in in a letter just hold down the control key tap the X and then let go with the control key all right um so you don’t have to try and hit them both at the same time is what I’m I’m trying to say some people get that impression and and of course it doesn’t always work out and they end up hitting the X before the control and well that doesn’t work so well so hold down the control key tap the X let go of the control key that’s cut right so similar uh copy is contrl c for copy and then uh pasting is contrl V right so uh you know for example if I have now I’ve got my Chrome setup selected in documents I’m going to press controll X right and then if I go over to pictures here and I click on the right so that that’s the active window I go control+ V and then I get my Chrome setup has moved from documents to pictures right and then you know I can rightclick on that and one of the little icons is delete I can delete that and then I can also delete it from my desktop right so uh let’s have another look at the downloads here maximize this and just show you a few things about file explorer right so this is the default view here uh few things you should know is that uh if things aren’t fully readable on the left hand side this vertical line here is movable so if you hover over it in just the right spot you get this little Double Arrow you can click and you can drag to give yourself more or less room all right and then uh another thing is is that we have all of these uh files and it tells us under type what type of file it is right but um what I like to do is click on view View and then go to show and then choose or select file name extensions right and then uh instead of it just saying Firefox installer here now it says Firefox installer.exe right so that’s an executable file I don’t have to look over here to figure out what type of file it is I can see immediately by the extension and this works great for uh pictures so you’ve got a a bunch of pictures in your uh pictures folder and some of them are jpegs some of them are gifts you know some of them are pings so you got you know your jpg extension your GF and your PNG extension um you know a lot of times those things don’t matter but sometimes they really do right uh you know if you’re creating a web page and you want you know a certain kind of optimized image or whatever you know it’s important to know what the extension is so I like to turn that on another thing that I like to turn on uh is uh we go into the little hamburger menu here and we go to options right and click on The View tab if we scroll down to the bottom here I choose expand to open folder right so let me drag the by the way when you click on the title bar of of a window and drag you can move the window around all right so uh I’ve CHS an expand to open folder click okay right and then now when I’m in uh different folders it’s going to expand on the on this edge here on this left side here to show me that folder so right now I’m I’m on edge here if I double click on application to enter this folder it’s going to expand and show me that folder that I’m in so so you’ll always have a a direct visual view of where you are in the structure of your file system um on the leftand side it’ll follow your your movements on the right otherwise uh all of this would have just stayed you know tightly closed like this you’d be you know all the way down here but you wouldn’t have any view of where you were and uh it it’s often the case that when you’re when you’re in one folder then you’re um needing to see and interact with other folders so for example if I wanted to pull this file just up one level then I can see that level immediately here so uh that I find very useful and uh there’s different views here right so if you click on the little uh down arrow on the right there you know we’ve got our extra large icons all right your large icon view your small icon view all right and we got a list view which is just the file name and no no additional information right and then the one I tend to like is the details view here so that gives you the name the date modified the type and the size right and you can you can click on any of these headings to sort by that bit right so now I’ve got them sorted by size largest to smallest if I click again it’ll reverse the sort so it goes smallest to largest now I can sort by type so if you if you got various types of files in a folder and you know you’re looking specifically for a PDF it’ll put all the PDFs together and you’ll have uh you know fewer files to search through you can ignore all the non- PDFs right you can sort by date if you want to see uh what’s the most recent or what are the oldest files uh or or just looking for something in a particular date range makes it much easier to to find and then of course the uh the default sorting is by name and you can have that go um you know up the alphabet or down so another thing to know uh is that you know let let’s just stretch this out a little bit here further so on on the left here you see see this the structure and there’s the little arrows right so when the arrow is pointing down that means that that folder is expanded right if I click that down arrow it collapses the folder right if I want to expand say here the common files folder I click on that and then it shows me the files immediately uh or the folders I should say immediately um below uh there could be files but the files will never be listed on this side um this is just the folder structure right so and you can keep expanding right uh to get deeper and deeper into the folder structure uh so so that that’s how you kind of walk through it right and um another thing you should know is let’s go into documents here for example so you’ve got your documents folder you’re creating documents by default if you’re using Microsoft Word or something similar uh your documents are going to be saved in this folder right but uh you know once you get to a few hundred files uh it can get confusing just trying to find one or make sense of it all so uh the thing is to create your own folder structure right the the computer comes with a bunch of folders but you know you’re going to want to make your own so in that case we’re in documents make sure you’ve clicked on the right somewhere in the white space on the right hand side right right and then you can click on new up here in the upper left and choose folder right and then here you can say uh you know different categories right uh you know click again in the Whit space new folder right and then new folder right and then you can drag and drop your files into those folders um from from anywhere right if you have uh if you have this area expanded on the left hand side you can go into another folder and drag them from that folder into these ones right so and of course you can keep you can keep going and doing subfolders right uh and if you don’t want to click new there you can rightclick and say new folder right from in this area right and then you know right click new folder right and and so on so now we have right your uh documents repairs laundry and in this breadcrumb there’s there’s so many ways to move around here right so you you can click the little arrow between repairs and laundry and it’ll show you uh the other options right so we can click on kitchen there for example and uh now we’re in the other folder there are even some options for creating some file types when you right click so you can right click and say new text document right and then you could create a document you know relevant to your current uh folder topic right and uh even here we have similar choices in the upper left corner now I’m not sure why it’s not actually expanding here on the left the way it normally would let’s just try closing and reopening file explorer here we go into documents repairs oh it maximize it kitchen H for some reason this system is a little bit buggy yeah so I just paused recording and checked on why this might be happening and a recent update to Windows 11 has uh introduced this strange little bug so um I would I would still turn on expand to folders but it won’t necessarily always work until Microsoft fix it it uh where we should see ourselves right if we’re in documents repairs kitchen is uh you know under Drive C we got users right and uh you know under under users you’ve got different usernames depending on how your system is set up if you click on your start button you can see what your actual username is in this case someone else right so uh we click on that folder and then if we go into documents right and we’ve got repairs kitchen that’s what should have expanded right on the left hand side and for some reason won’t do it today but maybe tomorrow so I just mentioned a a little bit about right clicking so the thing about right clicking is that it’s context sensitive so it depends on what you’re clicking on uh will it depends what your menu you’re going to get right so for example if I right click on this file on the desktop you know I get these particular choices right if I right click on the taskbar I get these particular choices you know if I right click on the one drive icon here in uh the system tray you know I get a whole other uh bunch of options right for example I can quit one drive and uh right clicking which we’ve already done on the start button gives us a bunch of uh options quick access to Common tasks in Windows right so um just keep in mind that if you’re not sure what to do in Windows just try right clicking wherever you are so here I’ve right clicked on the desktop you know I could go into display settings or personalize and tweak things there um in fact let’s jump into display settings because I will show you something that uh will help a lot of you if you have a monitor uh high resolution monitor on a new computer uh the icons are going to seem uh very small con compared to you know older uh let’s call uh classic monitors right and uh that that might be too small for your comfort right so you can click on display resolution here and choose a different resolution now the higher the highest number it tends to be the uh recommended resolution for your monitor and usually that’s going to be your default right but uh if you choose some smaller numbers uh you may find that uh everything just looks uh you know that much bigger and more visually accessible for you so a couple of notes about that um don’t choose any numbers below uh 7 68 uh just because anything smaller than that uh a lot of software just won’t fit right so you’ll open up a window it’ll have a bunch of settings and everything there’ll be a save button at the bottom but because the window is taller than your 768 uh you can’t even see the save button you can’t click on it you don’t know it’s there and you’re stuck right so that would be the very lowest uh that you would want to go and um otherwise the other thing to look out for is the aspect ratio right so if you have a a very uh say a widescreen monitor um you you don’t want uh the number pairings that are more square right because then you’re going to have uh you know those black bars on the left and right hand side of your monitor uh where you know your your monitor is just not being used so um play around with the different settings and find one where the icon look a good size but the uh background of your desktop fits completely on the monitor all right um and other than that I think I can show you how to change the text size on your system which is also something that can help for visuals so to do that let’s start from scratch here we’re going to close that window there we’re going to right click then click on settings right click on the start button of course and then in the uh find a setting area here just type in the word text and you’ll see text size all right click on that it’ll bring you to the accessibility Tex size area and there’s a little slider here right this is a preview of how things are so this is the default a on this computer and we can pull that uh until things get uh very large right so um now a warning would be if you make them if you pull it all the way to the right uh you’ll find that on in some software the text is so big it no longer fits in the space allotted to it in the software so things are going to either overlap or or be cut off right so uh you want to find some nice median uh compromise so that you know you’ve got the bigger text but it’s not too big uh what that means for you on your system will differ so you can play around with it but you know you could start by just pulling this into the middle for example and hitting apply note the size of the options here on the left when I hit apply and see how much bigger they are right so uh for those of you with limited Vision uh or just don’t like squinting you have you have the option to play around with the size of your text let’s close that off and we’ll close off this video just if you have any questions comments Etc um put them in the comment section below

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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The provided text serves as a beginner’s guide to navigating and customizing the Windows 11 operating system. It explains fundamental elements such as the taskbar, start menu, and desktop, detailing how to interact with icons, open applications, and manage windows. The text further instructs users on personalizing their experience through settings adjustments like display resolution, text size, and taskbar behavior. Finally, it covers essential file management skills using File Explorer and introduces the concepts of cut, copy, and paste, along with guidance on basic internet browsing with Microsoft Edge.

Windows 11 Orientation Study Guide

Quiz

1. Where is the Start button located in Windows 11, and what appears when you click it?
2. Explain the “pinned apps” and “recommended” sections of the Start menu. How can you manage pinned apps?
3. Describe two ways to launch an application in Windows 11 and highlight a key difference in how you interact with icons in those locations.
4. How do you shut down or restart your Windows 11 computer using the Start menu? Why is restarting periodically recommended?
5. Explain how to pin and unpin applications from the taskbar. Why might you want to customize the taskbar?
6. What is the purpose of the small upward-pointing arrow icon on the right side of the taskbar? What kind of applications might you find there?
7. Describe the functionality of Microsoft OneDrive as explained in the source.
8. Explain how to access and adjust the volume and network settings from the taskbar. What other settings can be found in this area?
9. What is the “Task View” feature in Windows 11, and how can you access it? How does it help with managing open windows?
10. Explain the difference between “cut and paste” and “copy and paste” when working with files or text in Windows. What are the keyboard shortcuts for these actions?

Quiz Answer Key

1. In Windows 11, the Start button is located in the center of the taskbar. Clicking it opens a menu displaying pinned applications at the top and recommended recent files, folders, and newly installed apps below.
2. “Pinned apps” are applications that have been manually placed in the Start menu for easy access. “Recommended” shows recently opened files, folders, and recently installed applications. You can manage pinned apps by right-clicking on an app icon in the Start menu and selecting “Pin to Start” or “Unpin from Start.”
3. You can launch an application by single-clicking its icon in the Start menu or on the taskbar. You can also launch an application by double-clicking its icon on the desktop. A key difference is that you single-click icons in the Start menu and taskbar, but double-click icons on the desktop to open them.
4. To shut down or restart, click the Start button, then click the power icon located at the bottom right of the Start menu. From there, you can choose “Shut down” or “Restart.” Restarting periodically is recommended to refresh the system, as programs can accumulate memory and resources over time, potentially slowing down the computer.
5. To pin an application to the taskbar, find the application (either in the Start menu or the “All apps” list), right-click on its icon, and select “Pin to taskbar.” To unpin an application, right-click on its icon on the taskbar and select “Unpin from taskbar.” Customizing the taskbar allows you to keep frequently used applications readily accessible.
6. The small upward-pointing arrow icon on the right side of the taskbar reveals a hidden area for background applications that don’t always need to be visible. Examples of applications found here include Windows Security (antivirus) and other utilities running in the background.
7. Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage service that allows you to save files online and synchronize them across multiple devices, such as a desktop and a laptop. This ensures that changes made on one device are automatically updated on others, eliminating the need for physical storage devices for transferring files.
8. Clicking the network or volume icon on the right side of the taskbar opens a panel where you can adjust volume using a slider and see your network connection status. This area also provides access to other settings like airplane mode (if applicable), accessibility settings, and the Night Light feature to reduce blue light emissions.
9. Task View is a feature in Windows 11 that displays all currently open windows as thumbnails, allowing you to quickly switch between them. You can access it by clicking the Task View button on the taskbar (it looks like overlapping rectangles) or by pressing the Windows key + Tab. It helps manage multiple open applications by providing a visual overview.
10. “Cut and paste” moves an item (text, file, or folder) from its original location to a new location. The original item is removed. “Copy and paste” creates a duplicate of the item in a new location, while the original item remains in its original place. The keyboard shortcut for cut is Ctrl+X, for copy is Ctrl+C, and for paste is Ctrl+V.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the evolution of the Windows Start Menu from earlier versions to Windows 11. Analyze the changes in its design and functionality, and evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of these changes for user experience and productivity as described in the source.
2. Explain the importance of taskbar customization in Windows 11. Describe the various ways a user can personalize their taskbar, including pinning/unpinning applications and modifying taskbar behaviors. Discuss how effective taskbar customization can contribute to a more efficient workflow based on the information provided.
3. The source emphasizes the built-in security features of Windows 11 and cautions against unnecessary third-party antivirus software. Elaborate on the advice given regarding Windows Security. Discuss the reasoning behind this recommendation and the potential advantages and disadvantages of relying solely on the built-in antivirus.
4. Describe the basic file management functionalities in Windows 11 as explained in the source, including creating folders, moving and copying files, and understanding file extensions. Explain the importance of organizing files and folders effectively and how the features discussed can aid in this process.
5. The source provides guidance on initial setup and basic troubleshooting, such as restarting and managing updates. Based on this information, discuss the key recommendations for maintaining a stable and functional Windows 11 system for a new user.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Taskbar: The bar located at the bottom of the Windows desktop that displays the Start button, pinned applications, and system information.
• Start Button: An icon (typically a Windows logo) on the taskbar that, when clicked, opens the Start Menu.
• Pinned Apps: Applications that users have chosen to display in the Start Menu or on the taskbar for quick access.
• Recommended: A section in the Start Menu that displays recently opened files, folders, and newly installed applications.
• All Apps: A section in the Start Menu that lists all installed applications on the computer.
• Desktop: The main visual work area on a computer screen, displaying icons and the background wallpaper.
• Power Button (Start Menu): An icon in the Start Menu used to access power options such as Shut down, Restart, and Sleep.
• System Tray (Notification Area): The area on the far right of the taskbar that displays icons for background processes, notifications, date, and time.
• Widgets: Dynamic information displays (like weather, news) that can be accessed from the left side of the Windows 11 taskbar.
• Task View: A feature that displays thumbnails of all open windows, allowing for easy switching between them.
• Taskbar Behaviors: Settings that control how the taskbar functions, such as alignment and how buttons are combined.
• File Explorer: The file management application in Windows used to browse, organize, and manage files and folders.
• File Name Extension: A suffix at the end of a file name (e.g., .pdf, .exe, .jpg) that indicates the file type.
• Control Panel: A system utility in Windows that allows users to configure various settings, although many of its functions are now integrated into the Settings app.
• Settings App: The modern interface in Windows 11 for configuring system settings, replacing much of the functionality of the Control Panel.
• Windows Update: A service that allows Windows to download and install updates for the operating system and other Microsoft software.
• Personalization: Settings that allow users to customize the visual appearance of Windows, such as background, colors, and themes.
• Accessibility: Features and settings designed to make computers easier to use for people with disabilities, such as text size adjustments and high contrast themes.
• Cut: A command that removes selected content from its original location and places it on the clipboard.
• Copy: A command that duplicates selected content and places the copy on the clipboard, while the original remains.
• Paste: A command that inserts the content currently stored on the clipboard into the current location.
• Clipboard: A temporary storage area in computer memory used for holding data that has been cut or copied.
• Microsoft Edge: The default web browser included with Windows.
• OneDrive: Microsoft’s cloud storage and file synchronization service.

Windows 11 Orientation: A Briefing Document

This briefing document summarizes the main themes and important ideas from the provided source, which serves as an introductory guide to Windows 11. The source focuses on familiarizing new users with the operating system’s interface, key functionalities, and essential settings.

Main Themes

• Interface Navigation: The primary focus is on helping users understand and navigate the Windows 11 desktop environment, including the Taskbar and the Start Menu.
• Essential System Functions: The guide covers critical actions such as launching applications, managing files and folders, connecting to the internet, and shutting down/restarting the computer.
• Basic Customization and Settings: It introduces users to fundamental personalization options for the Taskbar, Desktop background, display, and accessibility features like text and cursor size.
• Internet Access and Web Browsing: The source provides a step-by-step walkthrough of launching and using Microsoft Edge for the first time, along with basic web browsing concepts.
• File Management Fundamentals: It explains core concepts like cut, copy, paste, and basic file and folder organization using File Explorer.
• Importance of System Maintenance: The guide emphasizes the need for regular restarts and software updates to ensure system stability and security.
• Security Considerations: It touches upon the built-in Windows Security and advises caution regarding third-party security software and online scams.

Most Important Ideas and Facts

The Taskbar

• The Start button has moved from the far left to the center of the Taskbar.
• “start button on all other versions of Windows prior to Windows 11 was always on the far left right now the far left is taken up by this little widget area all right but start button right here”
• Clicking the Start button reveals pinned apps (default and user-defined) and recommended items (recent files, folders, and newly installed apps).
• “when you click on your start button you get a view of a bunch of pinned apps which means uh just things that have been set into the uh default start area here right in front of you”
• “underneath recommended you’re going to see uh recent files and folders that you’ve opened”
• An All apps button in the top right of the Start Menu provides a full list of installed applications, accessible alphabetically with a jump-to-letter feature.
• “if you want to see all your apps you have to go to this little button right here in the top right hand corner and when you click there you get the full list of installed apps and all their little icons”
• Users can pin and unpin applications to both the Start Menu and the Taskbar for quick access.
• “you can right click on it and say pin to start or if it’s already in start uh unpin from start”
• “we could rightclick and we can say pin to taskar so so just as you can pin things into the start area you can pin and unpin things from the taskbar itself”
• Single-clicking icons on the Taskbar or within the Start Menu opens applications, unlike the double-clicking required for desktop icons.
• “double click on it from the desktop single click from start and single click when you’re looking at uh clicking on an icon in the taskbar”
• The Power button is located within the Start Menu, offering options for shutdown, restart, and sleep. Shutdown is recommended over sleep for better system stability.
• “when you’re done with Windows for the day you can click on the start button click on this little power icon and then click shut down I recommend shutting down over sleep”
• Restarting the computer regularly (ideally daily or at least weekly) is important for releasing memory and resources, preventing system sluggishness.
• “you shouldn’t let a computer run say for 30 days without restarting it because what happens is programs take up bits of memory and resources and they don’t always release them”
• The right side of the Taskbar includes a hidden icons area (accessed via an upward arrow) for background applications like Windows Security.
• “if you click on that and you may not have one depending on how many icons you have at play but uh what this is is like an area where they hide icons that are just for things that are just running in the background”
• Visible icons on the right Taskbar provide access to features like OneDrive, language settings, network status, and volume control. Clicking the network or volume icon opens a quick settings panel.
• “things that aren’t in this little hidden menu are the more visible icons that we see to the left of the uh time and here so uh one of these is Microsoft One Drive… and here is our little language area… and then we have our little Network icon… so the next one over is volume”
• The notification area (bell icon) displays system notifications. Users should be cautious of urgent-sounding notifications, especially from websites, as they could be scams.
• “right next to that we have a little notification area that little bell here… notifications do pop up just like this in the lower right hand corner… be careful because uh people can also get uh notifications from websites and other third parties… be wary of scams and stuff right”

The Desktop

• The area above the Taskbar is called the desktop, featuring a customizable wallpaper and icons for software and utilities.

Taskbar Settings

• Right-clicking the Taskbar and selecting Taskbar settings allows customization of Taskbar elements and behaviors.
• Users can hide or change the appearance of the search bar, widgets, and the Task View button.
• The Taskbar alignment can be changed to move the Start button back to the left.
• “come down to the bottom here where it says taskbar behaviors right and click the little arrow pointing down there and then it has taskar alignment and you can choose to place the start button back on the left where your brain expects it to be”
• The setting “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” controls how multiple windows of the same application are displayed on the Taskbar. “Never” will show each window separately with its label.
• “where it says combine taskbar buttons and hide labels right so generally by default it’s on to always do that… if we switch this to uh never for example now instead of that layered File Explorer icon… now it actually shows me that I’m in pictures music and desktop”

Desktop Icons

• Right-clicking a desktop icon provides a context menu with options like cut, copy, rename (represented by an icon), share, and delete.
• Deleted items are moved to the Recycle Bin and can be restored.

Internet Access with Microsoft Edge

• Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 11.
• The first-time setup of Edge involves several prompts regarding data syncing, tracking, and theme selection. Beginners are advised to “start without your data” and decline most tracking offers to reduce complexity.
• “this is the first time it’s sprun so you know welcome to Microsoft Edge and it’s going to ask you if you want to sign in to sync data right… but you know we’re beginners here so we’re going to say start without your data right now it’s going to ask you know you always want to have access to your recent browsing data right typically I like to say no to most of these offers”
• The default homepage is Microsoft Bing. Users can navigate to other websites by typing the URL in the address bar.
• Web browsing involves tabs, which can be opened using the “+” icon or by right-clicking a link and selecting “open link in new tab.” Tabs can be reordered.
• The three-dot menu in Edge provides access to settings and other functionalities, including the option to hide the sidebar.
• “this these three little dots here is the menu for all kinds of things right and that’s standard on Windows these days”
• The default search engine used in the Edge address bar can be changed in the browser’s settings (e.g., from Bing to Google).

Windows 11 Settings

• The main Windows 11 Settings app can be accessed by right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Settings.” It is organized into different categories for system configuration.
• Windows Update allows users to check for and install updates for Windows and other Microsoft products. Optional updates, including driver updates, can be found in Advanced options. Restarting the computer is often required to complete updates.
• “right click on the start button and then click on settings right… Windows update if you click on that you can click on check for updates”
• Personalization settings enable users to change the background (picture, solid color, slideshow, Windows Spotlight), colors, and themes, including high contrast themes for accessibility.
• “One you might want to jump into right away if you like things to look the way you like them to look is personalization right and here is where you can change background and colors and themes Etc”
• The classic Control Panel is still accessible by searching for “control” in the Start Menu. It provides access to various system settings.
• “you can click on the start button but and type in the word control and you’ll see the control panel come up as an offering”
• Key Control Panel settings include:
• Mouse: Adjusting double-click speed and changing the pointer size and visibility (e.g., showing pointer location with the Ctrl key).
• “One thing that I like to do on every new system is click on Mouse right and then here under double click speed I pull that all the way to the left so that it’s slow… I like to go down to Windows standard extra large right”
• Power Options: Configuring power plans and sleep settings.
• “another feature I would point out to you uh right now is programs and features so if we click on that uh it’s going to show us a list of all the programs that are installed on the system”
• Programs and Features: Managing traditionally installed software. Note that modern “apps” are often managed differently (e.g., via right-click in the Start Menu).
• Devices and Printers: Accessing settings for connected devices.
• Date and Time: Adjusting the system date, time, and time zone. It’s recommended to set the correct time zone first.
• “often that’s wrong when you get a new computer and you’re sitting in front of it the time Zone’s wrong or the or the just the time your right time zone but the time is off by a few minutes so you can jump in here and click on change date and time… also you can change your time zone right”

Cut, Copy, and Paste

• Cut (Ctrl+X): Moves selected text or files to the clipboard, removing them from the original location.
• Copy (Ctrl+C): Duplicates selected text or files to the clipboard, leaving the original intact.
• Paste (Ctrl+V): Inserts the content of the clipboard into the current location.
• These functions work with text in applications like Notepad and with files and folders in File Explorer. Right-click menus also provide these options (often as icons in Windows 11).
• “The default keys for uh those commands are it’s control X for cut… copy is contrl c for copy and then uh pasting is contrl V right”

File Explorer

• File Explorer is used to manage files and folders.
• The left-hand navigation pane can be resized.
• It’s useful to show file name extensions in the View settings to easily identify file types.
• “what I like to do is click on view View and then go to show and then choose or select file name extensions right and then uh instead of it just saying Firefox installer here now it says Firefox installer.exe”
• The “Expand to open folder” option (in Options > View) makes the navigation pane on the left dynamically display the currently open folder in the file system hierarchy (though this feature has a temporary bug in a recent update).
• “if we scroll down to the bottom here I choose expand to open folder”
• Files and folders can be viewed in different layouts (e.g., extra large icons, details). The “Details” view is recommended as it shows name, date modified, type, and size. Columns can be clicked to sort by that attribute.
• “the one I tend to like is the details view here so that gives you the name the date modified the type and the size right and you can you can click on any of these headings to sort by that bit”
• Users can create new folders by right-clicking in an empty area or using the “New” button in the ribbon. Files and folders can be dragged and dropped between locations.
• “make sure you’ve clicked on the right somewhere in the white space on the right hand side right right and then you can click on new up here in the upper left and choose folder”
• Right-clicking is context-sensitive, offering different menus and options depending on the element clicked.

Display and Text Size

• In Display settings (right-click desktop > Display settings), users can adjust the screen resolution. While the recommended resolution is usually the default, lower resolutions can make interface elements appear larger. Avoid resolutions with a vertical height below 768.
• “you can click on display resolution here and choose a different resolution now the higher the highest number it tends to be the uh recommended resolution for your monitor and usually that’s going to be your default right but uh if you choose some smaller numbers uh you may find that uh everything just looks uh you know that much bigger and more visually accessible for you”
• Text size can be adjusted in Accessibility settings (search “text size” in Settings). A slider allows users to increase or decrease the default text size. Be cautious of making text too large, as it may cause layout issues in some applications.
• “in the uh find a setting area here just type in the word text and you’ll see text size all right click on that it’ll bring you to the accessibility Tex size area and there’s a little slider here”

This briefing document provides a foundational understanding of the Windows 11 interface and essential functions as described in the source. New users are encouraged to explore these areas further to become comfortable with the operating system.

Windows 11: Getting Started Guide

Frequently Asked Questions: Getting Started with Windows 11

1. Where is the Start Menu located in Windows 11, and how do I access my applications? In Windows 11, the Start button is located in the center of the taskbar, unlike previous versions where it was on the far left (that area is now occupied by the widgets). Clicking the Start button opens a view of pinned applications. You can navigate through multiple pages of pinned icons using the dots or arrows at the top. Below the pinned apps, you’ll find a “Recommended” section showing recent files, folders, and newly installed applications. To see a full list of all installed apps, click the “All apps” button in the top right corner of the Start Menu. Some apps may be located within folders, indicated by a yellow folder icon; click on the folder to see its contents. To quickly jump to apps starting with a specific letter, click on any letter in the app list, and it will highlight the sections of the alphabet that have content.

2. How do I pin and unpin applications to the Start Menu and Taskbar for quick access? To pin an application to the Start Menu, go to the “All apps” list (via the Start button), right-click on the desired application, and select “Pin to Start.” This will add the application’s icon to your pinned apps view in the Start Menu. To unpin an application from the Start Menu, simply right-click on its icon in the pinned apps area and select “Unpin from Start.” Similarly, you can pin applications to the Taskbar for even quicker access. From the “All apps” list or the Start Menu, right-click on an application and choose “Pin to taskbar.” To remove an application from the Taskbar, right-click on its icon on the Taskbar and select “Unpin from taskbar.”

3. What is the Taskbar, and how can I customize its appearance and behavior? The Taskbar is the bar located at the bottom of your screen in Windows 11. It contains the Start button, pinned applications, running applications (indicated by a small dot underneath their icons), widgets (on the far left), and the system tray (on the far right). You can customize the Taskbar by right-clicking on an empty area of it and selecting “Taskbar settings.” In the settings, you can toggle the visibility of search, task view, widgets, and the co-pilot (if available). Under “Taskbar behaviors,” you can change the “Taskbar alignment” to move the Start button back to the left. The “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” option controls how multiple windows of the same application are displayed; you can choose to always combine them (default), never combine them (showing individual icons with labels), or combine them when the taskbar is full. You can also unpin default icons you don’t use (like the Microsoft Store or Teams) by right-clicking on them and selecting “Unpin from taskbar.”

4. How do I manage running applications using the Taskbar and Task View? The Taskbar displays icons for applications that are currently running. A small underline or dot beneath an icon indicates that the application is open. Single-clicking on an icon in the Taskbar will bring that application to the forefront. Hovering your mouse over a combined application icon (if you have multiple windows of the same app open) will show you thumbnails of all the open windows, allowing you to choose the one you want. Task View, which can be enabled in the Taskbar settings, provides a visual overview of all currently open windows. Clicking the Task View button on the Taskbar (it looks like two overlapping rectangles) will display all your open windows as thumbnails, allowing you to easily switch between them by clicking on the desired window.

5. How do I shut down, restart, or put my Windows 11 computer to sleep? To shut down or restart your Windows 11 computer, click on the Start button, then click on the power icon located at the bottom right of the Start Menu. A small menu will appear with options to “Sleep,” “Shut down,” and “Restart.” It is generally recommended to shut down your computer fully rather than relying on sleep mode, as sleep can sometimes lead to issues with devices not waking up properly. Restarting your computer periodically (ideally daily or at least weekly) can help maintain system stability by clearing out used memory and resources that programs may not always release.

6. How do I connect to the internet using Microsoft Edge for the first time, and what are some basic browser navigation tips? To connect to the internet, click on the Microsoft Edge icon on the Taskbar (it’s the blue and green “e” icon). The first time you open Edge, you will be guided through a setup process. It will ask about syncing data (you can choose to “Start without your data” for a simpler initial setup), importing data from other browsers (you can skip this), and allowing Microsoft to track browsing data (you can choose “Don’t allow” for more privacy). After going through these steps and potentially selecting a theme, you will arrive at the Microsoft Bing homepage, indicating you are online. To navigate to a specific website, click in the address bar at the top and type the website’s address (e.g., google.com). You can open new tabs by clicking the “+” icon next to the existing tab. To open a link in a new tab, right-click on the link and select “Open link in new tab.” You can switch between tabs by clicking on them. To change the default search engine used in the address bar, click the three dots (…) in the top right corner of Edge, go to “Settings,” search for “address bar and search,” and then choose your preferred search engine from the drop-down menu. You can also disable the sidebar in Edge settings under the “Sidebar” section.

7. How do I manage files and folders using File Explorer in Windows 11? You can access File Explorer by clicking its icon on the Taskbar (it looks like a folder) or by searching for it in the Start Menu. In File Explorer, the left pane provides a navigation view of your folders. You can expand or collapse folders by clicking the small arrows next to them (though a recent Windows update may temporarily affect this functionality). The right pane displays the contents of the selected folder. You can change the view of files and folders (e.g., details, large icons) by clicking on the “View” tab at the top. To see file extensions (like .exe, .jpg), go to the “View” tab, click “Show,” and select “File name extensions.” To sort files and folders, click on the column headers (Name, Date modified, Type, Size). To create a new folder, navigate to the desired location, right-click in an empty area, select “New,” and then “Folder,” and give it a name. You can move or copy files and folders using cut (Ctrl+X), copy (Ctrl+C), and paste (Ctrl+V) commands, or by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate options. You can also drag and drop files and folders. Deleted items go to the Recycle Bin, from which you can restore them if needed.

8. How can I adjust display settings and text size in Windows 11 for better visual accessibility? To adjust display settings, right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select “Display settings.” Here, you can change the display resolution. If icons and text appear too small on a high-resolution monitor, try selecting a lower resolution. Be cautious not to go below 1024×768 to avoid compatibility issues with some software. Also, pay attention to the aspect ratio to ensure the display fits your monitor without black bars. To change the text size, right-click on the Start button, go to “Settings,” type “text size” in the search bar, and select “Text size.” In the “Accessibility” settings, you’ll find a slider to adjust the text size. Drag the slider to make the text larger or smaller and click “Apply.” Be mindful that making the text too large might cause layout issues in some applications. You can also adjust the mouse cursor size in the Control Panel (search for “Control Panel” in the Start Menu, go to “Mouse,” then the “Pointers” tab, and choose a larger scheme under “Scheme”). In the Control Panel’s “Ease of Access” settings (or by searching for “make the mouse easier to use”), you can also enable features like showing the location of the pointer when you press the Ctrl key.

Windows 11 Basics: A User’s Guide

Let’s discuss some Windows 11 basics based on the information in the source.

When you first encounter Windows 11, the bar at the bottom of your screen is called the taskbar. Several elements reside on the taskbar, with the most crucial being the start button, which is the four-square window icon. Unlike previous Windows versions where the start button was on the far left, in Windows 11, the far left is occupied by the widgets area, and the start button is located more towards the center.

Clicking the start button reveals a view of pinned apps, which are applications set into the default start area. You might see multiple pages of these pinned icons, indicated by dots or arrows that allow you to navigate between the pages. Below the pinned apps, you’ll find the recommended section, displaying recently opened files and folders, as well as recently installed applications.

To access all your installed apps, you need to click the button in the top right corner of the start menu. This will present a full list of apps and their icons. Some apps might be organized within folders, requiring you to click on the folder to see its contents. To quickly navigate this list, you can click on any letter, and it will highlight the sections of the alphabet that contain content.

You can customize the start menu by right-clicking on an app in the ‘all apps’ list and choosing ‘Pin to Start’. If an app is already pinned, the option will be ‘Unpin from Start’. Pinned items generally appear at the bottom of the pinned apps view. Remember that opening a program from the start menu requires a single click.

The taskbar itself also contains other icons by default. You can unpin these icons by right-clicking on them and selecting ‘Unpin from taskbar’. Similarly, you can pin applications to the taskbar by right-clicking on them in the start menu (either pinned or in the ‘all apps’ list) and choosing ‘Pin to taskbar’. Opening an application from the taskbar also requires a single click. Be mindful of this, as double-clicking can lead to opening multiple instances of the same application.

On the far right of the taskbar, you’ll typically find a small up arrow that, when clicked, reveals a hidden area for background applications’ icons, such as Windows Security (the built-in antivirus). To the left of the time, you’ll see more visible icons, which might include Microsoft OneDrive for cloud file synchronization, language settings, the network icon indicating your internet connection status, and the volume icon for adjusting the system volume. Clicking on the network or volume icon often brings up a small panel where you can manage your network connection, volume, and access other settings like Night Light.

Next to the time and date is the notification area, indicated by a little bell. Notifications from Windows and some applications will appear here and might also pop up in the lower right corner of the screen. Be cautious of notifications that create a sense of urgency, as they could be part of scams.

The area above the taskbar is the desktop, where your desktop wallpaper is displayed and where you can place icons for frequently used software, utilities, files, and folders. Opening items on the desktop typically requires a double click.

You can customize the taskbar by right-clicking on it and selecting ‘Taskbar settings’. Here, you can toggle the visibility of elements like the search bar, Co-pilot (which is in preview and might be best turned off initially), widgets, and the task view button. Task view, when enabled, allows you to see all your open windows at a glance and switch between them.

In the taskbar settings, under ‘Taskbar behaviors’, you can change the taskbar alignment to move the start button back to the left, a familiar location for users of older Windows versions. Another useful setting here is ‘Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels’. By default, Windows 11 combines multiple windows of the same application into a single icon. You can change this to ‘Never’ or ‘When taskbar is full’ to see individual icons with labels, making it easier to identify specific open windows.

On the desktop, right-clicking provides a context menu with options. In Windows 11, this menu initially shows icons for common actions like cut, copy, rename, share, and delete. If you prefer the classic right-click menu with full text options, you can often find an option like ‘Show more options’. You can rename desktop icons and delete them. Deleted items are moved to the Recycle Bin, which is usually located in the top left corner of the desktop. You can restore deleted items from the Recycle Bin by right-clicking on them and choosing ‘Restore’.

To access the internet, the default browser in Windows 11 is Microsoft Edge, which is typically pinned to the taskbar. The first time you open Edge, you will be presented with several setup screens asking about data syncing, importing data, and tracking. For a basic setup, you might choose to start without your data, decline data synchronization, and opt not to allow Microsoft to track your browsing. The default homepage for Edge is usually the Microsoft Bing page. You can navigate to other websites by typing the address in the address bar at the top. You can open new tabs using the plus sign and close tabs with the ‘X’. You can also open a link in a new tab by right-clicking on it. The three dots menu in Edge provides access to various settings, including the option to hide the sidebar and to change the default search engine used in the address bar (e.g., from Bing to Google).

The main Windows 11 settings can be accessed by right-clicking on the start button and selecting ‘Settings’. The settings are organized into different categories. Windows Update allows you to check for and install updates for Windows and other Microsoft products, including optional driver and Net Framework updates. It’s generally a good idea to keep your system updated. Personalization settings let you change the background wallpaper, colors, and themes, including high contrast themes for accessibility. You can choose a picture, solid color, slideshow, or Windows Spotlight as your background and adjust how the picture fits the screen.

The older Control Panel is still available in Windows 11. You can access it by clicking the start button and typing ‘control’. In the Control Panel, you can switch to a small icon view for easier navigation. Some useful settings within the Control Panel include:

• Mouse: Here, you can adjust the double-click speed (slowing it down can be helpful for users who struggle with fast double-clicks) and change the pointer size and options, such as showing the pointer location when you press the Ctrl key.
• Power Options: You can manage your power plans and configure when the display turns off and when the computer goes to sleep. On laptops, you’ll have separate settings for battery and plugged-in power.
• Programs and Features: This lists many of the traditionally installed software programs, allowing you to uninstall them. Note that some modern apps are managed separately through the start menu.
• Devices and Printers: This area, which now redirects to the modern Settings app, shows your installed printers and scanners.
• Date and Time: You can adjust the system date, time, and time zone here. It’s often a good idea to set the correct time zone first.

Cut, copy, and paste are fundamental concepts in Windows for moving and duplicating text and files. You can perform these actions by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate option (icons in Windows 11’s initial right-click menu, full text options under ‘Show more options’) or by using keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+X (cut), Ctrl+C (copy), and Ctrl+V (paste). When you cut or copy an item, it is temporarily stored in the clipboard. The clipboard usually holds only the last item you cut or copied. You can use these commands with text in applications like Notepad and with files and folders in File Explorer.

File Explorer is the tool you use to manage your files and folders. You can adjust the width of the left-hand navigation pane by dragging the vertical line. By default, File Explorer shows the file type, but it’s helpful to enable file name extensions by going to View > Show > File name extensions. This will display the full file name, including extensions like ‘.exe’, ‘.jpg’, ‘.png’, making it easier to identify file types.

In File Explorer’s options (accessed via the three-dot menu > Options), under the View tab, you can select ‘Expand to open folder’. This setting, when working correctly, should cause the left-hand navigation pane to automatically expand and highlight the folder you are currently viewing, providing a clear visual representation of your location within the file system. However, the source mentions a potential bug where this might not always work as expected after a recent update.

File Explorer offers different views for your files and folders (accessed via the down arrow on the ‘View’ option), including extra large icons, large icons, small icons, list, and details. The details view, which is often preferred, shows the file name, date modified, type, and size. You can sort the files by clicking on these column headers.

The left-hand pane of File Explorer displays the folder structure. You can expand or collapse folders by clicking the arrows next to them. To organize your files, you can create new folders within existing ones by right-clicking in the right-hand pane and selecting ‘New > Folder’ or by clicking ‘New folder’ in the upper left. You can then drag and drop files into these folders to create a logical structure. You can also create new files, like text documents, by right-clicking and selecting ‘New’. The breadcrumb bar at the top of File Explorer shows your current location and allows you to navigate back up the folder hierarchy.

Right-clicking is a context-sensitive action in Windows. The menu that appears depends on what you click on. Experimenting with right-clicking on different elements like files, the taskbar, icons in the system tray, the start button, and the desktop can reveal various options and shortcuts. For example, right-clicking on the desktop allows you to access Display settings and Personalize.

In Display settings (accessed via right-click on the desktop > Display settings), you can adjust the display resolution. On high-resolution monitors, the default resolution might make icons and text appear very small. Lowering the resolution can make everything larger and more accessible. However, it’s advised not to go below a resolution of 768 in the vertical dimension to avoid compatibility issues with some software. Also, be mindful of the aspect ratio when choosing a resolution to avoid black bars on the sides of your screen.

For further visual adjustments, you can change the text size in Windows 11. To do this, search for ‘text size’ in the settings app (Windows key + I, then type ‘text size’) and go to the Accessibility > Text size area. A slider allows you to increase or decrease the text size, with a preview of how it will look. Be cautious not to make the text too large, as it might not fit properly within some application interfaces.

Windows 11 Start Button Functionality

The Start button in Windows 11 is represented by a little Four Square window icon located on the taskbar. Unlike previous versions of Windows where the Start button was always on the far left, in Windows 11, the far left of the taskbar is occupied by the widget area, and the Start button is positioned to its right.

Clicking the Start button reveals several key areas:

• Pinned Apps: This is the default view upon clicking the Start button, displaying a set of applications that have been set into this area for quick access. There can be multiple pages of pinned icons, indicated by little dots at the bottom, allowing you to navigate between these pages.
• Recommended: Below the pinned apps, this section displays recent files and folders that you have opened. It also shows recently installed applications, making them easier to find. For example, if you installed the Chrome browser, its icon would likely appear under “recommended”.
• All Apps: In the top right-hand corner of the Start Menu, there is a button that, when clicked, displays a full list of all installed applications and their icons. Some of these apps may be organized within folders, requiring you to click on the folder to see its contents.
• Alphabetical Navigation: Within the “All Apps” list, you can quickly jump to different parts of the alphabet by clicking on any letter. The letters that have associated content are displayed in a highlighted or bold manner.
• Pinning and Unpinning: You can customize the pinned apps area by right-clicking on any app in the “All Apps” list and selecting “Pin to Start“. Conversely, if an app is already pinned, right-clicking on it in the Start Menu will give you the option to “Unpin from Start“. Newly pinned items generally appear at the bottom of the pinned apps list.

The Start button also provides access to the power options. By clicking the Start button, you will find a little power icon, which, when clicked, presents options to “Shut down“, “Restart“, or “Sleep” your computer. The source recommends shutting down over using sleep to avoid potential issues with the system not fully awakening. Restarting your computer regularly (e.g., daily or at least weekly) is advised to maintain system stability by releasing memory and resources that programs may hold onto.

In summary, the Start button in Windows 11 serves as a central point for accessing installed applications, recent files, and system power options. It offers a customizable view of frequently used apps through the pinning feature and allows for easy navigation through the entire list of installed software.

Windows 11 Taskbar Customization Guide

The Windows 11 taskbar offers several ways to be customized. You can access these customizations by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Taskbar settings”.

Here are the key areas for taskbar customization discussed in the sources:

• Pinning and Unpinning Apps: You can remove default icons from the taskbar that you don’t use by right-clicking on them and selecting “Unpin from taskbar“. Conversely, you can add applications to the taskbar for quick access by clicking on the Start button, finding the desired app in the pinned apps or the “All apps” list, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Pin to taskbar“.
• Managing Hidden Icons (System Tray): On the right side of the taskbar, a small up arrow may be present. Clicking this arrow reveals a hidden area for icons of applications running in the background that don’t need constant visual presence. You can interact with these background apps by clicking on their icons in this hidden menu.
• Taskbar Settings: The “Taskbar settings” menu provides various options to modify the taskbar’s appearance and behavior:
• Search: You can choose to hide the search bar, show only the search icon, or display the full search bar. Even if hidden, the search functionality is still accessible by clicking the Start button and typing in the search bar at the top.
• Co-pilot: There is an option to turn off the Co-pilot (preview) feature.
• Widgets: You can turn off the widgets that appear on the left side of the taskbar if you are not interested in seeing information like weather updates.
• Task View: The Task view button can be turned on or off. When enabled, clicking it shows a list of all currently open windows, allowing you to quickly switch between them.
• Taskbar Alignment: You can change the alignment of the taskbar icons and the Start button. By default, they are centered, but you can choose to align them to the left, which is where the Start button was located in older versions of Windows.
• Combine Taskbar Buttons and Hide Labels: This setting controls how multiple windows from the same application are displayed on the taskbar.
• The default is to “Always, hide labels“, which means multiple instances of an application are grouped under a single icon with a visual cue (like a shadow) indicating multiple windows are open. Hovering over the icon shows previews of the open windows.
• You can change this to “Never“, which will display a separate icon with its label for each open window. This takes up more space on the taskbar but allows you to see immediately which windows are open.
• The “When taskbar is full” option will show individual icons and labels until the taskbar runs out of space, at which point it will start combining them.

In addition to these settings, you can also directly unpin an application from the taskbar by right-clicking on its icon and selecting “Unpin from taskbar”.

Windows 11 File Explorer Management

File Explorer in Windows 11 provides various tools and features for managing your files and folders. Here’s a discussion of File Explorer management based on the information in the sources:

Accessing File Explorer: While not explicitly stated how to open File Explorer, the source demonstrates its usage by navigating to “downloads”, opening different folders, and accessing the “documents” folder. It can generally be accessed via an icon on the taskbar or through the Start Menu.

Navigating the File System:

• File Explorer displays a left-hand pane that shows the folder structure.
• Folders can be expanded or collapsed by clicking the arrows next to them. A downward-pointing arrow indicates an expanded folder.
• Clicking on a folder in the left-hand pane displays its contents in the main right-hand pane.
• The vertical line separating the left and right panes can be dragged to adjust the width and make folder names more readable.
• The source mentions a feature “expand to open folder” which, when enabled in the Folder Options (accessed via the hamburger menu -> Options -> View tab), is intended to automatically expand the folder you are currently in within the left-hand navigation pane, providing a constant visual of your current location in the file system. However, the source notes a potential bug where this might not always function as expected.

Viewing Files and Folders:

• File Explorer offers different ways to view the files and folders within a selected location, accessible via the View tab in the ribbon. These include:
• Extra large icons, Large icons, Small icons.
• List view, which shows only the file names without additional details.
• Details view, which displays the name, date modified, type, and size of the files and folders. This is the preferred view according to the source.

Sorting Files and Folders:

• In Details view, you can sort the displayed items by clicking on any of the column headers (Name, Date modified, Type, Size). Clicking once sorts in ascending order, and clicking again reverses the sort order. This allows you to easily organize files by name, find the most recent files, group files by type, or order them by size.

Showing File Name Extensions:

• By default, Windows may hide file name extensions (e.g., .exe, .jpg, .docx). The source strongly recommends showing file name extensions for better clarity about file types. This can be enabled by going to the View tab, clicking on Show, and selecting “File name extensions“. Once enabled, the full file name, including its extension, will be visible (e.g., “Firefox installer.exe”).

Organizing Files and Folders:

• You can create new folders within any location in File Explorer. To do this, right-click in an empty area in the right-hand pane and select New > Folder. You can then type a name for the new folder. Alternatively, you can click on New in the upper left corner of the File Explorer window and choose Folder.
• You can create a folder structure with main folders and subfolders to better organize your files. Files can be dragged and dropped into these folders from other locations within File Explorer.

Renaming and Deleting Files and Folders:

• To rename a file or folder, you can right-click on it. In Windows 11, a context menu with icons will appear. The icon that looks like a file with a pencil is for Rename. Hovering over the icons will also show their function. In older versions of Windows, selecting “Show more options” in the right-click menu would display the classic menu with the full word “Rename”. After clicking the rename option, you can type the new name and press Enter. The source demonstrates renaming an icon on the desktop, and the same principle applies within File Explorer.
• To delete a file or folder, you can right-click on it and select the delete icon (which looks like a trash can) from the context menu. Again, selecting “Show more options” might show the full word “Delete” in a classic menu. Deleted files and folders are moved to the Recycle Bin.
• You can restore deleted items from the Recycle Bin by opening it (usually found in the top-left corner of the desktop by default), right-clicking on the desired item, and selecting “Restore“.

Cut, Copy, and Paste:

• File Explorer supports the cut, copy, and paste operations for managing files and folders.
• Cut (Ctrl+X or right-click and select the scissors icon or “Cut” under “Show more options”) removes the selected item from its current location and places it on the clipboard.
• Copy (Ctrl+C or right-click and select the two overlapping rectangles icon or “Copy” under “Show more options”) duplicates the selected item and places the copy on the clipboard, while the original remains in its location.
• Paste (Ctrl+V or right-click in the destination location and select the clipboard icon or “Paste” under “Show more options”) inserts the item from the clipboard into the current location.
• The clipboard temporarily holds only the last item that was cut or copied.

These features within File Explorer enable you to effectively navigate, organize, and manage your files and folders in Windows 11.

Windows 11: Cut, Copy, and Paste Essentials

The concepts of cut, copy, and paste are fundamental for managing information within Windows 11, whether it be text, files, or folders. These actions allow you to move or duplicate data between different locations or applications.

How Cut, Copy, and Paste Work:

• Cut: The cut operation (Ctrl+X or right-click and select the scissors icon or “Cut” under “Show more options”) removes the selected item from its original location and places it temporarily on the clipboard. Think of it like physically cutting something out.
• Copy: The copy operation (Ctrl+C or right-click and select the two overlapping rectangles icon or “Copy” under “Show more options”) creates a duplicate of the selected item and places this copy on the clipboard, while the original item remains in its place.
• Paste: The paste operation (Ctrl+V or right-click in the destination location and select the clipboard icon or “Paste” under “Show more options”) inserts the item currently stored on the clipboard into the new location.

The Clipboard:

The clipboard is a temporary storage area in your computer’s memory. When you cut or copy an item, it is stored in the clipboard. By default, the clipboard can hold only one item at a time. If you cut or copy something new, it replaces the previous content of the clipboard. When you paste, you are inserting the last item that was cut or copied.

Using Cut, Copy, and Paste with Text:

The source demonstrates these actions within Notepad, a basic text editor.

1. Select the text you want to cut or copy by clicking and dragging your mouse over it.
2. To cut: Right-click on the selected text and choose cut (or press Ctrl+X). The text will disappear from its original location and be placed on the clipboard.
3. To copy: Right-click on the selected text and choose copy (or press Ctrl+C). The text will remain in its original location, and a copy will be placed on the clipboard.
4. To paste: Position your cursor where you want the text to appear, right-click, and choose paste (or press Ctrl+V). The text from the clipboard will be inserted at the cursor’s location.

Using Cut, Copy, and Paste with Files and Folders:

You can also use these operations to manage files and folders within File Explorer, as discussed in our previous turn.

1. Select the file or folder you want to cut or copy.
2. To cut: Right-click on the selected file or folder and choose the scissors icon (or select “Cut” under “Show more options”). The item will be removed from its current location.
3. To copy: Right-click on the selected file or folder and choose the two overlapping rectangles icon (or select “Copy” under “Show more options”). The original item will remain.
4. Navigate to the destination folder where you want to move or duplicate the item.
5. To paste: Right-click in an empty area within the destination folder and choose the clipboard icon (or select “Paste” under “Show more options”). The cut or copied item will now appear in the destination.

The source emphasizes that the concept of cut, copy, and paste is a fundamental skill in Windows and is consistent across various applications, including text editors, file managers, and even within applications like Microsoft Excel for manipulating cells in a spreadsheet. You can use either the right-click menus or the keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) to perform these actions.

The Original Text

welcome to Windows 11 the first thing you need to do is get oriented so what are you looking at here this bar along the bottom is called the taskbar and on the taskar there are a variety of elements uh the most important of which is this icon right here the little uh Four Square window icon and that is your start button so start button on all other versions of Windows prior to Windows 11 was always on the far left right now the far left is taken up by this little widget area all right but start button right here now when you click on your start button you get a view of a bunch of pinned apps which means uh just things that have been set into the uh default start area here right in front of you when you click on the button and if you’ll notice these two little dots there’s a couple of pages of pinned icons right so you can move between those pages by clicking on the dots or clicking on the little arrow to go to the next one so if you have a lot of pinned items you might have five pages right that kind of thing underneath recommended you’re going to see uh recent files and folders that you’ve opened right this is a new installation here so nothing’s been opened uh there’s just the get started welcome to Windows thing but uh recent files and folders and if you’ve recently installed something uh generally the icon will show up here so if you installed the Chrome browser for example you would see the Chrome uh browser icon under recommended that makes it easier to find uh you know what you’ve recently taken action on all right now if you want to see all your apps you have to go to this little button right here in the top right hand corner and when you click there you get the full list of installed apps and all their little icons now some of them like here for example you have little yellow folder symbol uh it you actually have to click on the folder and then you get uh the full set of icons in that folder right so a lot of them aren’t in folders uh but some of them are right and uh things that you should know about these little icons are that if you’re trying to search for something that’s you know way down in a further letter you don’t want to scroll scroll scroll right you can uh click on any of the letters you know here we click on G for example and it’ll show you a highlighted map of which letters have uh content right so anything in the Bold like our for example here brings us back to that folder that uh we looked at earlier uh so again any letter and you can jump anywhere in the alphabet and you know get more quickly to what you want to see the other thing is that if you have something that you uh like to run into or open up a lot uh you can right click on it and say pin to start or if it’s already in start uh unpin from start so what that means of course is that when we click on start here that was paint right so here we already have uh the paint icon but if it was out say if I unpin it here and then I go back into all apps and then click on any letter go to P there’s our paint rightclick I can pin to start and then it will show back up but generally at the bottom yeah it it’ll become the last item all right so that’s a quick view of this area for getting into programs and you just click once on any of these icons to open that actual program or app they call the maps these days uh which is different from the desktop over here if you wanted to open Firefox Firefox from the desktop you’d have to double click so double click on it from the desktop single click from start and single click when you’re looking at uh clicking on an icon in the taskbar right A lot of people get confused about that and say they’ll click twice here on Microsoft Edge and actually open two copies of it right so because they’re used to you know in older versions of Windows almost everything was double clicked open right so a lot of things now are single click so try and keep that in mind uh and that’s almost certainly what’s happening if you open two things at once when you meant to open one you’re double clicking when you should have single clicked now also in your start button is your power button so uh that’s pretty critical to know a lot of people can’t figure out immediately how to shut down their system right so when you’re done with Windows for the day you can click on the start button click on this little power icon and then click shut down I recommend shutting down over sleep uh you know generally speaking because Microsoft has never seemed to get sleep right in terms of uh you know I do it stuff right so I often have people call me up and say this isn’t working that’s not working and what’s happened is their computer’s gone to sleep but when it’s uh awakened not all of it has awakened so their say their network card didn’t wake up properly and now they can’t get online until they restart their computer computer and everything gets refreshed so and that’s another thing that you should know okay so you’ve got your little power button you know aside from shutting down restarting is often uh something that you should do particularly if you if you like to leave your computer on all the time which is something that I tend to do myself uh but you shouldn’t let a computer run say for 30 days without restarting it because what happens is programs take up pits of memory and resources and they don’t always release them and then your computer has less and less and less to work with and it’s kind of like uh you know going crazy you your your mind is getting smaller and smaller until the system starts acting really weird and uh the cure for that so often just restart your computer so I tend to restart mine at least once a day just you know as I’m leaving for lunch or something just hit the restart and then so by the time I come back it’s all up and ready to go again of course uh you don’t have to every single day I’m not saying that it’s a hard and fast rule if you’ve got a lot of things open and you you know restarting would interrupt your workflow you know let it ride but don’t let it go for more than a week uh if you want uh to keep things stable all right so that is the start button um these other icons on the taskbar here are the default ones at least for my uh region here and you can you can change these and clean these up right so for example I don’t use the Microsoft store uh very often so I would rightclick and say unpin from taskbar right and uh I don’t use Microsoft teams much so I would right click and say unpin from taskbar but if we wanted to put something on the taskbar we could click on start and see a lot of people like uh to play solitire and that would be something they’d want down there so we could rightclick and we can say pin to taskar so so just as you can pin things into the start area you can pin and unpin things from the taskbar itself so uh moving on down the line into the right hand side of the taskbar uh first thing we come across is this little up Arrow here if you click on that and you may not have one depending on how many icons you have at play but uh what this is is like an area where they hide icons that are just for things that are just running in the background that don’t necessarily always need to be visually in front of you but need to be available so for example this here is Windows security which is the built-in antivirus for Microsoft Windows so I can click on that little up arrow click on that icon and then it brings me my security add glance here right so I can expand that and uh when you have these little triangles with the exclamation point here it’s it’s giving you uh hints warnings advice that kind of thing so uh you know you can read the notices and see whether you want to act on that right I won’t go into all of the details of the security right now but what I would say is generally speaking you don’t really need to buy something like Norton Antivirus or maffy or what have you uh you know they do have the built-in Antivirus for Windows and generally speaking it it’s pretty good it’s not the best out there but uh in some ways it is just because uh you know say for example maafi is just going to keep trying to sell you more and more and more security it’s like uh you know if You’ got a a club and you need a bouncer at the door you know one bouncer is going to generally be fine right you don’t need seven bouncers they’re just going to block the door and slow things down and maybe scare away customers right so uh if that analogy works for you I don’t know but it’s kind of how I feel about you know third party companies coming in and and trying to oversell security to you right so now things that aren’t in this little hidden menu are the more visible icons that we see to the left of the uh time and here so uh one of these is Microsoft One Drive which is uh kind of like a cloud offering for sharing files and between your different systems so say if you have a laptop and you have a desktop and you have your one Drive account so you can use one drive to synchronize your documents and pictures and music and stuff between those two computers so there’s there there’s uh everything’s going to be save to the cloud and then whenever you change something it gets updated in the cloud and when you whenever you go to the other computer and turn it on it’s going to download all the changes so so that if you’re working on a book for example on your desktop you know you’ve gotten up to chapter 3 you go over to your laptop you turn it on it synchronizes you’ve got chapter 3 on your laptop without having to run around with you know a USB stick or a CD or whatever so uh you know that that’s that thing and here is our little language area so you know I’m in Canada uh the default language for PCs is the US and so I have those two languages you may have more but uh this is how You’ switch uh with your mes between languages right and then we have our little Network icon which tells us uh you know whether we’re online or offline or whatever this is a wired network uh you may have a wireless bit there but when you when you click on that you see how these two both these icons get highlighted when I click so the next one over is volume right uh so whether I click on volume or network I get this little uh area here that pops up and you know I can I can change my um volume by using this slider here and then uh you know depending on uh what kind of network you’re on if it if there if this was a Wi-Fi network for example it might have airplane mode you know or this kind of thing going on and you can change other things here like accessibility settings and you know whether you want your screen to uh I think it could cut back on Blue Light the Night Light thing right uh so that uh it doesn’t interfere with your sleep as things go later in the day you can change the way the light comes off your monitor and and make things healthier for you that kind of thing so so this is it’s kind of like another widget area you know uh but more technical than the one on the left hand side here and of course here we have our time and date and right next to that we have a little notification area that little bell here right now uh do not disturb is on um but you know if if that was on we might see a few notifications from Windows about things that have been happen happening recently Etc and notifications do pop up just like this in the lower right hand corner so if the system has something to say to you generally speaking uh something will pop up in the lower right but be careful because uh people can also get uh notifications from websites and other third parties uh generally through uh giving them permission when you’re using your browser and uh those third part parties often try to imitate your system and you know for example pretend that you’ve got a virus and that you have to take action right away and basically I’m saying be wary of scams and stuff right so so be careful uh what you click on and what you react to and you know I guess generally speaking the way scams tend to work is that uh they they give such a sense of urgency like you have to act now without thinking right and usually your system won’t treat you quite that roughly so so that’s one way to kind of tell the difference between the two so uh you know that’s a quick overview of the taskbar above the taskbar is what we just generally call the desktop right and uh this is the picture here is your desktop wallpaper right which can be changed and then of course you have all your icons on your desktop for uh different software and utilties and stuff and this whole list can change and if you’ve been working on your computer for a while it basically fill up your whole screen with these kinds of things so you get files and folders and and icons to programs and stuff so uh now if you want to do some uh tweaking of your taskbar you can right click on it and click on taskbar settings all right and the first area here let’s expand this can maximize it with that middle button so so we can quickly go over that so every window in Windows generally speaking uh there there’s going to be a few exceptions where you only see the X right but uh you’re going to have the X here which will close the window you’re going to have this icon which you can use to maximize or restore right and then you see if you hover over it you get these uh little options so if I wanted to put it on the right hand side of the screen we can do that right or um if uh you know we wanted top right corner like so all right and uh but if you just click on it once you’re going to get the maximize right which is what we were after in the first place and the one here this is just minimize so if you click on the little dashed line there it’ll shrink down just to the tab bar and you see that it has this little dott under it showing that it’s it’s running right it’s it’s open but not visible so we can click back on that to uh restore it to whatever size it was before it was minimized so anyway this is the settings for the taskbar and you can actually turn things off like so if you don’t use your search you can turn that off you can say you know hide search and it’ll disappear or if you don’t want it to be so big you can put search icon only and then you you’d have to click on the icon before you put in any search um one thing I would just tell you is that if you hide it uh you save all that space and you still have that search functionality if you click on start and you click up on the the search bar at the top you’re going to get the the same kind of uh functionality right so not necessarily necessary but uh you know we’ll put it back to the default so that things look familiar now co-pilot is is something that’s in preview uh I would just turn that off for the moment um myself because um you know I I generally don’t like to play with things that are in beta mode right um and we have other things that we can turn off like we could turn off the widgets in the left if you’re not interested in and seeing the weather and the you know currency conversion rates and stuff showing up on your computer Compu all the time and uh also there’s this little um task view button here that we can turn on and off and I’ll show you what that is so save right now we have the taskbar settings open and if I open say file explorer here now we have two different windows open if I click on task view then it shows me a list of all the windows that are open so if I had 12 things open I’d have 12 little squares here and then you can you see the little preview and then you can quickly switch between them right so I’ve pulled up my file explorer if I go back to task view here and click on settings then I bring settings to the front right so uh we’ll close file explorer here for the moment so so if you use that you could leave it on again if you don’t save a bit of room and turn it off all right and uh another thing that a lot of people really appreciate because they’re used to older versions of Windows is you know uh hide your widgets right and then come down to the bottom here where it says taskbar behaviors right and click the little arrow pointing down there and then it has taskar alignment and you can choose to place the start button back on the left where your brain expects it to be right and another thing that I would say is very useful here where it says combine taskbar buttons and hide labels right so generally by default it’s on to always do that and and what that means is that say here again if we open File Explorer I can open another File Explorer by uh right clicking and clicking on file explorer again and then I say I can do that a third time and you see we still only have the one icon although it has that little uh shadow of or visible edge of something behind it to show that there are some stacked and if you want to move between the three uh windows that you have open if you hover over that icon you see the three different uh panels that you you can just choose between them now so if you know let’s go to the desktop here and this one was on let’s go to music here and let let’s put this one to pictures right so we’re in these three different folders now if we go if we go back to our settings and we switch this to uh never for example now instead of that layered File Explorer icon which visually doesn’t give you a lot of information now it actually shows me that I’m in pictures music and desktop takes a bit more room on your taskbar but you can actually see immediately what it is and then you can just go up I want to go back to my desktop I want to go back to my pictures I want to go back to my music so that’s why I would say uh you know if you follow my personal preference either choose never or uh when taskbar is full which would mean that it’ll it’ll show you the bigger bits until you fill up the taskbar and then it’ll start layering things all right so um you know your choice I’m going to stick it back on the default uh for the the moment but uh you know if it was my system I would put put it on never right let’s close these guys off now so that’s an overview of the the uh basic visuals right now if we wanted to delete an icon or rename an icon on the desktop we would rightclick and we get this menu here and this is different than earlier versions of Windows where say uh if we had uh right clicked well actually what we would see I can show you what we would normally see if I click on show more options now I’m going to get that classic uh rightclick menu uh where I have you know rename for example is spelled out for us right but now in Windows 11 if I rightclick I get this little icon for renaming right so a lot of the basic most common functions the the the the full typed name has been replaced by these little things so here’s if you hover over it shows you what it is here’s cut right copy rename share and delete right so if I wanted to just take the x64 off of Reaper here I could delete that and hit enter it wants admin permission I’m going to say go ahead and continue so I’ve renamed that icon I can also right click cck and delete it right and then a handy thing to know is that if you delete something it’s going to go into your recycle bin right so we open up the recycle bin which by default is going to be tucked away here in the top leftand corner of your desktop we can find the file in the recycle bin right click on it and click on restore it wants to confirm that we click on continue and and there it is back on our desktop now one of the most common things that you’re going to want to do on your windows 11 PC is Jump onto the internet and to do so in the normal case you’re going to use Microsoft Edge which we have down here on the taskbar you can install Firefox or Chrome or any other browser but uh you know if you’re new to Windows you probably haven’t done that and you’re going to need to start with Microsoft Edge now the warning is is that the first time that you open Microsoft Edge Microsoft is going to hit you with a number of questions and offers and it’s going to be quite confusing just to get to the point where you’re actually online and can do something so let me walk you through that process here so we’re going to click on edge and this is the first time it’s sprun so you know welcome to Microsoft Edge and it’s going to ask you if you want to sign in to sync data right so syncing data is a kind of an advanced thing where if you have a desktop and a laptop you work computer you can sign in with your the same Microsoft account and your your settings like your favorites and you know your your site history search history that kind of thing will be synchronized across the computer so so that your experience on each computer is uh standardized and very similar right but you know we’re beginners here so we’re going to say start without your data right now it’s going to ask you know you always want to have access to your recent browsing data right typically I like to say no to most of these offers so you know the less tracking that Microsoft does or that any third party does uh you know the less your computer has to do and the less there is to go wrong and the less other people know about every little thing that you’re doing of course so I’m going to say don’t allow and confirm and continue right and then here they’re offering to import data from elsewhere again you know let’s forego the data synchronization stuff say continue without this data and then uh Microsoft wants to track everything you do so that they can see you know how you work and how other people work and then based on that information ostensibly you know make their offerings more useful and targeted to their customers again let’s reduce the complexity and the flow of data going to say don’t allow and say confirm and start browsing so you think that means start browsing but not quite yet right so here we have uh they’re offering different themes right so you know there’s different colors Etc if you’re into having you know public G browser or whatever go ahead and click on one of those but um basically I would just click finish here now we’re actually on the web all right so the the default uh homepage is uh the Microsoft Bing uh homepage right uh here they’re asking questions you can close these little popups in the right hand bottom right hand corner can be quite annoying anyway so here we go we’re online if you want to go to a particular website like for example if you want uh instead of searching the web with Bing if you want to go to Google you can click in the address bar at the top here and type in google.com or whichever oneca whichever you use and you get to that site they have their own offerings right so we can say stay signed out right there’s there’s different tabs right so here’s here’s another tab uh which is just a welcome to Microsoft Edge tab that automatically opened right we can close that by hitting the little X but if we wanted to open our own extra tab there’s there’s a little plus sign right here we can open that up and we have a whole new page so say if I went to Google on both tabs and here on this tab you know we can search for pigs and on this tab we can search for ducks all right you don’t stay signed out there ah sport Ducks I was thinking the animal but there you go so then you can move between the two tabs you can even reorder the tabs you know drag one over and and put them in order so in this way uh if you’re doing a bit of research on something and you know for example you’re looking at real estate you can open several tabs and and kind of keep track of the properties you’re interested in ETC so uh one thing also to know is that you know instead of doing a search and going through the whole trying to find a page once you open a new tab uh when you are on a tab say if we’re looking at uh the links here and you say okay well the Wikipedia article would be interesting you can right click and say open link in new tab and it’ll open in a new tab right next to the one that you’re on right and then you can keep going down and go oh National Geographic Kids has something right right click opening a new tab so now we have you know these two articles on pigs that we can refer to and of course you can you can just keep going and have a whole bunch of tabs open and uh you know be able to move freely between them all right and uh the other thing to know about Edge that would be most significant I would say is that this these three little dots here is the menu for all kinds of things right and that’s standard on Windows these days and even on the web you’ll probably have noticed that these little uh uh three dot I think they call them hamburger menus but anyway uh those are the menus that get you into all the extra functionality right so for example if we click on those dots and we click on settings we get a whole area here where we can tweak things so for example Edge has this sidebar here which uh you may just find distracting as a beginner so you could click on sidebar here and just say uncheck always show sidebar right and then voila it disappears right and say if we want to go to a particular setting we can say type in Search and it will give us the different elements that are relevant to search right and if we look for our default say address bar and search right down here near the bottom if we click on that we can say which search engines we want to use by default when we search from the address bar so right now of course on a Microsoft system it’s Microsoft Bing but we could switch that to Google right and now if we go and we just go to the address bar and we type in save horses we get a Google result right so it’s a quick way to uh enable your favorite default search engine speaking of settings if you want to jump into the settings area for Windows 11 itself right click on the start button and then click on settings right we can maximize that right we have all these different categories where we can jump in and tweak things right so for example Windows update if you click on that you can click on check for updates and windows will you know reach out to Microsoft and see what updates for Windows there happen to be uh there’s some Advanced options for that if we clicked on that uh we can click on this is usually off by default I tend to turn it on receive updates for other Microsoft products like Microsoft Office or whatever and uh also I like to be notified whenever restart is required that’s usually off I turn that on all right and uh and here’s an interesting area so uh you know if you noticed when we were on just the plain Windows update thing just says you’re up to date right but if when we go into advanced options we go down to optional updates there’s two available all right so if we click on that we get these different categories driver updates and other updates under driver updates we have a display update for this system and other under other updates we have a Net Framework update right so if you find that your system is uh acting a little unstable or if you just like to know that everything is as up to date as it can be you can pop into this area select those updates and click download and install right and once you click on that it’ll bring you back to the main Windows update uh area and you’ll see that the updates are downloading now generally speaking when uh updates are running you can go ahead and do other things you know we could close this off and just do other things well updates are running and eventually you’ll get a notification in the bottom right saying that the computer would like to restart you don’t have to restart right away uh you know if you’re writing out something a letter an email or you know reviewing do something online uh you could wait but uh ultimately you’ll want to restart to finish the update uh you saw the screen go black there that’s because one of the updates was for the display and it’s not unusual for the display to uh jump around while the video uh display driver is being updated so now those updates are complete and we can look around at some of the other offerings here uh one you might want to jump into right away if you like things to look the way you like them to look is personalization right and here is where you can change background and colors and themes Etc so if we click on background you know we have the default Windows 11 swirly here is is uh what we’ve been looking at so far uh this is a relatively nice one uh I minimize this to show you what that looks like one of the reasons I like this one is that uh it’s it’s mostly dark and the icons on the desktop that show up with their names nice and cleanly against that darker background all right uh this one looks fairly interesting as well uh it looks like colorful potato chips to me anyway so um let’s just switch back to what we’ve been looking at so that’s with the picture background but you could also just choose a solid color for for example right so uh black is the default choice for that uh which would just give us uh a nice clean black screen with that high contrast uh for icons and stuff if I don’t have a picture this is the color I would prefer on my system right and uh other than that uh it’s a bit more advanced I won’t get into it right now but you can set up a slideshow or you can uh let Microsoft put things all over your desktop by choosing Windows Spotlight all right but we’ll go back and just put it back to picture and the other thing that you should know about when you have a picture as a background is you’ve got these fill options right uh how it’s going to I should say fit options the option chosen here is fill but uh if you’re going to fill the screen then there’s going to be no uh no edges visible like like if the aspect ratio is different than your monitor uh you know whichever side needs to stretch out to fill the screen is going to stretch out and then some of the image might be cropped up if you choose fit then the whole image will fit but then you might have uh you know black or other colored bars on either side or on the top and bottom because of the different aspect ratio for the image uh versus the Monitor uh then we have stretch which would uh just stretch the image to exactly fit your monitor uh but could distort it if the aspect ratio is off uh there’s also tile so say if you had a small square image of uh you know whatever a cookie and you had uh it could tile you know so many times across and so many times up and down you’d have so many cookies right and of course we have Center which is just put it in the center of your screen at its natural size so if it’s a tiny picture you would have a tiny picture in the center of the screen if it was a huge picture of uh like a dartboard and you know you might only see the bullseye on the dartboard all right and uh we have span which I’m not sure how that differs from the others but you could always click on it and find out if you’re playing with a picture of your own on the desktop and then we also have uh different themes now here we have what they call contrast themes right and these are for those who are visually impaired or just prefer things to be uh very Stark so you know if we if we click on one of these choose one of these here’s the samples here if we choose one of these from the drop-down say Aquatic and we choose apply then you get immediately a view of how that’s going to look uh on your system right and this desert is the next one here right there’s another option we have dusk we have night sky and of course we can switch it back to none all right so uh those are what we would call accessibility themes generally speaking and then under related settings here we have themes which is uh a of more uh usual themes not so high contrast and uh I won’t preview all of those but uh there’s a bunch on offer here and you can also click on browse themes to get an even larger list now that was the new windows 11 settings area if you’re used to the old windows settings area which is the control panel that is still available so you can click on the start button but and type in the word control and you’ll see the control panel come up as an offering if you click on that your control panel will pop up and we can maximize that I like to switch from category view to the small icon view right and then in here you can play with all kinds of things right so uh one thing that I like to do on every new system is click on Mouse right and then here under double click speed I pull that all the way to the left so that it’s slow because the issue there is that uh when it’s in the middle you have to click so fast to get you know this is where you can test your double clicking is open it close it right uh you have to click so fast that uh well some people simply can’t do it right so they’ll they’ll be clicking and clicking and trying to open something like on the desktop you have to double click on an icon to open a program and uh it just won’t it won’t work for them you know nine times out of 10 or whatever but if I pull that all the way to the left suddenly you know they can click click make a double click at that speed and it will work all right so fairly important U even if you don’t need it to be uh slower if you ever share your computer it’ll reduce frustration for somebody else I’m sure so uh the other bit in here is pointers uh for the mouse and you can see the size note the size of the little arrow here that I’ve been using the default size uh if we click on the drop down here I like to go down to Windows standard extra large right and then you see uh here a preview of what that’s going to give us and then this one that we’ve been using so it’s twice as big right so I can click apply and then now I have that nice large cursor or arrow and if we go to pointer options right uh we have the pointer speed that we can adjust um generally I don’t find that that needs adjusting but uh sometimes on certain systems with certain mice you know every time you move your mouse a little bit it seems to fly across the screen right if that’s happening to you you can pull that uh to the left generally I wouldn’t pull it all the way to the left because uh you know if we click apply here uh things start to go way too slow right um but uh you know adjust to your taste usually just one tick at a time uh until you fine-tune it uh the way that you want another uh nice option is to click on show location of pointer when I press the control key so uh basically that means that when you press the control key you’ll get this little blip these circles that’ll show you where your mouse is so if you have trouble finding your mouse sometimes on your screen just hit the control key and then you’ll see immediately where it has gone right um other things here I don’t tend to tweak but uh if you use the wheel on your mouse to scroll through things you can adjust how many lines it Scrolls at a time right if you find that it moves too fast you could lower that if you want it to move faster of course you could uh increase that number right and then we click okay and we have our new mouse cursor right and of course here in the uh control panel there’s all kinds of other useful options one is power options right so if we jump in there uh you know there’s generally different Power plans on your system that you can choose m’s on high performance uh at the moment if you want to tweak that or see what the settings actually are you can click on change plan settings and uh you know a typical setting here might be you know to turn off the display every 15 minutes and on high performance to never put the computer to sleep but if if you have a power saving mode it might be uh you know 20 minutes or whatever that it’s going to put the computer to sleep you don’t necessarily want that to happen if uh every time you step away you got to come back and log in and do the whole thing right so uh if you’re like me I like to have uh both of these at never and if if you know I want to save power or whatever I can put my computer to sleep and I can turn off my monitor right so you would hit save changes to save that and if you’re on a laptop you would you would see more options because there’s going to be a battery options versus um you know your plugged-in options and you can you can tweak each of those accordingly on on battery I would recommend uh having your computer go to sleep after a certain time just to conserve the battery and to keep the system from uh just running out of juice and and turning off suddenly uh without because it has no more power uh which is more dangerous and can corrupt your system all right and we can go up at the top here to the breadcrumb back to all control panel items and uh another feature I would point out to you uh right now is programs and features so if we click on that uh it’s going to show us a list of all the programs that are installed on the system now uh that that’s a bit deceptive it’s not all of them it’s all of the standard uh style programs uh that we would traditionally think of as a program uh that’s been set up on a on a system but now there’s a sort of a distinction between programs which are listed here in apps which are things that are uh just access differently by the computer and and you might see under here so for example photos here you know I could rightclick and uninstall photos here from you know the start area but photos is not listed here in in the in the program list right so say if you installed uh Norton Antivirus uh which by the way I don’t recommend Norton Antivirus so you know uh I would I would rather see you use uh something else but um as I mentioned earlier just use the Microsoft One the free one but uh that would be in this list right that’s not an app it’s actually you know full-fledged software so you may need to manage software from here and you may need to manage apps from the start menu all right and we go back to all control panel items uh other bits that would be useful to know devices and printers all right that actually brings you now into the standard settings and then you can see your printers and scanners list uh right now I don’t have any physical devices but we have the Microsoft print to PDF printer there and uh what else would be interesting here you can you know tweak your sound settings uh you can look at your system information right see what kind of computer you have what kind of processor Etc so you have access to that area quickly from here yeah and one more thing would be the date and time um often that’s wrong when you get a new computer and you’re sitting in front of it the time Zone’s wrong or the or the just the time your right time zone but the time is off by a few minutes so you can jump in here and click on change date and time you know tweak the date make sure the the years right right you know you can you can go month by month Etc here and then uh you know go into whichever uh area hour minute second right and you can use the up and down bits to to change the time or or minutes Etc and uh you can also type it in right so you can just type in the number right just cancel that because it’s correct on this system and also you can change your time zone right so um I often find that computers come set up for the wrong time zone so just choose your correct time zone from the drop- down list in fact you may want to do that first change your time zone because that if your if your time is off by you know 3 hours or whatever changing your time zone may just put it right where it needs to be uh otherwise if you’re if you’re messing with this first and then you change your time zone you’re going to have to go back and mess with this again if you know what I mean anyway we can click okay there and that’s a preview of the control panel now an important concept to understand in Windows is cut copy and paste now you can do that with text but you can also do that with files and and folders and other things so uh let me show you what I mean by that so we’re going to click on start and I’m going to type in note and so I can get notepad coming up right and uh notepad is basically a little text editor right very just text there’s no formatting or anything you can’t make things bold or Center them or whatever uh you would use wordpad for that um as a default little app on Windows but I just want to show you some things here so uh this is a sentence this is a note this is the oops and there we go okay so uh you can select things by clicking you hold down your mouse and draging right so I have selected this whole sentence now if I want to move that sentence I can rightclick and I can say cut all right and then I place my cursor wherever I want the sentence to now appear I rightclick and I choose paste so I cut it and I’ve pasted it so those words are are literally from pre-computer days when you would cut something out of a page and paste it onto another page if you’re moving paragraphs or sentences around right so uh now there’s also copy and paste right so if I select this sentence here right click and instead of choosing cut I choose copy then I can place my cursor where I want it right click and paste and now I get a copy of it right so the way that this works is that there’s there’s something called the clipboard there a little area of memory when you when you cut something it goes into the clipboard and it’s removed from where it initially was when you copy something it’s put into the clipboard but it stays where it originally was right so now it’s in the clipboard the clipboard uh unless you get a clipboard utility uh is is by default it’s just going to hold one item right so if I copy one thing and then I copy another the another thing is in the clipboard not the first thing right so so when I paste I’m only going to get the last thing that I cut or I copied right so uh keep that in mind right and uh that’s just with text right so we can close that off there and I can show you that this is also possible to do with files so if I go into downloads here I have a list of files I’m going to right click on name at the top and choose size all columns to fit so we can see all the full file names and essentially we can rightclick on a file and uh it’s a little bit different here in terms of uh the rightclick menu that comes up uh different than a notepad right so uh we have little icons for cut and copy as opposed to the words now on older versions of Windows if I click on show more options uh we had cut and copy as menu full menu items not tiny little icons uh but you know they’ve changed the default here so we’re going to rightclick and if I say cut for Chrome setup here and then if I go to my desktop on the left here so here’s my desktop if I right click and now the icon is paste right another little icon to look at you can click on that and you see that that file has been pasted into uh or onto the desktop all right so on the desktop I can right click and I can click on copy right and then say if I go to documents I can rightclick I can choose paste again and now I have a copy of chrome both on the desktop and in documents so you can do that with documents and folders as well uh and you know if you’re in like say Microsoft Excel doing a spreadsheet uh you can copy and paste or cut and paste uh cells in the in the spreadsheet right so the whole idea of cut copy and paste uh Works across all kinds of Vari of Windows and it’s an important skill to have now I’ve been right clicking to uh do the cutting copying and pasting but the default keys for uh those commands are it’s control X for cut so that means hold down your control key and you can you can just keep your finger on it right uh you keep your finger on it for 30 seconds if you like it’s not that’s the timing there isn’t critical the the the critical thing is well you have your finger on that then you tap the X like just like you would be you’re going to type in the letter X in in a letter just hold down the control key tap the X and then let go with the control key all right um so you don’t have to try and hit them both at the same time is what I’m I’m trying to say some people get that impression and and of course it doesn’t always work out and they end up hitting the X before the control and well that doesn’t work so well so hold down the control key tap the X let go of the control key that’s cut right so similar uh copy is contrl c for copy and then uh pasting is contrl V right so uh you know for example if I have now I’ve got my Chrome setup selected in documents I’m going to press controll X right and then if I go over to pictures here and I click on the right so that that’s the active window I go control+ V and then I get my Chrome setup has moved from documents to pictures right and then you know I can rightclick on that and one of the little icons is delete I can delete that and then I can also delete it from my desktop right so uh let’s have another look at the downloads here maximize this and just show you a few things about file explorer right so this is the default view here uh few things you should know is that uh if things aren’t fully readable on the left hand side this vertical line here is movable so if you hover over it in just the right spot you get this little Double Arrow you can click and you can drag to give yourself more or less room all right and then uh another thing is is that we have all of these uh files and it tells us under type what type of file it is right but um what I like to do is click on view View and then go to show and then choose or select file name extensions right and then uh instead of it just saying Firefox installer here now it says Firefox installer.exe right so that’s an executable file I don’t have to look over here to figure out what type of file it is I can see immediately by the extension and this works great for uh pictures so you’ve got a a bunch of pictures in your uh pictures folder and some of them are jpegs some of them are gifts you know some of them are pings so you got you know your jpg extension your GF and your PNG extension um you know a lot of times those things don’t matter but sometimes they really do right uh you know if you’re creating a web page and you want you know a certain kind of optimized image or whatever you know it’s important to know what the extension is so I like to turn that on another thing that I like to turn on uh is uh we go into the little hamburger menu here and we go to options right and click on The View tab if we scroll down to the bottom here I choose expand to open folder right so let me drag the by the way when you click on the title bar of of a window and drag you can move the window around all right so uh I’ve CHS an expand to open folder click okay right and then now when I’m in uh different folders it’s going to expand on the on this edge here on this left side here to show me that folder so right now I’m I’m on edge here if I double click on application to enter this folder it’s going to expand and show me that folder that I’m in so so you’ll always have a a direct visual view of where you are in the structure of your file system um on the leftand side it’ll follow your your movements on the right otherwise uh all of this would have just stayed you know tightly closed like this you’d be you know all the way down here but you wouldn’t have any view of where you were and uh it it’s often the case that when you’re when you’re in one folder then you’re um needing to see and interact with other folders so for example if I wanted to pull this file just up one level then I can see that level immediately here so uh that I find very useful and uh there’s different views here right so if you click on the little uh down arrow on the right there you know we’ve got our extra large icons all right your large icon view your small icon view all right and we got a list view which is just the file name and no no additional information right and then the one I tend to like is the details view here so that gives you the name the date modified the type and the size right and you can you can click on any of these headings to sort by that bit right so now I’ve got them sorted by size largest to smallest if I click again it’ll reverse the sort so it goes smallest to largest now I can sort by type so if you if you got various types of files in a folder and you know you’re looking specifically for a PDF it’ll put all the PDFs together and you’ll have uh you know fewer files to search through you can ignore all the non- PDFs right you can sort by date if you want to see uh what’s the most recent or what are the oldest files uh or or just looking for something in a particular date range makes it much easier to to find and then of course the uh the default sorting is by name and you can have that go um you know up the alphabet or down so another thing to know uh is that you know let let’s just stretch this out a little bit here further so on on the left here you see see this the structure and there’s the little arrows right so when the arrow is pointing down that means that that folder is expanded right if I click that down arrow it collapses the folder right if I want to expand say here the common files folder I click on that and then it shows me the files immediately uh or the folders I should say immediately um below uh there could be files but the files will never be listed on this side um this is just the folder structure right so and you can keep expanding right uh to get deeper and deeper into the folder structure uh so so that that’s how you kind of walk through it right and um another thing you should know is let’s go into documents here for example so you’ve got your documents folder you’re creating documents by default if you’re using Microsoft Word or something similar uh your documents are going to be saved in this folder right but uh you know once you get to a few hundred files uh it can get confusing just trying to find one or make sense of it all so uh the thing is to create your own folder structure right the the computer comes with a bunch of folders but you know you’re going to want to make your own so in that case we’re in documents make sure you’ve clicked on the right somewhere in the white space on the right hand side right right and then you can click on new up here in the upper left and choose folder right and then here you can say uh you know different categories right uh you know click again in the Whit space new folder right and then new folder right and then you can drag and drop your files into those folders um from from anywhere right if you have uh if you have this area expanded on the left hand side you can go into another folder and drag them from that folder into these ones right so and of course you can keep you can keep going and doing subfolders right uh and if you don’t want to click new there you can rightclick and say new folder right from in this area right and then you know right click new folder right and and so on so now we have right your uh documents repairs laundry and in this breadcrumb there’s there’s so many ways to move around here right so you you can click the little arrow between repairs and laundry and it’ll show you uh the other options right so we can click on kitchen there for example and uh now we’re in the other folder there are even some options for creating some file types when you right click so you can right click and say new text document right and then you could create a document you know relevant to your current uh folder topic right and uh even here we have similar choices in the upper left corner now I’m not sure why it’s not actually expanding here on the left the way it normally would let’s just try closing and reopening file explorer here we go into documents repairs oh it maximize it kitchen H for some reason this system is a little bit buggy yeah so I just paused recording and checked on why this might be happening and a recent update to Windows 11 has uh introduced this strange little bug so um I would I would still turn on expand to folders but it won’t necessarily always work until Microsoft fix it it uh where we should see ourselves right if we’re in documents repairs kitchen is uh you know under Drive C we got users right and uh you know under under users you’ve got different usernames depending on how your system is set up if you click on your start button you can see what your actual username is in this case someone else right so uh we click on that folder and then if we go into documents right and we’ve got repairs kitchen that’s what should have expanded right on the left hand side and for some reason won’t do it today but maybe tomorrow so I just mentioned a a little bit about right clicking so the thing about right clicking is that it’s context sensitive so it depends on what you’re clicking on uh will it depends what your menu you’re going to get right so for example if I right click on this file on the desktop you know I get these particular choices right if I right click on the taskbar I get these particular choices you know if I right click on the one drive icon here in uh the system tray you know I get a whole other uh bunch of options right for example I can quit one drive and uh right clicking which we’ve already done on the start button gives us a bunch of uh options quick access to Common tasks in Windows right so um just keep in mind that if you’re not sure what to do in Windows just try right clicking wherever you are so here I’ve right clicked on the desktop you know I could go into display settings or personalize and tweak things there um in fact let’s jump into display settings because I will show you something that uh will help a lot of you if you have a monitor uh high resolution monitor on a new computer uh the icons are going to seem uh very small con compared to you know older uh let’s call uh classic monitors right and uh that that might be too small for your comfort right so you can click on display resolution here and choose a different resolution now the higher the highest number it tends to be the uh recommended resolution for your monitor and usually that’s going to be your default right but uh if you choose some smaller numbers uh you may find that uh everything just looks uh you know that much bigger and more visually accessible for you so a couple of notes about that um don’t choose any numbers below uh 7 68 uh just because anything smaller than that uh a lot of software just won’t fit right so you’ll open up a window it’ll have a bunch of settings and everything there’ll be a save button at the bottom but because the window is taller than your 768 uh you can’t even see the save button you can’t click on it you don’t know it’s there and you’re stuck right so that would be the very lowest uh that you would want to go and um otherwise the other thing to look out for is the aspect ratio right so if you have a a very uh say a widescreen monitor um you you don’t want uh the number pairings that are more square right because then you’re going to have uh you know those black bars on the left and right hand side of your monitor uh where you know your your monitor is just not being used so um play around with the different settings and find one where the icon look a good size but the uh background of your desktop fits completely on the monitor all right um and other than that I think I can show you how to change the text size on your system which is also something that can help for visuals so to do that let’s start from scratch here we’re going to close that window there we’re going to right click then click on settings right click on the start button of course and then in the uh find a setting area here just type in the word text and you’ll see text size all right click on that it’ll bring you to the accessibility Tex size area and there’s a little slider here right this is a preview of how things are so this is the default a on this computer and we can pull that uh until things get uh very large right so um now a warning would be if you make them if you pull it all the way to the right uh you’ll find that on in some software the text is so big it no longer fits in the space allotted to it in the software so things are going to either overlap or or be cut off right so uh you want to find some nice median uh compromise so that you know you’ve got the bigger text but it’s not too big uh what that means for you on your system will differ so you can play around with it but you know you could start by just pulling this into the middle for example and hitting apply note the size of the options here on the left when I hit apply and see how much bigger they are right so uh for those of you with limited Vision uh or just don’t like squinting you have you have the option to play around with the size of your text let’s close that off and we’ll close off this video just if you have any questions comments Etc um put them in the comment section below

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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“01.pdf” serves as a comprehensive tutorial for users transitioning to or learning Windows 11. It meticulously explains the new user interface elements, including the revamped taskbar and start menu, alongside fundamental operations like file management, internet connectivity via Microsoft Edge, and customization options. The guide further explores advanced features such as virtual desktops, widgets, the integrated Co-pilot AI, and enhanced security measures. Additionally, the tutorial covers system maintenance tasks like updates and resetting the PC, and introduces new or updated applications like Clipchamp and the sound recorder, aiming to equip users with a thorough understanding of the Windows 11 environment.

Windows 11 Study Guide

Quiz

1. Describe two significant changes to the taskbar in Windows 11 compared to previous versions.
2. Explain the purpose and functionality of virtual desktops in Windows 11.
3. How can you access and utilize the Co-pilot feature in Windows 11?
4. What is the Windows 11 Start Menu, and how has its layout and functionality been updated?
5. Outline the different ways to launch an application in Windows 11.
6. Describe the tabbed browsing feature in File Explorer and its benefits.
7. Explain the process of pinning and unpinning applications from the Windows 11 taskbar.
8. How can you use Windows Search to find applications, files, and settings?
9. What is the Action Center (Quick Settings) in Windows 11, and how can you customize it?
10. Explain the purpose of Focus Assist in Windows 11 and how you can configure its settings.

Quiz Answer Key

1. The Windows 11 taskbar is now centered at the bottom of the screen by default, and it features new icons and integrations like the Start Menu, Search, Widgets, and Microsoft Teams chat. Additionally, right-clicking on the taskbar now primarily leads to Taskbar settings, with other options like Task Manager being accessed through the Start Menu.
2. Virtual desktops allow users to create multiple separate workspaces on a single computer. This feature enables users to organize their applications and tasks, such as keeping work-related programs on one desktop and personal applications on another, and easily switch between them without closing windows.
3. You can access Co-pilot in Windows 11 by clicking on its dedicated icon located next to the search icon on the taskbar. Once opened, you can enter prompts, similar to other AI assistants, to generate text, create images, and potentially perform other AI-powered tasks, with the experience differing slightly between work and personal accounts.
4. The Windows 11 Start Menu is a centralized location to access applications, settings, and files, now positioned in the center of the taskbar. It features a revamped user interface with a search bar at the top, followed by pinned applications, a section for all apps arranged alphabetically, and recommended or recently used items, along with user account and power options at the bottom.
5. Applications in Windows 11 can be launched in several ways: by single-clicking on pinned icons in the taskbar, by clicking on the Start Menu and selecting from pinned apps, all apps, or recommended items, or by double-clicking on application icons located on the desktop.
6. The tabbed browsing feature in File Explorer allows users to open multiple folders in separate tabs within the same window, similar to web browsers. This reduces the clutter of having multiple File Explorer windows open and makes it easier to navigate and manage files across different directories.
7. To pin an application to the taskbar, you can either drag its desktop icon to the taskbar or find it in the Start Menu, right-click on it, and select “Pin to taskbar.” To remove an application, right-click on its icon in the taskbar and choose “Unpin from taskbar.”
8. Windows Search can be accessed by clicking the search icon on the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key and typing. It allows you to find installed applications by typing their names, locate files and documents, and even search for specific settings within the operating system.
9. The Action Center (Quick Settings) is accessed by clicking in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar, typically near the clock and notifications. It provides quick access to commonly used settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume, brightness, and other customizable options, allowing for rapid adjustments without navigating through the Settings app.
10. Focus Assist in Windows 11 helps users minimize distractions by managing notifications. It offers different modes, such as “Priority only” which allows only important notifications, and “Alarms only.” You can configure automatic rules based on activities like duplicating your display or playing games, and also set specific times or working hours during which notifications are managed.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the evolution of the Windows user interface, focusing on the key changes and improvements introduced in Windows 11 as highlighted in the source material. Consider the taskbar, Start Menu, and overall visual design.
2. Analyze the role of artificial intelligence (AI) integration in Windows 11, specifically referencing the Co-pilot feature and any other AI-driven functionalities mentioned in the provided text. Discuss the potential impact of these features on user productivity and experience.
3. Compare and contrast the different methods for managing files and applications in Windows 11, including the taskbar, Start Menu, desktop, and File Explorer. Evaluate the efficiency and user-friendliness of each approach.
4. Evaluate the security and privacy features discussed in the Windows 11 tutorial. How does Windows 11 aim to protect users from viruses, malware, and unwanted tracking? Discuss the user’s role in managing these settings effectively.
5. Based on the features described in the tutorial, discuss how Windows 11 caters to both basic and advanced user needs. Provide specific examples of functionalities that benefit different levels of computer literacy and expertise.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Taskbar: A persistent bar usually located at the bottom of the screen that provides quick access to running applications and system features like the Start Menu and search. In Windows 11, it is centered by default.
• Start Menu: A graphical user interface element used in Windows to launch applications, access settings, and manage files. In Windows 11, it has been redesigned and centered on the taskbar.
• User Interface (UI): The means by which a user interacts with a computer or software, including visual elements like icons, menus, and windows. Windows 11 features a revamped UI with a new color scheme and layout.
• Virtual Desktops: A feature that allows users to organize applications across multiple separate workspaces on a single monitor, enhancing multitasking capabilities.
• Widgets: Small applications or information displays that reside on the desktop or a designated panel, providing quick access to information like weather, news, and calendar updates.
• Co-pilot: An AI-powered assistant integrated into Windows 11, designed to help users with various tasks through natural language prompts.
• Microsoft Edge: The default web browser included with Windows 11, featuring updates like a sidebar, Collections, and integrated shopping and privacy tools.
• File Explorer: The file management application in Windows used to navigate and manage files and folders on the computer’s storage devices.
• Pinned Applications: Applications that users have chosen to keep readily accessible, typically displayed on the Start Menu or taskbar for quick launching.
• Windows Search: A system feature that allows users to find applications, files, settings, and web results by typing keywords into a search bar.
• Action Center (Quick Settings): A panel accessible from the taskbar that provides quick access to commonly used system settings such as Wi-Fi, volume, brightness, and notifications.
• Focus Assist: A Windows feature designed to minimize distractions by managing the display of notifications, allowing users to concentrate on their work.
• Task Manager: A system monitoring program used to view running processes, performance statistics, application history, startup programs, users, details, and services on a computer.
• PowerShell: A command-line shell and scripting language developed by Microsoft for system administration and automation.
• Command Prompt: A command-line interpreter application available in most Windows operating systems, used to execute entered commands.
• TPM (Trusted Platform Module): A security cryptoprocessor chip on the motherboard of a computer that stores cryptographic keys used to protect information. Required for Windows 11 installation in many cases.
• Windows Sandbox: An isolated, temporary desktop environment that allows users to run potentially untrusted software without affecting the main operating system. Available in Windows 11 Professional and Enterprise editions.
• Live Captions: An accessibility feature in Windows 11 that automatically generates real-time captions for any audio playing on the device.
• Voice Clarity: An AI-powered microphone enhancement feature in Windows 11 that reduces background noise during calls and recordings.
• Clipchamp: A video editing application included with Windows 11, offering tools for creating and editing videos.
• Sticky Notes: A desktop application in Windows that allows users to create and display electronic notes as reminders.
• Seven-Zip (.7z): A popular open-source file archiver with a high compression ratio. Windows 11 (with updates) allows for creating and extracting .7z files.
• Tar (.tar): A file format commonly used in Unix-like systems for collecting multiple files into one archive file, often compressed with gzip (.tar.gz). Windows 11 (with updates) allows for creating and extracting .tar files.
• Energy Saver: A power setting in Windows 11 designed to extend battery life by reducing system performance and screen brightness.

Windows 11 Tutorial Briefing Document

This document provides a detailed overview of the main themes, important ideas, and facts presented in the “Windows 11 Tutorial” (01.pdf). It includes direct quotes from the source where relevant to illustrate key points.

Main Themes

The tutorial comprehensively guides users through the fundamentals and more advanced features of the Windows 11 operating system. Key themes include:

• New User Interface (UI): A significant redesign with changes to the taskbar, Start menu, color scheme, and layout.
• Enhanced Taskbar Functionality: Centralized icons, revamped Start menu, integrated search, virtual desktops, widgets, Microsoft Teams integration, and customizable settings.
• Revamped Start Menu: Centered location, improved search functionality, pinned and recommended applications, easy access to all apps, and customizable layout.
• Improved Search Capabilities: Integrated search accessible from the taskbar and Start menu, capable of finding apps, settings, documents, and web content.
• Introduction of Virtual Desktops: Functionality to create multiple independent workspaces for better organization.
• Integration of AI with Copilot: AI-powered assistant for tasks like creating marketing plans and generating images, accessible from the taskbar.
• Widgets for Quick Information: Customizable widgets on the taskbar for weather, calendar, news, and more.
• Microsoft Teams Integration: Built-in chat and video conferencing capabilities.
• Enhanced File Explorer: Tabbed browsing, redesigned context menus with labels, quick access features, and integrated compression/decompression (including 7z and tar formats in later updates).
• Customization Options: Extensive options to personalize the taskbar, Start menu, desktop, themes, display settings, and privacy settings.
• Windows Security Features: Built-in tools for virus and threat protection, firewall management, and account security.
• Connectivity Management: Guidance on connecting to wired and wireless networks.
• Microsoft Edge Updates: New sidebar, improved menus, Collections feature, automatic coupon finding, enhanced privacy settings, web select, read aloud, web capture, and the ability to install websites as apps.
• New and Updated Applications: Introduction of Widgets, Copilot, Clipchamp (video editor), updated Sound Recorder, Media Player, and Notepad.
• System Maintenance and Recovery: Instructions on shutting down, restarting, sleeping, hibernating, installing updates, resetting the PC, and creating bootable media.
• Accessibility Features: Introduction of Live Captions.
• Performance and Efficiency Tools: Focus Assist for minimizing distractions, Task Manager enhancements including efficiency mode, and Power Saver for extending battery life.
• Command Line and Advanced Tools: Accessing Command Prompt, PowerShell, Windows Terminal, and managing startup applications manually.
• Virtualization with Windows Sandbox: A secure environment for testing applications and websites.

Most Important Ideas and Facts

• Taskbar Changes: The taskbar is now centered by default, and the icons and options have been modified. “as soon as you log into the system one of the first things that you’ll notice is that the taskbar has changed it’s changed the location and also the items in the taskbar also the options of the taskbar have changed.” Users can still align it to the left in the taskbar settings.
• Revamped Start Menu: The Start menu is also centered and features pinned applications, all apps, and recommended items. “you’ll notice the start menu has been revamped through the new user interface.” It offers enhanced search and customization options.
• Improved Search: Windows 11 features a prominent search bar on the taskbar and within the Start menu. “the search option major Improvement in Windows 11”. It allows users to quickly find applications, files, and settings.
• Virtual Desktops for Organization: This feature enables users to create and switch between multiple workspaces. “virtual desktops is a functionality where you can launch specific programs on a workspace.”
• Copilot AI Integration: Windows 11 includes an AI assistant, Copilot, accessible from the taskbar. “co-pilot in Windows 11 to access co-pilot click on this co-pilot icon next to the search icon on the taskbar.” It can assist with various tasks using prompts.
• Widgets for Quick Access to Information: Widgets provide at-a-glance information like weather and news. “if you click here on widgets the taskbar is typically one of the tools of an operating system that it’s used as a quick way to launch specific operating system functions.”
• Enhanced File Explorer with Tabs: A significant update introduces tabbed browsing for easier file navigation. “This is a recent update to Windows 11 notice that there are now tabs that you can open instead of opening multiple windows to navigate through your files in your PC.” The context menus have also been visually updated with labels. “with a 24 H2 update of Windows 11 there’s new function functionality related to Windows Explorer prior to this release if you right clicked on the file You’ only see these little icons and didn’t have the tags or the labels below the icons.” It now supports creating and extracting 7z and tar files in later updates.
• Customization is Key: Windows 11 offers numerous ways to personalize the user experience, from the taskbar and Start menu to themes and display settings. “you can customize a view of it by right clicking on it and you have a bunch of options here.”
• Windows Security as a Built-in Solution: Windows 11 comes with its own security suite. “Windows 11 actually comes packaged with its own Security Suite and firewall tools as well.” Users can access and manage these settings through the Windows Security app.
• Microsoft Edge Enhancements: The default browser includes a new sidebar for quick access to Bing search and tools. “I have opened Microsoft Edge and notice on the right hand side we have this new sidebar.” It also features Collections, coupon finding, enhanced privacy, and other useful tools.
• New and Updated Apps: Clipchamp provides video editing capabilities. “clipchamp and it allows for video editing so it’s a video editor in Windows 11.” Sound Recorder and Media Player have received visual and functional updates. Notepad now has theme and font customization options.
• Resetting Your PC for Recovery or Clean Up: The tutorial details options for resetting a Windows 11 PC, either keeping personal files or removing everything. “resetting your PC may be necessary if your computer got infected with the virus or something is not working well in your PC and you just need to go back.”
• Windows Sandbox for Secure Testing: Available in Professional and Enterprise editions, Sandbox provides a virtual environment for testing software and websites. “Windows sandbox is a separate Windows environment on top of the poost operating system for Windows 11 professional or Windows 11 Enterprise.”
• Accessibility with Live Captions: A new feature transcribes audio playing on the screen in real-time. “with the 24 H2 release of Windows 11 there’s new functionality that of live captions to enable live captions we go here to the quick settings or the control center as it used to be called then click on accessibility and then click on live captions”.
• Efficiency Mode in Task Manager: Users can now set certain processes to run in efficiency mode to reduce resource consumption. “One of the new features in the new task manager in Windows 11 is the option for you to specify a process or to define a process to run in efficiency mode.”
• Power Saver for Battery Life: A new quick setting allows users to enable a power saver mode. “with a 24 H2 release of Windows 11 there is a new function related to power settings in Windows 11 and it’s called power saver.”

This briefing document captures the core information presented in the Windows 11 tutorial, highlighting the key changes, new features, and essential functionalities of the operating system.

Windows 11: First Look and Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions about Windows 11

1. What are some of the first changes I will notice after logging into Windows 11?

One of the most immediate changes you’ll see is the redesigned taskbar, which is now centered at the bottom of the screen by default and features a new set of icons including the Start menu, Search, Virtual Desktops, Widgets, Microsoft Teams chat integration, Microsoft Edge, File Explorer, and Mail. The user interface also has a different color scheme and layout, and even the login, logout, and shutdown processes have a new look and location within the Start menu.

2. How has the Start menu been revamped in Windows 11, and what are its key components?

The Windows 11 Start menu is now centrally located on the taskbar. When opened, it features a search bar at the top, followed by pinned applications for quick access, which you can customize by pinning and unpinning apps. Below the pinned apps is an “All apps” section, providing an alphabetical list of all installed applications. Additionally, there’s a “Recommended” section displaying recently used files and applications, and at the bottom, you’ll find options for your user account (for logging off, locking, or signing out) and power options (sleep, shut down, restart). The Start menu can be further customized through “Start settings,” allowing you to adjust the layout to show more pinned apps or recommendations, hide recently added or most used apps, and choose which folders appear alongside the power options.

3. What are Virtual Desktops in Windows 11, and how can they improve my workflow?

Virtual Desktops is a feature in Windows 11 that allows you to create multiple separate workspaces on your computer. This enables you to organize your applications across different desktops. For example, you could have one desktop with your work-related applications, and another with personal or client-related applications. You can easily switch between these virtual desktops, keeping your different tasks and projects separate and reducing clutter on a single screen. To access and manage virtual desktops, you can click the Virtual Desktops icon on the taskbar, where you can create new desktops and switch between existing ones.

4. How can I use the Search functionality in Windows 11 effectively?

Windows Search in Windows 11 is a powerful tool accessible by clicking the search icon on the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key and typing. It allows you to find applications, files, settings, and even information on the web directly from your desktop. The search results are categorized for easy navigation. You can customize the search options and the types of results displayed through the settings accessible via the three dots (options) icon within the search interface. Windows Search is designed to be a quick alternative to manually navigating through your files and settings.

5. What are some key features and changes in File Explorer in Windows 11?

File Explorer in Windows 11 features a redesigned interface with a new “Home” tab that provides quick access to frequently used folders (like Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures), favorite folders and items, and recent files. A significant update is the introduction of tabbed browsing, allowing you to open multiple folders within the same File Explorer window, similar to a web browser. The toolbar at the top has been updated with new icons for common actions like creating new folders or files, and the context menus (right-click menus) have been visually refreshed with clearer icons and labels. You can also easily pin folders to the “Quick access” section for faster navigation.

6. How can I customize the Taskbar in Windows 11 to suit my preferences?

You can customize the Windows 11 taskbar by right-clicking on an empty area of the taskbar and selecting “Taskbar settings.” This will open a settings page where you can control various aspects, such as toggling the visibility of search, task view, and widgets buttons. If you have a touchscreen, you can enable the pen menu option. A notable customization is the ability to change the taskbar alignment from the default center to the left, which resembles previous versions of Windows. For multi-monitor setups, you can configure whether the taskbar appears on all displays. You can also customize the icons that appear on the taskbar and manage taskbar behaviors like automatic hiding.

7. What are Widgets and how can I use them in Windows 11?

Widgets in Windows 11 are small, dynamic panels that display information such as weather, calendar events, news, sports scores, and more. You can access them by clicking the Widgets icon on the taskbar. The widgets are customizable; you can add, remove, resize, and rearrange them according to your preferences. You can also personalize the content displayed within some widgets, such as news topics or sports teams. Widgets provide a quick and easy way to stay informed about various topics without needing to open full applications.

8. How can I connect to the internet using Windows 11, both via wired and wireless connections?

For a wired connection, if you have a Windows PC with a network port and a live Ethernet connection in the wall, simply plug in the Ethernet cable. Windows 11 should automatically establish a connection. For wireless connections, if you have a laptop or a wireless device, look for the network icon (usually a globe with an arrow or Wi-Fi signal icon) in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar. Clicking this will open the Quick Settings panel where you can turn on Wi-Fi if it’s off. Once turned on, click the right arrow next to the Wi-Fi button to view available wireless networks. Select your desired network, click “Connect,” and enter the network password if prompted. Windows will typically remember the connection for future use. You can also manage Wi-Fi settings and connect to new networks by searching for “Wi-Fi settings” in the Windows search bar.

Windows 11 Comprehensive User Guide

The sources provided contain excerpts from a comprehensive tutorial on using Windows 11. The tutorial starts with the basics and progresses to more advanced features. It emphasizes hands-on practice while watching the video and refers to a quick guide in the video description.

Here’s a discussion of the topics covered in the Windows 11 tutorial based on the provided excerpts:

Getting Started and User Interface Changes:

• Upon logging in, users will notice changes to the taskbar, including its centered location and the icons it contains. The options for the taskbar have also changed.
• Key components of the revamped user interface (UI) include a different color scheme and layout.
• The tutorial covers changes to the login, log out, and shutdown processes.
• The Start menu has been revamped with a new user interface, offering access to pinned applications, all apps, and recommended items. Users can customize the pinned and recommended apps, as well as choose to show recently added or most used apps. They can also customize which folders appear in the Start menu.
• The search option is a major improvement in Windows 11 and can be accessed from the taskbar, the Start menu, or by pressing the Windows key. It allows searching for apps, files, settings, and web content.
• Virtual desktops allow users to create separate workspaces for different tasks and switch between them, helping to organize open applications.
• Widgets are accessible from the taskbar and provide quick access to information like weather, calendar, news, and sports updates.
• Microsoft Teams chat and video conferencing are integrated into the operating system and accessible from the taskbar.
• Other taskbar icons include Microsoft Edge, Windows Explorer (now called File Explorer), and access to email.

Taskbar Customization:

• Users can customize the taskbar settings by right-clicking on it and choosing “Taskbar settings”.
• Customization options include showing or hiding search, task view, and widgets icons.
• Touchscreen users can enable the pen menu option.
• The taskbar alignment can be changed from the default center to the left.
• Users with multiple displays can control whether the taskbar shows on all displays.
• Right-clicking on the Start menu provides access to key areas like Disk Management, Computer Management, Device Manager, and Task Manager.
• The quick action center, accessible by right-clicking on the Start menu, allows configuration of Wi-Fi, airplane mode, accessibility settings, and battery options.

Desktop and Application Management:

• The desktop is an area for placing application icons, website shortcuts, and file shortcuts. Applications on the desktop are typically opened with a double-click, while those on the taskbar require a single click.
• Users can customize the desktop view, arrange icons, and show or hide them. They can also create new shortcuts and folders.
• The recycle bin stores deleted items, which can be retrieved.
• Desktop personalization options include changing background, themes, lock screen, taskbar items, fonts, and display settings (resolution, font size).
• The tutorial covers launching applications from the taskbar, Start menu, and desktop.
• Managing applications includes minimizing, maximizing/restoring, and closing windows using the controls in the top right corner.
• Windows 11 introduces a new window resizing feature accessible by holding the mouse over the maximize button, allowing users to quickly snap windows to different parts of the screen.
• Force-closing unresponsive applications can be done through Task Manager, accessed by right-clicking the Start button or searching for “Task Manager”. The Task Manager shows running apps and processes, allowing users to end tasks.
• Switching between applications can be done by clicking on their icons in the taskbar or by using the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut. Switching between virtual desktops is also covered.

Windows Search:

• Windows Search is a powerful feature for quickly finding applications, files, and settings.
• Users can customize search options and settings.
• Search can be launched from the taskbar icon or by pressing the Windows key and typing.

File Explorer (Windows Explorer):

• File Explorer is used for navigating files and folders on the computer, accessible from the taskbar.
• The “Home” option provides quick access to frequently used folders, favorites, and recent files.
• The left-hand side offers navigation to OneDrive, quick access items, “This PC” (listing storage devices), and network locations.
• Windows 11 introduces tabbed browsing in File Explorer, allowing users to open multiple folders within the same window.
• Common file management tasks like creating new folders and files, copying, pasting, renaming, sorting, and changing the view of files and folders are demonstrated.
• Users can pin folders to “Quick access” for easier access.
• Options for showing hidden items, preview pane, and customizing File Explorer settings are covered.
• Context menus in File Explorer have been visually updated with labels below the icons for common actions like copy and paste.
• The tutorial explains how to create compressed (zip) files by right-clicking on a folder and choosing the compression option. It also covers how to extract files from a zip archive.
• With a 24H2 update, the ability to create and extract 7-zip and tar files has been added.

Taskbar Management:

• The tutorial demonstrates how to pin applications to the taskbar by dragging them from the desktop or by right-clicking on them in the Start menu and selecting “Pin to taskbar”.
• Applications can be unpinned from the taskbar by right-clicking their icons and selecting “Unpin from taskbar”.
• The location of the taskbar can be changed from the center to the left via taskbar settings.

Working with Files and Folders:

• Basic concepts of working with files and folders, such as creating, moving (drag and drop vs. cut and paste), and selecting multiple files, are explained.

Internet Connectivity and Browsing:

• Connecting to the internet via wired and wireless connections is covered. For wireless, users need to click on the network icon in the bottom right, turn on Wi-Fi, select a network, and enter the passphrase if required. Wi-Fi settings can also be accessed through Windows Search.
• The default web browser in Windows 11 is Microsoft Edge, and the tutorial highlights the combined address and search bar. It advises typing URLs in the top address bar to navigate directly to websites.
• Customizing browser settings, such as the start page, is demonstrated.
• New features in Microsoft Edge are discussed, including the sidebar for Bing search, Discover, and quick access to tools like calculator and Outlook. The sidebar can be customized or hidden.
• Visually updated menus, Collections (similar to bookmarks with added functionality), and a feature to automatically save money while shopping are highlighted.
• Privacy settings in Edge, the Web select tool for copying text, the Read aloud feature, and the Web capture tool for taking screenshots are demonstrated.
• The ability to install a website as a separate app, the Cite this tool for generating citations, and the Math solver are also covered.

Widgets:

• Windows 11 has a dedicated widgets panel accessible from the taskbar, displaying information like weather and news.
• Widgets can be customized in terms of size and content, and new widgets can be added.

Shutting Down, Sleeping, and Restarting:

• The tutorial explains how to shut down or restart the computer via the Start menu’s power icon.
• The differences between sleep and hibernate modes are briefly explained, with hibernate being more effective for saving laptop battery.

Windows Updates:

• Installing Windows updates can be done by searching for “Windows Update” in the search bar and clicking “Install now”.
• Options for pausing updates, viewing update history, and configuring advanced update settings (install times, optional updates) are covered.
• Keeping the PC up to date is important for security, performance, and new features.

Customizing Look and Feel:

• Users can customize the look and feel of Windows 11 through the “Personalize” option accessible by right-clicking on the desktop. This includes changing themes, sounds, and cursor.
• Adjusting the font size of icons and other Windows components is done via display settings.

Windows 11 Settings:

• The Settings app can be accessed by searching for “Settings”.
• The tutorial highlights the improved structure and visual appeal of the Windows 11 Settings app compared to previous versions.
• Key settings categories like System, Devices, Network & internet, Personalization, Apps, Gaming, Privacy & security, and Windows Update are mentioned.
• Uninstalling applications through the Apps settings is demonstrated.

Privacy Settings:

• Customizing privacy settings involves searching for “Privacy settings”.
• Users can configure various privacy options under General, Speech, Ink and typing personalization, Diagnostics and feedback, Activity history, Search permissions, Location, Camera, and Microphone.
• The tutorial advises being cautious when turning off camera and microphone access for all apps.

Action Center (Quick Settings):

• The Action Center, or Quick Settings, is accessible from the bottom right of the taskbar and provides quick access to common settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and volume.
• Users can customize the Quick Settings by adding or removing items.
• Updates to the Quick Settings with the 24H2 release include a scrollable list of icons for more options like energy saver, accessibility, and live captions.

Default Printer:

• Setting or changing the default printer involves searching for “Printers & scanners” in Settings.
• Users need to disable the “Let Windows manage my default printer” option and then select a printer and click “Set as default”.

Microsoft Store:

• The Microsoft Store (app store) can be accessed by searching for “Store” or clicking its icon.
• It allows users to download and install apps (both free and paid) from Microsoft and third-party developers, similar to app stores on smartphones.
• The option to install Android apps via the Amazon Appstore is also mentioned.

Changing Password:

• Windows passwords can be changed by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and selecting “Change a password” or by searching for “Change password” in Settings.
• Corporate network password changes might need to be done through IT department tools.

Locking Your Computer:

• Locking the computer for security can be done by pressing the Windows key + L.

Windows Security:

• Windows 11 includes its own security suite and firewall tools, accessible by searching for “Windows Security”.
• The Windows Security app provides an overview of the computer’s security status and allows users to manage settings for virus & threat protection, account protection, firewall & network protection, app & browser control, device security, and device health.
• Running scans for viruses and malware, checking protection history, and configuring firewall rules are covered.
• Family safety features, allowing management of kids’ screen time, are also accessible through Windows Security.

Connecting to External Displays:

• Connecting to a second monitor or projector typically mirrors the display by default (duplicated).
• To extend the desktop across multiple displays, users can press the Windows key + P and select “Extend”.
• This can also be done by searching for “extend” or “duplicate” in the search bar.

Casting to External Devices:

• Casting to a wireless display or remote device can be initiated by pressing the Windows key + K.
• The “Cast” option can also be found by searching for it or through the Quick action items.

Projecting from Android to Windows:

• Windows 11 allows mirroring the screen from an Android device using the Projection tool and Connect app, typically via Miracast.
• Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network and support Miracast.
• Projection settings need to be configured in Windows by searching for “Projection settings” and enabling the options.
• The Connect app needs to be launched on the Windows PC to make it discoverable.
• On the Android device, users need to find the “cast,” “broadcasting,” “mirror,” or “connect” option in settings. Apple devices are not supported.

Snap Feature:

• Windows 11 has an enhanced Snap feature for arranging multiple application windows on the screen.
• Hovering the mouse over the maximize/restore button provides different layout options for snapping windows to specific parts of the screen.

Removing Unwanted Applications:

• Uninstalling applications can be done by searching for “Add or remove programs” in Settings.
• Users can click on the three dots (more options) next to an app and choose “Uninstall”.

Sound Settings and Volume:

• Adjusting sound settings and volume can be done via the sound icon in the taskbar, which opens the Action Center with volume controls.
• More advanced sound settings can be accessed by clicking the arrow on the volume slider in the Action Center or by searching for “Sound settings”.
• Right-clicking the sound icon in the taskbar also provides options to open the Volume mixer or Sound settings.

Task Manager:

• Task Manager can be accessed by right-clicking the Start button or searching for “Task Manager”.
• The “Processes” tab shows running applications and background processes, along with their resource usage (CPU, memory, disk, network). Users can end tasks from here.
• A new “Efficiency mode” allows limiting resource usage for specific processes (requires administrator rights).
• The “Performance” tab provides an overview of hardware resource utilization (CPU, memory, disk, GPU).
• The “App history” tab shows resource usage history for applications.
• The “Startup apps” tab lists applications that run automatically on startup, allowing users to disable them.
• Other tabs include “Users,” “Details,” and “Services”.
• Task Manager settings allow customization of the default tab, resource display, and other options.

Focus Assist:

• Focus Assist helps users concentrate by managing notifications.
• It can be controlled from the Quick Settings with options for “Off” (all notifications), “Priority only” (only important alerts), and “Alarms only”.
• Focus Assist settings can be customized to set automatic rules based on display duplication, gaming, and specific times or working hours.

Command Line Terminal:

• The command prompt can be accessed by searching for “command”. It allows running manual commands and checking system settings.
• Windows Terminal, which uses PowerShell, is a newer way to manage settings and run commands, accessible by searching for “Windows PowerShell” or right-clicking the Start button. Some functions may require running as administrator.

Adding Applications to Startup Manually:

• Manually adding applications to Windows startup involves using the Run command (Windows key + R) and typing “shell:startup”. This opens the Startup folder.
• Users then need to locate the application’s executable file in File Explorer, right-click it, drag it to the Startup folder, and choose “Create shortcut”.

Co-Creator in Paint:

• Paint has an image creator feature powered by AI that generates images based on user prompts.
• Users need to be signed in with a Microsoft account to use it.
• They can select different styles for the generated images and further modify them with Paint’s tools.
• A similar image generator is available directly in the Photos app.

Live Captions:

• The 24H2 update introduces live captions, which transcribe audio playing on the screen in real time.
• Live captions can be enabled via Accessibility settings in Quick Settings.
• The system will download language files for this feature.
• The live captions bar can be positioned anywhere on the screen and works for both local and web-based audio.

Power Saver:

• The 24H2 update includes a Power Saver (Energy Saver) mode accessible from Quick Settings.
• Enabling Power Saver extends battery life at the cost of performance and slightly dims the screen.
• It can be toggled on and off in Quick Settings and is also available on desktop computers.
• Battery settings, including power mode and options for lid closure and power button press, can be accessed by clicking the battery icon in Quick Settings.

Voice Clarity:

• The 24H2 update introduces Voice Clarity, an AI-powered microphone enhancement to remove background noise during calls or recordings.
• It can be found in Settings under System > Sound > Microphone > Default microphone audio processing mode.
• Previously a Surface PC exclusive, it’s now rolling out to all Windows 11 PCs.

Clipchamp (Video Editor):

• Clipchamp is a built-in video editor in Windows 11, accessible from the Start menu.
• Users need to sign in with a Microsoft account to use it.
• It offers templates or the option to start from scratch.
• Video editing involves importing media, adding it to the timeline, and using various tools and effects.
• Text, fonts, colors, and transformations can be modified.
• Finished videos can be exported as MP4 files in various resolutions and shared to different platforms.

Sound Recorder (Updated):

• The Sound Recorder app received a visual update.
• It can be found in the Start menu or via search.
• It allows recording audio, importing existing files, and managing previous recordings (renaming, deleting).
• Users can select the microphone and start recording.
• Recordings can be paused, stopped, played back, and shared.
• Recording format and audio quality can be adjusted in settings. Basic audio editing is not available within the app.

Media Player (Updated):

• The Media Player app also received a visual update.
• It organizes music and video libraries by allowing users to specify folders.
• It includes options for play queue, playlists, and settings for music and video locations, theme, and album information retrieval.
• Video playback controls include play/pause, volume, full screen, and options for casting, video settings (rotation, enhancements), and skipping forward/backward. It also offers integration with Clipchamp for video editing.

Notepad (Updated):

• Notepad has a new look and includes settings to modify font and theme.

Resetting Your PC:

• Resetting the PC can be done by searching for “Reset PC” in Windows Settings.
• Options include fixing issues without resetting, going back to a previous version of Windows, or fully resetting the PC.
• When resetting, users can choose to keep personal files or remove everything. Keeping files requires reinstalling apps and settings. Removing everything is recommended when selling or giving away the PC and offers an option to erase the drive securely.
• The tutorial also briefly mentions creating a bootable USB drive for Windows installation from the Microsoft website.

Enabling TPM in Hyper-V:

• This section demonstrates how to enable the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) in a Hyper-V virtual machine running Windows 10 to allow upgrading to Windows 11.
• This involves turning off the virtual machine, accessing its settings, going to the Security tab, enabling TPM, and then starting the machine.

Sticky Notes:

• Sticky Notes is a tool for creating on-screen reminders, accessible from the Start menu.
• Users can take notes, create new notes, customize them, and delete them. It may prompt for a Microsoft account login.

This comprehensive tutorial covers a wide range of Windows 11 features, from basic navigation and UI changes to more advanced topics like security, customization, and using built-in applications. The inclusion of updates from the 24H2 release makes it relevant for users with the latest version of the operating system.

Windows 11 User Interface: A Comprehensive Overview

Windows 11 introduces several significant changes to the user interface (UI) compared to its predecessors. These changes aim to provide a modern, streamlined, and more user-friendly experience. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the UI modifications based on the provided source:

Core Taskbar and Start Menu Changes:

• Centered Taskbar: One of the most immediately noticeable changes is the relocation of the taskbar icons to the center of the screen by default. However, users have the option to align it to the left, similar to previous Windows versions, via Taskbar settings.
• Revamped Start Menu: The Start Menu has been completely redesigned with a new color scheme and layout. It is also now centered at the bottom.
• It features a prominent search bar at the top.
• Below the search bar are pinned applications for quick access, which users can customize by pinning and unpinning apps.
• The “All apps” section provides an alphabetically categorized list of all installed applications.
• The Start Menu also includes a “Recommended” section displaying recently used or suggested apps and files. Users can remove items from this list.
• The user account options (log off, lock, sign out) and the power options (sleep, shut down, restart) are now located at the bottom of the Start Menu. The shutdown and restart options have a new location within the Start Menu.
• Users can customize the Start Menu to show more pinned apps or more recommended items. They can also choose to show or hide recently added apps and most used apps. Additionally, users can select specific folders (like Documents, Downloads, Settings) to appear as icons in the Start Menu for quick access.

Desktop Enhancements:

• The desktop serves as an area to place icons for launching programs, website shortcuts, and file shortcuts.
• Applications launched from the taskbar require a single click, while those on the desktop typically need a double click.
• Right-clicking on the desktop provides options to customize the view (icon size, arrangement, alignment), show/hide desktop icons, create new shortcuts and folders, and personalize the background, colors, themes, lock screen, taskbar, and fonts.
• Display settings, including font size and screen resolution adjustments, are also accessible by right-clicking on the desktop.

Window Management:

• Windows 11 introduces enhanced window resizing and layout options, especially beneficial for larger monitors. By hovering the mouse over the maximize button of an application window, users can choose from various predefined layouts to snap the window to different parts of the screen.
• Standard minimize, maximize/restore, and close buttons are located at the top right of application windows.

Taskbar Customization:

• Right-clicking on the taskbar now primarily offers access to “Taskbar settings”. The direct access to Task Manager and other options via the right-click menu is no longer the default.
• The Taskbar settings allow users to customize which items appear on the taskbar, such as the search bar, task view, and widgets.
• For touch screen devices, there’s an option to enable the pen menu.
• The taskbar alignment can be changed from the default center to the left.
• For systems with multiple displays, users can configure whether the taskbar appears on all displays.
• Right-clicking on the Start Menu icon on the taskbar provides quick access to various system tools like Disk Management, Computer Management, Device Manager, and Task Manager.

Quick Action Center (Control Center):

• The quick action center, located on the far right of the taskbar (next to the clock), provides quick access to frequently used settings such as Wi-Fi, airplane mode, accessibility settings, battery, volume, and brightness.
• It features customizable tiles that can be toggled on or off.
• Users can edit the quick settings to add or remove available options like cast, NightLight, nearby sharing, and project.
• With the 24H2 update, the quick settings area introduces a scrollable set of icons for more options like energy saver, live captions, and hotspot.

File Explorer Redesign:

• File Explorer features a redesigned interface with a new “Home” section that includes Quick access (Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures), Favorites, and Recent files.
• It now supports tabbed browsing, allowing users to navigate multiple folders within a single window, similar to web browsers.
• The top of the File Explorer window features new icons and menu items for common actions like creating new folders or files.
• Contextual tools in the top menu appear after an item is selected.
• Right-clicking on files and folders provides context-sensitive options, including the ability to “Pin to quick access”.
• The visual look of the context menus has been updated with rounded corners, and with the 24H2 update, options are rearranged with labels below the icons for better clarity.
• Copy and paste functionality has been enhanced with more obvious icons and labels in the context menu (24H2 update).
• Sorting and view options (large icons, list, details, compact view) are available. Users can also show or hide the preview pane and hidden items.
• File Explorer options allow customization of the default opening location, single or double-click to open items, and clearing history.
• New functions in the 24H2 update include the ability to create 7-zip and TAR archive files directly within File Explorer, in addition to extracting them.

Microsoft Edge Updates:

• Microsoft Edge features a new optional sidebar providing direct access to Bing search, Discover features, tools like calculator and clock, and integration with Microsoft Office and other web applications like Gmail. The sidebar is customizable and can be hidden.
• Menus in Edge have a more visually appealing design with rounded corners.
• Collections, similar to bookmarks but allowing for saving screen clippings and articles, have been added.
• The browser includes features for automatically finding coupons while shopping.
• Privacy settings have been enhanced with options to block trackers.
• Tools like Web select (for selecting text), Read aloud (with highlighting and auto-scrolling), and Web capture (for taking screenshots with annotation options) have been added or improved.
• Users can install websites as separate apps, creating shortcuts on the Start Menu and taskbar.
• A citation tool helps users properly cite web resources.
• The Math Solver assists with mathematical equations.

Widgets:

• Windows 11 features a dedicated widgets panel accessible from an icon on the taskbar.
• Widgets display information like weather, calendar, news, and sports.
• Users can customize the widgets by resizing, removing, and adding new ones.

Settings App Overhaul:

• The Settings app has been significantly improved with a restructured and more visually appealing interface.
• Settings are now organized into clear categories like System, Devices, Network & internet, Personalization, Apps, and Privacy & security.
• The new design aims to be more intuitive and easier to navigate compared to previous versions.

Other UI Related Changes:

• The login and log out screens have a different visual appearance.
• Paint has been updated with enhanced tools and a new image creator feature powered by AI, allowing users to generate images based on text prompts.
• A new live captions feature (24H2 update) transcribes audio playing on the screen in real-time.
• The Sound Recorder application has a new visual design (2022 update).
• Media Player has been updated with a new look and features, including library management and integration with Clipchamp.
• Notepad features a refreshed look and options to customize the font and theme.
• Task Manager has a redesigned interface with new features like “Efficiency mode” for managing process resource usage.
• Focus assist helps users minimize distractions by managing notifications.
• Sticky Notes provides a simple way to create digital reminders.
• Windows 11 introduces Windows Sandbox (for Professional and Enterprise editions), a separate, isolated desktop environment for testing applications and websites.
• Voice Clarity, an AI-powered microphone enhancement, helps remove background noise during calls and recordings.
• Clipchamp is a new in-built video editor for creating and editing videos.
• The ability to connect and extend display to a second monitor has been streamlined, with options accessible via Windows key + P or through the Display settings.
• Casting to external devices is made easier with Windows key + K or through the quick action center.
• Windows 11 allows projection from Android devices to a Windows PC using the Projection tool and Connect app.
• The snap layouts feature is enhanced, offering more intuitive ways to arrange multiple application windows on the screen.

These UI changes collectively contribute to the modern and updated look and feel of Windows 11, aiming for improved usability and productivity.

Windows 11 Taskbar Customization Guide

Based on the sources, Windows 11 offers several ways to customize the taskbar to better suit your needs and preferences. Here’s a discussion of the taskbar customization options available:

Default Configuration and Key Components: By default in Windows 11, the taskbar is located in the center of the screen. It includes several default items such as the Start Menu, Search, Virtual Desktops, Widgets, Microsoft Teams chat integration, Microsoft Edge, File Explorer, and access to email.

Accessing Taskbar Settings: To customize the taskbar, you can right-click on any empty space on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”. This will open the dedicated settings page for taskbar customization.

Customizable Taskbar Items: Within the Taskbar settings, you can configure the visibility of several key elements:

• Search: You can choose whether or not to display the search bar or icon on the taskbar.
• Task View: This option controls the display of the Virtual Desktops button on the taskbar.
• Widgets: You can enable or disable the widgets button on the taskbar.
• Pen Menu: If you have a touch screen device, you can enable the option for the pen menu to appear on the taskbar.

Taskbar Alignment: One of the primary customization options is the ability to change the alignment of the taskbar icons. If you prefer the traditional left-aligned taskbar familiar from previous versions of Windows (like Windows 10 or Windows 7), you can change the “Taskbar alignment” setting from “Center” to “Left” under the “Taskbar behaviors” section in the Taskbar settings.

Taskbar on Multiple Displays: If you are using multiple monitors with your Windows 11 system, you can control whether or not the taskbar is displayed on all of your connected displays. This option can be found within the Taskbar settings, and you would typically need to have a checkmark enabled for the taskbar to show up on all displays.

Pinning and Unpinning Applications: You can easily customize the applications that appear on your taskbar for quick access.

• Pinning from Desktop: You can pin an application to the taskbar by simply dragging its icon from the desktop and dropping it onto the taskbar.
• Pinning from Start Menu: You can also pin applications from the Start Menu. To do this, open the Start Menu, locate the desired application (either in the pinned apps list or under “All apps”), right-click on it, and select “Pin to taskbar”.
• Unpinning: To remove an application icon from the taskbar, right-click on the icon and select “Unpin from taskbar”.

Removing Applications: While you unpin an application from the taskbar to remove its shortcut, to completely remove or uninstall an application from your computer, you need to go to the Settings app and navigate to the “Apps” section, where you can uninstall applications.

Context Menu Changes: It’s important to note that right-clicking on the taskbar itself now primarily leads to the “Taskbar settings”. The direct access to Task Manager and other system options that was available in previous Windows versions through this right-click menu has been replaced. Instead, you can access tools like Task Manager by right-clicking on the Start Menu icon on the taskbar.

In summary, Windows 11 provides a good degree of flexibility in customizing the taskbar, allowing you to adjust its position, the items that are displayed, and the applications that are pinned for quick access.

Windows 11 File Explorer: Features and Usage

Based on the sources, Windows 11 File Explorer is a tool for navigating the files and folders on your computer. Here’s a discussion of its key features:

Accessing File Explorer: You can access File Explorer by clicking on the File Explorer icon located on the taskbar.

Layout and Key Sections: Upon opening File Explorer, you’ll notice several key sections:

• Home: This is a new option in Windows 11 that provides quick access to:
• Quick access: Includes default folders like Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, and more.
• Favorites: Folders and items that you have marked as favorites.
• Recent files: Files that you have recently been working on.
• Left-hand side pane: Offers options like OneDrive, items marked for quick access or as favorites, and further down, access to default folders (Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures) and key storage locations.
• This PC: Lists the storage devices available on your computer, including the C drive and any other internal or external drives (like USB flash drives or CD-ROM drives).
• Network: Allows you to browse network locations.

Tabbed Browsing: A significant update to File Explorer in Windows 11 is the introduction of tabbed browsing. This allows you to open multiple folders in different tabs within the same File Explorer window, similar to a web browser, eliminating the need for multiple windows. You can open a new tab by clicking the “+” icon.

Top Menu Bar: Below the tabs, you’ll find a menu bar with options that become contextual depending on what you have selected. For example:

• When no item is selected, you have options like “New” to create new folders, shortcuts, or various types of files (like Word documents or Excel worksheets).
• When a file or folder is selected, additional icons for actions like cut, copy, paste, rename, share, and delete will appear. You can also find options for sorting (by name, date, etc.) and changing the view.

Interacting with Files and Folders:

• Selecting: You can select single or multiple files and folders by clicking on them. For multiple selections, you can use the Shift key to select a range or the Ctrl key to select non-contiguous items.
• Opening: To open an application from the desktop, you typically double-click its icon. In contrast, to open an application or file from the taskbar, a single click is usually sufficient. To open a file from File Explorer, you generally double-click it.
• Right-Click Context Menu: Right-clicking on a file or folder brings up a context menu with various options relevant to that item, such as copy, paste, rename, delete, and more. With the 24H2 update, these context menus have been visually updated with rounded corners and more meaningful labels below the icons at the top. A “Show more options” selection might be available to access the older style context menu from Windows 10.
• Moving Files: You can move files by dragging and dropping them between folders, although the source suggests that using cut and paste is a safer method to avoid accidentally dropping files in the wrong location. You can cut by right-clicking and choosing “Cut” or using the cut icon in the menu, then navigate to the destination folder and paste using the right-click menu or the paste icon.
• Copying and Pasting: To copy a file or folder, right-click and choose “Copy,” then navigate to the desired location and right-click to “Paste”.
• Renaming: You can rename a file or folder by right-clicking on it and selecting “Rename” or by selecting it and then clicking on its name.
• Sorting and Viewing: File Explorer allows you to sort files and folders by various criteria like name, date modified, size, etc.. You can also change the view to display icons in different sizes (large, medium, small), as a list, with details, or in a compact view. You can also choose to show or hide the preview pane on the right side.

Quick Access: The Quick access section on the left-hand side allows you to pin frequently used folders for easy access. To pin a folder to Quick access, you can right-click on the folder and select “Pin to Quick access”. This will add it to the list on the left, allowing you to jump directly to it from anywhere in File Explorer without navigating through the entire folder structure.

Creating and Extracting Compressed Files: File Explorer has built-in functionality for working with compressed files:

• ZIP Files: You can create a ZIP file by right-clicking on a file or folder, selecting “Compress to ZIP file” (in older versions it might say “Send to” and then “Compressed (zipped) folder”), giving it a name, and hitting enter. To extract the contents of a ZIP file, you can right-click on it and choose “Extract All…“.
• 7z Files (with 24H2 update): With the 24H2 update, you can now create 7z files by right-clicking on a folder, clicking “Compress to“, and selecting “7z file“. To extract a 7z file, right-click on it and select “Extract all“.
• TAR Files (with 24H2 update): Similarly, the 24H2 update enables you to create TAR files by right-clicking on a folder, selecting “Compress to“, and then “TAR file“. To extract a TAR file, right-click on it and choose “Extract all“.

Showing Hidden Items: To view hidden files and folders, you need to go to the “View” tab in File Explorer, then under “Show,” check the box for “Show hidden items“.

File Explorer Options: Further customization of File Explorer behavior can be found by clicking the three dots (…) on the top menu and selecting “Options“. Here, you can configure things like whether File Explorer opens to “Home” or “This PC,” how folders are opened (in the same or a new window), and single or double-click actions. You can also clear the File Explorer history for privacy and restore default settings if needed.

In summary, Windows 11 File Explorer offers a comprehensive set of features for managing your files and folders, including a modern tabbed interface, quick access to important locations, improved context menus, and integrated support for common archive formats.

Windows 11 System Settings: An Overview

Based on the sources, the System settings in Windows 11 provide a central location to manage various aspects of your computer’s operation and configuration. The source highlights it as a “major Improvement” in Windows 11 compared to previous versions, noting the restructuring, enhanced clarity, and visually appealing design.

Here’s an overview of the System settings:

Accessing System Settings: The source mentions that the easiest way to get to the System settings is through the search option. You can:

• Click on the search icon on the taskbar.
• Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
• Then, type “settings” and click on the “Settings” app when it appears in the search results.

Structure and Key Categories: Once you open the Settings app, you’ll find a well-organized interface with different categories. The source outlines several key areas:

• System: This top-level category encompasses core system-related settings. This includes options for:
• Display: Adjusting screen resolution, brightness, scaling, and orientation.
• Sound: Managing audio output and input devices, volume levels, and sound settings.
• Notifications: Configuring app notifications and Focus assist settings to manage interruptions.
• Power & battery: Adjusting power modes, sleep settings, and battery usage.
• Storage: Viewing storage usage and managing storage settings.
• About: Information about your computer’s hardware and Windows version, and options for renaming your PC and checking for updates.
• Devices: This section allows you to manage settings related to any devices connected to your computer, such as printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, and Bluetooth devices.
• Network & internet: Here, you can configure your network connections, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN, and mobile hotspot settings. You can also manage data usage and network properties.
• Personalization: This category lets you customize the visual appearance of your operating system, including themes, background images, lock screen settings, colors, sounds, and the Start Menu and Taskbar.
• Apps: This section allows you to manage the applications installed on your computer. You can:
• See a list of installed apps.
• Uninstall applications (by clicking the three dots or configuration icon and choosing “Uninstall”).
• Configure default apps for different file types and links.
• Manage startup apps.
• Accounts: Here, you can manage your user accounts, including adding or removing accounts, changing your account picture, and managing sign-in options like passwords and PINs .
• Time & language: This section allows you to configure date and time settings, language preferences, and region formats.
• Gaming: This category provides settings specifically for gaming, such as Xbox Game Bar, game mode, and graphics settings.
• Accessibility: These settings help make your computer easier to use based on your individual needs, with options for vision, hearing, and interaction.
• Privacy & security: This crucial section allows you to manage your privacy settings. This includes controlling:
• General privacy options.
• Speech settings.
• Inking and typing personalization.
• Diagnostics and feedback.
• Activity history.
• Search permissions.
• App permissions for features like location, camera, and microphone.
• Windows Security, where you can access firewall and virus & threat protection settings.
• Windows Update: This section allows you to check for, download, and install Windows updates. You can also manage update settings like pausing updates and viewing update history.

Search Functionality: The source emphasizes that within the Settings app itself, you can search for specific settings if you are unsure of their exact location. By using the search bar within the Settings window, you can quickly find the setting you want by typing relevant keywords (e.g., “disk cleanup”).

In conclusion, the System settings in Windows 11 offer a significantly improved and centralized way to manage and customize your computer’s various features and options, covering everything from display and sound to privacy and updates. The clear organization and search functionality make it easier to find and adjust the settings you need.

The Original Text

hello my name is solic s the following is a comprehensive tutorial on using Windows 11 we will start with the very Basics and then proceed with more advanced features to master Windows 11 as you watch the video consider the quick guide posted in the video description the best way to learn Windows 11 is to also practice the described features handson while you watch the video as soon as you log into the system one of the first things that you’ll notice is that the taskbar has changed it’s changed the location and also the items in the taskbar also the options of the taskbar have changed you have the start menu the search option major Improvement in Windows 11 the virtual desktops and I’ll get into more later as to how that works the widgets the integration of Microsoft teams chat and video conferencing as part of the operating system getting to the web Microsoft Edge Windows Explorer and then access to email part of the revamped user interface or UI you have a completely different color scheme and layout of the components in Windows 11 the login and log out has changed so it looks different here and even the shutting down of the computer it it’s now in a new location in the start menu there are also some behind the scenes features and enhancements to the operating system with the emergence of the larger monitors that Windows allows you to resize a window by simply holding the mouse on The maximize button for any of the applications and you can choose a particular lay out there enhancements related to gaming there is a gaming mode also widgets so if you click here on widgets the taskbar is typically one of the tools of an operating system that it’s used as a quick way to launch specific operating system functions so you want to get to settings for example you want to get to launch the different applications or launch your files so you need a way to get started in Windows 11 the taskbar is this set of icons here in the bottom now it’s in the middle of the uh screen now some of the components of the taskbar and then how to customize the taskbar so one of the first options here is a start menu you’ll notice the start menu has been revamped through the new user interface you can navigate pinned applications as part of your options you can get to all the apps in the operating system from here or there are also recommended apps or what you have used recently the next part of the taskbar is the search menu if we go to click on search and by the way you can get to the search by pressing the Windows key on the keyboard and it will launch the same thing the third option here is the virtual desktops so virtual desktops is a functionality where you can launch specific programs on a workpace so right now I have let’s say word let’s say five or six programs but then all of a sudden I need to meet with a client and instead of me having to clear my desktop and having to uh prepare my desktop to share my screen and so on I can come down here to the virtual desktops area click on it and create a new virtual desktop it’s going to be a clean start I can uh follow up with a client work with them open new applications and switch between the multiple virtual desktops by retaining the previous settings to go back to the previous desktop I can simply click on or hold the mouse on Virtual desktops icon and then switch to my first virtual desktop where I’ll get access to my apps co-pilot in Windows 11 to access co-pilot click on this co-pilot icon next to the search icon on the taskbar and then if you’re signed in with a work account you’ll be working through the cloud co-pilot application if you’re using a personal account then it will use the desktop version of the co-pilot so in my case I’m going to click here on go to co-pilot for work and at this stage very similar to open AI for chat GPT here we can ENT The Prompt so we want to create a marketing plan for an MBA online program and then we simply click on submit we can also create images from here and this will most likely evolve from the time of this recording because AI is constantly changing and advancing at this point it’s working to create to design an image uh if you use certain type of prompts you can also create bar charts visual representations of data the other cool feature as part of the new windows taskbar is the widgets to to access the widgets you can click on widgets and then you can have the weather you can have the Outlook calendar reminder Sports and you can add other widgets such as traffic and so on and if you scroll down down there is news and stock updates to the right of this there is the Microsoft teams video conferencing as part of this operating system then next Microsoft Edge which is one of the web browsers obviously then you have the file explorer and I’ll get into more of those Concepts shortly and then email now to customize those settings for the taskbar you can right click on it and choose taskbar settings one thing that is different from previous versions is that you don’t have the task manager and a whole bunch of other options you simply have now the task settings under task settings this is where you can customize whether you want search to show up as part of the taskar whether you want the task view to show up like those buttons that we saw down here whether you want them to be displayed or not if you have a touch screen you might want to enable the option for pen menu in most cases that would be enabled but if it’s not this is where you enable it if you don’t like the taskbar in the center how Microsoft has set it by default you can change it to be on the left and it will be very similar to the Windows 10 or Windows 7 if you have multiple displays you can control whether you want your taskbar to show up on all displays and this you’d have to have a check mark in here for that as part of the taskbar on the start menu area if you right click on it you have a bunch of options very similar to Windows 10 and Windows 7 where you can get to certain key areas in your computer so for example if you need to check the Disk Management or if you want to check the computer management devices and Tool and resources in your computer or if you want to get to the task manager this is how you now get to it the Run command and even shut down and restart the computer it’s by right clicking on start menu on the far right you have this quick action center and we’ll get into that later as well but for now here is where you can configure and connect to the Wi-Fi airplane mode and then change accessibility settings things related to the battery and so on so this is kind of the quick settings for your desktop to change your time clock and your computer you can do it from here along with adjustments of the notification settings while you are focusing on work the start menu in Windows 11 allows you to access applications installed on your computer the settings in your computer as well as files and navigate to the files and so on so it’s basically a way to access what is available in your computer to access the start menu in Windows 11 notice that now it is centered in the bottom here we click on start this icon here in the bottom left and that’s where the start menu is in Windows 11 notice at the very top of the start menu you have the search option and this is Windows search it’s also the same function as over here to the right of the start menu right below the search option you have the pinned applications those are commonly used applications that have either been pinned by Microsoft by default fault or that you can pin them on your own manually if you don’t want one of these applications pinned in here you can rightclick and choose to unpin it from the start menu if you want a particular application to show up in here let’s say PowerPoint search for it and then right click on it and choose pin it search for the applications once you locate your application you can right click and choose to pin it to the start menu if we click on the start menu again we should have PowerPoint as one of the options notice I have to scroll down to access it if we want to move one of those to a different location in the start menu in the pinned area select it and then drag it up or down in your list of applications to the right of the pinned area we have the all apps this is how you can can access all the applications in your computer if you click on all apps notice that they are categorized alphabetically and you’ll simply scroll down and access any of those applications some of them contain folders so if we click here on text Smith for example notice that there are various other options within that folder one application could contain other sub applications as part of of that main application further down here we have also the recommended apps these are applications that Microsoft is recommending for you to have access directly from the start menu these could be various files that you have used or various applications installed in your computer to remove one of those applications from the recommended list right click and choose remove from the list further down in the start menu we also have the option to log off this is the account that I’m log into this computer currently and if you wanted to switch accounts you’ll click on it and then choose to change account settings or to lock the account or sign out on the right hand side this is where we have the power options we can choose to put the computer to sleep from here or we can shut it down or restart the computer furthermore we could customize the start menu by clicking on this empty space because notice we have all this this empty real estate here in the bottom between the account logged in and the power options to get to the settings of the start menu right click anywhere in this empty space between the two and choose start settings from here we can select a different view so if we wanted more icons to show up as more pins to be displayed by default it’s basically some of the pinned apps and then recommended apps but if you want more of the pinned apps as part of that real estate you can choose to more pins and it will look like this notice more of them showing up or more recommendations more recommendations will shrink the space of the pin apps and it will give you more recommended options down here below if you do not want to show the Recently Added apps in the start menu you can turn this option off so so notice down here this is what I had installed recently these two applications if you don’t want that options you can choose off and now those will no longer show up in the start menu to show the most used apps in the start menu in Windows you can select this option turn this to on and now if I click on the start menu they will show show up in here now this account I don’t use it much so that’s why you’re not seeing any difference at this point I use this only for the recordings you can also choose to hide or show the recently opened items such as file explorer files and if you want to turn this off now notice that the recently opened files that I had from earlier they’ll no longer show up as part of the start menu further down you can choose to show the various folders as part of the start menu so this would be items that you want to be displaying in here between the DL staff and the power options so we click on here and then let’s say I want to show the settings there I want to show file explorer documents downloads music network settings or even personal folders it allows you to create personal folders in your computer as part of the start menu now if we go back to the start menu notice that down here I have all of these options that I can access the documents downloads or whatever I selected to add over here so that is how you use the windows 11 start menu the desktop is simply an area where you can place various icons in order to launch programs in your computer and a lot of other cases is you can place shortcuts to website or even shortcuts to files so in this case we have a bunch of the icons or programs here in the left now the difference is that in order for me to open an application from here for example Microsoft Edge I need to double click on these icons to open them up while from the taskbar here in the bottom if I’m launching something from the taskbar I’ll click only one time in order to open that application as you install different programs different icons will show up on the desktop what shows up on the desktop depends on whether the application has been configured by default to put an icon on the desktop you can customize a view of it by right clicking on it and you have a bunch of options here you can change the view to have larger icons or different types of icons and whether to arrange the icons on your desktop a certain way align them and even to show or not show the icons on the desktop also you can create new shortcuts or new folders on the desktop so if I want a new text document there I click on new choose new document or new Excel document and there it is now of course to move those things around you can drag them at wherever you want them to delete an icon from the desktop that is quite obvious you simply select it and you press delete one of the key components of the desktop it’s also the access to the recycle bin so typically anytime you delete something from your computer it’s going to put it automatically in a recycle bin so if you wanted to retrieve something from a recycle bin double click on it and then it will display what you recently deleted here I can right click on it and choose to restore it to customize the desktop right click on the desktop choose to personalize it and then under personalize this is where you can change a lot of the different settings such as a color themes the lock screen and taskbar items and things like that fonts and so on and obviously here we are personalizing the background and so on you can pick different backgrounds photos change those contrasts by right clicking anywhere on the screen or you can change the display settings if I wanted to change the font size on the monitor the resolution and so on this is where I’ll make those changes if I right click again on the desktop notice there are some additional options here opening an application and managing an application from Windows 11 now this is a very B basic concept that most of you have used but yet if somebody is for the first time trying to understand the windows 11 operating system this would potentially help so to launch an application if if the application is already on the taskbar you can simply click on it and single click and it will open up for example here Microsoft Edge if I wanted to open an application from the start menu you just simply click on start and then pick the application from here or under the all apps so in that case I’m simply finding it then clicking on it and then launching it if the application is also listed on the desktop and you want to launch it from the desktop here you’d have to double click instead of single clicking one of the features in Windows 11 in any application actually is that on the top right here typically you have these controls now on a MacBook or in a Mac OS those controls would be on the left hand side that you can minimize this app by clicking on the little minus icon in the bottom left and it will bring it down to the taskbar and you can get a preview or relaunch it by clicking on it again the other option is this minimize maximiz option what you see here on the screen this is a new feature in Windows 11 and this allows you with the emergence of the larger desktops you simply hold the mouse on the icon here on the middle one and then you can select to park this application in half of your screen or a certain position of your screen so if I want to just on the bottom right top Corner the fourth of the screen out click on this and now it’s only on that part of the screen and then I can have something else on a different part of the screen to close the application you can click on X on the top right and that is standard with other versions in some cases when working on an application it crashed on you and you just need to somehow make sure to close it without rebooting the computer one of the ways to do that is to access or to close the application from the taskbar so let’s say the application is here somehow it’s misbehaving now I need to get to the taskar to close it to access a taskbar and by the way this has changed you right click here on the Windows icon and you click on task manager or you can simply go to the search option and type task manager and now this will give you something like this it will show up task manager and the apps that you currently have opened so if I wanted to end this app application forcefully I’ll click on the application and then choose and task in some cases that application may not show up in this list and then in that case you can click here on more details and then find the application and choose end task to find it you click here on processes in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’m going to go over how to switch between applications in Windows 11 the process is the same as previous versions of windows but for the purpose of understanding how the windows 11 operating system works I’ll cover it here as well so let’s say we have two or more applications opened and we need to switch between them and we have only one monitor let’s say I wanted to switch to word one of the options is to Simply go to the taskbar in the bottom and then click on word and switch between the two if I have more than two applications opened obviously the process is going to be very much the same so I’d go the taskbar and switch between the applications here on the bottom another way to switch between the applications is to hold down the ALT key on the keyboard and then press tab this will display all the applications running currently on this computer and then keep on pressing Tab and switch to a different application or while I’m holding the ALT key I can go and click on a specific one to switch to it earlier I also covered that you can switch and have multiple desktops or multiple virtual desktops as well if I want to switch to a completely different desktop I’ll go here to the bottom and switch to a new desktop desktop 2 let’s say and from here I can launch a whole new setup a variety of applications in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’m going to go over briefly how to use Windows search Windows search it’s actually one of the cool powerful features of the upgraded Windows operating system instead of you having to scroll and locate a various application and identify where it is and so on you can click here on search and simply start typing that will search for apps it will search for all the components on the computer we’ll search for documents uh the web and people photos videos and so on those search options can be customized by clicking here on these three dots or options icon on the far right and then customize various icons and also the search settings as well the search can launch it directly here by clicking on the Windows icon or you can press the Windows key and then simply start typing so you type the name of the application and then you just click on it and it will bring it up the other thing you can do is that you can search for settings in your computer so let’s say you wanted to change the display settings you go here to the display area or any of the display components and then change the various settings like the scaling and so on another example would be for example the Wi-Fi if you’re not sure how to connect to the Wi-Fi you can type Wi-Fi or Wireless and then click on it and it will take you to your Wi-Fi settings so the idea is anytime you need something instead of having to know where it is located you can search for it with an approximate word and the system will bring up that particular file or that particular setting or that particular application in this session of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to use file EXP Explorer in Windows 11 file explorer is a tool for navigating the files in your computer to access file explorer click here on file explorer from the taskbar and then on the left hand side we have the home option this is a new option in Windows 11 that contains by default a quick access options such as the desktop downloads documents pictures and so on favorites folders and items that you have marked as favorites and then recent files these would be files that you have been working on recently then on the left hand side options such as one drive or items that you have marked as favorites or marked for quick access then further down you have desktop downloads documents pictures and uh various key folders that you may want to access quickly further down we have the options for this PC and network this PC this is what lists the storage devices that you have in your computer by default every computer has C drive and then if you have a second hard drive it will be listed something similar to this but then if you have a cdrom drive in your computer it would be D drive typically or e Drive and then if you add a flash drive this is where it will show up so basically to access a any of those items you’ll need to click on this PC and then further down this is where you can navigate the files and folders in your computer this is a recent update to Windows 11 notice that there are now tabs that you can open instead of opening multiple windows to navigate through your files in your PC you can now open a new tab very similar to a web browser for navigating the files now at the very top if we go let’s say to a Loc that say downloads in this computer and if I want to create a new folder I can click here on new so notice we have these icons or menu items right below the tab here so if I want to create a new folder I click on new and then choose folder and then simply give it a name from here and I double clicked on it to access it now to create a new file I could create it either using word from the application or I could create the file directly from here as well so if I click on new word document I’m basically giving it a new name from here and then it will give me the option to double click on it and then open it in word and it will save it to the location that I created this file once you select an item notice that the other menu items in the top show up after the item has been selected so it’s very similar to contextual tools in office applications to determine as to what these icons stand for you need to hold the mouse on them and it will display what the item is remember also that to modify any of these files you can rightclick on them and then you have other options as well related to that file if I want this folder to be listed here under my favorite folders all you have to do is is you right click on the folder and select pin this to quick access and Noti this point it will add it here on the leftand side the advantage of the quick access is that anytime I’m working in file explorer instead of going to downloads and then selecting my folder I can click here on the left hand side and it will take me directly to that folder now to copy a file right click and choose copy and then I can go to a different different folder where I want to paste it and right click in that location and then paste it obviously this is a simple concept but it’s to demonstrate the functionality in Windows Explorer to rename this file right click on it and choose rename or click over here and the file name and then choose the rename icon notice there is also the Sorting option that I can sort them by name or by date and then there is the view option whether I want large icons or whether I like a listing of files or also the details for those files there is also the compact view the changing of the various views so if you want to see more files in a compact way You’ select this option and you can also select from here whether you want to show the preview pane on the right hand side so if I click on this file it will give me a preview of what that document contains can even have checkboxes under View and then show this is where you can also select to show hidden items or hidden files in Windows further to the right we have these three dots this is where you can see additional options whether you want to select them all or the properties for this folder or options for file explorer if we click here here on options this is where we can configure in the system when you open File Explorer if you wanted to see the Home tab or if you want to go to this PC automatically here in the bottom this is also where you can define whether you want to open each folder in the same window or in its own window and whether single click or double click on items to open them here is how you can clear the history for privacy reasons in your computer if for some reason you mess up those settings you can also restore those defaults by clicking on this button restore defaults Under The View area and this is where we are getting more granual this is where you can specify additional options whether you want to show certain items and you can apply this to all the folders now if you make changes in your PC and you want to go back to revert back to the default options you can always click here on reset folders and that will reset all the settings to the default folder settings as I mentioned earlier you also have the tabed browsing in file explorer the advantage of this is that you can navigate to various folders in your PC and instead of interfacing between various Windows you’re just interfacing via the various tabs in your computer with a 24 H2 update of Windows 11 there’s new function fun ality related to Windows Explorer prior to this release if you right clicked on the file You’ only see these little icons and didn’t have the tags or the labels below the icons so now with this update you can right click on something press copy and then right click again and then select paste but it’s more obvious as to the function for copying and pting in those files or folders same thing also with file so if you right click on this notice you have the options which are more meaningful at the very top here with the labels below them and then if you want to paste it in this case it’s larger and in the past it used to be a tiny icon without the label below it so you’d have to know what it was now if you help the mouse on it it will tell you what that icon stands for and also what the shortcut for it is this segment of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to pin apps to the taskbar in Windows 11 now you can pin apps to the taskbar by simply dragging them from the desktop to the taskbar and just letting the mouse go let’s say I want to pin the zoom application to the taskbar I simply can drag it to the taskbar and then let the mouse go and it will create a shortcut on the taskbar if you want to add another application to the taskbar go to the start menu search for the application or locate the application and then right click on it and choose pin to taskbar to remove an application from the taskbar right click on the icon and then select unpin from taskbar in this segment of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to change the location of the taskbar in Windows 11 in Windows 11 by default the taskbar is centered to the bottom of the screen if you want to change this similar to the prior versions of Windows right click here in the taskbar and select that taskbar settings scroll down under taskbar behaviors and then change the taskbar alignment from Center to the left then close the taskbar settings and then you are all set working with folders I find that most users don’t fully understand working with files let’s say I wanted to create a new folder here if I click on new up here I can choose to create a new shortcut or a new folder and a new bunch of other stuff here but for now I want to create just a new folder so I click on new and then choose folder and then I have the name of the folder and then you hit enter to move a file into this folder I can do it a couple ways let’s say I have this file right here and I want to move it over here I can simply drag it and then it will put it in that folder drag and drop it’s great as long as you’re precise there’s a danger in a drag and drop because sometimes you may drop a file in the wrong place so the best thing to move files around is by selecting them if there are more than one then you can either select all of them or select just a few of them or you can hold the control key and select random ones or you can click on the first one hold down the shift key and then select a few of them and then use these options up here by the way Microsoft in Windows 11 change this so we can cut these and then move them somewhere else this is the safer way to move files around or you can also right click click on Cut here and now I go back navigating to the top folder or I can go to the left and use navigation on the left and then let’s say I want to paste those files in here right click and choose the option to paste or you have the paste icon on the top these may be very basic concepts but it’s necessary in the workplace now one of the needs that I also find the users are not very familiar with in any version of Windows is how to create a compressed file or a zip file as it’s called so let’s say I have here this word 2019 folder and it has a bunch of stuff in there now let’s say I want to send that to somebody in a compressed format because it has a lot of stuff in it to create a zip folder a zip file all you have to do is right click on it click on compress to zip file now the terminology here in Windows 11 has changed so we click here on create a zip file it’s going to do its thing and it’s actually putting all of these files including the folder and potentially sub folders into one single file for you to send away notice it says it’s a zip folder it has a zip little icon thingy here and that’s what You’ need to send but you’re sending one compressed package typically for large files instead of emailing them maybe share them either using one drive or Google drive or some kind of cloud file sharing platform now let’s say that I received this file typically with a zip file you also need to extract those files notice there is an option for extract all items in this folder or you can right click on it and choose to extract all and that’s a necessary process for any zip files for you to do on your end obviously you need to do this only when you’re completely assure from a a safe sender notice it’s going to by default extract it in the same folder that we had it however you can change it to a different folder you press extract and all those files at this point will be displayed in here notice it creates a new folder matching the zip folder and under that then there are the actual files the context menus for the file explorer and windows 11 have changed notice first the rounded Corners the visual look and feel and then these options have been kind of rearranged and the icons have changed more options this will bring more of the old look and feel from Windows 10 and that’s how it used to actually look finally as you’re accessing files in some cases there might be a need to track down hidden files in your computer there are certain places that the files are stored and you just need to make sure to kind of get to them or view them or do something with them so and one common area is for example if we go here under the users folder we go under this account my profile account notice that by default you see maybe 10 or 12 different folders in here however there are files and folders in there that are actually hidden by default and to view those files and folders going under view scroll down under show and then choose show hidden files or unshow hidden files and notice now app data you’ll have this displayed so if you have a Windows PC with a network connection a wired connection obviously you simply take the wired connection and provided the port in the wall is active you simply plug it in and you should be able to connect to the internet if you have a wireless laptop or a wireless device with Windows 11 and you want to connect to a network whether at home or at your business in the bottom right here you’ll see a globe with a little arrow like this so you’ll need to click in this area it doesn’t matter which area and it’s going to bring up quick settings notice that currently the Wi-Fi is not turned on so I can click here to turn it on and notice now it’s blue so typically this has to be blue it has kind of changed in Windows 11 and once this is blue for the wireless connection that means that it’s on and available to view the wireless networks then we need to click here on this right arrow to click on the wireless connections and then you would pick the connection in your area or from your business typically the ones that have a lock means that there is a passphrase and you need to know the passphrase typically on your own router or in a business it might be a shared password through the IT department or in a lot of cases it’s upon login click on the network connection and then you press connect it will prompt you to enter it if it doesn’t need a password in this case I was connected before that’s why it didn’t prompt me then it will remember those settings under this little icon you can also check additional properties related to the wireless network to get to these settings obviously you can go to the settings area and Windows search and then choose wifi settings and then choose show wireless networks and this is where you pick to connect to another Network so that’s another way to manage the wireless network and connect to the network in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’m going to demonstrate how to connect to the internet this is really very basic but it’s one of the aspects of learning about an operating system particularly if you’re not sure how this is is done once you have connected your computer to the network in a wired way or a wireless way once you have done that typically you need to use a browser and the default browser included in Windows 11 is Microsoft Edge other browsers are Google Chrome Firefox and other ones such as Brave which is recent one based on Chrome as well but for more privacy notice that you have a search box here on the bottom and then you have an address bar on the top on the top that’s where you type your url now that can search also if you type sell tutorials notice it’ll perform a search that’s because the address bar on the top acts as both a navigation tool and also a Search tool they are combined into one now a lot of users they search in this area here this search box so whenever you’re typing in here cell.com for example that is actually not going to take you directly to the website you’re just searching as part of the default search so it’s going to give you a lot of different options here but not necessarily take you there directly so my suggestion to be effective and to know how this is done you just type what you want to type on the top part and not the second part well another thing to consider for the web browsers check the settings and modify the settings in your browser so you click on these icons here on the top and you go under settings and then here is where you can change whether it’s a privacy whether it’s the appearance look and feel of your browser starting page this is where you can set a new page so for example if I want to always start with a new page here and that new page should be ci.com that’s how I add it in here now that I change the default start page notice that once I open it up again it will take me just to that website that I configured earlier one of the tools that I find useful is also here under the settings and then which is the three dots up here and then under more tools there is this option also to cast this to a device to connect to a remote display in this segment of the updated window Windows 11 tutorial I’ll go over some of the features in Microsoft Edge that were added with this update I have opened Microsoft Edge and notice on the right hand side we have this new sidebar and the sidebar you can search with Bing directly from here and obviously you can search from the top here as well but this is an option that it doesn’t close the existing tab the Discover option you can search whether from this site based on this site or relevant information similar to this site other tools such as a calculator the clock various conversion tools games open Microsoft Office Outlook and add a variety of other applications from here so for example if you wanted to always open Gmail it can simply click on it and it will add this little icon on the right hand side now furthermore you can customize the sidebar by clicking here on settings and then selecting additional options from here if you do not want to see this sidebar you can click to hide it to bring it back click here on settings and then click on show sidebar another Improvement was the menus notice that the menus now are much more visually appealing with around corners as well another enhancement was the addition of Collections and collections are similar to bookmarks but you’re adding screen clippings articles websites to to a particular collection so if you click here on collections you can create new collections by clicking on start a new collection and you can sort them however you want so to add this page to one of the collections you can right click on the tab and then click on add the tabs to a specific collection so you’re adding all the tabs that we currently have opened to the tech collection another useful function in the updated Microsoft Edge is to automatically save money while you shop so if we go here to walmart.com and search for the word computer or whatever you want to search for notice at the top we have the option that says this site has coupons click on it and it will display current coupon codes that you can utilize from this website you can copy the coupon and then enter it during the checkout other enhancements also include the privacy settings so if we go here under settings and go under privacy search and services under balanced has also the option to block The Trackers from sites that you haven’t visited content and ads and it blocks harmful track haers as well so this is selected by default and you can even make it stricter than what it is here another helpful tool is the web select feature which basically it allows you to select a whole bunch of text so if I click here on web select you drag the mouse to the section of text that you want to select and notice it’s going to pick all of those text areas next we can paste what we copied from here in another application another great feature is also the option to read this page aloud when we click here over 400 free tutorials start learning and advance in your career free technology training access more than 400 free tutorials on the YouTube channel on Microsoft Office 2019 so the audio is it’s fairly clear and accurate and it makes it very easy to read with a natural voice this as you notice also it highlights and Autos Scrolls the text to help the learner and those with reading difficulties another feature that is very helpful is and this is new as well is the web capture feature the web capture you can select either the whole page or you can capture a particular area you select the section that you want to capture and then you can copy this or mark it up we going to bring up The annotation tools similar to to this another nice feature in the updated Microsoft edge with the ability to launch a particular website or a tab as a separate app so if we have this website and we click here on the configuration then go under apps then you can click here under install this site as an app give it a name press install and then it will pin it to the start it will pin it to the taskar it’ll can create the desktop shortcut and it can also auto start it when the device signs in you click on allow here this is how it will look and there will be an icon on the desktop and on the taskar to launch it other helpful tools with this update include also this area here if you go to settings and choose more tools you can obviously cast this to a media device you can even site this and this is actually pretty cool so if we go here to the YouTube channel you’re not sure how to site this resource click on settings go to more tools click on site this and it will prompt us to pick what style for citations whether it’s MLA or APA 7 and then you copy this and then put it in your paper as part of the citation you can pick whether it is a website and put the author’s name the date it was published in the year you can pick today and then put some kind of annotation if necessary and the citation will look like this then you’ll copy this and put it as part of your citations as part of your research paper other helpful tools include the math sober the math sober is basically if you want to use mathematical equations whether they are on a website where it will allow you to select those math problems or you can write and it will help you solve those particular math problems Windows 11 has a new feature called widgets here in the taskbar it’s one of the main icons by added by default you click on widgets and you’ll be able to see particular ones that the Microsoft has already put in there by default for you however you can customize those widgets by using the more options item here and you can make this large or medium or remove it completely you can go and add new ones pick the items that you want to add and customize the size and other options related how to shut down the computer in Windows 11 this might seem like a very easy and simple step to shut down or reboot the computer you simply go here under the start menu and then you click on the the power power icon in the bottom right from here select the shutdown option or the restart option obviously the restart option but clear everything from the memory if the computer is running into problem it is highly recommended that you first reboot the computer before you get too frustrated with a problem that you are running into when you put the computer in sleep mode it’s not closing the programs it’s keeping everything the way you had them before but just conserving energy and putting things to sleep the hibernate mode is actually more effective in saving battery life on your laptop but it takes a little bit longer for it to start up if you have a solid state drive the hibernate mode probably is the better option for conserving battery in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to install the Windows updates and keep the computer up to dat we go here under the windows search or press the Windows key and then type Windows update notice that there are some updates here we simply press install now and the updates will be installed in the computer the other thing to remember is that you can pause Windows updates if you don’t want the computer to be restarted during business hours or you want to pause them for a week and so on this is where you can change those settings if you want to look at the history of update you can click on Windows updates history and it will show you what has been installed in the computer further down here under Advanced options you can also choose to install the updates at certain hours of the day or at certain times you can choose when to receive the Windows updates under optional updates sometimes there are a driver software for your PC or non-crucial updates for your PC that might be helpful but it is important to keep your PC up to dat for security reasons for better performance of your PC and sometimes additional functionality as well in this segment of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to customize the look and feel of Windows 11 there are a couple ways you can do the the changing of their look and feel you can right click from the desktop here and then choose personalize and then under personalize you can change and pick themes so let’s say I want to utilize this one it will adjust all the colors and everything related to that Windows theme I’m going to revert it back for now if you want to further just customize certain things for example the desktop settings if you wanted to change the The Sounds or change defaults or the cursor and so on this is where you’ll do it as well to change the font size of your icons and components of Windows right click here on the desktop and choose display settings I’m showing you this from the desktop functionality however you can also search for it just choose display settings and then under the scaling you can change change this so that it can be larger fonts and larger icons or smaller if you prefer and screen orientation and things of that nature how to customize the windows 11 settings just like with any other operating system there is typically a need to go and modify particular settings in the computer so think of it like if you have an iPhone and you go to the settings area you can modify by a variety of things whether it’s for the apps or the privacy and things like that regarding your device so the same thing here as well you can uh go under the search option to get to settings and this would be the easiest one you can press the Windows key on the keyboard or you press the search option and then type settings that’s the quickest way to get to it once you click on settings this is actually a major Improvement in Windows 11 while in Windows 10 you had settings that had the different the old look and feel to them in Windows 11 Microsoft they are really outstanding uh work on restructuring them making sense and also visually appealing as well so the very top here you have the option about the system so you can change system related settings such as the name of your computer the updates about the computer and obviously under the system settings you can change settings related to the display the sound notifications power storage anything that is system related as far as devices and so on you can click on that and you’ll be able to customize settings related to any devic is connected to your computer and the same under uh Network and so on then personalization this is where you change the themes and a look and feel of your operating system system and then under apps this is where you can click and choose default features or even and uninstall various applications in your computer so this is where you can add and remove programs from your computer now if for some reason you need to delete an application to remove it notice that this has changed in Windows 11 and you can click here on the three dots in the far right or in the configuration icon in the far right and then choose to uninstall it from here Additionally you have the gaming settings and also privacy settings and Windows update so all of that to say that very similar to an iPhone or a smartphone where you can change and customize the settings about that device the same idea is here as well you can also search here for a particular setting let’s say your not sure where dis cleanup is located you can still search for it in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I will demonstrate how to customize the privacy settings in Windows 11 so you go in the start menu or the windows search either one of them and we type privacy settings now this on the left you’ll have privacy and security and then you can change other stuff related to security as well but in our case here we are concerned primarily about the privacy settings so you can go here under General and you might want to turn off a lot of these options then we go back here under privacy and you’re not done yet by the way you go here under the speech settings and then you change also the speech settings to change those to off basically you’re not sending the speech patterns or whatever you say it be stored externally from your PC then you can go down under the ink and typing personalization you can turn off also the dictionary and certain terms and words that you type on the on the soft keyboard so that those are not stored outside of your PC additionally go under the diagnostic and feedback and you want to potentially turn all of these off and then under the feedback frequency so basically put the most minimum that it allows you to put in there of course take note of what you’re turning off so that just in case something happens you’d come back to them if you go under the activity history and you can choose to turn that off as well you can clear the privacy setting there then go under the search permissions this is probably what you want to do for the safety of kids or the moderate search this has to do with the web content that is that’s going to display in your computer as far as the cloud search content and so on you can turn these off as well in more privacy under location notice that there are also app permissions such as location and this is very similar to like if you have an iPhone you can control what apps can access your location and things like that it’s very similar to that here as well you’re just going here and then identifying which apps have access to your location settings and change change this by default or you can clear that history the same is with camera and microphone however for camera and microphone i’ be cautious on turning things off from here for example if you’re turning this off from Skype uh you’re not allowing it at all for a specific app when you go to use that app you’ll most likely have problems with using the camera or the microphone so I’d be very cautious on turning off the camera settings voice activ keep these off for the particular Cortana or keywords this would be like apple has hyeri Windows if you have this option on it’s always listening for the word Cartana in this module I will demonstrate how to use the action center or quick settings Center in Windows 11 typically here in the taskbar on the far right of the desktop we have these options this is area a listing of items or functions that you can quickly access anything in blue that’s active anything that is not in blue that’s not activated at this point we can change the display we can change the sound settings and so on and the volume settings and you can go and more volume and so on there is also an edit icon in here and we can add additional items to the quick settings are area which Microsoft would actually have added these additional settings by default so I click here on ADD and let’s say I want a cast option so I can connect to a remote display easily let’s say I also want the NightLight option I want um the nearby sharing and also the project option then I click on done now those options will be available at any point by clicking anywhere in here and then selecting that particular option for quick access with a 24 H2 release of Windows 11 Microsoft is making changes to the control center the Quick Settings area so if you click here next to the clock on your computer you click on the control center now in a new feature is these set of icons that you can scroll up and down so we have here energy saver accessibility project and so on but if you click on this next page that will give you more options such as live captions hotspot nearby sharing in this module I’ll demonstrate how to change the default printer or how to set up the default printer in Windows 11 by default in Windows 11 the windows determines as to which printer becomes the default so to set the default printer we go here under the search menu and then we type printers we go to printers and scanners and then the first option that we want to change to scroll down here below the list of printers and turn off the option for letting Windows manage it once we have uh turned off the option for Windows to manage the printer then we go to the particular printer that we want and then click on it and then this button will show up for making it as a default and notice here at this point it will state default in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to connect to the windows 11 store think of the windows 11 store as the app store if you have an iPhone or the Google store if you have an Android phone so to access the App Store you click on the Windows start or on the search and and then you can simply search for store or you just click on the Microsoft store these are apps from Microsoft or third party apps that you are adding onto your PC to increase its functionality there is also in Windows 11 functionality or the option for you to be able to install Android apps as well and you’ll do that primarily through the Amazon app store if we wanted an app installed whether it’s Netflix or Whatsapp or whatever it is the apps here you simply click on it and then sometimes you might have to pay additional fee for it sometimes may not you can check the ratings you can check the description and uh so on and if you decide to install it then you can click on get it will associate the app with your Microsoft account you’ll need to enter your Microsoft account login and it’s going to be very similar to an app store from Apple or from Google and smartphones in this video I’ll demonstrate how to change your Windows password there are a couple ways to change it if you’re working in a corporate environment and you’re connected to a network then obviously you change the password through the tools that the IT department has set up for you in most cases even if it’s a network account you can change your Windows password by simply pressing control alt delete in your computer and then a prompt like this will come up and then you can click here on change password and then you can put in your old password the new password and confirm the new password as well and this is the quickest and easiest way to change the password the other options are also under the search if we go here to search and then change password we have more clicks that are involved in this step through this procedure but You’ still reach to the same conclusion in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to lock your computer if you’re going to step away from your desk for a few minutes or for the rest of the day this is a very good practice to get into the custom of doing and obviously this is for security and maintaining your privacy and the security of your files so you can be on any application that you’re working on and at any point that you want to lock your computer you simply can press the Windows key and the letter L on the keyboard and then it will bring you back to this option so it’s basically going to bring you to the login screen again when you’re ready to come back and start working again you can hit any keys on the keyboard enter your password in this segment of the windows 11 tutorial I will go over the Windows security settings and how to check your computer for viruses and malware Windows 11 actually comes packaged with its own Security Suite and firewall tools as well to get to those tools we need to go to the or one of the ways to get there is to open the start menu or the search window and then search for Windows security go to security settings and here it’s going to give us a preview of actions that are necessary in your computer things that are okay in your computer so now to customize the settings click here on open window security and then set up one drive if we preferred to this is not really necessity this is basically Microsoft pushing One Drive and also trying to make sure that you’re backing up your files online on the cloud and not necessarily lose them at some point in time then under the account protect login here with the Microsoft account on the left hand side we have here the firewall and network protection notice that there no action is needed at this point but you can go and click on it and check various firewall rules and advanced settings and customize those fire wall settings if you prefer under the app and browser control this can block unwanted apps and currently it’s turned off you want to make sure it’s turned on and you press put in your password and it will enable it for you under the device security there are additional settings behind the scenes here that it’s utilizing such as the single core isolation the security of the processor level and so if we go here on under virus and threat protection on the left hand side this is where we can run a scan on your computer you can do a quick scan in my case it took uh 2 minutes and 31 seconds or you can change those scan options and do a full scan a custom scan and once you pick the type of scan that you want you click on scan now and it may take quite a bit of time if you have a lot of files and you choose the full scan option as the files are scanned typically it’s going to show you the results and things it has found and things that you need to correct or to allow and all you need to do is basically proceed with a positive way to remove them or apply what Microsoft determines as you can also check here for protection history what has taken place at certain points in time and it’s basically a log of uh the activity from the scanning software so all that to say that under the security Center the Windows security you have a virus and firewall protection there is also the account protection there is the firewall and network protection aspect the browser level protection device security at the component level in the computer and then also device health under the Windows security here it’s important to note that there are also family options here you can set it up to protect the kids screen time habits you can set time for kids how long they can use the devices and so on to do that you’d go under view family settings and You’ have to configure it using your Microsoft account basically all the devices are connecting to a Microsoft account and then Microsoft is managing that time and the settings that you have configured for your family in this module of the windows 11 I’ll demonstrate how to connect and extend your display to a second display device in Windows 11 this comes in handy if you have a second monitor or a TV where you want to project to or if you want to connect to a projector in a classroom or in a business meeting as soon as you connect a second monitor to your PC by default the content from your main PC see to the second one will be mirrored that’s referred to as a mirrored display now to connect to a projector you can press the Windows key on the keyboard and then P the letter P on the keyboard and this will bring up this menu currently I have only one monitor connected to this system but if I had a second one typically by default it will be duplicated as soon as you connect a second screen however the function that you want to use is the extend desktop that will make it so that you can move the mouse from one screen to the other and open one application one screen another application in the other screen and to do that you simply click on the extend display option now of course I’m recording this and it’s not as easy to replicated to show what happens but you basically just see the second desktop and you can move the mouse to it and the way you get to this is by pressing the Windows key and then letter P if for some reason you don’t uh remember the Windows key and then P for project there one of the things that you can do is click on on the search icon and then just type extend you want to extend the desktop or or you can do the word duplicate and click on duplicate or extend desktop dis playay and it will give you the options for multiple displays and so on in this module I’ll demonstrate how to cast or connect to an external device or a remote monitor or a remote TV or a remote windows pc windows 11 has a functionality to connect to a remote display and you can do that by simply pressing the Windows key and then the letter key K this will bring up the cast option you can click on it and then it will connect to the Remote device to get to this in case you don’t remember the Windows key and then K you can go here under the search option and then just choose cast and then you have the option here to connect to a wireless display and then you’ll click on connect and it’s going to bring you back to the same option that we had one other option is that you can go here under the quick action items on the bottom you can click on any of those icons at the bottom you can choose to add other functionality for example nearby sharing you can enable it or casting or projection to add the project icon so that you can always access it easily add it once and then you’re done then when you go in the future you click here on the quick actions instead of having to do control k or Windows and MP you just have the option to cast or to project from here because I’m recording a tutorial I can’t demonstrate the mirroring of it with a connection but that should work in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to connect to a Windows PC and mirror the screen from an Android device Windows 11 has the capability to allow other devices to connect to it to mirror the screen from the Remote device to the windows 11 device and that is done using the projection tool in combination with the connect tool this is typically done using a mirracast connection which is a Microsoft Technology available through Android devices as well for this to work the devices have to be on the same wir less Network and also support the myasp connection so the way to do this is go to the Windows start and then you go search for projection you go here under projection settings and then you need to enable these options very similar to here so we want to make sure that to allow this from everywhere for Windows and Android devices to project to this PC when you say it’s okay so you’d have to approve it basically but yet you’re making your computer available availability is for you to connect both from an Android device or a Windows PC the next option that you want to make sure is that every time a connection is requested for you to be approving the connection and then the third one is for you to provide a pin you can say never to this as soon as you confirm it they will be able to connect or you can just give them a pin every time to connects it’s up to you but you’d have to give that user then the PIN for them in order to project to your PC to mirror their screen to the PC once you’re ready by the way there is additional help options down here in the bottom as well but once you are ready for you to allow somebody to connect to your PC You’ basically click here to launch The Connect app that is making your computer available for somebody to connect it’s making their computer discoverable in the network to connect now on the Android devices and I unfortunately I cannot simulate it here you’re going to need to go to settings and select one of the options obviously in Android most devices differ from one to the other some of them use the word cast broadcasting the screen some others use the word mirror others use the word connect so you might have to look through the settings but you want to find the setting to connect connect to mirror your screen to another device it’s important to note that this function will not work on Apple devices so once you ready here for to allow a connection you click on launch The Connect app to project to this PC and then it’s ready as soon as they are able to connect you’ll be able to see the content or mirror of their screen on their devices they will need to choose to connect to a Remote device so they’ll have to use the cast option and if they are using a PC they’ll need to use the cast option which is Windows K on a keyboard or connect to a remote display or in an Android device they would have to use the connect or mirror option depending on the android model in this session of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to use the windows snap feature this is enhanced in Windows 11 and it’s actually very powerful particularly it’s useful with larger monitors nowadays and more convenient as well so let’s say I have this application I have word here and then I also have PowerPoint and I have only one monitor but I want to use those side by side so the easiest way is if I go here on the top right under the maximize minimize icon notice there are these different layouts that are available and this is new you hold the mouse on it want to maximize minimize and now let’s say that I want to put this application on the left half of the screen I simply click on it it will put my PowerPoint on the left half of the screen now I go back to my word document and do the same thing but I want to put it in the second half of the screen but now let’s say that I want a third application to have on the right hand side as well but split the right half into two parts so I could do that this way I can go and pick something this layout with three components to it and then let’s say I want a Microsoft edge here and in Microsoft Edge I want to put that in the bottom right now this works well to navigate it particularly if you have a really a large monitor or a TV and you want to have different apps as part of that navig a without having to switch from one to the other in this module I’ll demonstrate how to remove unwanted applications from your computer typically when you buy even a new computer there might be applications that you really don’t want and you just want to speed up the computer and remove them get to see what applications are installed in the computer you can access it a couple ways you can go here under the search option and then just type apps so you click on add and remove programs and here it will list all the various programs that are installed in this computer now to remove one of those programs you I go here to Camtasia I click on the more options and I can choose to modify it or uninstall it modify it’s going to Simply select new parameters for the inst reinstallation of the application typically it’s not very useful typically you want to use the option to uninstall in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to adjust the sound settings and sound volume in Windows 11 for some reason this function has become more complicated in this version of Windows in the past we would go here under sound and we could just go and change now as we click on that icon for the for the sound and volume notice it brings up the action center the action center here one of the options is the sound so if we click on the little arrow and the on the far right this is where we can change which speakers to use there are additional settings here as well that we can adjust as far as the sound goes we can get to this settings also by going under search menu and then just typing sound settings one other option is by right clicking if you scroll down if you move the mouse to the sound icon and right click on it and choose to open the volume mixer or the sound settings in this session of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll go over some of the changes in Windows 11 task manager to get to the task manager we need to click here on the start menu we can right click on it and choose task manager or we can go to the search menu and simply type task manager we have processes is the first uh tab that opens up when you open Task Manager to the right of it we have the option to run a new task under processes it lists all the processes that are running under this user in this PC at this point by clicking on the name here you can sort them by title and you can navigate to the right right hand columns and see the total CPU usage in this PC how much memory is being used dis usage Network usage and so on typically the PC should be running anywhere between 4 and 6% CPU utilization when doing regular task now in my case I’m recording this video notice it’s using camt recorder and it’s using 10% of the CPU just for that if this application was not the one that you are intending to use but you’re noticing that the CPU is running at high utilization then come in here and you can click on it and then select the application and then choose to end task that will terminate that application that is potentially causing issues in your PC now obviously I’m not going to end it because I’m using it for recording if I wanted to end let’s say the task manager obviously it will close this choose end task and it will close just that particular process one of the new features in the new task manager in Windows 11 is the option for you to specify a process or to define a process to run in efficiency mode so for example let’s say we have Microsoft Word here and we want it to run in efficiency mode now for this you need administrator rights to your PC so

you select Microsoft Word and you then select efficiency mode and then select turn on efficiency mode and it will run it for only this particular application for those applications that are running in efficiency mode notice that it’ll add this little icon next to it the first option on the task manager is the processes I just covered the next option on the left is the performance tab this gives you an overview of the resources and the utilization of these resources in your computer so I click here on processes or performance and notice I have the processor the CPU the speed the details and the general usage for this particular processor Noti this under memory how much memory is being used and then the dis drives in the PC the writing speed and the read speed further down you also have the graphics utilization for your graphics further down here on the left hand side we have the the app history and the utilization of these applications notice you can delete the usage history further down we have the applications and the startup in Windows startup so all of these processes are basically running automatically on Startup so let’s say I’m not using one drive you can select from here the application on the left hand side under the name area and then select disable so this is how you disable an application from the windows 11 startup click on it select disable and now that application will not start up every time you start your PC further down we have the users and all the processes associated with that user notice that you have also the options to disconnect a specific user and also to manage the user account so this is another way to get to account management in Windows 11 further down we have various details if you want to see what an application whether the status of it how much memory is being utilized the architecture and the name of it and so on further down we have Services these are the various services that run in the PC and obviously you need to be careful here not to turn off specific ones that may be necessary if one needs to be running but it’s not then this is where you could click on it and then select to start it up here on the top right on the very bottom left we also have the settings for task manager here you can specify which tab to open automatically when you open Task Manager by default its processes whether to use a lot of resources what priority to give to this application and whether you want this to always stay on top or whether you want to have it minimized when it’s in use and so on when you switch away from this application this top menu here the three lines in the very top it also gives you a more descriptive view of the task manager in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll explain some of the concepts related to focus assist it’s a new feature in Windows 11 it was also introduced late in Windows 10 Focus assist it’s one of the features that allows you like the name States for you to focus it’s designed for you to focus on your work and not be bothered by alerts while you are working the settings can be controlled very easily from the control center so if we go here in the bottom right and click on the control center there is this option Focus assist by default all notifications are going to be popping up on your computer depending on whatever is you have allowed to change those settings you can click on the next option to Priority only so this will allow only priority alerts to be displayed and you’ll not be bugged while you’re working on a particular project you can also choose only alarms the alarms would be let’s say meeting notifications or meeting reminders now as far as figuring those settings you can go under the search area go under the focus assist and this is where we can change the settings so you can have have automatic rules that you can set if you’re duplicating your display it’s going to display only the alarms but not necessarily other alerts that you might be getting from chat applications and that would not be a good thing if you want to project it to a meeting and but you can display and customize so that only certain settings are displayed like connecting to a secondary display or duplicating the display or if you’re playing a game what should happen what alerts would come up you can also prioritize the settings from here you can hide all notifications at particular times and you can set the working hours or specific times of the day where certain actions are allowed or notifications are allowed or disallowed in this session of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate at how to access a command line terminal for Windows 11 sometimes you may need to run applications manually or just check settings or check things manually in your computer you can either go under the search option here and then type the word command and it will take you to the command prompt this will allow you to access uh files or to run specific commands or let’s say find the IP address specific settings in your computer so this is the command prompt option there is also the option to access the windows terminal Windows terminal it’s actually uses the windows Powershell it’s one of the newer ways of managing settings in a PC and running particular commands in a PC so you could search for this by going to the search option and search search for Windows Powershell and it will get you to the same item or you can rightclick and choose Windows terminal for a lot of the functions you might need to run it as an admin equivalent being able to execute specific commands in your PC in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to add an application manually to Windows startup for some reason this feature in Windows 11 it’s more complicated than it needs to be I’ll demonstrate how to do this manually uh to do this first we need to be able to run the Run command so unlike going up here and doing the search we need to either be in command line or in the terminal mode or go here and right click on the desktop and choose run it will bring us the old run command like in Windows 7 or Windows 10 you can also add access this by pressing the Windows key and R and that will get you the Run command as well now at this point we need to type in there shell colon startup and then we hit enter this will bring us to the location where we can place specific programs that we want to open on Startup keep this window open on the left hand side and then go to our file explorer and then open a new session of the file explorer now from here we need to go to let’s say to the programs wherever that particular program is located so program files and let’s say I want this program called handbreak and I want this to start up every time upon boot up of the computer at this point I can right click on this and then drag it to the left and it’s going to create a link to it in the startup and I click here to create a shortcut on this area so again that was Finding initially where the program is located right clicking on it dragging it over and then choosing to create a shortcut not copying it because then we are copying the whole program we’re just creating a shortcut in order to launch that specific program you can do this also with other applications so let’s say here we are in the all apps area so let’s say I want Firefox to be one of those programs so I can right click here and choose more and then find the file location so this is where the file is actually residing the executable for this program is residing in the PC now from here again I rightclick it and then create a shortcut and now both of these programs will open up every time automatically once I reboot Windows 11 the co-creator in paint is an image creator that can generate images based on prompts provided by the user here’s how it works so you go here and type paint open the paint application you have these enhanced set of tools much more improved than previous releases of Microsoft Paint to the right of it we have the image Creator to use the image Creator you have to be signed in with your Microsoft account so as soon as you click on the image Creator it’s usually going to prompt you to sign in with your Microsoft account from here simply type a prompt and then you press create you can also select different styles for these images such as charcoal ink sketch watercolor realist photo realistic and digital art and so on then select the picture that you prefer and if you don’t like that one change it to a different one then further modify it using the paint tools or the brushes or the shapes and so on and the image generator in photos lets you generate that image directly in the device without having to reach out to the cloud with a 24 H2 release of Windows 11 there’s new functionality that of live captions to enable live captions we go here to the quick settings or the control center as it used to be called then click on accessibility and then click on live captions or now we can go on the drop-down there’s another page right below this and click on live captions from here as soon as we select to enable live captions it prompts us to continue the setup of live captions and we say yes to continue it will download the language files and then press continue then move this bar wherever we prefer it and then if we go and play any videos it will play those Clos captions Down Below in this bar in the quick in the live captions option these close captions are different from those of YouTube whatever content that is being played on the screen it’s transcribing it for us live now this applies to videos from your computer or content that you’re playing from the web with the 24 H2 release of Windows 11 there is a new function related to power settings in Windows 11 and it’s called power saver to enable power for saver click here on the quick settings or control center as it used to be called and then there is the option for energy saver now this typically will extend the battery life in your computer at the cost of the performance of the computer and this function will also be available in the desktop computer to enable the energy saver in the computer we simply tap on the energy saver icon and the the screen will be slightly dimmer and the performance of the computer will be adjusted now to disable the energy saver mode in your computer we click again on quick settings and then click again so it’s not selected and that will deactivate the energy saver option in Windows 11 while you’re in quick settings you can click on the battery icon in the bottom left and that will take you to the power settings for your computer and you can change the power mode from here and the usage and what happens when you close the lid and when you press the power button and so on in your computer with a 24 H2 release of Windows 11 Microsoft has introduced voice Clarity an AI powered microphone enhancement feature that will remove background noise when you’re on a call or recording so to get to this you need to go to settings and then once you’re in settings it will come up with something similar to this you’ll need to click on system on the left then you go to sound and then select your microphone click on the arrow on the right hand side and then you have have the option here for the test and also you have the option for the default microphone audio processing mode now this was a feature that was previously exclusive to surface PCS with npus Hardware but now it’s rolling out to all windows 11 PCS in this segment of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll do a very quick overview of a new application that was added to Windows 11 the application is called clipchamp and it allows for video editing so it’s a video editor in Windows 11 so to locate clip champ you click on the start window and then start typing clip champ video editor it would also be a ailable from the all applications in the start menu click on it now the first thing that you typically need to do is sign in with a Microsoft account once you sign in or create an account for clipchamp pick whether you’re using it for education or for other types of content or you can skip this once you sign in you have some templates that you can utilize for various platforms whether it’s YouTube or gaming or Instagram or social media further down here you can go to settings and control the various settings whether it’s the connection to the Microsoft account or changing accounts so to create a new video you can pick one of the templates from here or start from scratch on the top right you first need to insert the media first and then you have all these various options and graphics and so on that you can utilize in this case add those to the timeline it will import all the components and all you have to do is change the content of the current template now to modify the text here you simply Click on each of these areas so you select the area of text and on the right hand side select change the actual text then select the next text option and preview it then you can change the alignment change the fonts and other properties for it various color options transforming this into different positions fading it filters and colors and so on importing media from MP4 files that you might have in your computer as part of the track here and um manipulating the components that already exist in here once you are set with the video itself then you’ll click on export and then select to export it as an mp4 you can obviously 1080p is what in most cases you’ll use that’s a higher quality so you click on 1080P and then you’ll select where you want to save this clip once it’s produced you can upload it to Google Drive YouTube or other social media platforms as you see from here once the video has been produced produced we can click here on open file and we’ll be able to preview it at this point we can save it to our computer or share it to various social media Platforms in this segment of the windows 11 tutorial I’ll demonstrate how to use the updated sound recorder application in Windows 11 with the 2022 update for Windows 11 the sound recorder application was updated to have a much more visually appealing look and feel to it to access a sound recorder application you can go under the start menu and either locate it under the list of applications or all apps or under the search select sound recorder then once located click on it the first time you open it up it may require an update and once you open it up you have these options right here to start recording on the left hand side you have the option to import an existing file further down you have previous recordings that you may have done in this computer and you can manage those recordings by right clicking and then choose to rename them or to delete them if necessary and then further down you have the option for the microphone that you want to use for the recordings and then you are ready to start recording and in the center area this is where the wave file will be displayed now on the top right we can select to share this and there are also additional settings to customize the sound recorder application so to record something we simply press here the record button and just talk away at this point you just keep on talking and the wave file will be displayed at the center of the screen once you’re done with the recording press pause and you can press space to pause it or you can press stop to stop the whole recording now to preview our recording press play at this point you just keep on talking and the wave file will be displayed in the center of the screen here now unfortunately you cannot do editing of the audio file from here it would be nice if we were able to do that but we can change however various other settings for example here under settings you can change change the recording format whether you wanted MP3 or other formats the audio quality recording and the theme media player is another application that was updated if we go here to applications and search for media player the one called media player you’ll notice that it has a completely different visual look so you have your home location here it’s your music library and you specify a folder where your music is located by simply clicking on add a folder and then the video library as well after having specified the folder in my case I had specified the folder for it you can add a new folder from up here on the top right and then select wherever your videos are located you have also the play CU and the playlist or media files now in the bottom left here we also Al have the settings area and this is where you can control the music locations and specify what folders and the same thing for video locations as well the theme can select the system setting or dark mode and the accent color using system settings or the default color scheme for missing album information you can select so it looks up the album information from online as well now for the various videos we go here to the video library and pick any of these videos notice you have the configuration icon here where you can play the video you can play it next basically add it to the queue and also edit this in clipchamp clipchamp is a new video editor that was added with a 2022 update on the bottom right here you have also the languages and subtitles if the video has subtitles then it’ll be able to display them during the play time and the audio controls the volume control full screen option and you can minimize the player then on the far right here you have the further configuration settings for the Windows Media Player where you can uh bring up the equalizer for the sound the speed casting it to devices video settings rotating it and enhancements and so on and then skip forward or backwards obviously at the center here in the bottom you have the option to play the actual video so it’s a good enhancement overall compared to what it used to look before for example this is the Legacy Media Player notepad is another application that was updated it just has some simple but good improvements so we go here under the start menu or the search item here and then search for notepad obviously it was right there because I had opened it a moment ago notice that the look of it has changed and on the top right here you also have settings that you can modifies the font and the size of the font including the theme as well in this module of the windows 11 tutorial I’m going to demonstrate how to reset your PC resetting your PC may be necessary if your computer got infected with the virus or something is not working well in your PC and you just need to go back the other option is that you can reset your PC when you’re selling it or giving it away and you want to wipe everything out so this video is going to demonstrate how to do that as well so to get to the reset this PC option we just simply search under the Windows settings and search for reset PC at this point we have four options one of the things is that we can fix issues without resetting the PC so this can take a while you can just click on it you can it’s going to run a troubleshooter for specific items and it and it will notify you what the issues with your PCR so I’ll suggest that you try this first the other thing to try if you’re having problems with your PC is to go back to previous date and time and try that this is like if something is not working for a particular version of Windows you can go back to a previous version of Windows by clicking on go back You’ enter your password provided it prompts you it’s going to give you you times and dates when you want to go back to now in this case it’s prompting us well before you go back why don’t we check for updates first that’s something probably good to do sometimes there are drivers fixes that can be applied to the PC but for now I’ll say no in your case you probably would want to say yes before you do this then we click here next and then it’s making sure that we can sign in again and then it’s prompting us to go back to Windows 10 in this case I had updated from Windows 10 to Windows 11 this is going back to a previous version of Windows the other option is to reset this PC resetting the PC there will be two options here we can reset it keeping the files or we can reset it and remove everything to keep the files if you choose this option this option is best if you’re infected with a virus and you want to just keep your files your personal files and reinstall all your programs remember this is going to need for your programs to be reinstalled so if you had Microsoft Office in your computer or your business management software loaded in your computer you’d have to reload these programs all over again so this will remove the apps and settings and it will keep your personal files my suggestion even in this case is that if you have access to the files consider also backing up the files first just in case back them up to an external flash drive to an external drive or to a cloud storage service such as Google drive or one drive so here you click on this it says it’s not going to take very long and then it says well how do you want to download your next version of Windows let’s say I want to download it from the cloud because we don’t have the local install and you click on next and just follow the prompts from there now if you are resetting this computer or selling it then you remove everything it will remove all your personal files the apps and settings and so on this process it’s going to prompt a couple times here and I’m not going to do it obviously choose the install version of Windows and then you click on next and then it’s going to confirm that we really want to delete the files from your PC and obviously if you really want to do it you’ll approve it and then proceed with with a Reload this is a clean install this is not going to retain anything this is the safest thing the last thing for virus provided you don’t need your files or you have backed up your files the process it’s going to take anywhere from 30 to 60 Minutes depending on how fast your computer is what the storage is in your what type of hard drive you have in your PC during the reinstall of Windows and the cleaning of the PC there’s also going to be an option to erase the drive and access to the files permanently you probably want to select that option if you are selling your computer or giving it away that’s going to basically write a bunch of zeros across the whole drive so that somebody cannot recover your files that you had deleted if for some reason you need to create a bootable flash drive as well so You’ go to this website microsoft.com and- English SLS software down download software D download windows1 from here you can either get the latest version of Windows 11 and download it manually and run a new upgrade or update in your PC or you can scroll down and create a bootable flash drive a bootable USB or DVD drive in this video I’ll demonstrate how to enable TPM in hyperv machine is hosting and Windows 10 machine the reason we want to do this is because we want to upgrade to Windows 11 and by default in Windows 11 the installation wizard is going to fail unless the TPM module is enabled in the virtual machine so here is my hyperv and also my uh desktop that I have currently running with Windows 10 now we go here to the actual machine I have this off bured in the off State we right click we choose settings once we are in settings then we can go to the security and choose to enable the enable trusted platform module then click okay at this point we’re all set with the process and now we can fire up a machine and upgrade this to Windows 11 in this module I’ll demonstrate how to use sticky notes in Windows 11 sticky notes is just an add-on tool or actually tool that comes with Windows 11 but it’s useful for reminders simil to posted notes on your desk to access sticky notes you go to the start menu and type sticky notes once it opens up it may even prompt you to connect to a Microsoft account and if so then just simply log into it at this point you can take a note you can use the a new note on the top here and simply type and that’s it now you can close this and you have very ious notes all over your desktop and you can customize those and once you’re done you can simply delete them or close and with the 24 H2 release of Windows 11 there is new functionality related to creating seven zip files and uncompressing seven zip files prior to this release you could actually extract seven zip files but you couldn’t create them so now to create szip files to compress them let’s say I have this folder with these files and I want to send these files as a szip format to someone else but before I can send it I need to create the szip file to create the seven zip file right click on the folder and then click on compress 2 and then select 7z file give it a name and then hit enter so this is the compressed file that You’ sent to someone else it will contain that folder or a bunch of folders that you may have within the folder along the all the files but it’s one file now let’s suppose that you received this file and you want to uncompress it you want to extract the contents of this 7even ZIP file you don’t need to download any special program to extract them to extract those files you click on the szip file compressed file here and then select extract all then pick the folder where you want to place it so in my case I’m going to put it under documents and then press extract once you extract those files they’ll show up like this with a folder structure and also the contents of the files prior to being compressed with the 24 H2 release of Windows 11 there is new functionality to create compressed files in Linux format or in tar format prior to this release you could open those types of files but now you can also create tar files from Windows so let’s say I have this folder with these files in it and I want to send this in a compressed format and tar format Now to create a tar format or compressed file right click on it and select compress 2 and then select T file at this point it’s going to prompt you to give it a new name or you can keep the name as is and then hit enter now you send this file to uh someone else and that file would contain all the files and folders in it in a compressed format now let’s say that you received a file similar to this from someone else and once you received the file you want to extract the contents of this compressed Linux file format so then we click here on the file itself and then click on extract all then from here create a new folder if you’d prefer and then click on extract this will contain all the files and the folder structure as prior to the compression from whoever sent it to you so that’s how you create compressed tar file and how you uncompress the contents of it with a 24 H2 release of Windows 11 there is a new function related to power settings in Windows 11 and it’s called power saver to enable power saver click here on the quick settings or control center as it used to be called and then there is the option for energy saver now this typically will extend the battery life in your computer at the cost of the performance of the computer and this function will also be available in the desktop computer to enable the energy saver in the computer we simply tap on the energy saor icon and the screen will be slightly dimmer and the performance of the computer will be adjusted now to disable the energy saver mode in your computer we click again on quick settings and then click again so it’s not selected and that will deactivate the energy saver option in Windows 11 while you’re in quick settings you can click on the battery icon in the bottom left and that will take you to the power settings for your computer and you can change the power mode from here and the use agent what happens when you close the lid and when you press the power button and so on in your [Music] computer in this brief video I’ll demonstrate how to enable Windows sandbox on a Windows 11 professional or Windows 11 enterprise system so here I have Windows 11 professional in this computer now at this point to enable sandbox we need to go and add this as a feature under the program feature so just type in the search window enable features and then click here on turn Windows features on and off and then scroll all the way to the bottom select Windows sandbox and then click okay once installed it will prompt you to restart your computer and you want to go ahead and restart it once you have restarted the computer you should be able to launch it by either locating it under under the list of programs or simply click on search and type Windows sandbox now Windows sandbox is a separate Windows environment on top of the poost operating system for Windows 11 professional or Windows 11 Enterprise it’s not available for Windows home now here we can maximize this and we can use this for testing whether it’s to test uh links from a website or to test applications and it will not impact none of these settings will stay with the virtual machine after you close that session so it’s designed to be a secure area for you to test software or to test various applications so here is an example so this will basically function just like a regular Windows 11 we can open here a browser and I’ll demonstrate by installing let’s say team viewer so we install the application it doesn’t matter what it is now that I have Team Viewer installed on the sandbox once I close the sandbox application it will erase all settings and everything that was added from the last time that I launched it so we click okay here now if we go back and open sandbox again this will start with a brand new session with clean setup now Windows sandbox also has the option where you can copy files from your host machine’s desktop or any of the file locations and bring those files back to the sandbox by copying and pasting them so let’s say I have this file here I’ll copy it go and open the sandbox and I can simply right click here and choose paste here is another example where you might have to check out a game or something of that nature and you’re going to all of these different websites but you want to test it first on the sandbox so you go to that particular website and uh you try to download it and as you know with any of the free games out there it’s going to download a lot of uh junk in your computer so now if we go ahead and run this it’s going to download who knows how many other things to our computer notice it’s coming up with a free ride games and then the solitire [Music] Kingdom so now let’s suppose that um this is not the game that we really want notice it has added all kinds of other stuff here have come to the determination that this is not really the game that I want if I wanted something I can go ahead and install it in the host machine but now if I go ahead and close this it’s going to quit all the stuff that I downloaded and now if I go and open the sandbox again it’ll be a fresh start again in my host system the main one where I’m uh running the sandbox none of that is impacted so this is one of the good uses of um Windows sandbox is basically the test software test URLs that might look suspicious before you run them on your main production machine [Music]

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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The provided text serves as a beginner’s guide to navigating and customizing the Windows 11 operating system. It explains fundamental elements such as the taskbar, start menu, and desktop, detailing how to interact with icons, open applications, and manage windows. The text further instructs users on personalizing their experience through settings adjustments like display resolution, text size, and taskbar behavior. Finally, it covers essential file management skills using File Explorer and introduces the concepts of cut, copy, and paste, along with guidance on basic internet browsing with Microsoft Edge.

Windows 11 Orientation Study Guide

Quiz

1. Where is the Start button located in Windows 11, and what appears when you click it?
2. Explain the “pinned apps” and “recommended” sections of the Start menu. How can you manage pinned apps?
3. Describe two ways to launch an application in Windows 11 and highlight a key difference in how you interact with icons in those locations.
4. How do you shut down or restart your Windows 11 computer using the Start menu? Why is restarting periodically recommended?
5. Explain how to pin and unpin applications from the taskbar. Why might you want to customize the taskbar?
6. What is the purpose of the small upward-pointing arrow icon on the right side of the taskbar? What kind of applications might you find there?
7. Describe the functionality of Microsoft OneDrive as explained in the source.
8. Explain how to access and adjust the volume and network settings from the taskbar. What other settings can be found in this area?
9. What is the “Task View” feature in Windows 11, and how can you access it? How does it help with managing open windows?
10. Explain the difference between “cut and paste” and “copy and paste” when working with files or text in Windows. What are the keyboard shortcuts for these actions?

Quiz Answer Key

1. In Windows 11, the Start button is located in the center of the taskbar. Clicking it opens a menu displaying pinned applications at the top and recommended recent files, folders, and newly installed apps below.
2. “Pinned apps” are applications that have been manually placed in the Start menu for easy access. “Recommended” shows recently opened files, folders, and recently installed applications. You can manage pinned apps by right-clicking on an app icon in the Start menu and selecting “Pin to Start” or “Unpin from Start.”
3. You can launch an application by single-clicking its icon in the Start menu or on the taskbar. You can also launch an application by double-clicking its icon on the desktop. A key difference is that you single-click icons in the Start menu and taskbar, but double-click icons on the desktop to open them.
4. To shut down or restart, click the Start button, then click the power icon located at the bottom right of the Start menu. From there, you can choose “Shut down” or “Restart.” Restarting periodically is recommended to refresh the system, as programs can accumulate memory and resources over time, potentially slowing down the computer.
5. To pin an application to the taskbar, find the application (either in the Start menu or the “All apps” list), right-click on its icon, and select “Pin to taskbar.” To unpin an application, right-click on its icon on the taskbar and select “Unpin from taskbar.” Customizing the taskbar allows you to keep frequently used applications readily accessible.
6. The small upward-pointing arrow icon on the right side of the taskbar reveals a hidden area for background applications that don’t always need to be visible. Examples of applications found here include Windows Security (antivirus) and other utilities running in the background.
7. Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage service that allows you to save files online and synchronize them across multiple devices, such as a desktop and a laptop. This ensures that changes made on one device are automatically updated on others, eliminating the need for physical storage devices for transferring files.
8. Clicking the network or volume icon on the right side of the taskbar opens a panel where you can adjust volume using a slider and see your network connection status. This area also provides access to other settings like airplane mode (if applicable), accessibility settings, and the Night Light feature to reduce blue light emissions.
9. Task View is a feature in Windows 11 that displays all currently open windows as thumbnails, allowing you to quickly switch between them. You can access it by clicking the Task View button on the taskbar (it looks like overlapping rectangles) or by pressing the Windows key + Tab. It helps manage multiple open applications by providing a visual overview.
10. “Cut and paste” moves an item (text, file, or folder) from its original location to a new location. The original item is removed. “Copy and paste” creates a duplicate of the item in a new location, while the original item remains in its original place. The keyboard shortcut for cut is Ctrl+X, for copy is Ctrl+C, and for paste is Ctrl+V.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the evolution of the Windows Start Menu from earlier versions to Windows 11. Analyze the changes in its design and functionality, and evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of these changes for user experience and productivity as described in the source.
2. Explain the importance of taskbar customization in Windows 11. Describe the various ways a user can personalize their taskbar, including pinning/unpinning applications and modifying taskbar behaviors. Discuss how effective taskbar customization can contribute to a more efficient workflow based on the information provided.
3. The source emphasizes the built-in security features of Windows 11 and cautions against unnecessary third-party antivirus software. Elaborate on the advice given regarding Windows Security. Discuss the reasoning behind this recommendation and the potential advantages and disadvantages of relying solely on the built-in antivirus.
4. Describe the basic file management functionalities in Windows 11 as explained in the source, including creating folders, moving and copying files, and understanding file extensions. Explain the importance of organizing files and folders effectively and how the features discussed can aid in this process.
5. The source provides guidance on initial setup and basic troubleshooting, such as restarting and managing updates. Based on this information, discuss the key recommendations for maintaining a stable and functional Windows 11 system for a new user.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Taskbar: The bar located at the bottom of the Windows desktop that displays the Start button, pinned applications, and system information.
• Start Button: An icon (typically a Windows logo) on the taskbar that, when clicked, opens the Start Menu.
• Pinned Apps: Applications that users have chosen to display in the Start Menu or on the taskbar for quick access.
• Recommended: A section in the Start Menu that displays recently opened files, folders, and newly installed applications.
• All Apps: A section in the Start Menu that lists all installed applications on the computer.
• Desktop: The main visual work area on a computer screen, displaying icons and the background wallpaper.
• Power Button (Start Menu): An icon in the Start Menu used to access power options such as Shut down, Restart, and Sleep.
• System Tray (Notification Area): The area on the far right of the taskbar that displays icons for background processes, notifications, date, and time.
• Widgets: Dynamic information displays (like weather, news) that can be accessed from the left side of the Windows 11 taskbar.
• Task View: A feature that displays thumbnails of all open windows, allowing for easy switching between them.
• Taskbar Behaviors: Settings that control how the taskbar functions, such as alignment and how buttons are combined.
• File Explorer: The file management application in Windows used to browse, organize, and manage files and folders.
• File Name Extension: A suffix at the end of a file name (e.g., .pdf, .exe, .jpg) that indicates the file type.
• Control Panel: A system utility in Windows that allows users to configure various settings, although many of its functions are now integrated into the Settings app.
• Settings App: The modern interface in Windows 11 for configuring system settings, replacing much of the functionality of the Control Panel.
• Windows Update: A service that allows Windows to download and install updates for the operating system and other Microsoft software.
• Personalization: Settings that allow users to customize the visual appearance of Windows, such as background, colors, and themes.
• Accessibility: Features and settings designed to make computers easier to use for people with disabilities, such as text size adjustments and high contrast themes.
• Cut: A command that removes selected content from its original location and places it on the clipboard.
• Copy: A command that duplicates selected content and places the copy on the clipboard, while the original remains.
• Paste: A command that inserts the content currently stored on the clipboard into the current location.
• Clipboard: A temporary storage area in computer memory used for holding data that has been cut or copied.
• Microsoft Edge: The default web browser included with Windows.
• OneDrive: Microsoft’s cloud storage and file synchronization service.

Windows 11 Orientation: A Briefing Document

This briefing document summarizes the main themes and important ideas from the provided source, which serves as an introductory guide to Windows 11. The source focuses on familiarizing new users with the operating system’s interface, key functionalities, and essential settings.

Main Themes

• Interface Navigation: The primary focus is on helping users understand and navigate the Windows 11 desktop environment, including the Taskbar and the Start Menu.
• Essential System Functions: The guide covers critical actions such as launching applications, managing files and folders, connecting to the internet, and shutting down/restarting the computer.
• Basic Customization and Settings: It introduces users to fundamental personalization options for the Taskbar, Desktop background, display, and accessibility features like text and cursor size.
• Internet Access and Web Browsing: The source provides a step-by-step walkthrough of launching and using Microsoft Edge for the first time, along with basic web browsing concepts.
• File Management Fundamentals: It explains core concepts like cut, copy, paste, and basic file and folder organization using File Explorer.
• Importance of System Maintenance: The guide emphasizes the need for regular restarts and software updates to ensure system stability and security.
• Security Considerations: It touches upon the built-in Windows Security and advises caution regarding third-party security software and online scams.

Most Important Ideas and Facts

The Taskbar

• The Start button has moved from the far left to the center of the Taskbar.
• “start button on all other versions of Windows prior to Windows 11 was always on the far left right now the far left is taken up by this little widget area all right but start button right here”
• Clicking the Start button reveals pinned apps (default and user-defined) and recommended items (recent files, folders, and newly installed apps).
• “when you click on your start button you get a view of a bunch of pinned apps which means uh just things that have been set into the uh default start area here right in front of you”
• “underneath recommended you’re going to see uh recent files and folders that you’ve opened”
• An All apps button in the top right of the Start Menu provides a full list of installed applications, accessible alphabetically with a jump-to-letter feature.
• “if you want to see all your apps you have to go to this little button right here in the top right hand corner and when you click there you get the full list of installed apps and all their little icons”
• Users can pin and unpin applications to both the Start Menu and the Taskbar for quick access.
• “you can right click on it and say pin to start or if it’s already in start uh unpin from start”
• “we could rightclick and we can say pin to taskar so so just as you can pin things into the start area you can pin and unpin things from the taskbar itself”
• Single-clicking icons on the Taskbar or within the Start Menu opens applications, unlike the double-clicking required for desktop icons.
• “double click on it from the desktop single click from start and single click when you’re looking at uh clicking on an icon in the taskbar”
• The Power button is located within the Start Menu, offering options for shutdown, restart, and sleep. Shutdown is recommended over sleep for better system stability.
• “when you’re done with Windows for the day you can click on the start button click on this little power icon and then click shut down I recommend shutting down over sleep”
• Restarting the computer regularly (ideally daily or at least weekly) is important for releasing memory and resources, preventing system sluggishness.
• “you shouldn’t let a computer run say for 30 days without restarting it because what happens is programs take up bits of memory and resources and they don’t always release them”
• The right side of the Taskbar includes a hidden icons area (accessed via an upward arrow) for background applications like Windows Security.
• “if you click on that and you may not have one depending on how many icons you have at play but uh what this is is like an area where they hide icons that are just for things that are just running in the background”
• Visible icons on the right Taskbar provide access to features like OneDrive, language settings, network status, and volume control. Clicking the network or volume icon opens a quick settings panel.
• “things that aren’t in this little hidden menu are the more visible icons that we see to the left of the uh time and here so uh one of these is Microsoft One Drive… and here is our little language area… and then we have our little Network icon… so the next one over is volume”
• The notification area (bell icon) displays system notifications. Users should be cautious of urgent-sounding notifications, especially from websites, as they could be scams.
• “right next to that we have a little notification area that little bell here… notifications do pop up just like this in the lower right hand corner… be careful because uh people can also get uh notifications from websites and other third parties… be wary of scams and stuff right”

The Desktop

• The area above the Taskbar is called the desktop, featuring a customizable wallpaper and icons for software and utilities.

Taskbar Settings

• Right-clicking the Taskbar and selecting Taskbar settings allows customization of Taskbar elements and behaviors.
• Users can hide or change the appearance of the search bar, widgets, and the Task View button.
• The Taskbar alignment can be changed to move the Start button back to the left.
• “come down to the bottom here where it says taskbar behaviors right and click the little arrow pointing down there and then it has taskar alignment and you can choose to place the start button back on the left where your brain expects it to be”
• The setting “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” controls how multiple windows of the same application are displayed on the Taskbar. “Never” will show each window separately with its label.
• “where it says combine taskbar buttons and hide labels right so generally by default it’s on to always do that… if we switch this to uh never for example now instead of that layered File Explorer icon… now it actually shows me that I’m in pictures music and desktop”

Desktop Icons

• Right-clicking a desktop icon provides a context menu with options like cut, copy, rename (represented by an icon), share, and delete.
• Deleted items are moved to the Recycle Bin and can be restored.

Internet Access with Microsoft Edge

• Microsoft Edge is the default web browser in Windows 11.
• The first-time setup of Edge involves several prompts regarding data syncing, tracking, and theme selection. Beginners are advised to “start without your data” and decline most tracking offers to reduce complexity.
• “this is the first time it’s sprun so you know welcome to Microsoft Edge and it’s going to ask you if you want to sign in to sync data right… but you know we’re beginners here so we’re going to say start without your data right now it’s going to ask you know you always want to have access to your recent browsing data right typically I like to say no to most of these offers”
• The default homepage is Microsoft Bing. Users can navigate to other websites by typing the URL in the address bar.
• Web browsing involves tabs, which can be opened using the “+” icon or by right-clicking a link and selecting “open link in new tab.” Tabs can be reordered.
• The three-dot menu in Edge provides access to settings and other functionalities, including the option to hide the sidebar.
• “this these three little dots here is the menu for all kinds of things right and that’s standard on Windows these days”
• The default search engine used in the Edge address bar can be changed in the browser’s settings (e.g., from Bing to Google).

Windows 11 Settings

• The main Windows 11 Settings app can be accessed by right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Settings.” It is organized into different categories for system configuration.
• Windows Update allows users to check for and install updates for Windows and other Microsoft products. Optional updates, including driver updates, can be found in Advanced options. Restarting the computer is often required to complete updates.
• “right click on the start button and then click on settings right… Windows update if you click on that you can click on check for updates”
• Personalization settings enable users to change the background (picture, solid color, slideshow, Windows Spotlight), colors, and themes, including high contrast themes for accessibility.
• “One you might want to jump into right away if you like things to look the way you like them to look is personalization right and here is where you can change background and colors and themes Etc”
• The classic Control Panel is still accessible by searching for “control” in the Start Menu. It provides access to various system settings.
• “you can click on the start button but and type in the word control and you’ll see the control panel come up as an offering”
• Key Control Panel settings include:
• Mouse: Adjusting double-click speed and changing the pointer size and visibility (e.g., showing pointer location with the Ctrl key).
• “One thing that I like to do on every new system is click on Mouse right and then here under double click speed I pull that all the way to the left so that it’s slow… I like to go down to Windows standard extra large right”
• Power Options: Configuring power plans and sleep settings.
• “another feature I would point out to you uh right now is programs and features so if we click on that uh it’s going to show us a list of all the programs that are installed on the system”
• Programs and Features: Managing traditionally installed software. Note that modern “apps” are often managed differently (e.g., via right-click in the Start Menu).
• Devices and Printers: Accessing settings for connected devices.
• Date and Time: Adjusting the system date, time, and time zone. It’s recommended to set the correct time zone first.
• “often that’s wrong when you get a new computer and you’re sitting in front of it the time Zone’s wrong or the or the just the time your right time zone but the time is off by a few minutes so you can jump in here and click on change date and time… also you can change your time zone right”

Cut, Copy, and Paste

• Cut (Ctrl+X): Moves selected text or files to the clipboard, removing them from the original location.
• Copy (Ctrl+C): Duplicates selected text or files to the clipboard, leaving the original intact.
• Paste (Ctrl+V): Inserts the content of the clipboard into the current location.
• These functions work with text in applications like Notepad and with files and folders in File Explorer. Right-click menus also provide these options (often as icons in Windows 11).
• “The default keys for uh those commands are it’s control X for cut… copy is contrl c for copy and then uh pasting is contrl V right”

File Explorer

• File Explorer is used to manage files and folders.
• The left-hand navigation pane can be resized.
• It’s useful to show file name extensions in the View settings to easily identify file types.
• “what I like to do is click on view View and then go to show and then choose or select file name extensions right and then uh instead of it just saying Firefox installer here now it says Firefox installer.exe”
• The “Expand to open folder” option (in Options > View) makes the navigation pane on the left dynamically display the currently open folder in the file system hierarchy (though this feature has a temporary bug in a recent update).
• “if we scroll down to the bottom here I choose expand to open folder”
• Files and folders can be viewed in different layouts (e.g., extra large icons, details). The “Details” view is recommended as it shows name, date modified, type, and size. Columns can be clicked to sort by that attribute.
• “the one I tend to like is the details view here so that gives you the name the date modified the type and the size right and you can you can click on any of these headings to sort by that bit”
• Users can create new folders by right-clicking in an empty area or using the “New” button in the ribbon. Files and folders can be dragged and dropped between locations.
• “make sure you’ve clicked on the right somewhere in the white space on the right hand side right right and then you can click on new up here in the upper left and choose folder”
• Right-clicking is context-sensitive, offering different menus and options depending on the element clicked.

Display and Text Size

• In Display settings (right-click desktop > Display settings), users can adjust the screen resolution. While the recommended resolution is usually the default, lower resolutions can make interface elements appear larger. Avoid resolutions with a vertical height below 768.
• “you can click on display resolution here and choose a different resolution now the higher the highest number it tends to be the uh recommended resolution for your monitor and usually that’s going to be your default right but uh if you choose some smaller numbers uh you may find that uh everything just looks uh you know that much bigger and more visually accessible for you”
• Text size can be adjusted in Accessibility settings (search “text size” in Settings). A slider allows users to increase or decrease the default text size. Be cautious of making text too large, as it may cause layout issues in some applications.
• “in the uh find a setting area here just type in the word text and you’ll see text size all right click on that it’ll bring you to the accessibility Tex size area and there’s a little slider here”

This briefing document provides a foundational understanding of the Windows 11 interface and essential functions as described in the source. New users are encouraged to explore these areas further to become comfortable with the operating system.

Windows 11: Getting Started Guide

Frequently Asked Questions: Getting Started with Windows 11

1. Where is the Start Menu located in Windows 11, and how do I access my applications? In Windows 11, the Start button is located in the center of the taskbar, unlike previous versions where it was on the far left (that area is now occupied by the widgets). Clicking the Start button opens a view of pinned applications. You can navigate through multiple pages of pinned icons using the dots or arrows at the top. Below the pinned apps, you’ll find a “Recommended” section showing recent files, folders, and newly installed applications. To see a full list of all installed apps, click the “All apps” button in the top right corner of the Start Menu. Some apps may be located within folders, indicated by a yellow folder icon; click on the folder to see its contents. To quickly jump to apps starting with a specific letter, click on any letter in the app list, and it will highlight the sections of the alphabet that have content.

2. How do I pin and unpin applications to the Start Menu and Taskbar for quick access? To pin an application to the Start Menu, go to the “All apps” list (via the Start button), right-click on the desired application, and select “Pin to Start.” This will add the application’s icon to your pinned apps view in the Start Menu. To unpin an application from the Start Menu, simply right-click on its icon in the pinned apps area and select “Unpin from Start.” Similarly, you can pin applications to the Taskbar for even quicker access. From the “All apps” list or the Start Menu, right-click on an application and choose “Pin to taskbar.” To remove an application from the Taskbar, right-click on its icon on the Taskbar and select “Unpin from taskbar.”

3. What is the Taskbar, and how can I customize its appearance and behavior? The Taskbar is the bar located at the bottom of your screen in Windows 11. It contains the Start button, pinned applications, running applications (indicated by a small dot underneath their icons), widgets (on the far left), and the system tray (on the far right). You can customize the Taskbar by right-clicking on an empty area of it and selecting “Taskbar settings.” In the settings, you can toggle the visibility of search, task view, widgets, and the co-pilot (if available). Under “Taskbar behaviors,” you can change the “Taskbar alignment” to move the Start button back to the left. The “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” option controls how multiple windows of the same application are displayed; you can choose to always combine them (default), never combine them (showing individual icons with labels), or combine them when the taskbar is full. You can also unpin default icons you don’t use (like the Microsoft Store or Teams) by right-clicking on them and selecting “Unpin from taskbar.”

4. How do I manage running applications using the Taskbar and Task View? The Taskbar displays icons for applications that are currently running. A small underline or dot beneath an icon indicates that the application is open. Single-clicking on an icon in the Taskbar will bring that application to the forefront. Hovering your mouse over a combined application icon (if you have multiple windows of the same app open) will show you thumbnails of all the open windows, allowing you to choose the one you want. Task View, which can be enabled in the Taskbar settings, provides a visual overview of all currently open windows. Clicking the Task View button on the Taskbar (it looks like two overlapping rectangles) will display all your open windows as thumbnails, allowing you to easily switch between them by clicking on the desired window.

5. How do I shut down, restart, or put my Windows 11 computer to sleep? To shut down or restart your Windows 11 computer, click on the Start button, then click on the power icon located at the bottom right of the Start Menu. A small menu will appear with options to “Sleep,” “Shut down,” and “Restart.” It is generally recommended to shut down your computer fully rather than relying on sleep mode, as sleep can sometimes lead to issues with devices not waking up properly. Restarting your computer periodically (ideally daily or at least weekly) can help maintain system stability by clearing out used memory and resources that programs may not always release.

6. How do I connect to the internet using Microsoft Edge for the first time, and what are some basic browser navigation tips? To connect to the internet, click on the Microsoft Edge icon on the Taskbar (it’s the blue and green “e” icon). The first time you open Edge, you will be guided through a setup process. It will ask about syncing data (you can choose to “Start without your data” for a simpler initial setup), importing data from other browsers (you can skip this), and allowing Microsoft to track browsing data (you can choose “Don’t allow” for more privacy). After going through these steps and potentially selecting a theme, you will arrive at the Microsoft Bing homepage, indicating you are online. To navigate to a specific website, click in the address bar at the top and type the website’s address (e.g., google.com). You can open new tabs by clicking the “+” icon next to the existing tab. To open a link in a new tab, right-click on the link and select “Open link in new tab.” You can switch between tabs by clicking on them. To change the default search engine used in the address bar, click the three dots (…) in the top right corner of Edge, go to “Settings,” search for “address bar and search,” and then choose your preferred search engine from the drop-down menu. You can also disable the sidebar in Edge settings under the “Sidebar” section.

7. How do I manage files and folders using File Explorer in Windows 11? You can access File Explorer by clicking its icon on the Taskbar (it looks like a folder) or by searching for it in the Start Menu. In File Explorer, the left pane provides a navigation view of your folders. You can expand or collapse folders by clicking the small arrows next to them (though a recent Windows update may temporarily affect this functionality). The right pane displays the contents of the selected folder. You can change the view of files and folders (e.g., details, large icons) by clicking on the “View” tab at the top. To see file extensions (like .exe, .jpg), go to the “View” tab, click “Show,” and select “File name extensions.” To sort files and folders, click on the column headers (Name, Date modified, Type, Size). To create a new folder, navigate to the desired location, right-click in an empty area, select “New,” and then “Folder,” and give it a name. You can move or copy files and folders using cut (Ctrl+X), copy (Ctrl+C), and paste (Ctrl+V) commands, or by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate options. You can also drag and drop files and folders. Deleted items go to the Recycle Bin, from which you can restore them if needed.

8. How can I adjust display settings and text size in Windows 11 for better visual accessibility? To adjust display settings, right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select “Display settings.” Here, you can change the display resolution. If icons and text appear too small on a high-resolution monitor, try selecting a lower resolution. Be cautious not to go below 1024×768 to avoid compatibility issues with some software. Also, pay attention to the aspect ratio to ensure the display fits your monitor without black bars. To change the text size, right-click on the Start button, go to “Settings,” type “text size” in the search bar, and select “Text size.” In the “Accessibility” settings, you’ll find a slider to adjust the text size. Drag the slider to make the text larger or smaller and click “Apply.” Be mindful that making the text too large might cause layout issues in some applications. You can also adjust the mouse cursor size in the Control Panel (search for “Control Panel” in the Start Menu, go to “Mouse,” then the “Pointers” tab, and choose a larger scheme under “Scheme”). In the Control Panel’s “Ease of Access” settings (or by searching for “make the mouse easier to use”), you can also enable features like showing the location of the pointer when you press the Ctrl key.

Windows 11 Basics: A User’s Guide

Let’s discuss some Windows 11 basics based on the information in the source.

When you first encounter Windows 11, the bar at the bottom of your screen is called the taskbar. Several elements reside on the taskbar, with the most crucial being the start button, which is the four-square window icon. Unlike previous Windows versions where the start button was on the far left, in Windows 11, the far left is occupied by the widgets area, and the start button is located more towards the center.

Clicking the start button reveals a view of pinned apps, which are applications set into the default start area. You might see multiple pages of these pinned icons, indicated by dots or arrows that allow you to navigate between the pages. Below the pinned apps, you’ll find the recommended section, displaying recently opened files and folders, as well as recently installed applications.

To access all your installed apps, you need to click the button in the top right corner of the start menu. This will present a full list of apps and their icons. Some apps might be organized within folders, requiring you to click on the folder to see its contents. To quickly navigate this list, you can click on any letter, and it will highlight the sections of the alphabet that contain content.

You can customize the start menu by right-clicking on an app in the ‘all apps’ list and choosing ‘Pin to Start’. If an app is already pinned, the option will be ‘Unpin from Start’. Pinned items generally appear at the bottom of the pinned apps view. Remember that opening a program from the start menu requires a single click.

The taskbar itself also contains other icons by default. You can unpin these icons by right-clicking on them and selecting ‘Unpin from taskbar’. Similarly, you can pin applications to the taskbar by right-clicking on them in the start menu (either pinned or in the ‘all apps’ list) and choosing ‘Pin to taskbar’. Opening an application from the taskbar also requires a single click. Be mindful of this, as double-clicking can lead to opening multiple instances of the same application.

On the far right of the taskbar, you’ll typically find a small up arrow that, when clicked, reveals a hidden area for background applications’ icons, such as Windows Security (the built-in antivirus). To the left of the time, you’ll see more visible icons, which might include Microsoft OneDrive for cloud file synchronization, language settings, the network icon indicating your internet connection status, and the volume icon for adjusting the system volume. Clicking on the network or volume icon often brings up a small panel where you can manage your network connection, volume, and access other settings like Night Light.

Next to the time and date is the notification area, indicated by a little bell. Notifications from Windows and some applications will appear here and might also pop up in the lower right corner of the screen. Be cautious of notifications that create a sense of urgency, as they could be part of scams.

The area above the taskbar is the desktop, where your desktop wallpaper is displayed and where you can place icons for frequently used software, utilities, files, and folders. Opening items on the desktop typically requires a double click.

You can customize the taskbar by right-clicking on it and selecting ‘Taskbar settings’. Here, you can toggle the visibility of elements like the search bar, Co-pilot (which is in preview and might be best turned off initially), widgets, and the task view button. Task view, when enabled, allows you to see all your open windows at a glance and switch between them.

In the taskbar settings, under ‘Taskbar behaviors’, you can change the taskbar alignment to move the start button back to the left, a familiar location for users of older Windows versions. Another useful setting here is ‘Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels’. By default, Windows 11 combines multiple windows of the same application into a single icon. You can change this to ‘Never’ or ‘When taskbar is full’ to see individual icons with labels, making it easier to identify specific open windows.

On the desktop, right-clicking provides a context menu with options. In Windows 11, this menu initially shows icons for common actions like cut, copy, rename, share, and delete. If you prefer the classic right-click menu with full text options, you can often find an option like ‘Show more options’. You can rename desktop icons and delete them. Deleted items are moved to the Recycle Bin, which is usually located in the top left corner of the desktop. You can restore deleted items from the Recycle Bin by right-clicking on them and choosing ‘Restore’.

To access the internet, the default browser in Windows 11 is Microsoft Edge, which is typically pinned to the taskbar. The first time you open Edge, you will be presented with several setup screens asking about data syncing, importing data, and tracking. For a basic setup, you might choose to start without your data, decline data synchronization, and opt not to allow Microsoft to track your browsing. The default homepage for Edge is usually the Microsoft Bing page. You can navigate to other websites by typing the address in the address bar at the top. You can open new tabs using the plus sign and close tabs with the ‘X’. You can also open a link in a new tab by right-clicking on it. The three dots menu in Edge provides access to various settings, including the option to hide the sidebar and to change the default search engine used in the address bar (e.g., from Bing to Google).

The main Windows 11 settings can be accessed by right-clicking on the start button and selecting ‘Settings’. The settings are organized into different categories. Windows Update allows you to check for and install updates for Windows and other Microsoft products, including optional driver and Net Framework updates. It’s generally a good idea to keep your system updated. Personalization settings let you change the background wallpaper, colors, and themes, including high contrast themes for accessibility. You can choose a picture, solid color, slideshow, or Windows Spotlight as your background and adjust how the picture fits the screen.

The older Control Panel is still available in Windows 11. You can access it by clicking the start button and typing ‘control’. In the Control Panel, you can switch to a small icon view for easier navigation. Some useful settings within the Control Panel include:

• Mouse: Here, you can adjust the double-click speed (slowing it down can be helpful for users who struggle with fast double-clicks) and change the pointer size and options, such as showing the pointer location when you press the Ctrl key.
• Power Options: You can manage your power plans and configure when the display turns off and when the computer goes to sleep. On laptops, you’ll have separate settings for battery and plugged-in power.
• Programs and Features: This lists many of the traditionally installed software programs, allowing you to uninstall them. Note that some modern apps are managed separately through the start menu.
• Devices and Printers: This area, which now redirects to the modern Settings app, shows your installed printers and scanners.
• Date and Time: You can adjust the system date, time, and time zone here. It’s often a good idea to set the correct time zone first.

Cut, copy, and paste are fundamental concepts in Windows for moving and duplicating text and files. You can perform these actions by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate option (icons in Windows 11’s initial right-click menu, full text options under ‘Show more options’) or by using keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+X (cut), Ctrl+C (copy), and Ctrl+V (paste). When you cut or copy an item, it is temporarily stored in the clipboard. The clipboard usually holds only the last item you cut or copied. You can use these commands with text in applications like Notepad and with files and folders in File Explorer.

File Explorer is the tool you use to manage your files and folders. You can adjust the width of the left-hand navigation pane by dragging the vertical line. By default, File Explorer shows the file type, but it’s helpful to enable file name extensions by going to View > Show > File name extensions. This will display the full file name, including extensions like ‘.exe’, ‘.jpg’, ‘.png’, making it easier to identify file types.

In File Explorer’s options (accessed via the three-dot menu > Options), under the View tab, you can select ‘Expand to open folder’. This setting, when working correctly, should cause the left-hand navigation pane to automatically expand and highlight the folder you are currently viewing, providing a clear visual representation of your location within the file system. However, the source mentions a potential bug where this might not always work as expected after a recent update.

File Explorer offers different views for your files and folders (accessed via the down arrow on the ‘View’ option), including extra large icons, large icons, small icons, list, and details. The details view, which is often preferred, shows the file name, date modified, type, and size. You can sort the files by clicking on these column headers.

The left-hand pane of File Explorer displays the folder structure. You can expand or collapse folders by clicking the arrows next to them. To organize your files, you can create new folders within existing ones by right-clicking in the right-hand pane and selecting ‘New > Folder’ or by clicking ‘New folder’ in the upper left. You can then drag and drop files into these folders to create a logical structure. You can also create new files, like text documents, by right-clicking and selecting ‘New’. The breadcrumb bar at the top of File Explorer shows your current location and allows you to navigate back up the folder hierarchy.

Right-clicking is a context-sensitive action in Windows. The menu that appears depends on what you click on. Experimenting with right-clicking on different elements like files, the taskbar, icons in the system tray, the start button, and the desktop can reveal various options and shortcuts. For example, right-clicking on the desktop allows you to access Display settings and Personalize.

In Display settings (accessed via right-click on the desktop > Display settings), you can adjust the display resolution. On high-resolution monitors, the default resolution might make icons and text appear very small. Lowering the resolution can make everything larger and more accessible. However, it’s advised not to go below a resolution of 768 in the vertical dimension to avoid compatibility issues with some software. Also, be mindful of the aspect ratio when choosing a resolution to avoid black bars on the sides of your screen.

For further visual adjustments, you can change the text size in Windows 11. To do this, search for ‘text size’ in the settings app (Windows key + I, then type ‘text size’) and go to the Accessibility > Text size area. A slider allows you to increase or decrease the text size, with a preview of how it will look. Be cautious not to make the text too large, as it might not fit properly within some application interfaces.

Windows 11 Start Button Functionality

The Start button in Windows 11 is represented by a little Four Square window icon located on the taskbar. Unlike previous versions of Windows where the Start button was always on the far left, in Windows 11, the far left of the taskbar is occupied by the widget area, and the Start button is positioned to its right.

Clicking the Start button reveals several key areas:

• Pinned Apps: This is the default view upon clicking the Start button, displaying a set of applications that have been set into this area for quick access. There can be multiple pages of pinned icons, indicated by little dots at the bottom, allowing you to navigate between these pages.
• Recommended: Below the pinned apps, this section displays recent files and folders that you have opened. It also shows recently installed applications, making them easier to find. For example, if you installed the Chrome browser, its icon would likely appear under “recommended”.
• All Apps: In the top right-hand corner of the Start Menu, there is a button that, when clicked, displays a full list of all installed applications and their icons. Some of these apps may be organized within folders, requiring you to click on the folder to see its contents.
• Alphabetical Navigation: Within the “All Apps” list, you can quickly jump to different parts of the alphabet by clicking on any letter. The letters that have associated content are displayed in a highlighted or bold manner.
• Pinning and Unpinning: You can customize the pinned apps area by right-clicking on any app in the “All Apps” list and selecting “Pin to Start“. Conversely, if an app is already pinned, right-clicking on it in the Start Menu will give you the option to “Unpin from Start“. Newly pinned items generally appear at the bottom of the pinned apps list.

The Start button also provides access to the power options. By clicking the Start button, you will find a little power icon, which, when clicked, presents options to “Shut down“, “Restart“, or “Sleep” your computer. The source recommends shutting down over using sleep to avoid potential issues with the system not fully awakening. Restarting your computer regularly (e.g., daily or at least weekly) is advised to maintain system stability by releasing memory and resources that programs may hold onto.

In summary, the Start button in Windows 11 serves as a central point for accessing installed applications, recent files, and system power options. It offers a customizable view of frequently used apps through the pinning feature and allows for easy navigation through the entire list of installed software.

Windows 11 Taskbar Customization Guide

The Windows 11 taskbar offers several ways to be customized. You can access these customizations by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Taskbar settings”.

Here are the key areas for taskbar customization discussed in the sources:

• Pinning and Unpinning Apps: You can remove default icons from the taskbar that you don’t use by right-clicking on them and selecting “Unpin from taskbar“. Conversely, you can add applications to the taskbar for quick access by clicking on the Start button, finding the desired app in the pinned apps or the “All apps” list, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Pin to taskbar“.
• Managing Hidden Icons (System Tray): On the right side of the taskbar, a small up arrow may be present. Clicking this arrow reveals a hidden area for icons of applications running in the background that don’t need constant visual presence. You can interact with these background apps by clicking on their icons in this hidden menu.
• Taskbar Settings: The “Taskbar settings” menu provides various options to modify the taskbar’s appearance and behavior:
• Search: You can choose to hide the search bar, show only the search icon, or display the full search bar. Even if hidden, the search functionality is still accessible by clicking the Start button and typing in the search bar at the top.
• Co-pilot: There is an option to turn off the Co-pilot (preview) feature.
• Widgets: You can turn off the widgets that appear on the left side of the taskbar if you are not interested in seeing information like weather updates.
• Task View: The Task view button can be turned on or off. When enabled, clicking it shows a list of all currently open windows, allowing you to quickly switch between them.
• Taskbar Alignment: You can change the alignment of the taskbar icons and the Start button. By default, they are centered, but you can choose to align them to the left, which is where the Start button was located in older versions of Windows.
• Combine Taskbar Buttons and Hide Labels: This setting controls how multiple windows from the same application are displayed on the taskbar.
• The default is to “Always, hide labels“, which means multiple instances of an application are grouped under a single icon with a visual cue (like a shadow) indicating multiple windows are open. Hovering over the icon shows previews of the open windows.
• You can change this to “Never“, which will display a separate icon with its label for each open window. This takes up more space on the taskbar but allows you to see immediately which windows are open.
• The “When taskbar is full” option will show individual icons and labels until the taskbar runs out of space, at which point it will start combining them.

In addition to these settings, you can also directly unpin an application from the taskbar by right-clicking on its icon and selecting “Unpin from taskbar”.

Windows 11 File Explorer Management

File Explorer in Windows 11 provides various tools and features for managing your files and folders. Here’s a discussion of File Explorer management based on the information in the sources:

Accessing File Explorer: While not explicitly stated how to open File Explorer, the source demonstrates its usage by navigating to “downloads”, opening different folders, and accessing the “documents” folder. It can generally be accessed via an icon on the taskbar or through the Start Menu.

Navigating the File System:

• File Explorer displays a left-hand pane that shows the folder structure.
• Folders can be expanded or collapsed by clicking the arrows next to them. A downward-pointing arrow indicates an expanded folder.
• Clicking on a folder in the left-hand pane displays its contents in the main right-hand pane.
• The vertical line separating the left and right panes can be dragged to adjust the width and make folder names more readable.
• The source mentions a feature “expand to open folder” which, when enabled in the Folder Options (accessed via the hamburger menu -> Options -> View tab), is intended to automatically expand the folder you are currently in within the left-hand navigation pane, providing a constant visual of your current location in the file system. However, the source notes a potential bug where this might not always function as expected.

Viewing Files and Folders:

• File Explorer offers different ways to view the files and folders within a selected location, accessible via the View tab in the ribbon. These include:
• Extra large icons, Large icons, Small icons.
• List view, which shows only the file names without additional details.
• Details view, which displays the name, date modified, type, and size of the files and folders. This is the preferred view according to the source.

Sorting Files and Folders:

• In Details view, you can sort the displayed items by clicking on any of the column headers (Name, Date modified, Type, Size). Clicking once sorts in ascending order, and clicking again reverses the sort order. This allows you to easily organize files by name, find the most recent files, group files by type, or order them by size.

Showing File Name Extensions:

• By default, Windows may hide file name extensions (e.g., .exe, .jpg, .docx). The source strongly recommends showing file name extensions for better clarity about file types. This can be enabled by going to the View tab, clicking on Show, and selecting “File name extensions“. Once enabled, the full file name, including its extension, will be visible (e.g., “Firefox installer.exe”).

Organizing Files and Folders:

• You can create new folders within any location in File Explorer. To do this, right-click in an empty area in the right-hand pane and select New > Folder. You can then type a name for the new folder. Alternatively, you can click on New in the upper left corner of the File Explorer window and choose Folder.
• You can create a folder structure with main folders and subfolders to better organize your files. Files can be dragged and dropped into these folders from other locations within File Explorer.

Renaming and Deleting Files and Folders:

• To rename a file or folder, you can right-click on it. In Windows 11, a context menu with icons will appear. The icon that looks like a file with a pencil is for Rename. Hovering over the icons will also show their function. In older versions of Windows, selecting “Show more options” in the right-click menu would display the classic menu with the full word “Rename”. After clicking the rename option, you can type the new name and press Enter. The source demonstrates renaming an icon on the desktop, and the same principle applies within File Explorer.
• To delete a file or folder, you can right-click on it and select the delete icon (which looks like a trash can) from the context menu. Again, selecting “Show more options” might show the full word “Delete” in a classic menu. Deleted files and folders are moved to the Recycle Bin.
• You can restore deleted items from the Recycle Bin by opening it (usually found in the top-left corner of the desktop by default), right-clicking on the desired item, and selecting “Restore“.

Cut, Copy, and Paste:

• File Explorer supports the cut, copy, and paste operations for managing files and folders.
• Cut (Ctrl+X or right-click and select the scissors icon or “Cut” under “Show more options”) removes the selected item from its current location and places it on the clipboard.
• Copy (Ctrl+C or right-click and select the two overlapping rectangles icon or “Copy” under “Show more options”) duplicates the selected item and places the copy on the clipboard, while the original remains in its location.
• Paste (Ctrl+V or right-click in the destination location and select the clipboard icon or “Paste” under “Show more options”) inserts the item from the clipboard into the current location.
• The clipboard temporarily holds only the last item that was cut or copied.

These features within File Explorer enable you to effectively navigate, organize, and manage your files and folders in Windows 11.

Windows 11: Cut, Copy, and Paste Essentials

The concepts of cut, copy, and paste are fundamental for managing information within Windows 11, whether it be text, files, or folders. These actions allow you to move or duplicate data between different locations or applications.

How Cut, Copy, and Paste Work:

• Cut: The cut operation (Ctrl+X or right-click and select the scissors icon or “Cut” under “Show more options”) removes the selected item from its original location and places it temporarily on the clipboard. Think of it like physically cutting something out.
• Copy: The copy operation (Ctrl+C or right-click and select the two overlapping rectangles icon or “Copy” under “Show more options”) creates a duplicate of the selected item and places this copy on the clipboard, while the original item remains in its place.
• Paste: The paste operation (Ctrl+V or right-click in the destination location and select the clipboard icon or “Paste” under “Show more options”) inserts the item currently stored on the clipboard into the new location.

The Clipboard:

The clipboard is a temporary storage area in your computer’s memory. When you cut or copy an item, it is stored in the clipboard. By default, the clipboard can hold only one item at a time. If you cut or copy something new, it replaces the previous content of the clipboard. When you paste, you are inserting the last item that was cut or copied.

Using Cut, Copy, and Paste with Text:

The source demonstrates these actions within Notepad, a basic text editor.

1. Select the text you want to cut or copy by clicking and dragging your mouse over it.
2. To cut: Right-click on the selected text and choose cut (or press Ctrl+X). The text will disappear from its original location and be placed on the clipboard.
3. To copy: Right-click on the selected text and choose copy (or press Ctrl+C). The text will remain in its original location, and a copy will be placed on the clipboard.
4. To paste: Position your cursor where you want the text to appear, right-click, and choose paste (or press Ctrl+V). The text from the clipboard will be inserted at the cursor’s location.

Using Cut, Copy, and Paste with Files and Folders:

You can also use these operations to manage files and folders within File Explorer, as discussed in our previous turn.

1. Select the file or folder you want to cut or copy.
2. To cut: Right-click on the selected file or folder and choose the scissors icon (or select “Cut” under “Show more options”). The item will be removed from its current location.
3. To copy: Right-click on the selected file or folder and choose the two overlapping rectangles icon (or select “Copy” under “Show more options”). The original item will remain.
4. Navigate to the destination folder where you want to move or duplicate the item.
5. To paste: Right-click in an empty area within the destination folder and choose the clipboard icon (or select “Paste” under “Show more options”). The cut or copied item will now appear in the destination.

The source emphasizes that the concept of cut, copy, and paste is a fundamental skill in Windows and is consistent across various applications, including text editors, file managers, and even within applications like Microsoft Excel for manipulating cells in a spreadsheet. You can use either the right-click menus or the keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) to perform these actions.

The Original Text

welcome to Windows 11 the first thing you need to do is get oriented so what are you looking at here this bar along the bottom is called the taskbar and on the taskar there are a variety of elements uh the most important of which is this icon right here the little uh Four Square window icon and that is your start button so start button on all other versions of Windows prior to Windows 11 was always on the far left right now the far left is taken up by this little widget area all right but start button right here now when you click on your start button you get a view of a bunch of pinned apps which means uh just things that have been set into the uh default start area here right in front of you when you click on the button and if you’ll notice these two little dots there’s a couple of pages of pinned icons right so you can move between those pages by clicking on the dots or clicking on the little arrow to go to the next one so if you have a lot of pinned items you might have five pages right that kind of thing underneath recommended you’re going to see uh recent files and folders that you’ve opened right this is a new installation here so nothing’s been opened uh there’s just the get started welcome to Windows thing but uh recent files and folders and if you’ve recently installed something uh generally the icon will show up here so if you installed the Chrome browser for example you would see the Chrome uh browser icon under recommended that makes it easier to find uh you know what you’ve recently taken action on all right now if you want to see all your apps you have to go to this little button right here in the top right hand corner and when you click there you get the full list of installed apps and all their little icons now some of them like here for example you have little yellow folder symbol uh it you actually have to click on the folder and then you get uh the full set of icons in that folder right so a lot of them aren’t in folders uh but some of them are right and uh things that you should know about these little icons are that if you’re trying to search for something that’s you know way down in a further letter you don’t want to scroll scroll scroll right you can uh click on any of the letters you know here we click on G for example and it’ll show you a highlighted map of which letters have uh content right so anything in the Bold like our for example here brings us back to that folder that uh we looked at earlier uh so again any letter and you can jump anywhere in the alphabet and you know get more quickly to what you want to see the other thing is that if you have something that you uh like to run into or open up a lot uh you can right click on it and say pin to start or if it’s already in start uh unpin from start so what that means of course is that when we click on start here that was paint right so here we already have uh the paint icon but if it was out say if I unpin it here and then I go back into all apps and then click on any letter go to P there’s our paint rightclick I can pin to start and then it will show back up but generally at the bottom yeah it it’ll become the last item all right so that’s a quick view of this area for getting into programs and you just click once on any of these icons to open that actual program or app they call the maps these days uh which is different from the desktop over here if you wanted to open Firefox Firefox from the desktop you’d have to double click so double click on it from the desktop single click from start and single click when you’re looking at uh clicking on an icon in the taskbar right A lot of people get confused about that and say they’ll click twice here on Microsoft Edge and actually open two copies of it right so because they’re used to you know in older versions of Windows almost everything was double clicked open right so a lot of things now are single click so try and keep that in mind uh and that’s almost certainly what’s happening if you open two things at once when you meant to open one you’re double clicking when you should have single clicked now also in your start button is your power button so uh that’s pretty critical to know a lot of people can’t figure out immediately how to shut down their system right so when you’re done with Windows for the day you can click on the start button click on this little power icon and then click shut down I recommend shutting down over sleep uh you know generally speaking because Microsoft has never seemed to get sleep right in terms of uh you know I do it stuff right so I often have people call me up and say this isn’t working that’s not working and what’s happened is their computer’s gone to sleep but when it’s uh awakened not all of it has awakened so their say their network card didn’t wake up properly and now they can’t get online until they restart their computer computer and everything gets refreshed so and that’s another thing that you should know okay so you’ve got your little power button you know aside from shutting down restarting is often uh something that you should do particularly if you if you like to leave your computer on all the time which is something that I tend to do myself uh but you shouldn’t let a computer run say for 30 days without restarting it because what happens is programs take up pits of memory and resources and they don’t always release them and then your computer has less and less and less to work with and it’s kind of like uh you know going crazy you your your mind is getting smaller and smaller until the system starts acting really weird and uh the cure for that so often just restart your computer so I tend to restart mine at least once a day just you know as I’m leaving for lunch or something just hit the restart and then so by the time I come back it’s all up and ready to go again of course uh you don’t have to every single day I’m not saying that it’s a hard and fast rule if you’ve got a lot of things open and you you know restarting would interrupt your workflow you know let it ride but don’t let it go for more than a week uh if you want uh to keep things stable all right so that is the start button um these other icons on the taskbar here are the default ones at least for my uh region here and you can you can change these and clean these up right so for example I don’t use the Microsoft store uh very often so I would rightclick and say unpin from taskbar right and uh I don’t use Microsoft teams much so I would right click and say unpin from taskbar but if we wanted to put something on the taskbar we could click on start and see a lot of people like uh to play solitire and that would be something they’d want down there so we could rightclick and we can say pin to taskar so so just as you can pin things into the start area you can pin and unpin things from the taskbar itself so uh moving on down the line into the right hand side of the taskbar uh first thing we come across is this little up Arrow here if you click on that and you may not have one depending on how many icons you have at play but uh what this is is like an area where they hide icons that are just for things that are just running in the background that don’t necessarily always need to be visually in front of you but need to be available so for example this here is Windows security which is the built-in antivirus for Microsoft Windows so I can click on that little up arrow click on that icon and then it brings me my security add glance here right so I can expand that and uh when you have these little triangles with the exclamation point here it’s it’s giving you uh hints warnings advice that kind of thing so uh you know you can read the notices and see whether you want to act on that right I won’t go into all of the details of the security right now but what I would say is generally speaking you don’t really need to buy something like Norton Antivirus or maffy or what have you uh you know they do have the built-in Antivirus for Windows and generally speaking it it’s pretty good it’s not the best out there but uh in some ways it is just because uh you know say for example maafi is just going to keep trying to sell you more and more and more security it’s like uh you know if You’ got a a club and you need a bouncer at the door you know one bouncer is going to generally be fine right you don’t need seven bouncers they’re just going to block the door and slow things down and maybe scare away customers right so uh if that analogy works for you I don’t know but it’s kind of how I feel about you know third party companies coming in and and trying to oversell security to you right so now things that aren’t in this little hidden menu are the more visible icons that we see to the left of the uh time and here so uh one of these is Microsoft One Drive which is uh kind of like a cloud offering for sharing files and between your different systems so say if you have a laptop and you have a desktop and you have your one Drive account so you can use one drive to synchronize your documents and pictures and music and stuff between those two computers so there’s there there’s uh everything’s going to be save to the cloud and then whenever you change something it gets updated in the cloud and when you whenever you go to the other computer and turn it on it’s going to download all the changes so so that if you’re working on a book for example on your desktop you know you’ve gotten up to chapter 3 you go over to your laptop you turn it on it synchronizes you’ve got chapter 3 on your laptop without having to run around with you know a USB stick or a CD or whatever so uh you know that that’s that thing and here is our little language area so you know I’m in Canada uh the default language for PCs is the US and so I have those two languages you may have more but uh this is how You’ switch uh with your mes between languages right and then we have our little Network icon which tells us uh you know whether we’re online or offline or whatever this is a wired network uh you may have a wireless bit there but when you when you click on that you see how these two both these icons get highlighted when I click so the next one over is volume right uh so whether I click on volume or network I get this little uh area here that pops up and you know I can I can change my um volume by using this slider here and then uh you know depending on uh what kind of network you’re on if it if there if this was a Wi-Fi network for example it might have airplane mode you know or this kind of thing going on and you can change other things here like accessibility settings and you know whether you want your screen to uh I think it could cut back on Blue Light the Night Light thing right uh so that uh it doesn’t interfere with your sleep as things go later in the day you can change the way the light comes off your monitor and and make things healthier for you that kind of thing so so this is it’s kind of like another widget area you know uh but more technical than the one on the left hand side here and of course here we have our time and date and right next to that we have a little notification area that little bell here right now uh do not disturb is on um but you know if if that was on we might see a few notifications from Windows about things that have been happen happening recently Etc and notifications do pop up just like this in the lower right hand corner so if the system has something to say to you generally speaking uh something will pop up in the lower right but be careful because uh people can also get uh notifications from websites and other third parties uh generally through uh giving them permission when you’re using your browser and uh those third part parties often try to imitate your system and you know for example pretend that you’ve got a virus and that you have to take action right away and basically I’m saying be wary of scams and stuff right so so be careful uh what you click on and what you react to and you know I guess generally speaking the way scams tend to work is that uh they they give such a sense of urgency like you have to act now without thinking right and usually your system won’t treat you quite that roughly so so that’s one way to kind of tell the difference between the two so uh you know that’s a quick overview of the taskbar above the taskbar is what we just generally call the desktop right and uh this is the picture here is your desktop wallpaper right which can be changed and then of course you have all your icons on your desktop for uh different software and utilties and stuff and this whole list can change and if you’ve been working on your computer for a while it basically fill up your whole screen with these kinds of things so you get files and folders and and icons to programs and stuff so uh now if you want to do some uh tweaking of your taskbar you can right click on it and click on taskbar settings all right and the first area here let’s expand this can maximize it with that middle button so so we can quickly go over that so every window in Windows generally speaking uh there there’s going to be a few exceptions where you only see the X right but uh you’re going to have the X here which will close the window you’re going to have this icon which you can use to maximize or restore right and then you see if you hover over it you get these uh little options so if I wanted to put it on the right hand side of the screen we can do that right or um if uh you know we wanted top right corner like so all right and uh but if you just click on it once you’re going to get the maximize right which is what we were after in the first place and the one here this is just minimize so if you click on the little dashed line there it’ll shrink down just to the tab bar and you see that it has this little dott under it showing that it’s it’s running right it’s it’s open but not visible so we can click back on that to uh restore it to whatever size it was before it was minimized so anyway this is the settings for the taskbar and you can actually turn things off like so if you don’t use your search you can turn that off you can say you know hide search and it’ll disappear or if you don’t want it to be so big you can put search icon only and then you you’d have to click on the icon before you put in any search um one thing I would just tell you is that if you hide it uh you save all that space and you still have that search functionality if you click on start and you click up on the the search bar at the top you’re going to get the the same kind of uh functionality right so not necessarily necessary but uh you know we’ll put it back to the default so that things look familiar now co-pilot is is something that’s in preview uh I would just turn that off for the moment um myself because um you know I I generally don’t like to play with things that are in beta mode right um and we have other things that we can turn off like we could turn off the widgets in the left if you’re not interested in and seeing the weather and the you know currency conversion rates and stuff showing up on your computer Compu all the time and uh also there’s this little um task view button here that we can turn on and off and I’ll show you what that is so save right now we have the taskbar settings open and if I open say file explorer here now we have two different windows open if I click on task view then it shows me a list of all the windows that are open so if I had 12 things open I’d have 12 little squares here and then you can you see the little preview and then you can quickly switch between them right so I’ve pulled up my file explorer if I go back to task view here and click on settings then I bring settings to the front right so uh we’ll close file explorer here for the moment so so if you use that you could leave it on again if you don’t save a bit of room and turn it off all right and uh another thing that a lot of people really appreciate because they’re used to older versions of Windows is you know uh hide your widgets right and then come down to the bottom here where it says taskbar behaviors right and click the little arrow pointing down there and then it has taskar alignment and you can choose to place the start button back on the left where your brain expects it to be right and another thing that I would say is very useful here where it says combine taskbar buttons and hide labels right so generally by default it’s on to always do that and and what that means is that say here again if we open File Explorer I can open another File Explorer by uh right clicking and clicking on file explorer again and then I say I can do that a third time and you see we still only have the one icon although it has that little uh shadow of or visible edge of something behind it to show that there are some stacked and if you want to move between the three uh windows that you have open if you hover over that icon you see the three different uh panels that you you can just choose between them now so if you know let’s go to the desktop here and this one was on let’s go to music here and let let’s put this one to pictures right so we’re in these three different folders now if we go if we go back to our settings and we switch this to uh never for example now instead of that layered File Explorer icon which visually doesn’t give you a lot of information now it actually shows me that I’m in pictures music and desktop takes a bit more room on your taskbar but you can actually see immediately what it is and then you can just go up I want to go back to my desktop I want to go back to my pictures I want to go back to my music so that’s why I would say uh you know if you follow my personal preference either choose never or uh when taskbar is full which would mean that it’ll it’ll show you the bigger bits until you fill up the taskbar and then it’ll start layering things all right so um you know your choice I’m going to stick it back on the default uh for the the moment but uh you know if it was my system I would put put it on never right let’s close these guys off now so that’s an overview of the the uh basic visuals right now if we wanted to delete an icon or rename an icon on the desktop we would rightclick and we get this menu here and this is different than earlier versions of Windows where say uh if we had uh right clicked well actually what we would see I can show you what we would normally see if I click on show more options now I’m going to get that classic uh rightclick menu uh where I have you know rename for example is spelled out for us right but now in Windows 11 if I rightclick I get this little icon for renaming right so a lot of the basic most common functions the the the the full typed name has been replaced by these little things so here’s if you hover over it shows you what it is here’s cut right copy rename share and delete right so if I wanted to just take the x64 off of Reaper here I could delete that and hit enter it wants admin permission I’m going to say go ahead and continue so I’ve renamed that icon I can also right click cck and delete it right and then a handy thing to know is that if you delete something it’s going to go into your recycle bin right so we open up the recycle bin which by default is going to be tucked away here in the top leftand corner of your desktop we can find the file in the recycle bin right click on it and click on restore it wants to confirm that we click on continue and and there it is back on our desktop now one of the most common things that you’re going to want to do on your windows 11 PC is Jump onto the internet and to do so in the normal case you’re going to use Microsoft Edge which we have down here on the taskbar you can install Firefox or Chrome or any other browser but uh you know if you’re new to Windows you probably haven’t done that and you’re going to need to start with Microsoft Edge now the warning is is that the first time that you open Microsoft Edge Microsoft is going to hit you with a number of questions and offers and it’s going to be quite confusing just to get to the point where you’re actually online and can do something so let me walk you through that process here so we’re going to click on edge and this is the first time it’s sprun so you know welcome to Microsoft Edge and it’s going to ask you if you want to sign in to sync data right so syncing data is a kind of an advanced thing where if you have a desktop and a laptop you work computer you can sign in with your the same Microsoft account and your your settings like your favorites and you know your your site history search history that kind of thing will be synchronized across the computer so so that your experience on each computer is uh standardized and very similar right but you know we’re beginners here so we’re going to say start without your data right now it’s going to ask you know you always want to have access to your recent browsing data right typically I like to say no to most of these offers so you know the less tracking that Microsoft does or that any third party does uh you know the less your computer has to do and the less there is to go wrong and the less other people know about every little thing that you’re doing of course so I’m going to say don’t allow and confirm and continue right and then here they’re offering to import data from elsewhere again you know let’s forego the data synchronization stuff say continue without this data and then uh Microsoft wants to track everything you do so that they can see you know how you work and how other people work and then based on that information ostensibly you know make their offerings more useful and targeted to their customers again let’s reduce the complexity and the flow of data going to say don’t allow and say confirm and start browsing so you think that means start browsing but not quite yet right so here we have uh they’re offering different themes right so you know there’s different colors Etc if you’re into having you know public G browser or whatever go ahead and click on one of those but um basically I would just click finish here now we’re actually on the web all right so the the default uh homepage is uh the Microsoft Bing uh homepage right uh here they’re asking questions you can close these little popups in the right hand bottom right hand corner can be quite annoying anyway so here we go we’re online if you want to go to a particular website like for example if you want uh instead of searching the web with Bing if you want to go to Google you can click in the address bar at the top here and type in google.com or whichever oneca whichever you use and you get to that site they have their own offerings right so we can say stay signed out right there’s there’s different tabs right so here’s here’s another tab uh which is just a welcome to Microsoft Edge tab that automatically opened right we can close that by hitting the little X but if we wanted to open our own extra tab there’s there’s a little plus sign right here we can open that up and we have a whole new page so say if I went to Google on both tabs and here on this tab you know we can search for pigs and on this tab we can search for ducks all right you don’t stay signed out there ah sport Ducks I was thinking the animal but there you go so then you can move between the two tabs you can even reorder the tabs you know drag one over and and put them in order so in this way uh if you’re doing a bit of research on something and you know for example you’re looking at real estate you can open several tabs and and kind of keep track of the properties you’re interested in ETC so uh one thing also to know is that you know instead of doing a search and going through the whole trying to find a page once you open a new tab uh when you are on a tab say if we’re looking at uh the links here and you say okay well the Wikipedia article would be interesting you can right click and say open link in new tab and it’ll open in a new tab right next to the one that you’re on right and then you can keep going down and go oh National Geographic Kids has something right right click opening a new tab so now we have you know these two articles on pigs that we can refer to and of course you can you can just keep going and have a whole bunch of tabs open and uh you know be able to move freely between them all right and uh the other thing to know about Edge that would be most significant I would say is that this these three little dots here is the menu for all kinds of things right and that’s standard on Windows these days and even on the web you’ll probably have noticed that these little uh uh three dot I think they call them hamburger menus but anyway uh those are the menus that get you into all the extra functionality right so for example if we click on those dots and we click on settings we get a whole area here where we can tweak things so for example Edge has this sidebar here which uh you may just find distracting as a beginner so you could click on sidebar here and just say uncheck always show sidebar right and then voila it disappears right and say if we want to go to a particular setting we can say type in Search and it will give us the different elements that are relevant to search right and if we look for our default say address bar and search right down here near the bottom if we click on that we can say which search engines we want to use by default when we search from the address bar so right now of course on a Microsoft system it’s Microsoft Bing but we could switch that to Google right and now if we go and we just go to the address bar and we type in save horses we get a Google result right so it’s a quick way to uh enable your favorite default search engine speaking of settings if you want to jump into the settings area for Windows 11 itself right click on the start button and then click on settings right we can maximize that right we have all these different categories where we can jump in and tweak things right so for example Windows update if you click on that you can click on check for updates and windows will you know reach out to Microsoft and see what updates for Windows there happen to be uh there’s some Advanced options for that if we clicked on that uh we can click on this is usually off by default I tend to turn it on receive updates for other Microsoft products like Microsoft Office or whatever and uh also I like to be notified whenever restart is required that’s usually off I turn that on all right and uh and here’s an interesting area so uh you know if you noticed when we were on just the plain Windows update thing just says you’re up to date right but if when we go into advanced options we go down to optional updates there’s two available all right so if we click on that we get these different categories driver updates and other updates under driver updates we have a display update for this system and other under other updates we have a Net Framework update right so if you find that your system is uh acting a little unstable or if you just like to know that everything is as up to date as it can be you can pop into this area select those updates and click download and install right and once you click on that it’ll bring you back to the main Windows update uh area and you’ll see that the updates are downloading now generally speaking when uh updates are running you can go ahead and do other things you know we could close this off and just do other things well updates are running and eventually you’ll get a notification in the bottom right saying that the computer would like to restart you don’t have to restart right away uh you know if you’re writing out something a letter an email or you know reviewing do something online uh you could wait but uh ultimately you’ll want to restart to finish the update uh you saw the screen go black there that’s because one of the updates was for the display and it’s not unusual for the display to uh jump around while the video uh display driver is being updated so now those updates are complete and we can look around at some of the other offerings here uh one you might want to jump into right away if you like things to look the way you like them to look is personalization right and here is where you can change background and colors and themes Etc so if we click on background you know we have the default Windows 11 swirly here is is uh what we’ve been looking at so far uh this is a relatively nice one uh I minimize this to show you what that looks like one of the reasons I like this one is that uh it’s it’s mostly dark and the icons on the desktop that show up with their names nice and cleanly against that darker background all right uh this one looks fairly interesting as well uh it looks like colorful potato chips to me anyway so um let’s just switch back to what we’ve been looking at so that’s with the picture background but you could also just choose a solid color for for example right so uh black is the default choice for that uh which would just give us uh a nice clean black screen with that high contrast uh for icons and stuff if I don’t have a picture this is the color I would prefer on my system right and uh other than that uh it’s a bit more advanced I won’t get into it right now but you can set up a slideshow or you can uh let Microsoft put things all over your desktop by choosing Windows Spotlight all right but we’ll go back and just put it back to picture and the other thing that you should know about when you have a picture as a background is you’ve got these fill options right uh how it’s going to I should say fit options the option chosen here is fill but uh if you’re going to fill the screen then there’s going to be no uh no edges visible like like if the aspect ratio is different than your monitor uh you know whichever side needs to stretch out to fill the screen is going to stretch out and then some of the image might be cropped up if you choose fit then the whole image will fit but then you might have uh you know black or other colored bars on either side or on the top and bottom because of the different aspect ratio for the image uh versus the Monitor uh then we have stretch which would uh just stretch the image to exactly fit your monitor uh but could distort it if the aspect ratio is off uh there’s also tile so say if you had a small square image of uh you know whatever a cookie and you had uh it could tile you know so many times across and so many times up and down you’d have so many cookies right and of course we have Center which is just put it in the center of your screen at its natural size so if it’s a tiny picture you would have a tiny picture in the center of the screen if it was a huge picture of uh like a dartboard and you know you might only see the bullseye on the dartboard all right and uh we have span which I’m not sure how that differs from the others but you could always click on it and find out if you’re playing with a picture of your own on the desktop and then we also have uh different themes now here we have what they call contrast themes right and these are for those who are visually impaired or just prefer things to be uh very Stark so you know if we if we click on one of these choose one of these here’s the samples here if we choose one of these from the drop-down say Aquatic and we choose apply then you get immediately a view of how that’s going to look uh on your system right and this desert is the next one here right there’s another option we have dusk we have night sky and of course we can switch it back to none all right so uh those are what we would call accessibility themes generally speaking and then under related settings here we have themes which is uh a of more uh usual themes not so high contrast and uh I won’t preview all of those but uh there’s a bunch on offer here and you can also click on browse themes to get an even larger list now that was the new windows 11 settings area if you’re used to the old windows settings area which is the control panel that is still available so you can click on the start button but and type in the word control and you’ll see the control panel come up as an offering if you click on that your control panel will pop up and we can maximize that I like to switch from category view to the small icon view right and then in here you can play with all kinds of things right so uh one thing that I like to do on every new system is click on Mouse right and then here under double click speed I pull that all the way to the left so that it’s slow because the issue there is that uh when it’s in the middle you have to click so fast to get you know this is where you can test your double clicking is open it close it right uh you have to click so fast that uh well some people simply can’t do it right so they’ll they’ll be clicking and clicking and trying to open something like on the desktop you have to double click on an icon to open a program and uh it just won’t it won’t work for them you know nine times out of 10 or whatever but if I pull that all the way to the left suddenly you know they can click click make a double click at that speed and it will work all right so fairly important U even if you don’t need it to be uh slower if you ever share your computer it’ll reduce frustration for somebody else I’m sure so uh the other bit in here is pointers uh for the mouse and you can see the size note the size of the little arrow here that I’ve been using the default size uh if we click on the drop down here I like to go down to Windows standard extra large right and then you see uh here a preview of what that’s going to give us and then this one that we’ve been using so it’s twice as big right so I can click apply and then now I have that nice large cursor or arrow and if we go to pointer options right uh we have the pointer speed that we can adjust um generally I don’t find that that needs adjusting but uh sometimes on certain systems with certain mice you know every time you move your mouse a little bit it seems to fly across the screen right if that’s happening to you you can pull that uh to the left generally I wouldn’t pull it all the way to the left because uh you know if we click apply here uh things start to go way too slow right um but uh you know adjust to your taste usually just one tick at a time uh until you fine-tune it uh the way that you want another uh nice option is to click on show location of pointer when I press the control key so uh basically that means that when you press the control key you’ll get this little blip these circles that’ll show you where your mouse is so if you have trouble finding your mouse sometimes on your screen just hit the control key and then you’ll see immediately where it has gone right um other things here I don’t tend to tweak but uh if you use the wheel on your mouse to scroll through things you can adjust how many lines it Scrolls at a time right if you find that it moves too fast you could lower that if you want it to move faster of course you could uh increase that number right and then we click okay and we have our new mouse cursor right and of course here in the uh control panel there’s all kinds of other useful options one is power options right so if we jump in there uh you know there’s generally different Power plans on your system that you can choose m’s on high performance uh at the moment if you want to tweak that or see what the settings actually are you can click on change plan settings and uh you know a typical setting here might be you know to turn off the display every 15 minutes and on high performance to never put the computer to sleep but if if you have a power saving mode it might be uh you know 20 minutes or whatever that it’s going to put the computer to sleep you don’t necessarily want that to happen if uh every time you step away you got to come back and log in and do the whole thing right so uh if you’re like me I like to have uh both of these at never and if if you know I want to save power or whatever I can put my computer to sleep and I can turn off my monitor right so you would hit save changes to save that and if you’re on a laptop you would you would see more options because there’s going to be a battery options versus um you know your plugged-in options and you can you can tweak each of those accordingly on on battery I would recommend uh having your computer go to sleep after a certain time just to conserve the battery and to keep the system from uh just running out of juice and and turning off suddenly uh without because it has no more power uh which is more dangerous and can corrupt your system all right and we can go up at the top here to the breadcrumb back to all control panel items and uh another feature I would point out to you uh right now is programs and features so if we click on that uh it’s going to show us a list of all the programs that are installed on the system now uh that that’s a bit deceptive it’s not all of them it’s all of the standard uh style programs uh that we would traditionally think of as a program uh that’s been set up on a on a system but now there’s a sort of a distinction between programs which are listed here in apps which are things that are uh just access differently by the computer and and you might see under here so for example photos here you know I could rightclick and uninstall photos here from you know the start area but photos is not listed here in in the in the program list right so say if you installed uh Norton Antivirus uh which by the way I don’t recommend Norton Antivirus so you know uh I would I would rather see you use uh something else but um as I mentioned earlier just use the Microsoft One the free one but uh that would be in this list right that’s not an app it’s actually you know full-fledged software so you may need to manage software from here and you may need to manage apps from the start menu all right and we go back to all control panel items uh other bits that would be useful to know devices and printers all right that actually brings you now into the standard settings and then you can see your printers and scanners list uh right now I don’t have any physical devices but we have the Microsoft print to PDF printer there and uh what else would be interesting here you can you know tweak your sound settings uh you can look at your system information right see what kind of computer you have what kind of processor Etc so you have access to that area quickly from here yeah and one more thing would be the date and time um often that’s wrong when you get a new computer and you’re sitting in front of it the time Zone’s wrong or the or the just the time your right time zone but the time is off by a few minutes so you can jump in here and click on change date and time you know tweak the date make sure the the years right right you know you can you can go month by month Etc here and then uh you know go into whichever uh area hour minute second right and you can use the up and down bits to to change the time or or minutes Etc and uh you can also type it in right so you can just type in the number right just cancel that because it’s correct on this system and also you can change your time zone right so um I often find that computers come set up for the wrong time zone so just choose your correct time zone from the drop- down list in fact you may want to do that first change your time zone because that if your if your time is off by you know 3 hours or whatever changing your time zone may just put it right where it needs to be uh otherwise if you’re if you’re messing with this first and then you change your time zone you’re going to have to go back and mess with this again if you know what I mean anyway we can click okay there and that’s a preview of the control panel now an important concept to understand in Windows is cut copy and paste now you can do that with text but you can also do that with files and and folders and other things so uh let me show you what I mean by that so we’re going to click on start and I’m going to type in note and so I can get notepad coming up right and uh notepad is basically a little text editor right very just text there’s no formatting or anything you can’t make things bold or Center them or whatever uh you would use wordpad for that um as a default little app on Windows but I just want to show you some things here so uh this is a sentence this is a note this is the oops and there we go okay so uh you can select things by clicking you hold down your mouse and draging right so I have selected this whole sentence now if I want to move that sentence I can rightclick and I can say cut all right and then I place my cursor wherever I want the sentence to now appear I rightclick and I choose paste so I cut it and I’ve pasted it so those words are are literally from pre-computer days when you would cut something out of a page and paste it onto another page if you’re moving paragraphs or sentences around right so uh now there’s also copy and paste right so if I select this sentence here right click and instead of choosing cut I choose copy then I can place my cursor where I want it right click and paste and now I get a copy of it right so the way that this works is that there’s there’s something called the clipboard there a little area of memory when you when you cut something it goes into the clipboard and it’s removed from where it initially was when you copy something it’s put into the clipboard but it stays where it originally was right so now it’s in the clipboard the clipboard uh unless you get a clipboard utility uh is is by default it’s just going to hold one item right so if I copy one thing and then I copy another the another thing is in the clipboard not the first thing right so so when I paste I’m only going to get the last thing that I cut or I copied right so uh keep that in mind right and uh that’s just with text right so we can close that off there and I can show you that this is also possible to do with files so if I go into downloads here I have a list of files I’m going to right click on name at the top and choose size all columns to fit so we can see all the full file names and essentially we can rightclick on a file and uh it’s a little bit different here in terms of uh the rightclick menu that comes up uh different than a notepad right so uh we have little icons for cut and copy as opposed to the words now on older versions of Windows if I click on show more options uh we had cut and copy as menu full menu items not tiny little icons uh but you know they’ve changed the default here so we’re going to rightclick and if I say cut for Chrome setup here and then if I go to my desktop on the left here so here’s my desktop if I right click and now the icon is paste right another little icon to look at you can click on that and you see that that file has been pasted into uh or onto the desktop all right so on the desktop I can right click and I can click on copy right and then say if I go to documents I can rightclick I can choose paste again and now I have a copy of chrome both on the desktop and in documents so you can do that with documents and folders as well uh and you know if you’re in like say Microsoft Excel doing a spreadsheet uh you can copy and paste or cut and paste uh cells in the in the spreadsheet right so the whole idea of cut copy and paste uh Works across all kinds of Vari of Windows and it’s an important skill to have now I’ve been right clicking to uh do the cutting copying and pasting but the default keys for uh those commands are it’s control X for cut so that means hold down your control key and you can you can just keep your finger on it right uh you keep your finger on it for 30 seconds if you like it’s not that’s the timing there isn’t critical the the the critical thing is well you have your finger on that then you tap the X like just like you would be you’re going to type in the letter X in in a letter just hold down the control key tap the X and then let go with the control key all right um so you don’t have to try and hit them both at the same time is what I’m I’m trying to say some people get that impression and and of course it doesn’t always work out and they end up hitting the X before the control and well that doesn’t work so well so hold down the control key tap the X let go of the control key that’s cut right so similar uh copy is contrl c for copy and then uh pasting is contrl V right so uh you know for example if I have now I’ve got my Chrome setup selected in documents I’m going to press controll X right and then if I go over to pictures here and I click on the right so that that’s the active window I go control+ V and then I get my Chrome setup has moved from documents to pictures right and then you know I can rightclick on that and one of the little icons is delete I can delete that and then I can also delete it from my desktop right so uh let’s have another look at the downloads here maximize this and just show you a few things about file explorer right so this is the default view here uh few things you should know is that uh if things aren’t fully readable on the left hand side this vertical line here is movable so if you hover over it in just the right spot you get this little Double Arrow you can click and you can drag to give yourself more or less room all right and then uh another thing is is that we have all of these uh files and it tells us under type what type of file it is right but um what I like to do is click on view View and then go to show and then choose or select file name extensions right and then uh instead of it just saying Firefox installer here now it says Firefox installer.exe right so that’s an executable file I don’t have to look over here to figure out what type of file it is I can see immediately by the extension and this works great for uh pictures so you’ve got a a bunch of pictures in your uh pictures folder and some of them are jpegs some of them are gifts you know some of them are pings so you got you know your jpg extension your GF and your PNG extension um you know a lot of times those things don’t matter but sometimes they really do right uh you know if you’re creating a web page and you want you know a certain kind of optimized image or whatever you know it’s important to know what the extension is so I like to turn that on another thing that I like to turn on uh is uh we go into the little hamburger menu here and we go to options right and click on The View tab if we scroll down to the bottom here I choose expand to open folder right so let me drag the by the way when you click on the title bar of of a window and drag you can move the window around all right so uh I’ve CHS an expand to open folder click okay right and then now when I’m in uh different folders it’s going to expand on the on this edge here on this left side here to show me that folder so right now I’m I’m on edge here if I double click on application to enter this folder it’s going to expand and show me that folder that I’m in so so you’ll always have a a direct visual view of where you are in the structure of your file system um on the leftand side it’ll follow your your movements on the right otherwise uh all of this would have just stayed you know tightly closed like this you’d be you know all the way down here but you wouldn’t have any view of where you were and uh it it’s often the case that when you’re when you’re in one folder then you’re um needing to see and interact with other folders so for example if I wanted to pull this file just up one level then I can see that level immediately here so uh that I find very useful and uh there’s different views here right so if you click on the little uh down arrow on the right there you know we’ve got our extra large icons all right your large icon view your small icon view all right and we got a list view which is just the file name and no no additional information right and then the one I tend to like is the details view here so that gives you the name the date modified the type and the size right and you can you can click on any of these headings to sort by that bit right so now I’ve got them sorted by size largest to smallest if I click again it’ll reverse the sort so it goes smallest to largest now I can sort by type so if you if you got various types of files in a folder and you know you’re looking specifically for a PDF it’ll put all the PDFs together and you’ll have uh you know fewer files to search through you can ignore all the non- PDFs right you can sort by date if you want to see uh what’s the most recent or what are the oldest files uh or or just looking for something in a particular date range makes it much easier to to find and then of course the uh the default sorting is by name and you can have that go um you know up the alphabet or down so another thing to know uh is that you know let let’s just stretch this out a little bit here further so on on the left here you see see this the structure and there’s the little arrows right so when the arrow is pointing down that means that that folder is expanded right if I click that down arrow it collapses the folder right if I want to expand say here the common files folder I click on that and then it shows me the files immediately uh or the folders I should say immediately um below uh there could be files but the files will never be listed on this side um this is just the folder structure right so and you can keep expanding right uh to get deeper and deeper into the folder structure uh so so that that’s how you kind of walk through it right and um another thing you should know is let’s go into documents here for example so you’ve got your documents folder you’re creating documents by default if you’re using Microsoft Word or something similar uh your documents are going to be saved in this folder right but uh you know once you get to a few hundred files uh it can get confusing just trying to find one or make sense of it all so uh the thing is to create your own folder structure right the the computer comes with a bunch of folders but you know you’re going to want to make your own so in that case we’re in documents make sure you’ve clicked on the right somewhere in the white space on the right hand side right right and then you can click on new up here in the upper left and choose folder right and then here you can say uh you know different categories right uh you know click again in the Whit space new folder right and then new folder right and then you can drag and drop your files into those folders um from from anywhere right if you have uh if you have this area expanded on the left hand side you can go into another folder and drag them from that folder into these ones right so and of course you can keep you can keep going and doing subfolders right uh and if you don’t want to click new there you can rightclick and say new folder right from in this area right and then you know right click new folder right and and so on so now we have right your uh documents repairs laundry and in this breadcrumb there’s there’s so many ways to move around here right so you you can click the little arrow between repairs and laundry and it’ll show you uh the other options right so we can click on kitchen there for example and uh now we’re in the other folder there are even some options for creating some file types when you right click so you can right click and say new text document right and then you could create a document you know relevant to your current uh folder topic right and uh even here we have similar choices in the upper left corner now I’m not sure why it’s not actually expanding here on the left the way it normally would let’s just try closing and reopening file explorer here we go into documents repairs oh it maximize it kitchen H for some reason this system is a little bit buggy yeah so I just paused recording and checked on why this might be happening and a recent update to Windows 11 has uh introduced this strange little bug so um I would I would still turn on expand to folders but it won’t necessarily always work until Microsoft fix it it uh where we should see ourselves right if we’re in documents repairs kitchen is uh you know under Drive C we got users right and uh you know under under users you’ve got different usernames depending on how your system is set up if you click on your start button you can see what your actual username is in this case someone else right so uh we click on that folder and then if we go into documents right and we’ve got repairs kitchen that’s what should have expanded right on the left hand side and for some reason won’t do it today but maybe tomorrow so I just mentioned a a little bit about right clicking so the thing about right clicking is that it’s context sensitive so it depends on what you’re clicking on uh will it depends what your menu you’re going to get right so for example if I right click on this file on the desktop you know I get these particular choices right if I right click on the taskbar I get these particular choices you know if I right click on the one drive icon here in uh the system tray you know I get a whole other uh bunch of options right for example I can quit one drive and uh right clicking which we’ve already done on the start button gives us a bunch of uh options quick access to Common tasks in Windows right so um just keep in mind that if you’re not sure what to do in Windows just try right clicking wherever you are so here I’ve right clicked on the desktop you know I could go into display settings or personalize and tweak things there um in fact let’s jump into display settings because I will show you something that uh will help a lot of you if you have a monitor uh high resolution monitor on a new computer uh the icons are going to seem uh very small con compared to you know older uh let’s call uh classic monitors right and uh that that might be too small for your comfort right so you can click on display resolution here and choose a different resolution now the higher the highest number it tends to be the uh recommended resolution for your monitor and usually that’s going to be your default right but uh if you choose some smaller numbers uh you may find that uh everything just looks uh you know that much bigger and more visually accessible for you so a couple of notes about that um don’t choose any numbers below uh 7 68 uh just because anything smaller than that uh a lot of software just won’t fit right so you’ll open up a window it’ll have a bunch of settings and everything there’ll be a save button at the bottom but because the window is taller than your 768 uh you can’t even see the save button you can’t click on it you don’t know it’s there and you’re stuck right so that would be the very lowest uh that you would want to go and um otherwise the other thing to look out for is the aspect ratio right so if you have a a very uh say a widescreen monitor um you you don’t want uh the number pairings that are more square right because then you’re going to have uh you know those black bars on the left and right hand side of your monitor uh where you know your your monitor is just not being used so um play around with the different settings and find one where the icon look a good size but the uh background of your desktop fits completely on the monitor all right um and other than that I think I can show you how to change the text size on your system which is also something that can help for visuals so to do that let’s start from scratch here we’re going to close that window there we’re going to right click then click on settings right click on the start button of course and then in the uh find a setting area here just type in the word text and you’ll see text size all right click on that it’ll bring you to the accessibility Tex size area and there’s a little slider here right this is a preview of how things are so this is the default a on this computer and we can pull that uh until things get uh very large right so um now a warning would be if you make them if you pull it all the way to the right uh you’ll find that on in some software the text is so big it no longer fits in the space allotted to it in the software so things are going to either overlap or or be cut off right so uh you want to find some nice median uh compromise so that you know you’ve got the bigger text but it’s not too big uh what that means for you on your system will differ so you can play around with it but you know you could start by just pulling this into the middle for example and hitting apply note the size of the options here on the left when I hit apply and see how much bigger they are right so uh for those of you with limited Vision uh or just don’t like squinting you have you have the option to play around with the size of your text let’s close that off and we’ll close off this video just if you have any questions comments Etc um put them in the comment section below

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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