Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 2 i Windows 11 The Complete Manual

Everything you need to master Windows 11! Since its release in October 2021, Windows 11 has rapidly become the mainstay operating system for the beginner, intermediate and advanced computer user. It’s designed to push the boundaries, to encompass the everyday digital, and help bring us closer together than ever before. It brings a fresh new look, together with powerful new code under the hood. Everything you need to help drive you into the future. This manual will guide you through Microsoft’s latest OS, offering you something new to learn on every page and providing you with the necessary knowledge to make Windows 11 work for you. In here you’ll find tutorials and tips, secrets of the OS will be unlocked, and your understanding of how everything works will help make…

Hello Windows 11 One of the first tasks to complete when you boot into Windows 11, is to run through the Getting Started guide. Here’s how it works. Step 1 You’ll find the Getting Started guide in the Start menu, when you click the Windows logo button on the taskbar. It’s a welcome to Windows setup wizard, and makes sure you’re ready to use your files, and get access to your work quickly and effectively. Once it has opened, click the Get Started button to continue to the next step. Step 2 Microsoft’s use of OneDrive for both business and personal data has become one of the cornerstones of the company’s services. OneDrive offers a secure space to store your data, which will always be available no matter what happens…

Exploring the Notification Center The Notification Center is an important and useful element in Windows 11, providing you with access to the calendar as well as notifications and alerts. Step 1 New notifications and alerts will pop up at the bottom-right corner of the screen (by default, but you can change the notification settings), disappearing after a few seconds. After the initial pop-up has disappeared, you can view all current notifications by clicking on the time/date in the taskbar. Step 2 You can see if there are new notifications waiting to be viewed by the badge that will appear on the corner of the time/date in the taskbar. You can turn off these badges in the settings, but they are a useful and unobtrusive way to see, at a glance,…

Using Snap Layouts Snap Layouts are a quick and easy way to organise a busy or cluttered desktop. They are similar to Snap Assist, but are created in a new and different way. Step 1 Snap Layouts can be created with just one open app or window, but really come into their own when several are open. Move your mouse over the Maximise button (top-right corner) of any open app or window, without clicking. After a second, a brand new menu will pop up, showing the available layouts you can use. Step 2 There are 4 preset layouts available (at present, although more may be added): 2 equal windows side-by-side, 2 unequal windows side-by-side, 3 windows and 4 equal windows. Click on whichever you want to use, and the window/app…

Creating New Folders It may seem too simple if you are a long time Windows user, but here’s a look at how to create new folders on the desktop and within other folders. Step 1 On the desktop, right-click and select New folder from the action menu that appears. The familiar yellow folder icon will then appear at that position on the desktop (wherever you clicked), with the name automatically set as ‘New folder’ but highlighted ready to change. Step 2 You can leave the name as ‘New folder’ if you wish. If you then create a second folder next to the first, it will automatically be named ‘New folder (2)’. You can rename a folder at any time by left-clicking on the title once, or right-clicking and selecting Rename…

Wonderful Widgets If you are not used to using widgets, you could be excused for hardly noticing they are a part of Windows 11. But once you do start using them, their usefulness becomes obvious. Step 1 To open the widget panel, click or tap the button in the Taskbar (the blue and white square icon) or press Windows key + W on the keyboard. The panel slides out from the left side of the screen, and will sit over the top of any other apps or windows you currently have open. Step 2 The widget panel is initially split up into three main sections: Search, Widgets and News stories. Scroll down the panel to see more content. At the top-right is an account icon, which opens a new panel…

1 New Mail Button If you are not replying to an email, but rather starting a new email, you can do so in a couple of different ways. You can either click the New Mail button at the top of the Mail Menu or you can use the Ctrl-N. Both methods open a new email in the main window, with a blank recipient field. 2 Mail Menu The left-hand menu, which can be minimised and expanded using the button at the top of the panel, contains all of your email accounts (those you have added to Windows Mail). Click on any of your email account headers and the individual folders, such as Inbox and Sent Items, are displayed here also. 3 Calendar View You can open the Windows Calendar app…

1 Add New Event There are two main ways to add a new event to your calendar. You can either click on the date in the main window or, if the date you want is not in view, you can click the New Event button here. You can then add an event name, location, and a start and end date. Give the event a short description, especially if you plan to share it with a contact. You can do that by adding people using the pane on the right of the Add Event screen. 2 Monthly View No matter which view you choose for the main Calendar pane - day, week, etc. - the month preview always shows a full month. You can use the arrows above the mini calendar…

Basic Keyboard Shortcuts Ctrl+C________________________________Copy the selected item Ctrl+X_________________________________ Cut the selected item Ctrl+V_______________________________ Paste the selected item Ctrl+Z ______________________________________Undo an action Alt+Tab___________________________ Switch between open apps Alt+F4______________________Close an active item, or exit an app Shift+Delete_________ Delete item without moving to Recycle Bin Ctrl+Shift+Esc________________________ Open the Task Manager Windows Key Shortcuts Windows key______________________________ Open Start menu Windows key + A____________________Open Quick Settings panel Windows key + S_______________________________ Open Search Windows key + C___________________________ Open Teams Chat Windows key + Tab___________________________Open Task view Windows key + I_ __________________ Open Windows 11 Settings Windows key + W_ _______________________ Open Widgets panel Windows key + E__________________________ Open File Explorer Windows key + R__________________________ Open the Run app Windows key + V_________________________ Open the Clipboard Windows key + G_____________________Open the Xbox Game Bar Windows key…

Setting Up the Teams App Getting started with Microsoft Teams on Windows 11 is relatively easy if you have a Teams account already set up, which we assume you do if you are trying to use this app. Step 1 Click the Teams Chat icon in the taskbar, or open the Teams app in the main apps list. If your Microsoft account email matches the one you use when setting up your Teams account, the app should automatically detect it, and log you in to the app after a few moments. Step 2 If the app doesn’t recognise your email address, it will open the Teams login screen. Here you can choose an account to sign in to (if any are displayed), or you can pick another account. If you…

Nearby Sharing Share your files quickly with Nearby Sharing: your computer automatically picks the fastest way to share your file or webpage, either over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Step 1 To enable Nearby Sharing, open Settings and click on System. Now click on Shared experiences and turn on the Nearby Sharing option. You may be asked to sign in, or confirm sign in, if you have several accounts associated with your computer (Microsoft account, email account, etc.). Step 2 You can also activate Nearby Sharing from the quick actions menu in the Action Center. You can send any video, photo, document or webpage viewed on Microsoft Edge to people or devices nearby by clicking on the share icon in the top right corner of the app or right-clicking to view the…

Managing Your Images The Photos app has seen some useful improvements over the last few years and is actually very powerful now. It doesn’t offer the flexibility of an app like Photoshop Elements, but it does simple image management well. Step 1 Photos shows all of your images in a scrolling timeline of images, called the Collection, with some automatically created collections at the top (this can be hidden using the Hide button). You can click on any image to get a full-window view, with a quick-select bar of images shown along the bottom. Step 2 Along the top of the full image view is a toolbar. This contains zoom and rotate buttons, an edit image button and draw button, as well as delete, add to favourites, file information, save…

New People, New Apps Incorporating the People button into the Mail app is probably the more logical location for it; it’s just we’ve gotten used to it being its own app via the taskbar. Step 1 If you’ve not done so already, you’ll need to open the Mail app. Start the process by clicking on the Windows icon in the Windows 11 taskbar, or tapping the Windows Key on your keyboard. This will bring up the Apps menu and last used files. Step 2 Type ‘mail’ (without the quotes), and you’ll see the Mail app icon appear on the list of available matching apps. Click on the Mail app to open, or click on the Open link from the list under the icon. Step 3 Within the Mail app, you’ll…

Snip, Snip! The Snipping Tool is a surprisingly powerful ally in the Windows 11 arsenal. Capturing your screen is an important element in Windows, and the Snipping Tool does exactly that, and more. Step 1 To open the Snipping Tool, you can click on the Windows Start button and type ‘snip’, then click on the Snipping Tool app as listed in the results. Or, you can press the Windows Logo Key + Shift + S to start a new Snip. Step 2 As you will see, the Snipping Tool is a merger of the two former screenshot apps. To begin with, let’s open something so we can take a screenshot of it. Remember to keep the Snipping Tool open in the background while you do this. Step 3 To take…

Rediscovering AutoPlay AutoPlay has been seen as both a blessing and a curse. How we have enjoyed slipping a DVD in the computer and sitting back to enjoy it, but swore at the machine for auto playing a CD we inserted. Funny old world. Step 1 Windows 11 seems to be having some issues with the default AutoPlay setting. At the time of writing, there’s a bug that affects some but not others, in that the Windows 11 AutoPlay feature is either disabled by default, or not. To find out which you are, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices, and click on AutoPlay. Step 2 In our example, the AutoPlay feature was enabled. This means that whenever we insert some media, be it a disc of some description or…

1 Although it’s expected for you to appear on camera when using Skype, it’s always best to remember that you don’t have to. You can easily connect to a session and speak or type without showing your face by simply covering the camera. 2 This is your Profile, click the image to open details about your Microsoft account, as well as manage your Skype profile. Further settings are available, along with Bookmarks and being able to add call credit in your local currency. 3 This panel details the recent chats and calls you’ve had with others in Skype. From here you can arrange new Skype video calls, new chats, look at your contacts and see any notifications. Click recent chats to display the contents in the main Skype window. You…

1 Within the app you can search for people, places, companies and Facebook pages from the Search function in the top-left of the app. A list of recent searches is displayed, which can be cleared by clicking on the ‘x’ next to the name, or by clicking on the Edit link. 2 The options to the left of the main timeline Feed allow you to switch views, browse the Marketplace for a local bargain that someone is selling, look for Facebook Groups setup by likeminded individuals, Watch Facebook Videos, Find Friends, look back at your previously posted Memories and much more. 3 The Your Shortcuts section is where you’ll find quick launches to Groups and Pages you’re a member of or have Liked on Facebook. This saves you trawling through…

Touchy Feely Gone are the days where we paw ineffectually at our screens, like a cat trying to capture a video of a bird. Windows 11 gestures encompass nearly every aspect of the operating system. Touchpad Gestures Here are the main gestures for use on Windows 11 touchpad laptops. It’s worth noting that some of these gestures will only work with new precision touchpads. To find out if your laptop has one, click Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. Action Select an item Tap touchpad Scroll Place two fingers on the touchpad and slide horizontally or vertically Zoom in or out Place two fingers on the touchpad and pinch in or stretch out Show Context Menu Tap the touchpad with two fingers or press down in the…

1 Virus & Threat Protection This is where to check and scan for viruses and other threats to your Windows 11 security. Here you will find tools for preventing viruses and other malware from ever taking hold of your computer, as well as the tools needed to check for anything which already got through your defences. 2 Account Protection This is where you manage account and sign-in security for WIndows 11. This includes the Microsoft account you are signed in to (or the option to sign in to one), Windows Hello and Dynamic lock. Clicking on any of the options here will simply take you to the relevant area of the main settings. 3 Device Performance & Health Displays issues with the health and performance of your computer, including the…

Manage Your PC Task Manager is a lot more complex than it used to be and it’s now a useful insight into your PC and app performance, allowing you to check anything from Wi-Fi usage to app crashes and much more. Step 1 Task Manager starts life as this fairly unassuming little window. If you have an app that is unresponsive, select it and click End Task. Beware that if you do this to an app with unsaved work in it, you will lose your work. Clicking the More Details button will expand the Task Manager window. Step 2 This window is a little more complex, but the ‘Apps’ part of the window is essentially what we were looking at in Step 1. Now the apps have been joined by…

Power Up The secret Power Menu enables the more advanced Windows 11 users among you to quickly access key settings that you probably commonly use, but are buried deeper within the system. Start it Up Open the Power Menu using the Start button, but instead of just left-clicking it to open the Start menu, right-click the button. Note that you can also shut down or sign out here, too. This menu was originally created for users who felt the old Windows 8 Start screen didn’t give them access to what they needed. Command There are numerous shortcut access options available in the Power Menu. For example, you can access the new Windows 11 Terminal, both as standard access or as an elevated, Administrator access. You can also Run commands directly…

Network Protection Without being too paranoid, it’s remarkably easy to get into a neighbour’s home network. If you live in a block of flats or you use powerline adapters, you may need to consider these ten steps for better network protection. Step 1 The most common entry point to gain access to your network is via the router. The router from your ISP may well be offering the latest forms of encryption but it doesn’t take a genius to trawl the less reputable sections of the Internet to obtain a list of passwords. Therefore, change the default username and password needed to access it. Step 2 Most routers these days come with a form of authentication called MAC (Media Access Code) address filtering. Every networkable device, computers, tablets, games consoles,…

Security Beyond Anonymity It’s a good question: how can a VPN improve Windows security? While the privacy side is well catered for, there are some good security enhancements and features a VPN brings to the table. Feature 1 This doesn’t happen often, but an ISP can become compromised and details of user activities leaked or stolen. Using a VPN can hide your browsing activity from trackers and even your ISP, enabling you to browse without the fear of having your details leaked or accessed by others. Feature 2 Many VPN providers utilise a level of antimalware into their security layers. This enhances your security by filtering any downloads through the VPN first. Should there be a virus present, then it can be removed or stopped at the VPN before it…

The Disk Management Tool There are several free programs available for creating partitions but the Disk Management tool is just as good and built right in to Windows 11. Step 1 The first thing you need to do is find the Disk Management tool. The easiest way to open the tool is to use the hidden Start button menu. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Disk Management from the menu that appears. There are several system tools here, so it is a useful trick to know. Step 2 The Disk Management tool shows all of your internal and removable drives (even USB flash drives, etc.) along with details of the capacity and current amount of space being used. Depending how your hard drive was initially configured, you will…

Setting Up a Dual Display Matching up the resolution and size of your two chosen monitors will give the best results but even mismatched monitors can work really well in dual format. Step 1 You will obviously need to ensure that your PC has the requisite connections for two monitors (two HDMI, VGA or DVI ports, or a combination of these). Check the back of your PC tower or the side of your laptop to find out. With your PC turned off, connect both monitors to the available ports. Step 2 Boot up the computer and log in. Windows should automatically detect that two displays are connected and you should see both of them displaying a desktop. Your main display will have all of your icons on it, whilst the…

The word encryption comes from the ancient Greek word Kryptos, which means hidden or secret. Interestingly, the practise of hiding messages from others can be traced back to early Egyptian scribes who inserted nonstandard hieroglyphs within other communications in order to hide the message from casual viewers. According to historians, the Spartans used strips of leather engraved with messages. When the strips were read, they were meaningless, but when wrapped around a staff of a certain diameter, the characters would be decipherable. Of course, the modern forms of encryption are far more advanced, but the overall core concept has remained the same: to be able to send a message to others without anyone else being able to decipher it. However, modern encryption now requires more than merely sending coded messages.…

The Privacy Dashboard The privacy dashboard is web-based rather than in the settings and it allows you to manage multiple devices from a single interface, as long as you are logged in to a single account. Step 1 Open your browser and navigate to www.account.microsoft.com/privacy. If prompted, use your Microsoft account details to log in. You will be logged in to the privacy overview page that lets you quickly see what privacy settings the dashboard contains and controls. Step 2 Along with the main Search, Browsing and Location privacy categories, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will see entries for everything from Apps to Xbox, with simple links to take you to the settings and options for those privacy areas. Step 3 Click on one…

1 Update Windows 11 and Drivers The first step along your path to a faster computer is making sure that the Windows OS and all of the various drivers installed are up to date. Simply updating drivers to the latest versions can have a noticeable effect on the overall loading speed of any PC and fortunately, this is very easy to do. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates”. Windows 11 will scan for available updates (to both the OS and drivers), before displaying all those available as a list. If no updates are available, it will say “Your device is up to date” and you can move on to the next tip. If updates are available, select those you want to download…

First Things to Check If you’re having problems with Windows Update, the Windows Update Troubleshooter might be able to automatically fix the problem. Go to Microsoft.com and search for Update Troubleshooter. Windows Update Troubleshooter Microsoft knows that things don’t always go smoothly when updating and have provided a dedicated troubleshooting tool for use during this key task. If you’re having problems with Windows Update, the Windows Update Troubleshooter might be able to automatically fix the problem. Go to Microsoft.com and search for Update Troubleshooter. Check for Updates Keeping your copy of Windows 11 up-to-date with the latest releases can really help to avoid problems before they happen. Press the Windows logo key and click Settings. Then choose Windows Update and then select Check for updates. Install any available updates and…

1 Widgets The Widgets snap in from the left of the desktop when you move your mouse over to the edge of the screen. You’ll notice that the Widget window is slightly raised, this is to avoid it clashing with the taskbar; to help keep the desktop clutter-free. You can also open them by pressing the Windows Key + W on your keyboard. 2 Search You can use the Search field to look for more specific Widgets, and add them to your desktop for a more personalised desktop environment. Note that new Widgets are being added to Windows 11 almost on a daily basis. Keep an eye out, to see if the one you’ve always wanted makes an appearance. 3 Taskbar The new Windows 11 taskbar expands out from the…

Mastering the Windows 11 Taskbar The taskbar has always been more useful than many users realise. In Windows 11 the emphasis has shifted much more towards a simplified, but still powerful, selection of pinned tools/apps. Taskbar Layout The taskbar runs the full length of the bottom of the screen, and is now divided into two main sections: Start Menu/Pinned App and System Tools. In Windows 11 the taskbar app icons are arranged in the centre of the taskbar (although this can be changed), with system tools on the right. Start Menu The first icon in the row of taskbar icons is the Start menu button. Clicking this opens the Start menu directly above the icons. You can right-click the Start menu button to see a jump menu of additional links…

1 File Explorer Toolbar The simplified Explorer toolbar still contains all of the tools you need to manage the different files and folders you can view. Once you have selected a file or folder in the main pane, more tools become active. You can also click the “More menu” button to see additional options such as Burn to disc and Compress to Zip file. 2 Navigation Pane - Folders The left-hand sidebar contains a list of different file folders on your computer. Clicking on any of the folders shown here will display the various files and folders inside; in the main pane. The list is split into sections, including Quick Access/Recent, OneDrive and This PC. If you right-click on a blank area, you can choose to show All Folders here.…

Connecting to Wi-Fi A Wi-Fi network connection is now by far the most common way people connect to the Internet. The process should be fairly familiar to you by now, but if not, here are the exact steps to connect. Step 1 If your computer is not connected to the Internet, Windows will display a small globe icon on the right side of the taskbar. You can either click this and select Wi-Fi from the quick settings, or you can open the main Settings app > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (the best route with a brand new connection). Step 2 Use the slider switch to enable Wi-Fi on your computer. Now click “Show available networks” to see a list of the networks within range of your computer. This may…

1 Browser & Tab Controls In the top left corner, where you would probably expect to find them, are the browser controls. These include the Home button, the Page refresh button and the Page forward/Page back buttons. Also in the top corner is the Tab control, allowing you to set the tabs vertically, or restore closed tabs. Right-click on the active tab to see additional options. 2 Search Fields There are two search fields in Edge, one at the top (which is also the address field when viewing a website), and one which floats at the top or middle of the start page; depending on the layout you choose. Use either of these and search suggestions appear as you begin typing. 3 Recently Viewed/Favourites A group of icons are displayed…

Setting Up Email Accounts The Windows 11 email client can be used to view emails from multiple accounts, from your POP3 Internet provider account, to Microsoft Exchange, Gmail and even Apple’s iCloud. Step 1 If opening Mail for the first time, you will be greeted by a welcome screen, containing a link to “+Add account”. Click this to open the list of available account types. You will need the server, password and other information required for each email account you want to add to Mail. Step 2 You can add accounts from many popular providers including Google, Yahoo! and Apple’s iCloud. You can also set up other more specialist accounts if you have the details. Finally, there’s also an option to add a Microsoft Exchange account, if your workplace uses…

Setting Up Calendars The calendar can be a great productivity tool. We’ll show you how to set up your calendar, arrange events and change settings, so your calendar is exactly the way you want it. Adding Calendars Like Windows 11’s email app, Calendar also enables you to add multiple accounts; and from different providers too. So whether you use an Outlook calendar at work or have shared Google calendars, you can join them all together in the Calendar app. To Start click on Add Accounts. Sign In to Calendars Now add the accounts you want to use in Calendar. You can do this at any point you choose via Settings > Accounts. From there you can easily add an Outlook.com, Exchange, Google or iCloud calendar; or enter advanced settings for…

1 New Look The Microsoft Store has a new look to it, in-line with the rest of the Windows 11 theme and desktop. You’ll find the Store located by default in the taskbar. 2 Categories Quick access to the main categories: Apps, Gaming and Films & TV are available to the left-side of the Store window. Click each one to be taken to specific pages where you can find the latest content. 3 Library The Library contains all the apps you currently have installed on your system. From here you can further break them down into sub-categories such as Games, Movies & TV, etc. You can also check their update status, pin them to the Start or taskbar, and even open them. 4 Top Apps Scrolling down through the Store…

Silver Linings Here’s a quick guide on how to get the best from your OneDrive service, and how to ensure that your important data is always backed up and safely stored within that voluminous online cloud. Step 1 You can check to see if you have Microsoft’s OneDrive already loaded on your Windows 11 computer by clicking in the notification area in the bottom-right of the desktop. You’re looking for a cloud icon. If it’s not there, simply click the Windows Start button and type ‘OneDrive’. Click the OneDrive app that appears in the list. Step 2 You may be asked to sign in with your Microsoft account, follow the instructions, and you’ll notice that the cloud icon in the notification area may have an extra icon over it to…

Using the Your Phone App The setup steps for connecting a mobile device to your Windows 11 computer are the same for almost all compatible Android devices. The app offers additional features for Samsung devices. Step 1 Open the main app list from the Start menu and look for “Your Phone”. Click the app and then click the “Get Started” button on the screen that opens. You will need to sign in with the same Microsoft account on both the PC and the companion app on your phone. Select/sign in to that account next. Step 2 On your Android phone, open a browser window and go to www.aka.ms/yourpc. You may already have an app installed that can link to windows called Your Phone Companion (on Samsung, open the Quick settings…

1 Directions You can use the Map app to plan routes: in a car, by public transport and even on foot. Select your chosen transportation method using the icons at the top of the Directions pane. You can either leave the A field as My Location or type a new one. In the B field, type your destination. The route will appear on the map. You can refine the route by clicking the Options button. 2 Search Click the Search button on the left-hand side of the map window and a new pane will open. This pane contains some search suggestions, such as Hotels and Coffee and Shopping, with the standard search field at the top. As you type your search, suggestions will appear in the search pane. You can…

Getting Sticky Sticky Notes has been around since the early days of Windows Vista, and has evolved over the years in line with the core operating system. It’s surprisingly effective, so here’s how it works. Step 1 Sticky Notes is available via the Windows Start button, or by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard, and typing in ‘sticky notes’ (without the quotes). Click on the Sticky Notes app that’s listed in the search results. Step 2 Sticky Notes launches with two windows: one is the main Sticky Notes control window, and the other is a blank note, ready to be filled. As you create notes, these will be displayed when you start the app. Step 3 To quickly create a new note, click on the smaller of the two…

Install a Local Printer A local printer simply means one that is physically connected to your laptop or desktop computer via a USB data cable, rather than being connected wirelessly. Step 1 In most cases, all you have to do to set up a printer is to connect it to your PC and let the plug and play software do its work. Plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC and turn the printer on. If nothing happens, try restarting your PC with the printer connected. Step 2 If the printer does not set up automatically, you will need to do it yourself. Click the Start menu button and head into Settings. Look for Bluetooth & Devices from the list on the left-hand…

Take Command The command lines used to be what early versions of Windows were built on top of, but there’s still a lot that can be done from the old command line. Here are twenty cool actions for you to try out. Action 1 To open the Command Prompt, where we’ll enter the lines of commands, click on the Windows Start button and type: cmd. The first entry will be the Command Prompt. Click on this to open it. You can also click on Run as administrator, which will give you elevated access within the command line – but we won’t do that just yet. Action 2 This is the Command Prompt (or Command Line). It may not look like much, but here be dragons, so be careful. From this…

Install and Use Skype Recently updated, Skype has now been turned into a proper Windows 11 app and follows the Windows design style more closely. Step 1 Skype has a dedicated Windows 11 app and this may be preinstalled on your Windows PC but you might need to download it from the Windows store. You can also download Skype directly from www.skype.com as well as check that you have the latest version available. Step 2 Once installed, you will need to sign in to the Skype app. If you already have a Skype account, which is completely free to set up, just enter your login details when prompted. If not, you can go to www.login.skype.com and create a new account in just a few minutes. Step 3 The Skype window…

1 The menu on the left-hand side of the Twitter app will give you access to everything from your profile setup and management, through to exploring trending Tweets. Plus, any Notifications you’ve had from your own Tweets, DMs (direct Messages), Bookmarks and Lists you’ve made, and quick links to privacy settings, analytics, ads and a help centre. 2 The Tweet button brings up a pop-out window where you can enter a new Tweet, and post it for the world of Twitter to see, comment on and hopefully like. It does exactly the same function as the What’s Happening section at the top of your Twitter Feed, so it’s a little redundant these days – it seems to be left over from older versions of the platform. 3 Your Twitter Feed,…

Minecraft Cited as one of the greatest video games of all time, Minecraft is now considered an essential app for a huge number of Windows 11 users. You don’t have to be an avid gamer, nor do you need to of a certain age, Minecraft allows you to freely explore a world that’s estimated to be bigger than the surface area of Neptune. Code Writer If you’re interested in learning how to code on Windows 11, then you’ll need a comprehensive IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Code Writer is one of the best freely available IDEs with over twenty syntax-highlighted file types that support HTML, CSS, Python, C++, Ruby, SQL, C#, VB, Perl and many more. Tik Tok TikTok is a video-based social media platform, where individuals post quick videos of…

Defrag Most of us have a modern PC with a relatively modern operating system installed on it, regardless of whether that’s Windows 11, macOS or the latest distribution of Linux. These systems have been updated and tweaked in accordance with the advanced hardware technology that’s now available, and will more than likely see you through a good year or so without you ever having to even look at a defrag tool. Defragging is one of those utilities that exist to cause arguments. The for camp declare it the best thing you can do with a PC, and therefore it must be done every week. The against camp laugh heartily at the amount of time wasted, watching little blocks being moved around the screen while your hard drive has the computing…

Set Your Tethered Connection to Metered WIndows 11 can be quite data-heavy, as mentioned, especially if an update happens to become available when tethered. Luckily, you can tell Windows to automatically limit data use. Step 1 Cellular data connections are set as metered by default. Wi-Fi and Ethernet network connections can be set to metered but aren’t by default. Some apps might work differently on a metered connection to help reduce your data usage. Some updates for Windows won’t be installed automatically either. Step 2 To set a Wi-Fi network connection as metered, click Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks. Select the Wi-Fi network > Properties > turn on Set as metered connection. Unfortunately, many Windows apps completely ignore the metered connection setting.…

Enable PUP blocking PUPs can include toolbars, browser extensions, adware and other unwanted software. In almost all cases, this software should be called DUPs (Definitely Unwanted Programs). Step 1 You can enable PUP protection with System Centre Config Manager, PowerShell or Microsoft Intune. For this guide, we’ll be using the PowerShell, as this is available within Windows 11 without installing any additional software; as long as you follow the instructions carefully, it isn’t as scary as it sounds. Step 2 To access the PowerShell interface, click the Windows Start button and type ‘powershell’. Within the returned result, for Windows PowerShell, click on the Run as Administrator. Type the following command at the prompt: Set-MpPreference-PUAProtection 1, and press Enter. Step 3 The PUP blocker is now enabled on your PC. You…

Checking Memory and Memory Usage The first thing you need to do, when trying to optimise RAM usage and performance, is check how much you have and how it is used. Step 1 To check up on your RAM, you need to open the Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on the keyboard and then select Task Manager from the list that appears. If Task Manager opens showing just a simple list of tasks, click the More details button to see a more advanced view. Step 2 Click the Performance tab at the top and then the Memory tab on the left side. You can now see how much you have in total and then check the graph to see how much RAM is being used. Try opening…

Protecting Your PC and Files Creating a recovery drive is a relatively simple process. It does however take a bit of time to create but it’s worth the effort as it could save you a lot of frustration in the future. Step 1 The first thing you need to do is find a USB drive that is large enough and then make sure it is ready to be used. The USB drive you decide to use won’t be able to be used for anything else like storing other files, etc. so make sure it is a spare, or bought specifically for the task. Step 2 A basic Windows 11 recovery file will be less than 500MB but if you choose to include system files in the backup (recommended), so you…

Protecting Your PC and Files We’re going to encrypt a 2GB USB flash in this example, purely for ease of use and to demonstrate how you can encrypt your entire laptop hard drive(s). Step 1 Encryption doesn’t affect the core data, other than making it impossible to read without the decryption key. Still, it’s always worth making sure you have a backup of all your data prior to any system related changes. If you store your work or data in the Documents folder, then start by opening it in Windows Explorer. Step 2 Press Ctrl+A to highlight all the files, then press Ctrl+C to copy them to the clipboard. Next, choose a suitable backup location – such as an external or network drive – and when ready, press Ctrl+V to…

Maintaining Windows 11 Windows 11 is a lot better at keeping you informed of problems than previous versions were. It is, however, up to you to keep on top of maintaining the OS if you want the best experience. Storage Sense Activating Storage Sense lets the system software automatically free up storage space by getting rid of files you no longer need. These can include temporary files such as cookies and the contents of your Recycle Bin. You can choose when files are deleted, e.g. after 30 days in the Recycle Bin or if apps don’t use them for a certain amount of time. Alternatively you can simply click a button to Clean Now rather than setting automatic cleaning. You can find the Storage Sense option in Settings > System…

Fresh or Reset? Refreshing and resetting your Windows 11 PC are two very different things and you should always make sure you know which is the best choice to solve your current problem. Step 1 If your PC isn’t performing as well as it once did, and you don’t know why, you can reset your PC without deleting any of your personal files or changing your settings. Apps or software not installed through the Store will be removed but Windows store apps will be reinstalled. Step 2 Open the main Settings app and head into the Windows Update > Advanced Options section. Click on Recovery and you will see several options, including Reset this PC. If you can’t get into Settings, you can access reset by restarting your computer while…

Slow or No Access in Some Rooms There’s a good chance that the room in question has become a bit of Wi-Fi dead zone. Load up a network analyser and check the signal output in the room in question. If needs be, reboot any network extenders and the router. Slow Internet This could one of two things: a problem with the router and your network, or a problem with the ISP. Test the connection by directly plugging a device into the router’s Ethernet ports. If the problem persists, then call your ISP. If it’s okay, then turn off all your networking equipment and one-by-one power them up and keep testing to find the culprit. Refusal to Connect Occasionally, there’s a device that will refuse to establish a connection with your…

If you’re still on Windows 10, and waiting patiently for your update screen to display the exciting ‘Ready to update Windows 11’ notification, then this is the guide for you. Rather than tweaking with the update settings, or delving into the murky depths of the command prompt, there’s an easier way to get the ball rolling and get you on and working with Windows 11. Before You Leap Before we go about running the update process, it’s worth checking that your system can actually run Windows 11. Many of us have already been down this route, and have discovered that we need to apply a few elements prior to installing the newest OS from Microsoft. TPM 2.0 TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module, and its task is to protect data…

Get to Grips with Start If you have used Windows 10, the Start menu shouldn’t hold too many surprises for you, but it is still a good idea to familiarise yourself with its features. Step 1 The completely redesigned Start menu is opened by clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar, or by pressing the Windows Key on your keyboard. It opens above the taskbar icons, floating in the middle of the screen. It will appear over the top of any open windows. Step 2 The Start menu is arranged in four main sections: Search, Pinned Apps, Recent or Recommended Files and Account/Power. Clicking in the Search field will switch to the dedicated Search panel, rather than letting you type your search term directly into the Start menu. Step…

Using Task View Task View is a quick way to view and manage all of the windows and apps open on your PC at any given moment, even those that are minimised. Step 1 Task View is accessed by clicking the third icon in the taskbar; the white square on the black square. The Task View screen is split into two sections: Open tasks and desktops. Any apps or windows you have open, even if they are currently minimised, will be displayed in the open tasks panel. Step 2 The size and shape of the windows shown in Task View depend on the size and shape of the actual window. For example, if you have Microsoft Edge open at full screen, it will be displayed as a wide rectangle in…

What’s New in File Explorer? File Explorer is a much undervalued part of Windows. And while it hasn’t fundamentally changed for several versions of the operating system, Windows 11 has made some changes, which we’ll take you through here. Step 1 The way you browse files in Windows 11 is similar to previous versions of Windows, but File Explorer has been slightly simplified. The main Quick Access window shows you your most frequently used folders (after all, how many of us dip into more than five or ten folders in a day?) and also recent files. Step 2 The sidebar also works on the same principle, and via a new Quick Access feature you can pin folders or files that you want to stick around. It will also show you…

1 Account & Search At the top-left of the settings window, you will see your Microsoft account name and email address, along with an avatar image (if you have chosen one). Clicking this will take you to the settings Accounts page. Below that is a search field, allowing you to look for specific settings within the app. 2 Settings Categories In the left sidebar are all of the main settings categories, from System settings to Windows Update settings. This sidebar remains visible no matter where you are within the settings app. Clicking each category heading will open a list of sub categories. 3 Quick Info Panel Along the top of several settings categories you will see relevant information about the current settings. For example, at the top of the System…

Get Started with Edge Edge in Windows 11 feels much less clunky than the previous version and already feels more like the most popular browsers available, such as Chrome or Firefox. Installing Edge Edge comes pre-installed with Windows 11, and if you have upgraded from Windows 10 (and were using Edge previously) it should already be set up and working as normal. If you bought a PC with Windows 11 installed, or have never used Edge before, it will require a bit of setup to begin. Edge Setup During setup, you have the option to import browser data such as bookmarks and favourites from Google Chrome, choose the initial start page layout and set up syncing across devices (other computers, your phone, etc.) Once installed, Edge opens at the start…

Step 1 If you need to search for anything on your Windows 11 PC, the taskbar search tool is now the place to do it. The search field in the taskbar from Windows 10 is no longer there. You can also access search through the Start menu, or by pressing Windows key + S on your keyboard. Step 2 In addition to files and folders, you can search for web results and apps. When you first click in the search box you will see three tabs along the bottom that let you choose what to search for; but even if you don’t click one of these, the search function is smart enough to return results from all. Step 3 Search results are displayed in sections (best match, apps, folders, etc.)…

Change the Desktop Background The desktop personalisation procedure hasn’t changed much since Windows 10, so if you’ve used that OS before this will feel very familiar. Step 1 You can get started with personalising the Windows 11 desktop in exactly the same way you did with Windows 10. For anyone completely new to Windows, that means right-clicking anywhere on the desktop screen and selecting Personalise from the action menu that appears. Step 2 The Background settings will be displayed first by default. Click the first drop-down menu to select whether to use the default backgrounds, solid colours or choose to display folders of your own images. Your choices here changes what is displayed in the background settings. Step 3 To select your own pictures for the background, click on Browse…

Go Shopping With more content, and more to explore, there’s a lot to cover in the Windows 11 App Store. Here’s how it works, and some of the highlights. Step 1 The Windows App Store is located, by default, within the new taskbar. It’s easy to identify, it’s the carrier bag icon with the Microsoft logo. Click it, and as long as you’re signed into a valid Microsoft account, it will launch with the latest trending and highlighted apps displayed Step 2 Let’s run through locating and installing an app from the App Store. In the Search box, located at the top of the Store window, enter: VLC. In case, you’re wondering, VLC is a free, cross-platform media player. In the Search bar, there will be a number of returned…

Blocking Notifications Choose which notifications you want to see and hear. The remainder of your alerts will go into the Action Center so you can see them at a more convenient time. Step 1 You can easily activate Focus Assist using the quick actions panel in the Action Center. The default setting is Off. Click the Quick action button once to allow priority notifications only, click it a second time to allow alarms only. Click the button a third time to turn Focus Assist off again. Step 2 You can also turn Focus Assist on or off in the main settings (settings > system > focus assist). Once there, you can also set up your automatic rules and customise your priority list. You can set automatic rules based on times,…

Importing to a Folder The setup steps for connecting a mobile device to your Windows 11 computer are the same for almost all compatible Android devices. The app offers additional features for Samsung devices. Step 1 The first thing you need to do to import photos directly from a phone or camera is to connect the relevant cable to your PC. In almost all cases, this will be a USB cable of some sort. You will have been supplied a transfer cable with the device you are using. Plug this into a free USB port. Step 2 Normally, when you first plug a device in to your computer which contains storage of some sort, Windows will ask how you want to handle the files in that storage. Scroll down the…

Moving Around in Maps There are few controls in the Maps app but they allow you to do a lot of things very easily. Let’s take a look at how you move around in the app. Step 1 The easiest way to move the map around is to left-click and drag it and use the mouse wheel or trackpad slider to zoom in and out. This allows you to move the map around to focus on the area you need. If you are zoomed far out of the map, double-clicking the mouse zooms in quickly. Step 2 Maps has a dedicated control panel on the side of the window containing, from top to bottom: Rotate, hold pointer on it to see; Tilt, hold pointer over to see options; Show Location;…

Game On! No longer solely about gaming tools, the Game Bar now includes quick panels for volume control, resource usage and even playing music. Step 1 You can open the Xbox Game Bar simply pressing the Windows Key + G, or by searching for Xbox via the Windows button on the taskbar menu. When it loads it will dim the screen and present multiple windows. Step 2 The multiple windows can be managed by clicking on the Widgets icon; the 3D window icon located to the right of the Xbox icon on the top, thin window in the middle of the screen. Click the star next to each item to add or remove it from the Game Bar selection. Step 3 By default, the top-left window is the Capture section.…

Quiet in the Library By default, Libraries are not displayed in Windows 11 – even later versions of Windows 10 did away with the Library display – so they’ll need to be reactivated for them to appear. Step 1 If you open Windows 11 File Explorer, you’ll notice that Libraries are no longer visible by default, which is a shame as many users rely on them. However, they can be returned, and the process is remarkably simple. Start by pressing the Windows Key and R, then enter: control folders. Step 2 Hit enter, or click the OK button and the File Explorer Options window will pop up. The options available in here can drastically alter the way Windows Explorer works, so be careful what you enable or disable. Head to…

Netstat Netsat actually stands for Network Statistics. This command will display connection information, routing tables and so on. Entering the command will display what’s going on while you use the network and Internet. Use netstat -e for interface stats. NbtStat The nbtstat command is a diagnostic tool for NetBIOS over TCP/IP. Its primary design is to help troubleshoot NetBIOS name resolution problems. It’ll display the human-friendly names of devices on the network along with their IP addresses. Tracert Stands for Trace Route and is used to examine the path to a remote computer, either locally or on the Internet. For example, entering tracert google.com will display the hops taken over networking devices to get to one of the Google servers. Arp Stands for Address Resolution Protocol displays and modifies entries…

A New Way to Copy + Paste The Cloud Clipboard gives you a new way to cut and paste. Simply press the Windows key + V at any time and you’ll see the Cloud Clipboard panel appear in the bottom corner of the screen. Step 1 Before you can use all the features of the Cloud Clipboard in Windows 11, you will need to enable them in the settings. Go to Settings > System and look for the Clipboard section. You can turn on the clipboard history using the slider toggle. To sync across devices, click ‘Get started’. Step 2 Follow the instructions to confirm your Microsoft account (if this is requested) and then choose whether you want to enable automatic syncing across devices or not. If you want to…

1 This section displays your WhatsApp profile picture, as well as enabling you to start a new conversation with any of your WhatsApp contacts, or start a new Group chat. Click the Plus symbol for a new chat, or the three dots for more options and group setups. 2 These are all your contacts, along with the last comment they made on either the group chat or with you individually. You can see when they last commented, as well as be informed on any profile status updates they may post about themselves. 3 Scroll down the contacts list for more, and you can also use the Search bar at the top of the contacts list to look for individuals; and even start a new chat. Click an individual to open…

1 Processes Tab The Processes tab is the default tab when the Task Manager is opened. You can open the task manager by simply searching for it in the main search panel. Just as with any other app or piece of software in WIndows 11, you can pin a shortcut to the Task Manager, to the taskbar or as a desktop icon. 2 Start-up Tab The Start-up tab contains a list of all the apps, programs and processes that are enabled every time you start your computer. If your computer is brand new, this list should be fairly small and filled with essential items. But as you install new apps and software, this start-up list can become bloated and slow down boot up. You can disable auto start-up here. 3…

Updating Drivers There are different ways to keep your device drivers up to date. One of the easiest is via the Windows 11 Updater. Here’s how it works. Step 1 Updating your device drivers through the Windows Update service is a perfect solution for those who don’t want to trawl the manufacturer support web pages or forums for the latest drivers. To start click on the Windows button in the taskbar. Go to the Windows Update Section, and look for the Advanced Options entry. Step 2 Within the Advanced Options window, click on the Optional Updates entry. In here are where all the official Microsoft supported updates for your device drivers will be, among other specific updates for non-Microsoft related apps. You may need to click the Driver Updates entry…

What Makes Public Wi-Fi Unsafe? The very same features that make publicly accessible Wi-Fi hotspots desirable for you and us, such as the lack of authentication needed to connect, also makes them desirable for hackers. Let us start by saying that not all public Wi-Fi is equally unsafe. A coffee shop that has a new Wi-Fi password chalked up on the board every day is probably safer to use than one where the password has been the same for five years, but not by much. As a rule of thumb, you should assume that any network connection you do not control will have fewer defences against interception and should be treated as unsafe. Hackers are able to insert themselves (virtually) between your device and the network connection point, so all…

Install and Manage Fonts Installing and Managing fonts required a bit of effort, but now you can install any font available for download in the TrueType, OpenType or PostScript file formats. Step 1 You can now find the fonts controls in Settings > Personalisation > Fonts. Here you will see a scrollable list of your current fonts, each with a visual example of how they look. This is a much more user-friendly way of viewing your fonts, letting you see exactly what each will look like when used. Step 2 You can search for fonts using the search field at the top or just look through the alphabetical list. You can also filter the list by language. Each font is shown with the number of font faces it includes. A…

System Imaging A system image is essentially a snapshot of your entire system. This can then be quickly restored and conveniently saves you from having to reinstall WIndows 11, all your programs and your data. Step 1 To begin, click on the Windows Start button and start typing ‘control panel’, then click on the Control Panel app. From there, go to System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Odd as it sounds, it still uses the old Windows 7 backup technology here. Step 2 This launches a new window, the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) console. Microsoft has kept this feature intact through Windows 8.1, 10 and 11, purely due to compatibility support for backups created under older versions of the OS. To the left, there are two…

1 Make Sure Wi-Fi is On If you are trying to connect wirelessly, check that Wi-Fi hasn’t somehow been switched off: click the Start button, select Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi. Next, select “Show available networks” and if your network appears in the list, select it, then select Connect. If using a laptop, make sure the physical Wi-Fi switch (if there is one), is turned on. An indicator light usually shows when it’s on or off. Again, if using a laptop (or Windows 11 tablet), check to see that Flight mode is turned off: select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & Internet > Flight mode and if it’s on, turn it off. 2 Restart Your Modem and/or Wireless Router If you’ve never experienced network problems…

View, Switch and Create Power Plans Within the Power Options panel you can choose from preset WIndows 11 power plans, or you can create your own based on your computers’ power requirements. Step 1 Click on the Windows 11 Start button and enter: Control, then click the first result, Control Panel App. From there, select System and Security > Power Options. Windows 11 will, by default, have selected the Balanced power plan. This is designed to balance performance and energy consumption, and is best for PC’s that are connected to the mains Step 2 On a laptop, you can access the power options by right-clicking on battery indicator in the taskbar tools. There are two other, default power plans alongside Balanced; Power Saver is designed to reduce energy use by…

Malware Busters For this tutorial we’ll use a pre-configured rescue disk from Kaspersky. We’ll need to transfer, or burn, the disk contents to a CD or a USB stick and boot into the safe environment through one of those mediums. Step 1 Make sure you have a blank CD or a USB stick that’s at least 1GB in size. The Kaspersky Rescue Disk is downloaded as an ISO (which is an image file containing all the disk information), and can be downloaded from www.kaspersky.com.au/downloads/thank-you/free-rescue-disk Step 2 To transfer the ISO to a USB, download Rufus; which is an executable that doesn’t require any installation, from: https://rufus.ie/. Insert your USB stick and double-click Rufus. Check that the Device label is pointing to your inserted USB stick, if not then you may…

Caring for Your Laptop Some of these tips may seem obvious, and some might not apply to you, but even following a few of these suggestions will help keep your laptop in good shape. 1 Keep Food and Drink Away However careful you are when eating and drinking, if you do it while using your laptop it is inevitable that at some point, crumbs and splashes will hit the screen, keyboard, etc. Unlike a desktop, replacing a crumb-filled keyboard on a laptop is not just a case of buying a new one. 2 Wipe the Screen Carefully Laptop screens are generally not as clear or bright as a desktop monitor screen, so keeping them clean is important. Use a lint-free cloth regularly to gently wipe away dust and dirt. If…

No Connection (one PC) If your computer is reporting no connection, it’s time to get behind the machine and double-check the Ethernet port. Check that the cable is fully inserted, as they can get caught by feet and pulled slightly. Check the cable end isn’t damaged. If there’s still no connection, check other machines (a router reboot may be needed). No Connection (all PCs) If all your computers and other devices aren’t connecting, check any switches that they’re connected to. Switch plugs, and even powerline adapters, can blow a fuse. Check your router’s switch connection LED is lit up, if not try a different port. If all else fails, try direct connection to the router, as it could be faulty. Connection Keeps Dropping One of the main reasons as to…