Windows 10 2021: A Complete Guide to Microsoft Windows 10 with the Latest Tips and Updates
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Create the installation media
You will need to create the installation media that you will use to carry out a clean install of the Windows 10 first.
Make sure that you have backed up any files on your computer that you plan to save onto an external storage device like SD card, USB drive, or external hard drive, or you can upload those files to OneDrive to secure them.
Note: If you want to back up your files with an external storage device, ensure that it is a different drive form the one that you will be using to download the Windows 10 installation media.
Proceed to download the Windows 10 installation media to a different 8GB-sized external storage device. To finalize the download, everything on the 8GB drive will be removed, so you need to ensure that the disk is empty before you continue. See how you can do this below;
On a working computer, visit the Microsoft software download website and click on Download tool now .
Once the download has been completed, launch the tool from your desktop, and click Yes if you are asked whether you would like to let the tool make changes to your computer.
When you see the Windows 10 Setup guide, accept the license terms and agreements.
Click on Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC , and then tap Next .
Select a language, system architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) and edition, and then click Next .
Click on USB flash drive , and then tap Next .
Follow the prompts to create the installation media, and then tap Finish .
Use the installation media to reinstall Windows10
Open File Explorer and choose the drive that has the installation media.
From the drive’s root directory, click twice on setup.exe, and then choose Yes when you are asked whether you would like to let the app make changes to your PC.
Choose Change what to keep.
Choose one of the options below, and then tap “Next.”
▪ Keep personal files and apps – Choosing this option will preserve your personal data, settings and apps.
▪ Keep personal files only – Choosing this option will preserve your personal data and settings, but will remove all your apps.
▪ Keep nothing – Choosing this option will delete all of your personal data, apps and settings.
Warning: Once you have reinstalled Windows 10, it cannot be reversed. Hence, you need to back up all your files first if you selected the “Keep nothing” option.
To finish, click Install to begin the process of reinstalling Windows 10 on your Personal Computer.
Your computer will restart many times during the reinstallation process.
Clean install of Windows 10 using installation media
Warning :
A clean installation can be regarded as an advanced option that can help you start afresh on your computer. The steps below are only advised and best for you if you are confident that you will be able to carry out the steps as dutifully as you should.
A clean install will remove all apps and drivers you installed, personal files, changes you made in Settings, and apps and customizations from the manufa-cturer of the computer.
This option will utilize a tool to set up installation media that you can deploy to wipe your disk completely and install a new copy of Windows 10. For this option, you will be required to use an external drive like a USB drive, and you might have to go through some extra steps, though everything will be deleted for safest and cleanest installation. This category of clean install will usually delete and recreate system partitions. All of the personal files on your computer and the partition on your hard drive that is currently being used for recovery will be deleted.
Before you start, ensure that you have the following;
▪ A reliable internet connection
▪ An external storage device like an SD card, USB drive, or external hard drive having at least 8GB of usable space
Create the installation media
You will need to create the installation media that you will use to carry out a clean install of the Windows 10 first.
Make sure that you have backed up any files on your computer that you plan to save onto an external storage device like SD card, USB drive, or external hard drive, or you can upload those files to OneDrive to secure them.
Note: If you want to back up your files with an external storage device, ensure that it is a different drive form the one that you will be using to download the Windows 10 installation media.
2 Proceed to download the Windows 10 installation media to a different 8GB-sized external storage device. To finalize the download, everything on the 8GB drive will be removed, so you need to ensure that the disk is empty before you continue. See how you can do this below;
On a working computer, visit the Microsoft software download website and click on Download tool now .
Once the download has been completed, launch the tool from your desktop, and click Yes if you are asked whether you would like to let the tool make changes to your computer.
When you see the Windows 10 Setup guide, accept the license terms and agreements.
Click on Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) from another PC , and then tap Next .
Select a language, system architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) and edition.
Proceed with the prompts to create the installation media for your Windows 10, and then click Finish .
Use the installation media to perform a clean install
Connect the installation media that you created to your computer and carry out a clean install of your Windows 10.
Click on the Start button, tap Settings , choose Update & Security and click on Recovery .Under Advanced startup , click Restart now .
Choose Use a device , and then select the device that correspond to the external storage device that you are using.
Note: If you cannot see “Use a device” option, go to the website of the manufacturer of your computer to access the information on how you can boot from a USB flash drive.
When you see the first Windows screen, select the options that suit your wants best, and then tap Next.
Click on Install now , and then tap the “I accept” box. Tap Next , and then choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) . Your computer will now bring a list of partitions and drives. If you see multiple disks, you will only have to delete all of the partitions from that particular disk where you plan to install Windows.
Highlight each partition/drive in the list and click Delete . Click OK once the Windows Setup notification shows.
Complete the step 5 indicated above for every drive in the list save the one that reads Unallocated Space . When you are done, only Drive 0 Unallocated Space should remain.
Click Next .
The set up screen of the Windows will now show Installing Windows . Once the installation has been completed, your computer will restart. When this happens, your computer may attempt to restart from the external storage device. If the setup screen of the initial Windows asks you to choose the language/keyboard layout, simply detach the external storage drive from the computer and click OK
. This process will restart your computer.
Once the installation has been completed and your computer has restarted, choose the settings and preferences you would prefer for your computer.
If you have reinstalled Windows and your PC is still not performing at its best, then you can try the last option, which is to Reset Windows 10.
How to Reset Windows 10
There are 3 options that will enable you to reset your personal computer. If you have tried almost everything else and your computer is still not running well, then you can consider taking the resetting option.
Option 1
Click on the Start menu, tap Settings, click on Update & Security and select Recovery .
Under the Reset this PC option, click on Get started .
Option 2
Restart your computer to go t
o the sign-in screen, and then use your finger to press and hold down the Shift key while you tap the Power icon > Restart found in the lower-right edge of your screen.
Once the PC restarts, click Troubleshoot and then tap Reset this PC .
Option 3
Select Start , and then use your finger to press and hold down the Shift key while you tap the Power icon, and then click Restart in order to restart your PC into Recovery Mode.
Once the PC restarts, click Troubleshoot and then tap Reset this PC .
Any of the three options above will get you on the right track, but once you start, endeavor to follow the procedures on your screen.
If none of these three options work for you or your computer won’t even start at all, you can reinstall Windows using the installation media option discussed previously. Navigate to the Microsoft software download website, download the media creation tool, and then use the tool to create installation media on a USB drive or DVD.
CHAPTER TWO
Using the Taskbar in Windows 10
The Taskbar can do much more for you than checking time and using your apps with convenience. There are many ways you can personalize the Taskbar – pin your favorite to the Taskbar, change the size and color, move the Taskbar around on the screen and resize or rearrange the Taskbar buttons. The Taskbar can also be locked to confirm the status of your battery, keep your options and to momentarily minimize all opened programs so that you can take a glance at your desktop.
Pin your most used app to the taskbar
You can pin any of your most used app directly to your taskbar for easy access when you are on the desktop. You can also unpin the app from the taskbar anytime you want. You can pin and unpin the app from Start or the Jump List , which is a list of shortcuts to files, folders and websites that you recently opened.
- Pinning an app from the Start: From the Search bar on your taskbar, enter the name of the app that you wish to pin to your taskbar. Select More > Pin to taskbar . Simply follow the procedure if you want to unpin the app and choose Unpin from taskbar .
- Pinning an app from the app list: If the app is open already, find the icon button of the app on the taskbar, press the button and hold it, and swipe up until you see the App list appears. If you are using a mouse, find the icon button of the app on the taskbar, right-click on the button, and then choose Pin to taskbar . Simply follow the procedure if you want to unpin the app and choose Unpin from taskbar .
How to change the taskbar settings
You can customize the taskbar from your taskbar itself. To change several aspects of your taskbar all at one time, you can use the Taskbar settings . To access the Taskbar settings, press and hold or right-click on any empty space on the taskbar, scroll down and then choose Taskbar settings .
Note: You cannot use the Taskbar settings if you have not activated your copy of Windows, as not all the settings will be available.
To change the color of the Taskbar, click the Start menu, select Settings , tap Personalization , choose Colors and click Show accent color on the following surfaces . Click on Start, taskbar, and action center . Doing these, settings will change the taskbar’s color to the same color of your overall theme.
How to lock and unlock the taskbar
When you want the Taskbar to remain the settings you set for it, then you should lock it. You can decide to unlock the taskbar later when you wish to switch its location on the desktop or you just want to make some changes. To get started, simply press and hold or right-click on any empty space on your taskbar, scroll down, click Taskbar settings , and enable (toggle ON) Lock the taskbar .
If you see a checkmark next to Lock the taskbar, then you know the taskbar has already been locked. To disable it, click Lock the taskbar or navigate to Taskbar settings and disable (toggle it OFF) it.
In case you have several monitors that display the taskbar, you will see Lock all taskbars .
How to change the location of the Taskbar
Typically, your taskbar is located at the bottom end of the desktop, but it can be moved to either side or to the top of the desktop. When your taskbar is unlocked, its location can be changed (locking and unlocking taskbar has already been discussed). Once you have verified that your taskbar has been unlocked, simply press and hold or right-click on any empty space on your taskbar. Click on Taskbar settings , tap Taskbar location on screen , and then choose Left, Right, Top, or Bottom .
View the battery status of your PC on the taskbar
If you wish to add the icon of the battery to your taskbar, click the Start menu, select Settings , tap Personalization , choose Taskbar , and then scroll down to the notification area. Click on Select which icons appear on the taskbar , and switch the Power to On .
The status of the battery can be checked by clicking on the battery icon in your taskbar.
Note: You might have to click on the Up arrow of the “show hidden icons” on your taskbar before you select the battery icon. The battery icon shows the percentage of your battery during and after charge time.
How to rearrange taskbar button
If you wish to edit how the taskbar buttons are group together, press and hold or right-click on any empty space on your taskbar, click on Taskbar settings, tap Combine taskbar buttons and then select from the below list:
- Always, hide labels . This setting is the default taskbar setting. Each app will appear as one, unlabeled button, even when multiple windows of a particular app are opened.
- When taskbar is full . With this setting, each window will be shown as an individual, labeled button. When your taskbar becomes too crowded, the apps with multiple open windows will collapse into one app button. Click on the button to view a list of all the opened windows.
- Never . With this setting, each window will be shown as an individual; buttons are labeled and not combined, no matter how many of your windows are opened. As you open more windows and apps, the button will get smaller, and will eventually scroll.
If you are using multiple displays, a different choice can be made for the extra display. Click on Taskbar settings , tap Multiple Displays, select Combine taskbar buttons on other taskbars . For these displays, choose from hide label, Always, Never and When taskbar is full.
How to show badges on taskbar buttons
A badge on any taskbar button is just an alert letting you know that there are some activities going on or some activities that need to happen within that particular app.
For instance, a bell badge on the Alarms & Clocks app wakes you to an active alarm that will notify you at the time you set. This feature is usually activated by default, but if you decide to check whether it is on (or you just want to turn it off), press and hold or right-click on any empty space on your taskbar, click Taskbar settings , and navigate to Show badges on taskbar buttons .
CHAPTER THREE
DRIVERS AND DEVICES
How to add a device to your PC
Although, Windows 10 will usually find connected devices automatically anytime you turn them on or plug them inside your computer. Nevertheless, if your PC is unable to find connected devices automatically, follow the steps below;
- Click Start , tap Settings , select Devices and then click Bluetooth & other devices .
- Click on Add Bluetooth or other device and proceed with the instructions given.
Installing a Printer on Windows 10
By connecting a printer to your computer or adding a new printer to the home network, printing can start right away. Most printers are supported by Windows 10, so you don’t need to have some printer software installed on your device before printing can be done.
Follow the steps below to install or add a Bluetooth, wireless or Network printer;
Windows 10 should be able to locate your printer easily once the printer is ON and connected to the network. The printers that are available can include all printers on a network, such as wireless and Bluetooth printers or printers plugged into another computer and shared on the network. So
me printers need system permission to be able to install them.
- Click Start , tap Settings , tap Devices and then click Printers & scanners .
- Click on Add a printer or scanner . Wait for Windows to locate nearby printers, and then select the printer that you wish to use, and click on Add device .
If you are unable to find your printer on the list, choose “The printer that I want isn't listed ,” and then proceed with the onscreen instructions to manually add the printer that you want.
Adding a local printer
Proceed with the steps below to add or install a local printer;
In some cases, all that you need to do to set up your printer is to connect the printer to your computer. Simply plug your printer’s USB cable into an appropriate USB port on your computer, and then turn on the printer.