My Windows 10 Computer for Seniors

Michael Miller is a prolific and popular writer of more than 200 nonfiction books who is known for his ability to explain complex topics to everyday readers. He writes about a variety of topics, including technology, business, and music. His best-selling books for Que and AARP include My iPad for Seniors, My Social Media for Seniors, My Facebook for Seniors, My Smart Home for Seniors, My Samsung Galaxy S7 for Seniors, My Internet for Seniors, and My eBay for Seniors. Worldwide, his books have sold more than 1.5 million copies. Find out more at the author’s website: www.millerwriter.com Follow the author on Twitter: @molehillgroup

Chapter 1  Understanding Computer Basics     3

Examining Key Components     3

    Hard Disk Drive     4

    Memory     5

    Processor     5

    Display     5

    Keyboard     6

    Pointing Device     8

    Connectors     9

Exploring Different Types of PCs     10

    Desktop PCs     10

    Notebook PCs     12

Which Type of PC Should You Buy?     13

Setting Up Your New Computer System     14

    Set Up a Notebook PC     14

    Set Up a Traditional Desktop PC     15

    Set Up an All-in-One Desktop PC     18

Chapter 2  Performing Basic Operations     21

Using Windows with a Mouse or Touchpad     21

    Mouse and Touchpad Operations     22

Using Windows with a Keyboard     24

    Keyboard Operations     24

Chapter 3  Using Your Windows 10 PC—If You’ve Never Used a Computer Before     27

Powering Up and Powering Down     28

    Turn On and Configure Your New PC—For the First Time     28

    Turn On Your System—Normally     34

    Turn Off Your Computer     36

Finding Your Way Around Windows     36

    Use the Start Menu     37

    Use the Taskbar     38

Chapter 4  Using Your Windows 10 PC—If You’ve Used Windows Before     41

Windows 10 for Windows 8/8.1 Users     41

Windows 10 for Windows 7 Users     43

Windows 10 for Windows XP Users     44

The 10 Most Important New Features of Windows 10     45

    1: Back to the Desktop (Goodbye, Start Screen)     46

    2: The Start Menu Returns—Better Than Ever     47

    3: Things Look a Little Different     48

    4: Take Control with the Action Center     49

    5: Manage System Settings with the Settings Tool     50

    6: Windows Apps on the Desktop     51

    7: Smart Searching—and More—with Cortana     52

    8: A New Way to Browse the Web     53

    9: Improved Task Switching     53

    10: Mobile Device Integration     54

Windows 10 Updates for Windows 10 Users     55

    Anniversary Update     56

    Creators Update     56

    Fall Creators Update     56

Chapter 5  Connecting Printers and Other Peripherals     59

Connecting Devices via USB     59

    Connect a Printer     60

    Connect Other Peripherals     62

Connecting Your PC to Your TV     63

    Connect via HDMI     64

Chapter 6  Personalizing Windows     67

Personalizing the Windows Desktop     67

    Personalize the Start Menu     68

    Change the Desktop Background     69

    Change the Accent Color     71

    Change the Desktop Theme     73

Personalizing the Lock Screen     74

    Change the Lock Screen Background     74

    Display a Slideshow on the Lock Screen     75

    Add Apps to the Lock Screen     76

    Change Your Account Picture     78

Configuring Other Windows Settings     79

    Configure Settings from the Settings Tool     79

Working with User Accounts     80

    Create a New User Account     82

    Switch Users     84

    Sign In with Multiple Users     85

Chapter 7  Making Windows Easier to Use     89

Employing Ease of Access Functions     89

    Access Ease of Access Features     90

    Enlarge the Screen     90

    Improve Onscreen Contrast     92

    Make the Cursor Easier to See     93

    Read Text Aloud with Narrator     94

    Use the On-Screen Keyboard     95

Using Alternative Input Devices     96

    Replace the Touchpad     96

    Attach a Different Keyboard     97

Chapter 8  Using Windows 10 on a Touchscreen Device     99

Using Windows in Tablet Mode     99

    Switch to Tablet Mode     100

    Use Windows 10’s Tablet Mode     101

Using Windows with Touch Gestures     102

    Touchscreen Operations     102

Chapter 9  Using Windows 10 Apps     105

Launching Your Favorite Programs     105

    Pin a Tile to the Start Menu     106

    Pin a Program to the Taskbar     106

    Create a Shortcut on the Desktop     107

    Open a Program     107

Working with Apps on the Desktop     108

    Maximize, Minimize, and Close a Window     108

    Resize a Window     109

    Switch Between Open Windows     109

    Snap a Window     110

    Scroll Through a Window     111

    Configure App Settings     112

Using Windows 10’s Built-in Apps     113

    News     113

    Weather     114

    Sports     114

    Money     115

    Maps     115

    Calendar     117

    Alarms & Clock     118

    Calculator     120

    Paint     3D     122

Shopping the Microsoft Store     124

    Browse for Apps     124

    Download and Install a New App     127

Chapter 10  Finding and Installing Traditional Software     129

Working with Traditional Software Programs     129

    Use Pull-Down Menus     130

    Use Toolbars     130

    Use Ribbons     131

Finding and Installing Traditional Software Programs     132

    Install Software from a Disc     132

    Install Programs Online     133

Chapter 11  Connecting to the Internet—at Home or Away     137

Connecting to the Internet—and Your Home Network     137

    Connect to Your Home Network     138

    Access Other Computers on Your Network     140

Connecting to the Internet at a Wi-Fi Hotspot     141

    Connect to a Wi-Fi Hotspot     142

Chapter 12  Browsing and Searching the Web     145

Understanding the Web     145

Using Microsoft Edge     147

    Open and Browse Web Pages     147

    Work with Tabs     148

    Save Favorite Pages     149

    Save Multiple Tabs as Favorites     150

    Return to a Favorite Page     151

    Set Your Start Page     151

    Browse in Private     152

    Read a Page in Reading View     153

    Print a Web Page     154

Using Google Chrome     155

    Open and Browse Web Pages     156

    Work with Tabs     157

    Bookmark Your Favorite Pages     158

    Return to a Bookmarked Page     158

    Set Your Home Page     159

    Browse Anonymously in Incognito Mode     160

    Print a Web Page     161

Searching the Internet     161

    Search Google     162

    Search Bing     163

Searching—and More—with Cortana     164

    Search with Cortana     164

    View News and Other Information     165

    Set a Reminder     166

    Search Cortana from Within Edge     168

    Do Even More with Cortana     168

Chapter 13  Shopping Safely Online     173

How to Shop Online Safely     173

    Shop Safely     174

Purchasing from Online Retailers     175

    Discover Online Retailers     175

    Search or Browse for Merchandise     176

    Examine the Product     177

    Make a Purchase     178

    Check Out and Pay     179

Finding Bargains Online     180

    Discover Price Comparison Sites     181

Using Craigslist     182

    Buy Items on Craigslist     183

    Sell Items on Craigslist     184

Chapter 14  Discovering Useful Websites     187

Reading Local and Community News Online     187

    Find Local News     188

    Find Local Weather     189

Exploring Travel Opportunities Online     190

    Research a Destination     190

    Make Reservations     191

Discovering Recipes Online     192

    Find Tasty Recipes     193

Finding Healthcare Information Online     194

    Research Medical Conditions     194

    Find a Doctor     195

    Order Prescription Drugs     196

Obtaining Legal Advice Online     197

    Find Legal Advice and Services     198

Managing Your Finances Online     198

    Do Your Banking and Pay Your Bills     199

    Track Your Investments     200

Discovering Organizations Online     201

    Browse Useful Organizations     202

Chapter 15  Protecting Yourself Online     205

Protecting Against Identity Theft and Phishing Schemes     205

    Avoiding Phishing Scams     206

    Keeping Your Private Information Private     207

    Hiding Personal Information on Facebook     209

    Keeping Your Facebook Posts Private     211

Protecting Against Online Fraud     212

    Identifying Online Scams     212

    Avoiding Online Fraud     214

Protecting Against Computer Viruses and Other Malware     215

    Protecting Against Malware     216

    Using Anti-Malware Software     217

    Using the Windows Defender Security Center     218

    Protecting Against Ransomware     220

Protecting Against Online Attacks and Intrusions     221

    Employing a Firewall     221

Chapter 16  Emailing Family and Friends     225

Using the Windows Mail App     225

    Set Up Your Email Account     226

    View Incoming Messages     228

    Reply to a Message     230

    Send a New Message     230

    Move a Message to Another Folder     233

Using Gmail     234

    Receive and Reply to Messages     234

    Send a New Message     235

Managing Your Contacts with the People App     236

    View Your Contacts     237

    Add a New Contact     238

    Use My People     239

Chapter 17  Video Calling and Text Messaging     245

Using the Skype App     245

    Choose Your Service     246

    Get to Know the Skype App     246

    Add a Contact     246

Communicating with Skype     248

    Make a Video Call     248

    Make a Voice Call     250

    Conduct a Text Chat     250

Sending and Receiving Text Messages on Your PC     251

    Link Your Phone to Your PC     251

    Receive Texts on Your PC     257

    Send New Texts from Your PC     258

Chapter 18  Connecting with Facebook and Pinterest     261

Sharing with Friends and Family on Facebook     261

    Sign Up for Facebook     262

    Discover New—and Old—Friends on Facebook     263

    Post a Status Update     266

    Find Out What Your Friends Are Up To     268

    Explore Your Friends’ Profiles     270

Pinning Items of Interest to Pinterest     271

    Create a New Board     271

    Find and Save Interesting Items     272

    Save an Item from a Web Page     273

    Find People to Follow     275

Chapter 19  Storing and Sharing Your Pictures and Movies     279

Using Your Smartphone or Digital Camera with Your Windows PC     279

    Transfer Photos from a Smartphone or Tablet     280

    Transfer Photos from a Memory Card     281

Viewing Photos and Videos on Your PC     283

    View Your Photos     283

    Create and View Photo Albums     285

    View Your Videos     286

Touching Up Your Photos     287

    Automatically Enhance a Photo     287

    Rotate a Photo     288

    Crop a Photo     289

    Apply a Filter     290

    Remove Red Eye     290

    Retouch a Photo     291

    Adjust Brightness and Contrast     292

    Adjust Color and Tint     293

    Apply Other Effects     293

    Save Your Work     294

Turning Your Photos into Videos with Story Remix     295

    Create an Automatic Story Remix     295

    Create a Customized Video Project     296

    Edit a Story Remix     298

Sharing Your Pictures and Videos Online     298

    Sharing a Photo from the Photos App     299

    Attach a Photo or Video in Windows Mail     300

    Upload Photos to a New Facebook Photo Album     301

    Upload Pictures to an Existing Facebook Photo Album     304

Chapter 20  Watching Movies and TV Shows on Your PC     307

Watching Netflix     307

    Watch a Program on Netflix     308

Watching Hulu     311

    Watch a Program on Hulu     311

Watching Amazon Video     314

    View a Program on Amazon Video     315

Viewing and Sharing Videos on YouTube     317

    View a Video     317

    Upload Your Own Video     318

Chapter 21  Listening to Music on Your PC     323

Listening to Streaming Music     323

    Listen to Pandora     324

    Listen to Spotify     327

Purchasing Digital Music Online     328

    Purchase Music from the Amazon Digital Music Store     329

    Purchase Music from Google Play Music     331

Listening to Your Own Music in Windows 10     332

    Listen to Digital Music with the Groove Music App     332

    Listen to CDs     333

Chapter 22  Reading Books on Your PC     335

Reading eBooks with Amazon’s Kindle App     335

    Purchase eBooks from Amazon336

    Read an eBook     338

    Change How a Book Is Displayed Onscreen     339

Reading eBooks with Barnes & Noble’s NOOK App     341

    Purchase eBooks from Barnes & Noble     341

    Read an eBook     343

    Change How a Book Is Displayed Onscreen     344

Chapter 23  Using Files and Folders     347

Using File Explorer     347

    Navigate Folders and Libraries     348

    Use the Navigation Pane     350

    Change the Folder View     350

    Sort Files and Folders     352

Working with Folders     352

    Create a New Folder     353

    Rename a Folder or File     354

Managing Files     355

    Copy a File     356

    Move a File     357

    Delete a File or Folder     358

    Restore a Deleted File     358

    Empty the Recycle Bin     359

Working with Microsoft OneDrive     359

    Manage OneDrive Files on the Web     360

    Manage OneDrive Files with File Explorer     361

    Upload a File to OneDrive     361

    Download a File to Your PC     362

    Synchronizing Files On-Demand     362

Chapter 24  Dealing with Common Problems     365

Performing Necessary Maintenance     365

    Delete Unnecessary Files     366

    Delete Unused Programs     367

Backing Up Important Files     369

    Activate File History     370

Fixing Simple Problems     372

    You Can’t Connect to the Internet     372

    You Can’t Go to a Specific Web Page     373

    You Can’t Print     373

    Your Computer Is Slow     374

    A Specific Program Freezes374

    Your Entire Computer Freezes     375

Recovering from Serious Problems     376

    Restore Your Computer to a Previous State     377

    Refresh System Files     379

    Reset Your System     380



Glossary     383

Index     393