Windows 11 For Seniors For Dummies

IN THIS PART …

Master the basics.

Discover how to handle apps.

Customize Windows 11.

Manage user accounts and passwords.

Personalize the Windows desktop.

Chapter 1 Getting Acquainted with Windows 11

IN THIS CHAPTER

Controlling your computer with the mouse, keyboard, and touchscreen

Turning the computer on and off

Exploring the Start screen

Handling the Lock screen

Windows 11 is an operating system (the master program for any computer). You can use Windows 11 on a wide range of devices, from a smartphone to a big-screen TV/entertainment system: One size fits most. You can not only use the same programs with a range of hardware but also access the documents you create (such as photos and email — files and data, to nerds) from any Windows-based computer, giving you extraordinary freedom of choice and mobility.

Although countless companies create programs you may use, Microsoft attempts to make similar functions consistent across different programs. For example, opening a document or emailing a photo to a friend involves the same steps regardless of the programs you use. You don't have to learn a different way of doing common tasks in each program. This consistency will serve you well when using Windows 11 and other new programs.

In this chapter, you start your computer and work with the Start screen, the dashboard for Windows 11. You explore options for using the Start screen with your hardware (the computer and related devices). Then you exit Windows 11 and go right back in for more.

The easiest way to get Windows 11 is preinstalled on a new computer. If your current computer runs an older version of (Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10), you can upgrade to Windows 11, although older machines may lack newer functions, such as a touchscreen, and may have some hardware compatibility problems with Windows 11 as well. Also, Windows 11 may be free, or you may have to pay for it, depending on your current operating system. Visit microsoft.com for details.

Tell Your Computer What to Do

How do you get Windows 11 to do what you want it to do? You can command a computer in many ways, depending on your equipment (hardware). For example, a desktop computer has different options from a handheld phone. You may have any or all of these choices:

Mouse

Touchscreen

Keyboard

Another device for controlling Windows is a touchpad, which is commonly found on a laptop keyboard. You move your finger on the touchpad to move the pointer on the screen.

If you have a computer with more than one of these devices, you might use one device exclusively or, more likely, vary your choice according to the task. Use whichever technique is easiest for you, but don't be afraid to experiment. In the next few sections, you discover the ins and outs of using all these methods of controlling Windows 11. Then you’re ready to turn on your computer and use these methods.

In the steps throughout this book, choose or select refers to using a mouse, the touchscreen, or a physical keyboard. Drag refers to using a mouse or a finger.

Move the Mouse

A mouse is a soap-bar–sized device that you move across a desk with your hand. Move the mouse and note how the arrow called a mouse pointer moves across the computer screen. (Similar to a mouse, a trackball is a ball in a socket that you can rotate to move the mouse pointer.) A mouse has two or more buttons; some also have a scroll wheel between the buttons.

The following terms describe methods for using a mouse with Windows 11. In each, move the mouse first to position the pointer over a specified item before proceeding:

Click: Move the onscreen arrow-shaped mouse pointer over a specified item and press and release the left mouse button: That's a click (sometimes called a left-click to distinguish it from a right-click).

Right-click: Press and release the right mouse button to display available functions. Note that the word click by itself means use the left mouse button.

Drag: Press and hold down the left mouse button, and then move the mouse pointer across the screen. When you want to move an object, you drag it. Release the mouse button to release the object.

Watch for the word click to indicate using a mouse button and roll to indicate using the mouse wheel.

Touch the Screen

A touchscreen, as the name says, enables you to touch the screen to tell your computer what to do. You typically use one finger or two, although touchscreens may allow you to use all ten digits. In some cases, you can also use a special pen called a stylus instead of your finger. Tablet computers and some smartphones have touchscreens. Touchscreens are less common on desktop or laptop computers, but that situation is changing. Not sure what type of screen you have? When you have Windows 11 running, give the screen a gentle poke with your index finger to see what happens.

The following terms refer to ways you interact with a touchscreen:

Tap: Briefly touch the screen. You select an object, such as a button, by tapping it.

Drag: Touch and hold your finger on the screen, then move your finger across the screen. You move an object, such as an onscreen playing card, by dragging it.

Swipe: Touch and move your finger more quickly than with drag. You can swipe your finger across the screen from any of the four sides of the screen to display options and commands. You swipe pages to move forward or back. You may see the word flick instead of swipe. Some people insist that a flick is faster or shorter than a swipe, but let’s not get caught up in that.

Pinch and unpinch: Touch a finger and thumb or two fingers on the screen. Move your fingers closer to each other to pinch and away from each other to unpinch. Generally, a pinch reduces the size of something on the screen or shows more content on the screen. An unpinch (an ugly word) zooms in, increasing the size of something onscreen to show more detail.

Watch for the words tap, swipe, or pinch to indicate using your finger. Touch actions are often called gestures.

See the upcoming section “View the Touch Keyboard” if your computer doesn’t have a physical keyboard, as is often the case with a touchscreen.

Use a Keyboard

A typewriter-like keyboard is a traditional device for controlling a computer and is especially useful when you must enter a lot of text. Special key combinations, called shortcut keys, are often the quickest way to do anything (though they require some memorization).

The following keys are particularly noteworthy. No offense intended to fans of keys not noted here. Although you won’t use all these keys immediately, you’ll find it helpful to locate each one on your keyboard.

Press indicates that you use the keyboard (physical or virtual) for the specified key or sequence of keys (just as click indicates a mouse action and tap indicates touch). Combinations of keys are not pressed simultaneously. Instead, press and hold the first key in the specified sequence, press the second key, and then release both. (We explain exceptions to this method as necessary.)

  : Called the Windows key, this key is usually located on either side of the spacebar, which is the largest key.    works by itself, as you’ll soon see, and also in combination with many other keys. Throughout the book, We specify these combinations where you might use them. There will be a quiz later. (Kidding! No quizzes.)

Tab: Press the Tab key to highlight an item. Press Tab repeatedly to skip items you don’t intend to select.

The keyboard can be used to select objects but is less direct than using touch or a mouse.

Arrow keys: Press the arrow keys to move the cursor or selection of an object in the direction the keys point (left, right, up, or down). In some contexts, Tab and the right arrow do the same thing. Sorry to be vague, but context matters at times.

Enter: In most cases, the Enter key on the keyboard chooses a selection, much as clicking or tapping does. However, you may need to use the Tab key or an arrow key to select an item before pressing the Enter key.

Ctrl, Alt, and Shift keys: These keys are used with other keys for commands. For example, press Ctrl+C to copy selected text or an object. (That is, while pressing and holding down the Ctrl key, press the C key — no need to press Shift for an uppercase C. Then release both keys.) The Shift key is used with another key for uppercase.

Backspace: As you enter text, each press of Backspace erases the character to the left of the cursor.

Delete: As you enter text, each press of the Delete key erases the character to the right of the cursor. On some keyboards, this key is labeled Del.

Function keys: All keys function, but Function keys are labeled F1 through F12. You don’t use these much in this book, but you should locate them. Laptops often have a separate Function Lock key to turn these keys on or off.

Page keys: Locate the Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys for future reference. Use these to move the screen, a page, or the cursor. (On some keyboards, the Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys work as numbers when the Num Lock key is activated.)

View the Touch Keyboard

Windows 11 can display a touch keyboard onscreen. This feature is vital for devices that have a touchscreen and no physical keyboard. With a touchscreen, the touch keyboard appears automatically when the cursor (a blinking vertical bar) indicates that you can enter text in a box. If the touch keyboard doesn't appear automatically, you may also see a separate box floating above or below the text box. Tap that floating box to display the keyboard. Or, if you don’t see a floating keyboard, tap the keyboard icon on the taskbar to the right (it’s close to the date and time). To type using the keyboard, simply tap or click a letter, number, or symbol key.

Here are the different types of touch keyboards:

The standard layout (also called QWERTY) appears automatically (see Figure 1-1). The Enter key changes depending on the context.

The uppercase layout, shown in Figure 1-2, appears when you tap the Shift key on the standard layout.

The numbers and symbols layout appears when you tap the &123 key on the standard layout. Tap the &123 key again to return to the standard layout.

The control keys overlay appears on five keys on the standard layout when you tap the Ctrl key. The Ctrl keys are used in common tasks, such as copying (Ctrl+C) or moving (Ctrl+X) selected text. The overlay disappears automatically after you tap one of the control keys (A, Z, X, C, or V).

Select the Settings button (refer to Figure 1-1). The Setting button appears on the top left of the touch keyboard (it looks like a gear). Here, you can select the Keyboard Layout. Default is selected automatically, but you can choose Small, Split, or Traditional. You can also choose to switch to a Handwriting option, which lets you write with your finger. Windows converts your scribbles to block text. Finally, you can also select Theme and Resize. This opens the Personalization window, where you can select different keyboard and size options, shown in Figure 1-3.

Finally, you can add emoticons as you type. Select the emojis button (refer to Figure 1-1) and touch or search for the emoticon you want to use.

FIGURE 1-1

FIGURE 1-2

FIGURE 1-3

Turn On Your Computer

Push the power button briefly and release it. Every computer has a power button. (When we can no longer turn them off, the machines win.) If you have a desktop computer tower, the power button is probably on the front of the tower. Otherwise, you might have to feel around the front and sides of the screen or near the hinges of a laptop. Typically, your computer will beep, some buttons will light, and the screen may flash a logo or a message that disappears before you can read it. (Just let that go.) Soon, you will see the Windows 11 Lock screen.

Turn on any separate hardware (such as a monitor, speakers, or a printer), if necessary.

Enter your password and press Enter (or select the Submit button, the button on the right side of the password textbox). Soon the Windows 11 desktop screen appears, as shown in Figure 1-4.

FIGURE 1-4

If you don’t see the Password text box, jiggle the mouse or press a key on the keyboard to wake up Windows 11.

The first time you turn on a new computer, a series of Windows Setup screens appears. Accept the defaults or change them appropriately and then select the button labeled Next.

If your computer doesn't have a keyboard, as is the case with many tablet computers, see the preceding section, “View the Touch Keyboard,” for information on how to type onscreen.

If this is the first time that Windows 11 has started on your computer, you must create a user account, even if no one else will use the machine. See Chapter 4 for details on creating and changing user accounts.

Check Out the Start Screen

Start your computer — if it isn't started already — and sign in to your user account. You'll see the Windows desktop screen (refer to Figure 1-4).

Open the Start screen, as shown in Figure 1-5. Use one of these methods to open the Start screen:

Mouse: Click the Start button (you’ll find it on the taskbar, which is the strip across the bottom of the screen). The Start button is the leftmost icon on the taskbar; it looks like a four-pane window.

Touchscreen: Tap the Start button.

Keyboard: Press the    key.

Examine the Start screen and note the icons. These icons represent available apps (short for application programs, an older term for programs or software). By clicking or tapping an app icon, you can open an app. (See Chapter 2 for information on using individual apps.)

You can take a look at more apps by clicking the Next Page button (refer to Figure 1-5). Also, you can see an alphabetical list of all the apps that are installed on your computer, as shown in Figure 1-6, by clicking the All Apps button (refer to Figure 1-5). By clicking or tapping an app in this list, you can open an app. Click the Back button to go back to the main Start Screen page.

Under Recommended, you see recent files that you’ve opened. Click More to see a complete list. This is a handy way to find a file you recently used.

FIGURE 1-5

While the Start screen is open, you can type the name of an app to open it. For example, to open the Weather app, type weather. This automatically changes the Start screen to the Search screen, which you can also open directly by clicking the Search icon on the taskbar. Select the Weather app listing in the search results to open the Weather app.

Rather than scroll through the alphabetical list to find an app, you can select a letter in the list and then select a letter in the pop-up list of letters that appears (refer to Figure 1-7). For example, to quickly get to the Weather app, select any letter and then select the W on the pop-up list.

FIGURE 1-6

FIGURE 1-7

Click or tap your image (or image and name) on the Start screen. As shown in Figure 1-8, you see a pop-up menu with commands for changing account settings (see Chapter 3), locking your screen (see “Start Again on the Lock Screen,” later in this chapter), and signing out in a favor of another person who shares your computer (see Chapter 4). Who would think that clicking your name would open a pop-up menu?

Click or tap Power on the Start menu. As shown in Figure 1-9, you see a pop-up menu with commands for putting your computer to sleep, shutting down your computer, and restarting your computer. Later in this chapter, “Shut Down Your Computer” looks into the options on this pop-up menu.

Click or tap the Start button. Doing any of these actions when the Start screen is open closes the Start screen. You can also close the Start screen by clicking anywhere on the desktop when the Start screen is open.

FIGURE 1-8

FIGURE 1-9

Shut Down Your Computer

When you have finished using your computer for a while, you may want to shut down Windows 11. Begin by displaying the Start screen:

Mouse: Click the Start button on the taskbar. The Start button is the leftmost icon and looks like a four-pane window.

Touchscreen: Tap the Start button.

Keyboard: Press the    key.

Click or tap Power on the Start menu (refer to Figure 1-9). The Power button is on the bottom right side of the Start menu and looks like a circle with a line through the top.

Available options appear in a pop-up box. Some or all of the following options appear:

Sleep: This option reduces the computer’s power consumption without exiting Windows 11 or closing apps (some computers don’t offer this option). As a result, when you wake the computer by moving the mouse or touching the screen or the keyboard, everything is exactly as you left it: Apps and documents are open, if they were open before Sleep.

Shut Down: This option exits Windows 11 and saves power by turning the computer off. In exiting Windows 11, Shut Down closes any apps that are currently running.

Restart: Temporarily shuts down Windows 11 and turns it on again. Use Restart when Windows 11 asks you to or when Windows 11 is misbehaving.

You can also shut down your computer by using the Start button. Move the pointer over the Start button and right-click. A pop-up menu appears. Select Shut Down or Sign Out on the pop-up menu, and then select an option (Sleep, Shut Down, or Restart).

Choose Shut Down to turn off the computer.

On most computers, pressing the power switch also shuts down the computer, though you should use the Shut Down option in Windows 11 rather than press the power switch button. On a laptop, closing the lid may shut down the laptop or put it in sleep mode.

Start Again on the Lock Screen

Turn on your computer. Every time you turn on your computer, the Lock screen appears. As shown in Figure 1-10, the Lock screen displays the time, day, and date along with a photo. (You discover how to change this photo in Chapter 3.)

Dismiss the Lock screen with one of these methods:

Mouse: Click anywhere, roll the wheel toward you, or drag the entire screen up.

Touchscreen: Drag the entire screen up.

Keyboard: Press any key.

If you don’t use a password or Windows Hello to sign in, wait briefly for the Start screen to appear. If you use a password, enter it with a physical or touch keyboard. Then press Enter or select the arrow next to the password box to display the Windows desktop screen.

Take a break before reading Chapter 2.

FIGURE 1-10

When you take a long break from your PC, it automatically goes to sleep. Windows 11 puts your computer to sleep to save battery life. To decide for yourself how much time passes before your computer goes to sleep, select the Search icon on the taskbar and type lock screen in the Search box. Choose Lock Screen Settings in the search results. On the Personalization > Lock Screen window, scroll down the screen to the Screen Timeout and select it. You come to the Power & Sleep screen. Choose a setting from the Sleep menu. For example, choose 15 minutes to put your computer to sleep after 15 minutes of inactivity.

Chapter 2 Using the Start Screen, Apps, and Widgets

IN THIS CHAPTER

Opening, closing, and switching between apps

Introducing the app bar

Tweaking app settings

Having fun with widgets

The Windows 11 Start screen appears when you select the Start button on the taskbar or you press the key. It provides access to just about everything you do with Windows 11.

The Start screen is home to numerous programs, or apps (short for applications). An app performs a function or displays information. For example, the Weather app offers weather reports (surprise!) and the Maps app helps you map a route between two places. Apps can be simple or complex.

Apps appear on the Start screen as icons. An icon displays the app’s name and symbol for the app. An open app typically covers the screen, hiding other apps that are open. However, some apps can be displayed side-by-side with a function called snap.

Windows 11 also provides easy access to a group of mini apps called widgets. Widgets are graphical apps that give you fast at-a-glance information about news, sports, weather, stocks, and so forth. You choose what widgets you want to see and quickly view them using the Widgets icon on the taskbar.

In this chapter, you open, close, and use some of the apps that come with Windows 11. You also switch between apps and the Start screen, and switch directly between two apps. You find out how to search for apps not shown on the Start screen. You discover how to organize the Start screen by rearranging and pinning apps. Finally, you explore how to add and remove widgets.

See Chapter 10 for information on getting new apps from the Microsoft Store.

Although some steps are specific to one app, most of the steps you follow in this chapter can be repeated in any app.

Open Windows 11 Apps

Select the Start button taskbar, as shown in Figure 2-1. Selecting this button opens the Start screen, also shown in Figure 2-1.

You can also open the Start screen by pressing the    key.

On the Start screen, you see a group of apps. These apps are pinned to the Start Screen, meaning that they always appear (you can change what’s pinned, and you find out how in “Pin and Unpin Apps on the Start Screen,” later this chapter). Click the All Apps button to see an alphabetical listing of all apps available on your computer. Select All Apps and then locate the Weather app and select it. The Weather app opens to the Forecast screen, as shown in Figure 2-2. It shows the current temperature and weather forecast for your default location. Select the Show Options button (see Figure 2-2). As do most apps, Weather has a Show Options button in the upper-left corner. Select this button to expand the app bar and see the names of options on the app bar. Select the button again to collapse options on the app bar.

The first time you open the Weather app, a Welcome screen appears. It asks whether you want to show temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius and what your location is. By location, the Weather app wants to know where you live, or, if you’re a vagabond, where you spend the majority of your time. Choose Detect My Location or enter a city or town name in the Search box, and from the menu that appears as you type, select the name of the town or city that you call home. You can always change these settings by selecting the Settings button in the app bar and choosing options on the Settings screen. (See “Change App Settings,” later in this chapter.)

Switch back to the Start screen using one of these methods:

Tap or click the Start button.

Press the    key.

Focus on the method you think is easiest. However, keep in mind that alternative methods of controlling your computer are always available.

Switch back to the Weather app by selecting its title bar with the mouse or your finger (it’s now behind the Start screen). The Weather app reappears and the Start screen disappears.

Switch back to the Start screen.

Select the Microsoft Edge icon (it’s probably pinned in your app list on the Start screen). The Edge screen appears, as shown in Figure 2-3.

If the Edge icon doesn’t appear on your Start screen, select the All Apps button and locate it in the alphabetical list.

Edge is a browser, which is an Internet application for exploring the web. Chapter 6 covers Edge in detail.

Scroll downward to see all that is on the web page you are visiting. Use these techniques to scroll:

Mouse: Drag the scroll box on the right side of the screen up or down. If your mouse has a wheel, you can also turn the mouse wheel to scroll.

Touchscreen: Swipe the screen up or down.

Close Edge and the Weather app. Use one of these methods:

Mouse: Click the Close button (the X) in the upper-right corner of the app’s window.

Touchscreen: Tap the Close button (the X) in the upper-right corner of the app’s window.

Keyboard: Press Alt+F4.

FIGURE 2-1

FIGURE 2-2

FIGURE 2-3

Chapter 5 explains how you can open a second desktop on the screen and in so doing keep some of your open apps on one screen and some of your open apps on another. When you’re running many apps, opening a second desktop is a great way to be able to switch quickly from one app to another.

Open apps appear as icons on the taskbar, but when you close an app, its icon disappears from the taskbar. Some icons appear permanently on the taskbar. For example, the File Explorer icon is always on the taskbar regardless of whether File Explorer is running. Chapter 5 explains how you can pin your favorite apps to the taskbar. Pinning an app to the taskbar places an icon there so that you can open an app quickly.

Press Alt+Tab and continue to hold down the Alt key after you press Tab. A window showing thumbnails of all open apps appears onscreen. While holding down the Alt key, press the left- or right-arrow key to move between the open apps to select one; then release the Alt key. The Weather app appears onscreen. Pressing Alt+Tab is yet another way to switch between open applications.

Chapter 5 demonstrates techniques for moving windows onscreen, changing the size of windows, and snapping windows to the side of the screen.

To close an app that is frozen (an app that is unresponsive), press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. The Task Manager opens. It lists all apps that are currently running. Select the app you want to close and then select the End Task button.

Use the App Bar

From the Start screen, open the Weather app if it isn’t already open.

The app bar contains functions specific to the current app. Display the app bar by selecting the Show Options button. (Refer to Figure 2-2.)

The app bar may appear across the top of the screen, the left side of the screen, or in both locations.

In the Weather app, the app bar leads you to different functions. Select Maps, for example, to see a weather map of the area where you live, shown in Figure 2-4.

Display the app bar in Weather again. Then select Historical Weather. A screen appears showing you weather trends over the past 12 months.

Display the app bar again and take notice of the Home icon. Wherever you travel in an app, you can return to the app home screen by selecting this icon.

FIGURE 2-4

In most apps, you can select the Back button (a left-pointing arrow) to return to the previous screen you viewed. The Back button is found in the upper-left corner of most screens.

Add a Location in Weather

From the Start screen, open the Weather app if it isn’t already open. With the Weather app on the screen, select the Show Options button to expand the app bar and see the option names (refer to Figure 2-2).

Select the Favorites button on the app bar. The Favorites screen appears, as shown in Figure 2-5. Your screen will show a different Launch Location.

Select the Add to Favorites icon, which looks like a plus sign in a square. The Add to Favorites screen appears.

Type a location name, such as a city, in the box under Add to Favorites, as shown in Figure 2-6. As you type, matching location names appear below the box. If you see the location you want, select that name to add an icon for that location to the Places screen. No need to click the Add button, unless your location does not appear automatically.

FIGURE 2-5

You can add other locations by repeating Steps 3 and 4.

Select the icon for the location you added. The Weather app displays full information for the location you selected.

FIGURE 2-6

You can switch among multiple locations by using the Favorites button on the app bar.

Select Favorites in the app bar to see a screen with weather locations you chose (refer to Figure 2-6). From there, you can select a weather location to get reports and predictions about weather in a different city or place.

Change App Settings

On the Start screen, select the Weather icon if the Weather app isn’t open already.

In the Weather app, select the Settings button on the app bar. The Settings screen appears, as shown in Figure 2-7. Settings is the bottommost option on the app bar. If you have trouble locating it, select the Show Options button, the topmost button on the app bar, to see the buttons on the app bar.

It may be hard to remember whether you need the Settings panel or the app bar to do something. In general, functions on the app bar are used more frequently than those on the Settings panel. When in doubt, guess — that’s how discoveries are made.

FIGURE 2-7

Choose whether to show air temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius.

Choose a Launch Location option. The Always Detect My Location option tells the Weather app to note by way of your Internet connection where you are currently and give the weather report for that place. Select Default Location and enter the name of the place where you live if you want to receive weather forecasts for that place.

Select Privacy Statement in the Settings window if you’re interested in how Microsoft collects data about you when you use Weather and other apps made by Microsoft. You see a page clotted with legalese and other obfuscations.

Search for an App

Open the Start screen. A Search box appears at the top, as shown in Figure 2-8. If you select the Search box to type a search, the screen automatically changes to the Search screen, shown in Figure 2-9. More easily, you can just select the Search icon on the taskbar to search for an app (or anything else!).

In the Search box, type calc (the first four letters of the word calculator). The Search window shows you the results of your search, as shown in Figure 2-10. You can search for just about anything from the Search box.

Select a filter option at the top of the Search panel (refer to Figure 2-11) to redirect your search. For example, select Apps to search only for apps, Documents to search for files on your computer; select Web to search the web. You can select More to open a drop-down menu and search for any number of things, including folders, music files, photos, and videos.

Type ulator to finish typing the word calculator. The Search panel lists only items with the complete word calculator in them, including the Calculator app.

FIGURE 2-8

FIGURE 2-9

FIGURE 2-10

FIGURE 2-11

Select the Calculator app to open it on the desktop, as shown in Figure 2-12. To perform a calculation, select the buttons on the screen or use a keyboard.

Close the Calculator app by selecting the Close button.

FIGURE 2-12

Pin and Unpin Apps on the Start Screen

Open the Start screen. Your computer has numerous apps already pinned to the Start Screen for easy and fast access. However, you may not want some of these default apps pinned, and you may want some apps pinned that are not. You can easily change the pinned apps any time. Select the All Apps button and locate the Calculator button in the alphabetical list.

Display the Calculator app’s context menu using one of these methods:

Mouse: Right-click Calculator icon.

Touchscreen: Touch and hold the Calculator icon until the context menu appears, and then release your finger.

On the context menu, choose Pin to Start, shown in Figure 2-13.

Select the Back button to return to the Start screen’s main window. The Calculator app is now pinned to your Start screen and appears in the Pinned group.

To unpin the Calculator app from the Start screen, display its context menu again and choose Unpin from Start.

FIGURE 2-13

When you unpin an app from the Start screen, it simply removes the app’s icon from the Pinned group. The app is still safe and sound on your computer. You can pin and unpin any apps you want at any time so that you see only pinned apps you frequently use.

Arrange Apps on the Start Screen

You can rearrange icons on the Start screen by dragging them to different places. On the Start screen, drag the Calculator icon to a different location. As you move the icon, other icons move out of the way, like a game of Dodge Icon.

To drag an app, select the app’s icon with your left mouse key and hold down the key. Then just drag the icon to a new location in your Pinned apps. If you’re using a touchscreen, just press and hold the app’s icon with your finger and drag.

Continue this process until you have organized the app icons in a way that is helpful to you. For example, you may organize the apps in a list starting with the most frequently used to the least frequently used, or you could even place them in alphabetical order. You can rearrange the pinned apps at any time by repeating these steps.

Do you have one app you want first in the list? Just display the app icon’s context menu and choose Move to Top.

Uninstall an App

You can download apps from the Microsoft Store (see Chapter 10), but there may come a time when you want to uninstall an app. For example, say you download a game but don’t find it particularly fun. You no longer want the app on your computer. Good news! You can easily uninstall it. Open the Start screen and select the All Apps button.

Locate the app you want to uninstall in the alphabetical list.

Display the app icon’s context menu using one of these methods:

Mouse: Right-click the app’s icon.

Touchscreen: Touch and hold the app’s icon until the context menu appears, and then release your finger.

Choose Uninstall on the context menu, shown in Figure 2-14. A dialog box appears telling you the app will be removed. Select the Uninstall button on the box. The app is then removed from your computer.

FIGURE 2-14

After you uninstall an app from your computer, it’s gone. The only way to get it back is to redownload it from the Microsoft Store.

Use the Widgets Panel

On the taskbar, select the Widgets icon to open the Widgets panel, shown in Figure 2-15.

FIGURE 2-15

The Widgets panel has three main sections:

Search: The Search box gives you easy way to the Web. Search results appear in Microsoft Edge when you press Enter (see Chapter 6 for more information about Microsoft Edge). See Figure 2-16.

Widgets: This section shows you the widgets currently installed.

News: If you scroll down the panel, shown in Figure 2-17, you see top news stories of the day. You can select a news story to view it, and it will open in Microsoft Edge.

To add a new widget, select the Add Widgets button (see Figure 2-16). In the Widget Settings window, select the plus sign next to the widget you want to add (see Figure 2-18). For example, try adding the Traffic widget by selecting the plus sign next to its name. You can add multiple widgets at the same time. When you’re done, close the window by clicking the Close button.

FIGURE 2-16

FIGURE 2-17

FIGURE 2-18

Remove and Reorganize Widgets

Open the Widgets panel by clicking the Widgets icon on the taskbar.

You can drag the widgets around to display them in a different order on the Widgets panel. There’s no right or wrong way to organize the widgets, so just organize them in a way that’s best for you. To drag a widget to a new location on the panel, hover your mouse on the widget until you see a hand icon. For touchscreens, hold your finger on the widget. Then just drag the widget to a new location. The other widgets move out of the way, as shown in Figure 2-19.

To remove a widget, select the See Options button on the upper right corner of the widget. On the menu that appears, choose Remove Widget, shown in Figure 2-20.

When you remove a widget, it’s just removed from your widget panel (it’s not deleted). You can always add it again later using the Add Widgets button.

FIGURE 2-19

FIGURE 2-20

Customize a Widget

Open the Widgets panel by clicking the Widgets icon on the taskbar.

You can change the size of widget. Select the See Options menu located in the upper right corner of the widget. You can choose from Small, Medium, or Large. In Figure 2-21, all the widgets are set to Small.

To change the size of the widget, just select the size you want from the See Options menu. Widgets do not have to be same size. For example, in Figure 2-22, the Weather widget is set to Large and the Traffic widget is set to Medium. The other widgets are set to Small.

Larger widgets typically display more information. Consider making your most important widgets larger and keep the less important widgets smaller.

You can also customize the data you see on each widget. The customization options vary based on the widget and what the widget does. For example, add the Traffic widget to your widgets (if it’s not already added). Then select See Options and choose Customize Widget, as shown in Figure 2-23.

On the customization window, you can specify a location, such as a city and state, or you can choose to detect your location, shown in Figure 2-24. The second option is helpful if you travel frequently; that way, the widget is always accurate wherever you’re located. Make your selection and choose Save.

Remember, widgets are designed to give you quick information. The idea is that you open the Widgets panel and immediately see information that is important to you. Keep this thought in mind as you choose, organize, and customize your widgets.

FIGURE 2-21

FIGURE 2-22

FIGURE 2-23

FIGURE 2-24

Chapter 3 Adjusting Windows 11 Settings

IN THIS CHAPTER

Visiting the Settings screen

Changing how the Lock screen looks and works

Making the Start menu work for you

Dealing with notifications

Out of the box, Windows 11 is showy and colorful. If you don’t like that look, however, you can change the photos and colors you see on the screen. Adjusting Windows 11 settings can also make Windows 11 easier and more fun to use. When you're ready, you can dive in and make Windows 11 yours.

In this chapter, you personalize the Lock screen. You see this screen many times a day, so it should please you. You also choose a picture to identify your account on the Start menu. This chapter also explains how to make your screen easier to see and enable features such as Narrator, which reads aloud content from the screen. Finally, you discover how to customize the Start menu and decide which notifications pop up in the lower-right corner of your screen.

Many people leave Windows 11 largely as they found it. Some love to tweak, tinker, and tune. How far you go in personalizing Windows 11 is up to you — it's your computer, after all.

See Chapter 4 for information on changing passwords and other User settings.

Access the Settings Screen

Select the Search button on the taskbar and search for Settings.

Choose the Settings app in the search results, as shown in Figure 3-1.

Turn to Chapter 1 if you need help opening an app on the Start menu.

The Settings screen appears, as shown in Figure 3-2. The Settings screen is the starting point for changing the settings here, there, and everywhere on your computer.

FIGURE 3-1

FIGURE 3-2

One at a time, select each icon in the Settings screen, starting with System, to see the options available. Select the Back button (the left-pointing arrow, located in the upper-left corner of the screen) to return to the Settings screen.

On the Settings screen, enter the word printer in the Search box (located at the top of the screen; refer to Figure 3-2). As soon as you enter the word, the Settings screen shows you a list of settings that pertain to printers. You can select a setting on the list to open the dialog box where the setting is located.

Windows 11 offers many different settings. Locating them can be a chore. Often the easiest way to find a setting is to enter its name in the Search box on the Settings screen. Also, you can search for any setting using the Search icon on the taskbar.

Personalize the Lock Screen

On the Settings screen, select Personalization.

On the Personalization screen, scroll down and select the Lock Screen option on the right side. The Lock Screen Preview screen opens, as shown in Figure 3-3. On the Personalize Your Lock Screen drop-down menu, you see three options, as shown in Figure 3-3.

Windows Spotlight: This option displays an image that Microsoft chooses. The image will change frequently, giving you a nice variety of beautiful photos (typically nature shots).

Picture: This option allows you to choose a photo from your collection that is currently on your PC (such as in your Pictures folder).

Slideshow: This option allows you to rotate through a collection of photos that will appear on the Lock screen as a slideshow. If you choose this option, all the images need to be in the same folder on your computer.

FIGURE 3-3

Choose Picture to select one of your images.

The Lock screen is the first screen you see when you start Windows 11.

You can select from recent images that appear after you select the Picture option. You can also click the Browse Photos button to search for a specific photo, as shown in Figure 3-4.

You can use the Browse button to select one of your own photos from the Pictures folder. See Chapter 15 for information on adding photos to this folder and its subfolders.

After you select a picture, it will display on the Lock screen. You repeat these steps at any time to choose a different picture, or you can choose Slideshow or Windows Spotlight.

FIGURE 3-4

You can lock your computer anytime by pressing   +L.

Choose an Account Picture

On the Settings screen, select Accounts on the left panel. See “Access the Settings Screen,” earlier in this chapter, if you need help opening the Settings screen. Your current Account picture appears in the Your Info section on the right, as shown in Figure 3-5. (If you haven’t selected a picture yet, your picture may just be an outline.)

Your account picture appears on the password screen and the Start screen as well as other locations in Windows 11 where your account is noted.

To choose one of your photos, select the Browse Files button. The contents of your Pictures folder appears in the Open dialog box. From here, you can select the File Explorer navigation pane to access any folder on your computer or select a subfolder to open. When you find the picture you want, select it and then select the Choose Picture button. Or select Cancel to return to the previous screen without changing your account picture.

See Chapter 11 for information about adding photos to your Pictures folder.

If you have a built-in or attached camera (called a webcam), select the Open Camera button to take a photo. The Camera app opens with a preview of what your camera sees. See Chapter 11 for information on taking pictures with a webcam.

Return to the Start screen to see your new account picture. To return to the Start screen, click or tap the Start button or press   on your keyboard.

The easiest way to access the Accounts screen and change your account picture is through your account name. On the Start screen, right-click your account picture and select Change Account Settings, as shown in Figure 3-6. Voilà! The Accounts screen appears, with Your Info selected.

FIGURE 3-5

FIGURE 3-6

Check for Important Updates

To check for updates to Windows 11, select Windows Update on the left panel of the Settings screen. See “Access the Settings Screen,” earlier in this chapter, if you need help getting to the PC Settings screen. The Windows Update screen appears, shown in Figure 3-7.

The Windows Update screen informs you when Windows 11 last checked for updates and whether any were found. Select the Check for Updates button to find out whether any updates are available and update Windows 11 on your computer.

For some updates to be installed, your computer has to shut down and restart. In cases like this, you see the Restart Now button on the Windows Update screen. You can select the Restart Now button to install the updates right away or just wait until the next time you shut down and restart on your own to install the updates.

Another way to handle updates is to simply leave your computer on overnight. Windows 11 performs the update as you sleep.

You may see a message that one or more updates will be downloaded and installed automatically. You do not have to do anything to install these updates — the update process is automatic. Return to the desktop to let Windows 11 manage updates automatically.

You can select the Advanced Options link on the Windows Update screen to choose how Windows 11 installs updates. Select the View Update History button and get a history of updates that Windows 11 has made to your computer.

Installing an update seldom takes more than a few minutes. You can use your system during the update process.

For information on other updates and maintaining Windows 11, see Chapter 13.

FIGURE 3-7

Make Windows 11 Easier to Use

On the Settings screen, select Accessibility. (See “Access the Settings Screen” for help.) The Accessibility screen, shown in Figure 3-8, appears. This screen offers many settings to make your computer, mouse, and monitor easier to use. These settings are organized into three categories: Vision, Hearing, and Interaction. (You need to scroll down the window to see all the settings.)

Here’s a quick way to open the Ease of Access screen: Press   +U (for usability).

Under Vision, choose the Text Size settings (refer to Figure 3-8). These settings make the screen easier to view and read by making the text larger or smaller.

FIGURE 3-8

Also under Vision, choose the Mouse Pointer and Touch settings to change the size and color of the mouse pointer. As shown in Figure 3-9, Windows 11 offers mouse pointers of different sizes and colors. Choose the combination that tickles your fancy.

Also under Vision, choose Text Cursor settings to change the color and thickness of the text cursor. The text cursor is the vertical line that appears onscreen to show you where text will appear when you begin to type.

Again under Vision, choose Magnifier settings to enlarge what is on your computer screen. These settings are for people who have difficulty seeing. When Magnifier is turned on, the Magnifier toolbar appears onscreen, as shown in Figure 3-10. (Click or tap the magnifying glass icon on the taskbar to see this toolbar, if necessary.) Click or tap the plus sign on the Magnifier toolbar to zoom a portion of the screen for easier viewing. Click or tap the minus sign to see the screen at normal size.

FIGURE 3-9

Without turning the Magnifier switch on, you can magnify the screen. Press   +plus key to zoom in using Magnifier. Press   +minus key to zoom out using Magnifier.

Under Vision, choose a Color Filters setting if you are color blind. If you know which type of color blindness you have — deuteranopia, protanopia, tritanopia — you can choose its name on the Color Filters menu to make seeing items onscreen easier.

Under Vision, choose Contrast Themes settings to alter the screen in a way that might make seeing text easier. These settings are also for people who have difficulty seeing. After you choose a theme, you can choose a color for text, hyperlinks, disabled text, selected text, button text, and backgrounds. Click Apply after you make your choices. Choose None and click Apply if you want to return to the default Windows 11 contrast settings.

FIGURE 3-10

Under Vision, choose Narrator settings to have content on the screen read aloud. These settings are for people who have difficulty reading. After turning on the Narrator switch, you choose voice, speed, and pitch settings to determine what the narrator’s voice sounds like.

Under Hearing, choose Audio Settings to increase the default volume and control whether you hear stereo or mono sound on your computer. If you have poor-quality speakers, turning the Mono Audio option to On can improve the sound.

Also under Hearing, choose Captions settings to control how subtitles appear in audio and video presentations. Choose Font settings to describe what you want the text in the captions to look like. Choose Background and Window settings to describe what the box where the captions appear looks like. The Preview box shows what your choices mean in real terms.

Under Interaction, choose Speech settings to dictate text instead of typing it and control your computer and device with voice commands.

Also under Interaction, choose Keyboard settings to type without using a physical keyboard. This onscreen keyboard uses the layout of a conventional keyboard. However, most people find that the standard Windows 11 virtual keyboard is more flexible. See Chapter 1 for information on the virtual keyboard layouts.

Again under Interaction, choose Mouse settings if for some strange reason you want to control the mouse with the keys on the numeric keypad.

Finally, under Interaction, choose Eye control. This feature allows you to use an eye-tracking device to control the screen by using your eyes. You have to have a tracking device for this to work. You can select the link on this screen to get more information about setting up and using an eye-tracking device.

Customize the Start Menu

On the Settings screen, select Personalization. See “Access the Settings Screen,” earlier in this chapter, if you need help opening the Settings screen.

On the Personalization screen, select Start. The Personalization > Start screen opens, as shown in Figure 3-11. This screen offers a few ways to customize the Start screen.

You can turn the following items on or off (refer to Figure 3-11):

Show Recently Added Apps: Places the names of apps you recently acquired on the Start menu.

Show Most Used Apps: Places the names of programs you use most often on the Start menu. The names of these programs appear under the Recommended heading.

Show Recently Opened Items in Jump Lists on Start or the Taskbar and in File Explorer: Allows you to quickly open folders, files, and windows from the Start menu, taskbar, and File Explorer screen. When you move the pointer over an app or program on the Start menu, an arrow appears; select the arrow to see a menu of items you can open. When you move the pointer over an icon on the taskbar, thumbnail windows appear so that you can choose which window to open. In File Explorer, the items are listed in the Quick Access section of the navigation pane.

Folders: Allows you to place specific folders on the Start menu. These folders appear next to the Power button after you place them there. For example, you might want to add your Documents or Pictures folder to the Start menu for fast and easy access.

FIGURE 3-11

Handle Notifications

Notifications are the sometimes pesky little message boxes that appear in the lower-right corner of the screen when you least expect them. You can decide for yourself whether notifications appear and which notifications you want to see. On the Settings screen, select System. See “Access the Settings Screen,” earlier in this chapter, if you need help opening the Settings screen.

Select Notifications to see the screen shown in Figure 3-12.

Under Notifications in the Notifications from Apps and Other Senders list, turn options on or off to tell Windows whether you want notifications to appear on your screen.

Select the Close button (the X) to close the Settings window.

FIGURE 3-12

Chapter 4 Working with User Accounts

IN THIS CHAPTER

Connecting to and disconnecting from the Internet

Creating local and Microsoft Accounts

Managing passwords

Deleting an account

Windows 11 seeks an Internet connection automatically from the moment you start it. More often than not, you connect to the Internet using a wireless or Wi-Fi connection. For this reason, if you start a laptop or tablet in a coffee shop or library, you may see a notification that one or more network connections are available. That's convenient.

A computer without an Internet connection is an island, if not a paperweight. Connecting to a network, however, opens a door to your computer — and malefactors try to push through that door to access your computer. Windows 11 has a firewall that monitors and restricts traffic in and out. Don't be afraid of connecting to the Internet, but be aware of the risks and be careful to connect to a network that seems trustworthy. In Chapter 1, you create a local user account. You need a Microsoft Account to take full advantage of Windows 11 features such as the Microsoft Store for apps (see Chapter 10), OneDrive for online storage (see Chapter 16), and synchronized settings between computers. In this chapter, you create a Microsoft Account and choose a secure method for logging in to your account. You also discover how to switch to Airplane mode, create a local account, and switch from a local account to a Microsoft Account. To control access to your computer, you find out how to use a password to unlock your computer.

If other people use your computer, you may want to create more than one local account. When each person who uses your computer has a separate account, you can keep data, apps, and settings tidy and private. We recommend having only one administrator account for each computer.

Even if you're the only one using your computer, you may want more than one account. For example, if you create a local account, you can experiment with the new account — changing the look and function of Windows 11 — without affecting your first account.

Many of the steps in this chapter involve entering text, such as your name. If you don’t have a physical keyboard, use the virtual keyboard, which is covered in Chapter 1.

Connect to the Internet

On the Windows desktop, look to the Network icon to see whether your computer is connected to the Internet. This icon is located to the left of the time and date readings in the lower-right corner of the screen on the taskbar, as shown in Figure 4-1.

Select or choose options by moving the mouse pointer and left-clicking or by tapping a touchscreen with your finger.

Select the Network icon. A network panel appears on the right side of your screen, as shown in Figure 4-2, and shows what network you are connected to. Select the Wi-Fi button to see available networks, as shown in Figure 4-3.

If you see Not connected and No connections available, you may be out of luck. Check your computer documentation to see whether your PC has wireless capability and whether you need to turn on a mechanical switch.

If your computer is near a router (DSL or cable) and you don’t have wireless capability, you may be able to connect your PC and the router using an Ethernet cable, which is thicker than a phone line, with wider connections.

Select a connection. Note that not all displayed connections are accessible or desirable.

If you're not sure that you can trust a connection, you might want to forego a connection — better safe than sorry. (Unsafe wireless connections can be used to eavesdrop on your activities, though that scenario is rare.) However, if an available connection sports the name of the establishment you're in or near, such as a restaurant or a coffee shop, the connection may be safe. The same is true of connections at libraries, airports, and many other public spaces.

After you select a connection, the selected icon expands and displays the Connect Automatically check box, as shown in Figure 4-4. If you trust the connection and might want to use it again, select the check box. Otherwise, deselect the check box. To continue, select the Connect button.

You may be prompted to enter a network security key (a series of characters), which limits access to those who know the key. See Figure 4-5. The key protects that network and its users. If you're using a hotel's connection, you can obtain the key from the front desk. If you don't know the key, select Cancel. Otherwise, enter the key (dots appear as you type) and select Next.

If the connection is public and open, you won't be prompted for a key. Open connections are common in libraries, coffee shops, and other places many people come and go.

If you entered the correct key or none was required, you may see this message: Do you want to turn on sharing between PCs and connect to devices on this network? The term sharing refers to allowing computers access to your files or to a device, such as a printer. You should share at home but not in a public location. Choose one of the following:

No: This option prevents you from connecting directly with other computers and protects your computer from networks in public places. You'll still have Internet access.

Yes: This option enables you to share documents and devices between your computers on a home or office network.

If you're not sure about which option to choose, go with No.

When a Wi-Fi connection is established, the word Connected appears next to the network name in the Networks panel, as shown in Figure 4-6. The connection name and signal strength appear as well. The connection strength (but not the name) appears near the time and date in the notification area in the lower-right corner of the screen (see Figure 4-1).

FIGURE 4-1

FIGURE 4-2

FIGURE 4-3

FIGURE 4-4

If you selected the Connect Automatically check box (in Step 4), the connection will be used anytime it is available. If you move your computer to another location out of range of this network (usually a few hundred yards), you will have to repeat these steps to connect to another network.

FIGURE 4-5

FIGURE 4-6

Disconnect (or Switch to Airplane Mode)

When you shut down your computer or move your computer far enough away from the connection, your computer disconnects from the Internet automatically. Suppose you want to disconnect on your own? To disconnect your computer from the Internet, select the network icon on the taskbar to display the network panel again (refer to Figure 4-2).

To turn off Wi-Fi, just select the Wi-Fi button (the button changes from blue to white). To reconnect, select the Wi-Fi button again (the button changes back to blue). (If you disconnect your computer, reconnect before continuing to Step 3.)

For safety’s sake, airlines don’t want passengers to send or receive wireless data signals while the airplane is in flight; these signals can interfere with the airplane’s communications systems. This is why the captain gives the order to “turn off all electronic devices.” Rather than turn off your computer, however, you can switch to Airplane mode. To do so, open the network panel and select the Airplane Mode button. This button is located at the top right of the network panel.

In Airplane mode, an airplane icon appears to the left of the time and date readings in the lower-right corner of the screen, as shown in Figure 4-7. Your computer doesn’t send wireless data signals in Airplane mode. To switch out of Airplane mode and reconnect to the Internet, select the airplane icon to display the network panel. Then select the Airplane Mode button (refer to Figure 4-2).

FIGURE 4-7

Switching to Airplane mode is much more convenient than turning off your computer’s network connection and turning it back on again. It takes but a second or two.

Create a New Microsoft Account

On the Start screen, select your picture on the left side of the screen. In the pop-up menu that appears, choose Change Account Settings, as shown in Figure 4-8. The Settings app opens to the Accounts screen, as shown in Figure 4-9. If your account information appears with the words Local Account under your name, you are signed in with a local account. If you don’t see Local Account, you already have a Microsoft Account and don’t need to follow these steps.

Select the Sign In with a Microsoft Account Instead link. The Sign In screen appears. To create a new account, select the Create One! link.

On the Create Account screen, create the account with an email address or a phone number. Messages about your Microsoft Account will be sent to the email address or phone number you enter.

Email address: Type the email address you want to use for this account in the Email Address box and select Next.

Phone Number: Select the Use a Phone Number Instead link. Then enter your phone number and select Next.

In the Create a Password box, type a password. Dots appear instead of what you type. Use at least eight characters, including at least two uppercase letters, two lowercase letters, two numbers, or two symbols. No spaces are allowed.

Your password should be easy enough for you to remember and type, but not easy for someone else to guess. Don't use the names of any family members (including pets). A good password can be difficult to create, so try this trick: Think of a memorable phrase or lyric. Next, use the first letter from each word, capitalizing some of those letters. Then substitute some letters with numbers (for example, 3 for the letter E or the number 0 for the letter O). Don't put your password on a sticky note near your screen.

Enter your first and last name; then select Next.

In the What’s Your Birth Date? screen, enter your country or region if it is not already selected.

Select the month, day, and year of your birth. (You can lie, but be sure to remember your response.)

Review your entries and select the Next button.

On the Verify screen, enter the code Microsoft sent to the email address or phone number you entered in Step 3.

Select the Next button. The Sign In to This Device Using Your Microsoft Account screen appears. Enter the user name and password to your local account, if you had a password. Then click Next. Congratulations! You just created a Microsoft Account.

Depending on your computer, you may have other sign-in options called Windows Hello, such as facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, and PIN sign-in. These options may or may not be available depending on your computer’s hardware. However, you can check them out by accessing Accounts ⇒   Sign-in options.

FIGURE 4-8

FIGURE 4-9

Create a Local Account

“Local account” is Microsoft’s name for your ability to start your computer without signing in to Microsoft. Before you create or sign in with a local account, save your work. Then select the Start button, select your picture on the Start menu, and in the pop-up menu that appears (refer to Figure 4-8), choose Sign in with a local account instead.

You can’t download and install apps from the Microsoft Store without signing in with a Microsoft Account. Nor can you upload files to OneDrive. So why have a local account? If you’re concerned about privacy and security, if you don’t want Microsoft to peer over your shoulder and track your every move when you use your computer, consider creating a local account. You can always switch to your Microsoft Account when you want to install apps from the Microsoft Store, use OneDrive, or use Skype (see “Switch from a Local to an Existing Microsoft Account,” later in this chapter).

To create a local account for someone else to use your computer, see “Create a Local Account for Someone in Your Household,” later in this chapter.

Choose the Sign In with a Local Account Instead link. You see the Switch to a Local Account screen, shown in Figure 4-10. Select the Skip This Step button and select Next on the following screen.

Enter the password of your Microsoft Account on the Making Sure It’s You screen, shown in Figure 4-11, and select OK.

In the next screen, shown in Figure 4-12, enter a user name, a password (twice), and a word or two to jar your memory if you forget your password; then select Next.

Passwords are case sensitive. In other words, your computer recognizes uppercase letters and lowercase letters when you create and enter a password. Remember which letters in your password are upper- and lowercase.

If you want to sign in to your local account without having to enter a password, leave the Password, Reenter Password, and Password Hint text boxes blank. Later in this chapter, the sections “Create a Password for a Local Account” and “Change or Remove a Local Account Password” explain the ins and outs of local account passwords.

Select the Sign Out and Finish button. Your Microsoft Account closes, Windows restarts, and you see the Windows 11 screen.

Enter the password you created in Step 3. When you start your computer, Windows 11 assumes that you want to sign in with the account you were using when you last shut down your computer. If you shut down when signed in with your local account, you are asked to provide the password for your local account the next time you start your computer.

FIGURE 4-10

FIGURE 4-11

FIGURE 4-12

Switch from a Local to an Existing Microsoft Account

Follow these steps to sign in with your Microsoft Account when you are currently signed in with your local account. On the Start screen, select your name in the bottom-left corner of the screen and then choose Change Account Settings from the pop-up menu that appears (refer to Figure 4-8). The Accounts screen opens. Your account information appears with Local Account under your name, shown in Figure 4-13.

If you don’t have a Microsoft Account already, see “Create a New Microsoft Account,” earlier in this chapter.

If you don’t see Local Account under your user account name, you’re already signed in with your Microsoft Account.

Select the Sign In with a Microsoft Account Instead link. The screen shown in Figure 4-14 appears. Type the email address or phone number of your Microsoft Account and select the Next button. Note that you must be connected to the Internet to sign in with a Microsoft account.

Enter the password of your Microsoft Account and select the Sign In button.

In the Current Windows Password text box, enter the password of your local account and select the Next button. The Accounts screen opens, where you see the user name and email address of your Microsoft Account.

FIGURE 4-13

FIGURE 4-14

Create a Local Account for Someone in Your Household

Consider creating a local account for each person who uses your computer. A local account is more than just a way to sign in. Each local account preserves the user’s settings and Internet browsing history. When you set up a local account, Windows 11 creates separate folders called Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music for the account holder. Only the account holder can open and edit files in these special folders. To create a local account, select your name on the Start screen and choose Change Account Settings on the menu that appears (refer to Figure 4-8). The Settings app opens to the Accounts screen.

To create a local account, you must be your computer’s administrator. To see whether you’re the administrator, look for the word Administrator below your name on the Your Info page of the Settings screen.

On the left, select Accounts. On the right, select Family & Other Users. On the next screen that appears, select Add account next to Add Other User, shown in Figure 4-15. The How Will This Person Sign In screen appears.

At the bottom of the How Will This Person Sign In screen, select the link called I Don’t Have This Person’s Sign-In Information.

If you know you want a Microsoft Account instead of a local account, jump to “Create a New Microsoft Account” or “Switch from a Local to an Existing Microsoft Account,” earlier in this chapter.

On the next screen, select Add a User without a Microsoft Account.

On the next screen (it’s called Create a User for This PC), enter the user name in the first box, as shown in Figure 4-16. Use the person's first name, last name, first and last name, initials, or nickname — something easy to remember and type.

You are not required to use a password with a local account, which makes signing in easy. However, without a password, anyone can use the computer and access information that you might want to protect.

In the Password box, enter a password (or skip to Step 9 if you don’t care to create a password for your account). A dot will appear for each character you type.

For suggestions on creating a good password, see the tip in Step 4 in the section, “Create a New Microsoft Account,” earlier in this chapter.

In the Reenter Password box, type the same password exactly.

In the three drop-down menus, choose a security question and type the answer in the text box. If you forgot your password, you will be able to recover it by answering a security question correctly.

After completing all the available boxes, choose the Next button. In the Accounts screen, the new user name appears under Other Users, as shown in Figure 4-17.

Return to the Start screen and select your user name. Notice that the new user name appears on the drop-down menu. You can switch between accounts by selecting a user name on the drop-down menu. To sign out of an account, choose Sign Out.

In the drop-down menu, select the new user name to switch to that account.

A screen appears with the new user name. If you used a password on the new user account, type that password in the box and select the onscreen right arrow or press Enter. If you didn’t use a password, select the Sign In button.

FIGURE 4-15

FIGURE 4-16

FIGURE 4-17

The first time you sign in as a new user, you have to wait a moment while apps are installed for the new user. Soon the generic Start screen appears. (Any settings you changed in your account do not transfer to other accounts.)

When you start a computer for which you’ve created more than one user account, the users’ names appear in the lower-left corner of the Windows 11 screen. To tell Windows which user to sign in with, select a user name on the Windows 11 screen before signing in.

Create a Password for a Local Account

If necessary, sign in to the local account that needs a password. On the Start screen, select your name. From the drop-down menu that appears, choose Change Account Settings (refer to Figure 4-8). The Settings app opens to the Accounts screen.

If you already have a password, see the “Change or Remove a Local Account Password,” later in this chapter.

Select Sign-in Options.

Select Password.

If you don’t have a password but want one, select the Add button under Password.

The buttons available under Sign-in Options depend on your current setup. You may see buttons that enable you to create, change, or remove a particular setting.

On the Create a Password screen, enter a password in the New Password box.

For a local account, the password can be any length. See Step 4 in the “Create a New Microsoft Account” section for suggestions about creating a good password.

In the Reenter Password box, enter the password again.

Enter a hint to remind yourself — and no one else — about your password. And whatever you do, don’t include the password in the hint.

Select Finish. If any error messages appear, correct the entries and select Next again.

Change or Remove a Local Account Password

If you haven’t done so already, sign in to the local account with the password you want to change or remove. On the Start screen, select your name and then choose Change Account Settings. On the left side of the Accounts screen, select Sign-in Options.

In the middle of the screen, select Password.

Select the Change button.

If you don’t have a password but want one, see the preceding “Create a Password for a Local Account” section.

On the Change Your Password screen, enter your current password and then select the Next button.

On the next Change Your Password screen enter the new password. (If you don’t care to have a password, select Next and skip to Step 8.)

To remove your current password and use no password, leave all boxes blank. However, especially if you have a laptop that you carry with you, going without a password isn’t recommended. Without a password to safeguard it, anyone can get into your laptop.

In the Reenter Password box, enter the password again.

Enter a hint to remind yourself — and no one else — about your password. Then select Next. If any error messages appear, correct the entries and select Next again.

The final screen indicates that you must use your new password the next time you sign in. (This message appears even if you left the password blank, in which case you won’t need any password.) Select Finish.

Delete a Local Account

Before you delete a local account, make sure that the user of that account is signed out. Moreover, you must be signed in to a Microsoft Account to delete a local account.

Select your name on the Start screen and choose Change Account Settings. You land on the Your Info page of the Settings screen. Does it say “administrator” under your name? We hope so, because you must be your computer’s administrator to delete a local account. On the Accounts screen, select Family & Other Users.

Select the account you want to delete and then select the Remove button, as shown in Figure 4-18.

In the Delete Account and Data window, select the Delete Account and Data button.

Take heed of the onscreen warning. Deleting a user account removes the user’s data, including all documents, music, and other files. If you're not sure which option is best, choose Cancel.

FIGURE 4-18

Chapter 5 Getting Comfortable with the Desktop

IN THIS CHAPTER

Exploring the desktop

Moving, resizing, and rearranging windows

Working on a second desktop

Putting app icons on the taskbar

The desktop is Grand Central Station as far as Windows 11 is concerned. Sure, you can open applications from the Start screen (Chapter 2 explains how), but with a few simple modifications, you can open applications from the desktop as well. When you’re running more than one application, you can go to the desktop and quickly switch from one application to another. In fact, in Windows 11, you can create a second “virtual” desktop for one set of open applications (applications that pertain to leisure, let’s say), and when the boss isn’t looking, you can switch to the second desktop to play games or chat with friends.

One key feature of the desktop is the taskbar, a strip along the bottom of the screen that shows icons for desktop programs. The taskbar can be used to run and switch between desktop programs.

In this chapter, you get acquainted with the desktop, the taskbar, and apps. You change the date, time, and time zone, as needed. You resize and reposition windowed apps, and discover how to “add a desktop” for a second set of open applications. You select a background for the desktop and make some desktop apps more convenient to use by pinning them to the taskbar. Finally, you work with the Task Manager, which lets you end any app that is misbehaving.

The desktop originated when using the mouse was the most common method for selecting objects (touchscreens were nonexistent). Therefore, on the desktop, a few tasks are easier to do with the mouse than with touch or a keyboard.

This chapter is an introduction to the desktop. See Part 4 to dive a little deeper into desktop functions, such as organizing documents.

Check Out the Desktop

Go to the desktop (if you aren’t already there) by using one of these techniques:

Press   +D.

Right-click the Windows button and choose Desktop on the pop-up menu that appears.

Your desktop has a picture in the background. Examine your desktop for icons — small pictures that represent either programs, which perform functions, or documents, such as letters and photos. You select an icon to run a program or open a document. The Windows 11 desktop displays an icon for the Recycle Bin, where deleted documents go. The Recycle Bin may be the only icon on your desktop, or you may see others. See Chapter 15 for information on using the Recycle Bin.

The area at the bottom of the screen is the taskbar, shown in Figure 5-1. From left to right, the taskbar offers these features:

Start button: Selecting this button opens the Start screen. (Click or tap the button a second time to close the Start screen.)

Search button: You can select Search to open the Search screen and enter a search term here to look for Windows settings, applications, files on your computer, and information on the Internet.

Virtual Desktop: Select this button to create an additional virtual desktops (see “Open a Second Desktop,” later in this chapter, for more information).

Icons: Some icons appear on the taskbar automatically. Very likely, your taskbar has icons for File Explorer and Edge. You can select these icons to open File Explorer and Edge. When you open an application, Windows 11 places its icon on the taskbar.

System tray: The system tray displays icons for programs that run automatically when your computer starts. The date and time are to the right of the icon tray. On the right side of the icon tray is the Notification icon.

You can use the taskbar to switch among programs by selecting the icon for the program you want to use.

Select an icon on the taskbar to open the associated program. (Refer to Figure 5-1 if you aren’t sure where the taskbar is located.)

You select items on the desktop or in the taskbar by clicking with the mouse or tapping the touchscreen. To some extent, you can use the Tab and arrow keys, but that’s an awkward method.

If you have a touchscreen, note the taskbar icon for the virtual keyboard. See Chapter 1 for information about using the keyboard.

Right-click over an icon or tap and hold until a small box appears, and then release. A context menu appears with options specific to the icon you selected, as shown in Figure 5-2. Select anywhere else on the desktop to dismiss this menu. Repeat this on a few different areas of the screen to see how the context menu changes.

FIGURE 5-1

FIGURE 5-2

Change the Date or Time

Select the date and time displayed on the taskbar. A calendar pops up, as shown in Figure 5-3.

If the date or time is incorrect for your location, select the Search button on the taskbar and then search for Date and Time settings. Select the option in the search results. You can also right-click the date and time in the system tray and select Adjust Date & Time. Either way, the Settings screen opens. Select Time & Language. You see the Date & Time window, shown in Figure 5-4.

Windows 11 determines the correct time and date from the Internet, and your computer should show the right time and date, but if it doesn’t, turn off the Set Time Automatically option and select the Change button. You see the Change Date and Time screen (see Figure 5-5). Select the correct date and time on this screen. Change the time by using the little triangles that point up (later) or down (earlier) or by entering the specific hours and minutes. Select Change to keep your change or Cancel to ignore your change.

Back in the Date and Time window, select your Time Zone from the drop-down list, if necessary. Turn the Adjust for Daylight Saving Time option on or off as appropriate.

Note the toggle button for Adjust for Daylight Saving Time Automatically. If you live in an area where daylight saving time is in effect, keep this button turned on so that your computer will automatically adjust for daylight saving time.

FIGURE 5-3

FIGURE 5-4

FIGURE 5-5

Explore the Parts of a Window

On the taskbar, select the File Explorer icon (it looks like a folder). File Explorer opens, as shown in Figure 5-6.

File Explorer enables you to view your computer storage, such as hard drives, and folders, which are used to organize your documents. See Chapter 15 for information on using File Explorer.

Explore the example window in Figure 5-6, starting at the top left:

Title bar: The title bar, which is the top line of the window, lists the name of the file or folder that is currently open.

The title of the window in Figure 5-6 is This PC, which is the location File Explorer is focused on when you open File Explorer.

Toolbar: The toolbar gives you access to common tools, such as Cut, Copy, Paste, Sort, View, and others.

Minimize: The Minimize button, located in the upper-right corner of the window, shrinks or hides the window's contents. The program that the window contains is still running and open, but the window is out of sight. You’ll still see the program’s icon on the taskbar. Select the Minimize button when you want to ignore a particular window but aren’t actually done with it. To restore the window, select its icon on the taskbar.

Maximize/Restore: The Maximize button (the button with a single square in the upper-right corner of the window) fills the screen with the contents of the window. Select the Maximize button to hide the desktop and other open windows, to concentrate on one window, and to see as much of the window’s contents as you can. The Restore button (the button with two squares in the upper-right corner) is the name of the button that appears after you select the Maximize button; it replaces the Maximize button. Select the Restore button to return the window to its previous size, which is between maximized and minimized. (Press   +up-arrow key to maximize, and   +down-arrow key to restore or minimize.)

Close: The Close button is the button with the X in the upper-right corner of the window. Select the Close button when you are done with the window. Close is also called Quit and Exit. (Press Alt+F4 to close the current window or the desktop itself. This keyboard shortcut works for Windows 11 apps, as well.)

Window Contents: The bulk of the window contains the program or document you’re using. File Explorer displays locations on the left and objects in that location on the right.

Status bar: Along the bottom edge of the window, some programs display information about the window or its contents in a single-line status bar. File Explorer lists how many files are in the currently open folder and how many files (if any) have been selected.

Scan the edges of windows. Often, important information and functions are pushed to these edges around the main content area.

Select the Close button (the X) to close File Explorer.

FIGURE 5-6

See Chapter 2 for information on finding other desktop programs, such as the Calculator.

Resize a Window

To resize a window, open File Explorer by selecting the folder icon in the taskbar. (Refer to Figure 5-6.)

If the window is maximized (fills the screen), select the Restore button to make the window smaller.

Use one of these methods to resize the window:

Mouse: Move the mouse pointer to the right edge of the window until the pointer changes to a double-headed arrow, called the resize pointer. Click and drag the edge of the window, using the resize pointer. (To drag, click and hold down the mouse button while you move the mouse.)

Touchscreen: Drag the right edge of the window.

Drag left to shrink the window and right to expand it.

Resize the window's width and height at the same time by dragging a corner of the window. If you want a challenge, try resizing the top-right corner without accidentally selecting the Close button.

Resize the window's width or height by dragging any of the four sides.

You may want to resize a window to show only what you need to see, nothing more. Practice resizing from any side or corner.

Leave the window open as you go on to the next task.

Arrange Some Windows

On the desktop, select and open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking or double-tapping its icon. The Recycle Bin contains deleted files and folders. It appears in another File Explorer window. See Figure 5-7.

Double-click by clicking the left mouse button twice, without a pause. Double-tap by tapping twice in quick succession.

If File Explorer isn’t still open from the preceding section, open it by selecting the folder icon on the taskbar. You now see two overlapping windows on the desktop (refer to Figure 5-7), one titled This PC and the other titled Recycle Bin.

The window in front of the others is called the active window. All other windows are inactive. Selecting anywhere in an inactive window makes it active and moves it to the front of the others.

Drag the Recycle Bin title bar (avoiding the buttons on the left and right ends) to move that window a little.

Drag the This PC title bar (again, avoiding the buttons on both ends). The This PC window moves in front of the Recycle Bin as you move it. Move both windows so that you can see a little of each (refer to Figure 5-7).

Practice moving both windows. Arranging windows helps you see and do more than one thing at a time. Use the techniques from the preceding section, “Resize a Window,” to see as much as you can of both windows at one time.

If you can’t see the title bar of the window you want to move, move the other window to uncover the hidden title bar.

Leave both windows open for the following task.

FIGURE 5-7

Use Snap Layouts

With the File Explorer window and Recycle Bin open, also open the Edge browser and the Windows Store (both are available as icons on the taskbar).

Now you have four different windows open on your desktop. That’s a lot of windows to manage. What if you’re trying to work with all of them at the same time? You would have to toggle back and forth between those windows, which would be time consuming and confusing. Windows 11 provides an easy and fun way to work with several windows at the same time on the desktop, called Snap Layouts. Point your mouse to the Maximize button on one of the windows (it doesn’t matter which one) and you see a pop-up menu appear, as shown in Figure 5-8.

Each snap layout group represents an area of the desktop where you can snap the selected window to. For example, choose the left block in the first snap group and then choose the right block in the first snap group for a second window. This snaps both windows in place so that you can easily work with them at the same time, as shown in Figure 5-9.

What if you have four open windows? In that case, just choose the four-window snap layout and snap each open window to the desired location. For example in Figure 5-10, File Explorer, Recycle Bin, Edge, and the Windows Store are snapped into a four-grid layout.

In the snap view, you can work with each window without minimizing the others. To move a window out of a snap view, just drag its title bar or select the Maximize button. Then you can move the window around, resize, or close it as you normally would.

FIGURE 5-8

FIGURE 5-9

You can maximize a single window by dragging it to the top edge of the screen. Dragging a window to the top is the equivalent of selecting the Maximize button (see the section “Explore the Parts of a Window,” earlier in this chapter).

FIGURE 5-10

Open a Second Desktop

If File Explorer and Recycle Bin aren’t open on your desktop (because you didn’t follow the previous exercise in this chapter), open those programs now.

Select the Virtual Desktop button on the taskbar. After you select the Virtual Desktop button, a thumbnail version of an open desktop appears and you see an option to select New Desktop, as shown in Figure 5-11.

Select New Desktop. You see a brand-new, pristine desktop, labeled Desktop 2, as shown in Figure 5-12. Congratulations; you are now in Desktop 2. Create a second (or third or fourth) desktop when you want to keep the first desktop from getting crowded with too many applications or to better organize your work. For example, if you’re using applications for your work and using other applications for leisure purposes, put the work applications on one desktop and the leisure applications on another. This will help you find the application you want to work with.

While you are on Desktop 2, open the Photos app. Having just one application on the desktop makes working with that application a little easier.

Move the pointer or your finger onto the Desktop 2 tile, and when the Close button appears, click or tap the Close button to close Desktop 2. The Photos app that you opened on Desktop 2 now appears on Desktop 1, the only open desktop. When you close a desktop, all its open applications move to the desktop that is still open.

FIGURE 5-11

FIGURE 5-12

Choose a Desktop Background

Select the Search icon on the taskbar and search for Settings. Choose the Settings app in the search results.

Select Personalization. Then, in the Personalization window, select Background. The Background screen, shown in Figure 5-13, is the place to go to choose a background for the Windows desktop.

You can use the Personalization window to customize many aspects of the desktop. The more time you spend on the desktop, the more worthwhile this personalization may be.

In the Personalization window, select Picture on the Background menu (see Figure 5-13).

Select any photo to make that photo the desktop background. The background changes immediately. To see the entire desktop, minimize the Settings window. Restore the Settings window by selecting its icon on the taskbar or by repeating the preceding steps.

FIGURE 5-13

To use a photo of your own as the desktop background, select the Browse Photos button and choose a photo in the Open dialog box.

Note on the Personalization window, you choose Themes and apply a different theme to your Windows 11 PC. Doing so will affect the desktop photo, colors, and possibly even sounds. You can also download free themes from the Microsoft Store to make Windows 11 even more personalized. See Chapter 10 to find out more about the Microsoft Store.

Pin Icons to the Taskbar

On the Start screen, select the All Apps button and locate the Calculator icon, as shown in Figure 5-14.

Use one of these methods to display the shortcut menu on the Calculator icon:

Mouse: Right-click the Calculator icon.

Touchscreen: Swipe the Calculator icon down or up slightly.

Select More on the shortcut menu. A submenu with more options appears (see Figure 5-15).

Select Pin to Taskbar on the submenu. Doing so places the icon for Calculator on the desktop taskbar for easy access. The Calculator icon appears on the taskbar.

Press   +D to go directly to the desktop at any time.

FIGURE 5-14

FIGURE 5-15

Repeat Steps 1 and 3 and then select Unpin from Taskbar.

A fast way to remove an icon from the taskbar is to right-click it and choose Unpin from Taskbar on the shortcut menu.

Switch to the desktop. The Calculator icon is gone.

Pinned icons have a killer feature: jumplists, which are short menus of tasks and documents specific to the pinned app. To see the jumplist of a pinned app, right-click its icon on the taskbar or tap and hold on the icon until a small box appears. Try that with the File Explorer icon on the taskbar. Not all desktop apps have jumplists.

Stop Apps with the Task Manager

Select the Search icon on the taskbar and search for Task Manager. Select Task Manager from the search results.

The Task Manager lists any running apps — both desktop apps and Windows 11 apps. Select an app, also referred to as a task. Note that the End Task button is now available, as shown in Figure 5-16. You don't have to end this task, but you could. Any of the tasks in the Task Manager window can be ended without consequences.

Be careful about ending an app used to create something (for example, a word-processing app) because you could lose data you haven’t saved before ending the task. Use the Task Manager to end tasks that you can’t end otherwise, such as a frozen or locked app or one that seems to slow down everything.

Close the Task Manager.

FIGURE 5-16