Add commonly used settings to the Start menu (Windows 10)

The Start menu in Windows 10 is much more dynamic than its former incarnation in Windows 7. There are tiles on the right, while the section on the left is similar to Windows 7 and provides access to the programs you use most often. The ‘All apps’ option at the bottom lets you see all the apps and programs on your PC.

In our Workshop on page 35 we show you how to add website tiles to the Windows 10 Start menu, but you can also add tiles for settings you use on a regular basis - for example, to update to the latest Windows 10 Preview Build so you can make use of the latest features. Instead of navigating through various menus to access the Windows Update option, you can simply add this to your Start menu to open it with a few clicks.

To do this, click the Start button, Settings, ‘Update & security’ , now right-click Windows Update at the top left (though this applies to any program setting), then click ‘Pin to Start’. Now open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard and you’ll see the Windows Update tile at the bottom of the right-hand section. Click and drag the tile to reposition it where you want. To resize it, right-click it, move your cursor to Resize, then click Small, Medium or Wide.