Ten (10) Must Know Windows 10 Tips & Tricks

Following the tradition Microsoft unveiled the next version of its Windows operating system. Called as “Windows 10”, it’s something Microsoft should have released two years back. The technical preview is already release and if you've had your hands on it here are some tips and tricks that you should definitely try.

Resize Start menu in Windows 10

In Windows 10 Microsoft brought the very anticipated feature – the ‘Start Menu’ back. The new Start Menu has a revamped design with the touch of the Metro UI as well. One unique Start Menu feature

that never existed in the previous versions was the ability to resize it. In Windows 10 you can now resize the Start Menu by dragging the top edge upwards and downwards.

Change Start Menu colour 

 in Windows 10

Start Menu that replaced the Start Screen can now be customized as well. You can change the default Start Menu colors to stylize your desktop. To change the color open the Start Menu > Right-click on any empty space > Personalize > Choose your color.

Add recycle bin on the taskbar  in Windows 10

Until today the Recycle Bin could never get its place on the Taskbar. However, with Windows 10 Microsoft has made it possible for you to add the Recycle Bin icon to it. This makes it easy to access it quickly. 

Pin the Recycle bin from the Start Screen to add it to Taskbar.

To place the Recycle Bin on the Start Menu first you need to place it on the Start Screen (like you did it in Windows 8) > right-click on the icon > click on ‘Pin to taskbar'.

Hotkeys in Command Prompt  in Windows 10 

The Command Prompt was always deprived of the keyboard shortcuts; the PowerShell within it hasn't had much love (by non-geeks) in the last several years because of it. Here are some of the best and very handy hotkeys you should know.

To select text use: SHIFT + LEFT ARROW / RIGHT ARROW

• To select all: CTRL + A

• To copy: CTRL + C

• To paste: CTRL + V

• To enable Mark mode: CTRL

+ M (lets you use mouse for

selection)

• To enable history navigation:

CTRL + UP ARROW

• To find in console dialogue:

CTRL + F

• To close command prompt:

ALT + F4

Learn the new keyboard shortcuts  in Windows 10

With glut of new features comes new shortcuts. The multiple desktops, task view and others can be accessed with a simple keyboard shortcut. Here are some of the important keyboard shortcuts for the keyboard junkies.

• Snapping window: WIN +

LEFT or RIGHT (can be used

with UP or DOWN to get into

quadrants)

• Task view: WIN + TAB –

New Task view opens up

and stays open.

• Create new virtual desktop:

WIN + CTRL + D

• Close current virtual

desktop: WIN + CTRL + F4

• Switch virtual desktop: WIN

+ CTRL + LEFT or RIGHT

Disable Start Menu and enable Start Screen  in Windows 10

Seriously Microsoft? Do you really think anyone would like to go back to Start Screen when they have the “Start Menu”? In case if you are an exception among the Windows users and want the Start Screen back, Microsoft lets you do it in a single click.  

Check “Use the Start menu instead of the 

Start screen” to get back the Start menu

To do it, right-click on the Taskbar > Properties > Start Menu tab > Uncheck “Use the Start menu instead of the Start screen”.

Make Start menu look like Windows 7  in Windows 10

Clubbing the features of the two major predecessors, Windows 10 brings live tiles into the Start Menu. However, if it’s not your cup of tea you can stick to the oldfashioned Start menu as well. To do it, firstly you’ll need to unpin all the tiles from the Start menu, which will make it minimal. Secondly, pin the tiles that you want for quick access.

Remove unwanted clutter to

make the Start Menu look like

Windows 7

Do it by switching to the”All apps” view > right click on the app > Pin to Start. Lastly, you can also change the color of the Start menu to make it look like that from the Windows 7.

Add more virtual desktops as you need  in Windows 10

Virtual desktops have been a part of Mac and Linux since long time. Windows finally gets this feature in its latest release. Called as “Task View” in Windows, it resides on the Taskbar. To add a virtual desktop click on the “Task View” button located on the Taskbar, then click on “Add a desktop” and a virtual desktop will be added. You can similarly add array of desktops as you need. Going to the Task View will present thumbnails of all the desktops created.

Know the Windows 10 keylogger  in Windows 10

Windows 10 differs from the other Windows operating systems in terms of privacy. In addition to how long it takes to open a file or details about your hardware, Microsoft is also collecting keystrokes and spoken text. Microsoft claims that it’s collecting users’ voice information when they use speech-to-text to improve their speech processing. In addition to this, your entered text is also collected to improve the autocomplete and spell check features. Microsoft is providing this to unspecified “partners” as well. So be careful while typing anything.

Make use of the Bing Search  in Windows 10

Microsoft has integrated Bing search right into the Start menu. When you search in the Start menu you’re offered with Bing web-search results along with the local Start menu results. In addition to this, a new Search app is also pinned right on the taskbar next to the Start button. When you click it, you will be presented with Search Menu

Use the “Search” button to quickly get access to the Bing Search