Welcome to Windows 10, the completely new operating system from Microsoft, which offers a more robust, more powerful, and completely unique computing experience. In this course, you will gain the foundation you need to get started right away using Windows 10.

File Explorer can help you manage your files and create basic text documents using WordPad. From managing files and editing photos to working with external drives, you will learn everything you need to know about getting the most from this operating system. Additionally, since security is important, you will also learn how to protect your files and how to protect and update Windows 10.

By the time you finish this course, you will have mastered the basic skills you need to get the most from Windows 10 for both work and play.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course must be taken on a PC. Macs are not compatible.

Software Requirements:

• Windows 10 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge is also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Getting Started

Learn the basics that every computer user must know in order to use a computer with minimal frustration followed by the most important skills and terminology that allow you to control what you see on your screen at all times. Then, explore the revised Start Menu and Apps in Windows 10.

Use the Start Menu and Apps

This lesson explores the revised Start Menu and Apps in Windows 10. You will explore the Windows Store and learn how to customize the Start Menu.

Personalizing Your Windows Desktop

In this lesson, you will have fun personalizing your computer by choosing your own desktop pictures, window colors, and sound scheme. The skills you learn in this lesson will go a long way to helping you gain complete control of your computer.

Working With Text and Files

No matter how you intend to use your computer, there will be times when there's some typing involved. It might be for writing email messages, memos, or letters, or it might be for taking notes in a course, or for chatting with others on a website. Whatever the reason, this lesson will teach you all the tricks for making typing quick and easy.

Exploring Your System

Everything that's in your computer is stored on its hard drive. The hard drive is like a filing cabinet containing files organized into folders. Finding files that you have saved is a matter of opening the filing cabinet, so to speak, and then locating the correct folder. In this lesson, you will learn how it all works.

Using OneDrive and Cortana

In this lesson, you will explore two Windows 10 features: OneDrive and Cortana. OneDrive is a cloud storage solution that lets you store files and folders both on your PC as well as the Microsoft cloud. Cortana is Microsoft's personal digital assistant that can help find files, folders, apps, and settings on your PC as well as information on the Internet.

Manage and Edit Your Photos

In this lesson, you will learn how to organize your photos and view them using Windows 10's Photos App. You will also see how to view individual photos, draw and rotate, and auto-enhance your shots. And, you will learn about the Photos App editing tools for adjusting brightness and contrast, cropping, and more.

Using Edge

It's likely that you have seen references to .com sites in ads and elsewhere. This lesson introduces Edge, the program that provides access to websites like Facebook, Twitter, Google, and many others.

Managing Files and Folders

This lesson will explore managing files and folders. In many work and school environments, people just assume you know how to manage files, and they rarely provide any details on copying, moving, or renaming files and folders.

More Fun With File Management

In this lesson, you will expand your file management skills by learning how to delete and recover files. You will learn how to select multiple files to work with, so you don't always have to manage your files one at a time.

Protect Your Valuable Files

This lesson is all about using the tools and techniques built into Windows to help you protect your valuable files. Your computer is an investment of money, and the pictures and other files you store on your computer are an investment of time.

Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts

In your final lesson, you will learn some more techniques for protecting your computer, including using resources for free protection from viruses and spyware. You will learn how to remove programs you no longer want or need. And you will discover some great timesaving tips and shortcuts to help you make the most out of your Windows 10 program.

Curt Simmons, B.A., M.Ed, is a best-selling author, trainer, and multi-media expert. He holds degrees in English and communication studies and has more than 10 years of experience teaching English and writing in the classroom. Additionally, Simmons has authored numerous books on a wide variety of technology topics and has been a technical editor for numerous other titles.