Windows 25 essential tricks for Windows 10
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Installing a new operating system is just the beginning of an exciting adventure that will shape the way we take advantage of the computer for years to come. Installation is only the first step, now it is the turn to adjust it to our needs in order to get the most out of it.
In this article we have compiled a collection of 25 quick and essential Windows 10 tricks that will allow you to correctly configure important functions, speed up tasks or discover things that you may not know about your computer and its possibilities. Take note, because we are going to improve the use of your computer .
These tricks are not complicatedto carry out, but they do cover little-known topics or that have a very specific utility. Aspects such as hiding folders, printing to PDF or having Cortana tell you riddles or calculate the percent of a figure.
We also show you how to activate the powerful God Mode, improve streaming quality and make your computer start up faster.
Take a look because you are likely to come across some tips that you may have missed that might help you set up Windows 10 properly.
Most of the tricks we are going to show you are harmless. But before you start messing around it is advisable to make a backup, in case you start to pry more than necessary and spoil something. Access Settings, Update and Security, and enter Backups.
To whet your appetite, don't miss this video where we reveal some hidden tricks:
In the search engine or Cortana type Power Options. In the left column select Choose the behavior of the on / off buttons. Tap Change settings currently unavailable. New options will appear in the Shutdown Settings section at the bottom.
In the search engine or in Cortana, type Task Manager. Access the Home tab.
In the Startup Impact column, look for programs marked High or Medium. This means that they take time to start up and slow down startup. Those you don't use often, you can disable them. For example, iTunes, Adobe Reader or the document scanner.
To disable them, right-click on the word Enabled in the Status column, and select Disable. Don't worry, when you need them they will work without problems.
Note that some programs with the High value need to start at startup, for example the driver for graphics and sound cards. Disable only what you know or don't use often. If something goes wrong, just come back here and turn on the Enable option.
Please note that this option is for advanced users only. Don't change anything if you don't know what you're doing.
In the search engine or in Cortana type Run. In the window that opens, type services.msc. A screen will open with all the local Windows 10 services. Examine them and read the Description to find out what each one does. If you suspect that one of them is slowing down startup, select it, right-click on the field in the Startup Type column, and enter Properties. In the Startup Type section, choose Automatic (Delayed Start).
When you have finished making the changes, restart your computer for them to take effect.
Right-click on the Start Button and select Control Panel. Enter System, Advanced System Configuration. In the Advanced Options tab, find the Performance section and click on Settings.
Touch the Advanced Options tab. Find the section Virtual Memory [1] and click on Change. [2]
Uncheck the Automatically manage file size box. [3]
This method is more suitable if you have 2 or 4 GB of RAM . If you have 8GB or more, virtual memory is used less.
Windows key + 1/2/3/4 ... etc. - Open the applications from the taskbar in their order.
Windows key + E - Shows the desktop and enables quick access to the file explorer
Windows key + M - Shows the desktop and minimizes all open windows
Windows key + R - Opens the "Run" window
Windows key + T - Alternately selects the applications from the taskbar
Windows key +, - Makes windows transparent
Windows key + (+ key) - Zoom in +
Windows key + (+ key) - Zoom out +
Windows key + G - Open Game DVR
Windows key + I - Open Windows settings
Windows key + Q - Open Cortana in listening mode
Windows key + S - Open cortana to enter searches
Windows key + TAB - Open task view
Windows key + Ctrl + right / left - Switch between virtual desktops
Windows key + Ctrl + F4 - Close current virtual desktop
Windows key + Print Screen - Screenshot (saved in the "Images / Screenshots" folder)
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) - Copy a selected item
Ctrl + X - Cut a selected item
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) - Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z - Undo an action
Alt + Tab - Switch between different open windows, tabs or applications
Alt + F4 - Close a window, tab or application
Windows Key + D - Make everything disappear and show the desktop
Do you need a discreet folder to store your things? What do you think of an invisible one, without an icon or name? You will only see it if you highlight it:
Create a folder on the Desktop. Select it with the right button and choose Properties. Enter the Personalize tab. Press the Change Icon button.
By default, Windows 10 looks for the icons in this folder: % SystemRoot% \ system32 \ shell32.dll . If you're not there, look for this folder on your hard drive where Windows is. In the list of icons that appears look for one that is invisible.
Now we are going to remove the name. If you delete it without further ado, Windows won't let you. There is a trick, but you need a keyboard that has the numeric keypad, that kind of calculator on the right. Make sure the Num Lock key is on. Right-click on the folder, and choose Rename. Hold down the ALT key and press the numbers 0160 on the numeric keyboard.
When you click outside the folder, you will see that it has no name or image. Achieved!
All you have to do is press the Windows and G keys for the Game Bar to appear on the screen:
Click on the classic red REC circle, or use the Windows + ALT + R keys to start or stop recording. In the settings you can define a maximum video size. They are stored in MP4 format, inside the Videos folder.
Once recorded, you can edit them in the Game DVR section of the Xbox app, to cut what you don't like, and upload them to social networks.
Download Windows Media Center (unofficial) from this Dropbox link . Run it through an antivirus just in case. You will get a file called WindowsMediaCenter_10.0.10134.0.zip or similar. Unzip it.
Go to the unzipped folder and right-click on the TestRights.cmd file. Select Run as administrator. When done, restart your computer.
Go back to the folder, right-click Installer.cmd and select Run as administrator. Hit a key in the black window when done.
Just search for Media Center in the Windows 10 search engine so that it already appears as one more system application.
If you want to uninstall it, simply go back to the unzipped folder, right-click Uninstaller.cmd and select Run as administrator. Restart the computer.
In the Start Menu, tap on Settings. Go to System and then Default applications.
Select an application to replace it with a similar one. You can change the program that opens photos, music, websites, mail, and maps by default. At the end of the list you will see new buttons to change the applications that open certain types of files (PDF, JPG, DOC, etc).
If you reserve that disk for the operating system and it is already filling up, it is a good idea to change the location of the Libraries.
In the Start Button click on Settings. Enter System and then Storage. Scroll down the list to locate the Save Locations section.
You can change the hard drive where you save documents, music, images and videos.
In the Start Menu click on Settings. Enter System and the option Maps offline. Click on Download maps.
You must choose a continent, and then a country. Download what you need to use it offline. You will also see a button to Delete all downloaded maps.
In addition to Links, you can also add the Address bar (direct access to the browser).
In this article we have compiled a collection of 25 quick and essential Windows 10 tricks that will allow you to correctly configure important functions, speed up tasks or discover things that you may not know about your computer and its possibilities. Take note, because we are going to improve the use of your computer .
These tricks are not complicatedto carry out, but they do cover little-known topics or that have a very specific utility. Aspects such as hiding folders, printing to PDF or having Cortana tell you riddles or calculate the percent of a figure.
We also show you how to activate the powerful God Mode, improve streaming quality and make your computer start up faster.
Take a look because you are likely to come across some tips that you may have missed that might help you set up Windows 10 properly.
Most of the tricks we are going to show you are harmless. But before you start messing around it is advisable to make a backup, in case you start to pry more than necessary and spoil something. Access Settings, Update and Security, and enter Backups.
To whet your appetite, don't miss this video where we reveal some hidden tricks:
Activate fast boot
Windows 10 has a fast boot mode that, in some configurations, is hidden and disabled.In the search engine or Cortana type Power Options. In the left column select Choose the behavior of the on / off buttons. Tap Change settings currently unavailable. New options will appear in the Shutdown Settings section at the bottom.
Select Turn on Quick Boot, if available. You will need to restart your computer. In some configurations this option does not appear and only Suspend and Block is displayed.
Lighten system startup
Does Windows 10 take a long time to boot? That's because many programs install into memory before you even touch the mouse or keyboard. Most do not require starting at boot, so let's disable them.In the search engine or in Cortana, type Task Manager. Access the Home tab.
In the Startup Impact column, look for programs marked High or Medium. This means that they take time to start up and slow down startup. Those you don't use often, you can disable them. For example, iTunes, Adobe Reader or the document scanner.
To disable them, right-click on the word Enabled in the Status column, and select Disable. Don't worry, when you need them they will work without problems.
Note that some programs with the High value need to start at startup, for example the driver for graphics and sound cards. Disable only what you know or don't use often. If something goes wrong, just come back here and turn on the Enable option.
Delays system services
Upon startup, Windows 10 activates numerous system services . Some of them take time to activate and slow down the rest. They can be delayed to activate when the PC is less busy.Please note that this option is for advanced users only. Don't change anything if you don't know what you're doing.
In the search engine or in Cortana type Run. In the window that opens, type services.msc. A screen will open with all the local Windows 10 services. Examine them and read the Description to find out what each one does. If you suspect that one of them is slowing down startup, select it, right-click on the field in the Startup Type column, and enter Properties. In the Startup Type section, choose Automatic (Delayed Start).
When you have finished making the changes, restart your computer for them to take effect.
Adjust Virtual Memory
If you notice that Windows 10 slows down for a second or two when you open windows or access app menus, you may have a problem with your hard drive cache .Right-click on the Start Button and select Control Panel. Enter System, Advanced System Configuration. In the Advanced Options tab, find the Performance section and click on Settings.
Touch the Advanced Options tab. Find the section Virtual Memory [1] and click on Change. [2]
Uncheck the Automatically manage file size box. [3]
Select the hard drive and the partition where you have Windows 10 installed and check the custom size option. [4] In initial size [5] put 1.5 times the amount of RAM you have, in MB. In maximum size [6], put 3 times the RAM. For example, in a computer with 4 GB of RAM for an initial size of 4x1.5 = 6 GB = 6000 MB, and as a maximum size 4x3 = 12 GB = 12,000 MB
This method is more suitable if you have 2 or 4 GB of RAM . If you have 8GB or more, virtual memory is used less.
Windows 10 tools
Advanced keyboard shortcuts
Windows key - Open and close the Start MenuWindows key + 1/2/3/4 ... etc. - Open the applications from the taskbar in their order.
Windows key + E - Shows the desktop and enables quick access to the file explorer
Windows key + M - Shows the desktop and minimizes all open windows
Windows key + R - Opens the "Run" window
Windows key + T - Alternately selects the applications from the taskbar
Windows key +, - Makes windows transparent
Windows key + (+ key) - Zoom in +
Windows key + (+ key) - Zoom out +
Windows key + G - Open Game DVR
Windows key + I - Open Windows settings
Windows key + Q - Open Cortana in listening mode
Windows key + S - Open cortana to enter searches
Windows key + TAB - Open task view
Windows key + Ctrl + right / left - Switch between virtual desktops
Windows key + Ctrl + F4 - Close current virtual desktop
Windows key + Print Screen - Screenshot (saved in the "Images / Screenshots" folder)
Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) - Copy a selected item
Ctrl + X - Cut a selected item
Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) - Paste the selected item
Ctrl + Z - Undo an action
Alt + Tab - Switch between different open windows, tabs or applications
Alt + F4 - Close a window, tab or application
Windows Key + D - Make everything disappear and show the desktop
Print to PDF
When you go to print something, select the Microsoft Print to PDF printer and you will save it in a file in this format.Create an invisible folder
This is one of the 25 essential tricks of Windows 10 most curious.Do you need a discreet folder to store your things? What do you think of an invisible one, without an icon or name? You will only see it if you highlight it:
Create a folder on the Desktop. Select it with the right button and choose Properties. Enter the Personalize tab. Press the Change Icon button.
By default, Windows 10 looks for the icons in this folder: % SystemRoot% \ system32 \ shell32.dll . If you're not there, look for this folder on your hard drive where Windows is. In the list of icons that appears look for one that is invisible.
Now we are going to remove the name. If you delete it without further ado, Windows won't let you. There is a trick, but you need a keyboard that has the numeric keypad, that kind of calculator on the right. Make sure the Num Lock key is on. Right-click on the folder, and choose Rename. Hold down the ALT key and press the numbers 0160 on the numeric keyboard.
When you click outside the folder, you will see that it has no name or image. Achieved!
Record video from your applications
Windows 10 allows you to record a video while you are using a program, with limitations: you cannot switch applications while you are recording, and you cannot record on the desktop.All you have to do is press the Windows and G keys for the Game Bar to appear on the screen:
Click on the classic red REC circle, or use the Windows + ALT + R keys to start or stop recording. In the settings you can define a maximum video size. They are stored in MP4 format, inside the Videos folder.
Once recorded, you can edit them in the Game DVR section of the Xbox app, to cut what you don't like, and upload them to social networks.
App tricks
How to install Windows Media Center on Windows 10
Do you miss Windows Media Center to watch videos on TV? You can use an old version.Download Windows Media Center (unofficial) from this Dropbox link . Run it through an antivirus just in case. You will get a file called WindowsMediaCenter_10.0.10134.0.zip or similar. Unzip it.
Go to the unzipped folder and right-click on the TestRights.cmd file. Select Run as administrator. When done, restart your computer.
Go back to the folder, right-click Installer.cmd and select Run as administrator. Hit a key in the black window when done.
Just search for Media Center in the Windows 10 search engine so that it already appears as one more system application.
If you want to uninstall it, simply go back to the unzipped folder, right-click Uninstaller.cmd and select Run as administrator. Restart the computer.
Change the default apps
The default apps are the programs that start automatically when you perform certain actions. You can easily change them.In the Start Menu, tap on Settings. Go to System and then Default applications.
Select an application to replace it with a similar one. You can change the program that opens photos, music, websites, mail, and maps by default. At the end of the list you will see new buttons to change the applications that open certain types of files (PDF, JPG, DOC, etc).
Change the location of the Libraries
Windows 10 stores photos, videos, music, etc., in Libraries by default. They are the classic folders for Documents, Downloads, Videos, etc. that are on the hard drive where Windows has been installed.If you reserve that disk for the operating system and it is already filling up, it is a good idea to change the location of the Libraries.
In the Start Button click on Settings. Enter System and then Storage. Scroll down the list to locate the Save Locations section.
You can change the hard drive where you save documents, music, images and videos.
Use the maps without an internet connection
Windows 10 maps are downloaded from the internet as you need them. If you want to use them on a PC or tablet without an Internet connection or you are going on a trip and do not have mobile Internet, Microsoft offers you the option to download them to use them offline.In the Start Menu click on Settings. Enter System and the option Maps offline. Click on Download maps.
You must choose a continent, and then a country. Download what you need to use it offline. You will also see a button to Delete all downloaded maps.
Performance improvement tricks
Reboot often
If you have 4GB or less of RAM, it will fill up quickly and Windows 10 will use the hard drive instead, slower, reducing performance. Restart your computer often (especially after closing a powerful program or game) to free up all memory.Pin a website to the taskbar
It's a good idea to pin the websites that you use a lot to the taskbar. Right-click on a place on the taskbar where there is nothing, and choose the Toolbar command. Mark the Links bar so that it appears on the taskbar. You just have to select a website that you are viewing in the browser (its URL) and drag it to Links, to get a direct access.In addition to Links, you can also add the Address bar (direct access to the browser).
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