Windows 10 For Dummies

by Andy Rathbone

Get productive with Windows 10 Windows 10 For Dummies is the all-time bestselling computer how-to book--and it's been fully updated for the enhancements coming with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update! Free of confusing jargon and packed with lots of helpful step-by-step explanations, it quickly gets you started with exploring the Start menu, storing files on the Cloud, creating desktop shortcuts, connecting to a printer, using Windows social apps, organizing digital photos, interpreting error messages, and so much more.

Windows 10 keeps your PC or tablet running, organizes your files, and provides a platform to run your important applications. In short, it's the brain and heart of your computer. The simple steps and friendly advice inside help you manage files and applications, connect to the Internet, customize your Windows experience, and make repairs when things go haywire.


Fast answers to Windows 10 questions Steps for customizing your Windows 10 PC Tips for solving common Windows problems Covers using Windows 10 on a tablet If you're new to Windows or upgrading to its new operating system, grab this book to get to know Windows 10 a little better.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Technology, Computers, Science

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 5, 2015

About the author

Born in San Diego, California, Andy Rathbone began writing for newspapers in the early 80s. He started freelancing articles to computer magazines soon after, then began writing the "Windows For Dummies" series in 1992. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages worldwide.

He's since written more than 50 books, with more than 15 million copies in print. Recent books include Windows 8.1 For Dummies, Surface For Dummies, and Windows 8 Tablets For Dummies.

His latest book, the second edition of Windows 10 For Dummies, is available as of November 2016.

Reviews

[C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely basic, with sparse details and minimal explanations. It's far more basic than Windows 10 All-In-One for Dummies. Much of this book's content is different than that book's.

Notes
Safe Computing

… most third-party antivirus programs will catch more viruses than Windows Defender Antivirus. However, doing that extra work can slow down your PC. Some powerful security suites throw up false alarms, as well, leaving you the work of sorting out the problem. Many seem complicated and cumbersome. Windows Defender Antivirus works best for people who can spot a potential virus as it arrives in the mail and avoid clicking on suspicious email attachments. People who feel more comfortable with a larger safety net will prefer a paid program.

Microsoft's family controls "work well." However, they only monitor your child when they log in with a Microsoft account and use Edge or Internet Explorer.

Keeping Windows from Breaking
File History backs up everything in the main folders (Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, Desktop, Favorites, Downloads, a few others). To exclude some, click More Options below toggle.

File History must be enabled for each account that you want backed up.

To create a system image: Start > Windows System > Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7) > Create a System Image.

Storage Sense makes Windows automatically empty Recycle Bin and delete temporary files. Start > Settings > System > Storage > toggle Storage Sense on. Options are in Settings > System > Storage.

But if you’re not having trouble with a piece of hardware, don’t bother updating its driver, even if you find a newer one online. Chances are good that newer driver adds support only for newer models of the gadget you own. And that new driver might throw a glitch into something that was already working fine.

If a driver update causes a problem, go to Device Manager, double-click the device's name, click Driver tab on Properties box. Click Roll Back Driver.

Sharing One Computer with Several People
To create Password Reset Disk for local account: insert flash drive, type "Password Reset Disk" into search, choose Create a Password Reset Disk.

Windows Hello lets you sign in with fingerprint or face. Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-In Options > Windows Hello.

The Case of the Broken Window
After Reset, you must reinstall desktop programs. Reset puts a list of those programs on your desktop. You can reinstall missing apps from Microsoft Store (Store app > Settings > My Library).

When Windows asks for permission (User Account Control), ask yourself, "Is Windows asking permission for something I did or requested?" If yes, choose OK. If no, choose No or Cancel.

If an app isn't working properly, reset it. That deletes and reinstalls the app, removing any preferences and sign-in details. Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > app > Advanced Options > Reset.

Strange Messages—What You Did Does Not Compute
If you disconnect the drive the File History backs up to, it will back up again the next time the drive connects.

Moving from an Old PC to a New Windows 10 PC
1. If you've been backing up with File History on your old PC, skip to step 5.
2. On old PC, sign in with Microsoft account.
3. Connect portable hard drive to old PC and set up File History to back up to it (Start > Settings > Update & Security > Backup > Add a drive).
4. On new PC, sign into same Microsoft account as you used on old PC.
5. Open File History (Start > Settings > Update & Security > Backup).
6. Click Restore Your Files with File History.
7. Click Configure File History Settings.
8. Click I Want to Use a Previous Backup on this File History Drive. Choose the backup of the old PC, and click Turn On.
9. In left pane, click Restore Personal Files.
10. Choose files and folders to restore, and click green Restore button.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I have learned from reading this very good book on the new Windows 10 is that I was wise to delay accepting the free upgrade (I use Windows 8.1) and since I am happy with my current 8.1 Windows, should not upgrade to Windows 10 until I buy a new computer with Windows 10 on it. I had been curious about Windows 10 but after reading horror stories on the Internet from those using it including techies who try every new thing, I was cautious and delayed the free upgrade they offered to download in July. After reading this book, I see no reason to even want Windows 10 and am glad author Andy Rathbone, my Windows go-to guy, is the honest type who offers honest advice and information rather than promote something he wrote a book about. If you have Windows 7 or 8.1, you don't need Windows 10.

[Ferio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me siento un poco tonto por haber tenido que usar un manual para dar el salto desde Windows 7 a Windows 10 en mi centro de trabajo, pero no comprendía la interfaz orientada a pantallas táctiles y quería mi experiencia habitual y, ya de paso, intentar aprender algo nuevo por el camino.

Esto último ha sido casi imposible porque las diferencias no son tantas y ni siquiera tengo rango de administrador en mi PC, pero al menos he conseguido dejarlo todo bien bonito (victoria pírrica), aunque alguna cosa que quiero hacer no he conseguido descifrarla con su ayuda.

Me siento un poco tonto y bastante viejo por haber usado un manual tan básico (y tan aburrido a largo plazo). No volverá a pasar.

[Norm Hinderliter · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I am STUCK using Windows 10, on my home computer, this means that I must stumble, and bumble, my way around. WHY?

Because Windows 10, (for dummies) is no more user-friend than a mainframe computer. I had hoped for directions which would say "For easy access, enter this command". NOT in Mr. Rathbones book. I will need a masters degree just to understand the contents.

Windows 10 is NOT written, for the general public. it is written for the 0.00001% of the worlds computer programmers.

There are NO "short cuts", or simple explanations, about how to make music play, contiuous, nor is there any part about keeping pictures open, until the user closes the pictures.

In fact, it does not even tell readers that WordPerfect is now called Libre Document.

For anyone, like me, who only understands the power button, and e-mail, this book will give you a headache, and make you feel like a pre-schooler.

[Henry Tegner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not been a great enthusiast for the ‘For Dummies’ series in the past. I dislike the tendency to dumb down the language in a North American style but then I am an older Brit of a certain generation and perhaps this is what the ‘For Dummies’ thing is all about. That said, this book is not so bad in this respect as some others in the series I have dipped into. And there is quite a lot about it that I like. I bought it when I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and I needed to know how it had changed and (hopefully) improved. The List of Contents is helpful here, as is the index. So it is easy to skip the areas already familiar to me and focus on what is new. I like, too, the use of the yellow symbols – ‘Technical Stuff’, ‘Tip’, ‘Remember’, ‘Warning’ and ‘New’.

[Walt4833 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you, or a friend you are planning to give this to, is a casual user of their computer and just wants to figure out how to get their everyday tasks done using Windows 10, this is a good book to have. Rathbone writes clearly and provides very good illustrations. He does dig deeply into any topic, but rather sticks with the basics and shows you in detail how to accomplish the goal at hand. All topics include excellent cross-references to guide you to areas related to what you are working on. And the book has an excellent index so you can easily look up topics to solve a problem that cropped up. In short, a very handy reference to have on the bookshelf.

[Mike Parkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really basic…might be slightly better than nothing, but not much. Most of the text is just a description of menu options that are usually obvious (“To import all of your camera’s photos, click ‘Select All’ ”). You’ll need to look elsewhere for guidance on all but the most common problems. Might be unfair of me, but I was also hoping that the book might provide a bit of discussion as to how the various Microsoft solutions that are part of Windows (OneDrive for cloud storage, for example) compare with the major competitors, but it does not.

[Melanie Rippon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does exactly what it says on the cover; while I'm not sure I'll need all the more technical info (e.g. single personal-use laptop, not a networked professional-use one), at least I now have an overview of how Windows 10 works. And whilst I have read it through, this is definitely a book to keep handy ready for troubleshooting. Would have been 4 stars but some of the screenshots, because they're necessarily small, don't quite work in black & white/greyscale.

[Hanif Maragh · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent overview

Before I worked in tech 2022, I hadn’t seen windows since windows XP (I had never seen vista, seven, eight, eight dot one) now that I work in tech I see it everyday and needed to know how to navigate it in its basics. I feel like I’m caught up now.

[Michelle Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didnt finish it cos it was too long.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic but fine

I didn't really learn anything new here but I recognize this would eh a good start point for someone whining know anything about Windows.

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest book in the Dummies series!!!!

[Dee Roll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks I needed help
I get the impression the author didn’t really love Windows

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book some tips beyond baasics

[Richard Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for a basic understanding of Windows 10. Easy to follow at any age.

[Bent Andreassen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does not cover enough for adequately use Windows 10. So I had to buy Windows' 10 in Depth.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Technology information somewhat obsolete.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know that you could do that. (A tad dated)

I never stop to ask for directions. However, after being a Windows Insider for decades I thought it might be nice to read a book to see what I have been missing due to my narrow usage.

This is the third edition. I missed the first two editions.

I do have a touchscreen PC (Dell 2 in 1) but hardly touch it. The Kindle I use is their O.S. iPhone and iPad, you can guess what I use. However, this book covers most devices that use Windows 10.

The instructions say to treat this book as an encyclopedia. Too late I read the last chapter to see who did it.

The first thing you notice is that Windows 10 does not look or act like CPM/MPM as the original Windows used to act/look.

The Microsoft Edge browser keeps updating, yet I still find I.E., to be more efficient.

I found something useful under “When one is just not enough” how to select several files at once without deselecting automatically.

It is not easy to find a system with a DVD nowadays; if you do find such a system this book will help with handling DVDs.

I am not about to go through all the valuable information in this book or it will take a book. I do, however, recommend you have a copy on your shelf for that ovation where you want to do something different. I keep my copy just to see the possibilities.

[Alex Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchasing Windows 10 for Dummies was a worthwhile investment. I am no stranger to Microsoft Products and Operating Systems but I thought that a "How To" book might come in handy after down-loading Windows 10. The book is written for the Novice, the Casual User and even a Seasoned Veteran. If you want a desktop reference book I highly recommend Windows 10 for Dummies.

[H.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 computers, but haven't made the jump to 10. I work with helping people learn technology and I wanted information on 10 not only for myself, but for those I might be helping. Since I don't have hands-on experience yet this was my best resource.

For years, I've trusted the For Dummies books and the ones Rathbone has given us are wonderful. He's straightforward and there is a lot of information in this book that is very helpful, but there is some information that those who have used other versions of Windows or multiple computers already know which is good. There's nothing wrong with it.

If you're a user who has already known some of the information in this book then good for you, but if you're looking for a refresher or to learn from new, then this is a good book to learn from. If I have access to a For Dummies book to learn something I want to know you can bet that I'm going to be getting my hands on it (usually from a library) so I can learn as much as possible.

[Icywolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I upgraded my Windows 7 desktop to Windows 10 over the weekend. Even tho I am pretty tech savvy, I found this book helpful in learning some of the new features of Windows 10 and clarifying the differences from earlier versions of Windows: case in point, the File History automated backup of my personal folders (e.g., Documents, Music, Pictures).

For someone who had not worked with Windows 8/8.1, the explanations and illustrations would be particularly helpful! The writing was clear and heavily illustrated, making it easy to use the new system.

On the negative side, it was not useful when the simple directions did not work. For example, when Windows Defender would not turn on (a quick web browsing showed the problems to be another anti-virus program that was installed.) Another example, the Mail app does not show the mail in my gmail account (still unsolved). Most specific troubleshooting was out of scope for the level of the book.

[JAMES F DUGAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used the same author's Windows 8.1 for Dummies and liked the style and explanations. So when it came time for Windows 10, I ordered the new book. You don't need to read it cover-to-cover. After following the setup instructions, simply turn to the section that covers whatever it is for which you want answers - use it sort of like recipes in a cook-book.

The style and explanations are similar and it was a lot of help. As the name implies, it is written for the everyday "user" of computers and not the "guru" or "geek". Detailed enough for everyday use, but not technical enough for an expert.

Definitely the Win10 book I would recommend first.

[Hunter McCleary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The usual excellent work from the Dummies people. Great place to start for new 10 users. I especially like their willingness to say it like it is, even if maybe Microsoft would not approve. Really lends credibility to their advice. I will also add that the built-in help feature in Windows 10 is excellent, as well.

[Randy Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the good and bad of navigating the newest OS from Microsoft. This book walks you through all the settings and improvements as well as points out 10's short comings. Included are the best and worst parts as well as some helpful troubleshooting tips.
Does not go into great detail or the real nuts and bolts of 10 but does walk the average user through the newest version of the widely used software.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one for whom the conversion from Windows 7 to 10 caused hours of angst followed by a trip to the Geek Squad, I can attest that this does cover the basics--clearly, with lots of illustrations, and also and with lots of repetition and reassurances. I would have liked more troubleshooting....but this IS a "for dummies" volume, not a tech manual.

[Kim]

I read some of this book before I had to return it to the library. I'll check the book out again to finish. It has lots of good information about using Windows for the beginner or casual Windows user. Not for people who consider themselves Windows experts or power users.

[Elaine Marriott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and easy to learn.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chapter 9. Thank you not MS!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good starting point for those wanting to learn Windows 10.