Getting familiar with the Windows 10 desktop and Start menu

Navigating the Start menu

To open the Start menu click the Start button in the lower left corner of the screen. It’s the button containing the white Windows logo.

Alternatively, from the keyboard, press the Windows key to the left of the space bar.

The Start menu will now be open.

Along the left edge of the menu are a number of shortcuts that let you shut down or restart Windows, change Windows’ settings, access your pictures and documents and change some device settings.

To the right of these is a list of recently added applications and all the other applications to which you have access.

To the right of this scrollable list is a panel of tiles which can also be used to launch applications.

Resize the Start menu

The Start menu can be resized. Open the Start menu and drag and drop the top edge of the menu until it’s the size you want.

Resize a tile

Tiles come in various sizes. Some application tiles have more size choices than others. To resize a tile, right click the tile, select Resize and select the size you want.

Move and group tiles

Tiles can be moved to any location within the tile area of the Start menu. Drag and drop the tile to your preferred location.

You’ll notice that the tiles are set out in groups. How you group them is up to you. To create a new group, drag a tile to a blank space on the Start menu and it will sit apart from the rest.

You can name a tile group by pointing to the space above the group to reveal the Name group text box. Click it and give the group a name. Naming the groups will help you manage the layout of your Start menu.

Create an application tile

To add an application as a tile in the Start menu, right click the application in the list of available applications and select Pin to Start.

The application tile will be created. You may then wish to resize and reposition the tile.

Alternatively, you can simply drag the application shortcut from the list of applications and drop it alongside the other tiles in the Start menu.

The taskbar

The taskbar provides quick access to applications and the Search and Task View tools.

It makes sense that you customise the taskbar to include the applications that you use most.

Create an application shortcut on the taskbar

To pin an application to the taskbar, right click the application within the Start menu, select More and click Pin to taskbar.

The application shortcut will now appear on the taskbar.

The Notification area

The Notification area provides you with information that you may need from time to time, like the date and time, the volume of your device’s speakers, the network you are using and the status of your device’s battery – if you are using a mobile device.

You can interact with the tools in the Notification area by clicking them. The Volume tool, for instance, will show a slide bar which you can use to increase, decrease or mute the speaker.

You can also access Action Centre to review recent notification messages and interact with key settings, such as screen brightness etc.

Desktop shortcuts

The shortcut icons on the desktop can give you access to applications, folders, files and Web pages.

All you need do is double-click a shortcut and it will either launch the application or open the folder, file or Web page.

You can customise the desktop to contain your own shortcuts.

Create an application shortcut on the desktop

Drag the application shortcut from the list of applications in the Start menu and drop it on the desktop.

The application shortcut will now appear on the desktop.

You can drag the shortcut to any blank space on your desktop.

Remove an application tile from the Start menu

To remove a tile, open the Start menu, right click the tile you want to remove and select Unpin from Start.

Remove an application shortcut from the taskbar

To remove a shortcut from the taskbar, right click it and select Unpin from taskbar.

Remove an application shortcut from the desktop

To remove a shortcut from the desktop, right click it and select Delete.

Set up your e-mail signature

Before you start to use Outlook to send email messages, make sure you set up your email signature. When creating your email signature, remember to refer to the brand guidelines that can be found on Mutualnet.

To launch Outlook, click Start and from the tiles to the right of the Start menu, click Outlook.

When Outlook has started, click the File tab and from the left hand side of the Outlook window, select Options.

From the window that has just opened, click Mail on the left side of the window.

Now click Signatures and click New.

Give the signature a name and click OK.

Type your signature, following the NFU Mutual guidance, into the main text box and when you are done, click Save and then OK.

Click OK again to close the Outlook options window.

Now click New Email to create a new email message and make sure your signature is in place.

You can now discard the message and close Outlook.