Easy Computer Basics, Windows 10 Edition (2016)
Chapter 7. Working with Software Applications
Most of the productive and fun things you do on your computer are done with software programs or applications, sometimes called apps. Some applications are work related, others provide useful information, and still others are more entertaining in nature. For example, the Weather app lets you check current weather conditions and forecasts; the Mail app lets you send and receive email messages over the Internet.
You open software programs from the Start menu. Each open program sits on the desktop in its own individual window. This enables you to have multiple open apps onscreen at the same time, with the windows stacked on top of or tiled next to each other.
Parts of a Window
Opening an Application
You can open programs from the Start menu, the taskbar, or the desktop.
From the Start menu, click the name of or tile for the app you want to open.
From the taskbar, click the icon for the app you want to open.
From the desktop, double-click the shortcut for the app you want to open.
Pinning a Program to the Start Menu
You can “pin” your favorite applications to the Start menu. Programs you pin appear as resizable tiles on the right side of the Start menu.
Open the Start menu and navigate to the application you want to pin. You might need to click All Apps to view all your installed programs.
Right-click the name of the application to display the options menu.
Click Pin to Start. A tile for the app will now appear on the Start menu.
Tip: Moving Tiles
To rearrange tiles on the Start menu, click and drag any tile to a new position.
Tip: Resizing Tiles
To resize a tile on the Start menu, right-click the tile, select Resize, and then select a different size.
Pinning a Program to the Taskbar
Instead of opening the Start menu whenever you want to launch a new program, you can instead “pin” shortcuts to your favorite programs to the desktop taskbar. You can then launch one of these programs by clicking the shortcut on the taskbar.
Open the Start menu and navigate to the application you want to pin. You might need to click All Apps to view all your installed programs.
Right-click the name of the application to display the options menu.
Click Pin to Taskbar. An icon for the app will now appear on the taskbar.
Tip: Rearranging Taskbar Icons
To change the order of the apps you’ve pinned to the taskbar, use the mouse to click and drag an icon to a new position.
Creating a Desktop Shortcut
You can also add shortcuts to your favorite apps directly to the Windows desktop. These shortcuts appear as small icons on the desktop.
Click the Show Desktop button at the far-right side of the taskbar to minimize all windows on the desktop.
Open the Start menu and navigate to the application for which you’re creating a shortcut. You might need to click All Apps to view all your installed programs.
Click and drag the app from the Start menu onto the desktop. The menu item remains on the Start menu, but a shortcut to that item is placed on the desktop.
Tip: Organizing Desktop Shortcuts
Use your mouse to click and drag shortcut icons to whatever position you want on the desktop.
Searching for Apps
If you have a lot of apps installed on your PC, finding the app you want, either on the Start menu or elsewhere, might be difficult. You can instead search for specific apps using Cortana, Windows 10’s virtual personal assistant.
Click within the Cortana Search (Ask Me Anything) box on the taskbar and start typing the name of the app you’re looking for.
As you type, Cortana suggests apps that match your query in the Apps section of the Cortana panel. (Other types of matching items are also displayed.) Click the app you want to open.
Tip: Complete Your Query
If Windows doesn’t suggest the app you want, finish entering your query and then click or tap the magnifying glass button to start the search. You will then see a list of matching apps (and other items); click the app you want to open.
Note: Cortana
When you search for an app, you’re using Windows 10’s Cortana feature. Cortana is a type of virtual assistant that simplifies searching both within and outside Windows, and offers additional task and time management features. Learn more about Cortana in Chapter 10, “Using the Internet.”
Using Universal Windows Apps
In addition to traditional desktop apps, Microsoft offers what are called Universal Windows apps. These apps are subtly different from traditional software programs, and designed specifically for the Windows 10 experience.
To review the basic settings of a Universal Windows app, click the Options button.
This opens an Options panel for that app. Click to access any app feature.
Click the Settings icon to configure additional settings.
Note: Universal
The apps we call Universal or Windows apps used to be called Metro, Modern, and Windows Store apps. (Microsoft apparently can’t make up its collective mind.) The word “universal” refers to the fact that these apps run on various devices, including personal computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Note: Evolving Universal Windows Apps
Universal Windows apps, then called Metro apps, were first introduced in Windows 8, designed for touch-first operation on smaller touchscreen devices. In Windows 8 and 8.1, these apps ran full-screen, not on the desktop. With Windows 10, however, Microsoft has enabled these apps to run on the traditional desktop, in normal windows, and without the need for a touchscreen display. That means you can run these apps in their own windows and operate them with your computer’s mouse and keyboard.
Using Context Menus
Many onscreen elements have additional options that can be accessed via a “hidden” context-sensitive menu. You open this menu by right-clicking (instead of the normal left-clicking) the item.
Right-click the item to display the context or options menu.
Click the action you want.
Tip: Keyboard Shortcut
You can also display the context menu for an item by highlighting the item, with either your mouse or the keyboard arrow keys, and then pressing the Menu key on your keyboard.
Using Pull-Down Menus
Many software programs use a set of pull-down menus to store all the commands and operations you can perform. The menus are aligned across the top of the window, just below the title bar, in what is called a menu bar. You open (or pull down) a menu by clicking the menu’s name; you select a menu item by clicking it with your mouse.
Click the menu’s name to pull down the menu.
Click the menu item to select it.
Tip: Not All Items Are Available
If an item in a menu, toolbar, or dialog box is dimmed (or grayed), that means it isn’t available for the current task.
Using Toolbars
Some software programs put the most frequently used operations on one or more toolbars, usually located just below the menu bar. A toolbar looks like a row of buttons, each with a small picture (called an icon) and maybe a bit of text. You activate the associated command or operation by clicking the button with your mouse.
Click a button on the toolbar to select that operation.
Tip: Long Toolbars
If the toolbar is too long to display fully on your screen, you’ll see a right arrow at the far-right side of the toolbar. Click this arrow to display the buttons that aren’t currently visible.
Using Ribbons
Some Windows programs use a ribbon interface that contains the most frequently used operations. A ribbon is typically located at the top of the window, under the title bar (and sometimes the menu bar). Ribbons often consist of multiple tabs; select a tab to see buttons and controls for related operations.
Click a tab to select that particular set of functions.
Click a button on the ribbon to select that operation.
Note: Ribbons Versus Toolbars
The ribbon interface is found in many newer applications. Most older applications use toolbars instead.
Tip: Display or Hide
If the ribbon isn’t visible, click the down arrow at the far-right side of the tabs. To hide the ribbon and its buttons, click the up arrow at the far-right side of the ribbon.
Using Windows 10’s Built-In Apps
Windows 10 ships with a number of useful apps built in to the operating system. Most of these apps are Universal apps that you can launch from the Start menu.
The Weather app displays current weather conditions as well as a multiday forecast and radar maps.
The Maps app displays a map of your current location, as well as step-by-step directions to any location you want to visit.
Tip: Scroll for More
Scroll down through the Weather app to view additional weather information, including an hourly forecast, various weather maps, and a graph for historical weather in your location. Click any item to view more detail.
Note: Bing Maps
The Maps app is based on Bing Maps, which is Microsoft’s web-based mapping service.
The Calendar app displays upcoming appointments in daily, weekly, or monthly views.
The Alarms & Clock app turns your computer into a digital alarm clock, and also includes timer and stopwatch functions.
The News app displays the latest news headlines; click a headline or an image to read the full story.
The Sports app displays the latest sports headlines, as well as scores from your favorite teams.
The Money app helps you stay up-to-date on the latest financial news and keep track of your personal investments.
Use the Calculator app as a standard, scientific, or programmer’s calculator.
Tip: Watching Stocks
The Money app lets you create a “watchlist” of stocks you own or want to track. To add a new stock to your watchlist, click the + tile. When the Add to Watchlist panel appears, enter the name or symbol of the stock and then click Add.
Tip: Conversions
The Calculator app also performs conversions from one measure to another.
Finding New Apps in the Windows Store
When you’re in need of a new app to perform a particular task, the first place to look is in the Microsoft Windows Store. This is an online store for Universal-style apps, both free and paid. You shop the Windows Store by clicking the Windows Store item on the Start menu or the taskbar.
The Windows Store launches with featured apps at the top of the home page. Scroll down to view Picks for You, Top Free Apps, Best-Rated Apps, New and Rising Apps, Top Free Games, Top Paid Games, Best-Rated Games, New and Rising Games, and Collections.
To view just applications, click Apps at the top of the window. To view just games, click Games.
Click App Categories to view apps by category.
Click a category to view all apps in that category.
Note: App Store
Microsoft’s Windows Store is similar in concept to Apple’s App Store for iPhones and iPads, as well as the Google Play store for Android devices.
Tip: Updating Apps
Universal apps you download from the Windows Store do not have to be manually updated. When the publisher improves or upgrades an app, it is automatically updated on your PC.
To search for apps, enter an app’s name into the Search box at the top-right corner of the screen, and then press Enter.
Click the price button to purchase and install a paid app, or click Free to download and install a free app.
Note: Pricing
Whereas a traditional computer software program can cost hundreds of dollars, most apps in the Windows Store cost $10 or less—and many are available free.
Tip: Try Before You Buy
Most paid apps let you try them before you buy them. Click the Free Trial button to install a trial version of that app on your PC.