Top 5 Ways To Customize Windows 10 In 2022

 

1. Personalize the Start Menu

The first thing you probably noticed with Windows 10 was the colorful and vibrant Start menu. 

What once was a button on the bottom of your screen has grown to become a full-screen experience with live “tiles” that show images and even advertisements.

But did you know that you can customize it?

Hit the Windows icon at the bottom of your screen and go to Start > Settings > Personalization > Start, to customize the look of your new environment.

You can choose which system folders you want to see on the left hand side, show recently added apps, rearrange and resize the tiles, and much more.

2.Use Multiple Virtual Desktops To Manage Projects

If you only have a single monitor, having multiple virtual desktops is a very handy feature!

Even if you have multiple monitors, juggling a whole bunch of different projects on the same computer can be a challenge.

The Task View pane in Windows 10 allows you to add an unlimited number of virtual desktops quickly and easily. You can manage the view of your virtual desktop, and move applications to different desktops, show windows on all desktops or close pages on a selected desktop. 

To add a virtual desktop, open up the new Task View pane by clicking the Task View button (two overlapping rectangles) on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, or by pressing the Windows Key + Tab.

You'll see all your currently open tasks that you are working on, but look up the top right of your screen and you'll see + New Desktop. Click on + New Desktop to add your new "virtual desktop."

To switch between virtual desktops, open the Task View pane and click on the desktop you want to switch to. You can also quickly switch desktops without going into the Task View pane by using the keyboard shortcuts Windows Key + Ctrl + Left Arrow and Windows Key + Ctrl + Right Arrow. 

Now you can quickly move from desktop to desktop to find all of your different projects and associated tasks!

3. Take Advantage of Dark Mode and Night Light

Do you work late at night or early in the morning? A too-bright monitor can cause headaches and eye strain.

• Dark Mode - Under Settings > Personalization > Color, you can select "dark" as the default Windows and/or app mode. This turns your bright white screen a little darker, making most of your Windows apps and features show white text against a black or gray background. You can play around with using this at different times of the day, to see what works for you.
• Night Light - Now that we're all on video calls such as Zoom for most of the day, you may notice that when sitting straight in front of your huge monitor, all that white light shining on your face makes you look over-exposed. 

4.Securing Your Windows 10 Machine

We would be remiss if we didn't include include basic security tips for Windows 10. 

Here are just a few tips that every user should know, but keep in mind cyber security protection has become much more complex and goes far beyond making sure your individual PC has the right settings turned on.

• Keep Windows up to date. By default, Windows updates automatically. That means you might occasionally get an update you don’t want and can’t prevent. But generally, you’ll want your updates right away – some updates are urgent security fixes.
• Set a log-in password if you haven’t already. Many people don’t bother to establish a log-in password when they set up Windows. But without one, your computer is vulnerable to anyone! Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-In Options and under Password, click Add.
• Make sure your security software is running and up to date. Windows 10 comes with basic malware protection, but we recommend additional measures. Please contact a knowledgeable IT security expert who can help ensure you are well protected!
• Keep applications updated and uninstall software you never use. The smaller your attack surface, the safer you are. Shrink it by uninstalling applications you’ll never use. That might be bloatware which came with your computer, takes up space, and potentially risks your safety and privacy. If you don't use it, delete it.
• Consider encryption. If someone steals your logged-on computer or remotely accesses your files, they can steal valuable data. Consider encrypting it. Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, and Education versions come with BitLocker, which can encrypt your built-in or portable drives. Again, if you're not comfortable configuring these types of security settings, consult an expert.

5. Search In Windows 10 Quickly and Easily

The search feature in Windows 10 is absolutely the most useful tool on the entire OS. No longer just meant to help you find a misplaced file, the search is integrated into systems menus as well.

Click the search icon at the bottom left of your screen to get started. By default, the search window shows the top apps you use, as well as recent activities, so you can easily click on the programs and files you use most. 

Simply start typing in the taskbar at the bottom of the search window, and Windows will get you what you need.