Windows 10 is a feature-rich operating system with tons of settings and tools for managing everything from system updates to volume adjustments, covering just about every aspect you can think of.

In fact, Windows 10 is Microsoft’s most feature-rich version of the operating system yet. Fortunately, most features are easily accessible through the Settings interface. Next, let’s take a look at where these settings are and how they can help you take more control of Windows 10.

How to access settings and control panel

To be proficient in using Windows, you first need to be familiar with the "Settings" interface, and there are many ways to enter this interface:

• In desktop mode, click the Start menu and you will see the "Settings" icon in the lower left corner.
• If you are used to using the keyboard, press the Win key I to quickly open settings.
• If you are using File Explorer, select "This PC" or "Computer" and you will find the Settings option appearing in the top ribbon.
• In tablet mode, tap the hamburger menu icon on the left to expand the panel, and Settings will appear in the lower left corner.
• In either mode, you can open the Action Center (click the taskbar icon or swipe in from the right side of the screen), then click All Settings to enter.

Once you master how to enter Windows 10 settings, you can freely adjust various parameters to customize the experience that suits you better.

Related reading: Several ways to fix when Windows 10 Action Center won’t open

Manage your Windows 10 system

The core of managing Windows 10 lies in mastering settings directly related to your hardware. The System menu integrates management tools for display , storage , sound devices, and battery (for notebooks). Here you can adjust screen resolution, clear storage space, control volume and audio output devices, and enable or configure Battery Saver Mode.

Additionally, you can customize the tile icon layout in Action Center here.

When installing Windows 10 for the first time, it is recommended to configure the regional and language settings correctly. If it has not been set yet, you can modify it at any time in the settings interface.

After entering the Time and Language page, you can set the date and time , as well as regional and language options. Configuring this information accurately will not only help improve the timeliness of notifications, but may also solve connection problems with some VPN software.

Manage devices and phones

When you connect other devices to Windows 10, you can manage them uniformly through the Devices and Phones page.

Through the Devices menu, you can connect Bluetooth devices, wireless displays, printers, and Xbox controllers. In addition, configuration options for notebook touchpad, stylus input, typing habits, mouse settings and auto-play function are also provided here. When autoplay is enabled, the system automatically performs preset actions when a new device is detected.

For example, when you connect your phone, the system can automatically sync photos to OneDrive cloud storage.

For mobile devices, Windows 10 provides more specific setting options, supporting Android and iPhone. Just click Add Mobile Phone in Settings > Mobile Phone to establish linkage between PC and Android or Apple phone.

Windows 10 is designed around “you”

Windows 10 provides a wealth of personalization options, including account management (covering email, applications, and system login) and theme customization.

In the personalization interface, you can change the desktop background, adjust the theme color, change the lock screen picture, select or create a dedicated theme, and manage fonts, start menu layout, and taskbar appearance.

If you have difficulty reading text on the screen, or have special needs in terms of vision, hearing, etc., the accessibility menu of Windows 10 provides comprehensive support, including visual assistance, subtitle settings, sound prompt adjustment and other functions.

The system has built-in speech recognition function and supports "voice input". You can also configure how Windows 10 behaves in tablet mode here.

Plus, Cortana is always there to answer your information queries while building a profile based on your interests and schedule. You can turn on or off the "Hey Cortana" wake word through settings, control its access to the lock screen, and authorize it to read calendar, mail, and other message content.

Apps and Games in Windows 10

After adjusting Windows 10 to the work mode you're used to, the next step is to install the apps you need and even play some games. Some manufacturers pre-install the game in the factory system.

The Apps settings page gives you complete control over your installed software. The Apps & Features list shows all applications that can be uninstalled. You can also change how various file types and links are opened by default in Default Apps (for example, map links are opened by Microsoft Maps by default).

Windows 10 is the first version of Windows truly optimized for gaming, so there is a dedicated gaming settings page. Here, you can enable Game Bar and set shortcut keys to record gameplay or livestream gameplay.

If your device supports "Game Mode", it will be enabled by default. This mode will prioritize allocating system resources to running games to ensure a smooth experience.

Updates, security, and privacy in Windows 10

One of the most important aspects of home computers is security and privacy management. In this regard, Windows 10 offers far more than any previous version.

The most basic security setting is to change the login password. This option is located in Account > Login Options . To ensure system security, it is important to keep Windows 10 updated. Microsoft releases two major updates every spring and autumn. The related download and installation settings are located in Update & Security > Windows Update .

Since the update installation may take a long time, it is recommended to use the scheduled restart function to set the restart time after the installation is completed.

The Backup & Restore option is also located in Update & Security, and also includes the configuration of Windows Defender. This built-in security tool protects account credentials, manages network access, and protects against malware attacks.

You can also find settings for biometric devices such as fingerprint recognition, system health monitoring, and parental controls here. Click "Open Windows Security Center" in Update & Security > Windows Security Center to fully manage protection functions.

Whether it is the operating system itself or a third-party application, it may need to obtain your personal information or device permissions. The "Privacy" settings page is designed for this purpose, specifically managing various permissions in Windows 10. For example, you can allow or prevent your usage activity from being collected and sent to Microsoft.

Take the camera, for example: Most Windows 10 devices come with a built-in or external camera. In Privacy > Camera , you can control exactly which apps have access to the camera. Likewise, you can manage location, microphone, contacts, calendar, call history, and media library access.

Take control with Windows 10!

At the end of the day, Windows 10 is one of the most powerful personal operating systems out there. It is compatible with thousands of computers and notebooks of different configurations, and most functions can run stably on different hardware.

Of course, there are other operating systems out there to choose from, but no matter which one you use, it's always important to have a good understanding of your computer.

The above is the detailed content of The Windows 10 Settings Guide: How to Do Anything and Everything. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!