What is Windows 10? Windows 10 is a Microsoft operating system released July, 2015. The new operating system is an upgraded version of previous Microsoft operating systems like Windows 7, 8, or XP. Windows 10 has been referred to as a merger between Windows 7 and 8. Windows 10 works both on your PC and on your Windows Phone. How to Get Windows 10? Upgrade from Windows 7 or 8.x Windows 10 will be given away in its entirety to anyone currently using Windows 7 or Windows 8.x. Taking advantage of this free offer is easy. The first step to upgrading to Windows 10 is to click the Windows icon on your taskbar (see figure to left) This will open a window that will provide steps to allow you to download Windows 10. After a few minutes you should get to this screen. This gives you the choice to install Windows 10 on top of your current operating system allowing you to keep all your personal files, applications, and settings. To do this select Upgrade when prompted. Upgrade from Windows xp Topic: Windows 10 Page 1 of 6 www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca Updated: July 2015
If you still have Windows XP, you will be unable to take advantage of the free offer of Windows 10. You can, however, purchase Windows 10 at a local computer store or from the Microsoft website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ If you purchase your copy of Windows 10 online you will then be given the option to run an installer that will install your machine, or to download a file that you will be able to put on a disk or USB stick using the Windows USB DVD Download Tool to install Windows 10 on a different computer. Set Up After installing Windows 10 you will be asked to configure settings. Microsoft has made this easy giving you a Use express settings button at the bottom of the screen. Topic: Windows 10 Page 2 of 6 www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca
The next thing you will see is a prompt to log in to your Microsoft account. Windows 8 users are probably familiar with this login process but if you have upgraded from Windows 7 or are unsure what a Microsoft account is, read below: What is a Microsoft Account. The last question it will ask is whether you want to turn on OneDrive Cloud storage. This is a Microsoft remote storage solution that will save your documents in an offsite location so that you can be sure that they are safe and available from all your devices. Congratulations You have successfully installed Windows 10. You may notice some differences and if you would like to take a look at what s new check out the Whats new with Windows 10 handout. Topic: Windows 10 Page 3 of 6 www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca
What is a Microsoft Account? A Microsoft account is an email address and password used to log into Windows. Here are a few examples of things you can do with a Microsoft account: You can use an existing e-mail address or create a new one If a computer has multiple users, each user can have their own account and settings Download and install applications from the Windows store How Do I Sign Up For A Microsoft Account? If you have used programs such as Skype, Xbox, or Hotmail, you already have an account. Log in with the same email address and password to log in as you use for these programs To create a Microsoft Account, swipe from the right side of the screen, or point to the bottom right with a mouse A new menu will appear, tap or click settings, then tap or click change PC settings Click or tap on Users and then click or tap on switch to a Microsoft account Topic: Windows 10 Page 4 of 6 www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca
Follow the instructions and enter the security information to setup your account: If you would like to sign-up for a new email address to use for your Microsoft account, click or tap sign up for a new email address Follow the instructions to create the email address and your account Topic: Windows 10 Page 5 of 6 www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca
Topic: Windows 10 Page 6 of 6 www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca