Show Recently Added Apps: Places the names of apps you recently acquired on the Start menu.
Show Most Used Apps: Places the names of programs you use most often on the Start menu. The names of these programs appear under the Recommended heading.
Show Recently Opened Items in Jump Lists on Start or the Taskbar and in File Explorer: Allows you to quickly open folders, files, and windows from the Start menu, taskbar, and File Explorer screen. When you move the pointer over an app or program on the Start menu, an arrow appears; select the arrow to see a menu of items you can open. When you move the pointer over an icon on the taskbar, thumbnail windows appear so that you can choose which window to open. In File Explorer, the items are listed in the Quick Access section of the navigation pane.
Folders: Allows you to place specific folders on the Start menu. These folders appear next to the Power button after you place them there. For example, you might want to add your Documents or Pictures folder to the Start menu for fast and easy access.
FIGURE 3-11
Handle Notifications
Notifications are the sometimes pesky little message boxes that appear in the lower-right corner of the screen when you least expect them. You can decide for yourself whether notifications appear and which notifications you want to see. On the Settings screen, select System. See “Access the Settings Screen,” earlier in this chapter, if you need help opening the Settings screen.
Select Notifications to see the screen shown in Figure 3-12.
Under Notifications in the Notifications from Apps and Other Senders list, turn options on or off to tell Windows whether you want notifications to appear on your screen.
Select the Close button (the X) to close the Settings window.
FIGURE 3-12
Chapter 4
Working with User Accounts
IN THIS CHAPTER
Connecting to and disconnecting from the Internet
Creating local and Microsoft Accounts
Managing passwords
Deleting an account
Windows 11 seeks an Internet connection automatically from the moment you start it. More often than not, you connect to the Internet using a wireless or Wi-Fi connection. For this reason, if you start a laptop or tablet in a coffee shop or library, you may see a notification that one or more network connections are available. That's convenient.
A computer without an Internet connection is an island, if not a paperweight. Connecting to a network, however, opens a door to your computer — and malefactors try to push through that door to access your computer. Windows 11 has a firewall that monitors and restricts traffic in and out. Don't be afraid of connecting to the Internet, but be aware of the risks and be careful to connect to a network that seems trustworthy. In Chapter 1, you create a local user account. You need a Microsoft Account to take full advantage of Windows 11 features such as the Microsoft Store for apps (see Chapter 10), OneDrive for online storage (see Chapter 16), and synchronized settings between computers. In this chapter, you create a Microsoft Account and choose a secure method for logging in to your account. You also discover how to switch to Airplane mode, create a local account, and switch from a local account to a Microsoft Account. To control access to your computer, you find out how to use a password to unlock your computer.
If other people use your computer, you may want to create more than one local account. When each person who uses your computer has a separate account, you can keep data, apps, and settings tidy and private. We recommend having only one administrator account for each computer.
Even if you're the only one using your computer, you may want more than one account. For example, if you create a local account, you can experiment with the new account — changing the look and function of Windows 11 — without affecting your first account.
Many of the steps in this chapter involve entering text, such as your name. If you don’t have a physical keyboard, use the virtual keyboard, which is covered in Chapter 1.
Connect to the Internet
On the Windows desktop, look to the Network icon to see whether your computer is connected to the Internet. This icon is located to the left of the time and date readings in the lower-right corner of the screen on the taskbar, as shown in Figure 4-1.
Select or choose options by moving the mouse pointer and left-clicking or by tapping a touchscreen with your finger.
Select the Network icon. A network panel appears on the right side of your screen, as shown in Figure 4-2, and shows what network you are connected to. Select the Wi-Fi button to see available networks, as shown in Figure 4-3.
If you see Not connected and No connections available, you may be out of luck. Check your computer documentation to see whether your PC has wireless capability and whether you need to turn on a mechanical switch.
If your computer is near a router (DSL or cable) and you don’t have wireless capability, you may be able to connect your PC and the router using an Ethernet cable, which is thicker than a phone line, with wider connections.
Select a connection. Note that not all displayed connections are accessible or desirable.
If you're not sure that you can trust a connection, you might want to forego a connection — better safe than sorry. (Unsafe wireless connections can be used to eavesdrop on your activities, though that scenario is rare.) However, if an available connection sports the name of the establishment you're in or near, such as a restaurant or a coffee shop, the connection may be safe. The same is true of connections at libraries, airports, and many other public spaces.
After you select a connection, the selected icon expands and displays the Connect Automatically check box, as shown in Figure 4-4. If you trust the connection and might want to use it again, select the check box. Otherwise, deselect the check box. To continue, select the Connect button.
You may be prompted to enter a network security key (a series of characters), which limits access to those who know the key. See Figure 4-5. The key protects that network and its users. If you're using a hotel's connection, you can obtain the key from the front desk. If you don't know the key, select Cancel. Otherwise, enter the key (dots appear as you type) and select Next.
If the connection is public and open, you won't be prompted for a key. Open connections are common in libraries, coffee shops, and other places many people come and go.
If you entered the correct key or none was required, you may see this message: Do you want to turn on sharing between PCs and connect to devices on this network? The term sharing refers to allowing computers access to your files or to a device, such as a printer. You should share at home but not in a public location. Choose one of the following: