Setting Up Windows for Advanced Users - potatoscript/windows-os GitHub Wiki

Step 1: Personalize Your Desktop

πŸ‘‰ What is Personalization?
Personalization is when you make your computer feel like your own, by changing how it looks!

How to Do It:

  1. Right-click anywhere on your desktop (where there’s nothing), and you will see a menu.
  2. Click on Personalize.
  3. You can change:
    • Wallpaper (the picture behind your desktop).
    • Themes (how things like buttons and windows look).
    • Colors (the colors for the taskbar, title bars, and borders).

Icon:

πŸ–ΌοΈ Choose your favorite wallpaper from the options.

Step 2: Setting Up Wi-Fi

πŸ‘‰ What is Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is a way to connect to the internet without using cables. You can surf the web, watch videos, and play games with it!

How to Do It:

  1. Look at the bottom right of your screen. You’ll see a small Wi-Fi icon πŸ“Ά.
  2. Click on it. A list of Wi-Fi networks around you will pop up.
  3. Choose your Wi-Fi network (the one that belongs to your house or school).
  4. Enter the password (ask an adult for the password if you don’t know it).
  5. Click Connect.

Icon:

🌐 Wi-Fi symbol to connect to the internet.

Step 3: Update Windows

πŸ‘‰ Why Update?
Updating your Windows helps fix problems and keeps your computer safe from bad stuff on the internet.

How to Do It:

  1. Click on the Start Menu (the little Windows logo in the bottom-left corner).
  2. Type in Update in the search box and click Check for updates.
  3. If there are any updates, your computer will show them. You can click on Install to make your computer up-to-date.

Icon:

πŸ”„ A circle with arrows showing that it's updating.

Step 4: Set Up a Backup System

πŸ‘‰ Why Backup?
Sometimes things can go wrong, and you might lose important files. Backup keeps copies of your files so you don’t lose them!

How to Do It:

  1. Open Settings by clicking on the Start Menu and then the gear icon βš™οΈ.
  2. Click on Update & Security, then click Backup.
  3. You will see an option to Add a drive. Choose a USB drive or an external hard drive to save your backup.
  4. Turn on automatic backups to keep your files safe.

Icon:

πŸ’Ύ A small USB icon to show where you can store your backup.

Step 5: Set Up User Accounts

πŸ‘‰ What is a User Account?
A User Account is like your personal space on the computer. You can have your own files, pictures, and settings!

How to Do It:

  1. Open Settings βš™οΈ, then go to Accounts.
  2. Click Family & other users.
  3. Click Add someone else to this PC.
  4. You can create a new account for someone by typing their email or creating a local account without an email.
  5. Set permissions for each account (like if they can install software or just use it).

Icon:

πŸ‘€ A small person icon showing user accounts.

Step 6: Setting Up Cortana (Voice Assistant)

πŸ‘‰ What is Cortana?
Cortana is like your personal helper! You can ask it questions or tell it to do things, like opening apps or searching the web.

How to Do It:

  1. Click on the Search bar next to the Start Menu.
  2. Type in Cortana and click on Cortana & Search Settings.
  3. Turn on Cortana, and allow it to listen to you.
  4. You can now say, β€œHey Cortana, open Google Chrome!” or β€œWhat’s the weather today?”

Icon:

🎀 A microphone icon to talk to Cortana.

Step 7: Turn on Dark Mode

πŸ‘‰ What is Dark Mode?
Dark Mode changes the background of your screen to black or dark colors, which can be easier on your eyes, especially at night.

How to Do It:

  1. Open Settings βš™οΈ.
  2. Click on Personalization, then go to Colors.
  3. Scroll down and choose Dark under the Choose your color section.

Icon:

πŸŒ™ A moon icon to show dark mode.

Step 8: Install Your Favorite Apps

πŸ‘‰ What are Apps?
Apps are programs that let you do fun things, like play games, draw pictures, or chat with friends.

How to Do It:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store (the shopping bag icon πŸ›’ on your taskbar).
  2. Browse through the store for apps like games, music players, and drawing apps.
  3. Click on an app you want, then press Install.

Icon:

πŸ“± App icon from the Microsoft Store.

Step 9: Set Up a Screensaver

πŸ‘‰ What is a Screensaver?
A screensaver is a fun image or animation that appears on your screen when you’re not using the computer for a while.

How to Do It:

  1. Right-click on the desktop and click Personalize.
  2. Click on Lock screen, then scroll down to find Screen saver settings.
  3. Choose your favorite screensaver and how long the computer should wait before showing it.

Icon:

πŸ–₯️ A computer screen icon with a fun animation.

Step 10: Keep Your Computer Secure with a Password

πŸ‘‰ Why Use a Password?
A password keeps your computer safe from people who shouldn’t use it.

How to Do It:

  1. Open Settings βš™οΈ and go to Accounts.
  2. Click on Sign-in options.
  3. Choose Password, then click Add.
  4. Set a strong password (ask an adult if you need help choosing one).

Icon:

πŸ” A lock icon to show security.