So you have upgraded to Windows 10 already and are familiar with what it has to offer.

If you are up-to-date you now have what Microsoft calls Build No. 10565 installed or updated automatically to your PC.

If you are awaiting Kapiti SeniorNet’s call to upgrade then the following tips will come in handy once you are updated because Microsoft has not publicized them.

Here you are working away with several windows open and you really want only the one you are reading now to remain open. Rather than going back to the other windows and minimizing each one you just grab the title bar of the window to remain open with the cursor and move the page quickly back and forth as if you were shaking it. A couple of quick shakes and all the other windows will minimize leaving just the windows you are shaking open.

Say you wanted to know the properties of a file, you’d open file explorer [windows explorer previously] then right click the file and then open properties, but you can just hold down the Alt key and double click the file folder or program shortcut and its properties menu opens.

Sometimes you might wish to have the recycle bin showing so you can check it for a number of reasons and to that end have it on the start menu. Easy, right click the desk top icon for the bin and click ‘Pin to Start’. It will now appear on the right hand side of your start menu.

There are also some new key shortcuts using the Win key, the key with the Windows logo on it assuming you are using a Microsoft keyboard. Try Win+I which opens the new Settings menu, Win+X opens the secret Start Menu and Win+A opens the Action centre.

You may wonder what the Secret Menu is about, well it is where quite a number of important items are listed that you may need to access. This is the list:and we all need to get to the control panel or the file explorer regularly. So remember Win+X.

In a hurry to find the programme you want in the Start menu? Then you can speed dial your choice by clicking the numbers or letters above each alphabetic part to open a speed dial list. Clicking a letter or a number jumps you to that section of the start menu.

Of lesser importance may be the ability of Windows 10 to scroll any window, both active and the non-actives on your screen by moving the cursor over the inactive window and scroll with the wheel. This action may have to be pre-set if not working, in which case go to Settings> Devices> Mouse & Touchpad, then toggle ‘Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them’ and click ON.

Finally, if you like to use the keyboard shortcuts rather than the mouse and you have pinned various programmes to the taskbar that you may wish to open with a key then use Win+a number, the number to correspond with the position on the taskbar of the selected programme. You can also cycle through the apps on your taskbar: Win+T hitting T until you have reached the desired app, whether pinned or open.

Keep these handy tips till you are up and running Windows 10, and have fun trying them all out.