Windows 10 Tips and Tricks
Windows 10 includes useful tools for working faster, organizing windows, finding files, and customizing your desktop. These tips cover its established features and keyboard shortcuts, plus important security considerations now that standard support has ended. See our Windows vulnerability guide for related protection advice.
Windows 10 End of Support: What You Should Know
Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 computers still run, but devices without eligible Extended Security Updates (ESU) no longer receive ordinary operating-system security fixes. Microsoft's consumer ESU program provides qualifying security updates through October 13, 2026 for enrolled, eligible PCs. Business and education arrangements may differ. Check Microsoft's Windows 10 support information before deciding whether to upgrade or enroll.
| Option | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Use Windows 10 without ESU | Existing applications may still work | No regular Windows 10 security fixes; increased risk |
| Enroll in eligible ESU | Temporary critical and important security fixes | Consumer coverage is scheduled through October 13, 2026; no new features |
| Upgrade to Windows 11 | Move to a supported version | Requires compatible hardware and a qualifying license |
| Replace an older PC | Supported hardware and operating system | Purchase and data migration required |
Search from the Start Menu
Another great way to quickly get to an app or file is to open the Start menu, either by clicking on it or using the Windows key, then simply typing is the name of the app, file, or folder you're looking for
Customize the Start Menu Even More
You can change the overall appearance of the Start menu by choosing Settings, then going to Personalization. From there, select the Colors option to change the background color of your Start menu. Head to the Start tab to adjust even more options, like hiding most used and recently added apps, as well as the folders that appear and more
Resize the Start Menu
Making it so that it only takes up a small corner of your screen, or as large as your entire desktop. Just drag from the corners
Maximize Any Window
Just click and hold the title bar, then drag it all the way to the top edge of your screen. As soon as you let go of your mouse, the window will be maximized
Use Snap Assist for Split-Screen View
To open two windows in a perfect split-screen view, start by dragging the first window to either the left or right edge of your screen. Release your mouse button, the window will automatically be sized to fit exactly one half of your screen, then Snap Assist will populate the opposite half of your display with thumbnails of any other windows you currently have open
Snap Windows into Corners for 3 or 4 Apps at a Time
You can even snap windows to each corner of your display by dragging any window into one of the four corners of your screen, then let go of your mouse button to snap it into a window that's a quarter of the size
Rotate Your Screen
Open Settings > System > Display, select the display you want to adjust, and choose a supported option under Display orientation. Some graphics drivers provide additional rotation shortcuts, but Ctrl + Alt + D is not a standard Windows 10 display rotation shortcut.
Right-Click on the Taskbar
Right-click an empty area of the taskbar to open options such as Task Manager, search controls, and taskbar settings. The available menu items can vary with your Windows 10 version.
Reboot & Shut Down Options in the Start Menu
Options for shutting down, rebooting, and sleeping your PC are now located in the Start menu. Simply click on the "Power" entry in the Start menu to access these options
Activate God Mode
Starting with Windows 10, system options are now scattered across two separate menus—Control Panel and Settings. This obviously leads to a bit of confusion when it comes to finding the option you're looking for, but a hidden "God Mode" menu will put all of Windows 10s options in one place
Create a new folder anywhere, like on the Desktop - Then give it the following name:
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
Now just open this folder to find quick links to every single option Windows 10 has to offer. Note that "God mode" isn't a new feature exclusive to Windows 10, but does work to consolidate options, which is especially useful now that they're split between two areas
Access All Your Apps in the Start Menu
Possibly the best thing about having the Start menu back is the ability to access all your apps from it. Just click the "All apps" option to see them in an alphabetical list
Pin Items to the Start Menu
While having a full app list is great, it can be a pain to scroll through if you find yourself constantly opening the same few apps over and over. To make them easier to access, simply right-click on them, then choose the "Pin to Start" option to have placed as a Tile. This can also be done with folders and documents from File Explorer
Access the Quick Actions Menu
To access the quick action's menu, simply click the Action Center icon in your notification area, which looks a lot like a chat bubble icon. From there, just click any icon to quickly adjust any of its settings
Customize the Quick Actions Menu
Open Action Center with Win + A, then use Expand if needed. On supported Windows 10 versions, choose Edit your quick actions (or right-click an action and select Edit quick actions) to add, remove, or rearrange available controls. Menus vary by version.
Create Multiple Desktops
Press Win + Ctrl + D to create a virtual desktop, or open Task View with Win + Tab and choose New desktop. Virtual desktops let you keep separate groups of app windows for different tasks.
Switch Between Desktops
Press Win + Tab to open Task View, then choose a desktop. To switch quickly, use Win + Ctrl + Left or Right Arrow. Press Win + Ctrl + F4 to close the current virtual desktop; its open windows move to another desktop.
Change the Default Search Engine in Edge
In Microsoft Edge, open Settings > Privacy, search, and services, then find Address bar and search to choose an available search engine. Menus can change with Edge updates.
Annotate, Highlight, & Insert Notes in Edge
The old purple Web Notes toolbar belonged to legacy Microsoft Edge and is no longer available in current Chromium-based Edge. You can annotate PDF files in Edge where supported, capture screenshots using built-in browser tools, and save pages or notes using current browser features.
Use Reader Mode in Edge
Microsoft Edge offers Immersive Reader on supported pages. Look for the reader icon in the address bar or try F9 when available. It simplifies page presentation and may provide reading assistance, but not every website supports it.
Share Links Easier in Edge
To share a webpage, copy its address with Ctrl + L followed by Ctrl + C, then paste it into an email or message. Some Edge versions also offer sharing from their menus; controls vary by release.
New Search Feature in File Explorer
Open File Explorer with Win + E, select the folder or drive to search, and enter a name or term in the Search box. Searches can include subfolders, and indexing or search settings can affect speed and results. Filters and ribbon controls depend on the installed Windows version.
Pin Folders in File Explorer
If there are any folders or libraries that you'd like to pin to your Quick access menu, simply right-click them in File Explorer, then select "Pin to Quick access" and they'll be easily available in the left pane
Libraries Menu in File Explorer
The old Libraries feature is nowhere in sight, but it isn't gone. Simply go to the View ribbon menu, then click the Navigation Pane option. From here, select the "Show libraries" entry, and it will be back in the left-side pane
Scrollable Background Apps (& How to Disable Them)
In Windows 10, you can scroll an inactive window by moving the pointer over it and using the mouse wheel. To enable or disable this behavior, open Settings > Devices > Mouse and change Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them.
Make Your Command Prompt Window Transparent
If you use Command Prompt for troubleshooting or web development, consult RSH Web support for related help. If you like to dig into Windows via Command Prompt, Windows 10 provides a ghostly way to interface with it. To access the Command Prompt interface in Windows 10, click on the Windows menu and type "Command Prompt" to bring up quick access to its desktop app. To personalize the experience, right-click at the top of the window to prompt a pop-up menu and choose "Properties." Click over to the "Colors" tab to see a range of personalization options. At the bottom of this tab, you'll find the "Opacity" slider, which allows you to see through the Command Prompt window. This feature lets you code away in the Command Prompt while simultaneously observing the desktop. If you are a Windows hacky wacky person, go nuts
Tweak Almost Anything
There has always been a handy interface-tweaking utility for Windows, Developer Paras Sidhu and his Ultimate Windows Tweaker program will now let you tweak almost any aspect of Windows 10
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/ultimate-windows-tweaker-4-windows-10
Windows Shortcut Keys
Some new, Some Old, Some just Cool
Windows 10 Performance and Security Best Practices
- Keep important files backed up before changing system settings, installing updates, or migrating to Windows 11.
- Check Settings > Apps > Startup to disable unnecessary startup programs, and use Task Manager to identify resource-heavy processes.
- Free space with Settings > System > Storage and review Storage Sense options before removing files.
- Use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication on supported accounts. Our online privacy guide covers related precautions.
- Install trusted software only and review downloads carefully; see our unsafe browsing habits guide.
- Remember that antivirus alone cannot replace missing operating-system security patches. Read more about unpatched Windows vulnerabilities.
- Check Windows 11 eligibility or applicable ESU coverage rather than assuming an unsupported Windows 10 installation is adequately protected.
Common Windows 10 Problems and Solutions
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| PC is slow | Review startup apps and Task Manager; check free disk space. |
| Search cannot find files | Confirm the search location and review indexing options. |
| Low disk space | Review Storage Sense and temporary files before deleting anything important. |
| Snap Assist does not work | Check Settings > System > Multitasking > Snap windows. |
| Clipboard history is unavailable | Enable clipboard history under Settings > System > Clipboard. |
| Apps freeze | Restart the app, check Task Manager, and review compatible application updates. |
| Security update questions | Check official Microsoft support and ESU eligibility. For further reading, see Windows zero-day risks. |
Most Useful Windows 10 Shortcuts at a Glance
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + E | Open File Explorer |
| Win + I | Open Settings |
| Win + L | Lock your PC |
| Win + D | Show or hide the desktop |
| Win + Shift + S | Capture a screen region |
| Win + Tab | Open Task View |
| Win + Ctrl + D | Create a virtual desktop |
| Win + Ctrl + Left/Right | Switch virtual desktops |
| Win + X | Open the Quick Link menu |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 10
Can I still use Windows 10 after support ended?
Yes. Windows 10 computers still run after standard support ended on October 14, 2025, but systems without eligible Extended Security Updates no longer receive regular Windows 10 security fixes. See our Windows security risks guide for more details.
When does Windows 10 Extended Security Updates coverage end?
For eligible consumer PCs enrolled in the program, Microsoft schedules Windows 10 ESU security updates through October 13, 2026. Other business or education arrangements may have different terms. Check official Microsoft guidance for your device.
How can I make Windows 10 run faster?
Disable unnecessary startup applications, review resource use in Task Manager, and free storage space carefully. Avoid untrusted optimization utilities and see our safe software and browsing tips.
What are the most useful Windows 10 shortcuts?
Win + E opens File Explorer, Win + I opens Settings, Win + L locks your PC, and Win + Shift + S captures part of the screen. The shortcut reference on this page lists more commands.
How do I create and switch between virtual desktops?
Press Win + Ctrl + D to create a virtual desktop. Use Win + Ctrl + Left or Right Arrow to switch and Win + Ctrl + F4 to close the current virtual desktop.
What is God Mode in Windows 10?
God Mode is an informal name for a special folder that lists many existing Control Panel tasks in one place. It does not unlock extra permissions or make your PC faster.
Can I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
Many eligible Windows 10 PCs can upgrade to Windows 11, depending on hardware requirements, compatibility, and license eligibility. Check Windows Update and Microsoft PC Health Check before proceeding.
Is antivirus enough to protect Windows 10 after support ends?
No. Antivirus can help detect malicious software, but it does not replace operating-system security patches. For related precautions, read our safe web surfing advice and online privacy tips.
Where can I find more computer and website security help?
Explore the RSH Web blog index and RSH Web support resources for additional security and technology guides.
Author Bio: Adam Jones
With over 10 years of experience working at major organizations and agencies. His expertise spans across...
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