Windows 11 For Dummies

Windows 11 promises to be the fastest, most secure, and most flexible version of the Microsoft operating system yet. With a promise like that, of course you want to start using it, as quickly as possible! Windows 11 For Dummies gives you that speed, security, and flexibility by getting you up to date with the latest in Windows. Windows expert and bestselling author Andy Rathbone gives you a helping hand by showing you how to get around the newly updated Windows 11 interface, how to use the new Windows tools like Teams and widgets, and how to use Android apps.

Your tour of Windows 11 starts with the Start menu and ends with how to troubleshoot when things go wrong. In between you find out how to find files on your hard drive, connect with friends and colleagues on Microsoft Teams, transfer photos from your phone to your hard drive, or switch between your desktop and laptop. Additional topics include:

• Navigating the Start menu
• Finding where your files are hiding
• Adding separate user accounts to keep your kids out of your business
• Connecting to a WiFi network
• Customizing your widgets
• Switching to a laptop or tablet

You know what you want to get done. Keep Windows 11 For Dummies by your desktop, laptop, and tablet, and you can open it at any time to find out how to get your Windows computer to do what you need.

Introduction 1

About This Book 2

How to Use This Book 3

Touchscreen Owners Aren’t Left Out 4

And What about You? 5

Icons Used in This Book 5

Beyond the Book 6

Where to Go from Here 6

Part 1: Windows 11 Stuff Everybody Thinks you Already Know 7

Chapter 1: what is windows 11? 9

What Is Windows, and Why Are You Using It? 10

What’s New in Windows 11? 12

What’s Missing from Windows 11? 14

Why Does Windows 11 Keep Changing? 16

Can My Current PC Run Windows 11? 16

The Different Flavors of Windows 11 18

Chapter 2: Starting with the Start Menu 19

Being Welcomed to the World of Windows 20

Understanding user accounts 22

Keeping your account private and secure 23

Signing up for a Microsoft account 25

Figuring Out the Windows 11 Start Menu 27

Launching a Start menu program or app 29

Finding something on the Start menu 29

Viewing, closing, or returning to open apps 31

Getting to know your free apps 32

Adding or removing Start menu items 35

Customizing the Start menu 36

Exiting from Windows 39

Temporarily leaving your computer 39

Leaving your computer for the day 41

Chapter 3: The Traditional Desktop 43

Finding the Desktop and the Start Menu 44

Working with the Desktop 45

Launching apps with the Start menu 47

Jazzing up the desktop’s background 48

Dumpster diving in the Recycle Bin 50

Bellying Up to the Taskbar 52

Shrinking windows to the taskbar and retrieving them 54

Switching to different tasks from the taskbar’s Jump Lists 54

Clicking the taskbar’s sensitive areas 55

Seeing the Action Center and Notifications 58

Viewing notifications 58

Seeing Quick Settings icons 60

Watching Widgets 60

Customizing the taskbar 62

Setting Up Virtual Desktops 63

Making Programs Easier to Find 66

Chapter 4: Basic Desktop Window Mechanics 69

Dissecting a Typical Desktop Window 70

Tugging on a window’s title bar 71

Navigating folders with a window’s Address bar 73

Figuring out your folder’s new Menu bars 74

Quick shortcuts with the Navigation pane 76

Moving ins