The desktop
If you’ve used Windows 11, you already know your way around. The taskbar sits along the bottom with Start and your apps in the middle, and the tray, quick settings and clock on the right.
Click the Start button or press the Windows key. Start shows your pinned apps and recent files, and you can just start typing to search.
Search looks through the apps and files on this computer only. Nothing you type in Start leaves it.
The taskbar
Section titled “The taskbar”- A short line under an app’s icon means it’s running. A wider, coloured line marks the one you’re using.
- Press Windows + 1 to 9 to open or switch to the apps on the taskbar, in order.
- Right-click an app’s icon to Pin to taskbar or Unpin from taskbar. Music and video players show play, pause and skip here too. Windows programs say Runs in Windows mode, with a shortcut to Windows mode settings.
You can move the taskbar’s icons to the left, or make it float above the desktop as two rounded pills, in Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar.
Quick settings
Section titled “Quick settings”Click the Wi-Fi, sound and battery icons at the right of the taskbar to open quick settings: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VPN, flight mode, night light, do not disturb, casting to a screen and accessibility, with sliders for volume and brightness and the power mode.
Choose Edit quick settings to pick which tiles are shown.
Notifications and calendar
Section titled “Notifications and calendar”Click the clock to see your notifications and the calendar. Turn on Do not disturb in quick settings to keep notifications quiet.
The security shield
Section titled “The security shield”The shield on the taskbar shows Protected when everything is as it should be. Click it to see the details in plain English:
- Security updates: whether fixes are up to date, with Check now.
- App protection: whether apps are limited in what they can reach.
- Device protection: whether new USB devices need your OK, and any that are waiting.
- Network protection: whether other computers can connect to this one.
If anything needs attention, the shield says so and tells you what to do. It checks this computer only and never goes online to do it. See USB devices.
Ctrl+Alt+Delete
Section titled “Ctrl+Alt+Delete”Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete for the Wild OS security screen: shut down, restart, sign out, switch user, change your password or open Task Manager, plus the magnifier, screen reader and sticky keys.