How-To find the Location of the Start Menu in Windows 10

 Today’s How-To Guide for the computer beginner we are going attempt answer the question, ‘How-To find the Start menu in Windows 10?”

Today I will briefly explain:

Where is the location of Start Menu in Windows 10

What are the sections to the Start menu

How-To change Start Menu Tiles

What is a Live Tile

How do you Turn a Live Tile on and Off

What is Pinning or Unpinning

Where is the location of Start Menu in Windows 10?

In the picture above you will a red arrow pointing to the Start Button.  Once you click that Start button?  You will open up the START MENU.

What are the sections to the Start menu?

On your right hand side you have your applications.  Today they might be referred to as 'apps' or in the past?  Programs on your computer.  They are in order, and in most cases use the program (app) icon.

Yet, if you look above?  Under "B" you will see BACKUP AND SYNC FROM GOOGLE.  Instead of an icon you see a folder.  Notice the down arrow next to title.  When you click on this folder it expands.

I have circled in red a closer look at the folder.  It resembles a FILE folder.  In Yellow?  That expands this application (program or app) to show more.  The Yellow arrow is pointing up to show the additional aspects to this program, and if you look at the picture above (my list of apps compared to this single one)?  The arrow is down and the list isn't expanded.

To close you click on the UP arrow (Yellow circle), and it will look like it did in my first picture.

If you look at the far left?  You will see a menu and icons.

#1 Just expands the look of this list of the Start Menu (Click it once to see what I'm referring to, and then click again to minimize back to this view)

#2 is the account name for the computer user (the name you signed into the computer with)

#3  File Explorer

#4  Settings (an expanded version of Control Panel)

#5  Is the Power Settings (Turn computer off, Restart Computer, etc)

My computer also lists Pictures and Documents.  I think Windows Changes this from time to time.

These are some of the options you will get with your power button (#5 above) when you click it.  

How to Change Start Menu Tiles?

Your tiles are the picture below.  Keep in mind your tiles may look different.  When you first get your computer they randomly pick items for this section, but you can customize it to put your prefered items in there instead.    They call this 'pinning' which is adding an icon or app.  Your 'unpinning' if you wish to remove something.

I'm NOT a gamer, and so these games are worthless to me.  I'm going to 'unpin' this under the "PLAY" section to remove them.  

In the picture above there is a game tile, and I'm going to RIGHT CLICK on that game tile itself.  The above menu comes up.  As you can see I have a couple of options.

The top one is UNPIN FROM START with my red arrow pointing to it.  Now, if I wanted to keep the game, but I didn't want it UNINSTALL (see bottom option) I could click on that option.  Since I'm NOT a gamer?  I may pick to uninstall the game from my computer completely.  I would then click my choice.

Then again you may decide I LOVE this game, but I want the tile bigger!  Notice RESIZE opens up another menu with choices.  The Checkmark on medium means that is the current size they are using.

The more option also has more choices.  

What is a Live Tile?

Windows 10 includes a new 3D animation for live tiles, and then you have static ones that generally have your program (app) logo or icon as the picture.

If we look at my tiles again above?  At the very bottom most people have the tile named NEWS.  It's next to Facebook in the above picture.  As we know NEWS changes, and 3D animation with headlines will change in this tile.

If you look at the top portion with the picture of the game console?  Under the PLAY section? (Xbox console) that is a static tile, and it doesn't change.  It's the same for the Solitaire Icon.

Now, let's turn on a LIVE TILE.  It seems my weather tile isn't showing any weather!

How do you Turn a Live Tile on and Off

Right Click WEATHER, slide down to MORE, and click on TURN LIVE TILE ON

I'm NOT from Washington, but if I was?  You can see the weather for that area.  Not sure why it randomly picked Washington, but I can go back into the app (program) to change my location later.

It's also to small for my liking, and I'm going to use the RESIZE option to make it bigger!

This live tile changes from the next three days (as seen above) to today's forecast.

If I decide I don't want the weather app to be live?  I would do the same progress we just did, but click TURN LIVE TILE OFF.

What is Pinning or Unpinning?

We will go back again to the list of apps (Programs) from our start menu

I have decided I will keep a game they have on my computer, and because BINGO was a childhood favorite?  I'm going PIN Bingo to my START MENU.  That way when I click my START BUTTON it will be easy for me to find!

I'm going to RIGHT CLICK on Bingo Blitz on my list you see above, and click on PIN TO START.

Now it is there for as long as I want it to be!

Yet, those other games that are listed?  I don't need them, and so I can either UNPIN them or UNINSTALL them altogether.

Right click on the Game Icon in the start menu, and click on my top option 'UNPIN FROM START'.

I decided I only wanted to keep my BINGO and SOLITAIRE.  I UNPINNED the rest of the games.

You decide what programs (apps) you use and want to keep in this section, because it is entirely UP to you!

The Windows Community also has a short and brief video on customizing the Start Menu that you might find help on Youtube.

I hope our How-To lesson on the Start Menu for Windows 10 helped you!

If something is not clear, or you feel something should be added to our lesson? Please feel free to leave your comment or question in section we provided.

Also please subscribe by leaving your email in the box supplied, and you will received future lessons by email as they come out.

Thank you for reading our How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner, and today’s lesson on “How-To find the Location of the Start Menu in Windows 10”

How-To do the Windows 10 Update

 Today’s How-To Guide for the computer beginner we are going attempt answer the question, ‘How-To do the Windows Update for Windows 10?”

Today I will briefly explain:

Where is Windows Update? 

How do you install the Window’s updates? 

What are optional updates?

Turning off Automatic updates

Where is Windows Update in Windows 10? 

In Windows 10 your windows update normally runs by itself, and doesn't always need prompting like older operating systems.  They call this automatic updates.  I will also show you how to do the Windows 10 update manually as well.  

You will know something happened with your automatic updates when in your task bar you see the symbols below!

In my taskbar over close to the clock and calendar?  You see the symbol above with the orange dot inside of it.  If you hover over the symbol?  It tells you that Windows 10 Update has taken place, and your computer needs to be restarted in order to install it.  Your done!  Windows 10 is nice that way.

Now if you STILL want to manually check for Windows 10 Updates?  Which I do from time to time anyway, and most people should as well.

Windows updates are in the SETTINGS section of your Windows 10 computer.  We can get to the Windows Update directly, or go to SETTINGS and find the Windows Update Section.

Let's go direct first!

Go to your start button (red arrow) , and type in windows update next to the magnifying glass (you may have to click inside the box before starting to type).  You will see this option pop up like my picture below!

Notice at the top it says, "Check For Updates".  This will automatically take you to the Windows 10 Update Screen when you click on it.  

The second way - or indirect way - to go to Windows Update in the SETTINGS Section seen below:

 

You can go directly to settings in two ways.  One is to push the start button (Yellow circle), and click on the 'settings' icon.  I moved my settings icon to the task bar at the bottom.  Red Arrow (or my attempt at an arrow) points to the settings icon.  The settings icon looks like a gear or a strange wheel.  

Once you have found settings, and clicked on it?  A new window will open that looks similar to the one below.   This is SETTINGS.  Look at my row on the bottom, and you will see UPDATE & SECURITY  That is where your Windows 10 Update is.

How do you install the Window’s updates?

Click on Update & Security.  This will bring you to the Windows 10 Update Section!

If you do NOT have any updates the screen will tell you that, but if you see below?  I do have update.  We will deal with the optional updates as well, but first this is what I do on this screen.

Before I click UPDATE NOW I click on the left hand side of the screen that says WINDOWS UPDATE just to be sure I have the most up to date information.  

Sometimes Windows 10 Updates stay the same as the picture below, and other times it add additional updates.  It could also install the updates it noted on the screen, and now it shows NO updates at this time.  

Now that I have completed the above?  I look at my optional updates.

What are optional updates?

Right underneath the UPDATE NOW (see picture above) you will see the OPTIONAL QUALITY UPDATE AVAILABLE section.  Underneath that you will see VIEW ALL OPTIONAL UPDATES in the blue letters.  It will take you to another Windows Update Screen

Keep in mind at times you will have updates, and other times you may not.  It depends on what Microsoft wants to send out.

Since I have some optional updates?  Let's move forward!

I will click the WINDOWS UPDATE option as seen above with the check mark.  If you click that down arrow (circled in red) next to Windows Updates or Driver Updates it will reveal a list for you to choose from.  Again, sometimes you have one or many...or nothing at all.

Let's look at the Drivers Updates:

If I'm having issues with the Display?  I might pick the first option under Driver Updates since it says its a Display driver.  If you are having problems with sound?  Find your sound drivers.  If you aren't having any problems?  I don't personally fix something that isn't broken.  

Let's install my Optional Windows Update!

Above the HOUSE icon at the very top next to the word OPTIONAL UPDATES you should see an arrow with the word SETTINGS, and that will send you back to the previous screen with were on before.  Now we are back to the Windows Update section!

You will notice two things above.  1)  My screen says I'm up to date for the Windows Update, and 2)  The optional update on the last screen is presented to me under the OPTIONAL QUALITY UPDATE AVAILABLE since I selected it.

As I mentioned before sometimes Windows updates without your prompting it too.  I did have a Windows Update, but when we went to the Optional Update Section?  Windows installed it for me!

I do still want to install the optional update, and if you look at the blue lettering again?  It gives you the option of  DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL.  I click on this option of blue letters.

Also keep in mind depending on your internet speed, file size, number of updates, or a number of other factors this process may go for a while, or be rather quick.  It's seems different each time.

BE PATIENT!!

You will notice the message will tell you that windows is downloading the files first, and then they install them. 

Most of the time the installations are quick enough for you NOT to notice both steps.   Other times you wait for he download and then WAIT again for the installation.  Again - each time is different!

In the picture above the files were downloading (See Status), and it will install my optional update when it is complete.  Most of the time it doesn't prompt you if you want to install it, but if for some strange reason it does?  Click AWAY!

Some Windows 10 Updates will require you to restart your computer, and other times it will not.  Always prepare yourself to restart when it is complete.  Save your files, and do whatever else you need to do when you shut off your computer.

Keep in mind that your restart and shut down may go a little slower, because the computer is processing these new files, updates, etc.  Again, that doesn’t happen all the time!  Yet, if the file is large?  It will take longer than normal.

Once the computer has started up again you will need to follow the steps we did once again, and install the next set of updates (if needed).  You will be doing this until all of them have been completed. 

We do need to take care of the important ones to keep your computer running properly.

YEAH!  Your done!

Turning off Automatic updates

Most of the time you don't want to do this, but there are times in which you might.  I found a video on youtube that explains how to turn these updates off.  For Home versions of Windows 10?  You can't do this permanently.

Finally, remember windows updates are important for your computer!  You need to continue to check for updates from time to times on your own.  They claim the automatic updates will tell you when its time, but we have to remember this a machine.

If you haven’t see the reminder in a while?  Do your windows update manually once again like I have shown you, and keep it UP TO DATE!

If something is not clear, or you feel something should be added to our lesson? Please feel free to leave your comment or question in section we provided.

Also please subscribe by leaving your email in the box supplied, and you will received future lessons by email as they come out.

Thank you for reading our How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner, and today’s lesson on “How-To do Windows Update for Windows 10?”

How-To do Windows Update for Windows 7?

Today’s How-To Guide for the computer beginner we are going attempt answer the question, ‘How-To do Windows Update for Windows 7?”

Today I will briefly explain:

Where is Windows Update? 

How do you install the Window’s updates? 

What are optional updates?

Turning on Automatic updates

Dealing with window update errors

 

Where is Windows Update?

In Windows 7:

 

Go to your start button, and type in windows update.  You will see this option pop up like my picture below!

 

 

 

How-To install the Window’s updates 

Click on that option once you see it, and a new window will open, and you will click on ‘Check for Updates’.  This will run for a while, and so be patient!

Notice below it states you have 14 important updates, and 37 optional updates.  These 2 choices are in the blue lettering on the left.

We are going to install the ‘important updates’ first, and you notice that is in black text right above the ‘install updates’ button I’m pointing at in the picture.

Keep in mind depending on your internet speed, file size, number of updates, or a number of other factors this process may go for a while, or be rather quick.

BE PATIENT!!

You will notice the message will tell you that windows is downloading the files first, and then they install them. 

Most of the time the installations aren’t quick enough for you NOT to notice both steps. 

In the picture below the files were already downloaded, and it’s installing update 15.

There are times in which one update needs to be downloaded and installed all by itself.  Other times you will notice they all install at the same time.

 

See below that only three updates downloaded and installed.  Yet, the computer told us we had 14!  This is a perfect example to show you what I was talking about above.  Make sure you save any files, or programs you were working on, and then hit the ‘restart’ now button.

Keep in mind that your restart and shut down may go a little slower, because the computer is processing these new files, updates, etc.  Again, that doesn’t happen all the time!  Yet, if the file is large?  It will take longer than normal.

Once the computer has started up again you will need to follow the steps we did once again, and install the next set of updates.  You will be doing this until all of them have been completed.  We will move on to the optional updates later, but we do need to take care of the important ones to keep your computer running properly.

 

Working with Optional Updates

Once you have the IMPORTANT updates done you move on the optional updates.   If you remember we had 37 optional updates!

Instead of just ‘installing updates’ we may need to look at these optional updates.  You can do that by clicking on the blue words, ‘37 optional updates are available’.  Then a new screen with a list of the updates will be provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We want to look at the updates since their OPTIONAL to see if want them or not!

Optional updates could be software updates to some of your hardware like your printer, or as we see below they are offering language packs.

If you speak Japanese?  You may want this one, and that is why it is selected by clicking on it.  If you don’t want the others?  Notice those are left blank.  You can pick all of them, or none of them!

At times you may not recognize what the optional update is, and you can either Google (search engine) the title of the update…or in some cases use some discernment with the title (for example Microsoft security fix) and choose to install it.

Again, you want to continue to do the windows update until FINALLY you have completed all of them!

When you have done all your windows updates, and optional updates you will get the below message! 

YEAH!  Your done!

 

Turning on Automatic updates

Majority of time people like to turn on automatic update notifications for  Windows Update.  This way your computer lets you know that updates are available!  You would get a similar notification like this at the bottom of your screen – on the left hand side.

(Notice the icon at the bottom!)

To Turn on Automatic Updates yourself, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type Windows update in the search box, and then click Windows Update 

1. In the left pane, click Change settings.
2. Select the option that you want.
3. Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates or Include recommended updates when downloading, installing, or notifying me about updates check box, and then click OK.

Depending on your comfort level in this area you choose which is better for you.  Most go with the recommended option!

 

How-To Deal With Update Errors

 

From time to time you may get an update error, and the ‘try again’ option will work.

At times these errors could be that your internet is slow at the moment, or I have found at times a restart of the computer helps the error fix itself…and it finishes!

Notice the Code 66A, and it gives you link for help if all else fails.

If the article it links to makes no sense to you?  Google the error.  For example, “Windows 7 Update Code 66A”.  Check to see if other’s have dealt with this error, and read how they solved it!

 

Finally, remember windows updates are important for your computer!  You need to continue to check for updates from time to times on your own.  They claim the automatic updates will tell you when its time, but we have to remember this a machine.

If you haven’t see the reminder in a while?  Do your windows update manually once again like I have shown you, and keep it UP TO DATE!

 

If something is not clear, or you feel something should be added to our lesson? Please feel free to leave your comment or question in section we provided.

Also please subscribe by leaving your email in the box supplied, and you will received future lessons by email as they come out.

Thank you for reading our How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner, and today’s lesson on “How-To do Windows Update for Windows 7?”

How-To do Windows Updates for Windows 8.1

Today’s How-To Guide for the computer beginner we are going attempt answer the question, ‘How-To do Windows Update for Windows 8.1?”

 

If you have Windows 8 there is an update to Windows 8.1.  Please check the Microsoft page to see if you are eligible! 

Today I will briefly explain:

Where is Windows Update? 

How do you install the Window’s updates? 

What are optional updates?

Turning on Automatic updates

 

Where is Windows Update?

In Windows 8:

You want to click or swipe on the right hand side of your screen to bring your charms bar UP!

 

At the very top you will see the ‘search’ option, and you need to click on that.    Then type “Windows Update”  Then select it.

 

OR You can also search under the ‘settings’ option.  Then you start typing, “Windows Update” !

 

Click on Windows update, and the Windows Update box will open.

Some people choose to go directly to the PC Settings, and then to ‘update and recovery” like the picture below

(I personally just click search, and type in windows update)

Click the ‘check now’ to find the most up to date list available.

This may run for a while, unless you have been updating all long.

(Keep in mind below I will be using some windows 7 pictures for this lesson, because the screens are very similar in Windows 8)

When its complete you will get a similar looking message about the different updates YOUR computer will need!  The important section is similar to what we see below:

 

Notice it says 14 important updates and 37 optional ones.  That is the blue letters on the left hand side of my picture above.

With Time majority of the ‘important’ ones are done automatically by windows 8.1 when you enable your computer to do that.  We will show you that later on! 

 

How-To install the Window’s updates 

 

Then you have the button on the right  that states “install updates”. 

 

 

Now when you click that button your computer will attempt to download, and then install those updates that Microsoft stated your computer needs. 

It will take a while for the updates to first download, and then install.  If your files are small?  It will be much quicker!

Be patient!

Once the process is complete your computer may ask you to restart the computer to finish the installation.

 

When you restart you may see something similar to the below picture, because Windows 8 is completing its installation!

 

 

Keep in mind some updates need to be done by themselves, and other updates can be grouped together to install properly. 

Don’t ask me why, but windows update doesn’t always tell you that.  You will sometimes notice the computer telling you it only updated 3 out of the 14 updates.  Then asks you to ‘restart computer’.  That normally gives me the first clue that they needed to be installed separately.

Go ahead and allow the computer to restart.  The computer should restart on its own, but allow time for this.  It maybe slower to shut down and restart than your used too.

Once the computer is restarted?  Please do the above steps again for windows update, and install the remaining ones that are needed. 

 

Working with Optional Updates

Once you have the IMPORTANT updates done you move on the optional updates.   In the below picture you should see ‘Show All Available Updates” in blue letters.  You click on that!

Some of the optional updates you may recognize the program (like your printer for example) , and below I’m showing an update for Skype.   You make sure the box has the checkmark in it if you want the update, and you click install in the bottom right hand part of the picture below. 

 

I don’t use that program, and I’m sure Dell loaded on my machine when I bought it.  I left that ‘optional’ update unchecked.  You notice the ‘install’ area is greyed out, because I didn’t select this optional update.

I would say majority of the time you won’t recognize what the updates are for, and you can either google them…or install them.  It’s up to you, and that’s why they are called ‘optional’.

Again, you want to continue to do the windows update until FINALLY you have completed all of them!

When you have done all your windows updates, and optional updates you will get the below message! 

YEAH!  Your done!

 

Turning on Automatic updates

Majority of time people like to turn on automatic update notifications for  Windows Update

Let’s go back to the charm bar!  Then click on settings!

 

 

Notice at the VERY bottom you will see, “Change PC settings”.  Click there.

At the very bottom click update and recovery.

 

On the right in red letters click:  Choose how updates get installed

At the top you have a pull down menu, and two places that you can select WHAT you wish! 

Depending on your comfort level in this area you choose which is better for you.  Most go with the recommended option!

What is nice about updates compared to past operating systems (in my opinion) is updates are done behind the scenes, and I don’t even know its working.  I still do windows updates regularly, and check for optional updates out of habit. 

With Windows 8 you may also get a similar as below, but it will state that they already installed your updates.  They will ask you to restart the computer.

(Notice the icon at the bottom!)

Keep in mind computers are machines, and if you haven’t see the reminder in a while?  Do your windows update manually once again like I have shown you, and keep it UP TO DATE!

You will notice when you go to shut down your computer updates were done behind the scenes, and they ask you WHEN they can install them. 

If something is not clear, or you feel something should be added to our lesson? Please feel free to leave your comment or question in section we provided.

Also please subscribe by leaving your email in the box supplied, and you will received future lessons by email as they come out.

Thank you for reading our How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner, and today’s lesson on “How-To do Windows Update for Windows 8.1?”