Windows 10 allows the user to access a “personal digitalized assistant” called Cortana. Cortana can perform tasks such as set reminders, recognize natural voice without the requirement for keyboard input, and answer questions using information from Bing (search engine).
Cortana first shows up as a search box on the Windows 10 desktop screen, the “Ask me anything” bar that is one of the most visible new features to the Windows 10.
When the user first opens Windows 10, Cortana can be set to listen for the user to say “Hey Cortana.” To use Cortana with voice activation (computer must be equipped with a microphone):
Click on the Search Bar for Cortana by the Start menu
Click the menu icon in the upper right corner of Cortana’s window. It has three stripes.
Select Notebook from the options
Select Settings from the options
Switch “Let Cortana respond to ‘Hey Cortana.'” to On.
Now Cortana will respond to the user when prompted with “Hey Cortana”.
With Windows 10, Microsoft has added new keyboard shortcuts to give you easier access to the new Action Center, Cortana, Task View, and virtual desktops.
Listed below are a few of the most common Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts:
Press Windows key: Open/close the Start menu
Press Windows key + A: Open the Action Center
Press Windows key + C: Launch Cortana in listening mode (for voice commands)
Press Windows key + E (Windows 7 and up): Launch File Explorer
Press Windows key + I: Open the Settings app
Press Windows key + S: Launch Cortana
Press Windows key + Tab: Open Task View
Press Windows key + Ctrl + D: Create a new virtual desktop
Press Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Close the current desktop
Press Windows key + Ctrl + left or right arrow: switch between virtual desktops
If you are utilizing a laptop and the battery is starting to run low, Windows 10 will begin to cut back on background services and other threads so you can squeeze more out of your battery life.
To enable Battery Saver:
Click on the Start menu
Click on Settings
Choose Systems
Choose Battery Saver
The screen also shows how much battery life and estimated time you have remaining.