Windows 11 Field Guide (The Book + Extra)
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Windows 11 Field Guide
About the Book
Welcome to the Windows 11 Field Guide. Like Windows 11 itself, this book is a bit different from its predecessor, the Windows 10 Field Guide. It’s been simplified, so it looks a little different, and at this early stage, it covers only the biggest changes in this release.
For this reason, it comes with a free copy of the Windows 10 Field Guide. But we will continue updating this book until it is complete, and as Microsoft improves and changes Windows 11 over time. Our expectation is that the final book will be somewhere between 500 and 1000 pages long in its PDF version.
But the Windows 11 Field Guide also shares many things with its predecessor, of course.
It is self-published, and it is an entirely independent and self-created work.
It is being written and updated transparently over time so that readers can follow its progress and get all new updates for free.
It is quite inexpensive compared to physical books and even other e-books.
It’s available in multiple digital formats—-PDF, MOBI and EPUB—-so that it will work on any device.
And perhaps most importantly, the Windows 11 Field Guide is intended as both a how-to and a reference: you can read it straight through if that’s your thing, or you can dive in and out of specific areas to learn what’s new and, in many cases, how to work around some of the limitations in this product version.
Thanks for reading!
-- Paul Thurrott and Rafael Rivera
About the Authors
Table of Contents
-
-
About the Book
- Trademarks and disclaimers
- We want your feedback!
- Meet the authors
- Thanks!
- Introduction
-
About the Book
-
Get to Know Windows 11
-
What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11
- New design
- Lock screen and sign-in screen
- Desktop
- Taskbar
- Start
- Widgets
- Search
- Task view
- Chat
- Quick settings
- Notifications and Calendar
- Quick access menu
- File Explorer
- Multitasking
- Tablet experience
- Gaming
- Improved Microsoft Store
- Improved and new apps
- Android Appstore and Android apps
- Improved Settings
- Accessibility improvements
- Security improvements
- Command-line and automation improvements
- Servicing and updating improvements
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What’s Missing in Windows 11
- Windows 10 features that are deprecated in Windows 11
- Windows 10 features that are not available in Windows 11
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What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11
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Install Windows 11
- Create Windows 11 Install Media
- Clean Install
- Step-By-Step: The Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
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Overcome Windows 11 Setup Annoyances
- Bypass the network connection and Microsoft account requirements during Setup
- Bypass just the Microsoft account requirement during Setup
- Create install media that removes Setup annoyances
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Upgrade to Windows 11
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Windows 11 Hardware Requirements and Recommendations
- Understand the Windows 11 hardware requirements
- Find out if your Windows 10 PC can upgrade to Windows 11
- Features in Windows 11 that require additional hardware support
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Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11
- Deal with safeguard holds
- Manually upgrade to Windows 11
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Upgrade to Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware
- Upgrade to Windows 11 on an unsupported PC
- Remove the annoying desktop watermark
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Windows 11 Hardware Requirements and Recommendations
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Personalize Windows 11
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Windows 11 Personalization First Steps
- Lower the volume
- Delete superfluous Microsoft Edge shortcuts
- Turn off Do not disturb (Optional)
- Configure the Desktop theme (Optional)
- Configure File Explorer
- Check your date and time settings
- Rename your PC
- Prevent Microsoft Teams from auto-starting
- Remove unnecessary Taskbar icons
- Use Windows Update to get Windows 11 up-to-date
- Run your PC maker’s support/driver update application
- Create a recovery drive (Optional)
- Configure OneDrive
- Update the built-in Microsoft Store apps
- Install the applications you need
- Examine which apps are running when your PC boots up
- Configure Windows Hello (Optional)
- Eliminate “suggestions”
- Further personalize Windows 11
- Customize Your Privacy Settings
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Customize the Display
- Change the display resolution
- Change the display scaling
- Make text bigger
- Enable and configure Night light
- Enable and configure HDR
- But wait, there’s more
-
Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens
- Choose a background
- Choose an app to deliver Detailed status alerts
- Show the Lock screen background on the Sign-in screen
- Make the lock screen background react when you move the PC
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Windows 11 Personalization First Steps
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Desktop
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Desktop
- What’s changed with the Desktop context menus?
- Display the Desktop when it’s covered with windows
- Hide all windows except for the one you’re using
- Customize the Desktop
- Determine which icons appear on the Desktop
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Start
- Get to know Start
- Customize Start
- Use the Quick Access menu
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Taskbar
- Get to know the Taskbar
- Understand Taskbar behaviors
- Customize the Taskbar
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Widgets
- The problem with Widgets
- View the weather forecast, news bulletins, and widget notifications
- Open the widget board
- Display the widget board in Full View
- Browse the widget board
- Pin new widgets to the widget board
- Customize a pinned widget
- Unpin widgets from the widget board
- Customize the feed
- Save a story for later
- Remove the Widgets icon on the Taskbar
- Customize Widgets
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Search
- Get to know Search
- Search for files with File Explorer
- Configure Search
-
Quick Settings
- Quickly access commonly-needed system settings
- Quickly adjust your PC’s screen brightness and volume
- Configure the quick settings buttons
- Open Settings
- Directly access the Network, Volume, or Power settings
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Desktop
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Multitasking
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Alt-Tab
- Use Alt-Tab to switch between open windows
- Determine whether Microsoft Edge tabs appear in Alt-Tab
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Task View
- Use Task view to switch between open windows
- Remove the Task view item from the Taskbar
- Shake
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Snap
- Snap windows manually
- Use Snap layouts to arrange windows
- Use Snap groups to restore a previous layout
- Configure Snap
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Task Manager
- Get to know Task Manager
- Use Task Manager to manage apps and processes
- Use Task Manager to determine which apps run at startup
- Use Task Manager to run a new task
- Configure Task Manager
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Desktops
- Access Desktops
- Create a new virtual desktop
- Switch between virtual desktops
- Customize a virtual desktop
- Move an app or window to a different virtual desktop
- Close a virtual desktop
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Do Not Disturb and Focus
- Do not disturb
- Focus
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Clipboard
- Paste multiple items to the Clipboard with Clipboard history
- Enable Clipboard history
- Use Clipboard history
- Sync the Clipboard across your PCs
- Use Suggested actions
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Alt-Tab
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Files
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File Explorer
- Get to know the Windows 11 File Explorer
- Customize File Explorer
- Customize the navigation bar
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Nearby Sharing
- A quick survey of legacy sharing features
- Get to know Nearby sharing
- Toggle Nearby sharing with Quick settings
- Configure Nearby sharing
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OneDrive
- Get to know OneDrive in Windows 11
- Configure OneDrive
- Configure how OneDrive works in File Explorer
- Access your OneDrive content at any time from your PC
- Share OneDrive files with others
- Protect your most important files with Personal Vault
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Storage
- Storage basics
- Manage internal storage
- Manage removable storage
- Get it done more quickly with Disk Management
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Device Encryption
- Manage device encryption
- Manage BitLocker
- Use a BitLocker-protected removable disk
- Manage an encrypted removable disk
- Use the BitLocker recovery key
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Backup
- Get started with File History
- Restore an earlier version of a file
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File Explorer
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Help and Recovery
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Quick Assist
- Take full control of a sharer’s PC
- Remotely view the sharer’s screen
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Troubleshooting
- Configure troubleshooting
- Find and run a troubleshooter
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Recovery Drive
- Create a recovery drive
- Boot your PC with the recovery drive
- Use Windows 11 installation media as a recovery drive
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Reset This PC
- Find Reset this PC
- Use Reset this PC to refresh or reset your PC
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Quick Assist
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Hardware
-
Devices Basics
- Connect a device and install drivers if needed
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USB
- Determine what happens when you connect a removable device
- Unplug a USB device
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Bluetooth
- Manage Bluetooth with Windows 11
- Pair a Bluetooth device to your PC
- Configure and manage a Bluetooth device
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Displays
- Connect to a secondary display
- Connect to a wireless display
- Use another PC as a wireless display
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Keyboards, Mice, and Touchpads
- Keyboard
- Mouse and touchpad
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Printers and Scanners
- Printers
- Scanners
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Touch, Pen, and Tablet
- Multitouch
- Smartpen
- Tablet experience
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Phone Link
- Use Phone Link with an Android phone
- Use Phone Link with an iPhone
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Devices Basics
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Accounts
-
Accounts Basics
- Understand the different types of accounts
- A few examples
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Microsoft Accounts
- Microsoft account basics
- Microsoft account security basics
- Manage your Microsoft account in Windows 11
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Work and School Accounts
- Add a work or school account to your Microsoft account sign in
- Sign in to Windows 11 with a work or school account
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Local Accounts
- What changes when you use a local account
- Sign in to Windows 11 with a local account
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Windows Hello and Dynamic Lock
- Windows Hello
- Dynamic lock
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Email and Other Accounts
- Configure an email, calendar, and contacts account
- Configure an account that will be used in Microsoft Store apps
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Multiple Accounts
- Understand account types
- Add and manage sign-in accounts
- Switch between available sign-in accounts
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Accounts Basics
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Security
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Windows Update
- Use Windows Update to keep Windows up-to-date
- Pause updates
- View your update history
- Configure other Windows Update settings
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Windows Security
- Get to know Windows Security
- Properly configure Windows Security
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Windows Defender
- Scan a file or folder with Windows Defender
- Scan your PC with Windows Defender
- Find My Device
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Windows Update
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Internet and Networking
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Networking Basics
- Get to know Windows 11 networking
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Wi-Fi
- Find and connect to a Wi-Fi network
- Configure a Wi-Fi network
- Disconnect from or forget a Wi-Fi network
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Ethernet
- Connect to an Ethernet network
- Configure an Ethernet network
-
Cellular Data
- Connect to a data plan
- Enable and disable a cellular connection
- Configure a cellular data connection
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Airplane Mode
- Toggle Airplane mode
- Configure Airplane mode
-
Mobile Hotspot
- Determine which connection to share
- Share your Internet connection over Wi-Fi
- Share your Internet connection over Bluetooth
- Enable the Mobile hotspot quick setting button in Quick Settings
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Networking Basics
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Apps
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Apps Basics
- Configure where you can get apps
- Uninstall an app
- Configure default apps
- Configure where apps are located
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Microsoft Store
- Get to know the Microsoft Store
- Before you start
- Find and install apps and games
- Update apps
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Notifications
- Configure notifications
- Configure notifications for an app or system service
- Handle an app notification as it appears
- Handle previous app notifications
-
Android Apps
- Install the Windows Subsystem for Android
- Configure the Windows Subsystem for Android
- Install and run an Android app
- Uninstall an Android app
- Uninstall the Windows Subsystem for Android
-
Apps Basics
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Microsoft Edge
-
Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly
- Initial set up
- Configure the New tab page and Home
- Protect yourself online with privacy extensions
- Configure Edge performance and efficiency
-
Microsoft Edge Basics
- Toolbar and address bar
- Tabs
- Favorites
- History
- Notifications
- Downloads
- Page zoom
- Find on page
- Sidebar
- Search engine
- Themes
- Media
- Extensions
- Sharing
- Profiles
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Reading with Microsoft Edge
- Read articles on the web
- Read and annotate a PDF file
- Fill in a PDF form
-
Microsoft Edge Collections
- Create a new collection
- Add a web page to a collection
- Add specific text to a collection
- Add an image to a collection
- Edit a collection
- Add a note to a collection
- Share a collection or items in a collection
- Delete one or more collections
-
Microsoft Edge Shopping
- Shopping
- Microsoft Rewards
-
Microsoft Edge and Web Apps
- Install a web app
- Install a web page as if it were an app
- Use installed web apps and pages alongside other apps
- Manage installed web apps and pages
-
Microsoft Edge Security and Privacy
- Examine the security and privacy features in Microsoft Edge
- Limit online tracking
- Enhance your security while browsing the web
- Enable secure domain name resolution
- Manage and monitor your passwords
-
Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly
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Productivity Apps and Utilities
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Mail
- Get to know the Mail app
- Manage your accounts
- Read and send email messages
- Use Mail more efficiently
- Customize Mail
-
Calendar
- Get to know the Calendar app
- Manage accounts and calendars
- Create and manage events
- Create and manage meetings
- Customize Calendar
-
Microsoft 365
- Understand Microsoft 365
- Access your Office apps
- Create a new document with a template
- Access your recent, pinned, and shared documents and other content
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Screenshots and Screen Recordings
- Create, save, and share a screenshot
- Use Snipping Tool to create a screen recording
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Mail
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Digital Media
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Photos
- Use Photos to view one or more images
- Use Photos to manage your photos and other image files
- Import photos and videos from your smartphone or another device
-
Media Player
- Get to know Media Player
- Configure Media Player
- Manage your music library
- Control music playback
- Manage your videos
- Create and manage playlists
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Movies & TV
- Configure Movies & TV
- Play a video
- Rent a movie from Microsoft
- Purchase a movie or TV show from Microsoft
- Watch movies you’ve purchased from other services
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Photos
-
Xbox and Games
-
Xbox and Games Basics
- Configure your PC to play games
- Find and buy games
- Play a game
-
Xbox Game Bar
- Use the Controller bar with an Xbox Wireless Controller
- Take a screenshot of a game
- Record a game clip
- Share a game screenshot or clip
-
Xbox App
- Get to know the Xbox app
- Find Xbox-compatible games for your PC
- Manage your library of Xbox games for PC
- PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
- Stream games from the cloud with Xbox Cloud Gaming
-
Xbox and Games Basics
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Command Line
-
Terminal
- Get to know Terminal
- Launch Terminal
- Configure Terminal
- Control Terminal with the Command Palette
- Use Terminal in Focus mode
- Go to a specific folder more easily
-
Command Prompt
- Access Command Prompt
- Learn which commands are available
- Learn how to use individual commands
- Move more quickly around the file system
- Learn some useful Command Prompt commands
-
Linux
- Install Linux in Windows 11
- Configure WSL
- Use the Linux command-line interface
- Install and use Linux graphical apps
- File system interoperability
-
Windows Package Manager
- Get to know the Windows Package Manager
- Find an app to install with the Windows Package Manager
- Keep your apps up-to-date with the Windows Package Manager
- Bulk-install apps with the Windows Package Manager
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Terminal
-
Virtualization
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Hyper-V
- Install Hyper-V
- Get to know Hyper-V Manager
- Create and use virtual machines
-
Windows Sandbox
- Install Windows Sandbox
- Get to know Windows Sandbox
- Test suspicious software in Windows Sandbox
-
Hyper-V
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Reference
-
Keyboard Shortcuts
- Desktop
- Multitasking
- Accounts
- Microsoft Edge
- Photos
-
Keyboard Shortcuts
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