Windows 11 Field Guide (The Book + Extra)
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Windows 11 Field Guide
23H2 Edition
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!
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Introduction
- Introduction, original 22H2 edition
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About the Book
-
Get to Know Windows 11
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What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11 Version 23H2
- New design
- Lock screen and sign-in screen
- Desktop
- Taskbar
- Start
- Widgets
- Search
- Copilot
- Task view
- Quick settings
- Notifications and Calendar
- Quick link menu
- File Explorer
- Multitasking
- Windows Backup
- Tablet experience
- Video games
- Microsoft Store
- Microsoft Edge
- New and improved apps
- Settings
- Accessibility
- Security
- Command-line improvements
- Developer improvements
- Servicing and updating
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What’s Missing in Windows 11 Version 23H2
- Windows 10 and 11 features that are deprecated in Windows 11 version 23H2
- Windows 10 and 11 features that are no longer available in Windows 11 version 23H2
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What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11 Version 23H2
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Upgrade to Windows 11
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Windows 11 Version 23H2 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 Version 23H2
- Deal with safeguard holds
- Manually upgrade to Windows 11
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Upgrade to Windows 11 Version 23H2 on Unsupported Hardware
- Consider the potential downsides
- Upgrade to Windows 11 on an unsupported PC
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Windows 11 Version 23H2 Hardware Requirements and Recommendations
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Install Windows 11
- Create Windows 11 Version 23H2 Install Media
- Step-by-Step: Windows Setup First-Boot Experience
- Step-By-Step: Windows Setup Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
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Overcome Windows Setup Annoyances
- Perform a super-clean install of Windows 11 without the crapware
- Bypass the Microsoft account sign-in requirement in Windows Setup
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Personalize Windows 11
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Windows 11 Version 23H2 Personalization First Steps
- Configure the Desktop
- Update and configure the system
- Update and configure apps
- More Windows 11 personalization and configuration tasks
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Customize the Display
- Change the display resolution
- Change the display scaling
- Make text bigger
- Customize the display brightness
- Enable and configure Night light
- Enable and configure HDR
- But wait, there’s more
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Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens
- Get to know the Lock and Sign-in screens
- Customize the Lock screen
- Customize the Sign-in screen
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Customize Your Privacy Settings
- Correctly configure the key Windows 11 privacy settings
- Additional privacy settings to consider changing
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Windows 11 Version 23H2 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
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Start
- Get to know Start
- Customize Start
- Use the Quick link menu
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Taskbar
- Get to know the Taskbar
- Understand Taskbar behaviors
- Customize the Taskbar
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Widgets
- The problems with Widgets
- Fix annoying Widgets behaviors
- View the weather forecast, news bulletins, and notifications in the Widgets Taskbar button
- Open the widget board
- Display the widget board in Full View
- Use and configure widgets
- Use and configure the Microsoft Start feed
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Search
- Get to know Search
- Search for files with File Explorer
- Configure Search
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Copilot
- A bit of history
- Get to know Copilot
- Ask Copilot a simple question
- Rewrite a question
- Ask Copilot a complex question
- Create text-based content with Copilot
- Summarize a web page with Copilot
- Create an image with Copilot
- Learn more about an image with Copilot
- Access some Windows features and settings with Copilot
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Quick Settings
- Quickly access commonly needed system settings
- 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 layouts by dragging a window
- 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
- Access multiple file system views with tabs
- Understand the File Explorer home page
- Access commonly used locations with the navigation pane
- Interact with the address bar
- Use Gallery to view your photo collection
- Learn more about files with the Details pane
- Extract archive files
- Customize File Explorer
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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 File Explorer integration with OneDrive
- Access your OneDrive content at any time with Files on Demand
- Share OneDrive files with others
- Protect your most important files with Personal Vault
- Disable OneDrive
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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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Windows Backup
- Get to know Windows Backup
- Create a backup
- Manage your backups
- Restore from a backup
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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
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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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Dynamic Lighting
- Get to know Dynamic lighting
- Use Dynamic lighting with third-party RGB software
- Configure a Dynamic lighting theme or effect
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Windows Studio Effects
- Check to see whether your PC supports Windows Studio Effects
- Configure Windows Studio Effects
- Toggle Windows Studio Effects on or off
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Devices Basics
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Accounts
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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 or School Accounts
- Connect 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, Presence Sensing, and Dynamic Lock
- Windows Hello
- Presence Sensing
- Dynamic lock
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Accounts Used by Other Apps
- Add and configure an account that can be used by 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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Secure Your Microsoft Account
- Get started with Microsoft account configuration
- Configure your profile information
- Configure additional sign-in and verification methods
- Enable two-step verification
- Review your account safety options
- Understand the other security features offered by the Microsoft account website
- Optionally remove the password from your Microsoft account
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Passkeys and Security Keys
- Manage the passkeys on your PC
- Use your Microsoft account passkey to sign in to a website
- Create a passkey for a Microsoft account
- Save and use a passkey for another online account
- Use a security key to further protect your Microsoft account and other online accounts
- Can you access your Microsoft account on mobile using a passkey or a 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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Secure Your Microsoft Account
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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
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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
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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
- Get the know the types of apps that can run on Windows 11
- Configure where you can get apps
- Uninstall an app
- Configure default apps
- Configure where apps are located
- Determine which apps are allowed to start when you sign in
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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
- Get to know notifications
- Configure notifications
- Configure notifications for an app or system service
- Handle an app notification as it appears
- Handle previous app notifications
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Apps Basics
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Microsoft Edge
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Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly … Whether You Use It Or Not
- The problem with Microsoft Edge
- Get the initial Microsoft Edge configuration right
- Further configure Microsoft Edge to make it more useful, private, and efficient
- Configure a different default web browser and minimize the impact of Microsoft Edge
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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
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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
- Reorder your collections
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Microsoft Edge Shopping
- Shopping
- Microsoft Rewards
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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
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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
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Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly … Whether You Use It Or Not
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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
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Calendar
- Get to know the Calendar app
- Manage accounts and calendars
- Create and manage events
- Create and manage meetings
- Customize Calendar
- Outlook (New)
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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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Snipping Tool, Screenshots, and Screen Recordings
- Get to know the Snipping Tool
- Configure Snipping Tool
- Use Snipping Tool to capture a screenshot of the entire screen, a window, or an area
- Use Snipping Tool to edit a screenshot
- Use Snipping Tool to create a screen recording
- Capture a screenshot or screen recording using other methods
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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
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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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Camera
- Get to know the Camera app
- Configure the Camera app and your PC’s cameras
- Take a photo with the Camera app
- Take a video with the Camera app
- Scan a document, whiteboard, or barcode with the Camera app
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Sound Recorder
- Get to know Sound Recorder
- Configure Sound Recorder
- Record your voice or other audio
- Play a recording
- Manage a recording
- Import a recording into Sound Recorder
- What’s missing
-
Clipchamp
- Get to know Clipchamp
- Create a simple video from start to finish
- But wait, there’s more
-
Photos
-
Xbox and Games
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Xbox and Games Basics
- Configure your PC to play games
- Find and buy games
- Play a game
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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
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Xbox and Games Basics
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Command Line
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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
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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
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Hyper-V
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Reference
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Keyboard Shortcuts
- Windows Setup
- Desktop
- File Explorer
- Multitasking
- Accounts
- Microsoft Edge
- Snipping Tool, Screenshots, and Screen Captures
- Photos
- Sound Recorder
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Keyboard Shortcuts
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