The current version of Windows 10 is 1809 (As of Sep, 2018)
This stands for 2018- September
The likely next version will be released spring 2019.

Overview of Windows 10 Features

Overview

Like W8/8.1 Windows 10 features two different ways to view/find programs. For most users with a mouse/keyboard the “Desktop” interface will be the most familiar. This will look almost exactly like the desktop did under W7 or W8.1. For touchscreen/tablet users the Start Page has been reorganized. NOTE: Both are really just different ways of finding/starting programs. The Start Page (a.k.a Tablet Mode) was designed for touch screen users, but can be used with a mouse; similarly the desktop was designed for keyboard/mouse but can be used with a touch screen. The major change is in the last line on the screen aka the “Taskbar” for both views.

Changes for W8/8.1 users

• The “charms” menus (menu from the left or right sides of the screen) have been eliminated.
• The Windows “Flag” in the lower left hand corner is no longer used to toggle between the Desktop and the Start Page views.
• The Windows Flag is the redesigned Start button that was dropped in Windows 8. Its now a hybrid showing a Start Page Preview as well as normal functions shown on the Start Button on Windows 7.
• The task bar (bottom line of the screen) has been redesigned. More on this below.

Changes for Windows 7 users

• The Start ball has been replace by a new Start Button – aka the Windows Flag
• The “search” box that used to be at the bottom of the Start Button men is now a separate function called Cortana on the task bar.
• The task bar (bottom line of the screen) has been redesigned. More on this below.

The New Desktop

The major change for desktop users is the new taskbar (bottom) line of the screen above. The following items should be noted:

• To far left is a “Windows Flag”. This is the new start button.
• Immediately to the right of the new startbutton is the new Search box – aka Cortana
• To the right of Cortana are icons to start useful programs. These will be different for each user depending on which programs the user as chosen to “pin to the taskbar”
• On the far right side are a group ICONs that status of running programs and services. This was called the systray area of the taskbar in Windows 7.
• The Notifications Icon (circled in red below) can be used to start/stop services and change to/from tablet mode

The New Start “Button”

Clicking the Windows Flag icon on the task bar shows the new start menu. NOTE: In Windows 10 this icon is NOT used to toggle between tablet and desktop.

This menu has two major areas. To the left are a series of menu items related to

• Most used Programs
• Frequently accessed features/locations (can be changed)
• Power (Sleep, Restart, Shutdown)
• All Apps

Left Side of Start Menu

Right Side of the Start Menu

The right side of the start menu shows a “preview” of the tablet mode. Icons are shown for all programs that are “pinned” to the start page. Clicking on these icons starts the program in a window on the desktop. The display can be changed to one, two or three columns of icons

                                                                                                                                                                                      

The New Settings Program

In Windows 10 this is the place to configure most of the Windows 10 features and devices. This settings program is the starting point for making changes to appearance items and features. NOTE: Control Panel still exists and is still occasional used but for the most part “Settings” is were to begin making configuration changes.

The Settings program display 9 icons that will drill down into each major configuration area for Windows.

  

The most used major areas will be:

• System – to customize notifications, displayed
• Personalization – to Customize the desktop
• Update/Security – to view updates and change security options.
• Each icon on this panel will open a new panel with further more specific options.
• Some of the panels may open the “Control Panel” for some further options/changes.

The Wifi Icon

• Located in the on the right hand side of the taskbar.
• Looks like ¼ of a “pie”.
• Used to display all available WiFi Networks
• Can be used to connect/disconnect from networks.
• Has two “quick action” buttons at the bottom that allow the WiFi services to started/stopped and Air Plane Mode activated.

The Notification Center Icon

This icon will show notifications from some programs

• Mail (new mail items)
• Updates
• The bottom shows a number of quick action items including the tablet mode icon.

The quick action items can be “expanded” or “collapsed”. The first four are always displayed.

All settings can also be accessed from here.

The All Apps Button

• Button shows in alphabetical order all the programs install on the system
• Show both “desktop” and tablet programs
• If you click anyone of the alphabet/number icons, a panel of all the alphabet/numbers is displayed; clicking on any of the items moves the display to items starting with that letter/number.
• Can also use the scroll bar to scroll up/down.
• To start a program click on the respective icon
• Tablet program run in window on the desktop
• Right clicking a program for all apps allows the program to be pinned to the taskbar and/or start page.
• Programs can installed/removed from here

Right Click on the Start Button

Shows a list of frequently Used programs. Similar to right click on Windows 7

Included in these list of program is

• Programs and Features (Same as Control Panel Programs and Features) for desktop programs
• Task Manger – to show control running programs
• Command (Old DOS prompt for command line)
• Search (Contana)
• Shutdown