ARCHIVED: Get around in Windows

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

Note:

In Windows 10 and Windows 8.x, it can be easiest to find programs and features by searching for them.

On this page:

Changes to Windows

Important:

Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. Additionally, Microsoft does not fully support Windows 8; see Microsoft Support Lifecycle. If you're using either Windows 7 or Windows 8, UITS strongly recommends that you upgrade to a new operating system.

Navigating in Windows has changed in the following ways:

Windows 8 introduced the Start screen and full-screen Modern apps that are installed via the Store app; they use touch, mouse, and keyboard together.
Windows 8.1 reintroduced the Start button to make it easier to access the Start screen, and enabled an option to go directly to the desktop.
Windows 10 combines the best of Windows 8.1 with the return of a Start menu, Universal apps, and new features like Cortana, Notifications, Virtual Desktops, and Continuum. The Edge browser also replaces Internet Explorer. Windows 10 Universal apps are similar to Modern apps, but they run on a variety of Microsoft devices, including desktops, laptops, hybrids, tablets, and smartphones. You can resize Universal apps just like traditional desktop programs. Continuum enables you to switch between Desktop and Tablet mode.

Get started with Windows 10 and Windows 8.1

Windows 10: See Microsoft's Get Started with Windows 10.
Windows 8.1: See Microsoft's Getting around your PC.

Find tasks and features in your version of Windows

In Windows 10and Windows 8.1, it can be easiest to find programs and features by searching for them.

Also, all versions allow you to customize the Start menu or Start screen by right-clicking a program or app and choosing Pin to Start. If an application is already pinned to the Start screen, you'll see Unpin from Start instead.

Most of the same functions and features are available in all versions of Windows, but their locations have changed. In Windows 10 and Windows 8.x, some applications and features have both a Universal/Modern version (such as Settings) and a traditional version (such as the Control Panel).

For help, contact your campus Support Center.

Following is a list of common features and tasks and how to find them in your version of Windows.

Tasks and features	Windows 8	Windows 8.1	Windows 10
All Programs, All Apps	Tap the down arrow to view All Apps.		Click Start ( ) and select All Apps; alternatively, in Tablet mode, view the Start screen.
Charms menu (Search, Share, Start, Devices, Settings)	Swipe in from the right edge of the screen. Hover your mouse at the upper right corner of the screen. Press `Win-c`.		N/A
Close Universal/Modern apps	Move your cursor to the top of the screen and then drag down to the bottom.	In the app, move your cursor to the top border of the screen; when the app's title bar slides open, click X to close. Alternatively, move your cursor to the top of the screen and then drag down to the bottom.	Click X to close. In Tablet mode, move your cursor to the top border of the screen in the app; when the app's title bar slides open, click X to close. Move your cursor to the top border of the screen, and then click and drag the app to the bottom of the screen.
Command Prompt	From All Apps, select Windows System, and then Command Prompt. Alternatively, search for `command` or `cmd`.
Control Panel (traditional)	Search for `Control Panel`.	Search for `Control Panel`; alternatively, press `Win-i` and select Control Panel.	Search for `Control Panel`.
Desktop	Open the Desktop App from the start screen; alternatively, press `Win-d`.		Press `Win-d`.
Device Manager	Search for `Device Manager`. Right-click Computer, select Properties, and then Device Manager. From the Control Panel, switch to View by Large Icons or View by Small Icons, and then go to the Device Manager. Press `Win-Pause\|Break` and select Device Manager.	Search for `Device Manager`. Right-click This PC, select Properties, and then Device Manager. From the Control Panel, switch to View by Large Icons or View by Small Icons, and then go to the Device Manager. Press `Win-Pause\|Break` and select Device Manager.
Devices (Universal/Modern)	Search for `Devices` and choose Devices from the results. Alternatively, from the Charms menu, select Settings, then Change PC Settings, then PC and devices, and then Devices.		Search for the device; for printers, search for `Printers` and choose the Printers & Scanners result; for Bluetooth and other devices, search for `Devices` and choose Connected device settings from the results. From Notifications, select All Settings, then Devices, and then Printers & Scanners (for printers) or Connected devices (for Bluetooth and other devices). Click Start ( ), select Settings, then Devices, and then Printers & Scanners for printers or connected devices.
Devices and printers (traditional)	Search for `Devices` and choose Devices and Printers from the results. Alternatively, from the Control Panel, switch to View by Large Icons or View by Small Icons, and then go to Devices and Printers.
Elevated Command Prompt	From All Apps, select Windows System, right-click Command Prompt, and then choose Run as Administrator. Alternatively, search for `command` or `cmd`, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as Administrator.
Log off, sign out	From the Start screen, select your account picture in the upper right corner and then choose Sign out.		In Tablet mode, from the Start screen, select your account picture in the upper right corner and then choose Sign out.
Network and internet settings (Universal/Modern)	Press `Win-i`, select Change PC Settings, and then Network.		Click Start ( ), select Settings, and then Network & Internet. From Notifications, select All Settings and then Network & Internet. Press `Win-i`, select Change PC Settings, and then Network & Internet.
Network and Sharing Center (traditional)	From the desktop, right-click the Network icon, and then select Network and Sharing Center. Alternatively, from the Control Panel, switch to View by Large Icons or View by Small Icons, and then go to the Network and Sharing Center.		Right-click the Network icon and select Network and Sharing Center. Alternatively, go to Network and Internet settings and select Network and Sharing Center.
Power User menu (quick access to advanced features such as Control Panel, Command Prompt, Programs and Features, etc.)	Press `Win-x`. Alternatively, move your cursor to the bottom left corner of the screen and right-click.	Press `Win-x`. Alternatively, right-click Start ( ).
Refresh your PC	From Settings, select Change PC Settings, then General, and then Refresh your PC without affecting your files.	Follow the instructions for refreshing your PC in Microsoft's How to refresh, reset, or restore your PC.	Reset your PC (see Microsoft's Recovery options in Windows 10) and choose Keep my files.
Reset your PC	From Settings, select Change PC Settings, then General, and then Remove everything and reinstall Windows.	Follow the "Remove everything and reinstall Windows" instructions in How to refresh, reset, or restore your PC.	Reset your PC (see Recovery options in Windows 10) and choose Remove everything.
Search	From the Start screen, enter your search terms; alternatively, press `Win-q`. For best results, from the drop-down menu, choose Everywhere.		In Tablet mode, from the Start screen, enter your search terms. Click Start ( ) and enter your search terms. Use Cortana text search. From the Search box in the task bar, enter your search terms. Select the Search icon in the task bar and enter your search terms. If you've enabled Cortana, say "Hey Cortana" and ask Cortana to find something. Press `Win-q` (Cortana voice search) or `Win-s`.
Settings (System)	From the Charms menu, select Settings and then Change PC Settings. Alternatively, press `Win-i` and select Change PC Settings.		Click Start ( ) and select Settings. Select Notifications and then All Settings. Press `Win-i`.
Shut down, sleep, restart	From the Charms menu, select Settings, then Power ( ), and then Shut down, or Sleep, or Restart. Alternatively, press `Win-i`; select Power ( ), and then Shut down, or Sleep, or Restart.	From the Charms menu, select Settings, then Power ( ), and then Shut down, or Sleep, or Restart. Press `Win-i`, select Power ( ), and then Shut down, or Sleep, or Restart. From the Start screen, select Power if available ( ) and then Shut down, or Sleep, or Restart.	Click Start ( ), select Power( ) , and then Shut down, or Sleep, or Restart. Alternatively, from the Start screen in Tablet mode, select Power ( ) and then Shut down, or Sleep, or Restart.
Start button	N/A; see ARCHIVED: How to have a Start menu in Windows 8	Opens the Start screen ( )	Opens the Start menu ( ) Opens the Start screen (Tablet mode) ( )
Start menu	N/A; replaced by Start screen		Click Start ( ).
Start screen	Press `Win`.	Click Start ( ) or press `Win`.	From Notifications, enable Tablet mode.
Task manager	From the desktop, right-click the Task bar and select Task Manager. Press `Ctrl-Shift-Esc`. Press `Ctrl-Alt-Del` and select Task Manager.