Super simple: all you need to do is tap the Start button, find the program or software you want to have quick access to in future, right-click, and then pin.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/w10_Productivity_image5.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWith this in mind, you can make the Start menu more bespoke than ever, and by carefully selecting the things you use most, you\u2019ll see your productivity shoot up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn keyboard shortcuts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While it may seem a fairly obvious point, it pays to know your way around your keyboard. You can save time by knowing shortcuts that have been built into Windows 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/w10_Productivity_image7-1024x778.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTo prepare you for just about any situation, and to improve your day-to-day productivity, here are some of the most useful shortcuts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Windows Button + I<\/strong> will open the settings window.<\/li>
- Windows Button + E<\/strong> will open the file explorer.<\/li>
- Windows Button + L<\/strong> will lock your desktop or laptop.<\/li>
- Windows Button + M<\/strong> will minimize all windows.<\/li>
- Ctrl + Alt + Tab<\/strong> will show you all open applications.<\/li>
- Ctrl + Z<\/strong> will undo an action.<\/li>
- Ctrl + Y<\/strong> will redo an action.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
By making these part of your keyboard knowledge, you\u2019ll spend less time using a mouse and more time getting on with everything you need to accomplish. While it might seem like quite a lot to take in, these shortcuts are sure to become second nature the more that you use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spend time getting to know Cortana<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Undoubtedly one of the coolest features of Windows 10, Cortana is a hugely powerful personal assistant that promises to boost productivity if appropriately configured. Indeed, as a voice-activated search tool, you can directly ask your PC a query and have relevant information provided to you without having to go to Google for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to use Cortana effectively, you\u2019ll need to adjust some settings to make it understand your voice a little better. To do this, simply head to Settings, <\/strong>drop down to the Cortana <\/strong>section, and hit the box for Respond best to me.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/w10_Productivity_image6.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOnce you have done this, you\u2019ll be instructed to speak a few sentences, so the personal assistant only replies to your<\/em> requests, and not those of guest users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, what this means is that you\u2019ll have the advantage of asking Cortana questions as you get on with your work, gaining access to valuable facts and figures without having to leave your Word document or spreadsheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Automate your spring cleaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While operating systems are becoming more and more efficient, it\u2019s still necessary to perform the occasional spring clean to help declutter all of the unnecessary files which are taking up valuable storage space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, Windows 10 has anticipated this and has a Storage Sense<\/strong> option that will automatically remove unneeded temporary files as well as any data that has been in the recycle bin for more than 30 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To activate this option, just head to System > Storage <\/strong>and turn on Storage Sense.<\/strong> While running in this mode, you\u2019ll find that the overall performance of Windows is faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/w10_Productivity_image9-1024x629.png\")
<\/h3>\n\n\n\nMake use of virtual desktops<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A brand new (and very exciting) feature to come with Windows 10, virtual desktops<\/strong> allow you to switch between different desktops as though you were using separate computers. What this means is that you can set up a number of different workstations which you can easily transition between as and when you need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, let\u2019s imagine that you\u2019re composing a slideshow for one meeting and a spreadsheet for another; you could have an additional virtual desktop to more usefully divide up the tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you wanted to add information to your slideshow, you could go to your web browser and have all the relevant information there, while your virtual desktop would host your spreadsheet and all of the data needed for that document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/w10_Productivity_image8.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSetting up a virtual desktop couldn\u2019t be simpler, you just need to click the New Desktop<\/strong> option in the bottom right-hand section of your screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Update and restart your PC when it suits you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve all been there: You\u2019re about to launch into a sales pitch or get into some serious work, and your computer insists on updating and restarting. While this might not be the end of the world, it\u2019s certainly among the more annoying aspects of previous versions of Windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, in Windows 10 you\u2019re able to schedule your software updates and subsequent resets to ensure that these are done at a time that suits you.
To get an update schedule in place, simply go to Settings<\/strong> and head to the Updates and Recovery<\/strong> section. Next, all you need to do is click the Select a Restart Time<\/strong> and choose a time that suits you best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/w10_Productivity_image2.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nEasily save and print PDFs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the past, if you wanted to save a document as a PDF, you had to undergo the complicated process of downloading a third-party app to do it for you. Clearly responding to demand, the developers of Windows 10 have seen to it that users can now do this without having to download any additional software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you might imagine, this can be a real time saver, since you\u2019ll no longer be wasting time with confusing and often buggy converters. Like just about all of the new features of Windows 10, saving an image or file as a PDF is as simple as selecting the drop-down menu and choosing the relevant file type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/w10_Productivity_image1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSnap your apps!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The perfect feature for those who like to have everything in one place, the Snap Assist<\/strong> feature in Windows 10 allows you to have up to four different apps each “snapped” to a particular area on the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snap Assist is also great for the office, and it promises to enhance your overall productivity as you\u2019ll be able to have more of the things you need in one place. In order to snap an app to your screen, you\u2019ll have to drag your window or app to the side until it sticks in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/w10_Productivity_image4.png\")
Apps and windows locked in place with the Snap Assist feature<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Use your PC as a tablet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No, you didn\u2019t read that wrong. Windows 10 allows you to use your desktop or laptop as a tablet, and it\u2019s incredibly useful for your productivity. Indeed, if you\u2019re more used to using Windows 10 on a tablet or on your mobile, then operating in this manner will you allow you to continue your operations in a more straightforward way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Know where something is on your tablet but can\u2019t seem to figure it out on your desktop? No problem; you can now access everything in the way you\u2019re used to, and use the keyboard to provide a greater freedom when inputting information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To initiate this mode, you\u2019ll need to bring up the Action Center<\/strong> from the toolbar and hit the Tablet Mode<\/strong> tile. To exit it, simply return to the same tile and return to Desktop Mode<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/w10_Productivity_image3.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhile there are many other hints and tricks to unlock when using Windows 10, these will help you to get started. Indeed, armed with all of these tips, you can be sure of taking on your daily tasks with a greater productivity than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n
- Windows Button + E<\/strong> will open the file explorer.<\/li>