Skip to main content
Tech Radar
  • Tech Radar Pro
  • Tech Radar Gaming
Tech Radar Pro TechRadar the business technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Expert Insights
  • Website builders
  • Web hosting
  • Security
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day deals
  • Best web hosting
  • Best office chairs
  • Best website builder
  • Best antivirus
  • Expert Insights
Recommended reading
A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop
Windows Microsoft has a big new AI settings upgrade for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs – plus 3 other nifty tricks
A young woman is working on a laptop in a relaxed office space.
Windows New update for Windows 11 24H2 is the most feature-packed for some time, delivering some seriously useful additions
The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ in silver pictured on a wooden desk.
Windows Microsoft is working on some seriously exciting Windows 11 improvements – but not everyone will get them
Using Zipped files and folders in Windows 11
Windows New Windows 11 update delivers a host of new features and fixes - here are 4 things I'm looking forward to
Person using a laptop.
Windows Windows 11 is about to get a nifty shortcut for copying out all the text from an image
Asus Zenbook A14 laptop
Windows Windows 11’s big Start menu revamp is real – Microsoft has shared a first look at the redesign, and I’m very glad to see it
A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop
Windows Microsoft gives a trio of Windows 11 apps some nifty new AI powers, but not everyone will get them
  1. Pro

10 ways to optimise your copy of Windows 10

News
By Graham Barlow published 21 September 2015

Be productive in Windows 10

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

When it comes to aiding productivity Windows 10 has plenty to offer. Whether it's aero snapping your apps to corners or asking Cortana to help you out by setting reminders, it's all there to streamline your daily computing.

The best approach is to dive right into as many of the settings as you can – personalising your operating system, desktop and programs for the tasks you perform the most.

For instance, if Cortana isn't your thing, or you prefer not to search on the desktop through Bing then you can remove that part from the taskbar at the bottom of the page. Doing this will give you more screen space, as well as a tidier desktop and leave you with more space to pin programs to. But, these are just a few ways to improve your Windows experience, read on to learn more.

  • How to use Windows 10
Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
1. Set up your screen resolution

1. Set up your screen resolution

To help increase your productivity make sure your screen is running at maximum resolution. You'll find text and images are much clearer and easier to see. Right click an empty area of your desktop and select 'Display Settings'. You can now select 'Advanced Display Settings' in the right-hand window. Here you'll find the Resolution drop-down menu – select the highest option.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
2. Switch to Tablet mode for 2-in-1 laptops

2. Switch to Tablet mode for 2-in-1 laptops

Open the Start menu and select 'Settings'. Here you'll find some tools you can configure to make your life easier. Enabling 'Tablet Mode' will make Windows 10 act more like Windows 8 – your apps will be fully sized and your Start Menu will expand to the entire screen. Ideal for 2-in-1 laptops and touchscreen all-in-ones.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
3. Aero Snap in Windows 10

3. Aero Snap in Windows 10

Snapping programs to the sides of the screen was a feature introduced in Windows 7. In Windows 10 you can now snap applications to each corner, as well as to the sides, by left clicking and dragging the top bar into a corner. You will also see a visual representation of how much screen space the app will take up. This makes it much easier to multitask with two documents.

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
4. Uninstall programs

4. Uninstall programs

Uninstalling old and unused programs can be useful for freeing up storage space on your PC. You'll also notice your start-up times become speedier if you declutter. To do this, click 'Settings' in the Start Menu, select 'System' then on the left tab select 'Installed Apps'. Here you can remove apps by left-clicking them and selecting 'Uninstall'.

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
5. Create a secure backup

5. Create a secure backup

You'll need around 120GB of excess storage in a separate partition or drive to create a secure backup of your PC's OS and documents every week. Go to 'Settings' and select 'Update & Security', then click on 'Back-up' in the left-hand window. Click on the '+' button and select the partition or drive you wish to use. Once done select 'more options', then 'See advanced settings'.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
6. Finish the backup

6. Finish the backup

Now click 'System Image Backup' in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen, and click 'Set up Back-up' on the right-hand side of the screen. Highlight the drive you want to use for your backup and click 'Next', then 'Let Windows Chose'. Hit 'Next' again. You can now set up the schedule for when Windows performs the backup and then press 'Save settings and run backup'.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
7. Cortana on call

7. Cortana on call

If you are signed into your Microsoft account you can use Cortana for many things from searching the internet, to setting calendar reminders or sending emails. To get going, just say "Hey Cortana" (making sure your mic is enabled) or type Cortana into the search bar at the bottom left-hand of your screen. If she can't do something for you she'll search the internet for the answer.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
8. Organise mail accounts into one

8. Organise mail accounts into one

Keeping all email accounts in one place was a handy feature introduced in older versions of Windows 8. However, the Mail app that replaced Outlook has much more increased functionality. Click on the Mail icon in your Start window select 'Add account', select your email service and fill in the details. You can now select 'Done' and all your emails will be in one place.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
9. Multi-App view

9. Multi-App view

Another neat feature is the ability to swap between many apps at any time. Just press 'Task view', the button to the right of the search bar near the Start menu. This allows you to quickly switch between open applications (including minimised ones) without having to trawl through the icons on your task bar, making it much easier to find programs.

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
10. Uninstalling the old Windows

10. Uninstalling the old Windows

So, it's time to bid farewell to Windows 7 or 8 on your PC! To uninstall it, click on the Start menu and type in disk clean up, then open the 'Disk Clean Up' application. You can now select drive (C:), press 'OK' and let Windows scan the drive. Scroll down the open window and tick 'Previous Windows Installation(s)' tab, select 'Clean up system files' and you're done.

  • For more tips and tricks on Windows 10 like this, buy: Windows 10 Help and Advice
  • Check it out: Windows 10 review
Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
TOPICS
Windows 10 Microsoft
Graham Barlow
Graham Barlow
Social Links Navigation
Senior Editor, AI

Graham is the Senior Editor for AI at TechRadar. With over 25 years of experience in both online and print journalism, Graham has worked for various market-leading tech brands including Computeractive, PC Pro, iMore, MacFormat, Mac|Life, Maximum PC, and more. He specializes in reporting on everything to do with AI and has appeared on BBC TV shows like BBC One Breakfast and on Radio 4 commenting on the latest trends in tech. Graham has an honors degree in Computer Science and spends his spare time podcasting and blogging.

Read more
A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop
Microsoft has a big new AI settings upgrade for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs – plus 3 other nifty tricks
A young woman is working on a laptop in a relaxed office space.
New update for Windows 11 24H2 is the most feature-packed for some time, delivering some seriously useful additions
The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ in silver pictured on a wooden desk.
Microsoft is working on some seriously exciting Windows 11 improvements – but not everyone will get them
Using Zipped files and folders in Windows 11
New Windows 11 update delivers a host of new features and fixes - here are 4 things I'm looking forward to
Person using a laptop.
Windows 11 is about to get a nifty shortcut for copying out all the text from an image
Asus Zenbook A14 laptop
Windows 11’s big Start menu revamp is real – Microsoft has shared a first look at the redesign, and I’m very glad to see it
Latest in Pro
Laptop, chair, desk, webcam, and keyboard on a green background next to a TechRadar badge reading 'Big Savings'
I've seen so many amazing deals for business pros and students that don't need a Prime membership over Prime Day that I'm finally calling them out
Corsair EX400U 2TB USB4 Portable External SSD
One of the fastest SSDs I've ever seen is on sale in the last few hours of Amazon Prime Day - so be quick
Orico 2TB SSD Prime Day
This Orico 2TB SSD deal is one of the best I've seen all throughout Prime Day - and I'm sort of annoyed that it won't stay this price when the deals end tonight
Crucial x10 8tb prime day
With this Crucial 8TB SSD deal, I have absolutely no excuse not to take and store as many photos as I possibly can
Android apps
How to build and manage an integrated patient pathway
ChatGPT app on an iPhone
Researcher tricks ChatGPT into revealing security keys - by saying "I give up"
Latest in News
The Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses being used by a basketball player
You can finally preorder the Oakley Meta smart glasses, but there's a catch
Squid Game's masked enforcers line up in a V formation
Squid Game: The Challenge season 3 is a win for Netflix, but one unhinged game from the K-drama can’t be replicated
Intel Core Ultra processor
Intel CEO reportedly admits 'it is too late for us' to catch AI leaders like Nvidia, but here's how it could still recover
Dr. Collins wears surgical robes and glasses, looking on
Tracy Ifeachor exits The Pitt as Dr. Collins in shock casting shakeup, and that’s bad news for season 2 of the hit HBO Max show
Mel folds her arms while looking at Jack, who has his hands on his hips
Virgin River season 8 gets early renewal from Netflix, and this season 6 cliffhanger could be a sneaky red herring
Man with laptop showing Blue screen of death or BSOD on the monitor screen
Microsoft says Black Screen of Death better 'aligns with Windows 11's visual style' - but I think the new crash screen is missing a key detail

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...