StepChange Debt Charity

Windows 11 Essentials: Your Quick Start Guide

Summary

This article explains the basics of windows 11. It covers the core components of desktop, file explorer and Microsoft edge, providing a foundation to navigate Windows 11 effectively.

Signing in

If your device has a biometric sensor, you can now sign into your work laptop using your face or fingerprint. Alternatively, you can use a PIN or password. If you would like to use these methods, then check out the article ‘Windows Hello for Business - Sign in Without a Password’.

Desktop Components

The desktop is your main workspace. It’s the first screen you see when your computer starts and acts like a digital desk. A space where you can organise your files, access programs, and store shortcuts to things you use often.

Start Menu

Located at the centre of the taskbar, the Start Menu provides quick access to your applications, settings, and files. You can pin your most used apps, search for files, and access system settings.

To open Start, either press the Windows key on your keyboard (usually on the bottom row between Ctrl and Alt). It will have a marking like the following:  or click on it with your mouse.

Taskbar and Quick Setting

The taskbar runs along the bottom of the screen and includes icons for open applications, system notifications, and the Start Menu.

You can customise this in settings and pin your most used apps such as Teams making things quicker to open while your morning coffee kicks in.

Quick settings, which is located on the right-hand side of the task bar, gives you an easy way to access the settings you’ll need the most such as Wi-Fi, volume and display. You can open this by clicking on the location shown in the image below.

Files, Folders and Shortcuts

The desktop is a convenient place to save your files, folders, and shortcuts to apps or documents you use often.
 You can easily organise them by dragging and dropping them into the layout that works best for you.

File Explorer

File Explorer is the tool you use to manage files and folders on your PC. It helps you browse, organise, and access everything stored on your computer.

Opening File Explorer:
 Click the folder icon on the taskbar or press Windows key + E to open it quickly.

Navigating Folders:
 Use the side panel to move between your folders and drives. You can expand folders by clicking the small arrow next to them.

Managing Files and Folders:
 Right-click an item to see options like create folder, move, delete, or rename.
 You can also use the toolbar at the top for quick actions like copying and pasting.

Searching for Files:
 Use the search bar in the top-right corner to find files or folders by typing in keywords or names.

Bonus Tip – Quick Access & Recent Files:
 When you open File Explorer, you'll see Quick Access by default. This shows folders and files you've used recently, making it easy to jump back into your work without digging through folders.

Microsoft Edge

This is the main web browser used in Stepchange. It’s designed with built in security features and compatible with 99.9% of works web applications.

Opening Edge

To launch Microsoft Edge click the Edge icon on your taskbar. Alternatively, you can open the Start menu, type "Microsoft Edge", and select it from the search results.

Browsing the Web

Use the address bar at the top of the window to type a website address (URL) or enter search terms. Press Enter to load the page or see search results. You can open multiple websites simultaneously by clicking the "+" button next to the current tab.

Managing Tabs

Right-click on any tab to see options such as closing the tab, pinning it for easy access, or opening it in a new window. For better organization, use the Tab Groups feature to group related tabs together.

Resources

The information source for this article is the Microsoft support website, where they provide free guides and information on there products. If you want to boost your IT know-how and learn more click on the link below.

Meet Windows 11: The Basics - Microsoft Support

Information titles:    

used for captions and technical information. – QS5

FAQ’S

Q: Can I customise my Desktop or Edge?

A: Yes, if you go to the settings for either of these you can enable things such as dark mode, modify the colours and more. Please be aware that these changes don’t always carry over to some of the systems/applications.

Q: What other things dose windows 11 offer?

A: The Microsoft website can provide a more detailed breakdown (so click on the link under resources) but for a quick insight see the image below.

Revision History