How to Use Windows 10's Built-in Apps: A Beginner's Guide

Unlock Your PC's Potential: A Beginner's Guide to Windows 10's Hidden Gems

Want to master your Windows 10 computer? Discover how to use Windows 10's built-in apps with this beginner's guide. Learn how to unlock hidden features and boost your productivity today!

Alright, friends, let's talk Windows 10. You know, that operating system we all use (or are at least familiar with) that's somehow both incredibly powerful and incredibly... perplexing at times? I mean, how many times have you stared blankly at your desktop, vaguely aware that Windows probably has a tool to help you with what you need, but absolutely no idea where to find it? Yeah, me too. Too many times to count.

It's like having a fully stocked kitchen but only knowing how to make toast. You're surrounded by potential, but you're stuck with the same old routine. We've all been there. And let's be honest, nobody actually reads the Windows manual, do they? We're too busy trying to avoid those pesky update reminders. This guide provides insights into Windows 10 native apps .

The truth is, Windows 10 comes packed with a bunch of surprisingly useful built-in apps that are just waiting to be discovered. We're talking about tools that can help you organize your photos, edit videos, manage your calendar, and even compose music (badly, in my case, but still!). These essential Windows 10 apps are already on your computer, ready to go. No need to download anything extra. They are the secret weapons in your digital arsenal, and learning how to wield them can seriously level up your productivity.

The problem is, most people just don't know they exist, or if they do, they're not sure how to use them. It's like finding a hidden compartment in your car – exciting at first, but then you're left wondering what you're supposed to put in it. This guide on Windows 10 built-in apps is designed to change all that. We're going to take a tour of some of the most useful built-in apps in Windows 10, break down how they work, and show you how to use them to make your life easier.

Think of this as your personal guide to unlocking the hidden potential of your PC. No more feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options! We'll focus on the essentials, the apps that will actually make a difference in your daily routine. And we'll do it in a way that's easy to understand, even if you're not a tech whiz. Learn about Windows 10 default applications and how to use them efficiently.

So, are you ready to ditch the toast and start cooking up something more exciting? Stick with me, and by the end of this guide, you'll be a Windows 10 built-in app master . You might even impress your friends with your newfound knowledge. But the real reward? A smoother, more efficient, and maybe even slightly more enjoyable computer experience. Let’s dive in and see what surprises Windows 10 has in store for us!

Getting Started: Finding Your Built-in Apps

Accessing the Start Menu

The easiest way to find your built-in apps is through the Start Menu. It's that little Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen. Give it a click, and a world of possibilities unfolds before you. Scroll through the list of apps – you might be surprised at what you find! This is where you'll find the classics like Mail , Calendar , Photos , and more. You can also use the search bar in the Start Menu to quickly locate a specific app. Just type the name of the app, and Windows will find it for you. It's like having a personal digital assistant, but without the hefty price tag. This is an easy method of navigating Windows 10 apps .

Remember, many apps are also pinned as tiles in the Start Menu. These are the colorful squares that you see when you open the Start Menu. You can customize these tiles to show the apps that you use most often. To pin an app to the Start Menu, simply right-click on it in the app list and select "Pin to Start." To unpin an app, right-click on its tile and select "Unpin from Start." Tailoring the Start Menu to your needs makes accessing essential Windows 10 applications much quicker.

Think of your Start Menu as your digital toolbox. It's where you keep all the tools you need to get the job done. So take some time to explore it, get familiar with the layout, and customize it to your liking. You'll be surprised at how much time you can save by having your favorite apps readily accessible. Customization ensures convenient Windows 10 app access .

Using the Search Bar

Another great way to find your built-in apps is by using the search bar located next to the Start Menu button. Simply type the name of the app you're looking for, and Windows will display the results. This is a quick and efficient way to find apps, especially if you know the exact name. It's also useful for discovering new apps that you might not have known existed. For example, try typing "Paint" or "Calculator" – you might be surprised to see what other related apps appear in the search results.

The search bar isn't just for finding apps, though. You can also use it to search for files, settings, and even web pages. It's a powerful tool that can save you a lot of time and effort. To get the most out of the search bar, try using keywords instead of full sentences. For example, instead of typing "How do I change my screen resolution?", try typing "screen resolution." This will give you faster and more accurate results. Understanding Windows 10 search functionality will improve productivity.

Think of the search bar as your digital search engine. It's your go-to tool for finding anything and everything on your computer. So don't be afraid to use it! Experiment with different keywords and see what you can discover. You might just find a hidden gem that makes your life a little bit easier. Effective search skills enhance Windows 10 usability .

Exploring Essential Built-in Apps

Mail: Taming Your Inbox

The Mail app is a simple yet powerful tool for managing your email accounts. It supports a variety of email providers, including Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, and more. You can add multiple accounts to the Mail app and easily switch between them. This means you can keep all your emails in one place, without having to juggle multiple browser tabs or apps. The Mail app is also tightly integrated with the Calendar app, making it easy to schedule appointments and events directly from your emails.

The Mail app offers all the basic features you'd expect from an email client, such as composing new emails, replying to existing ones, and managing your contacts. You can also create folders to organize your emails and set up rules to automatically filter incoming messages. For example, you can create a rule to automatically move all emails from a specific sender to a specific folder. This can be a huge time-saver if you receive a lot of emails from the same source. Efficient Windows 10 email management is essential for staying organized.

One of the best things about the Mail app is its clean and intuitive interface. It's easy to navigate and use, even if you're not a tech expert. And because it's a built-in app, it's always up-to-date and optimized for Windows 10. So if you're looking for a simple and reliable email client, the Mail app is definitely worth checking out. A streamlined interface enhances Windows 10 user experience .

Calendar: Staying Organized

The Calendar app is your digital planner, helping you stay on top of your appointments, meetings, and events. Like the Mail app, it supports multiple accounts, including Outlook, Google Calendar, and iCloud. You can add multiple calendars to the app and easily switch between them. This is great for managing both your personal and work schedules in one place.

The Calendar app offers a variety of views, including day, week, month, and year. You can also create custom views to focus on specific events or time periods. To add a new event, simply click on the desired date and time, and then enter the details. You can also set reminders to ensure you don't forget important appointments. The reminders can be customized to appear as notifications on your screen, even when the Calendar app is closed. Effective Windows 10 calendar management is key to productivity.

The Calendar app is tightly integrated with other Windows 10 apps, such as the Mail app and the People app. This makes it easy to invite people to events, share your calendar, and access contact information. You can also sync your Calendar app with your mobile devices, so you can stay up-to-date on your schedule wherever you go. Seamless integration with other apps improves Windows 10 workflow .

Photos: Reliving Your Memories

The Photos app is your digital photo album, allowing you to organize, view, and edit your photos and videos. It automatically imports photos from your computer, your OneDrive account, and even your connected devices like your smartphone. This means you can easily access all your photos in one place, without having to manually transfer them from one device to another.

The Photos app offers a variety of viewing options, including thumbnails, slideshows, and full-screen mode. You can also create albums to organize your photos by theme, date, or location. The app also includes basic editing tools, such as cropping, rotating, and adjusting brightness and contrast. You can even add filters to give your photos a unique look. Simple editing tools are included with the Windows 10 photo app .

One of the coolest features of the Photos app is its ability to automatically create albums and videos from your photos. The app uses artificial intelligence to analyze your photos and identify faces, locations, and events. It then creates albums and videos based on these criteria. It's like having a personal photo editor who does all the work for you! The use of AI enhances Windows 10 media management .

Microsoft Edge: Browsing the Web

Microsoft Edge is the built-in web browser for Windows 10. It's designed to be fast, secure, and reliable. Edge includes features like tab groups, vertical tabs, reading mode, and collections. These features allow users to organize and view content more efficiently, as well as save and share content across devices.

The Edge browser also includes built-in security features to protect you from online threats. It blocks malicious websites and downloads, and it warns you about suspicious activity. The Edge browser also supports extensions, which are small programs that add extra functionality to the browser. You can find extensions for a variety of tasks, such as blocking ads, managing passwords, and translating web pages. Enhancing user security is a primary focus of the Windows 10 Edge browser .

Edge integrates well with other Microsoft services like Bing, OneDrive, and Microsoft 365. This allows you to easily access your files, search the web, and collaborate with others. You can also customize the look and feel of the Edge browser by changing the theme, the font, and the start page. Customization options improve the Windows 10 browsing experience .

Calculator: More Than Just Numbers

The Calculator app isn’t just for basic math. It has different modes: Standard, Scientific, Programmer, and Graphing. These additional modes can cater to more complex calculations. It also has a Unit Converter feature. This feature allows users to convert between different units of measurement, such as length, weight, temperature, and currency.

The Calculator app is easy to use, and it's always readily available. This can be useful for solving math problems, converting units, or performing other calculations. The versatility of the calculator app improves Windows 10 functionality .

Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Built-in Apps

Customizing App Settings

Most built-in apps offer a variety of settings that you can customize to suit your needs. Take some time to explore the settings of each app and see what options are available. You can often change the appearance of the app, the notification settings, and the default behavior. For example, you can customize the Mail app to display emails in a specific font, or you can customize the Calendar app to show reminders at a specific time.

Customizing app settings can greatly improve your user experience and make the apps more efficient for your workflow. Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings until you find what works best for you. Personalized settings improve Windows 10 usability .

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time and effort when using built-in apps. Most apps have a variety of keyboard shortcuts that you can use to perform common tasks. For example, in the Mail app, you can press Ctrl+N to create a new email, or you can press Ctrl+R to reply to an existing email.

Learning a few keyboard shortcuts for the apps that you use most often can significantly speed up your workflow. You can find a list of keyboard shortcuts for each app in the app's help menu. Efficiency is boosted by Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts .

Staying Up-to-Date

It's important to keep your built-in apps up-to-date to ensure you have the latest features and security updates. Windows 10 automatically updates your apps in the background, but you can also manually check for updates in the Microsoft Store. Simply open the Microsoft Store app, click on the "..." menu in the top-right corner, and then select "Downloads and updates." This will show you a list of apps that have updates available. Regular updates ensure Windows 10 app security .

Keeping your apps up-to-date is essential for maintaining a smooth and secure computing experience. Don't ignore update notifications, and make sure to check for updates regularly.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! A comprehensive guide to using Windows 10's built-in apps. We explored how to find these hidden gems , dove into some of the most essential apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos, Edge, and Calculator, and even shared some tips and tricks to help you maximize their potential. These Windows 10 native applications are powerful tools for organization and productivity.

Remember, these apps are already on your computer, ready to go. You don't need to download anything extra or pay for expensive software. All you need to do is take the time to explore them and learn how they work. Learning to use essential Windows 10 apps can greatly improve your workflow.

The goal was to show you how to unlock the power of your Windows 10 PC by using the tools that are already at your fingertips. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling empowered! By mastering these built-in apps, you can streamline your daily tasks, boost your productivity, and maybe even have a little fun along the way. A smoother workflow enhances the overall Windows 10 user experience .

Now that you're armed with this knowledge, the next step is to put it into practice. Take some time to explore the apps we discussed, customize them to your liking, and start using them in your daily routine. Find the right Windows 10 default applications to fit your needs.

Are you ready to take control of your digital life and unlock the full potential of your Windows 10 PC? Start exploring those built-in apps today, and discover the hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered! What is one app that you’re most excited to try?

Last updated: 4/19/2025