Do you own one of the 400 million devices running Windows 10? How does that work for you?

Right now, this operating system holds about 28% of the market share, running second only to Windows 7, and in the two years since it’s release, the reviews have ranged from good to great.

If you’re using Windows 10 or thinking about it, we want to share with you our 7 best practices for getting the most bang for your buck out this fantastic Microsoft product. 

1. Back up before you upgrade. If you haven’t yet gotten started as a Windows 10 user, be sure to backup everything on your PC before you bump up to the latest product. Don’t just copy files, either. Actually clone the disk. Upgrades have been known to damage or delete files, so you’ll want to take precautions and protect your data.
2. Tailor your Start menu. Microsoft brought back the traditional Start menu we missed in Windows 8. But now, you can customize it. You can resize or rearrange the menu choices, and you can even add new ones. Save time and keystrokes by setting up a Start menu that’s clean, simple, and works for you.
3. Enable “Hey, Cortana.” Have you always wanted a personal assistant? The helpful engineers at Microsoft made you one in the form of Cortana. She’s amazing. If you enable “Hey, Cortana,” you can give her directions or ask questions through your microphone. You’ll love this. We promise.
4. If you are licensed for Pro, Enterprise, or Education, take advantage of Bitlocker. A cyber security feature that’s been around since Vista, Bitlocker encrypts your hard drive and removable drive. While your personal files may also need protection, you can be sure your business clients’ or your students’ grades shouldn’t be exposed to prying eyes.
5. Extend the life of your laptop or tablet. Use the battery saving mode. Working much like the built-in battery saver on an Android device or iPhone, Windows 10’s mode adjusts your screen’s brightness and the availability of universal apps in order to lengthen your battery’s life. Turn it on, and it will automatically activate when the device reaches 20% power.
6. Improve speed by turning off animation. Windows 10 offers all kinds of cool animation, but this addition can slow down an older machine. If you love animation, leave it. If you find it annoying, on the other hand, you can enhance your computer’s speed by turning it off in Advanced System Settings.
7. Don’t disable User Account Control (UAC). Manage it. UAC protects your PC from damaging malware. It also adds annoying pop-ups causing some users to disable it. We don’t recommend doing that. Your system’s security is too important to take risks. You can, however, go into User Control Settings and reduce your UAC’s sensitivity, limiting the pop-ups but keeping your product safe.

Improve your computer’s efficiency and your own productivity with these 7 tips. Do you have some Windows 10 best practice advice you’ve learned in the trenches? Let us know about it!

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