If you’re one of the millions of users who have already updated to Windows 10, it’s possible you might have noticed these treats in the newest operating system. If not, then you can thank us later!
1. Print as PDF: Have you relied on third-party tools like CutePDF for years, too? It’s no longer necessary, since Windows 10 now includes an option to print any document as PDF. Both Windows apps and desktop programs offer to print in PDF as part of their standard printing options now. This option can result in more consistent image quality, colors, and resolution on your documents when you print.
2. Smart Scrolling: Like most people, I always have multiple windows, applications, and folders open at the same time on both of my computer’s screens. In prior Windows versions, users were frustrated that mouse scrolling wasn’t activated unless you clicked in that window or app. This is especially annoying when you’re using a small-windowed program like Calculator or Notepad alongside a larger document; just holding your cursor over a windows and using the scroll wheel wouldn’t result in any action. But in Windows 10, simply hovering over a folder, windows, and app activates it and you can begin scrolling. Head to Settings > Devices > Mouse and touchpad to find it.
3. Natural Language Search with Cortana: Windows 10’s new digital assistant, Cortana, is sassy (read more here) and useful in a variety of ways. She is most powerful in her natural language search capabilities. When you’re using a computer that has an open microphone, you can simply speak questions or commands to Cortana very naturally. Say things like, “Find my documents from June,” “Show my photos from last weekend,” and even “Show me the last document I opened”. Cortana is a sophisticated tool that can intelligently find and filter your information to find the correct results. Also, she doesn’t limit her searches to only your local files, she searches your OneDrive storage, too.
4. Wi-Fi Enabling
For everyday users, Windows 10’s new Wi-Fi Sense feature—a carryover from Windows Phone 8.1—takes the hassle out of using Wi-Fi on the go. Wi-Fi Sense automatically connects you to open hotspots andto Wi-Fi networks your Facebook, Skype, and Outlook.com contacts have accessed. You never need to touch a password, and everything’s handled using encrypted connections. It’s pretty great.
5. Battery Saver
Windows 10 offers another great feature known as Battery Saver. Battery Saver, like comparable features on major mobile devices, kicks in when your laptop’s available power dips below a percentage that you can set up—the default’s at 20 percent.
Battery Saver turns down background activities (and push notifications) to maximize your system’s endurance. It’ll have more of an effect if you use a lot of Windows Store apps that run in the background, rather than traditional desktop programs. Find it under Start menu > Settings > System > Battery Saver.
Read even more tips from PCWorld here.
