For anyone who has been using the Windows 10 preview builds, there has been plenty of time to explore the operating system. It's now only a matter of weeks until the final version is released, and whether the gold build will be your first foray into Windows 10, or you're a seasoned tester, there are still plenty of new tricks to learn.
Whatever you use your computer for, you want to be able to get things done as a quickly as possible. In previous versions of Windows, the Control Panel was used to access all manner of options -- now things are split between the Control Panel and Settings. If there are some settings you change frequently, you can create your own shortcuts to jump to them in a couple of clicks; you can also assign keyboard shortcuts to make things even easier. Here's what you need to know...
These are shortcuts in the traditional Windows sense of the word -- icons that you can place on the desktop, Start menu, or taskbar. To create one, use the list below to determine the code you need to access a particular setting and highlight it before copying to the clipboard (you can type it out manually if you prefer, of course!).
Right-click an empty section of the desktop and select New > Shortcut. In the empty text field, paste the code you have copied and click Next. Type a suitable name for the shortcut and click Finish. If you want to take things a step further you can assign a keyboard shortcut to speed things up. Right-click an icon you have created and select Properties. On the Web Document tab, press the keyboard shortcut you'd like to use -- such as Ctrl + Alt + F -- and then hit OK.
Create as many shortcuts as you like, and move them to wherever you find the most useful.
| Accessibility | |
| Closed captioning | ms-settings:easeofaccess-closedcaptioning |
| High contrast | ms-settings:easeofaccess-highcontrast |
| Keyboard | ms-settings:easeofaccess-keyboard |
| Magnifier | ms-settings:easeofaccess-magnifier |
| Mouse | ms-settings:easeofaccess-mouse |
| Narrator | ms-settings:easeofaccess-narrator |
| Other options | ms-settings:easeofaccess-otheroptions |
| Battery and power | |
| Battery Saver | ms-settings:batterysaver |
| Battery Saver settings | ms-settings:batterysaver-settings |
| Battery use | ms-settings:batterysaver-usagedetails |
| Power and sleep | ms-settings:powersleep |
| Display and user interface | |
| Backgrounds | ms-settings:personalization-background |
| Colors (display) | ms-settings:colors |
| Colors (personaliation) | ms-settings:personalization-colors |
| Date and time | ms-settings:dateandtime |
| Display | ms-settings:display |
| Mouse and touchpad | ms-settings:mousetouchpad |
| Personalization | ms-settings:personalization |
| Region and language | ms-settings:regionlanguage |
| Screen rotation | ms-settings:screenrotation |
| Speech | ms-settings:speech |
| Start | ms-settings:personalization-start |
| Themes | ms-settings:themes |
| Typing | ms-settings:typing |
| Network and radios | |
| Airplane mode | ms-settings:network-airplanemode |
| Bluetooth | ms-settings:bluetooth |
| Cellular | ms-settings:network-cellular |
| Data usage | ms-settings:datausage |
| Dialup | ms-settings:network-dialup |
| DirectAccess | ms-settings:network-directaccess |
| Ethernet | ms-settings:network-ethernet |
| Manage Wi-Fi | ms-settings:network-wifisettings |
| Mobile hotspot | ms-settings:network-mobilehotspot |
| Proxy | ms-settings:network-proxy |
| Wi-Fi | ms-settings:network-wifi |
| VPN | ms-settings:network-vpn |
| Other | |
| For developers | ms-settings:developers |
| Offline maps | ms-settings:maps |
| Optional features | ms-settings:optionalfeatures |
| Privacy | |
| Account info | ms-settings:privacy-accountinfo |
| Calendar | ms-settings:privacy-calendar |
| Camera | ms-settings:privacy-webcam |
| Contacts | ms-settings:privacy-contacts |
| Feedback | ms-settings:privacy-feedback |
| Location | ms-settings:privacy-location |
| Messaging | ms-settings:privacy-messaging |
| Microphone | ms-settings:privacy-microphone |
| Motion | ms-settings:privacy-motion |
| Other devices (privacy) | ms-settings:privacy-customdevices |
| Privacy | ms-settings:privacy |
| Radios | ms-settings:privacy-radios |
| Speech, inking, and typing | ms-settings:privacy-speechtyping |
| System and user | |
| Connected devices | ms-settings:connecteddevices |
| Family and other users | ms-settings:otherusers |
| Lockscreen | ms-settings:lockscreen |
| Notifications and actions | ms-settings:notifications |
| Proximity | ms-settings:proximity |
| Signin options | ms-settings:signinoptions |
| Storage Sense | ms-settings:storagesense |
| Tablet mode | ms-settings://tabletmode/ |
| Windows Update | ms-settings:windowsupdate |
| Work access | ms-settings:workplace |
Are there any shortcuts you find particularly useful?