Windows 10 May 2019 Update: The Missing Manual

Chapter 8. The Windows Starter Apps

Even after a fresh installation of Windows, your computer teems with a rich array of preinstalled programs—as an infomercial might put it, they’re your free bonus gifts. And there are a lot of them.

Some are Microsoft Store apps, and some are traditional desktop programs. But in Windows 10, they all behave alike—so for your reference pleasure, this chapter covers every scrap of software that comes in your “All apps” menu, even the ones stored in subfolders like Windows Accessories and Windows System.

You may, of course, have other apps—either those you’ve installed yourself or apps provided by your computer maker. (For example, you may have the Microsoft Office apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and so on.) This chapter, though, is dedicated to the programs every copy of Windows has.

The New, Unified Design of Apps

Among the other problems with Windows 8: the design of Microsoft Store (Windows Store) (Metro) (TileWorld) apps. They had no menus. They had few visible buttons. These apps didn’t really do anything—unless you knew about the secret, hidden strip of commands known as the App bar.

It appeared only if you swiped upward onto the screen from beneath it. A lot of people never realized that.

In Windows 10, Microsoft’s starter apps have all been redesigned. No more hidden controls. In fact, to make your life easier, Microsoft has blessed most of these apps with the same basic design. You’ll find it in the Alarms & Clock, Calendar, Groove ...