Windows 10: 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 former “Windows Store” (TileWorld) apps, and some are traditional desktop programs. But in Windows 10, they all behave alike—so for your reference pleasure, they’re described in this vast chapter. They may appear in your Start menu in various groups, under various headings (Figure 8-1). But in this chapter, they’re all alphabetical, for your sanity’s sake.

Note

This chapter covers every scrap of software that comes in your “All apps” menu, even the ones stored in subfolders like Windows Accessories. The exception: what’s in the Windows Administrative Tools folder (Component Services, Local Security Policy, ODBC Data Sources, and so on). Those are technical tools for people who write computer books, not read them.

The New, Unified Design of Apps

Among the other problems with Windows 8: the design of Windows Store (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 Windows Store apps have all been redesigned. The App bar is gone. No more hidden controls. Let the celebrations begin! ...