Windows 10:- Use the free OneDrive to save files

Windows 10:- Use the free OneDrive to save files

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud service, an online vault of sorts, to store files offsite. That keeps them from disappearing if your computer's hard drive has problems or your computer is harmed in a fire or other disaster. Plus, you can access files and often run them in the cloud. And you can collaborate with others elsewhere in real time.

Microsoft gives you 5 gigabytes (GB) of free storage. But Microsoft 365 users, who pay for plans that start at $69 a year, get about 1,000 GB of OneDrive storage included. Microsoft 365 includes Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. You can buy more online storage.

Windows 10 integrates OneDrive, so you can drag and drop between local and OneDrive folders in Windows Explorer, as if all of it were stored on your computer. An Internet connection is required.

Type OneDrive in the search window at the bottom of the screen or click Start | OneDrive. You may be prompted to sign into your OneDrive account with a valid Microsoft or Hotmail ID, but that's required only once.

Now, when you're in File Explorer, you can click OneDrive on the left side to see the contents of your online storage. Or right-click on a file with your mouse and select Move to OneDrive. You can also go to OneDrive .com to sign in an access your files or download the OneDrive app for your smartphone or tablet.

Windows 10 :- Stop typing and start dictating

Windows 10 :- Stop typing and start dictating

Instead of jotting down a note or writing a paper, you can talk to your PC. You also can control your computer by speaking to it, such as starting programs, opening menus and clicking buttons.

To get going:

1. Type Speech in the search window beside the Start icon. Press Enter or click the button that says Windows Speech Recognition | Next.

2. Choose the type of microphone you're using, such as a headset, desktop microphone or perhaps one that's built into the computer itself. Click Next.

3. Walk through the prompts, conduct a short audio test, then make sure the toggle is set to On beside Dictate text and control your device using your voice.

4. Place your cursor in any text field, either directly within Windows 10 or in an app such as Microsoft Word. Press the Windows logo key and H and start speaking into your computer's microphone.

Use Cortana, Microsoft's personal assistant - Windows 10

Windows 10 - Use Cortana, Microsoft's personal assistant

Cortana is Microsoft's digital assistant that helps you with various tasks. Think of her like Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri or Google Assistant but baked into Windows 10.

You likely were asked if you wanted to enable Cortana when you set up Windows 10 for the first time. If not, here's how to get started:

1. Activate Cortana by tapping or clicking Start | Cortana.

2. Select Use Cortana. Click Yes if you want speech, inking (support for a digital pen) and typing personalization turned on. This helps Cortana get to know you better and can help her complete various tasks. You also can choose No thanks if you don't want this feature turned on.

3. Cortana now sits on your task bar at the bottom of your screen. You can wake her up by saying “Hey, Cortana,” if you enabled that or by clicking the Cortana icon on the taskbar, which looks like a circle, and is to the right of the search window.

After you've awakened her, try asking, “What can you do?"

Cortana can help manage your calendar and keep your schedule up to date, join a meeting in Microsoft Teams or find out who your next meeting is with, create and manage lists, set reminders and alarms, and find facts, definitions and other information.

Be aware: Cortana asks for permissions to track your activity so it can be useful, and Microsoft makes it difficult to totally disable Cortana once you've enabled it. So be sure you don't mind that tracking.