Windows10 tips

Set different Backgrounds for Dual Monitors in Windows 10

If you have a dual monitors and want to set a different background for each. You don't need third party program to set them. Here's an easy way:

  • Copy the background images to: C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper\Windows
  • Use CTRL key for multiple selection to select both backgrounds.
  • Right click on one background->Set as desktop background

You should have a separate background for each monitor.

The background images will be stored under: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes as: Transcoded_000 and Transcoded_001 without extension

If you want to swap the images, just rename 0 to 1, 1 to 0. Sign out and sign back in or right click on desktop and select: Next desktop background

If your display is blurry, try changing the scaling settings

  1. Open the control panel (Start menu, search for 'Control panel')
  2. Select 'Appearence and Personalization'
  3. Select 'Display'
  4. Check 'Let me choose one scaling level for all my displays'
  5. Check 100% scaling, apply and follow the instructions

You can mount/burn .iso images directly from the File Explorer through the right-click context menu.

Shortcuts to work with virtual desktops

You can use Win+Ctrl+Left/Right arrow to quickly switch between desktops, Win+Ctrl+D to create new virtual desktop and Win+Crtl+F4 to close the current virtual desktop

Win+G shortcut opens a game task menu, it can record and make screenshots

Game has to be in windows mode for it to work.

Analyze the storage space on your PC

Type “storage” in the taskbar search box, choose the Storage setting, and you can see exactly what types of files (like music or video) are taking up your hard drive space.

Use a fingerprint instead of a password

This is part of the Windows Hello biometric platform, and whether or not you can make use of it depends on the make and model of computer you’re using Windows 10 on. As well as fingerprint sensing, it supports face recognition and even iris scanning, so if computer manufacturers are prepared to build this kind of kit into their systems then Microsoft’s new OS is able to support it.

Share wifi passwords with your friends

The new Wi-Fi Sense feature (in network settings) is an easy way of letting people use your home wifi while they’re visiting (and for you to use theirs in return). Your contacts never actually see the password but if they’re linked to you and also on a Windows 10 bit of kit they can just start browsing as soon as they get through the door.

Set up Windows to work with iOS and Android

Microsoft has decided to embrace iOS and Android and now makes most of its apps available for the competing mobile platforms (Cortana apps are apparently imminent). Run the Phone Companion app from the Start menu and you can launch a step-by-step guide to getting your iPhone or Android phone working smoothly with all the data and apps you’ve got stored on Windows.

Personalize the Start Menu

Hit the Windows icon at the bottom of your screen and go to Start > Settings > Personalization > Start, to customize the look of your new environment.

You can choose which system folders you want to see on the left hand side, show recently added apps, rearrange and resize the tiles, and much more.