Be a smart

computer
user
 Welcome Contents
Our computers are supposed to be there to make life easier, but often 4 
Laptop tips 10 
Make sense of mystery keys
they can be a source of frustration – especially when we can’t get them Learn how to extend battery life, Find out what all the keys on
to do what we want. Often we put up with the little things that irritate us, prevent overheating and more your keyboard are for
because it’s less hassle than looking for a solution. But there are lots of
ways to make common tasks quicker or less awkward, and they are often 6 
Get to grips with Windows 10 12 
Keep track of your passwords
easier than you might think. Easy ways to get Windows 10 Manage your logins and add extra
Perhaps you’d like to speed up the time it takes for your computer to working the way you want it to protection to your online accounts
start up. Maybe you’d like a simple way to manage all your passwords.
Or you might just wish there were quicker ways of navigating your files 8 
Shortcuts 14 
Back up your files
and folders or the web. Save time on day-to-day computing Keep your important documents and
Whatever the case, you’ll find valuable tips and tricks within this guide, tasks with these simple tricks files safe with these simple options
designed to make your daily computer tasks much quicker, easier and
more enjoyable. We’ll show you some simple shortcuts and explain how
to make Windows 10 work the way you want it to. We also have dedicated
tips for laptop users, plus all you need to know about backing up your
valuable data.

Richard Parris
Editor, Which? Computing

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Which? Computing offers practical advice on making the most of

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OCTOBER 2017

your computer, including everything from social networking to

email. Our team of experts has more than 65 years’ experience
working in and writing about technology. As a Which? title, we’re CHEAP LAPTOP

entirely independent and offer unbiased advice.

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Can you really ooks
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WHICH? WORKS
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07/09/2017
10:20

© Which? Ltd 2017 The guide may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in
any form or otherwise made available to third parties without the written permission of Which?.
Commercial use of the guide is not permitted. You can enquire about using Which? content by
emailing corporatequeries@which.co.uk.

Although Which? has endeavoured to make every effort to ensure that all steps and advice detailed are
accurate and up to date, this is not guaranteed. Please note that the software and hardware features
referred to can and do change and this may invalidate certain steps. Any such changes are beyond the
control of Which? All implied warranties and conditions are excluded to the maximum extent permitted
by law. In particular, we will not be responsible for ensuring that the advice given in this guide is suitable
for your purposes or for any data loss that may be incurred as a result of following the advice.

2 ❘ which.co.uk which.co.uk ❘ 3
Laptop tips expand Maximum processor state (see right).
Lowering the percentage will reduce the
maximum performance available but also the
If you’re a laptop owner, find out how to make your battery last longer, maximum heat that your laptop will produce.

save your PC from spills or stop it from overheating with our expert tips
Make your battery last longer change this to Balanced. The Power Saver
option will reduce battery usage further but
3 Keep an eye on
the environment
An overly warm room or direct sunlight on

1 Turn down
the brightness
may affect overall performance. your laptop on a hot day can cause your
computer to heat up quickly, and this
The brighter your laptop’s
screen, the faster your battery
will drain. Brightness is usually controlled via
4 Unplug devices
Most USB devices drain power from your
PC in order to operate, so unplug flash memory
can cause damage. If the room temperature is
unusually high, your laptop’s cooling system
may struggle. Open a window to increase
a dedicated button or a function key (Fn key). sticks, external drives, TV tuners, mobile airflow, or draw a curtain or blind to prevent
On some laptops, brightness is controlled by broadband dongles and so on when you’re not direct sunlight from falling on your laptop.
the cursor/arrow keys in conjunction with the using them. Also, eject any CDs or DVDs.
Fn key. Brightness buttons will be marked with
a sun icon.
How to deal with spilled liquids

2 Switch off wi-fi

If you’re not using the
internet, leaving wi-fi switched on
1 Shut down fast
Save your work immediately, then hold
down the power key for around five seconds
can steadily sap battery life in the and the computer will shut off all power. If the
background. As with brightness controls, most laptop is running off a cable from the mains,
laptops have a dedicated switch or Fn key to turn it off at the wall before you remove the
disable or enable the wi-fi. Check for an icon power lead.
Keep your laptop cool
that looks like a radio mast or like the signal bars
on a mobile phone.
1 Use a cool surface
Using a laptop on your lap isn’t always the 2 Turn it upside down
Quickly turn the laptop upside down to

3 Switch to a better
power setting
Click Start ( ), type power options, then click
best idea – this can quickly lead to a build-up
of heat that’s not only uncomfortable for
you but bad for your computer, too. To allow
stop the liquid going further into the machine.
Open the laptop out and sit it on a flat surface
in an upside-down V shape to save the
Power Options (Windows 7) or Power & sleep better heat dissipation, use your laptop on computer and screen from further damage.
settings > Additional power settings (Windows a surface such as a table or a desk. An even, Remove the battery, if possible, and detach
10). If the High Performance option is selected, flat surface will ensure that your laptop’s any other devices (a mouse, for example).
ventilation points aren’t blocked by your
legs or a cushion.
3 Open the laptop chassis
For more serious spillages, you’ll have to
Find a Best Buy
2 Power-manage your processor
Open Power Options as described earlier.
take further steps by opening your PC’s chassis,
then removing components, such as your hard
i In the market for a new
laptop? Log in to our
Click Change plan settings next to the plan drive and Ram. You may also need to remove website to find the machines we
you are using, then choose Change advanced and dry your keyboard. This may require a little rate as Best Buys – which.co.uk/
power settings. Scroll down to expand more expertise – check your manufacturer’s best-buy-laptops
Processor Power Management and then instructions for details before you go any further.

4 ❘ which.co.uk which.co.uk ❘ 5
Get to grips with
Windows 10
Windows 10 is packed with useful features, but some may not be tailor-
made for how you use your computer. We demonstrate easy ways to
Speed up startup times
get Windows 10 working the way you want it to Right-click the taskbar and select Task
Manager. If you see More details at the
Customise the Start menu Change your default programs bottom of the window that opens, click this
The Start menu in Windows 10 gives You don’t have to stick with Microsoft’s default to expand the Task Manager view, then click
you access to useful apps, settings and apps for music, photos and so on. To switch the Startup tab. The window will display all the
folders, all in one convenient place. Click the to a program you’d prefer to use instead, first items that are set to launch automatically
Start ( ) button on the taskbar to open it. make sure it’s installed. Then click Start > when your PC starts – each one will slow
You can make the Start menu bigger Settings > Apps > Default apps. Click the down your computer a little. Browse through
(or smaller) by moving your mouse cursor icon for the current default app under the Minimise Cortana and click on any you don’t need, then click
to the edge of the panel until it becomes a category you want to change (Photo viewer, Cortana is the voice-controlled personal the Disable button. If you’re not sure about an
double-headed arrow, then click and drag for example), then select the program you assistant that’s built into Windows 10. While it item, right-click it and select Search online for
outwards (or inwards). want to use instead from the Choose an can’t be removed, there are ways to make it more info. You can easily reverse the process
Similarly, click and drag Start menu tiles to application list that appears. less active on your PC if you’d prefer. should you disable something you need.
move them around – so that your most-used Click inside the Search box on the left of the
ones are at the top, for example. To remove taskbar, then click the Settings icon ( ). Here,
a tile you don’t want, right-click it and select work your way through each category, clicking
Unpin from Start. To add a program to the tile all the switches to Off. If you’re concerned
area, scroll through the alphabetical list of about the data that Cortana has collected from
programs on the left of the Start menu to find you, click Change what Cortana knows about
the one you want, then right-click it and select me in the cloud (which will either be at the
Pin to Start. very top of the settings or listed under
Permissions & History, depending on your
Remove unwanted apps version of Windows 10), then click Clear.
There may be some apps installed on your
PC that you have no interest in using. Click Manage updates
Start > Settings > Apps, then click on any you Windows 10’s updates are compulsory, but you
don’t want. You should see an Uninstall button can stop them interrupting you. Click Start >
next to the app. If it’s greyed out, it means you Settings > Update & security, then click
can’t remove the app. Otherwise, click it, then Change active hours. Active hours lets you
click Uninstall. specify a period of each day – up to 18 hours
You can often get back apps you’ve in the latest versions of Windows 10 – during
uninstalled by opening the Windows Store which you can block updates from interrupting
and clicking your account icon > My Library. you by suddenly restarting your PC. In the
Click the download button next to the app boxes, choose a Start time and an End time,
you want to reinstall. then click Save.

6 ❘ which.co.uk which.co.uk ❘ 7
Shortcuts Web-browsing shortcuts

1Quick address bar

If you want to type something into the
Word and Excel shortcuts

1Opening documents
When you’re working with Word or
Have you ever wished there was a quicker, easier way to get address bar, you don’t need to click on it with Excel, press Ctrl + O to open an existing
something done? If so, you’ll love these simple tips and tricks the mouse. Simply press F6 and the URL in the file, or Ctrl + N to open a new document.
address bar will be highlighted automatically.
that can transform the way you use your PC
Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of key presses that you can use to pull off quick and
easy tasks, from saving a document to viewing all the files and programs you have open at
Press Ctrl + C if you want to copy the URL,
or Ctrl + V to paste in a new one. 2 Find and replace
If you’re looking for a word or phrase,
press Ctrl + F and type it into the search box.
once. The simplest shortcuts typically require the use of only two keys at once. For example,
by holding down Ctrl and pressing the S key, you can save a document. 2 Rapid refresh
To refresh a webpage that is running slowly,
you don’t need to click the refresh icon. As a
This will locate all instances of the word in your
document or spreadsheet. Ctrl + H opens an
expanded search box, with the option to replace
shortcut, press F5 on your keyboard. all instances of the word you searched for.
Show the desktop
To clear all the clutter from your screen and see the
desktop in an instant, press the Windows key + D.
+D 3 Find your words
If you’re looking for a word or phrase on 3 Undo and redo
To undo a change you have made,
Press these again to return everything to how it was. a webpage, press Ctrl + F to bring up a search press Ctrl + Z. You can reverse this by
box. Type in your word and press Return to see pressing Ctrl + Y, which can also be used
all instances of that word. in Word to repeat your last action.
Cycle through programs
If you have lots of programs open, press Alt + Tab to
bring up a window showing icons for each program
that’s open. You can scroll through these to select
4 Working with tabs
Press Ctrl + T to open a new tab.
To scroll forwards through tabs using
4 Format text
Select your text, then click Ctrl + B to
make it bold, Ctrl + I to italicise it or Ctrl + U
a program to bring to the top. your keyboard, press Ctrl + Tab. To scroll to underline it. This works in Word and Excel.
backwards, press Ctrl + Shift + Tab. Hold

Zoom with the mouse

Hold down the Ctrl key and scroll the mouse
down Ctrl as you click a link; this will open
the link in a new tab. 5 Upper or lower case
In Word, you can change blocks of text
from lower to upper case by highlighting the
wheel forwards or backwards to enlarge or text, then pressing Shift + F3.
shrink a webpage or document.

Find out more

Select multiple files
Hold down Ctrl and click on each
i From speeding up
a slow computer to
file one by one to select them all. making your PC easier to use, the
Alternatively, to select every file Which? Computing Helpdesk is an
in a folder, press Ctrl + A. online hub for jargon-free advice,
support and troubleshooting. Visit
computing.which.co.uk
Lock the computer
Press the Windows key + L to lock
your computer in an instant.

8 ❘ which.co.uk which.co.uk ❘ 9
 Make sense Discover keyboard
shortcuts to make

of mystery keys using your PC faster

and easier

F1 F5 F10
Opens the Help Shift + F3 Refreshes the page F6 Press this in Shift + F10
box for whatever Capitalises or you are viewing In a web browser, F7 Word to scroll In any program or F11
program you are uncapitalises your Alt + F4 when using a web this sends your Launches a through the on your desktop, Toggles the
using. Windows text in Word. F3 This closes any browser. In Word and cursor straight to spell-checker in Ribbon using this brings up the full-screen view
key + F1 opens on its own opens a program that Excel, it opens the the address bar so Word. Shift + F7 the arrow keys same menu as on and off in
Windows Help box to search your you currently ‘Go to, Find and you can type in a launches the instead of the right-clicking most web
and Support. PC or the web. have active. Replace’ tool. web address. thesaurus. mouse. the mouse. browsers.

Scroll Lock
and Pause Break
In modern
Tab computers, these
When filling out an keys can largely
online form, such be ignored.
as your delivery Scroll Lock used
address, this to change how
moves your cursor scrolling worked
to the next text when using the
box. In Word, it will arrow keys, but
indent your text. few programs now
make use of this.
Windows key Pause Break used
This opens the to pause scrolling
Start menu in Ctrl + Z Ctrl + S Ctrl + C Ctrl + P Alt Gr Print Screen Home and End Num Lock text in MS DOS,
Windows 7 This will reverse Saves the file Copies a file or text. Opens the print Pressed in Takes a snapshot In Word, Home On full keyboards, but now has no
and 10, or the your last edit you’re working Press Ctrl + V to dialogue box in combination of your computer will move the Num Lock important function.
Start screen in or action, like on. Or press F12 paste the file or text. most programs. with another screen. Press Alt + cursor to the changes the You can press the
Windows 8. clicking on Undo. to ‘Save as’. key, this can give PrtSc to capture only beginning of a keypad on the Windows key +
you symbols. For the window you have line. End will right from a number Pause Break
instance, pressed open. Press Ctrl + V to place it at the pad to a directional to open the System
with ‘E’ it gives paste the screenshot end of a line. arrow pad. Properties window.
you ‘é’. as a picture.

10 ❘ which.co.uk
which.co.uk which.co.uk ❘ 11
Keep track of
your passwords
We explain how to manage your passwords and add
extra protection to your online accounts

Are my passwords secure? end to tailor it for your Facebook login,

The chances of criminals hacking into your giving you Wh!t3Chr1stma$Fb.
personal accounts are fairly slim. But if a
company you’ve given your details to online What is two-step verification?
falls prey to a cyber attack, it’s possible your This is an extra layer of security for logging into
login details could fall into the wrong hands. online accounts. It works on Google, Microsoft,
To reduce the risk, we strongly recommend Apple accounts and more, and helps prevent
you don’t use the same password on multiple them from being accessed by others. Two click Sign-in & security. Scroll down to 2-Step dozens of different passwords is clearly
sites. Armed with your username and separate authentication steps are required to Verification – click it, then click Get Started. impractical. A password manager – a tool that
password, hackers can attempt to access log in to your account: your normal password, Follow any remaining instructions to complete remembers all your passwords so you don’t
multiple accounts with the same details. plus a second factor, such as a unique code the set-up process. Next time you log into the have to – can make this task easier and more
that’s sent to your mobile phone. This makes service on any device, you’ll be prompted to secure. LastPass, for example, can be installed
How to create a secure password your account safer as a criminal would need enter a verification code, which you’ll receive on your computer, phone or tablet, and your
Popular passwords used on the web – not only your password, but also access to via text message to your mobile phone. passwords are synced via the cloud. Most of its
including ‘12345’ and ‘password’ – may be your phone in order to access your account. features are free to use, too. Head to lastpass.
memorable, but they’re not safe. Even an Should you let your browser com, then click Get LastPass Free. You’ll be
average home computer could crack these How to use two-step verification store your passwords? presented with an option to download the
codes in under a second. Precise steps will vary depending on the Most browsers – including Chrome, Edge LastPass extension for your browser. When you
Passwords should be at least eight characters service you want to set up. For Google and Firefox – offer to store passwords for you first set up LastPass, you’ll be asked to create a
long. But simply using recognisable eight-letter accounts, for example, head to google.co.uk whenever you log in to a website. Signing into master password. This is the only password you
words or combinations of words isn’t great and click Sign in (if you’re not logged in your web browser with a Google, Microsoft or need to remember – you’ll need it to access all
protection either, as hackers have sophisticated already). Next, click your account icon (top right) Firefox account lets you sync your passwords your other ones.
programs that can figure out these passwords and select My Account. On the next page, across your devices, too. Although this makes
surprisingly quickly. logging in more convenient, to stay as safe
A good way to create a strong password as possible it’s best not to let your web
is to base it on a single phrase. A favourite song browser remember your passwords. In theory,
lyric can be easy to remember – it would be very easy for someone who gained
whitechristmas for example. Next, strengthen access to your PC to log into websites with
the phrase with a mixture of upper and saved passwords and access private or
lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. financial information.
This could give you Wh!t3Chr1stma$, which
will be far harder to decode. You can then How to use a password manager
reuse the password on multiple sites with a It’s all very well creating different passwords
simple variation. For example, add ‘Fb’ to the for all your online accounts, but remembering

12 ❘ which.co.uk which.co.uk ❘ 13
Back up your files
Keep your important documents and files safe with these simple options
Why do I need to back The storage space exists on computer servers
up my files? owned by a company such as Microsoft or
Files on your computer, such as photos, Google. You can copy files automatically
videos and documents, are stored on an from your PC to cloud storage space over
internal hard drive, which makes it easy to the internet. A key benefit of cloud storage
quickly find and open the files that you need. is that your files are stored in a separate
But keeping files solely on your computer can location to your computer itself. Plus, you
be risky. Hard drives can fail, or files can be can access them from any computer with
accidentally deleted or destroyed by viruses. an internet connection.

“
If your computer was stolen or damaged, this
Which should I use?
Keeping files solely on your computer
could mean important files or photos being
lost forever. Backups are exact copies of your We recommend using a bit of both. Use a tool
files that can help you get everything back if like Windows 10’s File History (see below) – or can be risky. Hard drives can fail, or files can be

”
disaster strikes. Time Machine if you’re a Mac user – to back up
all your files to an external hard drive regularly.
accidentally deleted or destroyed by viruses
What types of backup are there? But also consider using cloud storage to keep
The most common ways to back up your files another set of ‘off-site’ copies of irreplaceable
involve using either an external hard drive files such as cherished photos and important Step 1 Step 3
or cloud storage. External hard drives are documents, such as scans of your passport, To set up File History, click Start > Settings. In Backups of your files are made once an hour,
relatively cheap, easy to use and offer lots of driving licence and so on. Free cloud storage the menu that appears click Update & security but click More options to change how often
storage. However, they can be lost, physically accounts tend to have low capacities – and then Backup. File History backups take place, and which
damaged by drops or accidents, or develop Microsoft’s OneDrive, which comes built into files and folders are included in your backups.
faults over time. Cloud storage is a service you Windows 10, only offers 5GB, which isn’t Click Back up now to start backing up your
access over the internet to back up your files. enough to back up all your files. You can files to the external hard drive.
increase the amount of space by paying a
monthly subscription. Prices start at £1.99
per month for 50GB.

Back up automatically
using File History
Windows 10’s File History feature lets you
schedule automatic backups to an external
drive. This means you won’t have to manually
drag your files over every time you want to Step 2
make copies. Instead, Windows 10 will Click the plus symbol next to Add a drive,
automatically back up new or changed files then select the external drive you wish to use
to your external hard drive whenever it’s for backups from the list shown. By default,
connected to your PC. The process is File History will now automatically back up
relatively straightforward. to this drive.

14 ❘ which.co.uk which.co.uk ❘ 15
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