Windows 11 Fundamentals

Master file management in Windows 11 by organizing data with the File Explorer, including naming, moving, and deleting files and folders, and understanding the default folder structure.

Open the Windows 11 File Explorer from the taskbar or press Windows E. Navigate the left pane to access quick access, home, gallery, OneDrive, this PC, and network resources.

Discover File Explorer view options to switch between large icons, thumbnails, list, and details views, and learn to sort by name or date modified and filter by date.

Learn how folders organize files in Windows 11 file explorer and group related items for easier access, and that files have names and extensions indicating type and required apps.

Manage files with File Explorer, using the navigation pane to access documents and OneDrive for cloud backup, then create and name folders in the documents folder to organize files.

Use File Explorer to copy files from OneDrive documents to the letters folder for backups, and move files to the letters folder to reorganize and free space.

Explore how to use external drives on your computer, from USB flash drives to external hard drives, and understand capacities from gigabytes to terabytes for documents, photos, videos, and backups.

Plug in an external drive; open File Explorer to format it as x fat with a quick format and a meaningful volume label, then confirm.

Explore the Windows 11 settings app as the central hub for adjusting system, network, display, and security settings, with a home page, navigation pane, and search for quick access.

Customize Windows 11 with dynamic backgrounds, color schemes, themes, and start menu or taskbar options to fit your style and workflow.

Learn to customize your Windows 11 desktop background by selecting pictures, colors, or slideshows in settings, and apply fit options like fill, fit, stretch, tile, or center.

Explore how to personalize Windows 11 start menu by choosing layout options, selecting which items appear, and adding folders like documents and downloads for quick access.

Personalize the Windows 11 taskbar through the settings app, adjusting search, Copilot, task view, widgets, and system tray icons. Enable the pen menu and on-screen touch keyboard for touch devices.

Explore Windows 11 taskbar behaviors, including alignment options, automatic hiding, badges, flashing icons, taskbars on multiple displays, sharing windows from the taskbar, show desktop, and the system tray seconds.

Explore how Windows 11 offers dark mode and light mode to boost visual comfort and accessibility. Change the color mode via settings, personalization, colors, and choose your color mode.

Explore Windows 11 audio settings for gaming, music, and work, and learn to connect speakers, headphones, and microphones via color-coded jacks (pink mic, green output, blue line in).

Explore Windows 11 sound settings to manage output and input devices. Learn to adjust properties, set audio formats (44.1kHz or 48kHz), enable enhancements, and test microphones.

Explore how computer displays vary in size and resolution, from laptops to desktops, and how pixels shape image quality. Understand HDMI ports—standard, mini, and micro—and how they connect displays.

Explore how to access and adjust display settings in Windows 11 fundamentals, including brightness and color, night light, color profiles, hdr, scaling, resolution, orientation, and multiple displays.

Navigate Windows 11 mouse settings to optimize comfort: swap left/right buttons, adjust pointer speed, set 3–4 lines per scroll, enable scrolling inactive windows, and tweak double-click speed and pointer size.

Move the pointer with one finger on the trackpad, scroll with two fingers, and zoom with a pinch. Tap to left-click or two-finger tap to right-click.

Learn how Bluetooth enables short-range 2.4 GHz wireless connections between your computer and peripheral devices, how to enable Bluetooth, enter pairing mode, discover devices in Windows, and complete pairing.

Explore how apps in Windows 11 power productivity, entertainment, and communication, likened to a toolbox. Use examples like Word and Paint and discover apps from the Microsoft Store.

Explore the wonderful world of apps on Windows 11, from productivity tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to communication, entertainment, and creativity apps.

Explore the Microsoft Store, search for apps and games, view details, and install or purchase items while navigating home, apps, gaming, entertainment, and library tabs.

Connect to a new wireless network by selecting it from the Wi-Fi list, entering the password, deciding whether to auto-connect, and noting the public or private network profile.

Explore web browsers in Windows 11, learn Edge as the default browser and compare with Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, and understand how to download and use URLs and search engines.

Explore Microsoft Edge, the default Windows browser, and learn how to manage profiles, workspaces, tabs, and favorites, use collections, and access Copilot for navigation.

Explore the Outlook for Windows app on Windows 11 from update 23 h2, covering setup, the home screen with search, calendar and to-do, navigation and reading panes, and inbox folders.

Add other email accounts such as Gmail and Yahoo to the Outlook app to consolidate multiple accounts in one place, then follow prompts to sign in and grant permissions.

Explore how OneDrive stores and backs up files in the cloud, enabling sharing and access from anywhere. See how File Explorer in Windows 11 integrates OneDrive and its cross-platform availability.