Newbie buying Dell desktop some basic questions

I am an 88 year old Win 7 Pro desktop user. Now purchasing a Dell Model i3670-5575BLK-PUS (9th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-9400 Processor 2.9GHz). Questions:

1.Wondering if there is a newbie instruction guide for those of us moving from a Win7 pc to Win 10 Home pc. If so can someone direct me to its location or assist me? Trying to make the transformation as trouble free and smooth as possible.
2. Not sure if the pc comes with the latest security updates and if not is there any caveats or precautions I should be aware of. I have seen comments about issues with one of the recent updates- Windows 10 version 1903.

Will be climbing a steep learning curve with an old body and mind and will appreciate all the help I can get.

Thanks Frank

Windows 10 doesn't come with a user manual (nor does much of anything else these days). However, there are a lot of great tutorials on this site. One thing that might make the transition easier is installing "Open Shell" which gives you a "7" look alike menu. I installed it's predecessor "Classic Shell" on my wife's computer when she went from 7 to 10, and the transition was almost painless. However, if you like to "tinker under the hood", the add on start menu might just be in your way.

You are also quite welcome to post back with any questions as you proceed.

Hello,

i also recommend browsing the beginners sections here for some knowledge on windows 10

And a good Office-Alternative if you don't own a Copy or membership to Microsoft Office is LIBRE Office. Check that out if you want an open source MS Office Clone that has become really good.

Regards,
Herb

Berton said:

And might see if the Books for Dummies has an offering, don't let the name mislead, they are good.

Completely agree. I've used many "Dummies" books over the years (Windows 95, Windows 7, Photoshop, etc.) and they are an excellent starting point. They have everything you need to know to get on your way and if you're like me and want to be able to go back and reread something they are invaluable.

Funny thing, when I first started reading them on the bus years ago I was embarrassed to have anybody see me because you know, it said "Dummies". Once I realized what a great resource they were I didn't care anymore. And then they became popular !

I'm 82 (and a Florida retiree) but don't find Win 10 to be too hard. There are some differences but they mostly are not a big drawback.
For those that will mostly be browsing the web and e-mail it won't take long to get the hang of Edge browser or windows mail.
Managing (accepting) change is a requirement of computers. There is always going to be change so don't let it be a stumbling block.

Hi Frank,

1. Have you already purchased that Dell? (I did some quick looking online and wasn't convinced that PC has an SSD hard drive. I'd highly recommend a PC with that these days.)

2. I was an Apple only user for 29 years. Windows 10 was my first serious foray into Windows at all. If I can do it -- you're all set.

3. I disagree with the classic shell advice popping up in this thread. I give the developers of Windows 10 a bit of faith that the changes they made from 7 were to improve the look and feel of 10. To immediately undo this work without giving it a LONG try is presumptuous. It's clinging to the familiar.

The most annoying part of 10 is the Start Menu. Why?

a. Many PCs ship with bloatware or games or crap in the Start Menu you don't want to see every day. Or ever. So right click those items and select 'unpin from start'. If you know you'll never use the app try 'uninstall' instead. It may take 5 minutes but then your start menu is clean of crapola.

b. So now you want to get apps into your Start Menu. This process takes time too. You hit the Windows button on keyboard, type the name of an installed app you have, and when it shows up at the top of search -- you'll see a window that invites you to place a shortcut either in the Start Menu or taskbar.



Say you put it in your Start Menu. That sounds easy enough but now you must decide --

c. -- exactly where and what size you want the shortcut. Don't panic. It's annoying at first but if you think of it as a lame video game it's kinda fun. Within a week you'll likely have your Start Menu organized to your liking and not need classic shell. This is mine --



PRO TIP

I use my Taskbar for stuff I used almost every day. I used my Start Menu for things I want to remember I have but that I don't use every day. By doing this I never need to dig into the list of apps shown on the left of this image --



Even better. I keep ZERO program shortcuts on my desktop. This is a Windows habit I see Windows users doing and I believe it's completely unnecessary in Windows 10. That is: the start up menu is "more taskbar". I have fast access to 56 apps without ever having to search thru that apps area or the desktop.

4. You may need to uninstall nagware. OneDrive and MS Office can nag you. It's not hard to get rid of both. I even got rid of Cortana. As in you'd never know it ever there. That one involves a little registry hoo-hah but believe me when I say if I can manage it anyone can.

5. I concur with the Libreoffice advice. If you use Office here and there but not a lot, get this free suite instead. If you end up using it over time and liking it, give'em whatever you feel like now and again. The app will never ask for a dime. I'd also try Firefox Quantum as your main browser.

Give 10 a try. I've switched for good.

Many thanks to all of the responders - many valuable suggestions and insights presented. Best advice was to take it slow and carefully and avoid impulses - something I learned the hard way in my 8 decades!

The Dell pc I purchased does have both a 1TB HDD and a 128GB SSD. Not sure but presume that it will come with considerable bloatware and Microsoft programs and apps that I neither want nor will use. I have had good success with the Comcast provided security suite by Norton - since I am familiar with it I will probably use the McAfee trial security program until it expires then decide best replacement.

Very much appreciate the offers to return to the forum for additional questions and guidance if/when encountered or needed.

Frank