Windows 10: New to Win10 need help adding something and removing something.

I recently got a new PC, Compaq CQ5814 with a new installation of Windows 10.
Slowly I am getting things sorted out, but one thing is a terrible nuisance. Without
any intent to have such a thing, it keeps flashing the screen, and gives a sound.
It must be some type of attention to something, but I don't want it sounding off.
I have tried to find how to stop it, but have been unable to do so.

The other issue is how to get the header bar to list things such as View, Menu, etc
on the top.

Guidance and any answers here would be appreciated.
Dave.

The other issue is how to get the header bar to list things such as View, Menu, etc on the top.

That seems to describe The Ribbon! Good luck playing with or configuring it.

I have tried to find how to stop it, but have been unable to do so.

That seems to describe the Notification/Action Center. One way is to respond to the notification and follow through. The other way is Settings>>System>>Notifications & actions..

Welcome to TenForums @DJnRF

pyramid10 said:

The other issue is how to get the header bar to list things such as View, Menu, etc on the top.

That seems to describe The Ribbon! Good luck playing with or configuring it...

Possibly, that could be describing File Explorer. There's little you can do to configure its ribbon, bar hiding it.

@DJnRF could also be describing Edge. That doesn't have a ribbon (or an old-style File/Edit/View menu come to that). Most everything is done from the icons top right, the most useful of which is the 'three dots' (says 'Settings and more' if you hover over it).

Until we know which apps @DJnRF wants help with we're just guessing...

I thank all for the responses, and will try to give better explanation later. Presently I am at the
fire station working on a truck where I have been the past couple days. (And late into last
evening as well.)

Maybe I will be able to get to it tonight.

Thanks again, all.
Dave.

OK! I have one issue solved. I only use the Firefox browser. With the newest version
it is loaded without the top menu bar. However, Firefox merely does this to reduce the
space used by hiding it. To make it visible and to remain on the top all that needs to
be done is to right click on the gray space at the top of the browser, and select the
menu bar. It is then visible and remains there unless it is again hidden. For me, that
is the handiest way rather than those icons on the top right which don't cover all
that well.

Now, for the other issue.
The annoying screen flash/hesitation/blank-out along with some varied type of
chimes sound is still a problem.

I have gone through and unselected all sounds from the side list thing. I have
gone through the Control Panel as well. I know that it is not from the browser
as it does this even when the machine is on, but without any activity at all.
I have even checked the running processes, but am still unable to find what
is happening to cause the annoyance.

At times it will happen several times in a row while I am working. Each time
the screen will flash to black, pause what I am doing, and the chimes sound.
Since they are different from on thing I am doing to another I suspect it is
almost as if I have those different sounds selected for doing the different things.
It is inconceivable to think that it is due to some malware, etc. It doesn't even
appear to be from the installation of Windows 10. It was a brand new HDD,
with the original LLF and no other sign of anything loaded, or downloaded
before the time of my purchase of the machine. Win 10 was purchased
directly from Microsoft along with all the original documentation and loaded
onto the drive.

So, what is next to try?

Thanks,
Dave.

DJnRF said:

I only use the Firefox browser. With the newest version it is loaded without the top menu bar. However, Firefox merely does this to reduce the space used by hiding it. To make it visible and to remain on the top all that needs to be done is to right click on the gray space at the top of the browser, and select the
menu bar. It is then visible and remains there unless it is again hidden. For me, that is the handiest way...

Did you know that the menu bar comes out of hiding if you press the Alt key? It stays there for one use, hiding again after you've used it. For me that's the handiest way to use it.

TechnoMage said:

It's not a state secret, but probably unknown to many users, , , there are different versions of Firefox for 32 bit machines and 64 bit machines.
I install Firefox a lot for my customers and I always try to install the correct version on any PC.
Yes, it does help to turn on the "Menu Bar", and maybe even the "Status Bar". At least for me, it's helpful.
And, don't forget to click on "Help" and check for updates.

Cheers mate!

Yes, I am aware of the different versions. At times in my older Windows I even loaded versions
older than the then current version. On this new PC I insured that I had the 32 bit version.
On the fire dept. PC we use the newest updates, and all on the 64 bit for everything. I just
don't like it that way.

I am not impressed with the Windows 10 OS. Of course, I have not been very impressed
with any system since the advent of Windows 95. I much preferred the older systems
where the Windows was an addition outside the OS. One could control everything about
the system. I still keep a copy of the old DOS disc for use at times. Back in those
early days one could remove anything unwanted without problem. MS changed all of
that with the advent of Win95 where they retain absolute control over their Windows.
No computer needs that, but with the Disc Operating System inside of Windows
there is no other choice.

For quite a few years I would always load the DOS, and then add Windows outside
of DOS. In that way I could always go into DOS without any interference from the
Windows program. All of my back ups were through DOS, and all on a tape drive.
A tape drive records everything, unlike CD/DVD backups, or even the Cloud.
I still go back into those old tapes now and then for programs I need. But, I am
getting old now and just don't have the enthusiasm I once had.

Even though I am an FCC licensed 1st Class communications - electronics tech with
a permanent license with no need now to renew every five years, I just can't do it now.
I gave up my business and retired back in 2002. These newer systems and most
especially Windows 10 are almost completely foreign to me. I can build, or diagnose
most electronics issues, but can't hold my hands steady for bench work or even
see as well as I used to. I have to even wear special magnifiers today just to see
the this screen well. Making things larger just makes me have to constantly
scroll back and forth. That makes it worthless for me to work with. That is why
on such issues as these I have had that I like to get opinions and ideas from
others who probably didn't get into computers much before the Win95 era.
My first computer was only a DOS machine, and was all in a very large box,
with an internal CRT. (CRT is straight out of the Buck Rogers days of the
Cathode Ray Gun, of which a CRT has inside the glass container.)

It just isn't so grand to get old.

Thanks, and Take Care,
Dave.