Windows 11

The move to Windows 11 is necessary to keep our technology systems secure, reliable, and up to date. Microsoft has officially announced that support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. This means the company will no longer provide critical updates, including security patches, after that date.

Without ongoing support, devices running Windows 10 could become vulnerable to security risks, which is not acceptable when it comes to protecting student data and ensuring a safe digital learning environment.

By upgrading to Windows 11, we are taking proactive steps to:

• Stay aligned with industry-standard security protocols

• Provide a modern, user-friendly interface for staff and students

• Ensure reliable performance and ongoing support for our devices

This is not just a district decision—it's a necessary change prompted by Microsoft’s system lifecycle and our shared commitment to a safe and effective learning environment.

The Windows Start menu is a key feature of the operating system, providing quick access to your apps, settings, and files. It includes a powerful search function and allows you to pin your favorite apps, folders, and websites for easy access. Customization options let you organize your pins into groups and change the Start menu layout to fit your preferences.

Start menu areas

The Start menu is organized into four main areas:

1. Search: Quickly find apps, files, and settings by typing keywords.

2. Pins: Pinned apps, files, folders and websites in a grid format for easy access. All apps shows an alphabetical list of all installed applications.

3. Recommendations: Recently added and frequently used apps, plus recently opened files.

4. Account:  Profile icon for account settings, switching accounts, or signing out. You can also add shortcuts for easy access to common folders. The power button lets you lock, sleep, shut down, or restart your device.

    

Here are the keyboard shortcuts that everyone should know about:

Ctrl+C copies whatever you have selected and puts it on the clipboard.

Ctrl+V pastes whatever is in the clipboard to the current cursor location.

Ctrl+A selects everything, although sometimes it is hard to tell what everything means.

Ctrl+Z usually undoes everything you just deleted by accident.

The Windows key brings up the start menu and closes it if you press it again.

Windows +A opens quick settings.

Windows+E launches File Explorer.

Windows +I Opens the Settings App.

Windows +Tab opens task view, with virtual desktop.

Ctrl +Alt +Del brings up a screen that lets you see to lock or switch user.

Windows+K opens the Cast Pane so you can cast.

Windows +P opens the Project pan, where you can search for external displays.

There are different ways to pin apps or shortcuts to the Start menu. For example:

• In the Search  box on the taskbar or on the Start menu, type the name of the app you want to pin. Right-click on the app, then select Pin to Start 

• From Explorer, right-click on a folder and select Pin to Start 

• For websites, open Google Chrome and navigate to the website you want to pin. Then select the more options menu  >  More tools > Pin to Start 

Organize your pins into folders

Grouping pins into folders in Start menu helps keep your apps organized, reduces clutter, and makes it easier to find and access related apps quickly. It also allows for better space management and personalization, giving your Start menu a cleaner and more efficient layout.

• To create a folder, drag one pinned item over another to create a folder. The folder will automatically be created, and you can rename it.

• To add more pins to the folder, drag them into it.

• To remove a pin from a folder, open the folder and drag the pin out of it.

• Once only one pin is left, the folder is removed from the Start menu.

How notifications work:

Notifications in Windows 11 can appear as banner on your screen and are also accessible in the notification center. You can customize which applications can send you notifications, the priority and the style of these alerts.

When you have new notifications, the notification bell icon on the taskbar lights up.

For notifications that display as banners, you can select the quick action buttons within the banner to perform specific tasks, such as dismissing a reminder or snoozing an alarm. 

To check the notifications you missed, open the notification center using one of the following options:

• Select the clock or the notification bell icon on the taskbar

• Press the Windows key  + N

• Swipe from the side of the screen

Turn notifications on or off

1. In the Settings app  on your Windows device, open System > Notifications 

2. Toggle the switch next to Notifications On or Off

Weather and more app

The Weather and more app for the Windows lock screen enhances the lock screen experience by providing dynamic, real-time updates. It displays current weather conditions, dynamic updates related to finance, sports, traffic, and more through small widgets.

Show or hide your feed

The feed is the stream of news content displayed on the Widgets board. If you prefer to hide the feed:

1. Open the Widgets board by going to Settings and click on Taskbar Items and turn off widgets by the toggle button.