How to get help in Windows 10

How to get help in Windows 10










Find out how to get expert help and support for Windows 10 from Microsoft and others


If you're a Windows 10 newbie, the world of Microsoft's latest OS can be pretty confusing. It's a big step up even if you upgraded from Windows 8, but if you made the giant leap from Windows XP or Windows 7, it'll be an even bigger change for you.


Whether you're technically minded and just need a little guidance to understand how Windows 10 works, or you're at the other end of the scale and need a little more hand-holding, read on to understand how to fix both the most complex and simplest of problems should they occur on your machine.


Disclaimer: Although the sources for this information are from the Windows community, we cannot be held responsible should any of the solutions not work as expected. If you are in doubt as to whether something will fix the problem you're experiencing, please contact Microsoft directly to avoid damaging your device.


See related


How to speed up Windows 10

How to get Windows 10 help – Windows 10 tips, guides and tutorials



Starting below, you’ll find a selection of IT Pro’s guides and tutorials, designed to help you tackle the most common questions and problems with Windows 10.


We’ll be adding more over time. But if there’s a particular topic or issue you would like us to provide assistance with, please let us know in the comments section at the bottom of this page.


Windows 10 guides and tutorials by IT Pro:
How to download and carry out a clean install of Windows 10
How to uninstall Windows 10
How to speed up Windows 10
How to set up new defaults for Windows 10
How to use Cortana in the UK
How to change your search engine in Microsoft Edge
17 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them: including not being able to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8; how to locate Safe Mode; and how to enable Cortana in Windows 10 after the ‘not available in your region’ error
How to install the Windows 10 Creators Update from USB
How to start and exit Windows 10 in Safe Mode


You’ll find more details on the operating system’s features and functions in our Windows 10 review, as well as our Microsoft Office Mobile review.


For up-to-date news about Windows 10, including announcements and features for the OS, be sure to visit our Windows 10 news page.
How to get Windows 10 help from Microsoft


Although you will hopefully be able to fix your Windows 10 problems using the resources listed here, you may have a more complex problem that requires a more technical solution. For anything you're not entirely sure of or that you don't think you'll be able to do, we suggest you contact Microsoft directly. This is also the case if you'd rather get the solution straight from the horse's mouth.


Microsoft does have a lot more in-depth help resources on its own website, including text guides and tutorials for Windows 10 that can be found within its support pages.


If you don't want to venture as far as the internet, you can instead look up the answer to your problem using the Windows 10 built-in support centre. You'll find this in the Contact Support app and it'll take you straight to the service area. Just type Contact Support in the Windows 10 taskbar and you can directly access all of Microsoft's support services.


But if you need a direct response from Microsoft and you don't fancy spending lots of time on hold, Microsoft's community forums are also a great place to try and find a response to your problem. These are often monitored by Microsoft staff members who will respond if they are able to. If you want to avoid the long queues for phone support, you can request a ring back from the company using its Answer Tech service.


Another alternative, if your query isn’t urgent, is to get in touch with Windows Support via Twitter.
How to get Windows 10 help from independent experts


Sometimes, though, there are things that even Microsoft’s support team may not be able to help you with.


In that case, turning to fellow Windows 10 users and independent experts can be the best way to gather information about how to solve problems you’ve encountered.


If you’re attempting to get specialist or older software to work on Windows 10, then getting in touch with the software’s manufacturer, or seeking assistance on their forums, if they have them, is often a good place to start.


Here are just some of the Windows 10 forums where you can find assistance from fellow users and experts:
Official Microsoft Windows forums
WindowsForum.com
WindowsTenForums.com
Windows10Forums.com


However, as always, you should take care when surfing web forums. You may have the need to share details about your computer’s specifications and OS in order for good Samaritans to assist you. But you should never disclose confidential passwords or user account information to anybody.


For more on Windows 10, visit our news page or check out all of our Windows 10 coverage.