35 Lessons
Completely Free
No Sign-Up Required
Windows 10 & Windows 11
Suitable for Beginners, Seniors and Upwards
Welcome to this free beginner computer course – a friendly, step-by-step guide to using a Windows PC at home. Whether you’ve never touched a computer before, you’re a senior getting started, or you’re simply brushing up after a long break, this course will walk you through everything you need to know.
I’ve tried to make the course as easy to use as possible, there aren’t any confusing tech terms, no rushing, and no cost. Work through the lessons at your own pace, in your own time, and come back to any section whenever you like.
By the end of this free course you’ll be able to:
Part 1: Setting Up and Personalising Your Windows PC
The best place to start any beginner computer course is at the very beginning – making sure your PC feels comfortable and easy to use. In this section you’ll set up your mouse, rearrange the Start menu and taskbar, and tidy up your desktop. It only takes a few minutes and makes a real difference.
Lesson 1
Mouse and Keyboard
Setup your mouse to work for you, change pointer size and double click speed. Find important keys on your keyboard
Lesson 2
Setup the Start Menu
Get the Start Menu working for you by removing the apps you don’t use and adding the ones you do.
Lesson 3
The Windows Taskbar
The Taskbar is the best place to keep your most used applications. But it gets full quickly. Manage the taskbar easily.
Lesson 4
Arranging Your Desktop Icons
Your Desktop can be a great place to keep items that you need. They’re readily available, but a messy desktop doesn’t work.
Lesson 5
Make It Bigger
Hi-Def computer screens make everything appear small. Change the size of icons and text to easily.
Part 2: Essential Windows Skills for Beginners
These are the core skills you’ll use every single day on a Windows PC. Once you’ve worked through this section, you’ll feel genuinely comfortable using your computer – opening programs, finding files, creating folders, and moving things around.
Lesson 6
Move and Resize Windows
How to use Maximise, Minimise and Restore Down. Move program windows around your screen.
Lesson 7
Windows File Explorer
File Explorer is the way in which you store and then retrieve your files. Master File Explorer and never lose a file again.
Lesson 8
All About Folders
Folders are containers for your files. All your pictures, documents, videos etc are stored in a folder. Create, name and rename them.
Lesson 9
Saving a File
How to save a file on a Windows PC. Save your documents, pictures etc to any folder so that you can find it later.
Lesson 10
How to Open Files
Files of any sort aren’t really much use if you can’t open them when you want them. Open files in any program/app.
Working with Files and Folders
Learning to navigate your computer’s filing system is one of the most important basic computer skills you can have. We’ll cover File Explorer, creating and naming folders, and how to save and open files properly.
Lesson 11
Copy and Paste
How to copy and paste files and folders.
Lesson 12
Cut and Paste
Use Cut and Paste to move files quickly.
Lesson 13
Copy and Paste Text
Copy text from one document to another.
Lesson 14
Select Multiple Files
Select more than 1 file at a time
Part 3: How to Use a Web Browser – Edge and Chrome
A web browser is the program you use to go online and visit websites. In this part of the course we’ll look at the two most popular browsers for Windows beginners – Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome – and get them set up just the way you like them.
Simply click on the one that you use regularly.
Lesson 15
Microsoft Edge
Edge ships with every Windows PC. It’s there and it works.
Lesson 16
Google Chrome
Chrome is the most popular browser on the internet.
Lesson 17
Favourites in Edge
Favourites are saved web pages. Learn how to use them effectively.
Lesson 18
Bookmarks in Chrome
Virtually every browser calls saved web pages bookmarks. Learn how to use them.
Part 4: Email Basics for Beginners – Gmail, Outlook and More
Email is one of the most useful things you can do on a computer, and it’s easier than you might think. We’ll start with the absolute basics — what an email address is, how to send and reply – and then move on to handy skills like printing emails and opening attachments safely.
Part 5: Managing Your Windows PC – Accounts and Programs
In this section we’ll look at two things that often confuse beginners: Windows user accounts and how to install (and remove) programs. Once you understand these, you’ll feel much more in control of your computer.
Installing and Uninstalling Windows Programs
Programs are the apps you use to actually do things on your PC — from writing documents to watching videos. Here we cover what comes built in to Windows, how to add new programs safely, and how to remove ones you no longer need.
Part 6: Beginner’s Guide to PC Security and Antivirus
Keeping your computer safe has never been more important. Viruses, scams and ransomware are a real threat — but a few simple habits will protect you. These lessons explain what you need (and don’t need) and how Windows Security works.
Part 7: How to Back Up Your Windows Computer – A Beginner’s Guide
Backing up your files is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself. Whether it’s a virus, accidental deletion, or a hardware failure, a recent backup means you’ll never lose your photos, documents or anything else that matters to you.
