Connecting to Wireless Networks

In today's world, we're almost always connected. We go from the corporate network at work, to Bluetooth or mobile connectivity on the road, to Wi-Fi at the neighborhood coffee shop. Windows 10 makes the change right along with you, discovering networks in your area and giving you the capability to connect (if you have the password or network key, of course) by tapping the connection you want to make. You can easily switch among networks by using the Network & Internet tool in Settings.

Connecting to an available Network

Now in Windows 10 you can connect to available wireless networks by using the Networks tool in the notifications area in the lower-right corner of your screen. You'll find the tool to the left of the Volume tool in the system tray (on the right side of the taskbar).

When you click or tap the Networks tool, Windows 10 displays a list of the wireless networks in your vicinity. You can then connect to the network of your choice by selecting it and entering a password if necessary.

1. Click the Networks tool in the notifications area on the right side of the status bar to display the list of available networks.
2. Click the network you want to connect to, and click Connect. If you want to disconnect from a network to which you're connected, tap or click the Disconnect button.
3. If you want Windows 10 to connect to the network automatically whenever it's present, click or tap the Connect Automatically check box.

Linking Your Phone to Windows 10

To help you work seamlessly no matter which device you're using at the moment, Microsoft has included a new Phone category in Windows 10 settings that enables you to link your phone to Windows. This means you're able to share files among your devices and easily pick up where you left off when you're switching from laptop to phone to tablet and back again.

This is especially good news for you if you're an Android or iOS user because when you add the Microsoft Apps tool to your mobile device (Windows 10 will send you a link to that download when you link your phone in Settings), you're able to carry your work easily between devices.

Adding Your Phone to Windows 10

1. Click or tap the Start button to reveal the Start menu.
2. Click or tap Settings.
3. Click or tap Phone.
4. Click or tap Add a Phone. A dialog box opens, asking you to enter your mobile phone number.
5. Type the mobile number of the phone you want to add.
6. Click or tap Send. Windows 10 sends a text message to your Android or iOS phone that includes a link you can follow to download the Microsoft Apps tool.
7. Click Close to finish adding the phone.

If you are using a Windows Phone, Windows 10 Creators Update recognizes it automatically if you have logged into the phone using your Microsoft Account.
You can see whether your phone is linked to your Microsoft account by choosing Phone in the Settings window and then clicking Manage All Devices Linked to Your Microsoft Account. Windows 10 shows you all the devices currently linked to your account and gives you the means to change them if you'd like. You also automatically find your Windows Phone listed under This PC in File Explorer when the phone is connected to your computer. That means you can easily access files-such as photos, music, and more-stored on your phone, in the same way you would access any flash drive or other device connected to your system.

Now, because Windows 10 Creators Update automatically integrates support for Win dows Phone, you no longer need a special app to manage the connection for you. So, the Windows Phone App went away with this latest update because it's no longer needed.