Page 452 - Windows 10 May 2019 Update The Missing Manual: The Book That Should Have Been in the Box

Activation is Microsoft’s name for copy protection: You can’t run Windows

without a serial number (a “product key”).

This screen lets you know if your current copy of Windows has, in fact,
been activated (as opposed to running in trial mode). You can even change
your Product ID by clicking “Change product key” without having to

reinstall Windows itself, which can come in handy if, for example, you
want to upgrade Windows versions or switch to a multiple-use product key.

Find My Device

Hey, cool! “Find my phone” has come to Windows. Here, in one place, are
the controls you need to figure out where your laptop, tablet, or touchscreen
pen wound up. See “Sharing an Ethernet Connection”.

For Developers

These options are for programmers who need access to unusual features—
like sideloading apps (installing apps that didn’t come from Microsoft’s app

store). Also hanging out here, under the File Explorer heading, are
checkboxes that change File Explorer settings in ways that can make life
easier for developers: revealing hidden files, turning on filename

extensions, showing empty drives, and so on.

Windows Insider Program

You don’t have to be some hotshot or bigwig to be one of Microsoft’s beta

testers. If you sign up for the Windows Insider program, you have access to
not-quite-ready versions of Windows before the public does. You can report
bugs, make suggestions, and generally feel like you’re helping Microsoft

get the kinks out. On the other hand, you may also have to deal with crashes
and half-finished features.

If you decide to sign up, you also have to choose what early stuff you want

to get by choosing “Pick your insider settings”: