THE FUTURE MARKETACADEMY
Your classroomRoom 13 · Library
School of Student Essentials

Computer Confidence: settings and troubleshooting

Step 7 of 9 in Library

Next in your path: 13.15.2 Online Safety Skills: privacy and accounts

What you'll be able to do
  • Find your way around Windows Settings and Mac System Settings.
  • Keep your computer up to date, and know what to do before and after an update.
  • See what is using your storage and free up space safely.
  • Fix a Wi-Fi connection step by step, from the easiest fix to the last resort.
  • Pair and fix a Bluetooth device.
  • Speed up a slow computer by controlling what starts and what runs.
  • Set up a backup so you can get your files back.

Before this course: Computer Basics (course 13.8). You already know files, folders and extensions, File Explorer and Finder, delete and restore, search, screenshots, how to open Task Manager or Force Quit, and how to lock your computer. Here we move from using the computer to looking after it. Menu names can differ by version and by computer, so use the search box in Settings or System Settings if you do not see a name. This course uses Microsoft Support and Apple Support. It gives general education, not advice for a specific computer. If something seems serious or you are unsure, ask your school, workplace or the computer maker.

Words in this course 28Open the Vocabulary Hall
01

The Settings tour

In simple words

Settings is like the control panel of a car. You do not need to touch every button, but you should know where the important ones are.

Key facts
  • Windows: press Win+I to open Settings (from course 13.8). In Windows 11, the sections used in this course include System (Storage, Notifications, Power & battery), Bluetooth & devices, Network & internet, Apps, Accounts, Privacy & security (Windows Security) and Windows Update.
  • Mac: open the Apple menu, then System Settings. Settings are in the sidebar (for example General, Bluetooth and Control Center). On newer macOS versions, General holds Software Update, Storage, Time Machine and Login Items & Extensions.
  • Both Settings and System Settings have a search box. Type what you need, like "storage" or "update".
  • Change one setting at a time, and write down what it was before so you can change it back.
  • Date and time: Apple says to check that date and time are set correctly when a Mac does not connect to the internet properly.
Step by step
  1. Open Settings: Win+I on Windows, or Apple menu then System Settings on Mac.
  2. Look at the list of sections on the left. Click through each one for a few seconds without changing anything.
  3. Use the search box: type "storage" and open the result.
  4. Find where updates live: Windows Update on Windows, or General then Software Update on Mac.
  5. Open Notifications settings (Windows: System > Notifications) and note which apps send you alerts.
  6. Check: you can find Storage, Updates and Bluetooth without help, and you wrote down one setting you want to remember.
LESSON 01The Settings tour
LESSON 01 / ANIMATED LESSON / AI VOICE00:00 / 01:00
Read the video script
[Host] "Settings looks big, but you only need a handful of places."
[Screen: pressing Win+I on Windows] "On Windows, press Win plus I."
[Screen: Apple menu, System Settings] "On a Mac, open the Apple menu and choose System Settings."
[Text on screen: Use the search box] "Not sure where something is? Type it in the search box."
[Host] "Change one thing at a time. If it goes wrong, you know exactly what to undo."
Try it now

Open Settings or System Settings. Using the search box only, find Storage, Updates and Bluetooth. Write down where each one is.

ClaudeStuck? Copy a ready-made prompt for Claude

Copy this, open Claude, paste it, and Claude will walk you through the lesson step by step.

For a grown-up: Claude is for adults (18+). Copy this, paste it into Claude, and use the answer to explain the lesson to your child.

I'm learning "Computer Confidence: settings and troubleshooting" on The Future Market. Lesson 1: "The Settings tour".

What the lesson teaches:
- Windows: press Win+I to open Settings (from course 13.8). In Windows 11, the sections used in this course include System (Storage, Notifications, Power & battery), Bluetooth & devices, Network & internet, Apps, Accounts, Privacy & security (Windows Security) and Windows Update.
- Mac: open the Apple menu, then System Settings. Settings are in the sidebar (for example General, Bluetooth and Control Center). On newer macOS versions, General holds Software Update, Storage, Time Machine and Login Items & Extensions.
- Both Settings and System Settings have a search box. Type what you need, like "storage" or "update".
- Change one setting at a time, and write down what it was before so you can change it back.
- Date and time: Apple says to check that date and time are set correctly when a Mac does not connect to the internet properly.

The exercise I'm working on:
Open Settings or System Settings. Using the search box only, find Storage, Updates and Bluetooth. Write down where each one is.

I'm stuck. Please:
1. Explain the main idea in plain, simple words with one everyday example.
2. Walk me through the exercise one small step at a time. Ask me what I've done so far before giving the next step.
3. Don't just give me the final answer. Help me do it myself, and check my work when I share it.
I'm a parent helping my child (about 8 years old) with a lesson called "The Settings tour" from the course "Computer Confidence: settings and troubleshooting".

Here's what the lesson says:
Settings is like the control panel of a car. You do not need to touch every button, but you should know where the important ones are.

The activity:
Open Settings or System Settings. Using the search box only, find Storage, Updates and Bluetooth. Write down where each one is.

Please explain this so an 8-year-old understands: short sentences, a fun everyday example, and no hard words.
Then give me 3 simple questions I can ask my child to check they understood, and a way to do the activity together, one tiny step at a time.
Open Claude
Sources
My notes
02

Updates: install them the safe way

This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.

03

Storage: see it, free it, keep it healthy

This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.

04

Wi-Fi and internet problems

This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.

05

Bluetooth, headphones and other devices

This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.

06

A slow computer: what starts, what runs

This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.

07

Backups and recovery

This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.

++

Final project

This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.

??

Quiz

  1. How do you open Settings on Windows?

  2. What should you do on a Mac before installing a macOS update?

  3. What happens if you delete a file but do not empty the Recycle Bin or Trash?

  4. Where do you find Storage in Windows 11?

  5. What is the first Wi-Fi check on Windows?

  6. Which Wi-Fi fix is the last resort on Windows?

  7. What do you do on a Mac if Wi-Fi Recommendations is not shown?

  8. How do you open Task Manager on Windows?

  9. Where do you stop apps from opening at login on a Mac?

  10. What do you need for Time Machine?

  11. What type of Microsoft account does Windows Backup need?

EX

Final exam

This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.

CE

Certificate

This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.