Use The Tips App: Display Help Topics With a Tap

I remember the first time I needed help with a new app—digging through menus felt like hunting for a needle. The Tips app changes that with instant access to help topics right at your fingertips.

No more guessing or searching online. This built-in tool organizes help content so you can find answers in seconds, not minutes. It’s the kind of feature I wish I’d had back in the 1998 basement days.

With one tap, you’ll see a clean list of topics tailored to your needs. The layout is intuitive, and the search function cuts through the noise to get you exactly what you’re looking for.

Works on most modern systems, and the best part? It’s already installed and ready to go. No extra steps, no fuss.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s the straightforward process I use to access help topics quickly and reliably.

On Windows, press the Start button and type Tips in the search bar. The app appears as Tips with a lightbulb icon. Click it to open. If you don’t see it, ensure your system is updated—this app is included by default in Windows 10 and 11.

Once open, you’ll land on the main screen with featured tips and a search bar at the top. This is your gateway to all help topics. The app loads in 1-2 seconds on most systems, so it’s ready almost instantly.

At the top of the app, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper-left corner. This expands a sidebar with options like Get started, New in Windows, and See all topics. Select See all topics to view the full list.

The list appears as a scrollable grid of categories, each with a title and a brief description. You’ll see topics like Basics, Security, and Apps. This layout makes it easy to find what you need without digging through layers of menus.

Scroll through the categories to browse broadly, or use the search bar at the top to jump directly to a topic. For example, typing keyboard filters the list to show only keyboard-related tips and tutorials. The search updates in real time as you type.

Click any topic to open it. Each help article includes step-by-step instructions, screenshots, and sometimes short videos. The content is designed to be beginner-friendly, so even complex tasks are broken down into simple actions.

If the list feels overwhelming, use the Filter option at the top-right of the See all topics screen. You can narrow results by Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced levels, or by specific Windows features like Settings or Accessibility.

This is especially useful if you’re troubleshooting a specific issue. For instance, filtering by Security surfaces only tips related to firewalls, updates, and virus protection. The filtered list updates instantly, so you don’t waste time scrolling through irrelevant topics.

Found a tip you’ll need later? Click the bookmark icon on any help article to save it to your Favorites list. This creates a shortcut for quick access in the future. Your favorites sync across devices if you’re signed in with a Microsoft account.

To share a tip with someone else, click the Share button (a square with an arrow) on the article page. You can send it via email, text, or any app that supports sharing. The link opens directly in the recipient’s Tips app if they have it installed.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These straightforward tricks will help you get the most out of this app without any frustration.

Speed Boost: In Step 1, once you type Tips in the search bar, the app should load in 1-2 seconds as mentioned. If it takes longer, try closing other programs first—this often speeds up the launch time significantly.

Navigation Shortcut: For Step 2, instead of clicking the menu icon, you can press Ctrl+M to open the sidebar instantly. This works in most Windows apps and saves a click every time you want to see all topics.

Search Efficiency: In Step 3, the real-time search updates as you type, so don’t wait to finish typing a full word. Start with just 2-3 letters and you’ll see results appear immediately, which is faster than typing out complete terms.

Sync Reminder: For Step 5, remember that your bookmarked favorites only sync across devices if you’re signed in with a Microsoft account. I learned this the hard way after losing a saved list when switching computers.

Frequently Asked Questions