Explore the Maps App in Windows 10

Handy for trip planning, the Maps app uses Microsoft Bing mapping service, rather than Google Maps or another competitor. It displays digital maps that you can use to view just about any location by searching for an address or place name. It provides you with spoken turn-by-turn driving directions, just like a dashboard GPS unit. If you are connected to the Internet, then it also gives you real-time traffic-jam alerts. You have a choice of a street-map diagram or actual aerial photos, taken by satellite. Type maps in the taskbar's search box (A) and select Maps from the searched result to launch the app. Alternatively, click on Start > All apps and select Maps from the “M” apps category. When you first start the Maps app, Windows asks if it can turn on location services, which helps determine your current location and offer this information to apps such as Maps. For the best results with Maps, you should allow Windows to turn on location services. Click the Search icon (B) and type anything you are looking for in the search box (C). You can type an address, city, zip code, an interesting place, and so on in the search box. The location will appear on the map in the right pane (D). The left pane displays information about the location. You can also rotate the map using the needle button (E). Click and hold down the button and drag it either left or right to rotate the map. Using the tilt button (F) you can angle the map up or down in a 3D style. If you've scrolled away from your current location on the map, click on Show my location button (G). This will make the map scroll and zoom until you see your current location. The plus button (H) in the toolbar allows you to zoom in and the minus button (I) is used to zoom out.

The Map view button (J) provides you with Aerial and Road views of your map. The Aerial view displays the satellite images of the world, while the Road view is represented as lines. The Map view palette also provides color-coded real-time traffic report. Green represents good traffic flow, yellow for slower traffic, and red for traffic jams. It also has a toggle for Streetside, which is street level imagery (collected using a 360 degree camera mounted on an automobile) to experience Bing Maps from street level. With Streetside turned on, you can travel along streets, view storefronts and parks, and navigate to the desired destinations by clicking the Streetside picture (K).  In the Streetside view (shown above), your mouse cursor is transformed into a white circle. Move this circle in the direction you want to head towards and click the left mouse button. The street view will change. Use the map provided at the bottom of the Streetside view to assess your location.

Directions

In addition to displaying locations, you can use the Maps app to get specific directions to move from one place to another. You specify your current location (starting point) and the destination, and the app delivers the destination route along with specific details to reach the target place. When you click Directions (L), the app will serve up driving, public transportation and walking directions (M). You also see two text boxes, labeled A and B (N). Where A is the starting point and B is the destination. Using the keyboard, type in the two addresses, and press Enter. The Options section (not displayed in the above screenshot) offers some checkboxes to customize your route. If you want to avoid toll roads, put a check in the box representing this route. After making your selections, a proposed route appears on the map (O) with distance and estimated time (P) to reach the destination along with various path directions (Q). Click the Map icon (R) to hide the menu and see the map full screen.

Favorites

The Favorites section allows you to designate any place or set of directions as a favorite. You access this section by clicking the star icon (S). But to add a favorite, first search for it in the search section and then click the star icon (T). You can nickname each favorite and set it as your home or your workplace. Once you’ve accumulated a few, it’s easy enough to call them up again from the Favorites section. Click or tap the star icon (S) in the left-side menu and choose a favorite place to see it on the map again.

3D Cities

If you want to virtually travel the world to explore your favorite cities and famous landmarks from the comfort of your living room, then you can do so with the help of 3D Cities. Hit the 3D Cities icon (U) and select the city (V) you want to check out. Click the Map view button (J) and switch to Aerial view, and then click the tilt button (F) to see the city in three dimensions. You can navigate a 3D city with your mouse by right-clicking to rotate your view and left-clicking to drag yourself around.

Where's my car?

When you reach the destination, save your car’s location so you can find it later. If you’re using guided directions, you’ll see a car icon at the bottom of the screen as you near your destination. If not, select Menu > Favorites and select Add location or New location under Car. If you need to, select Adjust on map, move the map until the car is in the right location, and then select Done. You can also add a photo or note if you like. When you’re finished, select Save. To get back to your car again later, go back to it in Favorites, or select Car on the map, then select Directions.

Settings

As you are working in the Maps app, there is an option for Settings (W) at the bottom of the menu. You can use it to change the unit of measure that you use for your directions. You can also tell the app whether to remember your search history.

Offline Maps: If you know you’re going to be using your PC in a location without an Internet connection, and you need access to maps, you can download maps for specific areas in the Maps app and use them offline. You can download the map from the Settings interface. Select Download or update maps (X) under Offline maps. You will be taken to the Windows Settings page. On this page, click on Download maps. Choose the map you want, and it will start downloading immediately.