Windows 8 is filled with functions and actions that conspire to perplex even the most experienced Personal Computer end users.
Not all of them are bad, parse, but few of them are immediately user-friendly. Creating issues worse, the OS was mainly designed for contact(touch) control, and as a result, many PC mouse and keyboard events(actions) feel like tacked-on afterthoughts.
But help is readily available. We’ve prepared a record of our popular Microsoft windows 8 shortcuts, techniques, and tips.
Major focus on getting lots out of the OS on a traditional desktop PC. Now let’s begin our knowledge gain of development with a glimpse at very simple-to-use (however often difficult to remember!) Microsoft windows 8 shortcuts.
The Hottest Hot Keys we Know
Hold down the Microsoft windows key (normally situated between Alt and Ctrl) when (Windows) is shown.
• On Keyboard press the (Windows)button to get into the tiled Start show.
• (Windows) + M make everything minimize, that’s showing on the desktop pc.
• (Windows) + E reveals Windows Explorer for fast accessibility of stored files.
• On the very Start screen, press (Windows) + D to immediately get to the desktop of pc.
• (Windows) + Tab reveals a record of currently working applications.
• (Windows) + Print Screen requires a screen shot and helps you to save it in a Screenshots directory stacked in your Images directory.
• To take a screen shot on a Microsoft windows 8 product, at the same time press the Microsoft windows key and the volume-down key on the product framework.
• (Windows) + Q reveals a global look for selection. Kind what you’re looking for and where you would like to look.
• (Windows) + W reveals a look inside your system configurations to easily locate and modify system qualities.
• (Windows) + F reveals a data file and directory look for.
• (Windows) + Stop reveals the system qualities page to demonstrate you a fast explanation of your specifications.
• (Windows) + “,” (that’s the comma sign!) makes all present windows clear, providing you a look at the desktop pc as long as you keep down (Windows).
• (Windows) + “.” (the period) pictures a window to the right or remaining part (toggling every time you press “.”).
• (Windows) + R motivates the Run command useful for easily releasing applications and other workouts with a control immediate.
• (Windows) + X reveals the Quick Access Menu, revealing system performance such as the Command Prompt, Hard drive Management, File Traveler, Run, and more. It’s perfect for individuals who Start Menu. Alternatively, you can right-click on the end right corner of the show to create the Quick Access Menu.
• (Windows) + I reveals the configurations selection, providing you fast accessibility to the Control Board (panel), Customization, and your Energy key, among other functions.
• (Windows) + O hair alignment on devices with an accelerometer.
Zoom in Tight
With semantic zoom capability see all your tiles and groups (categories) at once. The Start Screen is completely nice and having big and visible tiles that signify all your applications.
It is very simple to see the Tiles in small groups (categories), but what if you have hundreds of applications installed? Most will be invisible from perspective, unless you want to do a lot of scrolling.
Thanks to the new semantic zoom capability function. If you are using a screen with touch sensor installed then you have to simply press the Start button with two fingertips and squeeze to receive a bird’s eye perspective of your entire Application Tiles.
Key Board and Mouse users can also use the function: Simply keep down the Control key, and use your mouse center scroll (rim) to use zoom capability in and out.
Categorize your Apps
Start screen customization for the organized behavior of PC is very necessary step. Your Start screen can become a disordered mess if you gather too many applications (apps) and other utilities (elements) that have been pinned to the start screen in shape of tiles.
So, it is very good idea to take advantage of built-in organization tools that make you able to divide each and everything into labeled groups according to your wish.
First of all, drag the tiles you want to allocate / assign to a single group to the extreme right-hand side of Start screen in empty / vacant territory; the OS should place /order the tiles together.
Once you are through with your arrangement / ordering of tiles, utilize semantic zoom (mentioned above) to get a bird’s eye view of desktop.
Now right-click the group (or simply drag down over it) and select the “Name group” option available on the left of the bar which appears under / below. Type in the name you wish and use your newly managed / organized Start screen with joy!
Close an Application
Closing an app sounds simple enough, but you’ll easily notice that close (X) buttons are very difficult to discover in Microsoft windows 8.
That’s because Microsoft motivates us to run applications in the background where they’ll take up little resources, but still be accessible whenever they are required.
However, if you require it to close immediately, you can do it by pulling an app with your mouse or finger from the top of the screen and drag it down to the bottom of screen.
As you move, the app will minimize into a thumbnail type, and when you reach the bottom of screen it will disappear from perspective. As an Alternate, you can still close any application by pressing Alt+F4 and also by using the Task Manager.
Centralized, Contextual Search
Search for anything in any application from one position (place). The Search function which is situated on the packed bar is loaded with power, letting you look for the internet directories of not only your Microsoft windows 8 device, but also the greater Microsoft windows ecosystem.
Simply select the pail of information you want to filter through it could be all your set up / installed applications, your system configurations, your data files, your email messages, or even an external service like the Windows Store (Shop) or Maps powered by Bing and then enter in a keyword or key phrase and press Enter key on keyboard.
The Search function will then return all the related search results, perfectly contextualized for the data source you have been looking for.
OH and how this is for cool: You don’t even require hitting the charms bar to get access of Search function. At the Start screen, just begin writing / typing, and you’ll be easily taken to the text-entry field for any kind of searches you wish to perform. Don’t believe? Try it!
Adjusting Privacy Settings
Customize your privacy configurations to your preference. By default, a lot of applications tap into very private information. Indeed, your pictures, position and name are lib-really weaved throughout the system, and like many customers, you may not be comfortable relying on your device with that much delicate information.
To modify the configurations, press (Windows) + I, and select ’Change PC Settings’. Opt for the Comfort / privacy option and customize the configurations for your private / personal information / data there.
Adjust SmartScreen Settings
Choose your own stage of protection with SmartScreen. SmartScreen alerts you before working / running an unknown app or data file from the Internet. While it’s helpful to be conscious of a file’s source, continuous alerts can also get a little frustrating.
As a default setting, you need an administrator’s authorization, but this can easily be modified to just a caution or no sign / indication at all.
Using the magic search facility mentioned above, type “security” at the beginning (Start) screen and look for the “Check security status” in the Settings tab. From this location, you can modify various protection / security configurations, such as the Microsoft windows SmartScreen.
Quick Access Menu
For power users, secret Start menu is invisible at the bottom-left. Whether you are on the Microsoft windows 8 Start screen (Tiled one) or on the desktop just Right-click on the extreme left bottom of the screen It will show the Quick Access Menu, which will enables you to get a direct line to many key system control tasks, such as Control Panel ,Task Manager, Hard drive Management and Device Manager.
Use Windows 8 Applications (Apps) and Your Desktop Applications Simultaneously
Because the Microsoft windows 8 is acting like a platform for new Microsoft windows 8 Store applications and old-fashion desktop pc applications, the OS is vulnerable to some unusual actions / behaviors. Situation in point: When working a multi-monitor set-up, Microsoft windows 8 applications will use your main screen / monitor (fall on left side), while your additional (secondary) screen / monitor will let you work on the desktop pc applications.
This style would expectedly allow multi-tasking in full-screen mode among both types of apps a modern app on the left part (screen / monitor), a desktop pc app on the right part (screen / monitor) but this is not the situation.
Indeed, as soon as you begin using the desktop pc on your additional screen / monitor, the new-style Microsoft windows 8 apps vanishes, and your main monitor starts working the desktop pc apps.
But here is a way out. On your main monitor, use the new Microsoft windows 8 split-screen “snapping” function capability to run the desktop pc and a new Microsoft windows 8 Shop apps together.
The desktop style apps would take up the left-hand slice on main monitor, while the Microsoft windows 8 apps would take up the majority of area on the main monitor.
Now use your secondary / additional monitor for a complete desktop pc perspective. In this way, you can fully utilize multi-tasking facility between new-style Win 8 applications and old-fashioned desktop pc applications, and both monitors will be spacious enough to become useful.
Startup Items are now on Task Manager
Task manager is more beneficial than ever it was. You no more have to run the MSCONFIG system module (program) to modify start-up items. Startup items now appear in a tab on Task Manager. Simply press Ctrl+Alt+Del on keyboard and choose Task Manager. Simply select the “More details” tab at the lower end and locate the Startup tab at the top.
Share and Share Alike
Play with the Share appeal in every app. Microsoft windows 8 is Microsoft’s first PC OS which is capable of social media-aware facility. Using the Share key (button) situated on the Charms bar in Windows 8, you can pick any number of components / elements from your Microsoft windows 8 store applications say, a position from your Maps app, a news report from the Finance app, or even a contact from your People application (app) and then spread that product to friends through other Microsoft windows 8 programs.
Perhaps most ideally, you can easily send / share a photo via email or Twitter, or to your own SkyDrive or Microsoft windows Phone.
The Share key / button is contextual, and with the gradual use, you will become more aware that which applications share to each other, and which don’t. (Hint: None of your desktop pc apps provide share facility through the Charms menu.)
Create a Picture Password
It is really a very fun way to secure your system. Using images protection password is a fun way keep your device secure while not having to memorize in mind a complex protection password.
To enable it, you should press (Windows) + I to go to the configurations / settings Charm. Simply click “Change PC settings” at the lower right, and select the Users tab. Under “Sign-in options” click on a button named “Create a picture password”.
It will offer you the choice to select any picture, and then determine three actions (gestures) anywhere on the picture. Your actions (gestures) can be circles, swipes and mouse clicks.
For example, to set images protection password for the picture above, you could basically select the highest palm shrub, around the island draw a circle, and after that swipe down from lens flare to the top right.
Just beware: The direction of each action / gesture matters! After verifying it a number of times, the picture protection password will be set and saved.
Boot to the Desktop Without an App
Ignore the Start screen and get right to the Desktop. One of the biggest problems about Microsoft windows 8 is that it boots directly to the Start screen an irritation for many dedicated desktop individuals who use computers.
The Start8 utility helps you prevent this indignity (among other awesome features), but you can actually start directly to the PC desktop without setting up anything extra. Go to the beginning (start) screen and type in “schedule”.
It will help you to find “Schedule Task” inside Settings. Simply select (click on)” Task Scheduler Library” to the left side, and choose “Create Task”. Give name to your task like “Boot straight to desktop” and then choose the “Triggers” tab, then select New and use the drop-down option box to select to begin the procedure / function / task “At log on”.
Simply press OK button and head towards the “Actions” tab and select New and get into “explorer” for the Script/Program value. Click on OK button, save the task and in last restart to test it.
Log in Without a Username or Password
To speed up the log in procedure, you may want to turn off the User ID / Pass log in screen in the start. This can be done by opening the run window which you can do by pressing (Windows) + R—and writing in “netplwiz” to open the dialogue box for User Accounts.
The option ” Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer ” should be made unchecked and second last step is to simply press OK button and it will ask for the username and protection password one last time to validate your option / choice, enter that and you are done with the process for fast login to your system.
Refresh Your PC
Enjoy a clean PC without losing your data and installed applications. If your system is seemingly little slow in processing, so it is the right time to Refresh.
In the past we would have to discover our duplicate of Microsoft windows seven, taking back up all of our precious data and execute a new and clean setup and have fun with that back-to-factory-fresh look of PC.
But now Microsoft windows 8 allows you to execute a fresh and clean setup from within Microsoft windows without losing any data.
To protect your data and installed apps, execute the process for re-newel. Look for the “Change PC Settings” tab near the bottom end in “Settings” and please start looking to choose the “General” tab and get the “Refresh your PC without affecting your files” area near the center of window (If data and installed apps are of no use to you and you don’t want to keep them then you may also choose “Remove everything and re-install Windows” to get the true manufacturer configurations treatment).
Choose “Get started” and press “Refresh.” After a short time the computer / windows 8 device will restart and you will have a clean duplicate of Microsoft windows 8.
Start in Safe Mode
If you feel there is problem loading Windows 8 in Normal mode, then the best option is to use Safe Mode to boot your system. Problem solving becomes a piece of cake when damaged drivers and data files aren’t loaded that stops a system from performing.
Just push F8 when the Computer Restarts normally takes you to options screen, from where you can choose Safe Mode, but in Windows 8, Automatic Repair mode will be started by doing so.
If you still want to get to the old-fashioned Recovery Screen (Mode), then you have to hold “Shift” key on keyboard in combination with pressing “F8” Key during Restart.
Now, you have to select “advanced Options,” followed by “troubleshoot,” then again the “advanced options” (a lot of options are there). Choose “Windows Startup Settings” and lastly the “Restart” button / key.
This will restart the pc and provides you the option to start into Secure / Safe Mode on the screen. If you need to get into Secure / Safe Mode from within Microsoft windows 8, start the dialogue box by pressing ((Windows) + R) and type in “msconfig” (Please use no quotation marks).
Opt for the “Boot” tab and check the check box near the ‘Safe Boot’ option there. The Computer will stay to boot into Secure / Safe Mode until unless you rush back to that screen and do uncheck that box.
Turning Live Tiles On and Off
If you want to customize, what you desire to see, then use the ‘Live Tile’ option. When looking at the variety of tiles at Start screen, the view can get flat, regardless of all the beautiful colors. In this situation you need ‘Live Tiles’ to come in and make it easy for you..
They provide real-time information exactly on Start screen of your PC, and you don’t need to start any applications. E.g. the Weather tile will explain to you the current weather situation, and Mail Tile will notify you of any latest arrival of message in you Inbox.
To customize that which application should be on Start Screen in Form of tile, you can right-click on the tiles to choose from. Live Tile can be turned ON or OFF from the ‘Settings’ bar on the bottom by using the popup option there. Just choose the desired option, and you’re done. Note that not all applications have a real-time, live data streaming option available for them.
Windows Games Folder
Currently, the games folder used in Windows 7 isn’t present in Windows 8. Fear not, if you install any current-generation PC game that would regularly save to this folder, it’s automatically created. For a quick way to find it, right-click on the game icon on the Start screen and choose “Open file location” at the bottom.
Family Safety
Don’t worry about your children and let them perform / play without your physical presence. Want to prevent some unpleasant excitement on your credit card? Make an individual, standard account on the PC, which your children use (Admin account cannot be constrained for Family Safety).
Family Safety cab can be easily activated from Control Panel/User Accounts, select the account for which you want to enable Family Safety. Now from this point on wards you would be able to get any activity report regarding that account.
You can set a level for web contents filtration, time limitation can be applied and Windows Store (games & Apps) restrictions can be implemented on that account.
Shut Down with One Click
Shut down button s very easy to create in Windows 8. In Windows 8, shutting down a PC is a multi-step process, which irritates users, because it has made the Power button hidden in the Settings menu.
But thanks to a creative fast way technique, due to which you can pin a Shutdown button at the bottom of your PC desktop very easily.
To create a short-cut for Power Button on desktop, right –click, go to New, then Shortcut, Enter “shutdown /s /t 0″ (but remember with no quotes, and, yes, that is a zero not an “O”) as the location of the item, Click next, name the short-cut (e.g. “Shutdown PC”) click on Finish.
Now Right-click the shortcut, go to Properties Opt for “Change Icon” in the ‘Shortcut’ tab, OK on the warning box appeared select an icon of your desire from the list available.
In the above mentioned screen shot, you can notice that we have chosen a Power button icon after that again Right-click the shortcut, choose “Pin to Start”. The icon can be placed on Start screen of PC wherever you want. Pressing this icon will immediately shut down your computer.
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