Although Windows 8 OS has always been
scolded for its Modern Start Screen and the loss of the Start button, many
users have upgraded to this system. After upgrading, they find that the new OS
is a little different from the Windows 7 OS or any other Windows OS before.
When shutting down the computer, they will move the mouse to the right sidebar,
when searching for a certain file, they also use the search column at the right
sidebar and so on, all of the new features of Windows 8 make it a hot topic
among both Windows 8 users and the users of other Windows OS.
Many Windows 8 users have handled this OS
very well, and almost find all the secrets of this new OS. But Windows 8 is
still new to many users, so this post is going to talk about several useful
features of this new OS. If you are using Windows 8 or you are going to upgrade
to Windows 8, the following post may be helpful for you.
1.
Know More About the Start
Screen
When opening a Windows 8 computer, you will
start getting confused with the colorful icons and squares. Where do we start?
First of all, you can click the scroll bar and drag it, then you will see all
the apps you have installed, and the Windows Store, Bing searching engine, etc.
If you are going to enter the main window, you only need to hit the Win + D and
there you go. Of course, the image of your main window will be shown at the bottom left corner, and you can click it to enter the window. The window also
shows up when you move your mouse to the left bottom in Start Screen, and with
one click you can get into the screen.
2.
Search Tool
The search function is now more functional
than ever. When moving your mouse to the right part of the window, you will see
the search column. As mentioned, you are able to locate the app or document
with this column, and you are also able to search for anything you want because
this searching function is also connected with Bing search engine. So even if
you want to search for the introduction of Linkin Park, you are able to find it
with this search column.
3.
Windows Key Shortcuts
You may have known the most popular key
shortcuts. But here we will display the Windows-8-featured key shortcuts which
you will find useful:
Win + C: Open Charms that allows users to
search, make settings and so on.
Win + H: Open Share pane.
Win + I: Open Settings pane.
Win + K: Open Devices pane.
Win + Q: Open the App Search pane.
Win + W: Search your system settings.
Win + X: Display a text menu of useful
Windows tools and applets.
Win + Z: Display the right-click context menu
when in a full-screen app.
Of course, there are other Windows key
shortcuts both used on Windows 8 and other Windows OS.
4.
Back Up File History
Windows 8 OS has a File History feature.
This feature will regularly and automatically back up your desktop, favorites
and so on to a second drive. You can set up this feature by going to Control
Panel > System and Security > File History. Then click “Exclude Folders”
to check out what you are saving. You can also set up the backup frequency in
Advanced Settings.
5.
Set a Picture Password
Windows 8 OS enables users to set up a
picture password. Users can hit Win + I and choose “More PC Settings > Users
> Create a Picture Password” to set up a picture password. Users can use
circle, line or other feature in the image as a password. Don’t get it too
complicated in case that you forget the password yourself.
6.
Adjust Privacy Settings
If you are not comfortable with the machine
knowing your location, names and other sensitive information, you can change
the settings by hitting Win + I, and then choose “Change PC Settings >
Privacy”. Then you can change the information you want.
7.
Disable the Username and Password
Sometimes you want to log into your
computer more quickly without typing your username and password. You are able
to do this with simple clicks on Windows 8. Hit Win + R and type in “netplwiz”
in the blank and hit enter. Then you will get the dialog of accounts. Uncheck
the box which says “Users must have a user name and password to use this
computer” and click “Ok”. You will need to enter your username and password
once again to activate the option.
8.
Task Manager
Task Manager can be opened by hitting Ctrl
+ Alt + Del. In Task Manager, you are able to view the percent of the total
usage, and the Start tab which allows you to view the startup processes on your
computer, and App history tab that gives you a total resources an app has used
over a period of time.
9.
Create a Shut-Down Icon on
Screen
If you don’t want to swing to the right
sidebar and find the Power button, you can create a shut-down icon on your
screen. To do that, you should create a shortcut on your screen by right-clicking
the screen, and choose New > Shortcuts. Then enter “shutdown /s /t 0” (zero
not “O”) as the location of the shortcut, and click “Next”. Name the shortcut
and click “Finish”. Right-click the shortcut and go to Properties, and choose “Change
Icon” in the Shortcut tab, and then click “OK” to leave the warning box. Choose
the icon as a shut-down down button, and apply. Then right-click the shortcut
and choose “Pin to Start”. Place the icon on the screen and you can shut down
your computer with one click.
10. Refresh Your Windows 8 PC
All of these tips and tricks may be helpful
for you when you are using a Windows 8 PC. Check them out if you are
interested.
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