Showing posts with label Windows 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Windows 8. Show all posts

Top Windows 8 Shortcut Keys You Should Know

Windows 8 shortcut keys. Windows 8 is the latest offering from Microsoft and has reinvented itself as an operating system for both tablet and PC users. When you’re using Windows 8 on a tablet, it’s easy enough to navigate the new OS. But if you don’t have a touch screen, there’s no need to mouse around to make key functions appear. If you know the correct keyboard shortcuts, you can work faster and more efficiently, no matter the type of Windows 8 PC. For example, the easiest way to search on the Start screen is to simply start typing. Not on the Start screen? Press the Windows logo key‌ Windows logo key and you can quickly switch between Start and the app you're in.

In Windows 8 there are many shortcut key that you can follow easily to speed up your work. Windows 8 shortcut keys make you faster and smart at work.

WINDOWS 8 SHORTCUT KEYS
Press “Windows Key Windows logo key “+” the given below keys” to achieve following actions

Windows 8 Shortcut Keys
Windows 8 Shortcut Keys
Windows 8 Shortcut Keys


Windows 8 Tips : Shortcut Keys

How To Bring Back Start Menu Button In Windows 8

How To Bring Back Start Menu Button In Windows 8


Windows 8 : Bring Back Start Menu Button. If you’ve just installed Windows 8, or bought a Windows 8 PC, You will see the Start menu button is completely gone. Microsoft has decided that the Start menu is dead and that the mouse-and-keyboard-hating Metro Start screen is the future. Luckily, We can use the tools to bring back start menu button in windows 8

There are a few different third party tools that can be installed in Windows 8 that will help mimic the Start button and other features you may have enjoyed in previous versions of Windows. Below are our suggestions on what software tools to try.

1. StartIsBack : ($3, free 30-day trial)
2. Pokki (Free)
3. StartMenu8 (Free)
4. Classic Shell (Free)
5. Start8 ($5, free 30-day trial)

You can choose the above tools also to bring you back the start menu button in windows 8. Download and Install. But my favorite tool is StartMenu8 due to its simplicity and being free of cost. You can Choose Start8 for Favorite option. Start8 is very similar to Classic Shell or StartMenu8, but it’s just a little bit smoother. Start8′s configuration interface is much easier to use (and easier on the eyes), and the actual Start menu feels much more like a contiguous part of Windows. You can find a ton of other Start menu replacements out there. Try them all out for yourself and see what you like best. 

Windows 8 Tips : How To Bring Back Start Menu Button In Windows 8


The Steps To Start Windows 8 In Safe Mode

How To Start Windows 8 in Safe Mode? Safe Mode is a Windows mode that uses only the most basic drivers and programs that are required to start Windows. This mode will also not launch any programs that are set to start automatically when Windows starts. This makes Safe Mode is very useful to fix problems on your PC such as diagnosing hardware driver problems and computer infections in Windows 8. It can also be useful when you want to uninstall a program or delete a file that you are unable to remove when Windows is started normally. In previous versions of Windows, you could get to this screen by pressing F8 before Windows started up. Windows 8 PCs start up quickly so there's not enough time to press F8.

Here the steps How To Start Windows 8 In Safe Mode :
Step 1 :  Go to the Windows 8 Start Screen and type Advanced. When the search results appear click on the Settings category as shown below.

The Steps To Start Windows 8 In Safe Mode

Step 2 : You will be brought to PC Settings and then click General

Start Windows 8 In Safe Mode

Step 3 : Under Advanced startup  click Restart now. Windows 8 will restart your computer and go directly into the Advanced Startup options menu. On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot

boot into safe mode

Step 4 : Click Advanced options, choose Startup Settings, then click on the Restart Button

startup settings windows 8

Step 5 : Your computer will be restarted and brought into the Startup Settings menu as shown below

safe mode

On the Startup Settings screen, choose the startup setting you want. Windows will then boot into the Safe Mode version that you requested where you will be able to login.

Step 6 : Sign in to your PC with a user account that has administrator rights. You can now use the computer as normal and resolve any issues that required you to boot into Safe Mode. If you need to get back to the Windows Start Screen, you can press the Alt button on your keyboard.

Windows 8 Tips : How To Start Windows 8 In Safe Mode





Downloading and Installing Windows 8 Apps from Windows Store

How to Download and Install Apps from windows store in windows 8. The Windows Store is a place where Windows 8 users can browse, purchase and download Metro-style apps. Users need to Sig in to Microsoft Account to download and Install Apps.

If you are interested in downloading and installing apps from Windows Store but not sure how to, follow the instructions given below to install apps from the store.

Step 1 : To open the Windows Store, locate and select Store on the Start screen.

Downloading and Installing Windows 8 Apps from Windows Store

Step 2 : Browse the Categories. Apps in the Store are sorted by category such as Games, Shopping, Social Networking, and more. locate and select the category heading above each category.

categories apps windows store

Step 3 : Click on the app that you would like to install to see more details such as features, system requirements, supported languages, supported processors (x86 or ARM), and reviews.

store apps

Step 4 : To download and install the app, click on the large Install button. If you haven’t linked your email address during Windows setup, and this is the first time you are installing an app from Windows Store, then you will be asked enter your email address and password. Enter the required credentials and click Sign in button begin download and install the app.

install apps


Step 5 : The app will begin downloading and will be installed automatically. A notification will appear when the app has been installed.


Step 6 : The installed app will appear on the Start screen


Windows 8 Tips Tricks : Downloading and Installing Windows 8 Apps from Windows Store

How To Add Gmail And Yahoo Accounts To Windows 8 Mail App

The Windows 8 Mail app works automatically with your Microsoft account, but you can also add Gmail, Yahoo, and others. The Windows 8 Mail has a nice, clean interface and works with a variety of e-mail accounts, including Gmail and Yahoo! Mail. If you have a Gmail and Yahoo Mail account and would like to add your account to Mail app, follow the steps given below.

Step 1 : Switch to Start screen and then click on Mail app to launch the app.

How To Add Gmail And Yahoo Accounts To Windows 8 Mail App

Step 2 : Make sure you're logged in to Mail with a Microsoft account. If you're using a local account to log in to Windows 8, you'll need to log in to Mail with a Microsoft account before you can add other e-mail accounts.

Step 3 :  From within Mail, use the Win+I shortcut to quickly get to Mail settings, then click on Accounts.

Windows 8 mail app


Step 4 : Click on Add an account, then choose the e-mail provider you want to add.

add accounts to windows 8 mail app



Step 5 : Enter your log-in credentials for the e-mail account you're adding, then click Connect button to synching the account. You are done! Within a few seconds, you should be be able view all your mails.

That's it How To Add Gmail And Yahoo Accounts to Windows 8 Mail App. What do you think of the Windows 8 Mail app?

How To Close Windows 8 Metro Apps And Disable Smartscreen

How To Close Windows 8 Metro Apps And Disable Smartscreen


How To Close Windows 8 Metro Apps


Apps you install from the Windows Store don’t slow down your PC, so you don’t need to close them. When you’re not using an app, Windows will leave it running in the background and then close it eventually if you don’ t use it. But if you really want to close an app, Windows 8 does not provide a readily apparent method of terminating an app like they do on a normal Windows application. There is no X button ike we have become accustomed to in Windows desktop applications and most apps do not provide a way of quitting them. Here are the methods you can try closing down Metro apps in Windows 8.

1. Bring up the Open Apps sidebar on the left side of the screen, then right click on an open app to shut it down.

2. Put your mouse over the top of your screen, then click and drag to the bottom of the screen.

3. Hitting Alt+F4 Keyboard Combination
To close an app using this keyboard combination simply switch to the app and then press the Alt key on your keyboard, and while holding it down, press the F4 key on your keyboard as well. This will immediately and forcefully close the app in the middle of what it was doing.

4. Using Windows 8 Task Manager
To access the Task Manager, type Task Manager from the Windows 8 Start Screen and then click on the Task Manager option when it appears in the search results. This will open the basic Task Manager as shown in the screenshot below :



Tip: You can also use the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keyboard combination to automatically open the Task Manager from any screen in Windows.

To close the app, simply left-click once on the app name and then click on the End Task button. Task Manager will immediately terminate the app for you. If you wish to see more details on how much memory or CPU a particular app is using before you terminate it, you can click on the More Details option.


Disable SmartScreen


To disable SmartScreen entirely, though, hit the Windows key, type SmartScreen, change to the Settings tab, and then click “Change SmartScreen settings.” From there, click “Change Windows SmartScreen settings” from the left-hand menu, then select the “Don’t do anything” radio button and click OK.



Windows 8 Tips Tricks : How To Close Windows 8 Metro Apps And Disable Smartscreen

Easy Steps How To Shut Down Windows 8 just One Click

How to Shutdown windows 8


Shutdown Windows 8 Just One Click. If you are Windows 8 user and Once you have mastered you navigation skills around Windows 8, you might be thinking the Shutdown button is a little too hidden, and you would like an easier way to shut down your computer, then this tutorial is for you.  Once each step is completed, you will have a 'Shutdown' tile on your 'Start Screen', and a 'Shutdown' shortcut on your desktop, so whichever screen you are in, you can quickly and easily shut down your computer at the end of your session. 

There’s an easy way to put the shutdown and restart functions just one click away from the desktop and Start screen. Let's start with creating a 'Shutdown' icon on your desktop. Just create shortcuts for both actions using the following steps.

Here is a method to create one-click Shutdown and Restart shortcuts/buttons for both Desktop and Start Screen:

1. First, get to the main desktop screen.
2. Next, right click on the desktop and select New --> Shortcut.


3. Enter shutdown /s /t 0 (that’s a zero) in the location box and hit Next.




4. Enter a name for the new shortcut ('Shutdown' is a good choice) and click 'Finish.'




5. Next Step Selecting a Shutdown Icon. Right click on your brand new shortcut and then left click on 'Properties.' A new dialog box will appear.

6. Click Change Icon under the Shortcut tab then Click Ok in warning box that says shutdown.exe contains no icons.



7. Select an Icon from the list of available images Click Ok twice (once to close the Change Icon window and once to close Properties window). Your shortcut will now have an icon.




8. Right click the shortcut and select Pin to Start. The shutdown icon will now appear on your Start screen.



9. Drag the shutdown icon to a prominent place on your Start screen. We recommend putting it in the first column to the left so you will always see it.




10. Right click the icon and select Pin to Taskbar if you want the shortcut to live on your desktop’s taskbar as well.




11. Repeat the previous steps to create a Restart button. Use the command “shutdown /r /t 0″ in the location field.


Windows 8 Tips : Easy Steps How To Shut Down Windows 8 just One Click






How to Disable the Windows 8 Lock Screen



Disable Windows 8 Lock Screen. When you first boot Windows 8, change users or wake from sleep,  you’re presented with a lock screen that you must drag up and away (or click to close) before you reach the login prompt. It’s a waste of time on PCs. Lock screen might look good on smartphones and tablets but its of no use in Desktops and laptops. Also it requires an extra step to unlock the locked PC. If you also one of those Windows 8 users who don't like the lock screen and want to disable it, this tutorial will help you. Fortunately, disabling the Lock screen is simple.

Today in this tutorial, we are going to tell you how to turn off the lock screen in Windows 8? By following this guide, you'll no longer see the lock screen in Windows 8.

METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)


1. Hit Window Key + R. A run dialog box appears.
2. Type gpedit.msc into the box and hit Ok. The Local Group Policy Editor appears.
3. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Tools -> Control Panel -> Personalization
4. In the right side pane, double-click on Do not display the lock screen to open its settings box.
5. Select Enabled and click on Apply/OK. That’s it


METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)

 

If you don't want to use Group Policy Editor or dosen't work, you can do the same thing using Registry Editor. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Press "WIN+R" key combination to launch RUN dialog box then type regedit and Enter. It'll open   Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization.
If the above key doesn't exist, you'll need to create it manually. 
3. Select Personalization key and in right-side pane.
4. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) with the name NoLockScreen and set the value to 1
5. Close Registry Editor and log off or restart Windows to take effect. It'll completely turn off lock screen.

If you want to restore lock screen in future, just delete the DWORD or set its value to 0.



Windows 8 Tips :  How to Disable the Windows 8 Lock Screen




How to Find Hidden Files in Windows

Display Hidden file windows

Find Hidden Files Your Windows. To protect users, Windows hides important system files and folders, thereby preventing accidental deletion and modification. It also enhances the readability of file listings by hiding known file extensions (such as .xlsx for Excel files or .docx for Word files) so that it’s less confusing for you to find what you’re looking for. Unfortunately viruses, spyware, and hijackers often hide there files in this way making it hard to find them and then delete them.
Windows offers an easy way to reveal hidden system files or file extensions. By following the steps below for each version of Windows you will be able to change the operating systems behavior so that you can see hidden and protected files. In this way you will be able to delete or replaces files for troubleshooting purposes. Here’s how to do it.

Windows 8 User

Follow these steps to display hidden files and folders.
  • From the Windows 8 Start Screen, click on the Control Panel app.
  • When the Control Panel opens scroll down to the bottom and click on the More Settings option.
  • The traditional Windows 8 Control Panel will now open. When it is open, click on the Appearance and Personalization link.
  • Under the Folder Options category, click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
  • Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files, folders, or drives.
  • Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
  • Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
  • Press the Apply button and then the OK button..
  • Now Windows 8 is configured to show all hidden files.

Windows 7 User

Follow these steps to display hidden files and folders.
  • Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
  • Click on the Start button --->Click Control Panel menu option.
  • When the control panel opens click on the Appearance and Personalization link.
  • Under the Folder Options category, click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
  • Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files, folders, or drives.
  • Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
  • Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files (Recommended).
  • Press the Apply button and then the OK button..
  • Now Windows 7 is configured to show all hidden files.

Windows Vista User

Follow these steps to display hidden files and folders.
1. Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
2. Click on the Start button--->Click on the Control Panel menu option.
3. When the control panel opens you can either be in Classic View or Control Panel Home view:

    If you are in the Classic View do the following:
  • Double-click on the Folder Options icon.
  • Click on the View tab.
  • Go to step 5.
    If you are in the Control Panel Home view do the following:
  • Click on the Appearance and Personalization link .
  • Click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
  • Go to step 5.
4. Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders.
5.  Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
6. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
7. Press the Apply button and then the OK button.
8. Now Windows Vista is configured to show all hidden files.

Windows XP User

Follow these steps to display hidden files and folders.
  • Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
  • Double-click on the My Computer icon.
  • Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
  • After the new window appears select the View tab.
  • Put a checkmark in the checkbox labeled Display the contents of system folders.
  • Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders.
  • Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide file extensions for known file types.
  • Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
  • Press the Apply button and then the OK button and shutdown My Computer.
  • Now your computer is configured to show all hidden files.
Note: You might notice that the icons for hidden files and folders are slightly grayed out. This is an easy way to separate hidden files and folders from your normal unhidden ones.

Computer Troubleshooting  "How to Find Hidden Files in Windows"



Update and Upgrade to Windows 8

Upgrade Windows 8
WINDOWS 8 PRO



What is Windows 8? Windows 8 is a completely redesigned operating system developed from the ground up with touchscreen use in mind as well as near-instant-on capabilities that enable a Windows 8 PC to load and start up in a matter of seconds rather than in minutes.

You're probably familiar with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 since you use at least one or more of them on a daily basis. Although improvements have been made over the years, they're fundamentally the same as Windows 95. It doesn't take too much effort to switch between any of these versions, even though options have moved around a little.

With Windows 8, things change radically. The desktop, as you know it, is relegated to the side-lines to make way for the new so-called Modern UI (User Interface). This interface is designed to be used with touchscreens as well as with a mouse and keyboard, and requires programs to be written specially for it.

Windows 8 has also made changes to make your PC more secure by boosting its existing security features and adding "SmartScreen," which acts to prevent suspicious programs or apps from being installed or running on your machine. Finally, Windows 8 also gives you the ability to "refresh" itself to give users a new starting point and a cleaner version of Windows.

Windows 8 available for PC, Laptop, tablets. You don't need to buy a new laptop, PC or even tablets to get Windows 8. You can upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 8 Consumer Preview, or Windows Developer Preview, but you might not be able to keep all of your files, software programs, and settings. The following table shows what you can keep during an upgrade, depending on the current version of Windows you are running. If you choose to boot from removable media, you won’t be able to keep your software programs, Windows settings, or personal files when you upgrade. So before you do anything at all, be sure to back up to a separate storage device any files, photos, music and video that you want to keep.

To many people, Windows 8 isn't exactly the greatest thing. A fair number of commenters online have expressed little or no interest in upgrading, especially when Windows 7 works perfectly fine. But those of you who want to grab a taste of Windows 8 will need to act today before the price shots up tomorrow. You can buy from Amazon for the best price, save up to 67%. Read More Here.