computer tips
TECHNOLOGY
Windows 8.1 Tips & Tricks
It’s that time of year again, the holiday season.
For most of us, it’s a time to unwind and catch up
on ourselves (indulgence), and family. Many will
be opening a shiny new computer device of some
sort this Christmas and ‘consuming only’ on their
computer.
If you’re a tad confused about Microsoft’s new
Windows 8 Operating System, here are some of
the best tips and tricks so far.
1. Boot to Desktop. I’ve mentioned how to do
this previously in CSG but I’ll mention it again
because it’s so
handy to know. Go to the desktop > right-click
on the Taskbar > click on Properties > click on
Navigation tab
> place a tick in, “Go to the desktop instead of
Start when I sign it” > click Apply, then Okay.
2. Start Button. The Start button is back, but not
the Start menu. Clicking it takes you straight to
the tiled Start Screen. But you can change the
Start button’s behaviour so it lands you in the
Modern UI’s Apps screen instead – similar to
how the start menu used to function in previous
versions of Windows. Go to the desktop
> right-click on the Taskbar > click on Properties
> click on Navigation tab > Tick, “Show the Apps
view automatically when I go to Start” > click
Apply, then Okay.
3. Right click Start button functions. A simple
right click of the Windows 8.1 Start button
produces direct
access to many of Windows features, like Control
Panel, Search, File Explorer, Task Manager and
much more.
4. How to Shut Down or Restart Windows. To
shut down or restart Windows 8.1, simply rightclick on the new
Start button and choose Shut down.
5.
Change PC Settings. The PC Settings area
4
you
aske
d
for
it!!!
now has more organised options. Launch the
Charms bar (Windows Key + C) > select “Change
PC Settings”. Here you can change PC settings. If
you can’t find what you’re looking for, click the
magnifying glass to the right of the title words
“PC Settings” and search for the PC setting you’re
after.
6. Save your documents in the cloud via S kyDrive.
If you have a free Outlook.com account, then
you have access to Microsoft’s SkyDrive which
provides online storage for your documents and
other files. You can automatically save your files
to SkyDrive. To do this, launch the Charms bar
(Windows Key + C) > select “Change PC Settings”
> select SkyDrive. Here you configure Windows
8.1 and SkyDrive’s storing of your documents and
more.
7. Edit your Photos. The photos app in Windows
8 is great for viewing your photos but in Windows
8.1 the editing abilities have been reworked
making it much more powerful than before. To
try it out, Start Screen >
look for “Photos” tile > select your image and
start editing.
8. Take a screenshot in Windows 8.1. Ever
wanted to take a screenshot or screen grab?
Here’s how, press the Windows key + Print
Screen button together. The screen capture will
be stored in a new screenshots folder inside your
Pictures folder.
Have a safe and joyous holiday season.
Supporting Local Computer Users for 8 Years
Technology Specialist
Computer Repairs and Sales
Home Office & Small Business IT Support
Ian Piggott
email: [email protected]
> COFFEE SHOP GOSS > FINGAL TO POTTSVILLE > DECEMBER 2013