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Tips for Windows 8 (got any?)
tomos:
Have you any tips for windows 8? (I'll try adding your tips to first post, with the post number)
EDIT/ tips/tweaks here are untested unless otherwise stated !
IMPORTANT NOTE:/ many of these tips may not apply to Windows 8.1 :-(
Desktop bias (see below for the other half):
Winkey+x [anyone got a link for a good cheat sheet that's freely available?]
Lockergnome has a pretty good cheat sheet that covers both new keyboard shortcuts and those that have been around for a while. (allen #3)
Another good Win 8 cheatsheet can be found here [Requires 'Liking' or registration] (40hz #4)
Disable Lock Screen
Take screenshots: Win+PrtScr (image now saved in png format)
Prevent [Media] Files Opening in Metro:
http://www.howtogeek.com/107182/get-to-know-the-new-shortcut-keys-in-windows-8/
Change the default language of your OS. Changing to English worked perfectly for me ♥ (seems to be available for all versions of Win8)
Win+W to search settings > search for 'Language'; then follow the MS instructions here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2607607 or here
NOTE: this has to be redone after installing 8.1
Backup:
create an image - Windows 8.1
>How to Create a System Image with Windows 8.1 File History<
A previous tip showed how to create a system image in Windows 8. In Windows 8.1, Microsoft changed the procedure and made it even harder to find. In this tip, I will give the new way to make a system image
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-create-system-image-windows-81-file-history.htm-gizmo
--- End quote ---
-Curt (February 12, 2014, 09:36 AM)
--- End quote ---
create an image - Windows 8
Win+W to search settings > search for 'Windows 7..." - open "Windows 7 File Recovery" -a weird hangover name, in spite of it simply being called "Backup or Restore" in Win7.
~ Restore seems a bit buggy here - it cant find my image/backup on an external usb hd. But if I use the restore disk (dont forget to create it!) I can find the backup okay. Helped by Windows 8 forums tutorials (NOTE: I just wanted to check that it could find the backup - I didnt need to restore, so I didnt try to).
System Restore - Win+W to search settings for same and you're covered (also available via control panel)
Mount ISO's: Right-click it in Explorer, click Mount and you can view it as a virtual drive, launch the files it contains, or add more if you like. (ewemoa #15)
File associations:
Control Panel [>Programs] >Default Programs >Associate a file type with a specific program (Set Associations)
or
from the Start Screen, type Default Programs and proceed as above in Control Panel (thanks 4wd)
Boot to desktop: NOTE: 8.1 seems to be more intelligent and goes directly to desktop on a PC/laptop - not sure if this can now be adjusted within Windows UI, I presume so...
I followed these instructions to boot directly to desktop and it works:
http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-skip-start-screen-natively-without-using-any-third-party-tool/ (phitsc #27) [worked for me too with OEM windows - see post 32]
or
Go to the start screen and type in "schedule" to search for Schedule Task in Settings. Click on Task Scheduler Library to the left, and select Create Task. Name your task something like "Boot to desktop." Now select the Triggers tab, choose New, and use the drop-down box to select starting the task "At log on." Click OK and go to the Actions tab, choose New, and enter "explorer" for the Program/Script value. Press OK, save the task, and restart to test it out!
via https://www.pcworld.com/article/2012885/20-must-know-windows-8-tips-and-tricks.html?page=4 (ewemoa #13)
or
Skip Metro Suite [UNTESTED] This one can also remove the 'hot corners' that popup the Switcher/Charmsbar/etc - AFAICT these are completely removed so long as the app runs. http://winaero.com/comment.php?comment.news.103 (Tom #8)
Find the Windows serial-number - especially helpful for an OEM copy of Windows 8 (number is hidden) and for implementing first option under 'Boot to Desktop' above:
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/30363-Windows-8-WDP-Product-Key-Viewer (Tom #32)
How to disable the edge panels (Charms Bar and Switcher) - this is a registry tweak that disables the edge panels (Charms Bar and Switcher) - but still allows them to be called via hotkey. (also from winaero.com)
Classic Shell [restores the start button and other removed functionality] (via Ath from here)
Various Tweak Apps from winaero.com who seem in general to have a good reputation.
The Best Articles for Using and Customizing Windows 8 (How-to Geek)
Shrink/expand partitions within Windows 8.
http://www.forumswindows8.com/hardware-devices/resize-windows-8-partition-120.htm
I shrunk my OS partition (C) using Disk Management. It initially refused to shrink much - but when system restore was turned off, & the old restore points deleted, it then offered to go down to 20GB (FWIW, I gave it 100GB). The system restore points are those files you can see fixed in the middle of the partition when defragging. More info here:
http://superuser.com/questions/88131/how-to-shrink-windows-7-boot-partition-with-unmovable-files (tomos #23)
Another possible option - PartedMagic (gParted)
http://partedmagic.com/doku.php?id=start (that's being worked on full-time now, so donations appreciated there)
How to Delete Your Metro Application's Usage History in Windows 8 [howtogeek.com] (erikts #24)
General Documentation/Articles
Windows 8 for Dummies Pocket Edition - Dell is offering a free (registration required but they don't seem to be too fussy about what email you enter on the form) special edition of same - which actually looks quite useful. Get it here. (40hz #4)
Introducing Windows 8: An Overview for IT Professionals (Final Edition) (Free ebook)
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2012/11/13/free-ebook-introducing-windows-8-an-overview-for-it-professionals-final-edition.aspx (thanks fenixproductions)
Windows 8 forums (thank Miles)
Windows 8 productivity: Who moved my cheese? Oh, there it is (Scott Hanselman - hanselman.com)
The Best Articles for Using and Customizing Windows 8 (How-to Geek)
The 'home screen' / the Tiled interface:
[You are only allowed to] install trusted (that is, digitally signed) apps from the Windows store.
To work around this:
Launch GPEdit.msc (...), browse to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment, double-click 'Allow all trusted apps to install' and select Enabled > OK.
via http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/50-windows-8-tips-tricks-and-secrets-1028220/3#articleContent (ewemoa #14)
Shortcuts: http://www.howtogeek.com/107182/get-to-know-the-new-shortcut-keys-in-windows-8/
Zoom tile display: hold down the Ctrl button, and use your mouse wheel to zoom in and out. (ewemoa #12)
Thanks! Any moar ? :)
MilesAhead:
My tip would be W8 for SP1. :)
tomos:
My tip would be W8 for SP1. :)-MilesAhead (November 15, 2012, 02:47 PM)
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after a couple of hours use, I already have some ideas for that. Along the lines of church and state.
======
Can I ask people though to try and keep this thread fairly on-topic? I ask that more cause it's a popular topic to thrash out at the moment - there's lots of other win8 threads out there if you want to debate aspects of the OS.
thanks :Thmbsup:
allen:
Lockergnome has a pretty good cheat sheet that covers both new keyboard shortcuts and those that have been around for a while.
My personal favorite new one is win+. and win+shift+. (That's win period). Some of the new "modern" apps are pretty cool when pinned to the side of your desktop. I most often use it for Music, mail or twitter depending on what I'm doing.
40hz:
Can I ask people though to try and keep this thread fairly on-topic? I ask that more cause it's a popular topic to thrash out at the moment - there's lots of other win8 threads out there if you want to debate aspects of the OS.
thanks :Thmbsup
-tomos (November 15, 2012, 02:57 PM)
--- End quote ---
Yes please. :Thmbsup:
---------------------------------
On topic:
Another good Win 8 cheatsheet can be found here.
And Microsoft's official 156-page overview for IT professionals book is available for download here.
Add Dell is offering a free (registration required but they don't seem to be too fussy about what info you enter on the form ;) ) special edition of Windows 8 for Dummies Pocket Edition which actually looks quite useful. Get it here.
:Thmbsup:
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