Out goes the Start menu, in comes the new touch-oriented Start screen with new Windows 8-Style apps and new interface conventions. Even experienced PC users may be left feeling a little lost.
Don't despair, though, help is at hand. We have poked around every part of Windows 8, uncovering many of its most important tips and tricks. so read our guide and you will soon be equipped to get the most out of Microsoft's latest release.
1. Open from the lock screen
Windows 8 opens on its lock screen, which looks pretty but unfortunately displays no clues about what to do next.
it's all very straightforward, though. just tap the space bar, spin the mouse wheel or swipe upwards on a touch screen to reveal a regular login screen with the user name you created during installation. Enter your password to begin.
2. Handle basic navigation
Windows 8's interface is all colorful tiles and touch-friendly apps. And if you are using a tablet then it will all be very straightforward. just swipe left or right to scroll the screen, and tap any tile of interest.
On a regular desktop, though, you might alternatively spin the mouse wheel to scroll backwards and forwards.
And you can also use the keyboard. Press the Home or End keys to jump from one end of your start screen to the other, for instance, then use the cursor keys to select a particular tile, tapping Enter to select it. Press the Windows key to return to the Start screen: right-click apps you don't need and select Unpin to remove them, and drag and drop the other tiles around to organize them as you like.
3. Group Apps
The Start screen apps are initially displayed in a fairly random order. but if you would prefer a more organized life then easy to sort them into custom groups.
You might drag people, Mail, Messaging and calender over to the left-hand side, for instance, to form a separate 'people' Group. Click the 'minus' icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to zoom out and you will now find you can drag and drop the new group around as a block. Right-click within the block and you will also be able to give the group a name, which -if you go on to add another 20 or 30 apps to your Start Screen - will make it much easier to find the tools you need.
Windows 8.1 now provides a special Customers mode with much the same functionality. Right- click an empty part of the Start screen, or swipe up, tap Customize, then drag and drop tiles or rename app groups to whatever you need.
4. Use the quick Access Menu
Right-click in the bottom-left corner for a text-based menu that provides easy access to lots of useful applets and more.
5. Find your Applications
The Win+X menu is useful, but no substitute for the old Start menu as it does not provide access to your applications. Press Ctrl+Tab, click the arrow button at the bottom left of the Start Screen, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen and a list of your installed programs will appear. If you can not see what you need immediately, start typing an application name to search for it. or, in Windows 8.1, click the arrow to the right of "Apps" to sort your programs by date installed, most used, category or name.
6. Make access easier
If there is an application you use all the time then you do not have to access it via the search system. Pin it to the start scree and it will be available at a click.
Start by typing part of the name of your application. To access Control Panel, for instance, type 'control'. Right- click the ' Control Panel' tile on the Apps Search screen, and click 'pin to start'. If you are using a touchscreen and hold the icon, then flick down and select ' pin to Start'.
Now press the Windows key, scroll to the right and you will see the Control Pane tile at the far end. Drag and drop this over to the left somewhere if you would like it more accessible, then click the tile to open the windows key to return you to Start screen when you are done.
7.Shut down
To shut Windows 8 down, just move the mouse cursor to the bottom right corner of the screen, click the Settings icon - or just hold down the windows key and press I- and you will see a power button. Click this and choose 'Shut Down' or ' Restart'.
In windows 8.1, press Win+X, click 'Shut down or sign out' and select the option you need.
Some of the tricks available in previous versions of windows still apply. Press Ctrl_Alt_Dell, for instance, click the power button in the bottom right-hand corner and you will be presented with the same ' Shut Down' and 'Restart' options.
And if you are on the desktop, press Alt+F4 and you will be able to choose 'Shut Down', 'Restart','Sign out' or 'Switch User' options.
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