1 - Boot to desktop
In windows 8.1 users can now boot directly to the desktop. However, this features needs to be activated manually. To do this right-click the Taskbar > Properties > Navigation tab.
Under Start screen, tick the first option that says, "When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start". Then click on OK or Apply.
2 - Get a proper Start Button
Windows 8.1 is reintrouduced a sumbed down Start button, but thankfully there are a range alternatives that bring back the fully featured Windows 7 version.
One of the most popular is classic shell and it is free. The app offers three types of Start Button - Classic, Two Column and Windows 7.
Version 4 offers improved compatibility with Windows 8.1. New features include a dedicated shutdown button, the ability to pin programs to the taskbar from an explorer windows and better Windows Search functionality.
3 - Re-open Libraries
Microsoft has disabled the libraries feature by default. However, this can be reactivated easily. To do this open up Windows Explorer > View > Options. Tick the box libraries in the navigation pane to re-active the feature.
4 - Uninstall unused apps at the same time
Windows 8.1 allows users to select multiple apps and uninstall them all at the same time. If you ever to do this, right click on the Start screen > Customise > Tick apps you want to uninstall.
5 - Disable Charms
Charms in Windows 8.1 aim to speed up access to menus. But if you find yourself inadvertently activating the menu with your muse, it is possible to disable it.
Go to Taskbar > Properties > Navigation and untick the "When I point to the upper-right corner, show the charms."
6 - Open files in the desktop instead of Modern UI
Music, videos, pictures and PDF files are automatically opened using Modern UI apps by default, but you can changed to be opened within the desktop.
To do this, from the Windows Start screen type " default programs and click on the Default Programs icon under results. Click "Set your default programs" and choose the app you want to set as your default for your files.
7 - Keyboard shortcuts
Many people still use the mouse to perform tasks which can be done quicker using a keyboard shortcut. Here are a few useful combinations which will get you started.
- Windows Key + C : Opens up the charms menu
- Windows Key + O : Locks the orientation of the screen
- Windows Key + Q : Opens up the App Search pane. This now appears alone and without the start screen.
- Windows Key + M : Minimizes all Windows and brings you back to the desktop.
- Windows Key + H : Opens the Share charm in any app you are currently in.
- Windows Key + F : Opens up the Search box to help find files.
- Windows Key + I : Opens up the settings Charm.
- Windows Key + (Full Stop) + Arrow Key : Moves app to the left or right of screen so you can view more than one app at a time. Using the down arrow key with this combination will close the app you are in.
8 - Turn off notifications to minimise distractions
If you want to get work done without being distracted by notifications Windows 8.1 has got you covered.
Go to PC Settings > Search & apps and then make sure the quite hours switch is on. You can then choose which times you want to be left in peace.
9 - Search locally and on the internet
The search function in Windows 8.1 searches files on your device and also for answers on internet simultaneously.
When you enter a term, the local files will appear as normally, but swiping to the left will bring up other web pages Bing has trawled through. This also shows up files on SkyDrive too.
10 - Get SkyDrive under control
SkyDrive is baked into Windows 8.1. Files stores here are listed alongside other categories, such as downloads and documents. While cloud storage is a boon to those who use files across multiple machines, you may not want all you files in the cloud.
To ensure that Windows 8.1 is not storing stuff in the cloud without your permission, Go to PC Settings. Here there are settings for the cloud storage tool that will determine whether it is enabled by default as well as how specific content types are handled.
SkyDrive also tries to save space on the hard drive by using what it dubs "Smart Files". This is a great feature as long as you have an internet connection, but useless when you do not. To make sure that all SkyDrive files are accessible when you need them go to Windows Explorer > Right Click SkyDrive > Select Make Available Offline. This will download all files stored in the cloud and save them locally.
11- Ditch Command Prompt and go for PowerShell
In Windows 8.1 right clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar brings up a list of power user commands.
For those of you that need to carry out more intensive, complex tasks using DOS-Style commands you can replace CMD with Windows PowerShell.
To do this fo to Navigation Properties > Tick the box marked Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the lower-left corner.
12 - Show all apps instead of live tiles
if you want to retain the Modern UI start screen but want to change the layout, it is possible to display all apps.
To make this more productive in use, it is best to tick all of the last four boxes in the Taskbar and Navigation Properties dialog box.
When you click on the Start button you will see all your desktop application first on the list. of cource you can still go back to the live tiles by clicking the little arrow at the bottom to go back to that view.
13 - Pinning your apps to the taskbar & emails folders to desktop
You should pin your most frequently used apps to your taskbar so you can access them faster. Right click on an app within Modern UI. Then select the option at the bottom that syas "pin to Taskbar".
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