Windows 8 Tips & Tricks

Windows 8 Tips & Tricks

Many versions of windows have been released, but windows 8 is bit different from previous releases. This difference includes stylish look, behaviour, and features. You may have felt at first glance that this operating system seems more difficult to customize than earlier versions of Windows. So, it’s better to have known about some tweaks, tricks and hacks that can ease your work with this operating system. So, let’s get started and explore the tweaks and tricks of windows 8….

Semantic Zoom feature:

Now you can view all the tiles in your start screen in just one eye-view. It means you need not to do lot of scrolling for reaching your desired app. The tweak is simple, if you are a touchscreen user, then squeeze the screen (as if zoom out in case of photos) with your two fingers. This semantic zoom feature is also available for mouse and keyboard users. Just hold ‘ctrl’ key and use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.

Categorize the tiles(apps):

Instead of having the tiles in scattered manner, it’s easy to access the required app in no time if they are arranged in corresponding groups. This can be done by following this simple trick. First zoom out by using the semantic zoom feature as discussed  above or by clicking magnifying glass icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the start screen. Then you can drag and drop the new group (or any of the others) around. Right click within the block of tiles and you can give a name to the group.

Shutdown and Restart:

To shutdown the Windows 8 , just move the cursor to the bottom right corner of the screen. Now, click on the Settings icon (also you van do it by- just hold down the Windows key and press I) and you’ll see a power button. Click this and choose ‘Shut Down’ or ‘Restart’ options.

Run two apps side-by-side:

In windows 8, you can run two apps side-by-side. You can pin any app to the left or right-hand side of the screen. Open an app and then press theWindows Key + .  to move that app to the right-hand side of the screen, press the same again to move it to the left-hand side, and pressing the same keys again will make it full screen. After pinning an app, any other app or program can be opened and loaded into the available(remaining) space on the screen.

Closing an app: 
Though it seems easy, but it’s hard to find close buttons in Windows 8.You can close an app by dragging it with your mouse (finger- for touchscreen users) from the top of the screen to the bottom of the screen. When you reach the bottom, it will disappear. Also, you can close apps via Alt + F4 and through the Task Manager.  

Picture Password:

Using a picture password is a cool way to protect your system. It relieves you from remembering password. Press the Windows key + I to get to the Charms. Now click on “Change PC settings” and go to the Users tab. Below “Sign-in options” there will be the “Create a picture password” button. Now choose any picture, and then define three gestures anywhere on the image. Your gestures can be circles, swipes and clicks. Don’t forget the direction of each gesture which you have submitted. 

Login without username and password: 
You can disable the username and password log-in screen. This speeds up the login process.This can be done by opening the Run box (press the Windows key + R). Now type in “netplwiz” to access the User Accounts dialog box. Uncheck the box that says “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.” Click OK, and you will be asked to enter the username and password one last time for purpose of confirmation. Now you can login without username and password.

Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts

 It’s better to know at least some of the Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts which can ease your work experience.So, this post insights into some of the Windows 8 shortcuts that are helpful and suggested to be memorised(if possible). Here they are..   

• Press the Windows key to open the start screen or to switch to the Desktop (if open) 
• Press the Windows key + C to open the Charms. 
• Press the Windows key + D to open the Windows Desktop. 
• Press the Windows key + E to open Explorer.
• Press the Windows key + F to open a file and folder search. 
• Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings.
• Press the Windows key + M to minimize everything present on the desktop. 
• Press the Windows key + O to lock the orientation on devices with an accelerometer. 
• Press the Windows key + Q to open a global search menu.
• Press the Windows key + R to prompt the Run command.
• Press the Windows key + W to open a search in your system settings to locate and change system properties.
• Press the Windows key + X to open the power user menu (quick access menu).
• Press the Windows key + Tab to open the list of currently running programs (or apps). 
• Press the Windows key + Print screen to create a screen shot (Note that this screen shot is automatically saved into your “My Pictures” folder). 
• Press the Windows key + Pause to open the system properties page.
• Press the Windows key + , to make all current windows transparent.
• Press the Windows key + . to pin and unpin Windows apps on the side of the screen.