Discover the useful tools and tricks for Windows 8 that you probably
haven't yet discovered
1. The secret Start menu
Right-click in
the lower-left corner to bring up a stripped-down Start menu
Moving your
mouse cursor down to the bottom-left of the screen and left-clicking switches
to the tiled Start page... but if you right-click instead, you'll be met with a
menu linking to key areas of the operating system, including Control Panel, the
command prompt and the Task Manager.
2. Sync your settings
Windows 8
supports the old user account system, but it can also create a new kind of user
account that's linked to your Windows ID, and pulls in information from
SkyDrive, Xbox, Hotmail/Outlook and all the other cloud services the company is
pushing.
Sync settings,
internet bookmarks and more across Windows 8 machines
A linked
account can also sync your Windows settings (from your desktop wallpaper to
your browsing history) across machines, which is handy if you have multiple
computers at home or at work.
Launch the
Settings charm, then choose 'Change PC settings' and open the 'Sync your
settings' page to configure the feature.
3. Built-in screenshots
Windows 8 will
automatically save screen grabs whenever Win+PrtScn is pressed
Windows 7 had
the Snipping Tool for taking screenshots, and this tool is still around in
Windows 8.
However,
there's an even easier way to capture what's happening on your display — press
the Windows key and the PrtScn button together, and a PNG grab will be
automatically saved to your Pictures library.
4. Keyboard shortcuts
Use the
Ctrl+Tab shortcut to see all of your Windows 8 apps listed together
Swiping and
tapping around Windows 8 is fine on a touchscreen interface, but what about
standard laptops and desktops?
Knowing the
keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8 can save you a lot of clicking and dragging
with the mouse, and make it easier to navigate the operating system.
Win+C brings up
the Charms bar, for example, while pressing the Windows key on its own switches
between the desktop and the Start page.
Another useful
one: hit Ctrl+Tab on the Start page to switch to the 'All apps' view.
5. File History
Windows 8 can
keep track of previous versions of your important files, which can be a
lifesaver if you accidentally delete a document or a favourite photo becomes
corrupted.
The File
History backup tool in Windows 8 isn't enabled by default
The feature -
File History - is not enabled by default, so you'll have to activate it from
the System and Security section of Control Panel. The only caveat is you'll
need a second hard drive available, whether this is external, internal or
networked.
6. ISO support
With Windows 8,
native ISO mounting support is included — just double-click and go
Windows 7 came
with a built-in ISO burner; Windows 8 does away with the burning, and can
launch ISOs (and VHD files) natively.
Double-click on
a downloaded or ripped ISO to view its contents; right-click and choose 'Mount'
to run it.
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