Windows 8 tricks, tips and shortcuts: a power user must-read

[Julio Franco]

Read the full article at:
https://www.techspot.com/guides/506-windows-8-shortcuts-and-tricks/

Please leave your feedback here.

 

[slh28]

I don't see the point of hiding the Windows orb... it probably takes like 30x30 pixels on the taskbar.

 

[Guest]

If only I could download the Windows 8 consumer preview without any of the files getting corrupted.

 

[Burty117]

slh28 said:
I don't see the point of hiding the Windows orb... it probably takes like 30x30 pixels on the taskbar.

Agreed, stupid move by Microsoft, it should be as easy as right clicking on the start bar anywhere and ticking "Show Standard Start Menu".

I think I will stay with Windows 7 This round, I'll skip to the next one.

 

[kuroiei]

I'll also pass on this one. I just don't see the necessity of implementing touch-screen oriented UI in a major, mainstream Windows edition. Shouldn't it be called something like Windows Touch? Also, I think Microsoft tends to work "too fast" - I remember hearing about Win8 just a month after Windows 7 came out.

What was wrong with the old desktop mode? Me, being a power-user myself can't see the purpose of installing this OS. What does it have that Win7 doesn't? How is it improved, not how the UI is changed? Frankly, I can't imagine my daily work using this UI. If I can't call it "desktop mode", well, it just doesn't suit desktops, right?

 

[Guest]

There's also the hotkey: WINKEY + C, that show's up the charm tab and a huge clock at the left botton screen (very useful for those who like to deactivate the native clock of windows.

 

[Stupido]

Looks like Win7 to become the new old WinXP... on the longer run I mean...

 

[Cota]

If you actually count the clicks and keys you need to press, 8 is slower than 7 in most of the cases...

 

[Burty117]

Cota said:
If you actually count the clicks and keys you need to press, 8 is slower than 7 in most of the cases...

I found that as well, Hell when I login I have to "Click" to get the desktop, To shutdown the machine I have to hover and click, click again and click again, If I was to see my apps that requires at least 3 clicks, in windows 7 it was one.

Sure setting Windows up took less clicks, but infinitely more once actually using it.

I'm still testing it but so far its not looking good for Microsoft.

 

[Guest]

I have to agree with the above comments. I'm still testing out Win 8 however I don't see any reason to leave Win 7 at this time. It really seems like it's the tablet OS and not a real improvement for desktop users.

 

[Guest]

I played with It for few hours, my first Impression was Hmmm.. a tablet OS badly ported for pc desktop use, It also reminded me of the first time I tried to use apple OS X (that didn't end well either).
Now I realize It's just a preview and things will change before It ships but, one thing It really needs Is a check box In the appearance settings called "windows classic" but then I think you'd just end up with windows 7..so what's the point.

 

[Leeky]

I must confess, that apart from downloading the ISO's I've not even tried this preview yet, so the tips will come in very handy.

I'm curious though, as a multiple display user myself, how it impacts usability Julio? I presume the hot corners work on just the primary display?

I really need to get this installed when I have some time, its just finding it right now. :haha:

 

[Guest]

Ive just installed Win8 OS in my new pc, so it was a clean instal, but when Win8 promts to use an Microsoft ID, I tried to use my Live ID, where I have everything related to Microsoft, as messenger account and Xbox Live, but it didnt let me use that email addres, saying that was from Live ID and/or hotmail domain, but it did let me use my gmail account... so it is supouse to work like that?

 

[supyo]

For those of you dual booting a word of warning: don't use the refresh OS feature. It will wipe out the dual boot menu and remove all installed programs (chrome, itunes, firefox etc). I had to install EasyBCD in order to get Windows 7 back. Not sure the purpose of refresh OS, it took twice as long to work compared to actually installing Windows 8 and it wrecked more things than fixed.

 

[indiangamer]

is there any difference in working of os if i install it on virtualbox or a clean install??
can i play games on it (specifically Battlefield 3)??

 

[m4a4]

For all you power users, I've been exclusively using Win8 since the 29th and I have been doing just fine. Nothing that has been annoying. Heck, I can even see Metro as a more advanced start button with more customization.
Am I saying it's worth the upgrade however? Maybe, if it's free. And if you really don't like the metro, then there's a good chance that something will be out by the official release to fix that. It's got a lot more powerful features, it's faster, and everything in integrated into your one Windows ID. It's really not as bad as some people would like to think.

-A Fellow Power User

 

[Guest]

I am unable to right-click and drag files -- I used to use that all the time to specify copy vs move when dragging files. Can anyone else still do that or did they take that "feature" away ?

 

[Guest]

@indiangamer, Virtualbox CANNOT run video card intense games, as it can only emulate a graphics card

@Guest before me, They still have the right-click and drag feature as mine works just fine...

 

[EXCellR8]

I gave it a whirl for a little while through VM and i was mostly unimpressed. Once i installed it on a real machine it was a little better but i couldn't help but feel like the OS was too unorganized. In order to use it as a desktop OS users should be able to retain all the traditional elements. The tweaks are fine but not having the option to disable the new tablet UI features is a little discerning. Maybe that will change by the time RC1 rolls out but for now I'm all set with it.

 

[Guest]

I have been using Win8 from the developer preview days. Initially there was the "where it is?" time while getting used to the new UI. But I am talking less than a day for that.

The performance benefits, less memory usage, better tools like the new task manager, copy window, etc., and the fact that all the drivers just worked, clinched it for me. I like it.

Now, whether it is worth dropping $100 on will depend on how you use it and whether the fine tuning will make any tangible difference for you.

 

[Guest]

Oh and I forgot to mention that I installed it on a desktop, a laptop, and a tablet. Obviously I can use the Metro UI in a much better and natural way on the tablet than than the other form factors. But even on the desktop/laptop the Metro UI is really just a fancy, more customizable, and "live" start menu.

 

[Guest]

Metro as simply as I can iterate................is UGLY

 

[rogyaeger]

The Hot Corner idea seems to have some use. But has anyone figured out how to make the hot corners a bit bigger?

 

[Guest]

If I had to summarize Windows8 (Tablet) in one word i would use: Garbage.

Nothing else to say about the quality. As for tools. I see no reason to use even more bloated and bordering on uselessness tools "made in Microsoft". Total Commander (or NortonCommander under DOS) hasn't changed much. It does tons of things all in small package. Why would anybody be interested in new or old Win Explorer/Task Manager/etc is totally beyond me...

 

[avoidz]

Each Windows OS since XP seems to require more and more clicks to get to something that used to be simple and easy to find. Now they are hidden again under an ugly touch interface that somehow ended up on a desktop. Many of the mouse actions in Windows 8 feel clumsy and unnatural. And are those corner hot spots about 1 or 2 pixels in size or what? I will also be sticking with XP and 7 for now.