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HOW TO USE WINDOWS 8

Updated on November 14, 2012

INTRODUCTION

The launch of Windows 8 has ensured the way we use PCs will never be the same again, and if you’ve just bought a laptop, tablet or all-in-one, you have the most advanced tool at your fingertips for getting more from life. It comes with new user interface, new desktop platform, new look and totally new computing experience to the users. In this hub, I am writing about how to use windows 8 and some of it’s features users must know

ADD USER ACCOUNTS

Making separate user accounts is a simple process and is perfect for families who share and enjoy multiple devices. You can either add a user account from the Desktop Control Panel (as you would in previous versions of Windows), or choose ‘Settings’ from the Charm bar, choose ‘Change PC settings’ and select ‘Users’. You can log in with any user account — even while somebody else is logged in. You will need to log in with a Microsoft account, which can be created in a few easy steps. If you previously had a Hotmail or Windows Live account, used Windows Live Messenger or Outlook.com, you can use this without creating a new one and you can take some settings with you, whichever PC you log in to.

SET UP YOUR E-MAILS

Windows 8 includes Mail — a simple but effective email client that delivers messages from a variety of sources to a single unified inbox. You can set up your email using various accounts, including Google and Microsoft (Hotmail or Outlook.com). If you have an Exchange account for work you can set that up too, provided your company has enabled external email access. The Mail app strips out all the extraneous email functions that you don’t really need, helping you focus on your messages, folders and different accounts. You can read, reply and attach files with minimum fuss. Highlighted emails are displayed in full on the right. Emails from people you follow on social networks will display their Facebook or Twitter avatar— useful for sorting out emails from your friends!

ADD NEW APPS

Windows 8 brings you a completely new way to install software — the Windows Store. You can search the Store from the Charm bar to find the app you want. It features thousands of tools specially designed for Windows 8, ranging from big names like Sky News, Wikipedia and AccuWeather to small, independently developed but useful apps such as Tweetro for Twitter or Quick Note for, well, taking quick notes. The Spotlight feature shows you the best new Windows 8 apps and there are lists of the top free and top paid-for apps too. All apps carry a user rating and All Star apps are those that people have rated most highly. More apps are appearing all the time, so visit the Windows Store today.Here is my another hub about some Free and essential Windows 8 Apps

A NEW WEB WITH INTERNET EXPLORER 10

Windows 8 includes a completely new web browser—Internet Explorer 10. It’s been built to be fast and fluid, and works perfectly with Windows 8. There’s a desktop version, but the browser works flawlessly within Windows 8 UI as well. It’s brilliant for touchscreens, too. Swipe up to view your tabs, or down to view the address bar and Favorites. You can pin favorite websites to your Start screen. As with everything in Windows 8, you can use the Charm bar to search for what you need, change Internet Explorer settings, or share sites with friends —just swipe and tap. Explorer 10 also includes Smart Screen and Tracking Protection for greater control over your personal information.

SWITCH YOUR APPS

Windows 8 makes it simple to switch between apps. While the traditional keyboard shortcuts still work — [Alt] + [Tab] or [Windows] + [Tab] — touchscreens give you a whole new way of moving between programs. Just flick in from the left and you can rapidly move between open applications, or switch to the desktop view. Each app will appear as an image of the screen itself —just stop flicking to settle on the screen you want to see. If you don’t have a touchscreen, simply place your pointer in the bottom left to see the Start screen icon and move your mouse straight up. Previews of all the open apps will appear and you can select the one you need. In the Desktop app, switching works just as before and you can move between open Desktop apps using the taskbar.

PERSONALISE YOUR LIVE TILES

The Start menu is made up of square or rectangular icons called tiles. Each one represents a different app on your system, but these aren't just icons — some are Live Tiles. This means the Mail icon can display your latest messages and you can see the next appointment in your Calendar, to name but two examples. You can move these around by clicking and holding on a tile, before dragging them to where you want them. Windows 8 is designed to be a colorful and beautiful experience, and it’s easy to make it your own. To give the Start screen a colour scheme of your choosing, go to ‘Settings’, click or tap ‘Personalization’ and choose ‘Start screen’.

SNAP WINDOWS AND MULTI-TASK

Unlike the iPad, Windows 8 enables you to snap windows side-by-side, so you can effortlessly work on two things at the same time. Just drag any app from the top and have it snap to the left or the right quarter of the screen, so you can browse the Internet while keeping tabs on your inbox, or work on a Microsoft Word document while keeping up with all the latest news. What’s more, it doesn't matter if you’re using one of the sleek new Modern UI apps from the Start menu, or a classic application from the desktop from a previous version of Windows — Snap just works. It’s designed to make working in multiple apps easier than ever.

SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE

Sharing is a big part of Windows 8 and being able to show your friends, family and colleagues things you've discovered with your PC is integral to your experience. All operating systems will let you browse hotels online, many have apps for finding reviews and deals, but only Windows 8 has a built-in sharing tool to let you send what you've found to your contacts and social networks. You can do this via the Charm bar, which is accessed from the right-hand side of the screen. Hit ’Sharing’ and a number of options will appear. It’s the same for any app in Windows, so there are no hidden options and no confusion, just a single way to share your finds with those who matter

GET PINNING

Unlike other operating systems the Start screen isn't just for apps. You can add anything from your favourite websites, contacts from the People app and even books from the Kindle Store to the homepage, so you can have the things you love at your fingertips.

FIND ANYTHING WITH ADVANCED SEARCHING

Windows 8 is built to enable you to find what you want from a single location and that’s done via the Search charm. The Charm bar is accessed from the right-hand edge (see page 101 for more details) and enables you to search Windows and apps alike. Instead of searching your email, the Internet, Facebook and Twitter separately, one search term rules them, all putting information at your fingertips. If you’re using a Windows 8 laptop, then searching is even quicker. Just start typing anywhere and the Search Charm will fire into life immediately, letting you find whatever you need. It’s a new way of working, but one that makes using your Windows computer so much easier—therefore next time you need to find that email or file, just search instead.

If you are a Windows 8 user, are you satisfied with Windows 8

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