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50 Windows 8 tips, tricks and secrets

Mycroft

Mycroft

Genius is where you find it.
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Well worth the read if you are using Win8 or considering using Win8:

50 Windows 8 tips, tricks and secrets | News | TechRadar


For those of you who have a big problem with the lack of a Start Button, tips 4 and 5 are your solution. If you don't like those tips, then tip 22 is for you.
 
Or you could just install the hack.....
 
I solved all my problems with it by not buying it.

Why the hell would I want a cellphone operating system on my tower?
 
Republic Now! said:
I solved all my problems with it by not buying it.

Why the hell would I want a cellphone operating system on my tower?
Click to expand...

I agree and the same is true for me, but apparently the reason I chose not to install a mismatched interface prohibits me from criticizing the mismatch. Since the people I know who have it say they are "still figuring it out", I am content with that which I have already figured out.
 
Republic Now! said:
I solved all my problems with it by not buying it.

Why the hell would I want a cellphone operating system on my tower?
Click to expand...

I'm sure you think that's funny...but I'm also sure you know just how stupid your remark is.

Fisher said:
I agree and the same is true for me, but apparently the reason I chose not to install a mismatched interface prohibits me from criticizing the mismatch. Since the people I know who have it say they are "still figuring it out", I am content with that which I have already figured out.
Click to expand...

In a month of using Win8, I'm not "still figuring it out". I'm doing everything I did with Win7...and more.

Anyway, as they say...to each his own. But, you'll notice in my OP I directed this thread to "using Win8 or considering using Win8". The two of you obviously don't fall into that subset.
 
Mycroft said:
Anyway, as they say...to each his own. But, you'll notice in my OP I directed this thread to "using Win8 or considering using Win8". The two of you obviously don't fall into that subset.
Click to expand...

I have considered it, investigated it, talked to others and decided not to at this point in time. Perhaps by the time they get to SP1 for it my concerns will be addressed, but it will inevitably be forced upon us like every other MSOS if not by the company, by the software developers.
 
Fisher said:
I have considered it, investigated it, talked to others and decided not to at this point in time. Perhaps by the time they get to SP1 for it my concerns will be addressed, but it will inevitably be forced upon us like every other MSOS if not by the company, by the software developers.
Click to expand...

That's fine. Your choice.

So, I guess this thread is of no use to you. If you want to bad-mouth Win8, then I suggest the "Window 8 Sucks" thread.
 
Mycroft said:
That's fine. Your choice.

So, I guess this thread is of no use to you. If you want to bad-mouth Win8, then I suggest the "Window 8 Sucks" thread.
Click to expand...

I did not bad mouth Win8 on this thread, but if you want to point fingers, the fact that you bothered to post a link to an article that explains to people how to use 8 which you think is so magically easy, then it begs the question why such an article was ever written if people are not having troubles that you say you have not have. Clearly others have not "figured it out" yet so somebody had the courtesy to get off their high horse to help them, thereby verifying what my post stated--people I know who have it are still trying to figure it out.
 
I'm no win8 fan but thanks for posting the tips Mycroft. These will be very helpful for those stuck with adopting this [insert expletive here]. If I end up having users who adopt it this will be handy info to pass along.

Me, I'm going to give Mint a try on my dev machine and moving to windows server 2012 for my work OS. Thank goodness MS has largely left the server UIs alone.
 
Fisher said:
I did not bad mouth Win8 on this thread, but if you want to point fingers, the fact that you bothered to post a link to an article that explains to people how to use 8 which you think is so magically easy, then it begs the question why such an article was ever written if people are not having troubles that you say you have not have. Clearly others have not "figured it out" yet so somebody had the courtesy to get off their high horse to help them, thereby verifying what my post stated--people I know who have it are still trying to figure it out.
Click to expand...

Actually you did bad-mouth Win8 by agreeing with Republic Now!.

Anyway, providing tips and tricks doesn't imply that the OS is any harder to learn than any other...or we wouldn't have seen any of the following:

Windows 3.1x Tips & Tricks, Patches, and more
Windows 95 Tips and Tricks. - HelpWithWindows.com
Windows 98 Tips and Tricks. - HelpWithWindows.com
198 Windows Vista Tips & Tricks | PCMag.com
50 Essential Windows 7 Tips, Tweaks, And Secrets - ComputerShopper.com

I left out a few OS's...not because there are no tips and tricks articles...but to save space.

I daresay the people you know who are still trying to figure it out would benefit from my OP.
 
The annoyances sites used to be pretty good (annoyances.com). They started with win98 and are still at it.
 
Mycroft said:
Actually you did bad-mouth Win8 by agreeing with Republic Now!.

Anyway, providing tips and tricks doesn't imply that the OS is any harder to learn than any other...or we wouldn't have seen any of the following:

Windows 3.1x Tips & Tricks, Patches, and more
Windows 95 Tips and Tricks. - HelpWithWindows.com
Windows 98 Tips and Tricks. - HelpWithWindows.com
198 Windows Vista Tips & Tricks | PCMag.com
50 Essential Windows 7 Tips, Tweaks, And Secrets - ComputerShopper.com

I left out a few OS's...not because there are no tips and tricks articles...but to save space.

I daresay the people you know who are still trying to figure it out would benefit from my OP.
Click to expand...

I have seen more tips for Windows 8 that seem to include windows short-cut keys which makes me wonder if it is as easy to use in a business environment as people like you seem to think it is generally. I am also unclear if things like fortran programs operate on 8 without being in a compatibility mode that was very hit or miss on 7 but would otherwise require pricey software upgrades or to maintain aging work stations. Will I be able to short-cut the command prompt onto my desktop for ease of access since that is something some of us do still need to get to from time to time? These are but some of the issues that concern me that have nothing to do with whether or not there is a start button or whether or not employees can put apps on their desktops.
 
Fisher said:
I have seen more tips for Windows 8 that seem to include windows short-cut keys which makes me wonder if it is as easy to use in a business environment as people like you seem to think it is generally. I am also unclear if things like fortran programs operate on 8 without being in a compatibility mode that was very hit or miss on 7 but would otherwise require pricey software upgrades or to maintain aging work stations. Will I be able to short-cut the command prompt onto my desktop for ease of access since that is something some of us do still need to get to from time to time? These are but some of the issues that concern me that have nothing to do with whether or not there is a start button or whether or not employees can put apps on their desktops.
Click to expand...

As best I can see there is no way to do that. Nothing I tried worked. However, to get command prompt is not too bad, lower left corner, right click, select Command Prompt, or hit Win + X
 
Redress said:
As best I can see there is no way to do that. Nothing I tried worked. However, to get command prompt is not too bad, lower left corner, right click, select Command Prompt, or hit Win + X
Click to expand...

Thanks. Can nothing be short-cutted to the desktop in 8, or just that? For instance would I be able to short-cut folders that I access on a daily basis to the desktop?
 
Fisher said:
I have seen more tips for Windows 8 that seem to include windows short-cut keys which makes me wonder if it is as easy to use in a business environment as people like you seem to think it is generally. I am also unclear if things like fortran programs operate on 8 without being in a compatibility mode that was very hit or miss on 7 but would otherwise require pricey software upgrades or to maintain aging work stations. Will I be able to short-cut the command prompt onto my desktop for ease of access since that is something some of us do still need to get to from time to time? These are but some of the issues that concern me that have nothing to do with whether or not there is a start button or whether or not employees can put apps on their desktops.
Click to expand...

I've actually never said Win8 is easy to use in a business environment. I have no experience with that. What I have said is that whatever you've used Win7, or really any Windows, for...Win8 will work just as well or better.

I don't know anything about fortran, but I'd guess that if you can use it with Win7, you'll be able to use it with Win8.

All it takes is a couple of clicks to put the command prompt short cut onto your start screen, taskbar or desktop. It's really quite easy...even with a mouse and keyboard. With a touch screen, it would be quicker.
 
Fisher said:
Thanks. Can nothing be short-cutted to the desktop in 8, or just that? For instance would I be able to short-cut folders that I access on a daily basis to the desktop?
Click to expand...

Short cutting to the desktop is much like it was in Win7.
 
Screenshot (4).jpg

As you can see I've placed a shortcut for the command prompt on the start screen, the task bar and the desktop.

easy-peasy.
 
Fisher said:
Thanks. Can nothing be short-cutted to the desktop in 8, or just that? For instance would I be able to short-cut folders that I access on a daily basis to the desktop?
Click to expand...

Any shortcut can be placed on the start screen, the desktop or the task bar.
 
Redress said:
As best I can see there is no way to do that. Nothing I tried worked. However, to get command prompt is not too bad, lower left corner, right click, select Command Prompt, or hit Win + X
Click to expand...

Batch file maybe?
 
Fisher said:
Thanks. Can nothing be short-cutted to the desktop in 8, or just that? For instance would I be able to short-cut folders that I access on a daily basis to the desktop?
Click to expand...

Everything can be short-cutted.. pretty much.
 
10 best hidden features in Windows 8
In Depth
Discover the useful tools and tricks for Windows 8 that you probably haven't yet discovered

There are two distinct parts to Windows 8 — the desktop, which looks and feels a lot like Windows 7, and the all-new, all-singing, all-dancing Start page, which is a complete departure for the operating system.

If you've just upgraded, it may take you some time to discover all of the tools hidden away in the nooks and crannies of Windows 8, so here are the top 10 hard-to-find features you should be aware of.

If you've uncovered some useful tricks of your own, let us know in the comments.

see more at: 10 best hidden features in Windows 8 | News | TechRadar
Click to expand...

I am already aware of all of these items, though I don't use some of them much.

The ones I've used the most are the first five.
 
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