Windows8 Tips

Logging Off – Added 12/8/2012
Taking Screen Shots – Added 12/8/2012
Activating a Clean Install using Windows8 Upgrade DVD – Added 12/8/2012
Windows8 Hot Corners – Added 12/3/2012
Windows Key Shortcuts – Added 12/3/2012
Shutting Down or Restarting the Computer – Added 12/3/2012
Creating Shutdown and Restart Shortcuts – Added 12/3/2012
Pinning Applications, Shortcuts and Folders to the Smart Screen – Added 12/3/2012
Changing a Shortcut’s Icon – Added 12/3/2012
Automatically Logging On – Added 12/3/2012
Changing the Start Screen Background – Added 12/3/2012
Changing the Lock Screen Background – Added 12/3/2012
Changing Startup Programs – Added 12/3/2012
Disable Windows Animations – Added 12/3/2012
Changing the Active Window Menu Color – Added 12/3/2012
Changing the Desktop Background – Added 12/3/2012
Changing My Documents Location – Added 7/1/2011

Logging Off

Added 12/8/2012

To log off Windows8

1. Press the Win key to get to the Start Screen
2. In the upper right corner, Right click on the User’s name
3. Select Sign Off

Taking Screen Shots

Added 12/8/2012

With Windows8, you can automatically save screenshots as a PNG file.

Previously to put a screenshot in the clipboard, you would press the Alt-PrtScn key.

While this still works, Windows8 can automatically take the screenshot and immediately save it as a PNG file.

1. Simply press the Win+PrtScn key.
2. In addition to automatically saving the file, it will also save a full image if you have multiple monitors.
3. The files will be save to the C:\Users\user_id\Pictures\Screenshots folder

If you want to change the location of where they are saved.

1. Start Regedit (Win+R then type in Regedit)
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderDescriptions\{b7bede81-df94-4682-a7d8-57a52620b86f}
3. Double click on RelativePath and change it to where you would like
4. For example %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Screenshots will have it save screenshots to a folder called Screenshots on the Desktop
5. Log off and back on again.

Activating a Clean Install using Windows8 Upgrade DVD

Added 12/8/2012

I always like to do clean installs of an operating system when possible. This way you don’t bring along any extra baggage from the previous one.

Doing this with a Windows8 Upgrade DVD normally will not let you activate the operating system.

Fortunately there in an easy solution

1. Start Regedit by pressing Win+R and typing in regedit
2. To to Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Setup \OOBE
3. Double click on MediaBootInstall and change it from a 1 to a 0. Then close Regedit.
4. Start a Command Prompt as Administrrator by pressing Win+X and selecting that optioon
5. Type in slmgr /rearm and press the Enter key
6. Reboot Windows
7. Then run the activation program (Win+C), Settings, Change PC Settings

Windows8 Hot Corners

Added 12/3/2012

With the introduction of he new Start Screen, or Metro, and the Charm Bar, there are several now ways to access those screens with your mouse

1. The Lower-left corner+Left click Goes to the Start screen or Metro
2. The Lower-left corner+Right click brings up direct access to many many functions such as Programs and features, Power Options, Event Viewer, Device Manager, Disk Management, Computer Manager, Command Prompt, Command Prompt (Admin) and the Task Manager.
3. The Upper-Left corner shows open programs that are running in the background.
4. To Close an Metro Applicaton – Move your mouse to the upper part of the screen. It will change to a Hand icon. Drag part way down and move to another monitor. Drag all the way to the bottom to close the program.
5. The Upper or Lower Right corner brings up the Charm Bar.

Windows Key Shortcuts

Added 12/3/2012

Windows8 takes advantage of the Windows Key on the keyboard to easily access several screens

The Windows key by itself shows the Start screen (Metro)

Win+C shows the Charm Bar

Win+D shows the standard Windows desktop

Win+Q shows all installed apps in the Start screen

Win+R brings up the Run window

Win+X shows the same Power User shortcut menu like a right click on the lower left corner does

Win+. snaps the current Metro application to right side, left side, and then back to full screen

Win+Page up or Page Down – Switches the current Metro application between monitors

Win+Tab shows the running Metro applications and lets you switch between them.

Shutting Down or Restarting the Computer

Added 12/3/2012

To Shutdown or Restart the computer

1. Go to the Charm Bar (Win+C)
2. Click on Settings
3. Click on Power
4. Select the option you want

Creating Shutdown and Restart Shortcuts

Added 12/3/2012

Sometimes it is easier to click on a shortcut on the desktop rather than going through the Charm Bar.

1. Right click on an open area of the desktop
2. Select New / Shortcut
3. Type in Shutdown.exe /s /t 00 for the program
4. For the name type Shutdown
5. You can also change the icon for this shortcut
6. Right click on the icon
7. Select Properties
8. Click on Change Icon
9. Click ok for the warning that the program does not contain any icons
10. Select an icon from the list that you want
11. Click OK and OK
12. For a Restart shortcut use Shutdown.exe /r /t 00 and rename the shortcut to Restart

Pinning Applications, Shortcuts and Folders to the Smart Screen

Added 12/3/2012

To Pin or add an Application, Shortcut or Folder to the Smart screen, simply right click on it and select Pin to start

Changing a Shortcut’s Icon

Added 12/3/2012

To change the icon used by a shortcut

1. Right click on the icon
2. Select Properties
3. Click on the Change icon button
4. Select the icon you want to use
5. Click on the OK button

Automatically Logging On

Added 12/3/2012

If you are the only user on the computer and are not worried about someone else having access to it, you can configure Windows8 to automatically log you on.

1. Press Win+C (to bring up the Charm Bar)
2. Click on the Search icon
3. Type in netplwiz and press the Enter key
4. Uncheck User must enter a user name and password to use this computer
5. Click on the Apply button at the lower right corner
6. You will then be shown a dialog box where you can enter in the name and password of the account you want to have automatically log on.
7. Simply fill it with the correct information
8. Click on the OK button

Changing the Start Screen Background

Added 12/3/2012

1. Win+R
2. Type in gpedit.msc
3. Go to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel, Personalization
4. Double click on Prevent changing the start menu background
5. Set it to Disabled
6. Win+C to bring up the Charm bar
7. Click on Settings
8. Click on Change PC Settings
9. Click on Personalize
10. Click on Start Screen
11. From here you have options to change the color and background screen

Changing the Lock Screen Background

Added 12/3/2012

1. Win+R
2. Type in gpedit.msc
3. Go to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel, Personalization
4. Double click on Prevent changing lock screen image
5. Set it to Disabled
6. Win+C to bring up the Charm bar
7. Click on Settings
8. Click on Change PC Settings
9. Click on Personalize
10. Click on Lock screen
11. From here you can browse to an image on your computer.

Changing Startup Programs

Added 12/3/2012

With Windows8, you now control the startup programs from the Task Manager rather than MSCONFIG

1. Win+X
2. Select Task Manager
3. Click on the Startup tab
4. Right click on an application you want to change
5. Select Disable or Enable

Disable Windows Animations

Added 12/3/2012

If you want to turn off the Windows animations when you open and close a Windows:

1. Win+X
2. Select System
3. On the left side, click on Advanced system settings
4. In the Performance section, click on the Settings button
5. Uncheck Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing
6. Click on Ok

Changing the Active Window Menu Color

Added 12/3/2012

By default, the Menu color can make it difficult to determine which window is the active one. To change the color:

1. Win+C (to bring up the Charm Bar
2. Click on Settings
3. Click on Personalization
4. Click on Color
5. Select one of the predefined colors or Show the color mixer to create one of your own

Changing the Desktop Background

Added 12/3/2012

By default, the Menu color can make it difficult to determine which window is the active one. To change the color:

1. Win+C (to bring up the Charm Bar
2. Click on Settings
3. Click on Personalization
4. Click on Desktop Background
5. From here you can select either images (Computer and Browse) or a solid color.

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