Windows 8.1 – new features – what you need to know

Windows 8 may be pretty controversial amid desktop and laptop users due to way it forces the whole Modern UI shebang in your face. 99% almost daily I’m using my laptop is the ‘Desktop’ setting, which I strongly believe is usually a big improvement around Windows 7, well, i don’t mind the tablet-esque, touch-optimized UI of other OS. With Home windows 8. 1, Microsoft has solved most of the problems Windows 8 had in terms of usability while adding a variety of lovely new characteristics, and in normal fashion, we have covered all in good depth. If you’re considering making the switch to Windows 8. 1, be sure to go through our report on articles first so guess what happens you are getting yourself into.

Windows-8. 1-New-Features-Apps-Changes

Without further ado, here’s quite literally everything you have to know about Windows 8. 1, and even more!

New Start Key & Improved Commence Screen
The single greatest complaint among Home windows 8 users has been lacking a Start button that’s been a part of Windows considering that the early 90s. Home windows 8. 1 produces that back, together with an improved Commence screen experience.

Brand-new Features & Modifications In Lock Monitor
The lock display screen gets its honest share of enhancements as well, including but not restricted to wallpaper slideshow, more lock screen iphone app notifications, and video camera access.

Improved Multitasking & Bite Feature
When using Modern apps, there is no better way to multitask than having ‘Snap’. Windows 8. 1 builds together with the solid starting set by Home windows 8, allowing you to definitely snap more software together and in several screen ratios.

Renewed PC Settings App
Windows 8′s PC Settings app may only change settings to get a very limited area of the system, so you were required to launch Control Panel from time to time. That won’t really do the case for most users with the updated ‘Modern’ PC Settings app in Windows 8. 1.

Brand-new & Improved Home windows Store App
Windows Store receives a changed layout and even more features, which make app discovery an easier task than it turned out before.

New Single Smart Search Feature
This is one of several less talked concerning features in Home windows 8. 1, and we experience it deserves far more attention because – the bottomline is – it will be game-changing. OS-level searching doesn’t get much better than this!

Built-In Image Editor In Pictures App
Microsoft beefs up the stock Photos app to feature basic image-editing characteristics. These are sufficient for use just before uploading on Zynga and Twitter.

Greater SkyDrive Integration
SkyDrive integration in Windows 8 was dismal at very best. In Windows 8. 1, it’s and so seamless, you won’t know the difference between what’s online along with off (assuming there is a fast internet connection). Pertaining to tablet users, this alone needs to be reason enough to generate the jump to 8. 1.

Renewed Xbox Music App With Free Airwaves Streaming
Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, Songza, Stereomood, iTunes Radio – Microsoft has lots of tough competition from the music streaming market place so they’re seriously upgrading their game with the new Xbox Music app.

Boot To Desktop & Various other Navigation Options
You spend most of your energy on the Pc, so why not boot right to it? We focus on Windows 8. 1′s ‘Boot to Desktop’ feature, together with other customizable navigation choices that improve entire usability.

Hands-On While using the New Modern UI Apps In Home windows 8. 1
Yet another strong reason to update to Home windows 8. 1! Microsoft has included a number of new, beautifully intended stock apps such as Alarms, Calculator, Noise Recorder, Health & Conditioning, Reading List and even more. We’ve reviewed a number of the more elaborate software separately.

9 Less popular New Features Throughout Windows 8. 1
We’ve covered all of the big-name features, but how about the small kinds Microsoft sneaked in? Well, we’ve received them too!
Whew! That’s a really prolonged list. I wasn’t sure of upgrading to Windows 8. 1 when i started out writing this website post, especially since 8 is running so well on my appliance, but now I do think I just could make the jump! Features like Boot to Desktop, the 9 ‘Lesser Known’ brand-new features, the strong SkyDrive integration, and the new Start Screen make it sound worth the danger.

To make the jump, just introduction the Windows Retail store app. You’ll see the upgrade option straight away. If not, visit this link below. It’s a free of charge upgrade for Home windows 8 users. The rest can purchase Home windows 8. 1 right online or away from.

thanks to
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/windows-8-1-new-features/

Add a start menu to Windows 8

One of the great frustrations of the new Windows, for many people, is the lack of a start menu.

Fortunately, there are some ways around this that can make it just as easy to navigate as Windows 7.

Power8

Launches and positions itself in the Taskbar opposite to Show Desktop button. For XP, it places itself over Start button;
Styled similar to Show Desktop button (as in Developer Preview);
Power and session features:
Shutdown;
Sleep;
Hibernate;
Restart;
Log off;
Lock screen (start screensaver);
Lock Windows;
Displays expanding “All Programs” menu as it was back in old good XP&98 time:
With real icons;
With real descriptions (from desktop.ini);
Click to launch item;
On main button right-click:
Allows to toggle auto-start;
Allows to enable automatic check for updates;
Allows to block Metro corner mouse rectangles;
Allows to show About window;
Allows to exit application;

Context menu over menu items (Open folder, Open common folder, Run, Run as Administrator, …):

(screenshot taken under WindowsXP SP3 RU, take a note on how Power8 uses system localized elements);
Activated by hot key (Alt+Z) (see details here);
Checks for updates (see details here);
Has dedicated special menued folder buttons: open folder or show the menu with contents(see details here);
Can search your PC and Internet 3 different ways (see details here):
Immediate All Programs and Most Frequently Used (MFU) applications search;
Windows Search returned results;
Support for internet search (like “w driver”);
Shows MFU history taken from system (see details here);
Shows Jump Lists for MFU elements (see details here):
System Jump Lists for Windows 7 and 8, when obtainable;
Elements from internal JL engine for all supported OS.
Allows you to pin/unpin MFU elements;
Localized (see languages list above).

https://code.google.com/p/power8/

Start8

Features
– Adds a “Start” menu to the Windows 8 taskbar
– Enables quick access and searching of your installed applications
– Adds Run… option via right-click menu
– Adds Shutdown… option via right-click menu
– Choose a custom Start button image
New in v0.87, July 2012
– Automatically load your Windows desktop on login (vs the start screen)
New in v0.86, March 2012
– Adds control over the “Start” menu size on the Explorer desktop
– Adds option for the “WinKey” to show fullscreen “Metro” desktop
System requirements
– Windows 8 Consumer or Release Preview

How to clean your laptop

I have been asked a few times by customers how I manage to get their laptops so clean before I return them, so thought I might provide the steps I use in the Workshop to clean laptops.

1. A 2″ paintbrush
This is not an ‘artist’s brush’ but a small version of the kind of brush you would use to paint a door or window frame. The brush is pure bristle because synthetics can develop static and harm the internal components, but as this cleaning only refers to the exterior of the machine, its ok to use any small paintbrush.

What I do is work the bristles of the brush into the hinges, top section, and keyboard of the machine. This is a great way to get out those small particles that sit under the keys. Working the bristles horizontally and then vertically across the keyboard will usually get rid of most of the garbage thats in there.

2. Vinegar and distilled water
I have tried a lot of different commercial products over the years, and this is, by far, the best thing for cleaning laptops that I have seen. The reason is that it leaves the screen and plastics absolutely streak free.

Use a soft microfibre cloth and spray a bit of 50/50 vinegar and distilled water on it. Gently rub across the screen until its well scrubbed. The moist cloth wont harm the laptop, but take care that its not damp enough to drip anything into the bezel of the screen.

Once thats done, gram another, dry cloth, and polish. This will remove any wet residue and should leave the screen glossy. If there are still any marks simply repeat the process.

3. Compressed air
Cans of compressed air can be bought from K Mart and also from Officeworks, also any electronics shop (ie, Jcar, Dick Smiths) should have it.

Locate the air vent at the side or rear of the chassis and blow a liberal amount of compressed air into it. With most laptops this will cause the fan to rotate quickly and a blast of dust to come out.

Some laptops have an air intake at the base (underneath) of the machine. Look for this also and blow a liberal amount of air through.

Ensure you blow the air in both directions to make sure any garbage thats in there will come out.

Lastly, inspect the inside of the vent and ensure there are no clumps of debris in there. If there is, be sure to get your laptop serviced – as these will not come out with air pressure and can stop the fan if they get jammed between the blades and the cowling.

Questions?

Feel free to give me a call on 0422214996. Happy to discuss this article.