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Thread: Windows 8 Help Thread

  1. #1
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    Lightbulb Windows 8 Help Thread

    A Place to Discuss and Share Ideas, Tips and Problems with Windows 8


    My experience has been great with Windows 8 so far, especially seeing that I am using a SSD in both my desktop and laptop. I am currently seeing 5 second boots (even on my laptop), instant program opening, programs install in 1/2 the time, I even installed Windows 8 in literally 5 minutes. It takes a little bit of getting used to Windows 8, especially in navigation and completing certain tasks. However once you get the hang of using Windows 8, you will enjoy it.



    DISCLAIMER AND WARNING: Any information posted here is only to be used for educational purposes, I will not condone any form of illegal activities. If you like Windows 8 obtain a genuine key! Read any tips carefully before carrying them out on your system, and always ensure you have a backup!


    Windows 8 Shortcuts:
    Windows key: Switch between Modern Desktop Start screen and the last accessed application
    Windows key + C: Access the charms bar
    Windows key + Tab: Access the Modern Desktop Taskbar
    Windows key + I: Access the Settings charm
    Windows key + H: Access the Share charm
    Windows key + K: Access the Devices charm
    Windows key + Q: Access the Apps Search screen
    Windows key + F: Access the Files Search screen
    Windows key + W: Access the Settings Search screen
    Windows key + P: Access the Second Screen bar
    Windows key + Z: Brings up the App Bar when you have a Modern Desktop App running
    Windows key + X: Access the Windows Tools Menu
    Windows key + O: Lock screen orientation
    Windows key + . : Move the screen split to the right
    Windows key + Shift + . : Move the screen split to the left
    Windows key + V: View all active Toasts/Notifications
    Windows key + Shift + V: View all active Toasts/Notifications in reverse order
    Windows key + PrtScn: Takes a screenshot of the screen and automatically saves it in the Pictures folder as Screenshot
    Windows key + Enter: Launch Narrator
    Windows key + E: Open Computer
    Windows key + R: Open the Run dialog box
    Windows key + U: Open Ease of Access Center
    Windows key + Ctrl + F: Open Find Computers dialog box
    Windows key + Pause/Break: Open the System page
    Windows key + 1..10: Launch a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated by the number
    Windows key + Shift + 1..10: Launch a new instance of a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated by the number
    Windows key + Ctrl + 1..10: Access the last active instance of a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated by the number
    Windows key + Alt + 1..10: Access the Jump List of a program pinned on the Taskbar in the position indicated by the number
    Windows key + B: Select the first item in the Notification Area and then use the arrow keys to cycle through the items Press Enter to open the selected item
    Windows key + Ctrl + B: Access the program that is displaying a message in the Notification Area
    Windows key + T: Cycle through the items on the Taskbar
    Windows key + M: Minimize all windows
    Windows key + Shift + M: Restore all minimized windows
    Windows key + D: Show/Hide Desktop (minimize/restore all windows)
    Windows key + L: Lock computer
    Windows key + Up Arrow: Maximize current window
    Windows key + Down Arrow: Minimize/restore current window
    Windows key + Home: Minimize all but the current window
    Windows key + Left Arrow: Tile window on the left side of the screen
    Windows key + Right Arrow: Tile window on the right side of the screen
    Windows key + Shift + Up Arrow: Extend current window from the top to the bottom of the screen
    Windows key + Shift + Left/Right Arrow: Move the current window from one monitor to the next
    Windows key + F1: Launch Windows Help and Support

    PageUp: Scroll forward on the Modern Desktop Start screen
    PageDown: Scroll backward on the Modern Desktop Start screen
    Esc: Close a charm
    Ctrl + Esc: Switch between Modern Desktop Start screen and the last accessed application
    Ctrl + Mouse scroll wheel: Activate the Semantic Zoom on the Modern Desktop screen

    Alt: Display a hidden Menu Bar
    Alt + D: Select the Address Bar
    Alt + P: Display the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer
    Alt + Tab: Cycle forward through open windows
    Alt + Shift + Tab: Cycle backward through open windows
    Alt + F: Close the current window Open the Shut Down Windows dialog box from the Desktop
    Alt + Spacebar: Access the Shortcut menu for current window
    Alt + Esc: Cycle between open programs in the order that they were opened
    Alt + Enter: Open the Properties dialog box of the selected item
    Alt + PrtScn: Take a screen shot of the active Window and place it in the clipboard
    Alt + Up Arrow: Move up one folder level in Windows Explorer (Like the Up Arrow in XP)
    Alt + Left Arrow: Display the previous folder
    Alt + Right Arrow: Display the next folder
    Shift + Insert: CD/DVD Load CD/DVD without triggering Autoplay or Autorun
    Shift + Delete: Permanently delete the item (rather than sending it to the Recycle Bin)
    Shift + F6: Cycle backward through elements in a window or dialog box
    Shift + F10: Access the context menu for the selected item
    Shift + Tab: Cycle backward through elements in a window or dialog box
    Shift + Click: Select a consecutive group of items
    Shift + Click on a Taskbar button: Launch a new instance of a program
    Shift + Right-click on a Taskbar button: Access the context menu for the selected item
    Ctrl + A: Select all items
    Ctrl + C: Copy the selected item
    Ctrl + X: Cut the selected item
    Ctrl + V: Paste the selected item
    Ctrl + D: Delete selected item
    Ctrl + Z: Undo an action
    Ctrl + Y: Redo an action
    Ctrl + N: Open a new window in Windows Explorer
    Ctrl + W: Close current window in Windows Explorer
    Ctrl + E: Select the Search box in the upper right corner of a window
    Ctrl + Shift + N: Create new folder
    Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open the Windows Task Manager
    Ctrl + Alt + Tab: Use arrow keys to cycle through open windows
    Ctrl + Alt + Delete: Access the Windows Security screen
    Ctrl + Click: Select multiple individual items
    Ctrl + Click and drag an item: Copies that item in the same folder
    Ctrl + Shift + Click and drag an item: Creates a shortcut for that item in the same folder
    Ctrl + Tab: Move forward through tabs
    Ctrl + Shift + Tab: Move backward through tabs
    Ctrl + Shift + Click on a Taskbar button: Launch a new instance of a program as an Administrator
    Ctrl + Click on a grouped Taskbar button: Cycle through the instances of a program in the group
    F1: Display Help
    F2: Rename a file
    F3: Open Search
    F4: Display the Address Bar list
    F5: Refresh display
    F6: Cycle forward through elements in a window or dialog box
    F7: Display command history in a Command Prompt
    F10: Display hidden Menu Bar
    F11: Toggle full screen display
    Tab: Cycle forward through elements in a window or dialog box
    PrtScn: Take a screen shot of the entire screen and place it in the clipboard
    Home: Move to the top of the active window
    End: Move to the bottom of the active window
    Delete: Delete the selected item
    Backspace: Display the previous folder in Windows Explorer Move up one folder level in Open or Save dialog box
    Esc: Close a dialog box
    Num Lock Enabled + Plus (+): Display the contents of the selected folder
    Num Lock Enabled + Minus (-): Collapse the selected folder
    Num Lock Enabled + Asterisk (*): Expand all subfolders under the selected folder

    Press Shift 5 times Turn StickyKeys on or off
    Hold down right Shift for 8 seconds Turn FilterKeys on or off
    Hold down Num Lock for 5 seconds Turn ToggleKeys on or off
    Windows 8 Windows Experience Index (WEI)


    What is the Windows Experience Index?

    The Windows Experience Index measures the capability of your computer's hardware and software configuration and expresses this measurement as a number called a base score. A higher base score generally means that your computer will perform better and faster than a computer with a lower base score, especially when performing more advanced and resource-intensive tasks.

    Each hardware component receives an individual subscore. Your computer's base score is determined by the lowest subscore. For example, if the lowest subscore of an individual hardware component is 2.6, then the base score is 2.6. The base score is not an average of the combined subscores.

    You can use the base score to confidently buy programs and other software that are matched to your computer's base score. For example, if your computer has a base score of 3.3, then you can confidently purchase any software designed for this version of Windows that requires a computer with a base score of 3 or lower.

    The base scores currently range from 1 to 5.9 (9.9 for Windows 8). The Windows Experience Index is designed to accommodate advances in computer technology. As hardware speed and performance improves, higher base scores will be introduced. However, the standards for each level of the index stay the same. For example, a computer scored as a 2.8 will remain a 2.8 unless you decide to upgrade the computer's hardware.
    HD 4870 1GB

    Sapphire 7950 3GB
    Last edited by King_Jay16; Oct 28, 2012 at 08:38 PM.

  2. #2
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    Sean's Windows 8 Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs & HDDs

    Why I created this guide:
    Well, because of all the positive feedback I got from my Windows 7 Install and Optimization Guide I decided to make one for Windows 8! This guide meant to help anyone with a SSD/HDD install and optimize their Windows 8 installation (Windows 8 consumer preview atm). I am currently using Windows 8 in virtual machines, I am pretty new to the new OS design so I will constantly update this guide for everyone's benefit as I learn more. If you would like me to put up a video on a step or something just ask and I will have one up shortly. If you have any suggestions please feel free to let me know as well!

    If you have any problem or question on the guide, windows, storage, firmware, drivers, whatever please do not hesitate to ask in this thread!

    SOURCE



    De-fragmenting SSDs & HDDs in windows 8


    One of the advantages of using Solid State Drives (SSDs) under Windows is that the operating system excludes the drives automatically from the weekly scheduled defragmentation as it is not necessary, and often even counter-productive to defrag SSDs. Only platter-based hard disk drives are defragmented regularly in the operating system.

    If you have switched to a version of Windows 8 lately on a computer with a Solid State Drive, and looked through the application log, you may have noticed that Windows 8 defrags SSDs on the system again. That’s confusing at first, as it does not really make sense to do that.

    The defrag tool is called Storage Optimizer in Windows 8, which hints at a larger feature set.This improved version of the program detects whether a connected hard drive is a Solid State Drive or a plater-based hard drive. If it is the latter, it will run the defrag command on the system. If a Solid State Drive is detected, the tool does not defrag the drive but send trim hints to the drive.

    SOURCE

    Windows 8 Hyper-V (Replaces Virtual PC/XP Mode)
    With Windows 8, Microsoft has replaced the lackluster Windows Virtual PC solution with the powerful Hyper-V capabilities from Windows Server 2012. This is an amazing change, but it somewhat limits how virtualization works in Windows 8. That is, instead of focusing on application compatibility, Hyper-V in Windows 8 is aimed at software development test environments and IT pros who are managing environments based on Microsoft’s enterprise virtualization solutions.

    Aside from lacking Windows Virtual PC’s XP Mode and its attendant application virtualization niceties, Client Hyper-V, as Microsoft calls it, is more capable and powerful than its predecessor. It offers much better performance and lets you run multiple virtual machines simultaneously. It works with both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems, and not just 32-bit like Virtual PC. And it comes with an amazing management interface, just like the version from Windows Server. (In fact, they’re identical.) This means that your experience using Client Hyper-V in Windows 8 will be directly applicable to Windows Server 2012 as well.




    SOURCE


    Download Windows 8

    Current Build: Windows 8 (RTM) Build 9200

    Windows 8 RTM English, 32-bit (x86)
    Size: 2.45 GB SHA-1: 22D680EC53336BEE8A5B276A972CEBA104787F62
    Download: en_windows_8_x86_dvd_915417.iso - Torrent Magnet Link

    Windows 8 RTM English Enterprise Eval, 32-bit (x86)
    Size: 2.38 GB SHA-1: 15CE0B54557B0EC6376ACBBF76E33714FFC3A632
    Download ISO

    Windows 8 RTM English, 64-bit (x64)
    Size: 3.33 GB SHA-1: 1CE53AD5F60419CF04A715CF3233F247E48BEEC4
    Download: en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso - Torrent Magnet Link

    Windows 8 RTM English Enterprise Eval, 64-bit (x64)
    Size: 3.25 GB SHA-1: 73DF20A98D8CDF52E70FBFFECBEBA63F2A242322
    Download ISO

    Windows Server 2012 RTM English, 64-bit (x64) ISO
    Size: 3.37 GB SHA-1: 492E51F29E8FC6A1947796CA49784ECFA7A7BC98
    Download: 9200.16384.120725-1247_x64frev_Server_Datacenter_VL_HRM_SSS_X64FREV_ EN-US_DVD.iso - ISO



    SOURCE


    Windows 8 Installation Keys
    The following keys are for installing Windows 8 but not to activate.
    In order to activate you must use a key provided by Microsoft.


    Retail
    Core = FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
    Professional = XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH - retail key
    ProfessionalWMC = RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW (Upgrade only, can't be used on WinPE) - retail key for Windows Media Center

    Volume
    gvlkCore=BN3D2-R7TKB-3YPBD-8DRP2-27GG4
    gvlkProfessional=NG4HW-VH26C-733KW-K6F98-J8CK4
    gvlkProfessionalWMC=GNBB8-YVD74-QJHX6-27H4K-8QHDG


    SOURCE


    System Requirements for Windows 8
    1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor with PAE, NX and SSE2 support
    1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
    20 GB available hard disk space
    DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
    To use touch, you need a tablet or monitor that supports multitouch
    To access Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768
    To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768

    How to backup and restore Windows 8 activation


    About:

    Advanced Tokens Manager is a safer application that help you with the Windows Activation Backup and Restore.
    Microsoft always imposes one limit of activations online for All licenses on Windows Operating System.
    This application is able to make the full backup of all activation data stored on your computer for an trusted restore without damage or modify the activation system.



    Features:

    Activation restore success rate of 100% if the new Windows edition is the same from backup and the copy is clean installed.
    Preserve the Hardware ID Master Generation Key for sensitive licence channels when it's activated by Phone.
    Use the same backup for restore the activation status infinitely on the same hardware.
    Don't take ownership of any activation file backup / restoring the file properties.
    Activate the Windows from x86 to x64 and vice versa when have the same edition.
    Install a fresh Windows copy with newer service packs and updates.
    Stores all activation details for an trusted activation restore.
    All Windows license activation channels are fully-supported.
    Check if the detected key match with the installed license.
    Backup integrity checker with CRC32 of all backed-up files.
    Check if the backup is valid for the Windows Edition.
    Force the restore reinstalling files from tokens.dat.
    Update your drivers without lost the activation.
    Refresh the Windows Drivers before restore.
    Application log for activation restore.
    Static Product ID after activated.

    SOURCE
    Last edited by King_Jay16; Oct 28, 2012 at 08:40 PM.

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    Local Account VS Microsoft Account


    A Microsoft account is an email address and password that you use to sign in to Windows. You can use any email address, but it's best if you choose the one you already use to communicate with friends and sign in to your favorite websites. You don't need a Microsoft account to use Windows 8 Release Preview, but we highly recommend that you use one. When you sign in to your PC with a Microsoft account, you’ll connect your PC to the people, files, and devices you care about. (If you need an email address, we can give you one for free.)

    When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your PC is connected to the cloud and:

    Your friends’ contact info and status automatically stay up to date from places like Hotmail, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as soon as you connect those services to your Microsoft account.

    You can get to and share your photos, docs, and other files from places like SkyDrive, Facebook, and Flickr.

    Your personal settings are synced to any PC running Windows 8 Release Preview that you sign in to, including your themes, language preferences, browser favorites, and apps.

    You can get apps in the Windows Store and use them on any PC running Windows 8 Release Preview that you sign in to.

    If you've already installed Windows 8 Release Preview and didn't sign in with a Microsoft account or you don't have a Microsoft account and want to get one, follow these steps:

    Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.)

    Tap or click Change PC settings.

    Tap or click Users.

    Tap or click Switch to a Microsoft account .

    SOURCE

    A local account is disconnected from the cloud and you will have to sign in manually to access Windows 8 features.

    Windows 8 Preinstalled Licenses, AKA OA2.2 and OA3.0


    Preinstalled licenses of Windows 8 Sever will not use OA3.0. They will get OA2.2.
    This is just an updated SLIC, probably the marker only (just we had at windows 7).

    The reason for it is that OA2.2 can be activated offline against the SLIC in the BIOS.
    OA3.0 will be a online activation method ONLY.

    This was done to support offline servers.
    OA3.0 will be for pre-installed client SKU's only.


    How OA3.0 works:

    The OEMs have two platform servers.
    One is a OA3.0 key server and one a OA3.0 reporting server.

    The OEMs have a master image of windows 8 that has a master key installed.
    The purpose of this key is only one thing: To make w8 to be a pre-licensed version. (SLP channel)

    The key is more like the old XP pre-licensed key. This key is NOT OEM specific, however, it is edition specific.
    Anyway this key does not activate. It is only installed to determine the kind of licensing (SLP).
    Those keys are generic.

    Manufacturing process:

    -The system is built. Manufacturing of complete systems.

    -The system is brought online (online doesn't mean internet, just local network) and the OA3Tool is run (Either in WinPE or Full OS) and it requests a key from the key server, this generates a FULL MSDM table as output it contains the unique key for the particular system.

    - A firmware specific tool is then run (could be in WinPE or DOS or whatever they wrote the flash tools for) which takes the MSDM table file and injects its key into the firmware, to NVRAM, ROMHOLE, or to wherever it is specified by the UEFI or BIOS.
    The flash tool also checks to make sure that if a MSDM table does already exist, it fails.


    The OEM can invalidate and delete a MSDM table with the tool, however, they have to report then this invalidation to M$ via the reporting server and then they can delete the MSDM table and over-write.
    - The OS will be installed.
    - Once that is complete and all testing is complete (no more hardware changes) then the OEMs can run the OA3Tool again.
    This run of the OA3Tool generates the 128 bit hardware hash and reports that ALONG with the product key to the reporting server as CBR, the computer Build Report.
    The tool has the ability to generate the hardware hash when there is NO network connectivity. This has been updated and wasn't possible before.
    The reporting server then reports it (CBR) to M$ which sends an acknowledgement that it has received the Key+Hash. Once it has been received, then the CBR is removed from the PC.
    If any hardware is changed except for external USB devices, and internal expansion cards (PCIe, PCI, SATA) then the OEM has to re-report to M$ a new hardware hash with the key or activation will fail.
    Finally the OAtool is ran the last time again to lock the MSDM table to prevent any changes ever.

    Then the OEMs ship the hardware to the customer.
    The customer turns on the machine and goes through OOBE using the Master OA3 key which is valid for the key check but will not activate by itself.

    Within 4 hours of OOBE finishing the system will automatically attempt to activate by seeing the OA3 Master Key, then reads the MSDM table for the key AND generates a NEW hardware hash and sends both to M$, the M$ servers then check to match up the hardware hash and key and if it matches (does not have to be an exact match, there is slop in there, it isn’t known what can be different) then the system is activated.

    The essential requirements for OA3.0 are:

    - The smBIOS UUID MUST be non-zero
    - There has to be at least ONE MAC address in the system

    If the above aren't there OA3 won't work and will fail.


    The OEMIDs in the RSDT/XSDT tables don't matter at all. They did matter at older revisions of OA3, though (had to match those of the MSDMTable).

    They no longer check those as part of OA3 only the MSDM table matters. There are no certificates or anything like that either.

    OEM's pay for OS licenses based on number reported - number invalidated.


    SOURCE

    Anti-virus on Windows 8: Looking at Your Options

    Windows 8 will come with bundled antivirus software, but will you need to supplement it with other programs? We look at some of your options.
    Microsoft will include antivirus in Windows 8 for the first time in the history of Windows. But will this software--the new version of Windows Defender--provide adequate protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware? Let's take a closer look at what Windows Defender provides, and whether its features are enough to keep you safe.

    Bear in mind that even though Microsoft will include Windows Defender in Windows 8, PC manufacturers may disable the program on new PCs that carry preinstalled antivirus software from a third-party such as Norton or McAfee. The preinstalled third-party antivirus options are usually limited-time trials, so your initial decision may be whether to keep any preinstalled antivirus; if you decide against keeping it, you'll need to decide whether to enable Windows Defender and use it or to switch to another third-party antivirus program.

    The most important thing to consider when choosing antivirus software is its protection strength--how well it detects, disables, and removes viruses, spyware, and other malware. In this article I'll focus on comparing the protection strength of Windows Defender to that of other antivirus programs.


    SOURCE
    Auto-Save Screenshots

    Windows 8 makes the whole process a lot easier. You can just press "Win+PrntScr" keys together and Windows 8 will automatically save the screenshot in your "Pictures" library folder. The screenshot is saved with the name "Screenshot.png". If you take more screenshots, they are saved with an added number such as "Screenshot (2).png", "Screenshot (3).png" and so on.


    SOURCE
    Access Safe Mode
    In previous Windows versions, if the user wanted to boot into Safe Mode, he needed to press "F8" key at system startup but this good old and well know hotkey no longer works in Windows 8. Microsoft has replaced it with a new hotkey.

    The new hotkey is "Shift+F8". So now you need to press "Shift+F8" keys together to access Safe Mode option in Windows 8. I can't understand the reason behind this move. May be they'll use "F8" hotkey for some new stuff? Who knows?
    SOURCE
    Last edited by King_Jay16; Oct 28, 2012 at 08:41 PM.

  4. #4
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    Hot Corners in Screen


    Windows 8 comes with hot corner feature which allows you to access some built-in options when you move your mouse cursor in a corner of your monitor screen.

    When you move your mouse cursor to bottom-left corner of screen, it shows small Start Screen thumbnail which lets you go to Start Screen.



    When you move your mouse cursor to top-left corner of screen, it shows a list of all running Metro apps so that you can switch between apps or close an app.



    When you move your mouse cursor to top-right or bottom-right corner of screen, it shows new Charms Bar where you can access Settings, Search, Share, Devices and Start Screen charm.


    If you don't like Charms Bar to automatically appear on screen as soon as you move the cursor to top-right or bottom-right corners, you can disable it using following tutorial:

    SOURCE

    How the SmartScreen Filter Works in Windows 8





    Windows 8 includes a SmartScreen filter that prevents unknown and malicious programs from running. SmartScreen is part of Internet Explorer 8 and 9 – with Windows 8, it’s now integrated into the operating system.

    SmartScreen is a useful security feature that will help prevent bad applications from running, but it may occasionally prevent a legitimate application from running. SmartScreen reports some information to Microsoft, so it may have some privacy implications.

    How SmartScreen Works

    By default, Windows 8 sends information about every application you download and install to Microsoft’s servers. Microsoft’s servers respond with an assessment of the application – if the application you’ve downloaded is something legitimate and fairly popular, such as Mozilla Firefox or iTunes, Windows 8 will run the application.

    If SmartScreen doesn’t know about an application – whether it’s a new form of malware or just a niche program that few people use – Windows 8 will prevent the application from running on your computer. It will also prevent known-bad programs from running.

    This is similar to the way SmartScreen works in Internet Explorer 8 and 9. When you download an application, Internet Explorer’s SmartScreen filter contacts Microsoft’s servers to determine whether the download should be allowed or not. However, with Windows 8, this is now integrated into Windows itself – if you download an application with another browser, such as Firefox or Chrome, SmartScreen will check the application.
    SOURCE
    How to Use the New Task Manager in Windows 8


    The Task Manager in Windows 8 has been completely overhauled. It’s easier-to-use, slicker, and more feature-packed than ever. Windows 8 may be all about Metro, but the Task Manager and Windows Explorer are better than ever.

    The Task Manager now manages startup programs, shows your IP address, and displays slick resource usage graphs. The new color-coding highlights the processes using the most system resources, so you can see them at a glance.
    SOURCE
    Windows 8 Basic Refresh and Complete Reset features explained




    Windows 8 introduces an amazing new feature – something which will prove to be a life-saver at times! How often has it happened that you have faced a situation of a major PC failure and realized that you are now going to have to spend several hours just to be able to restore your PC back to the way things were!? Spending hours or paying someone else money to reconstruct your Windows computer, is something which we could all do without, right?

    windows 8 Windows 8 Basic Refresh and Complete Reset features explained

    Windows 8 provides a consistent experience to get the software on any Windows 8 PC back to a good and predictable state. It has stream-lined the process so muc, so that you can get your PC back to the desired state quickly in a matter 0f 1-20 minutes, rather that taking up your whole day. And the best part is, that you do not lose you data and files in the process.

    In short, Windows 8 provides you with a “button” to fix “everything”!

    Windows 8 now comes with 2 options to restore your PC to its original state – the Push-Button Reset options!

    SOURCE


    Create a Custom System Image for use in Windows 8 Refresh Your PC feature

    Windows 8 comes with two new options to restore your PC to its original state, the Basic Refresh and the Complete Reset feature. The Refresh your PC gives you an easy option to restart afresh, while retaining all of your documents, accounts, personal settings, and even the Metro apps you’ve downloaded from the Windows Store.

    When you refresh a Windows 8 computer, by default, the Metro apps will be restored – but the desktop apps or software are not. If you wish, you can create a custom system image that will include your desktop apps or software too. Reinstalling all of your Desktop software all over again can be a boring and time-consuming chore. When you use this custom system image, in Refresh Your PC, all your desktop software too will be included.

    Source
    How to Repair Install or Refresh Windows 8

    You might have encounter a situation where you system is not acting normally - like few system application might be crashing it etc. In such cases we may need to repair your OS. We have already seen how to repair install Windows 7. In this article I’ll show you how to repair your Windows 8 Operating System.

    In this edition of Windows 8, Repair Install is called “Refresh PC”. It will keep your files and personal settings as it is but the rest will be reset to default settings. Any downloads from App Store will be removed. We have already touched upon the Refresh and Reset features in Windows 8. This post tells you in detail how to do it.

    Source
    RecImg Manager, a free backup and restore software for Windows 8



    RecImg Manager is a new PC utility software from SlimWare, the makers of SlimCleaner and SlimComputer, that creates a backup snapshot of just the Windows 8 operating system and installed software. During recovery, RecImg Manager reinstalls only Windows 8 and its components, which means documents, videos, music and other personal files remain untouched and intact. RecImg Manager restores Windows 8 components and installed software to the right place on the hard drive without losing documents, pictures, music or other data, and lets users backup and restore their disk to different sources, multiple times.

    Source

    Add Windows Media Center to Windows 8 Pro FREE
    Offer valid from October 26, 2012, until January 31, 2013

    Add Windows Media Center to Windows 8 Pro

    If your PC is running Windows 8 Pro and you'd like to get Windows 8 Media Center Pack so you can watch and record live TV with Windows Media Center, you can take advantage of the following special offer:
    For a limited time, get Windows 8 Media Center Pack for free **

    To receive a free product key and get Windows 8 Media Center Pack, provide a valid email address in the space provided. Once you receive your free product key through the email address you provided, follow the instructions for adding Windows 8 Media Center Pack that appear later on this page.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w.../feature-packs

    Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro - US$40

    For a limited time, upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for a special price. See full offer details below. *
    Download Pro for $39.99

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...opHP_FPP_Light
    Windows 8 Tweaks

    Start Menu add-ons:
    Start8
    Pokki
    Classic Shell

    Change your Metro background & color:

    Go to "settings" (Windows Key + C)
    Select "Change PC Settings"
    In the "Personalize" screen select "Start screen", make changes

    Bypass the logon and lock screen:
    Open Run (Windows key + R)
    Type "netplwiz"
    Find & click on the user you want to change
    Uncheck "Users must ente
    Last edited by King_Jay16; Nov 10, 2012 at 03:30 PM.

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    System Requirements


    Windows 8 works on the same hardware that powers Windows 7:

    Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
    RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
    Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
    Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver


    Additional requirements to use certain features:

    To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch.
    To access the Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768.
    To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768.
    Internet access (ISP fees might apply)
    ATI Windows 8 Legacy Drivers
    You can find Windows 8 legacy (HD 4000, HD 3000 and HD 2000) drivers here.
    Google Chrome "Resolving Proxy" Bug

    A guide to fix Google Chrome "resolving proxy" bug can be found here.

    Small List of Windows 8 Changes
    A small list of changes in Windows 8 can be found here

    Relocate Your Profile/Users Folder To A Different hard drive

    Method 1:

    How To Change User Profile Location in Windows 8 without Registry Hack

    Well, this still remains the same. The default user profile location is still in %SystemDrive%\Users. While it may make sense with the new roaming user profile introduced in Windows 8, it’s still a valid point that the user profiles sit in the different partition to separate the system and data, especially in cases such as running OS on SSD while preferring saving data on a larger HDD, preferring saving all data inside user profile, etc..

    Fortunately, the old trick still works pretty well, and you can definitely still follow the instruction described there to change the default user profile location. But this time, I am also introducing a maybe easier way to do it without involving any registry change.


    SOURCE
    Method 2:

    Profile Relocator

    Description
    Profile Relocator is a step-based application that allows the re-locating of the Windows Users profile directory. Once re-located, any created profiles will appear in the new location in their entirety. The advantage to doing this allows profiles to be stored in a location that doesn't reside on the system drive, ensuring that profile data isn't compromised as a result of re-installation or system failure.

    Profile Relocator has been designed to work with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8.

    Please note that this application should ideally be used on new installations of Windows; PR should be used, and then the final profile should be created. See the included documentation for step-by-step information. PR will not move existing profiles as this can be dangerous.

    Profile Relocator



    Method 3:


    Move the My Documents Folder in Windows 7/8


    We have previously written about several reasons why it is not a good idea to store your data on the same hard drive as your Windows XP system and how to move the My Documents folder to a different location (see our post Move the My Documents Folder in Windows XP). The My Documents folder in Windows 7 can also be moved to avoid it residing on the same hard drive as the Windows 7 system.

    NOTE: The following steps need to be repeated for each user account in your Windows 7 system for which you want to move the My Documents folder.

    To move the My Documents folder in Windows 7, click on the Start button and select Documents from the list.

    SOURCE

    Helpful Miscellaneous Links



    Sean's Windows 8 Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs & HDDs



    Why I created this guide:
    Well, because of all the positive feedback I got from my Windows 7 Install and Optimization Guide I decided to make one for Windows 8! This guide meant to help anyone with a SSD/HDD install and optimize their Windows 8 installation. I am currently using Windows 8 in virtual machines, I am pretty new to the new OS design so I will constantly update this guide for everyone's benefit as I learn more. If you have any suggestions please feel free to let me know as well!

    If you have any problem or question on the guide, windows, storage, firmware, drivers, whatever please do not hesitate to ask in this thread!

    A quick word on SSDs:
    SSDs do NOT require the confusing and intense setup that a lot of people seem to suggest. The current day SSDs are much more reliable and literally all that is necessary is to change the SATA mode to AHCI in the BIOS/UEFI, install, and you are good to go. I highly recommend reinstalling your OS instead of migrating/mirroring it from a HDD when you get a SSD. It may take longer, but it is worth it in the end. Also, if you want to learn more about SSDs or see my recommended SSDs then click here: (More info here)


    Sean's Windows 8 Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs & HDDs
    Top 10 tips for navigating Windows 8 Metro

    1. Returning to the Start screen: It's easy to lose your way in Windows 8 when you're just learning it, and finding the Start screen can help re-anchor you. To find it using a touch screen, swipe out the Charms bar on the right and press the Start charm. With a mouse, click the bottom-left corner screen. You'll know it's ready for the click when a tiny image of the Start screen pops up. On a keyboard, press the Windows key.

    2. Organizing the Start screen: The Start screen is made up of a large number of tiles, so separating them into categories makes it easier to find the ones you want. Drag tiles either with a finger or using a mouse and dropping related tiles near each other.

    3. Naming groups of tiles: Zoom out on the Start screen to get an overall view of the Start screen tiles. This can be done using a two-fingered pinching gesture or clicking on the minus button in the lower right. Find the group you want to name, right-click on it and choose Name Group, type the name and press Enter. Or touch the group, choose Name Group and type in the name.

    4. Pinning tiles: Not all applications are displayed on the Start screen. To add one, right-click or touch a blank spot on the Start screen and click or touch All Apps when it appears on the bottom. Right-click or touch the app you want to pin, then click or touch Pin to Start.


    SOURCE


    Last edited by King_Jay16; Nov 16, 2012 at 10:36 AM.

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    PART 1


    PART 2

    Where do I click again? A Windows 8 guide for the perplexed

    With the launch of Windows 8, buyers are about to discover a computing experience unlike anything they've seen before. Here's a guide to getting past some of the hurdles.

    The main thing to know is that Windows 8 is designed especially for touch-screen computers, to make desktops and laptops work more like tablets. It is Microsoft's way of addressing the popularity of tablets, namely the iPad. But Windows 8 will work with mouse and keyboard shortcuts, too. It'll take some getting used to, though.

    There are two versions of Windows 8, or more precisely, there's Windows 8 and there's Windows RT. They look the same, but they run on different processing chips. Windows 8 runs on standard chips from Intel and AMD and is the version you'd get if you're upgrading your home desktop or notebook PC. Windows RT is the version for light, small tablets and laptop-tablet hybrids.


    SOURCE
    Navigate the Windows 8 Start screen via mouse and keyboard

    The more apps you install in Windows 8, the more crowded and wider the Metro Start screen becomes. But PC users can easily steer across the Start screen using just their trusty mouse and keyboard.

    By Mouse:

    Move your mouse right and left to move to the right and left edges of the Start screen. Moving your mouse's scroll wheel up and down will also move you left and right on the Start screen.

    Laptop users can tap into their trackpad. Swipe your fingers up and down the trackpad to move left and right on the Start screen. And if horizontal scrolling is enabled on your trackpad, just swipe your fingers right and left to move right and left on the screen.

    By Keyboard:

    Pressing the right and left arrow keys on your keyboard will move you right and left one column at a time. Pressing your keyboard's down and up arrow keys will move you down and up one tile.

    Pressing the Page Down and Up keys will move you right and left an entire group or screen of tiles at one time. Pressing the Home key will move you to the first tile on the Start screen, while the End key will move you to the last tile on the Start screen.

    Finally, pressing the tab key will move between the Start screen tiles and your profile name and picture in the upper right corner of the screen.
    SOURCE

    Get to know Windows

    Learn how to use Windows 8

    SOURCE
    Last edited by King_Jay16; Nov 16, 2012 at 10:57 AM.

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    How to Change Start Screen Background and Color in Windows 8

    This will show you how to easily change the background image and color of the Metro Start screen in Windows 8.


    SOURCE
    Complete List of New Features in Windows 8

    Microsoft released the latest version of Windows 8 OS in October with many new features, UI and also Window Store. When you compare Windows 8 with Windows 7, some of the major changes include the new start screen, Windows Explorer, task manager etc, but apart from this there are many other improvements, new features and enhancements in Windows 8. So what are the new features in Windows 8?

    Oliver Niehus, Principal Application development manager and member of the Application Experience SWAT team, has mentioned in a blog post the complete list of changes available in the new Windows 8.

    User Account Control changes
    Hyper-V on Client (almost the same as Server 2012 Hyper-V)
    Internet Explorer 10 with Enhanced Protected Mode
    Virtual Network Switch
    Powershell v3 In-Box, Powershell Intellisense, Powershell API Help and Command Generator, New Powershell ISE
    Virtual Fibre Channel
    SMB 3.0 Attached Storage
    Explorer VHD/ISO mount
    Guest NUMA Direct
    Direct Attached FC HBA
    Dynamic Memory
    64 TB Dynamic Virtual Disk
    64 Logical CPU
    VM 10-finger Touch
    Extensible Virtual Switch
    New Performance Tools
    Fast and Fluid UI
    Low Power Busses
    VM NIC VMQ
    VM NIC Teaming
    OS BuilIn Smart Screen Filter (Has blocked >1.5B malware and >150M phishing attacks)
    New Explorer with Ribbon
    IIS 8.0
    Do Not Track (DNT) capability
    SmartScreen Filter protects third-party browsers
    IE10 ASLR Support for none-ASLR aware AddIns
    Secure Boot
    New Task Manager
    Powershell Web Interface
    Trusted Boot
    Windows to go
    New MDT, WAIK, MDOP
    Measured Boot
    Offline Domain Join
    WMI 2.0
    Remote Attestation Service
    New Activation Model
    New App Certification
    Remote Applications
    Connected Standby
    Virtual Smartcards
    Windows RT (Windows on ARM)
    BuiltIn USB 3.0 Support
    Direct Access improvements
    TPM 2.0
    BuiltIn Bluetooth 4.0 Support
    Branch Cache Improvements
    UEFI 2.3.1
    New Driver Model (WDM 1.2)
    DaRT 8.0


    More at source


    SOURCE



    Top 10 Secret Features in Windows 8

    Windows 8 is full of awesome features and handy shortcuts, but what you may not know is that it's got a lot of handy, lesser-known settings under the hood. Here are 10 of Windows 8's best kept secrets.

    http://lifehacker.com/5955287/top-10...s-in-windows-8
    How to Run Windows XP for Free in Windows 8


    Microsoft gave Windows 7 users a way to run older applications via Windows XP Mode. With Windows 8, however, that mode is no longer officially supported, and if you want to run Windows XP in a virtual machine, you need the license for it. Lifehacker reader Miloš, however, has found a workaround.

    He discovered that within the free WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe file, there's a VirtualXPVHD file containing the Windows XP virtual machine, which you can open in VirtualBox. Here are the steps to get this working:

    Download WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe from Microsoft. You'll need to run the validation tool to prove your copy of Windows is valid.
    Then use 7-Zip or another archive tool to open the EXE file as an archive.
    Within that archive, find the "sources/xpm" file within it, and extract that folder to your hard drive.
    Finally, in the extracted xpm file, you'll find a file called VirtualXPVHD. Rename it with a VHD extension.

    In VirtualBox, open the VirtualXPVHD virtual machine, and voila! You've got Windows XP Mode (running Windows XP Professional) in Windows 8, no need for the XP license.

    This might also be possible with Windows 8's built-in virtual machine manager, Hyper-V, but that's only available in Windows 8 Pro.

    http://lifehacker.com/5965889/how-to...e-in-windows-8

    How to Downgrade Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7




    The Professional edition of Windows 8 comes with “downgrade rights.” If you’re not happy with Windows 8 on a new computer, you can downgrade it to Windows 7 for free – as long as you have Windows 8 Pro.

    This isn’t as easy as it should be: Microsoft designed this procedure for businesses, and individual users will have to jump through a number of hoops to downgrade their Windows 8 Pro systems.
    Downgrade Rights vs. Other Ways to Downgrade

    This article is about exercising downgrade rights on a computer that comes with Windows 8 Pro. Downgrading to Windows 7 is simpler in other situations:

    If your computer came with Windows 7 and you upgraded it to Windows 8, you can revert your computer to the Windows 7 system it came with.
    If you have a retail copy of Windows 7 you aren’t using, you can install it on a new computer that came with Windows 8. (Ensure the new computer has hardware drivers that work with Windows 7.)

    How Downgrade Rights Work

    Downgrade rights are intended for businesses. When buying new computers, businesses purchase computers that come preloaded with Windows 8 licenses and install a previous version of Windows without buying separate licenses.

    Downgrade rights can be a bit confusing. Here’s how they work:

    Downgrade rights are only available on computers that come with Windows 8 Pro. Upgrade copies of Windows 8 Pro don’t include downgrade rights, so you can’t purchase the Windows 8 Pro Pack to get downgrade rights.
    You can only downgrade to Windows 7 Professional or Windows Vista Business, not Windows XP. (For the purpose of this article, we’ll assume you probably want to downgrade to Windows 7.)
    After downgrading, you can reinstall Windows 8 at any time.

    http://www.howtogeek.com/133168/how-...-to-windows-7/
    Last edited by King_Jay16; Jan 8, 2013 at 10:29 PM.

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