Tom's Guide: 15 Tips and Tricks for Windows 8

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Check out Tom's Guide's latest story on Windows 8 tips and tricks.

Windows 8 has been a long time coming. However, now that it's finally here, consumers are going to have to get to grips with Microsoft's re-imagining of the desktop landscape. While much of your Windows knowledge will fare fine in Desktop Mode, there are some aspects of Windows 8 that are totally different to previous versions of the operating system. To help you through, the Tom's Guide team has put together '15 Tips and Tricks for Windows 8.'

Sure, Windows 8's Start screen represents a whole new approach towards personal computing (at least for Windows users) but once you get on top of things, working your way through the interface should be a breeze.We've been using Windows 8 for a while now, so allow us to share some helpful tips and tricks that will make your experience with the operatingsystem better. As always, feel free to leave suggestions in the comment area below.15 Tips and Tricks for Windows 8

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Jane McEntegart
24 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bllue
    More Windows 8/RT/Surface articles less Apple please
    Reply
  • Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer
    Here's the only tip you'll ever need:

    Format the hard drive.
    Install Windows 7 (or Linux, if you prefer).
    Reply
  • ricardois
    Windows 8 is a great, for mobile devices.

    /thread
    Reply
  • lradunovic77
    Start Screen breaks work flow. Install Start 8 and Remove/Uninstall all Metro crap except for Desktop Tile. Also use Start 8 app to disable hot corners. Lot of people would be doing this and i want to see MS Survey on how many people actually use their Metro Screen. Metro Apps are just bad joke compared to true Desktop apps. Why would you use it?
    Reply
  • memadmax
    lradunovic77Start Screen breaks work flow. Install Start 8 and Remove/Uninstall all Metro crap except for Desktop Tile. Also use Start 8 app to disable hot corners. Lot of people would be doing this and i want to see MS Survey on how many people actually use their Metro Screen. Metro Apps are just bad joke compared to true Desktop apps. Why would you use it?
    Can't uninstall metro... And it's there by default and you can't remove it without some cheesy third party program...
    Reply
  • memadmax
    Here's a tip: Don't use win8 on ur desktop.
    Great for your tablet/phone/touch driven device however, which is what it's meant for...
    Reply
  • jaquith
    I agree with @memadmax

    Tip #1 - Wait until at least SP1.

    Allow the guinea pigs to find the problems and the hackers find the holes, then once Microsoft properly fixes those problems then consider an upgrade. My feeling and yes I've tried Windows 8 is it's fine for a tablet or phone and maybe the few with touchscreens who love to clean their screens daily, but for a typical PC it's not that good.
    Reply
  • fuzzion
    Win8 would work great as a cash register screen :)
    Reply
  • damianrobertjones
    lradunovic77Start Screen breaks work flow.
    I don't seem to have that issue win work? It's actually improved workflow in some cases.

    P.s. Why did you need the start menu?
    Example:
    Start, Documents. Two clicks

    Add the Documents folder to the modern UI
    Start (If on desktop), Documents.

    There's NO difference

    Reply
  • ohim
    lradunovic77Start Screen breaks work flow. Install Start 8 and Remove/Uninstall all Metro crap except for Desktop Tile. Also use Start 8 app to disable hot corners. Lot of people would be doing this and i want to see MS Survey on how many people actually use their Metro Screen. Metro Apps are just bad joke compared to true Desktop apps. Why would you use it?Apple / Linux has the same startup screen with user and password, nobody cries about that for added security .

    Waiting for more constructive comments and tips from people who use their brains.
    Reply