home Repair Secrets and tips windows 8. Interesting facts and useful tips. Turning on the computer without logging in

Secrets and tips windows 8. Interesting facts and useful tips. Turning on the computer without logging in

President of the Chip Division samsung memory Chun Tong-soo recently came out with a sharp critique of Windows 8. In his statement, he argues that there is generally little interest in the new OS, and its fate will be similar to that of Vista. Indeed, the Windows 8 operating system is very slowly gaining popularity, especially among desktop users.

It discourages many with the mere appearance of a tile screen and annoys with the control logic. Meanwhile, knowing some "secrets", the interface can be made more familiar, and work more comfortable.

Below are some tips for fine tuning in less obvious ways. To test recommendations, we used Windows version 8 Professional (6.2.9200).

1. Clean up new screen lock screen Introduced in Windows 8, the lock screen is more suitable for tablets and other devices with touch screen. Disable it on desktop computer with a conventional monitor, you can through group policy. Use the keyboard shortcut (Win) + (R), type gpedit.msc and press (Enter) - the local group policy editor will open.

Navigate to Computer Configuration->Administrative Templates->Control Panel->Personalization tab.

Double-click on the "Do not display the lock screen" option, select "enabled" and click OK.

After the reboot, the lock screen will turn off.

2. An analogue of the "time machine"

Windows 8 has a very interesting feature that is disabled by default. It's like a backup program. Apple Time Machine built into Mac OS X. To enable it, connect an external or network hard drive, then go to Control Panel -> System and Security -> File History.

Activate backup, and Windows will automatically save previous versions changed files.

Only files located in one of the following locations are counted: Libraries, Contacts, Favorites, SkyDrive, and Desktop. Therefore, all files requiring archival copies should be placed in one of the specified locations or combined into a new library.

3. New keyboard shortcuts

The (Win) key itself now switches between the Start screen and the last running program. The Home button works in a similar way in Android OS. The set of combinations using this key has expanded:

(Win) + (C) - opens the right sidebar Charms;

(Win) + (I) - opens the "Settings" Charms tab;

(Win) + (K) - opens the "Devices" Charms tab;

(Win) + (H) - opens the "Sharing" tab;

(Win) + (W) - opens the parameter setting in the Metro interface;

(Win)+(Enter) – Launches Narrator;

(Win)+(Tab) - displays a list in the left sidebar (Switcher) running programs and allows you to switch between them;

(Win)+(Print Screen) now not only takes a screenshot to the clipboard, but automatically saves it as a .PNG file in the Screenshots folder of the Pictures library.

(Win)+(Space) changes the input language or keyboard layout.

4. Disable Charms Bar

The right sidebar of the charms sometimes appears very inappropriately. You can completely remove it with a single registry setting. Press (Win)+(R), type regedit and press (Enter). Go to section

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\

Create new key and name it EdgeUI. Create a DWORD type parameter in it. Name it DisableCharmsHint and set the value to 1. If you want to return Charms back, then change the value of the key to 0 or simply remove it.

You can also create with Notepad text file with the following content:

"DisableCharmsHint"=dword:00000001

Save it with the .reg extension and double-click to run it.

5. Disable the menu for switching between programs

Adherents of the classic style can also turn off the Switcher, another sidebar that automatically appears when the mouse cursor is positioned at the left edge of the screen. All manipulations are similar to point 4. The only difference is that a DWORD type parameter is created with the name DisableTLcorner, and the .reg file looks like this:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

"DisableTLcorner""=dword:00000001

6. Start menu replacement and Metro modification

At any time, to switch to a Windows 7 style screen, simply click on the Desktop tile, use the keyboard shortcut (Win) + (R), or call command line in the program list. You will see the familiar design, but now instead of the Start menu in the same part of the screen in Windows 8, a panel with basic links opens. To call it, move the mouse cursor to the left lower part screen or press (Win)+(X).

By regular means, the old Start menu cannot be returned, but they will help to get something as close as possible third party programs. For example, ViStart or Start8 . All applications designed for the Metro interface can be run in normal windows. The ModernMix program from the same developer will help with this.

Windows 8 automatically picks up the number of rows of tiles on the home screen. The operating system is based on the screen resolution, but you can have your own opinion on this. You can change the number of rows manually through the registry. Go to section

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Grid

See if it has a "Layout_MaximumRowCount" parameter. If not, create it (DWORD type). Give it a value equal to the desired number of rows and restart your computer.

7. View the space occupied by applications and delete unused

Click "view app size" and you'll see a Metro-style list showing the size of each app.

8. Storage Spaces

On Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 hard drives any size with SAS interfaces, SATA or USB can be logically pooled. They create virtual storages, which look like ordinary disk partitions in Explorer. Their main advantage is the possibility of easy expansion. When on such virtual disk ends free place, you can simply add a new one to the pool physical disk without changing anything else. Apart from hard drives SSD and even flash drives are allowed.

Pool management is located in the "Control Panel", on the "System and Security" tab in the "Storage Spaces" section.

To increase reliability in Storage Spaces, choose one of the levels of mirroring or parity. Since reliability is achieved through data duplication, you will have to pay for it with speed and available volume. Generally ordinary user technology may seem more convenient than RAID or JBOD array. However, purely software implementation and the hybrid structure of drives impose clear speed limits. Because Storage Spaces uses a new file system ReFS (Resilient File System), old disk utilities can't work with her.

In conclusion, we note that in addition to acquiring new Windows features 8 retained a number of popular instruments from its predecessors. For example, you can view the main parameters of your computer and OS with one standard utility.

To do this, first call the command line, then type systeminfo and press (Enter). Detailed information will be displayed, including the computer name, full version OS, installation time and product code, time last download, title motherboard, type and frequency of the processor, the amount of total and free random access memory, number network adapters and their MAC addresses, boot disk and OS folder, total number and a list of installed fix packs.

Microsoft's new operating system has many more features and functionality than previous versions of Windows. This is due to the fact that the system is designed not only to work with a mouse and keyboard, but also for use on devices with touch screens. Because of this, even advanced users PC, faced with all the innovations. In this regard, let's take a closer look at the secrets operating system, in other words, hidden programs, commands, etc.

Lock screen

A rather interesting innovation of the system is such a function as the appearance of a lock screen. If the user does not work on the PC for a certain time, then it goes into the lock screen mode. This feature is quite convenient for touch screen devices. You can find out how to properly set up the lock screen. However, for desktop computers it is often redundant, so it can be turned off.

In order to remove the lock screen, first we call the Run menu. This is done by pressing the Win and R keys. The gpedit.msc command is written in it. After that, the editor opens before the user, in which the Configuration section should be selected.

Go to the Control Panel, which is located in the Administrative Templates, and click on Personalization. There is a link in this section that disables the display of the lock screen. Double-click on it and in the window that opens, click the Enabled action. The operation is completed by restarting the computer, after which the lock screen will not appear in front of the user.

File history function

Manufacturers endowed the Windows 8 system with a rather interesting File History function. However, it is disabled by default and, accordingly, not every user has an idea about it. This feature is similar to the Apple Time Machine utility that is integrated into Mac computers.

In order to run the application, the user will need to go to the Control Panel. After that, click on System and Security and find File History. In the utility window, activate the backup. Now the operating system will by default save the modified documents in their original form.

It should be noted only that this function applies to files located in certain locations. These are SkyDrive, desktop, libraries and the Favorites folder. Therefore, do not forget to place those documents that are needed not only in the modified, but also in their original form, in these sections. This function allows the user to return to an earlier version of the document at any time, which is very convenient, especially when writing voluminous works, such as abstracts or term papers.

“Cleaning” on the home screen

In case you have too many pinned to the home screen various elements, it is recommended to tidy them up. This is easy to do with the built-in tools. For example, the user can divide applications into groups, each of which will receive its own name.

First you need to move all the icons of the programs that you decide to combine to the right side. After that, the Windows 8 system itself will separate them from others and merge them. Now you can take advantage of the semantic zoom feature. To do this, you need to open the menu on the right side of the monitor and select Scale. Here you can set the desired dimensions of the interface. In addition, a desktop plan will appear in front of the user.

To give a group a name, click on it. right click. In the menu that opens, select the Name group command. Now enter the name you want. Actually, that's all, now you can enjoy the order that reigns on your desktop, and most of the actions are done for you by the system.

How to close applications

On the one hand, such a simple procedure as closing applications in the operating system should not cause any problems. However, very often users are faced with the fact that Windows applications do not have the usual button to close them. Microsoft developers have decided that it is more convenient for the program to continue running in the background.

Working in this way, the application consumes a minimum of resources and is always at hand. But not all users are satisfied with this state of affairs. If you still want to completely exit the program, then click on the icon and grab it with the mouse. After that, gently drag the app from top to bottom. The miniature will gradually decrease, and eventually disappear altogether. There are other ways to close utilities in the operating room Windows system 8, for example, standard - use . In addition, for this action, you can use the combination of Alt and F4.

SmartScreen function

The developers endowed the new version of the operating system with the SmartScreen function. Not all users are aware of its advantages and capabilities. Actually, SmartScreen is quite an interesting tool. new version system, thanks to which the security of your computer is greatly increased, especially if you often use the Internet and download various files and programs from here.

The essence of the function is that when you open downloaded applications that can be recognized by the system, SmartScreen reports this. Thus, the user almost always remains aware of the origin of the files that open on his computer. If this security feature bothers you with constant pop-up warnings, then you can always turn it off. You can do this in the Toolbar.

General access

Of course, not all the secrets that are available in Windows 8 are listed. But we did not mention the advantages and disadvantages of this version of the OS, so read about it in this one.

Microsoft developers have created great amount interesting and useful features that didn't exist before. Therefore, users continue to master all the subtleties of the operating system, which significantly increases its functionality and makes it easier to work on the computer.

13Yar

Below is a series of tips for fine-tuning in less-than-obvious ways. Recommendations were tested using Windows 8 Professional (6.2.9200).

1. Remove the new lock screen
Introduced in Windows 8, the lock screen is more suitable for tablets and other touchscreen devices. You can disable it on a desktop computer with a regular monitor through group policy. Use the keyboard shortcut (Win) + (R), type gpedit.msc and press (Enter) - the local group policy editor will open.

Navigate to Computer Configuration->Administrative Templates->Control Panel->Personalization tab.

Double-click on the "Do not display the lock screen" option, select "enabled" and click OK.

After the reboot, the lock screen will turn off.

2. An analogue of the "time machine"
Windows 8 has a very interesting feature that is disabled by default. This is an analogue of the Apple Time Machine backup program built into Mac OS X. To use it, connect an external or network hard drive, then go to Control Panel -> System and Security -> File History.

Activate backup and Windows will automatically save previous versions of changed files.

At any time, you can return to one of the earlier revisions of the document or roll back an unsuccessful update of other files. This function is especially useful when writing voluminous works - term papers and diplomas, dissertations and reports.

3. New keyboard shortcuts
The (Win) key itself now switches between the Start screen and the last running program. The Home button works in a similar way in Android OS. The set of combinations using this key has expanded:

(Win) + (C) - opens the right sidebar Charms;
(Win) + (I) - opens the "Settings" Charms tab;
(Win) + (K) - opens the "Devices" Charms tab;
(Win) + (H) - opens the "Sharing" tab;
(Win) + (W) - opens the parameter setting in the Metro interface;
(Win) + (X) - calls the panel with the main links, replacing the Start menu;
(Win)+(Enter) – Launches Narrator;
(Win) + (Tab) - displays a list of running programs on the left side panel (Switcher) and allows you to switch between them;
(Win)+(Print Screen) now not only takes a screenshot to the clipboard, but automatically saves it as a .PNG file in the Screenshots folder of the Pictures library.
(Win)+(Space) changes the input language or keyboard layout.

4. Disable Charms Bar
The right sidebar of the charms sometimes appears very inappropriately. You can completely remove it with a single registry setting. Press (Win)+(R), type regedit and press (Enter). Go to section

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\ImmersiveShell\\

Create a new key and name it EdgeUI. Create a DWORD type parameter in it. Name it DisableCharmsHint and set the value to 1. If you want to return Charms back, then change the value of the key to 0 or simply remove it.

You can also create a text file using Notepad with the following content:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 "DisableCharmsHint"=dword:00000001

Save it with the .reg extension and double-click to run it.

5. Disable the menu for switching between programs
Adherents of the classic style can also turn off the Switcher, another sidebar that automatically appears when the mouse cursor is positioned at the left edge of the screen. All manipulations are similar to point 4. The only difference is that a DWORD type parameter is created with the name DisableTLcorner, and the .reg file looks like this:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 "DisableTLcorner""=dword:00000001

6. Start menu replacement and Metro modification
At any time, to switch to a Windows 7-style screen, simply click on the "Desktop" tile, the key combination (Win) + (R) or call the command line in the program list. You will see the familiar design, but now instead of the Start menu in the same part of the screen in Windows 8, a panel with basic links opens. To call it, move the mouse cursor to the lower left of the screen or press (Win) + (X).

Regular means cannot return the old Start menu, however, third-party programs will help to get something as close as possible. For example, ViStart or Start8 . All applications designed for the Metro interface can be run in normal windows. The ModernMix program from the same developer will help with this.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\ImmersiveShell\\Grid

See if it has a "Layout_MaximumRowCount" parameter. If not, create it (DWORD type). Give it a value equal to the desired number of rows and restart your computer.

7. View the space occupied by applications and delete unused
This can be useful if you have an SSD or just a taste for rational minimalism. To do this, press (Win) + (I), click at the bottom "change computer settings" and go to the "General" tab.

Click "view app size" and you'll see a Metro-style list showing the size of each app.

8. Storage Spaces
In Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, hard drives of any size with SAS, SATA, or USB interfaces can be logically pooled. They create virtual storages that look like ordinary disk partitions in Explorer. Their main advantage is the possibility of easy expansion. When such a virtual disk runs out of free space, you can simply add a new physical disk to the pool without changing anything else. In addition to hard drives, SSDs and even flash drives are allowed.

Pool management is located in the "Control Panel", on the "System and Security" tab in the "Storage Spaces" section.

To increase reliability in Storage Spaces, choose one of the levels of mirroring or parity. Since reliability is achieved through data duplication, you will have to pay for it with speed and available volume. In general, the technology may seem more convenient to the average user than RAID or a JBOD array. However, a purely software implementation and a hybrid structure of drives impose clear restrictions on speed. Since Storage Spaces uses the new ReFS (Resilient File System) file system, older disk utilities cannot work with it.

In conclusion, in addition to acquiring new features, Windows 8 also retained a number of popular tools from its predecessors. For example, you can view the main parameters of your computer and OS with one standard utility.

To do this, first call the command line, then type systeminfo and press (Enter). Detailed information will be displayed, including the computer name, full version of the OS, installation time and product code, last boot time, motherboard name, processor type and frequency, total and free RAM, number of network adapters and their MAC addresses. , boot drive and OS folder, total number and list of installed fix packs.

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1 Hidden Start Menu

By moving the cursor to the bottom left of the screen and clicking with the left mouse button, you launch the tiled start page ... but by clicking with the right button, you will open a menu with links to all the main sections of the operating system, including the Control Panel, command line and Task Manager.

To open the hidden start menu, right-click in the bottom left corner.

2. Synchronization of settings

Windows 8 supports the old system account user account, but it also includes a new type of user account that is associated with your Windows ID and stores all your information from SkyDrive, Xbox, Hotmail/Outlook and all other services provided by the company. With Windows 8, you can sync all your settings, internet bookmarks, and more across multiple computers.

Synchronize your settings
With a linked account, you can sync your Windows settings (from desktop wallpaper to web browsing history) across all computers, which is great if you have more than one at work or at home. Go to Settings, select "Change PC settings" and open the "Sync settings" page to configure this feature.

3. Windows Defender (Windows Defender)

Windows 8 supports Windows Defender with additional antivirus features. But unlike Security Essentials, Windows Defender fights both viruses and spyware, and is already included in the operating system. You will notice its work if instead of it you have not yet installed anti-virus and anti-spyware programs for yourself, which are activated every time you need to eliminate emerging computer security threats.

4. Simplified computer shutdown

Use the traditional Alt+F4 shortcut to quickly shut down your computer. Instead of opening the Charms bar, clicking Settings, then choosing the Power button and Power off, just press Alt+F4 while the desktop is open. You can press Enter to turn off your computer or choose another option from the menu that appears.

5. Automatically save screenshots

Windows 8 automatically saves a screenshot every time you press Win+PrtScn. Windows 7 had a dedicated Snipping tool for capturing screenshots, and it's also present in Windows 8. However, there's an easier way to capture what's happening on the screen: click windows keys and PrtScn at the same time, and drawing in PNG format will be automatically saved to your Image Library.

6. Keyboard Combinations

Ctrl+Tab opens a list of all your Windows 8 apps. Swiping and tapping keys in Windows 8 is quite possible on touchscreen devices, but what about regular laptops and desktops?
Knowing keyboard shortcuts in Windows 8 will save you a lot of clicks and drags with your mouse, and help you navigate the system faster and easier. For example, Win+C opens the Charms bar, while simply pressing the Windows key allows you to switch between the desktop and start page th. Another one useful combination: On the start page, press Ctrl+Tab to open a list of all applications.

7. Switch between applications

Windows 8 allows you to fix an application page (such as Weather or Bing) in some part of the screen while you are working on the desktop. Many Windows applications 8 have their own mini-mode, so you see them in some part of the screen.

Use dual screen mode
So, for example, you can work in Photoshop and follow the weather forecast. Or you can stay in touch
Twitter using the People app and simultaneously manipulate numbers in Excel. To open an application in full screen, drag it from the top right or left of the screen. You can also run pages different applications next to each other.

8. File History

Windows 8 can save previous versions of files that are important to you, which is very helpful if you accidentally deleted a document or your favorite photo was damaged for some reason.
The function - File History - is not enabled by default, you need to activate it by going to the "System and Security" tab in the Control Panel. The only note, you need an additional available HDD, and any: external, built-in or network.

9.ISO support

In Windows 8, you can run ISO (and VHD files) in their original format. Double click on downloaded or extracted ISO file allows you to see its contents; right-click and select "Mount" to run the file.

10. Reinstall Windows

This is a feature that you may not need until something goes wrong - new way for Windows restart, known as Reset Settings (on the PC Settings page). There is no need to look for discs and serial codes, because everything you need is already in the system and hidden on your hard drive.

Factory reset process Windows settings fits in a couple of clicks and has never been so simple. Alternatively, you can do an "Update" which will reset all operating system settings to their original settings while retaining your personal files, settings, programs that came with your PC, and any apps you downloaded from the Windows Store.