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• A beginner’s guide to Windows 8

  7 November 2014 | Topic:Windows 8

  This blog post is loosely aligned with our upcoming course “Welcome to Windows 8,” scheduled on November 10 and December 15. Since Windows 8 has launched, we have met many people, who, for various reasons, are yet to upgrade. For them, we decided to publish our perspective on what Windows 8 is like.

  To begin with, you might ask what is the difference between Windows 8 and Windows 7? At a glance, the new Windows 8 might seem alien, but after you give it some time, you would recognize a familiar, although enhanced, environment. Considerable changes include: performance increase, better security, new Windows Explorer, file history, cloud synchronization across devices, and a full-screen view of applications. You might have heard that Windows 8 does not have a Start Menu, but it is back in Windows 8.1 (free upgrade).

  There are a couple of things you should do before updating. Although Microsoft says any computer that runs on Windows 7 will handle Windows 8, it is still a good idea to check the minimum system requirements and your current software compatibility before you make a switch. After you have confirmed that you computer is powerful enough and all of your software is supported, you can order Windows 8 through official Microsoft Store or multiple retailers.

  If you have just installed Windows 8, you might have some questions. Where do you start? What do you do? How do you use new features to improve your workflow and efficiency? This is what our course is all about. In just three hours, we will explain how to navigate through windows, manipulate views, download programs, install protection, set-up users, etc. To get you started, here are some useful shortcuts:

  - To switch to Start Screen from the desktop view, press Windows button. To switch back, press Windows + D.  

  - To search for anything, go to Start Screen and type what you are looking for.

  - To cycle through open applications, use Windows + Tab.

  - To close a currently open application, press Windows + Alt.

  In the end, we think that Windows 8 is a worthy successor. It manages your files across devices, keeps them secure, gives you more options to organize data, and features all the latest software. Frankly, we can’t recommend it enough. 

   

  References 

  Gordon, W.  (2012). The Best New Features in Windows 8. Lifehacker. Retrieved from http://lifehacker.com/5839777/first-look-at-whats-new-in-windows-8

  Pinola, M.  (2012). How to Prepare Your Computer for Windows 8. Lifehacker. Retrieved from http://lifehacker.com/5954904/how-to-prepare-your-computer-for-windows-8

• A Little Guide to Navigating in Windows 8

  27 March 2014 | Topic:Windows 8

  It's difficult to argue the fact that Windows 8 is vastly superior to its predecessors. Still, many people feel overwhelmed by changes and are afraid to make the switch (despite all the Microsoft's attempts to persuade them). I have to say I side with Microsoft here and fully support people switching to Windows 8. I had an idea of breaking down a couple of key points about the new system, so here they are:

  - Windows 8 retained many of the Windows 7 shortcuts, so don't be afraid to experiment and play around. For example, if you want to search, press Windows key + F. 

  - Use Windows key to get to Start screen. It's wildly convenient and customizable. I barely keep anything on a desktop nowadays. 

  - If you hover over the bottom-left corner (and get the Start screen icon to appear), you can right click on that icon and open a handy menu. I usually access Task Manager and Control Panel this way. 

  - You can group your programs on Start screen by piling them together, and then right-clicking to name a group. Keep yourself organized!

  - One of my favourite new additions (although I don't use it that much) is the abiliy to refresh your copy of Windows 8 without going through the old process of deleting and installing the OS. Now, if you go to Settings --> Change PC settings --> Refresh your PC without affecting your files, you can have a newly rebooted Windows 8 within minutes.

  In the end, there are so many new and improved features that it would literally take me hours to explain them all. That's why we designed a 3-hour Introduction to Windows 8 class (next one running April 23). You can take a look and sign up here. And don't forget that you can ask us any questions regarding Windows 8 on Twitter. 

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