topic Re: Windows 8.1 in Electronics

Windows 8.1

Marybella — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:11:54 GMT

I can't remember how bring up the simulated desktop for Windows 7. Can someone please tell me how to do it?

Re: Windows 8.1

chickenbutt — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 18:57:41 GMT

There should be a 'Desktop' button - or tile, whatever those silly squares are called - and you just click on that. It's on the left side of that first screen of tile things.

For me, however, I wanted to add more of the older Windows features so I installed the 'Classic Shell' software (classicshell.net). It's very small but has lots of choices to make things the way you are used to, where you can find stuff again and have a 'start' button.

HTH

Re: Windows 8.1

VolvoGirl — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:15:26 GMT

I just got a new HP desktop with 8.1 (had XP before). I didn't have to download any other program to get the same desktop I was used to. I don't remember if I did anything during setup but my computer boots right up to my desktop. I don't even use or see that new tile start screen at all. Unless I need to go there for something. Maybe there was a Windows Update that added that. There were some big updates my computer had to do when I first got it.

When my husband got his new HP Laptop with 8.1 he did download the Start is Back program but I don't think he needed to.

Re: Windows 8.1

Nuttmeg — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 04:52:10 GMT

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/where-is-start-menu

You find an app called DESKTOP. It will take you to a regular page with icons.

Re: Windows 8.1

KJPA — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 05:16:35 GMT

Or press the "flying windows" key on your keyboard. It toggles you back and forth between the two "home" pages. And if you are in the regular desktop view but have lots of windows open, just press the flying windows key while you press the "D" key. It minimizes all of your open windows and you can see the desktop.

The flying windows key should be on the lower left of your keyboard.

Re: Windows 8.1

Marybella — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 01:38:43 GMT

Thanks, one and all! I am making progress! It's definitely a little bit of a challenge, but I'm getting there. Frustrated that I can't transfer my files from Vista to 8.1 by Easy Transfer. I guess I'll have to keep the old computer around as a reference version.

Re: Windows 8.1

AspenQn — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 01:43:14 GMT

I got a new computer earlier this year with Windows 8.1 and quickly decided I HATE it. I did a quick Google search and found an article which helped me download a program called Start8 which has my computer looking and feeling like Windows 7.

I highly recommend reading this article: http://blog.laptopmag.com/make-windows-8-like-windows-7 and then downloading the Stardock Start 8 program.

Re: Windows 8.1

glb613 — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 07:47:51 GMT

Windows 8.1 takes me to the desktop when the computer boots. You can toggle between the tiles and the desktop by pressing the Windows key. When I need to search for something, I go to the tiles, start typing what I want to find and the search function starts. I doesn't matter if it;s a document or program. If you are at the tiles, click on the down arrow found on the left bottom of the screen and it takes you to all of your programs or apps. I think Windows 8 has some really nice features. You just need to take the time and learn it.

Re: Windows 8.1

Caffeina — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 10:57:34 GMT

On 8/4/2014 Marybella said:
Thanks, one and all! I am making progress! It's definitely a little bit of a challenge, but I'm getting there. Frustrated that I can't transfer my files from Vista to 8.1 by Easy Transfer. I guess I'll have to keep the old computer around as a reference version.

You can transfer the files manually. I used Windows Explorer to move files from a Vista laptop to an external hard drive. Then from the hard drive to the new 8.1.

Re: Windows 8.1

pickleslarue — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 22:37:42 GMT

Every time I use 8 I always wind up asking myself who the heck were the beta testers for 8 (and 8.1)? And then I curse MS

Re: Windows 8.1

PamelaSue72 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 12:56:08 GMT

Win 8 isn't that bad once you get used to it. I was very leery of switching over from Vista to 8. But I figured that I survived Vista and if I can do that, 8 would be a piece of cake! DH has my old Vista computer and I have a new Dell desktop with 8.1. First thing I did was get rid of the password, second thing was to set it up to boot to the desktop. Since I don't use the START screen that often, I got rid of every tile on the screen, except for my desktop tile. I use my desktop to go into my other programs.

While it wasn't exactly a piece of cake, compared to Vista? Much better. It's really not that bad.

Re: Windows 8.1

KJPA — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 14:20:31 GMT

On 8/5/2014 glb613 said: Windows 8.1 takes me to the desktop when the computer boots. You can toggle between the tiles and the desktop by pressing the Windows key. When I need to search for something, I go to the tiles, start typing what I want to find and the search function starts. I doesn't matter if it;s a document or program. If you are at the tiles, click on the down arrow found on the left bottom of the screen and it takes you to all of your programs or apps. I think Windows 8 has some really nice features. You just need to take the time and learn it.

ITA! Most of us don't like change but if learn some of the tips the change is often better than the original. I really like the search feature in 8/8.1!!