Complete Windows 8.1 Information
7/17/2017 - Optimized for Firefox 54.0.1
These web pages are generally arranged in Alphabetic Order, by Subject, with an
INDEX at the end of each web page. Find your desired subject and double click on it.
See also: Complete Windows 8 Information
NOTE - Support for Windows 8/8.1 ending dates.
END mainstream support END of Extended support
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020
Windows 8 Windows 8.1 January 9, 2018 January 10, 2023.
START8 - adds the Start button to Windows 8 - $ 5 USD
START8 - Review - C/NET
Start8 – Download the Windows 8 start menu from Stardock - $ 5 USD
My friends and I use and love Windows8 START8.
I also strongly suggest the $5 USDStarDock ModernMix program.
1) Run Windows 8 Modern apps in a window on the desktop
2) Display and pin Modern apps on the taskbar
3) Explicitly close Modern apps by clicking its close button
=============================================================================
GENERAL WINDOWS 8.1 INFORMATION
Annoyances Org
WINDOWS TIPS - Other - General
If possible (does it run on Your computer?), buy/use 64-bit Windows
instead of 32-bit Windows. DO buy/use 32-bit Microsoft Office, NOT 64-bit.
If you are really short of money, I'd buy a 32-bit Windows 7 system.
With Win 8.x there is really no sense in running 32 bit as you get both in the
price. Even if you have less than 8GB (and now most computers are getting to
the point that they all have at least 4 or more) installing the 64Bit version
makes it easy to upgrade the memory and actually use it w/o a fork lift upgrade
to the OS - TNewsom
Windows 8 and 8.1 can run Microsoft NET Framework Versions 2
through NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (but NOT 1.1). NET is NOT
part of the normal Windows 8/8.1 installation.
SHORTCUT KEYS for Windows8
WindowsKEY + C =
WindowsKEY + D = Desktop Mode = Win-D (that's the Windows key and the letter D)
WindowsKEY + X = Go to DESKTOP
WindowsKEY + I = Charms menu = SETTINGS - includes some Control Panel Settings
The charms menu is on the right-hand edge of your screen.
Expanded list of SHORTCUTS for Windows 8 - Source - CNET
NOTES: WindowsKEY = Windows = Win. This is the Windows key, found on all newer Windows computers
It looks like the old symbol for Windows - a four pane "window"
Windows-C: Open charms
Windows-D: Go to DESKTOP
Windows-H: Open Share charm
Windows-I: Open Settings charm
Windows-K: Open Devices charm
Windows-L: Lock device
Windows-M: Minimize all open windows (show the desktop; same as Windows-D)
Windows-Shift-M: Restore all open windows
Windows-O: Lock screen orientation
Windows-F: Search files
Windows-Q: Search apps
Windows-W: Search settings
Windows-E: Open My Computer
Windows-R: Open Run command window
Windows-U: Open Ease of Access Center
Windows-X: Open "power menu" options
Windows-[number]: Open taskbar app (in the order they appear on the taskbar)
Windows-Tab: Cycle through open apps
Windows-Shift-Tab: Cycle through open apps in reverse order
Windows-up arrow: Maximize current window
Windows-down arrow: Minimize current window
Windows-left arrow: Maximize program to the left
Windows-right arrow: Maximize program to the right
Alt-F4: Close open program or app
Alt-Esc: Cycle through items in the order they were opened
Alt-Enter: Open Properties of selected item
Alt-left arrow: Back
Alt-right arrow: Forward
Alt-Tab: Switch between open apps
Ctrl-Shift-Esc: Open Task Manager
Windows 8 Power Menu
The Windows-X keyboard shortcut opens the "power menu" that provides
one-key access to Windows system tools.
The one keyboard shortcut you probably don't know but should is Windows-X,
which opens the power menu from which you can access more than a dozen Windows
system apps by pressing the underlined key in its name.
How to create useful Tiles for Windows 8
ADMIN TILE - create
How to create a Windows 8 SHUTDOWN tile - PCWorld
Add Windows 8 Shutdown Sleep and Restart Shortcuts - PCpitstop
How to Create useful HOT Keys
Requires a keyboard with programmable keys.
Hot SHUTDOWN KEY - creating
Integrate a custom SHUTDOWN MENU into the Windows 8 Desktop context menu
Very useful Windows 8 TIPS
Add a SHUTDOWN MENU to the Windows 8 desktop
Admin Tools - enable and disable
Analog Sound no longer works
Application List - Quickest way to get in Windows 8
DOWNGRADE to WINDOWS 7 - Howto
NUM LOCK - how to turn on in Windows 8 - IT IS SET IN THE BIOS
SCREEN SAVER - Change
SHUTDOWN on Windows8 does not really shut windows down, so if you make any
Registry changes, you need to do a RESTART or create a Windows8 Shutdown Tile
to get the changes to take effect.
WINDOWS 8/8.1 SOLUTION CENTER - Microsoft
MUST HAVE APPs for WINDOWS 8/8.1 - MY opinions
CCleaner - fixes Registry and removes Junk Files
CCleaner - cleans Registry, junk files and other functions - FREE
Everything
MaximumPC considers Everything to be the best search application for Windows 8
"most comprehensive" and "crazy-fast". Available from from www.voidtools.com
GREP / EGREP / IGREP for Windows - Cygwin
The Windows 8 built-in SEARCH ONLY searches your LIBRARIES folder and everything
below it. If your desired file is in some other location, the built-in search function
fill NOT find it (but Everything will).
SUGGESTED APPs for WINDOWS 8
Foxit Reader - a PDF reader for Firefox & Chrome
Foxit Reader Download Page
NOTE: There are Add-ons for Foxit Reader.
Irfanview - Free Graphics Editor
Irfanview Download Page
NOTE: There are optional Plug-ins for Irfanview - get those too.
JAVA - Java Console
A lot of security experts recommend NOT using Java
But if you need Java Console for Firefox and/or I.E.
DOWNLOAD Java from Oracle (they bought SUN)
How do I enable and view the Java Console?
I am currently (1/31/2017) using Java Platform SE 8 U-121 in Firefox 51.0.1 on Windows 8.1 x64 Pro
NOTE - You can not get JAVA via Mozilla's Add-ons - go to the JAVA.COM site.
BURN CD, DVD and ISOs
I PREFER TO USE THE FREE "ImgBurn" to create CDs and DVDs.
Imgburn download
Copy Digital Photos to CDs or DVDs in Windows 8
Burn pictures or videos to a CD or DVD - Windows - Microsoft
Burn a CD or DVD in Windows Media Player - Windows Help
Windows 8 has native support for burning ISO images.
You can create a bootable dvd using windows usb/dvd tool but to create and iso image
you need 3rd party software such as Magic iso or Daemon Tools Lite.
Windows 8 has native support for burning ISO images IF you have an ISO on HDD.
Insert a blank CD/DVD, Right-click the ISO file you want to burn and select
"Burn disk image".
http://www.groovypost.com/howto/windows-7-burn-an-iso-image-to-disc/
How To Create an ISO Image From a DVD (or CD or BD)
Create ISO files in Windows 8 - TechRepublic
ISO Creator (FREE) - How do I create an ISO image file with WinISO?
How to Burn a CD or DVD in Windows 8.1 - YouTube
DOWNGRADE to WINDOWS 7 - Howto
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU STILL CAN DO THIS
Downgrading from Windows 8 to 7: What you need to know - PCWorld
How To Downgrade From Windows 8 To Windows 7 - CRN.com
How to Downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7 for Free with ...
How to Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7: 13 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Uninstall Windows 8, Install Windows 7 on Your PC - PCMag
Understanding downgrade rights - Microsoft
OF COURSE, IF YOU BOUGHT WINDOWS 7, YOU MAY LEGALLY INSTALL IT
REQUIREMENTS - Windows 8.1 system requirements
If you want to run Windows 8.1 on your PC,
here's what it takes - Here's what hardware is required for running Windows 8.1
NOTE THE INFORMATION BELOW IS QUOTED FROM MICROSOFT AT THE ABOVE URL ON 1/30/2014
- Go the the source, Here's what hardware is required for running Windows 8.1
just in case a change is to the requirements is made.
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2 (more info)
NOTE - This eliminates some AMD processors
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 (from Microsft - 1/30/2014):
"To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch
To access the Windows Store and to download, run, and snap apps, you need an active
Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768
Microsoft account required for some features
Internet access (ISP fees might apply)
Secure boot requires firmware that supports UEFI v2.3.1 Errata B and has the Microsoft
Windows Certification Authority in the UEFI signature database
Some games and programs might require a graphics card compatible with DirectX 10 or
higher for optimal performance
Watching DVDs requires separate playback software (more info)
Windows Media Center license sold separately (more info)
BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive (Windows 8.1 Pro only)
BitLocker requires either Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 or a USB flash drive
(Windows 8.1 Pro only)
Client Hyper-V requires a 64-bit system with second level address translation (SLAT)
capabilities and additional 2 GB of RAM (Windows 8.1 Pro only)
A TV tuner is required to play and record live TV in Windows Media Center (Windows 8.1
Pro Pack and Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack only)
Miracast requires a display adapter which supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM)
1.3, and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Direct Printing requires a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct and a device
that supports Wi-Fi Direct Printing
Free internet TV content varies by geography, some content might require additional
fees (Windows 8.1 Pro Pack and Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack only)
To install a 64-bit OS on a 64-bit PC, your processor needs to support CMPXCHG16b,
PrefetchW, and LAHF/SAHF
InstantGo works only with computers designed for Connected Standby"
REQUIREMENTS - Windows 8 system requirements
If you want to run Windows 8 on your PC,
here's what it takes - Here's what hardware is required for running Windows 8
NOTE THE INFORMATION BELOW IS QUOTED FROM MICROSOFT AT THE ABOVE URL ON 1/30/2014
- Go the the source, Here's what hardware is required for running Windows 8
just in case a change is to the requirements is made.
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2 (more info)
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
"If your PC is currently running Windows 7/7.1 or Windows 8/8.1 you can check to see if it
meets the requirements by running the Upgrade Assistant. We also recommend that you
visit your PC manufacturer's website for info about updated drivers and hardware
compatibility." - MICROSOFT
RESTORE POINT - Creating
How to Create a Windows 8 RESTORE POINT
SKYPE - FREE video chat
SKYPE for Windows 8 DESKTOP - FREE
WINDOWS LIVE ESSENTIALS - FREE
Windows Live Essentials - Microsoft - FREE
WATCH OUT - THIS TURNS WINDOWS FIREWALL ON
You do need a Software Firewall, but I use and prefer Norton's
Movie Maker
Photo Gallery
Windows Live Writer
Messenger - I don't encourage this one
Outlook - I much prefer Mozilla's Thunderbird
or even Eudora
ARTICLES - About Windows 8
Windows 8 - Wikipedia
Windows 8 - PC World
Window expands to full screen - how to turn off
Windows expand to full screen - how to turn off? - Microsoft
Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 (it's really the Aero Snap / Mouse feature).
Windows 8 UPDATE 1 - 8.1
Download Windows 8.1 Preview
What awaits in Windows 8.1 — a Preview tour
Create a Windows 8.1 Preview dual-boot setup on your Windows XP system
WINDOWS 8 HELP - RESOURCES (not mine)
Computer Manuals and Drivers - PC Pitstop
FREE or almost free PC / Windows HELP
Kim Komando Show - TIPS
PC Pitstop - Tech talk
WINDOWS 8 SOLUTION CENTER - Microsoft
OTHER WINDOWS INFORMATION
ActiveX
DirectX
File Extensions
INF File Info
FILE SYSTEMS
Office
Registry File - Information
PowerShell - Information
WINDOWS TIPS - Other - Comprehensive
Word
INDEX - WINDOWS 8/8.1 Jump Table
Articles about Windows 8 |
CDs BURN |
DOWNGRADE to WINDOWS 7 |
DVDs BURN |
Eudora |
Everything (search App) |
Foxit (PDF) Reader |
GENERAL WINDOWS 8.1 INFORMATION |
HELP - Resources |
HOTKEYS |
Irfanview free Graphics Editor |
Java / Java Console |
Must Have Apps |
Outlook |
Power Menu |
Reguirements (system) for Windows 8 |
Reguirements (system) for Windows 8.1 |
SEARCH Apps / Search |
SHORTCUTS |
SHORTCUT TILES |
SHUTDOWN KEY |
SHUTDOWN TILE |
SKYPE |
Thunderbird email program |
TIPS |
Window Expansion - stop it |
WINDOWS 7 |
WINDOWS 8 |
Windows 8.1 - First Update |
WINDOWS TIPS - LOTS of Others |
OTHER Information |
Other WINDOWS Information |
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I am NOT Responsible for any Errors - Use at your own risk
I now run 64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro, so I'll be making updates often.
These web sites may be able to help you with YOUR problems.
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