Trying to Get Started With Windows 8.1

GracieAllen

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I'm not a troll, I'm just a crotchety, oldster trying to figure out how to get Windows 8.1 to fit my workflow. I've been using Windows 7 for a while, so I'm a bit late to the Windows 8 party, but I'm building a new PC and figured I'd move to 8.1 instead of continuing with 7... So far, after 3 days, I'm still struggling with Windows 8.1, so I figure I'll get some guidance here...


I did a rummage, but didn't find much on how I should change my workflow to make it easier in 8.1. In Windows 7 I had a desktop with icons for less frequently used applications, a taskbar with frequently used applications pinned, and a start menu (3rd party) with EVERYTHING organized hierarchically so it was easy to find what I need. I'm trying to use 8.1 without adding a bunch of 3rd party stuff to make it look more like older interfaces that were organized differently.


In Windows 8, I appear to have the equivalent of THREE desktops, all different, none with any hierarchical organization.


On the Apps screen, I already have a large number of items (apps?), despite deleting a bunch of the "modern" things. They already exceed the width of the 24" monitor I'm using for setup and I still have stuff to install. There doesn't seem to be any hierarchy, either. So, for example, for Office I have at least 12 icons/apps, including the ones I CARE about, like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook that I use regularly. AND a bunch of OTHER stuff I VERY rarely use like Clip Organizer, and Groove, and Uploader, and so on. But, I can't take them off the screen if I ever want to get at them, right? 'Cause there's no start menu any more...

I also have stuff for handling e-books - Calibre, a Kindle Reader, OverDrive, Adobe Digital Additionsl, a Nook Reader, a couple 3M cloud things, and so on. On the Apps page they're all OVER the place instead of being grouped together (which at least the Office stuff is). And there doesn't appear to be a way to have them be together and hierarchical so I can quickly find the ones I want (Calibre, ADE), and only have to see the others (Kindle reader, Nook reader) when I want them... So how do folks organize so they don't have to wade through hundreds of things you only need once a year to get to the ones you use a couple times a month or once a week?

I also have a bunch of stuff that's just a single application, like Syncback, but instead of just being "Syncback", there' ANOTHER line that tells me who the creator is - I don't care that 2BrightSparks made it, I just want to be able to find it QUICKLY when I need it - once in a while.

And the Apps screen, how do I organize things hierarchically so I can have the few items I care about visible, with the rest not clogging up space but available for drilling down?

The desktop is as it's always been, but I don't want 200 or 300 icons on there for a bunch of stuff I rarely use. The constantly used stuff will be pinned to the taskbar, and the less frequently can be icons, but where do I do to organize all the other stuff?

I found the Name Group thing for the Start screen, but I can only group applications across the screen? Which limits me to 6 groups. How do I configure that screen so I can have multiple groups in a column?

So, in my ignorance - is there a way to have 8.1 support MY workflow, or if not, how do other people organize things to make it as easy as possible to find what you need without having to wade through a ton of stuff you don't? And have it all fit on the screen.
 

My Computer

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just like to say i didn't read all your post yet but what i did read about 3 desktops ,i have to dissagree ,there is only one desktop .the otheres are start screen ,the replacement of the win7 start menu .I used my win8.1 desktop the exact same way i used it in win7 ,i put all the icons for every program i use on a day to day bases on the desktop in one way or another , I put some icons on the desktop ,and the rest on the taskbar .when i want to use something not linked on the desktop i jsut hit the windows key and use the program from the start screen ,sometimes refferd to as the Metro Start
 

My Computer

System One

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    win8.1.1 enterprise
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    Hinze57
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    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
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    win8.1.1 enterprise
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    Hinze57
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    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
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    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
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    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Thanks for the replies... Yes, I probably should have called them 'three screens' rather than three desktops.

I've continued fiddling with things. I understand I probably COULD put an icon for every piece of software I use on the desktop, but I'd prefer not to. That'll be as cluttered and clumsy as the Apps screen or the Start screen by the time I'm done.

And yes, I can pin the ones I use all the time to the taskbar, but it still leaves the problem of putting all the things I use more rarely in some easily found place... As in being able to drill down to that stuff as opposed to having it splattered all over the apps screen. Or desktop.

I found out that I can create groups on the Apps screen and put things together in those groups. Which HELPS. But it STILL doesn't get me a hierarchy anywhere as I'd have with an actual start menu.

I read the link above to organize the Start screen. It works fine, and I can create groups, but again, it appears to be limited to 1 level - name/apps. So, it'd be ok for grouping stuff like the e-book programs or the image processing stuff...

I'm starting to think my workflow that's always worked great in XP and in Windows 7 with a 3rd party start menu isn't going to be very compatible with Windows 8...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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    PC/Desktop
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    Home Built
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    Intel 5820
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    Asus X99 Deluxe
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    Crucial Ballistix 32GB
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    GTX 970 FTW
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    2, 30" U3014
    Hard Drives
    1TB 840 EVO O/S, apps, all non-image data
    2, 3TB Seagate for images
    2, 2TB Seagate for backups
    3, 1TB external backups
    PSU
    EVGA Gold 1000W
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    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Internet Speed
    20 MB
    Browser
    Firefox
Get a program called "Start Is Back". It's small - only about 4 megabytes and it's cheap - only $2.99

I am not affiliated in any way with the program. I just discovered it recently and it made me actually like (almost) Windows 8 for the first time. This tiny program, combined with the changes that were made in Windows 8.1 Update 1, turns Windows 8 into what it should have been in the first place.

You get the benefit of all the improvements that have been made "under the hood" but still have a proper Start Menu, and best of all, you never have to deal with the godawful abomination of the "Start Screen" or the stupid "Charms" menus. (Charms? Really? We've been calling them icons for 30 years. There's no need to make up a new, stupid term)

Of course, when I installed Windows 8 I immediately deleted all the completely useless "apps" that are installed by default, so I may not represent the "average user".

When my computer boots up, this is what I see:

tMNWag3.jpg
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    None
I, too, was hesitant to make the transition to Win 8.1. Once I did, I didn't take long to get the desktop to something similar to Win 7.

The StartMenu was never an issue for me. The Desktop Toolbar that came with Win 7 and Win 8 works fine as its substitute. I rarely read of anyone either using it or having a problem with it. In effect, the desktop shortcuts can be organized in folders and hidden, or the 'orphan' shortcuts can remain out of sight, until a cascade menu brings the shortcuts out.

The taskbar remains useful with pinned programs and files. And the desktop toolbar has its own pinned shortcuts that do not require associated files pinned.

As for the elephant in the 'other' room, the Metro apps screen, there are actually two screens: the 'short one' and the bloated one with the programs creators' homepage and uninstall shortcuts. I don't use any application from the Metro screen. So, I basically uninstalled every app that can be uninstalled. If the icon's uninstall process takes me to the Desktop, that is not an app. I unpinned from the short screen those that can be unpinned. My short Metro screen has only one entrant, the Desktop. If I ever find myself there, that's what I see. The second, bloated Metro screen is out of sight. I have to actively click on an arrow to access that. If it can, it is gathering cobwebs.

With the transition to Win 8, I lost Aero and the control of fonts usage. While I have choices in colors, they are quite limited. And the high-contrast themes don't work well with some third-party programs' user interfaces.

To conclude, my workflow consists of a right-click StartMenu that gives me immediate access to Run and Cmd, a taskbar with pinned programs and their associated frequently-used files, a Desktop Toolbar that has pinned programs without frequently-used files. On the few occasions where drag-and-drop is the best method to run a program, the Desktop Toolbar can be arranged where such a shortcut is always shown. And the desktop is 'freshly-fallen-snow' clean except for the desired background, and the one bar that houses the StartMenu, the taskbar, the Desktop Toolbar and the Notification Tray.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Desktop can be organized just the same as on W7 and all the way back to W95 and that's what I have done. Never had much use on Start menu so even with W8 it was a non issue to me.
Start Screen (Metro ) can double for Start Menu as all, even desktop programs, are listed there, it takes just a bit of juggling to set it up according to needs. I grouped them by thematic ie. Accessories, Office, Graphics, Multimedia, Comms etc. I found that "out of the box" experience was not great but after a bit of fiddling now it's much handier for me. Once I find some useful Apps I will probably use them but alas, there's not much there for me.
My suggestion for people coming from W7 is to set windows to boot to desktop, Use some addon to get back Start menu back and than experiment with Start screen and Apps. Meanwhile, there's not much to distinguish from W7, desktop and desktop programs can be used just as it was the case with previous windows versions.

desktop5.jpg

Except for background I have desktop exactly same as I had it in W7.
 

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
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    Home made
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    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
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    Asus Prime x470 Pro
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    16GB Kingston 3600
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    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
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    Raidmax
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    CCM Nepton 140xl
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    40/2 Mbps
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    WD

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
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    PC/Desktop
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    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
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    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
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    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
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    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
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    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
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    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
...
The StartMenu was never an issue for me. The Desktop Toolbar that came with Win 7 and Win 8 works fine as its substitute. I rarely read of anyone either using it or having a problem with it. In effect, the desktop shortcuts can be organized in folders and hidden, or the 'orphan' shortcuts can remain out of sight, until a cascade menu brings the shortcuts out. ...
I also use the Desktop Toolbar (have used it since Win 2000) and hide the icons on the desktop so my desktop is completely uncluttered. On my Win 8.x machines I also use an additional toolbar, the Programs Toolbar. The Programs Toolbar has links to every installed program, very similar to the Start Menu. To create the Programs Toolbar, right-click on the Taskbar and select Toolbars->New toolbar.... Enter this as the folder to point to: "%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs" (no quotes). This will create a menu structure on the right-side of the Taskbar that will look like this:
 

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    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
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    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
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    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
On my Win 8.x machines I also use an additional toolbar, the Programs Toolbar. The Programs Toolbar has links to every installed program, very similar to the Start Menu. To create the Programs Toolbar, right-click on the Taskbar and select Toolbars->New toolbar.... Enter this as the folder to point to: "%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs" (no quotes).
I just tried it and it looked like it brought the second Metro screen to the desktop screen via the toolbar. I turned the new toolbar off. But I can see its usefulness in accessing rarely-used OS desktop tools.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Thanks for the replies. I'll take a look at "Start is Back". I found "Classic Shell" and have been organizing things. It works pretty well, but I'll take a look at "Start is Back".

As for the "Desktop Toolbar" you can add me to the multitudes that have never heard of it. I looked it up and couldn't even find any reference to it for 8.1. Can you elaborate on what it is and why it's better than a start menu? How do I create it, what does it does that's better than a start menu, etc?

And how do I get to the TWO screens of the Metro screen? So far, nothing I"ve found even says there are 2 screens. Or are the irrelevant and I can ignore the whole Metro thing? Just out of curiosity I'd like to see the screens.

BTW: I also removed at least 90% of the "modern" apps. One of the few I haven't dumped is OneDrive and that's 'cause it won't let me delete it (so far).

As far as the desktop. Yes, I know I can put a massive number of icons on it, but I've always found that to be really slow and cumbersome 'cause the windows obscure them and I was constantly shoving stuff around to get to things.

I like the layout CountMike has, but I do primarily image processing so I don't want anything on the desktop
that's going to clash. All my backgrounds are middle gray - 127,127,127.
I did what you suggested and bott directly to the desktop and now have a start menu.

Just for fun I just created a Program toolbar. What does it do that the start menu doesn't? It looks interesting but what features make it better than a menu alternative?

At least at this point, 8.1 is usable, and I have most of the software installed so I can switch syatems soon and actually try doing some actual work!

How do I run a command that goes there no matter where you are? I haven't found one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel 5820
    Motherboard
    Asus X99 Deluxe
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 970 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2, 30" U3014
    Hard Drives
    1TB 840 EVO O/S, apps, all non-image data
    2, 3TB Seagate for images
    2, 2TB Seagate for backups
    3, 1TB external backups
    PSU
    EVGA Gold 1000W
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Internet Speed
    20 MB
    Browser
    Firefox
How do I run a command that goes there no matter where you are?

If you mean Command Prompt, put the cursor in the bottom left of the screen & right click the Windows start button.


screenshot_212.jpg

Or use the Search on the Charms Bar---

screenshot_212.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
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    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
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    Opera 24.0
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    Avast Internet Security
As for the "Desktop Toolbar" you can add me to the multitudes that have never heard of it. I looked it up and couldn't even find any reference to it for 8.1. Can you elaborate on what it is and why it's better than a start menu? How do I create it, what does it does that's better than a start menu, etc?
When you right-click the taskbar, the Toolbars cascade menu offers Desktop. If selected, the taskbar will have a 'divider' that can be slid open to reveal the desktop icons, including the Recycle Bin. Once they are revealed and accessible, the display of icons on the visual desktop can be turned off.

BTW, in my DuckDuckGo search, sister forum, SevenForums, has a tutorial on the Desktop Toolbar. I would think there is one in EightForums. Edit: 'found' in "Taskbar Toolbar - Add or Remove". It has a screen capture of the tool in use. In SevenForums, "Toolbars - How to Use in Windows 7/8 and Vista" has a vimeo. I have not seen it.

Some of the recent programs, during installation, offer a choice of either add a shortcut entry to StartMenu, the desktop or both. When one can, choosing the desktop exclusively keeps the StartMenu from bloating. The desktop icon shortcuts can then be easily managed via the Desktop Toolbar. Depending on how one organizes this Toolbar, it can function as a StartMenu, with the advantage of a drop-down cascade menu. One can slide the mouse cursor to one's delight over the plethora of choices until one selects. The Win 7 StartMenu was a click-click-click.

And how do I get to the TWO screens of the Metro screen? So far, nothing I"ve found even says there are 2 screens. Or are the irrelevant and I can ignore the whole Metro thing? Just out of curiosity I'd like to see the screens.
I don't use Apps, so I consider the Metro screens irrelevant. I had to deal with them in order to upgrade via the Store. AND, having Apps running on the 'other' Start screen is not using the resources wisely.

Left-clicking the StartMenu takes one directly to the main Metro Start screen. Once that is uncluttered to a few entries, there is a small circle with a 'down arrow'. That takes one to the secondary Metro screen with the various desktop programs' homepage and uninstall links.

As far as the desktop. Yes, I know I can put a massive number of icons on it, but I've always found that to be really slow and cumbersome 'cause the windows obscure them and I was constantly shoving stuff around to get to things.
The Desktop Toolbar provides the solution to that problem. Although, I suppose you'll have to find the Desktop Toolbar first.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Ah, now I get it for the desktop toolbars. Yes, I was familiar with it, I just hadn't used it on the Windows 7 system.

I'll do some playing.

I think I've got enough information now to spend some time rummaging around the system and eventually get things to where it's reasonably productive. I had hoped to use Windows 8.1 in it's natural state so it would be easier when I have to get on someone else's system, but now that I see that many of y'all have added bits and pieces to better fit the way you work, I'm doing the same thing.

Off to play... Well, actually first off to Seagate to get a disk replaced. I've got a pair of pretty new 2TB Seagate drives. One failed in August and Seagate replaced it. The other has been working but when I plugged it into the 8.1 system it wouldn't boot 'cause it threw a fit about a SMART error. Put it on the Windows 7 system and it worked fine.

Did a full disk wipe, full surface scan, and full format and it SAYS there are no bad blocks. But CrystalDiskInfo says there are FIVE reallocated sectors and even though it passes the test in SeaTools I can't get the 8.1 system to stop yelling about the SMART error. So, I'll do the RMA on this one too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel 5820
    Motherboard
    Asus X99 Deluxe
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 970 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2, 30" U3014
    Hard Drives
    1TB 840 EVO O/S, apps, all non-image data
    2, 3TB Seagate for images
    2, 2TB Seagate for backups
    3, 1TB external backups
    PSU
    EVGA Gold 1000W
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Internet Speed
    20 MB
    Browser
    Firefox
I think I'm even more OLD SCHOOL than Gracie and I resist change like a bulldozer that someone's trying to pull backwards with a garden tractor. :) :) :)

For over a decade, I've run Windows XP-Pro as my main (every day) OS and I've used the Desktop like MS originally designed it to be used. How many office desks do you see, with the phone, stapler, tape dispenser and Inbox all secreted away in drawers.
"A clean desk is the sign of a weak mind". I always thought that little saying was 'Right On'.

So when I installed Windows 8.1 on a laptop PC, I used the "Classic Shell" to set it up to look and work just like XP.
Without any user password, my little PC jumps right to the desktop on boot up, just like XP or Windows 7.

I do have a 64 bit AMD cpu, but I only use the 32 bit version of Windows 8.1, because of its GREAT Backward Compatibility.
On my little laptop, I have even installed and run a 16 bit game that I bought back in 1990. See following pic.



Please......no sheep jokes!

And for us old Outlook Express users, there is Windows Mail which is disabled in Win-8, but can be re-enabled without any problem at all.

So, if I were forced to start using Windows 8.1 as my everyday OS, I could do so without any serious mental stress.
Every program that I currently use under Windows XP, will run equally well under Windows 8.1, by running them in Compatibility mode, and with "Run as Administrator" selected for the shortcut.

I've done all of the above for my Oldster customers who don't adapt easily to Change, but are stuck with a new computer that uses Windows 8.1.

Cheers Mates and Happy Holidays!

:cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8.1/Pro/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer X-1200
    CPU
    AMD 2 Core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    Crucial, 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 9200
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk, SSD 500GB
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    Acer
    Case
    SFF Slimline
    Keyboard
    emachines 101 key
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    5 Meg
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Using Classic Shell on Win-8.1 /pro/64
Oh, boy, this ain't good! In truth I'm crusty enough to agree with TechnoMage! XP, desktop and start menu was the easiest system on which to find programs and run them for me doing actual work. I'll get used to 8.1 as I did to 7, but it sure seems far less geared toward actual productivity than to cutesy social stuff that I've removed...

Anyhow, I've not gotten to the point where I'm dangerous! I know enough to get INTO trouble, but not enough to know how to get out!

For example, at the moment I have NO startup programs. Yesterday I had a bunch, most of which were disabled, but a couple were enabled to start when I booted. Now, it's completely empty. I found a topic that talked about putting programs into startup, but when I got to the point where I ran the command "shell:startup" it said there WAS NO FOLDER... I'm guessing I clobbered it, but I don't know where it should be, so I'm not sure. I've gotta find something to tell me where it SHOULD be.

I'm now at the point where there's going to be a fair amount of heavy sighing!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel 5820
    Motherboard
    Asus X99 Deluxe
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 970 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2, 30" U3014
    Hard Drives
    1TB 840 EVO O/S, apps, all non-image data
    2, 3TB Seagate for images
    2, 2TB Seagate for backups
    3, 1TB external backups
    PSU
    EVGA Gold 1000W
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Internet Speed
    20 MB
    Browser
    Firefox
C:/users/your name/AppData/roaming/Microsift/Windows/Start menu/Programs/Startup
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
C:/users/your name/AppData/roaming/Microsift/Windows/Start menu/Programs/Startup

Yup, I found that one. Actually there wasn't one, so I created a folder called "Startup". Put in a test program, and it never showed up in the list of startup programs. I figured there must be some OTHER general/non-user-specific folder where things had to go.

I have no idea WHAT I did to clobber the startup stuff, but I did.

I also had the rude shock yesterday of going out and looking at all the processes and stuff running in 8.1..... GOOD GRIEF! I can't believe all the "stuff" that's sitting there. Apparently AISuite 3 creates at LEAST 6 or 8 processes and/or services, and there's a massive herd of other background processes!

Oh, Samsung Magician has THREE things, and I haven't been able to find anything to tell me which, if any of them, I actually need:

Samsung Magician Application -- what do I need this for?
Samsung RAPID Mode Notification Utility -- does this do anything other than TELL ME something is doing RAPID?
Samsung RAPID Mode Service --- I presume this one is actually doing RAPID mode?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel 5820
    Motherboard
    Asus X99 Deluxe
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix 32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 970 FTW
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2, 30" U3014
    Hard Drives
    1TB 840 EVO O/S, apps, all non-image data
    2, 3TB Seagate for images
    2, 2TB Seagate for backups
    3, 1TB external backups
    PSU
    EVGA Gold 1000W
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Internet Speed
    20 MB
    Browser
    Firefox
The default active Startup folder should be in:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Some programs in Startup need to be run "As Administrator", you can set that in it's options. Out of 9 startup applications I have only one starting from that Startup folder. Might be best to reinstall applications you want in Startup but the less there is faster will Windows start and less RAM and CPU cycles be used during normal use. It's best to have just absolutely necessary ones, ones needed all the time.
I'm not sure about that Samsung stuff, maybe somebody that has that SSD can tell you better about it but I think that RAPID service has to be installed and enabled to auto in Windows Services. RAPID mode is actually a disk cache running in RAM and is supposed to speed up SSD writes but I don't know how much it helps with only one SSD which is much faster than a HDD anyway.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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