Shortcuts and surprises in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

[h=1]
Shortcuts and surprises in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview[/h] By Ed Bott
March 2, 2012, 7:16am PST


Summary: After a couple days of poking around in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on multiple PCs, I’ve found a few shortcuts and surprises. If you’re a Windows 8 power user, these five tips are for you.


I’ve had a chance to poke around in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on multiple PCs for 48 hours now (after spending a week with the beta on a Samsung tablet identical to the one that developers received at Microsoft’s BUILD conference last September).


In that time, I’ve discovered a few useful little shortcuts and surprises. If you’ve installed the Consumer Preview, you might find these tidbits useful:

more

These are the 5 items brought to light in the article you'll want to get familiar with!


[h=3]Fast access to system-management tools[/h][h=3]Capture a screenshot[/h][h=3]Save a custom refresh point[/h][h=3]Enable Windows 8’s backup tool, File History[/h][h=3]Check the Windows Experience Index[/h]
 
I like the screenshot tip (I create a lot of screenshots).
 

My Computer

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    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
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Save a custom Refresh Point is the winner for me, the present Refresh is a bit too much work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
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    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
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    Intel HD 4000
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    High Definiton Audio Device
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    Generic
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    1366x768
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    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
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    Generic
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    QWERTY
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    ELANTECH Touchpad
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    12.68Mbps
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    IE11
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    Windows Defender
Nice post Night Hawk, I liked all surprises !
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
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    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
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    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
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    ASUS Z87-Plus
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    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
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    7.1 HDA
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    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
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    Corsair Carbide R300
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    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
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    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
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    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
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    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
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    IE, FF, Chrome
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    AVG Internet Security 2015
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    Some wired stuff
Firs 3 surprises caught my attention, Thanks Night Hawk.
 

My Computer

System One

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    Windows 10 Pro x 2
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    System Manufacturer/Model
    My own abomination, I call it the Money Pit
    CPU
    Intel i7 2600K @ 3.40 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth P67
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Dual Channel Kit
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    EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 ULTRA GAMING 10GB GDDR6X
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    Onboard Realtek or Nvidia High Definition Audio (HDMI)
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    Samsung JS7000 50" SUHD TV or Samsung 27" FHD 60Hz 8ms GTG VA LED Smart Monitor
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    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 870 EVO 250 GB SSD (Windows 10 Pro), 1 x Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB SSD (Windows 10 Pro)
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    Corsair AX860 - 860W Modular Power Supply
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    Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Full Tower Case - Black
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    CORSAIR Hydro Series H150i PRO RGB 360mm Liquid CPU Cooler
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    Logitech K830 Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    10/100/1000 Mbps capable
    Browser
    (Primary) Latest Firefox version & Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
    Other Info
    LG Super Multi Blue Internal Blu-ray Disk Rewriter - BH10LS30
    6x2 HDMI Switcher (6 inputs, 2 outputs) so I can send the output of my Cable Box, Roku, or any my 4 computers to either my TV or Monitor separately or simultaneously.
Nice find, my favorite is the right click start icon from the desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
I just found out you can close a metro app by clicking and dragging it down. Wow!
 

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    ASUS
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    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
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    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
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    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    OCZ 500 watt
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    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
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    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I just found out you can close a metro app by clicking and dragging it down. Wow!

I just found out I can switch from the Desktop to the Metro screen the same way!
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E520
    CPU
    Intel Q6700 Core 2 Quad - 2.66 GHz
    Motherboard
    Whatever Dell put in there...
    Memory
    8 GB Mushkin 800 MHz DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GTX 650 - 2 GB GDDR5
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    Integrated
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    2 x 19" ViewSonic LCD's
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    1 Intel X25-M 120G SSD, 2 WD RE4 2TB HD's
    PSU
    PCPower & Cooling Silencer 500 Watt
    Internet Speed
    100/10 Time Warner Cable
Thanks Ed, didn't know that one.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
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    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
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    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
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    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
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    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
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    Onboard VIA VT2021
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    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
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    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
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    Corsair HX650W
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    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
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    CM Sentinel
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    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
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    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
I just found out you can close a metro app by clicking and dragging it down. Wow!

I just found out I can switch from the Desktop to the Metro screen the same way!

Or...You could just press the windows key.

Dude, don't harsh my buzz, where's the fun in that?:party:

All joking aside, I've been using the Windows key to switch between the Metro start screen and the desktop since Day One and it's great. Actually quicker to start up a new program/app that way than the current Win 7 Start button. One key press, followed by one click. Sweet.

My earlier comment was actually expressing wonder (in an unclear way) at how the Desktop can be treated as just another Metro app...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E520
    CPU
    Intel Q6700 Core 2 Quad - 2.66 GHz
    Motherboard
    Whatever Dell put in there...
    Memory
    8 GB Mushkin 800 MHz DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GTX 650 - 2 GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 19" ViewSonic LCD's
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    1 Intel X25-M 120G SSD, 2 WD RE4 2TB HD's
    PSU
    PCPower & Cooling Silencer 500 Watt
    Internet Speed
    100/10 Time Warner Cable
Thanks for posting that. I found the Computer Management start menu by accident yesterday.

Now, does anyone know how I can pin the 'Services' program to the Metro desktop or even pin it to the taskbar in the regular desktop? I've been working on this for over an hour and I don't see any way of pinning this anywhere.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 Consumer Preview
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite A105-S4397
    CPU
    Intel Centrino Duo 1.73 GHz T2250 2MB L2, 533MHz FSB
    Motherboard
    Mobile Intel 945GM Express
    Memory
    4GB PC4200
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    Intel GMA 950
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    On-board
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    15.4" built-in
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    160GB 5400RPM Hitachi
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    15VDC@5A or 12VDC at 6600MaH Li
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    Plastic
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    Smallest fan on the planet
    Keyboard
    Querty Eng/German
    Mouse
    Yes, but I've set traps
    Internet Speed
    10M
    Other Info
    Clean install from a corrupted and virus laden Vista original factory install on this ancient laptop.

    Runs like it was at Indy!
From the Metro start screen:
Hover the mouse cursor at the bottom right corner to bring up the "charms"(?) bar.
Click on Settings
Click on Settings again
Show Administrative Tools, choose "Yes"

Services should now be one of the many additional tiles in your Metro start screen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E520
    CPU
    Intel Q6700 Core 2 Quad - 2.66 GHz
    Motherboard
    Whatever Dell put in there...
    Memory
    8 GB Mushkin 800 MHz DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GTX 650 - 2 GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 19" ViewSonic LCD's
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    1 Intel X25-M 120G SSD, 2 WD RE4 2TB HD's
    PSU
    PCPower & Cooling Silencer 500 Watt
    Internet Speed
    100/10 Time Warner Cable
Awesome!! Thanks so much.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 Consumer Preview
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite A105-S4397
    CPU
    Intel Centrino Duo 1.73 GHz T2250 2MB L2, 533MHz FSB
    Motherboard
    Mobile Intel 945GM Express
    Memory
    4GB PC4200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA 950
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.4" built-in
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    160GB 5400RPM Hitachi
    PSU
    15VDC@5A or 12VDC at 6600MaH Li
    Case
    Plastic
    Cooling
    Smallest fan on the planet
    Keyboard
    Querty Eng/German
    Mouse
    Yes, but I've set traps
    Internet Speed
    10M
    Other Info
    Clean install from a corrupted and virus laden Vista original factory install on this ancient laptop.

    Runs like it was at Indy!
Happy to help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell E520
    CPU
    Intel Q6700 Core 2 Quad - 2.66 GHz
    Motherboard
    Whatever Dell put in there...
    Memory
    8 GB Mushkin 800 MHz DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GTX 650 - 2 GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 19" ViewSonic LCD's
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    1 Intel X25-M 120G SSD, 2 WD RE4 2TB HD's
    PSU
    PCPower & Cooling Silencer 500 Watt
    Internet Speed
    100/10 Time Warner Cable
Try typing services.msc. Should be able to pin that when it pops up.

Unless you want a whole bunch of extra squares on the start screen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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