Tips for new user

gino76ph

New Member
Messages
40
Hi there!
I have recently bought my very first Windows 8 touchscreen laptop. I have had a Macbook Air in the past 2 years and prior to that a Windows 7 desktop. I want a cheap and "familiar" computer which i can call my own.
What i want to ask & discuss here are some tips & tricks on how to make my Windows experience a lot smoother, stress-free, hassle-free, virus-free and "everything just works" quickly/instantly just like my Mac.
I want to also ask how can i conserve and save battery life and ways to be aware of what to check or what to do in the laptop itself to help extend battery life.
I await all your advices & comments.
Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 is not hassle free. You have to learn a completely new system which is not very well designed for a laptop. If you really want hassle free, upgrade to Windows 7.

There is no way you can completely stay away from malware with any Windows OS - unless you stay away from the web. You run a considerably lower risk if you do your web activities from Linux - e.g. in a virtual partition.

If you want more performance, replace the HDD with a SSD. That will also prolong battery life because SSDs use a lot less power than HDDs. It is also less heat.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Hello, gino76ph. Welcome to Windows EightForums.

Touch laptop. Nice choice.

Windows 8.1 is a great OS, especially for a touch device although it works well with mouse and keyboard. There is a higher learning curve than from one traditional OS to another. E.g. Windows Vista to 7. However, it isn’t as difficult as some make it out to be.

If you have not started here, please do: Start screen - Microsoft Windows

Windows defender included is all you’ll need. Our computing habits are the best defense against attacks.

So far as battery, your OEM should have installed a program to watch and regulate that.

If you have more questions please don’t hesitate to ask away.

Again, welcome. Enjoy your stay.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
If you have not already done so,

Create Recovery Media!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Acquire Imaging Software and create backup image!!!!!!!!!!

Best Advice I Can Give:D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 64, LT -Windows 10 Home 64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 500-075 Desktop + HP 15-f018dx Laptop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 Ivy Bridge 3.2 GHz Quad Core/ LT - i3-4030U 1.9 GHz
    Motherboard
    Foxcon Joshua-H61-uATX
    Memory
    8 GB/ LT - 6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD (DX10.1)
    Sound Card
    Integrated IDT 92HD73E
    Hard Drives
    1T HDD, 16G Sandisk Cache Drive, 2T Seagate 3.0 External
    Keyboard
    Wireless
    Mouse
    Wireless
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    CyberPower UPS, Macrium Backup, Revo Pro, Malwarebytes Premium
Thank you guys for welcoming me.

I have bought the new Lenovo Yoga 2. I have chosen it because of the specs, being a touchscreen, my budget and th fact that it has an SSD (or a hybrid drive i believe) so it should be faster.

Would disabling the security sign-in make my laptop faster in starting up?


Will deleting any pre-installed OEM-own antivirus improve performance? Or shall i just keep Windows Defender?
Setting the Updates automatically make my laptop more secure & safe?
And what of these .tmp files? Where can i find them and would deleting them make my PC faster?
When i had my old Win Vista/WIn7 desktop i always do this disk defragmenter which took a lot of time doing it. Do i need to do that on a Windows 8/8.1 laptop?
Why pinch to zoom is not enabled on other third-party browsers? Is there a way to enable it?
Still not convinced and not understand why app loading is slow. (I'm talking about my wife's Asus 6 month old Windows 8.1 laptop but i guess that's down to the specs???)
And i heard about this Recovery Disk or Recovery Mode. What is it exactly?

Will loading Windows from the normal SSD location be generally fine?

And is there a way to do a "screenshot" of the screen? And where is it normally stored? Can i customise on where the screenshots go to?

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Would disabling the security sign-in make my laptop faster in starting up?

Are you signing in with a Microsoft account?

Will deleting any pre-installed OEM-own antivirus improve performance? Or shall i just keep Windows Defender?

Yes. I would uninstall and turn Defender and Firewall on. 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] party AV products are resource hogs.

Setting the Updates automatically make my laptop more secure & safe?

Yes. Defender usually updates its library daily. Other major updates are usually on the second Tuesday of the month referred to as Patch Tuesday.

And what of these .tmp files? Where can i find them and would deleting them make my PC faster?

Mostly in your user and Downloads folder. They don’t slow a system down. They take up space. Use the system's Disk Clean or a lot of members here use CCleaner. There is a free or pay for Pro Version. I use it at least every other week. http://www.eightforums.com/software-apps/2726-latest-ccleaner-version-released.html

When i had my old Win Vista/WIn7 desktop i always do this disk defragmenter which took a lot of time doing it. Do i need to do that on a Windows 8/8.1 laptop?

No. Windows 8/8.1 perform Check Disk and Defrag automatically during idle times.

Why pinch to zoom is not enabled on other third-party browsers? Is there a way to enable it?

Not qualified to answer this. I use IE. I think it to be more secure and works along with the system.

Still not convinced and not understand why app loading is slow. (I'm talking about my wife's Asus 6 month old Windows 8.1 laptop but i guess that's down to the specs???)

I advise to start another thread specific to this question.

And i heard about this Recovery Disk or Recovery Mode. What is it exactly?

I don’t know Lenovo’s recovery method. Please refer to your manual or help files. Some OEMs ask owners to make recovery media. There is the mirroring as gator2013 and whs described above. There are these:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2293-refresh-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/3610-refresh-windows-8-create-use-custom-recovery-image.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18052-refresh-reset-windows-8-without-installation-disk.html

Will loading Windows from the normal SSD location be generally fine?

Yes.

And is there a way to do a "screenshot" of the screen? And where is it normally stored? Can i customise on where the screenshots go to?

Windows key + Print Screen. Stored at This PC/Pictures/Screenshots or in your user folders/Pictures/Screenshots. I don’t mess with the system so far as this goes. Someone else may know.

Of course my answers are not a final say. Hopefully others answer also.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Am i obliged by the computer to sign-in my Microsoft or Hotmail account?

Does Windows checks the disk & defrag the disks even when the lid is close or the PC is sleeping?

I heard that deleting .tmp files will help with your PC's performance. But you are telling me it doesn't make a difference. What is correct here?

Browsers nowadays be it PC, Mac or mobile devices seem to outdo each other. Some say theirs is much better/faster other say the same thing. For you what are the Top 2 in reality terms are the top browsers to use for PC?

Is it advisable to create a Recovery Disk on startup or the initial setup? Or not? Or are my file safe as where they are? (As i heard there is the Refresh option somewhere)

How do i partition a hard drive? I would like to just partition them as i did on my Mac i.e. documents, photos, music, video...that's it. Please help.

Before i thought of getting a Windows laptop i was considering a Google Chromebook. I thought because i have an Android tablet and a phone i can take advantage and just enjoy the full Google suite of services including that 100GB of Google Drive.. their cloud service.
So....
Instead of partitioning thh HD shall i just save them on the cloud using Google Drive or One Drive? But OD has a lot less storage isn't it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Am i obliged by the computer to sign-in my Microsoft or Hotmail account?

Signing into your Microsoft account uses MS services. These services synch upon boot, therefore it takes longer. However, one gets personalized info via these services. You could change to a local account or create another one to sign in with or just boot to. The services will be limited, though.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5518-user-account-type-change-windows-8-a.html?filter[1]=User Accounts
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5536-user-account-add-new-user-windows-8-a.html?filter[1]=User Accounts

Does Windows checks the disk & defrag the disks even when the lid is close or the PC is sleeping?

That depends on settings as to what happens when you close the lid. Usually they sleep. You could set it otherwise. Perhaps to sleep after an allotted time? Those settings are within your Power Options via the Control Panel or “Change PC settings” via Charms Bar > Settings.

I heard that deleting .tmp files will help with your PC's performance. But you are telling me it doesn't make a difference. What is correct here?

I don’t think that it would make a difference other than with a file search. It would have to sift through those. If anything, it actually slows a browser down slightly due to deleting cookies. CCleaner has a “Smart cookie” setting one could use. It is an option upon installation. All in all, it’s a good practice to keep a clean anything. :)

Browsers nowadays be it PC, Mac or mobile devices seem to outdo each other. Some say theirs is much better/faster other say the same thing. For you what are the Top 2 in reality terms are the top browsers to use for PC?

I am what I would consider a Windows/MS purist. I hardly use 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] party programs. I’ve heard many an argument on browsers. I simply stick with IE.

Is it advisable to create a Recovery Disk on startup or the initial setup? Or not? Or are my file safe as where they are? (As i heard there is the Refresh option somewhere)

After one has their device the way they like it with all programs installed, settings, and personalization is a good time to mirror IMO. Also, Windows continues to have a backup program to back up personal files on a regular bases.

How do i partition a hard drive? I would like to just partition them as i did on my Mac i.e. documents, photos, music, video...that's it. Please help.

I think it is better to back up on exterior drives such as thumbs, HDs, DVDs, etc. in case the main drive goes bad. However, if that’s what you choose please refer to Disk Management help, look into the tutorial section of this forum, or the MS help site.

Before i thought of getting a Windows laptop i was considering a Google Chromebook. I thought because i have an Android tablet and a phone i can take advantage and just enjoy the full Google suite of services including that 100GB of Google Drive.. their cloud service.
So....
Instead of partitioning thh HD shall i just save them on the cloud using Google Drive or One Drive? But OD has a lot less storage isn't it?

I have Windows 8.1 Pro on my Acer tower and a Nokia Lumia 1520 phablet. I am heading in the MS direction of an OS and services across all devices. Simple to me, but that’s me. Never had any Apple products and I very much dislike Google.

I use OD with free space given to me for now, so it’s limited. One can buy as much storage as one needs. You may want to do a price comparison. I would imagine they’re all pretty much the same.

Thanks for the rep, BTW! Very considerate of you. :thumb:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
On my wife's laptop there are indications or information as to whether a disk can be defragmented or checked if the lid is close or on sleep mode. My question is is there are any way to check if the disk is being defragmented or being checked or scanned by Windows if its on sleep or if lid is closed?

Where is this Refresh button on Windows 8? What does it do? I'm torn between making a Recovery Disk drive/mode or not.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
On my wife's laptop there are indications or information as to whether a disk can be defragmented or checked if the lid is close or on sleep mode. My question is is there are any way to check if the disk is being defragmented or being checked or scanned by Windows if its on sleep or if lid is closed?

Where is this Refresh button on Windows 8? What does it do? I'm torn between making a Recovery Disk drive/mode or not.

if you go to control panel and power options ,you can set closing the lid to "do nothing " and windows should stay active ,and as for defragmenting drives its a function that over the years was made to sound like something important to do ,but is NOT in my opinion, I have owned computers for years ,and don't thing I defrags any drive of mine since the early years of win95-98 ,just my ever so humble opinion ,and shared by many iam sure , if you search the net for info on it
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
And is there a way to do a "screenshot" of the screen? And where is it normally stored? Can i customise on where the screenshots go to?

Saving a screenshot is basically the same for any image editor.

Here is windows paint:

{Click on the picture to see it bigger so you can read the text}

Screenshot (75).png

Screenshot (77).png

Alt+Print Screen captures the open Active window.

Like this RUN window:

screenshot_51.jpg

Once you play around with screenshots for a while they become easy to do.

I hope this tiny tutorial helps. :)
 

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
    Monitor(s) Displays
    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
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Very very helpful guys. I am ticking that small icon on the bottom and i assume that is the "Like" button as i may have run out of Reputation ticks.

I am eagerly waiting for my machine and i can't wait.

Now, someone told me that it is necessary to sign-in using one's Hotmail account once you Turn on your laptop is that correct? And i understand that if you don't put a log-in or sign-in you can't access the store, MS Services et al is this correct?

Where can i change my Photo or icon on Sign-in page btw?

As regards the screenshot issue is there a specific format that is "much better" (i.e. much compressed) than the other?

My thinking now is what other more tasks i should be doing manually and setting the PC automatically? This issue of defragmentation, chkdsk, Optimizing disks i have been doing bi-monthly on my old Vista/Win7 desktops and i'm beginning to be OCD about it. (sorry)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1

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
    Monitor(s) Displays
    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
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
I am eagerly waiting for my machine and i can't wait.

When is it due to come?

Now, someone told me that it is necessary to sign-in using one's Hotmail account once you Turn on your laptop is that correct?

Incorrect. One can use a local account.

And i understand that if you don't put a log-in or sign-in you can't access the store, MS Services et al is this correct?

Correct. No store and very limited with services.

Where can i change my Photo or icon on Sign-in page btw?

Charms Bar > Settings > Change PC settings > Accounts > Your account. Or Control Panel > Accounts

My thinking now is what other more tasks i should be doing manually and setting the PC automatically? This issue of defragmentation, chkdsk, Optimizing disks i have been doing bi-monthly on my old Vista/Win7 desktops and i'm beginning to be OCD about it. (sorry)

I used to do maintenance in 7 too. Just disk clean now. The rest is automatic. I’ll check Defender, Windows Update, and some logs files in Event Viewer every now and then to keep an eye on things, but that’s about it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Hi there!
I have recently bought my very first Windows 8 touchscreen laptop. I have had a Macbook Air in the past 2 years and prior to that a Windows 7 desktop. I want a cheap and "familiar" computer which i can call my own.
What i want to ask & discuss here are some tips & tricks on how to make my Windows experience a lot smoother, stress-free, hassle-free, virus-free and "everything just works" quickly/instantly just like my Mac.
I want to also ask how can i conserve and save battery life and ways to be aware of what to check or what to do in the laptop itself to help extend battery life.
I await all your advices & comments.
Thanks.

Cheap, yeah, more so than a Mac. Familiar, not so much, but you can get there. There should be a "Getting Started" tile somewhere on your laptop. Start by going there and checking things out.

All of us get into trouble at one point or another, and generally come here for help and advice. As you've wisely done. :)

See the little "My System Specs" at the bottom left of this post? All you have in yours is OS: Windows 8.1. Go to the top of this forum and click on My Profile. Choose System Specs and complete the form, giving all the information you can about your laptop. It will be invaluably helpful to those future helpers you may need.

Finally, before coming to the forums (not in this case), go to your laptop manufacturer's web pages to see if there may be a resolution to your problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Very very helpful guys. I am ticking that small icon on the bottom and i assume that is the "Like" button as i may have run out of Reputation ticks.

Yep, I think we only get so many per day. You may have to wait until today to do some more. So, use 'em wisely.

Where can i change my Photo or icon on Sign-in page btw?

On the "metro interface" start typing PC Settings and you'll get several choices (which narrow the more you type); select PC Settings and you'll see a whole laundry list of things you may want to do to personalize your computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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