Post your quick and easy tips

[Preacher]

I'm far from being an expert on win8 but is there any simple tweaks you have done to improve your user experience then post them here.

I will start with a simple one.


I moved the desktop tile in the metro interface to the top left position. Now I just press windows key and then enter to get to desktop.

 

[Coke Robot]

I went through File Explorer, right clicked on all my Libraries, Downloads folder, Recycle Bin, Computer, Task Manager, and other Desktop apps to hit Pin to Start.

 

[David Bailey]

I made custom icons for elevated cmd & powershell & pinned them to taskbar.

 

[Preacher]

How did you make the custom icons? Any links to info?

 

[topgundcp]

Use of Cascading Menu

I put everything in cascading context menu so I can access them from anywhere (Desktop BG, Explorer BG, Folder, Folder BG) with a right click instead of using Start Menu/Start Screen/WinX

For Power Switch


Administrative Tools


Regular use tools

 

[David Bailey]

How did you make the custom icons? Any links to info?

I used Irfanview,sTile 99,Windows Paint, & Imagoweb.

After making the icons I put shortcuts to cmd.exe & powershell.exe on the desktop & in properties clicked the option to run as Administrator & dragged & dropped both into the Taskbar.

I attached some so you will see examples.

 

[mdmd]

The start screen is a phenomenal full screen displayer of links to installed and system programs. When looking at the start screen, all one need do, for example, is press d and enter for the desktop. Enter n for netflix, enter e or f for file explorer, p for paint or control panel... anything on your computer...

Windows 8 is extraordinarily well suited to the keyboard.




In metro internet explorer, Win + Z is useful for tabs and the address bar. Also the tab key (also good with the address bar) and up or down arrow keys for frequent or favorites.

When looking at the start screen, all alphanumeric keys are hot keys.

Also, getting to know the features of the charms as it relates to each metro app and the system settings is useful.



Win + D for the desktop.
Win + E for file explorer.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2355-windows-8-keyboard-shortcut-keys-list.html