Shortcut will minimize all open windows so you can see the desktop background. + E to open File Explorer, with Computer selected in the navigation pane. + W to search for any option in the PC Settings pane or the desktop Control You'll find power and volume options, among others. + I (that's a capital 'eye') to open the Settings charm, where Key to toggle between the Start screen and the desktop. Here are a few ways to put this key to good use: The most useful key of all, it turns out, is the Windows key

On a desktop PC, keyboard shortcuts are.

On the Logitech T400 mouse, for example, you can defineĬlicks and swipes that correspond to Windows 8 gestures:

Having a touchscreen or a touch-enabled mouse or.

Third-party program launchers that fit in the space where the Start menu used If you decide it's not for you? Take your pick from a growing assortment of After you give it a fair shake, what happens New Start screen offers some improvement over the conventional Start menu, even

If you can overcome the muscle memory and adapt, the

You might actually like the Start screen once.

The levers and buttons have moved around, and it takes someĮffort to get rid of the default tiles, but the effort is worth it. Don't be afraid to move things around or uninstall apps.

The default Windows 8 configuration wasn'tĭesigned for you.

To get started, you need to accept a few things: Some wonderful, delightful, productivity-enhancing new features, which you willīe more likely to discover after we clear away the Windows 8 annoyances thatĪre probably all you can concentrate on at the moment. That means going from that garish, cluttered display to a streamlined, Shortcuts, and workflow you're accustomed to, while taking advantage of the That transformation allows you to continue using the tools, techniques, My goal is to help you transform the strange Windows 8Įnvironment into one that resembles your familiar Windows 7 desktop. You're so frustrated you don't even know where to start.

Windows 7 default desktop