October, 2013: Getting Started with Windows 8

Windows 8 can be confusing at first, since the interface has changed so much. You'll need to know how to navigate the Start screen as well as the Desktop. 

To Sign In to Windows 8: 
When you're setting up Windows 8, it will require you to create an account name and password that you will use to sign in. You can also create additional accounts, and you'll have the option of associating each one with a Microsoft account. 
1. Click anywhere on the lock screen to unlock the computer. 
2. Your user account name and picture will appear. Type your password and then press Enter to sign in.  Alternatively, you can press the back arrow to select a different user. 
3. The Start screen will appear. 

Navigating Windows 8 
There are several ways to navigate through Windows 8, including hot corners, keyboard shortcuts, and gestures if you're using a computer or tablet with a touchscreen. 

Using Hot Corners 
Whether you're in the Start screen or the Desktop, you can navigate through Windows 8 by using hot corners. 
To use a hot corner, just hover the mouse in the corner of the screen, and it will open a toolbar or tile that you can click. Each corner performs a different task: 
1. Lower left click: When you're using an app, you can click in the lower-left corner to switch back to the Start screen. 
2. Upper left hover: If you have several apps open, you can switch between them by hovering the mouse in the upper-left corner and then moving the mouse down. This displays a list of all of your open apps, and you can click the desired app to switch to it. 
3. Upper left click: If you click in the upper-left corner, it will switch to the previous app that you were using. 
4. Upper right or lower right hover: You can hover the mouse in the upper-right or lower-right corner to open the Charms bar, which you'll use to adjust your computer's settings, manage printers, and more. 

If you have a touchscreen, you can navigate by using swipe gestures instead of hot corners: 
1. Swipe in from left edge lets you switch to a different open app. 
2. Swipe in from right edge opens the Charms bar. 
Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Navigate 
Windows 8 has several keyboard shortcuts that you can use to navigate more easily: 
1. Alt+Tab: You can hold down the Alt key and then press Tab one or more times to switch between your open apps. This feature is called Flip, and it works in both Desktop view and the Start screen. 
2. Windows: When you have an app open, you can press the Windows key to switch to the Start screen. This shortcut also lets you switch back to the Start screen when you are in Desktop view. 
3. Windows+D: You can hold down the Windows key and press D to switch to Desktop view. 


The Charms Bar 
The Charms bar is a toolbar that lets you access your computer's settings, along with other options. You can access the Charms bar by hovering the mouse in the top-right or bottom-right corner. 
The Charms bar contains several icons, which are called charms, and each one contains different options: 
1. Search: The Search charm lets you find apps, files, or settings on your computer. However, a 
simpler way to search is to go to the Start screen and start typing the name of the file or app that you're looking for. 
2. Share: The Share charm is basically a copy and paste feature that is designed to be as convenient as possible. It allows you to "copy" information (such as a photo or web address) and "paste" it into another app. For example, if you're viewing a photo in the Photos app, you can share it with the SkyDrive app, which will upload the photo to your SkyDrive. If you're reading an article online, you can share the address with the Email app, which lets you email the article to a friend. 
3. Start: This switches to the Start screen. If you're already on the Start screen, it will open the most recent app. 
4. Devices: This shows any hardware devices that are connected to your computer, such as printers or monitors. 
5. Settings: This lets you access general settings for your computer, as well as settings for the app you're currently viewing. For example, if you're in Internet Explorer, you can go to the Settings charm to access your Internet Options. 

Coping Without the Start Menu 
Although the Desktop looks very similar to previous versions of Windows, it has one major change: the Start menu has been removed. The Start menu was a very important feature in previous versions of Windows, as it was used to launch apps, search for files, open the Control Panel, and shut down the computer. You can still do all of these things in Windows 8, but they're now found in different places. 

To Launch an App: 
There are several ways to open an app in Windows 8: 
1. Click the app icon on the taskbar. 
2. Double-click the app shortcut on the Desktop. 
3. Click the app tile in the Start screen. 
4. To view all of your apps, right-click the Start screen background and select All apps. 

To Search for a File or App: 
Press the Windows key to switch to the Start screen, and then type what you're looking for. Your search results will instantly appear on the left side of the screen, and search options will appear on the right. 

To Open the Control Panel: 
1. From the Desktop view, hover the mouse in the lower-right corner to access the Charms bar, then select Settings. 
2. Locate and select Control Panel from the Settings Pane. 
3. The Control Panel will appear. You can then select the desired setting to change it. 

To Shut Down Your Computer: 
1. Hover the mouse in the lower-right corner to access the Charms bar, then select Settings. 
2. Click Power and select Shut down. 

Working with Start Screen Apps 
Start screen apps are different from the "classic" Windows apps you may be used to. Apps fill the entire screen instead of opening in a window. However, you can still multitask by opening two apps side-by-side. 

To Open an App: 
1. On the Start screen, locate and click the app that you want to open. 
2. The app will open and fill the entire screen. 

To Close an App: 
1. Hover the mouse at the top of the app. The cursor will change to a hand icon. 
2. Click, hold, and drag the top of the app all the way down to the bottom of the screen and then release. The app will close, and you'll return to the Start screen. 
When dragging the app down, it may look like it's "stuck." However, just keep moving the mouse down until the cursor gets to the bottom of the screen, and the app will then close.

Viewing Two Apps Side-By-Side 
Although apps usually fill up the entire screen, Windows 8 lets you snap an app to the left or right side and then open a second app. For example, you might want to keep your calendar visible while you're using another app. 

To View Two Apps Side-By-Side: 
1. From the Start screen, click on the first app to open it. 
2. Click, hold, and drag the top of the app all the way to the right or left side of the screen. 
3. Release the mouse, and the app will snap to the side of the screen. You cannot change the size of the snapped app. 
4. Click anywhere in the empty part of the screen to return to the Start screen. 
5. Click the second app to open it 
6. Both apps will now appear side-by-side. 
Snapping is designed to work with wide-screen monitors. You will need a screen resolution of at least 
1366x768 pixels to use this feature.