Computer Performance, Microsoft Windows 8

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Windows 8 Configuration Settings

Examine and Change Your Windows 8 SettingsMicrosoft Windows 8 Configuration Settings

Here is a reference list of Windows 8 config settings.  Each item has a link to its own page explaining how to find the menus to change the default settings.

Windows 8 Config Topics

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Benefits of the Metro UI

The design principle behind the Metro UI is to make better use of the desktop's real estate.  This is why Windows 8 tiles are bigger and better than the lifeless shortcuts of previous Windows generation.  Perhaps the best feature of a tile is the ability to to display up-to-date information, for example the current score in the big game, or my favourite, the weather  See more on the Windows Metro UI.

Arrange Your Metro UI Tiles
It's easy to swizzle the tiles into new configurations, group the tiles to your prefered lay-out.

To get more tiles on your interface, hit the key corresponding to the first letter of your chosen App, say type 's' for 'Snipping tool'.  From the list of applications tiles right-click on say 'Snipping tool', now look down and see 'Pin'.  As you click on 'Pin' so a tick appears on the tile. 

Tip: When you want to get back to the main screen press the Windows key.

See more on the touch language of the Metro UI

Next Stage Create Your Own Metro Tile

If you know anything about Microsoft Windows, then you can guess that there will be a method to create and configure your own tiles.  The process is not easy, but here are the steps to create your own Windows 8 Metro tile.

Windows 8 Performance Monitor

The big change in Windows Perfmon came between Vista and Windows 7 with the introduction of Data Collection Sets.  While configuring performance monitoring is really a job for a Windows server, the benefit of having perfmon on the client is that you can examine the health of a server's memory, cpu and disk without the application itself swaying the figures.

For day-to-day use I find the task manager invaluable in checking for malware and seeing which legitimate programs are hogging the cpu.

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The Comfort of the Windows 8 Run CommandWindows 8 Run Command

I have found the most convenient way to access the old 'Run' dialog box is to type the letters 'R u n' at the Windows 8 Metro interface.  You get a search screen displaying the shortcut to the run.  See more on the Windows 8 Run dialog box.

Have You Lost The Windows 8 Recycle Bin?

Here is how to recover that lost bin.Windows 8 Lost Recycle Bin

1) Right-click the Windows 8 Desktop
2) Select: Personalize from the menu
3) Look for the link: 'Change desktop icons'
4) At the Desktop Icon Settings, place a tick next to: 'Recycle Bin'.

Connecting Via Windows 8 Remote Desktop

The key to enabling remote desktop is thinking ahead.  Realize that one day you are going to leave your Windows 8 machine running in your office, and then visit a colleague in another office; the problem comes you need a file which is on your Windows 8 computer back in the first office. 

See here for detailed steps how to conifgure the Host and the Victim for Remote Desktop.

Configuring the Windows 8 Shutdown ButtonWindows 8 Shutdown

It takes a little getting used to finding the new position of the Windows 8 Shut down button; however once shown, you will soon adjust to that switch icon at the front screen.  To let you into a secret, I create a shutdown tile on my desktop.  I you would like this method of powering-down then see here Configuring the Windows 8 shutdown button

Summary of Windows 8 Configuration

Windows 8 is great, but it's even more fun and productive if you know how to configure its settings.  This page has a list of interesting and relevant places to change Windows default settings.

If you like this page then please share it with your friends

 


Microsoft Windows 8 Index Topics

Windows 8 Overview  • Windows 8 Configuration Settings  • Windows 8 Install Options

Windows 8 Troubleshooting Advice  • Windows 8 Registry Hacks

Windows 8 Group Policy Settings  • Windows 8 PowerShell  • Contact

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Article by: Guy Thomas Copyright © 1999-2012 Computer Performance LTD All rights reserved.

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