Tidbits of using Windows 8

There are many tips for usiong Windows online. I am jogging down the few that I have found useful from my own perspective:

  • Get rid of password requirement after the computer wakes up: Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Power Options>System Settings
  • Missing the start button of previous version of Windows? Simpley click the Windows key, then start typing.  Don't worry about where the curor is.
  • Windows 8 has built-in virtual DVD, a pleasantly surprising addition great feature. Right-click and iso file > Mount.
  • Close a metro style application occupying the entire screen: drag it to the bottom
  • Desktop icons are not on the main stream?  Drag icons from other screens to the main screen, then sort.
  • Changing motherboard and CPU may require nothing to install.  This is a significant advange for those who upgrade their computers or repair hardware frequently. 
  • Disable the flawed Microsfot Windows Search Indexer service that is essentially useless but causes a lot of harm by consuming high CPU and literally eating all free hard drive space.  Yes, the index file (C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb) grows indefinitely.

Wish List:

  • "Start" button for the desktop UI 

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