10 Reasons You Ought To Upgrade To Windows 8.1

10 Reasons You Ought To Upgrade To Windows 8.1

If you have been hanging on tightly to your Windows XP or Windows seven installation, the arrival of Windows eight.1 may simply tempt you to jettisoning, and we're on the brink of tell you why. Early Windows eight issues are smoothed out, additional options and tools are supplemental and Microsoft appears to be a lot of certain of its footing during this brave new world of mobiles, tablets, touchscreens and ancient computers. flick through our assortment of notable advantages that create eight.1 associate degree appealing upgrade, and why you ought to create the switch.

1. sensible Search
Search results from the net seem aboard your native files
By default, the new sensible Search in Windows eight.1 includes relevant results from Bing aboard files from your laptop and SkyDrive. It will not work for each search - and you'll be able to disable it if you do not am passionate about it - however it is a great tool to possess at your disposal.

Music searches show native tracks further as band info force from the net, for instance, and there square measure higher image search capabilities and improved web site previews.

2. New and improved apps
Start screen apps square measure increasing in variety and quality

Microsoft's own apps, like Mail and Photos, have gotten higher all the time, associate degreed third-party developers also are getting down to up their game - the beginning screen Netflix app is truly an improvement on the net interface, notably if you are employing a larger screen.

App moorage is improved too, thus you'll be able to a lot of simply use begin screen and desktop apps aboard one another, or maybe have 3 or four apps running at the same time on larger displays.

3. Cloud capabilities
SkyDrive integration is a lot of seamless than ever before

SkyDrive may not be known as SkyDrive for for much longer because of a legal challenge, however it's here to remain. Microsoft's cloud-based file storage system is best integrated into Windows eight.1 when the half-way-house of Windows eight, giving users easy syncing and backup, and creating it easier to share files on-line too. If you like Dropbox, there square measure free official desktop and begin screen apps offered.

4. Desktop tweaks
The introduction of 'This PC' is one amongst the changes on the desktop

If you are a pre-Windows eight user you'll well wish to pay most of it slow on the desktop, and there square measure enhancements afoot here too. Microsoft has introduced a Desktop show Scaling perform to reinforce performance on larger and smaller screens (or systems with 2 displays of differing resolutions), simplified the File person utility with a "This PC" read that replaces "Computer" and supplemental additional commands to the right-click begin menu (including Network Connections and shutdown).

5. a lot of customization
Windows 8.1 permits for a larger level of customisation

You can currently take way more management over the planning and feel of your begin screen than you'll in Windows eight. There square measure a lot of color and background selections, extra tile sizes, and also the choice to have a slideshow rather than a static image on the lock screen. you'll be able to even replace the beginning screen with the Apps page, if you like. On the desktop, you'll be able to modification the functions of the "hot corners" if you do not just like the approach they work by default.

6. Boot to the desktop
You can choose to boot straight to the desktop or the Apps list.

The Start screen is not deed anytime before long, however you'll be able to currently bypass it after you log in - Windows eight.1 allows you to boot up to the beginning screen, the Apps page or the desktop. what is a lot of, you'll be able to keep a similar wallpaper on each the desktop and also the begin screen if you would like to create the modification less forceful. If you are on a pill, it's easier to stay to the beginning screen; if you are on a standard laptop, it's easier to stay to the desktop.

7. a much better Store
The Windows eight.1 App Store finally appearance the half

When it absolutely was 1st introduced, the Windows eight Store felt half-baked. In Windows eight.1, it works and appears far better. Having all of your package beneath one roof may be a convenient approach of operating, and apps update mechanically currently further. the shop incorporates a style, with at-a-glance descriptions and ratings that create it easier to type through suggested programs and games thus you'll be able to spot the most effective of the new apps on the platform.

8. Skype
Skype works well once snapped to the facet of the desktop

Like SkyDrive, Skype is a vital a part of the Windows expertise in eight.1, delivery along video career, audio career and instant electronic communication beneath one virtual roof that is solely a click away (and exchange the Messages app at a similar time). Right from the lock screen, Microsoft guarantees Skype are "front and center" (which could sound appealing or off-putting reckoning on whether or not you like Google Hangouts).

9. Easier configuration
8.1 makes Windows' settings easier to manage.

More tech-savvy users United Nations agency get pleasure from a poke around in their laptop settings could have given Windows eight a miss due to the hodgepodge created by the beginning screen computer Settings app and also the acquainted desktop control board. Windows 8.1 incorporates a far more comprehensive Settings app, thus most of the choices {you're going|you square measure going} to want are offered from each places, and tweaking your machine is a lot of easy.

10. Future technical school
Windows 8.1 comes with a bunch of minor enhancements.

Windows 8.1 includes a bunch of a lot of minor enhancements and tweaks that create it future-proof, from native 3D printing capabilities and support for Wi-Fi Direct printers to the recent Paint digital design app shown off by Microsoft in recent days. dawdle and you run the chance of obtaining left behind.

windows 8.1 tips

Essential 21 Tips For Windows 8.1

Now that we've all got over the shock of massive, bright, animated tiles in Windows, Microsoft has discharged version eight.1 as a refinement of its vision of a unified multi-platform package. There square measure a couple of tweaks of note, each in its surface look and deeper down, and the following tips can bring you right up to hurry with what is new and updated within the latest package.

1. Use the beginning button

Let's begin with the beginning button, reinstated in eight. 1 once being omitted from Windows eight. It truly does not do way more than the previous bottom-left hot corner did, however several can realize it encouraging anyway -- click the beginning button to state the beginning screen (or to travel back to the desktop), or right-click to access key system sections (such because the board and Task Manager).

2. Boot straight to the desktop

Whereas we're on the subject of undoing all the changes Windows eight led to, let's mention booting straight to the desktop, currently doable in Windows eight.1 for those with Associate in Nursing aversion to huge slippy blocks of color. Right-click on the desktop taskbar, opt for Properties and so open up the Navigation tab -- tick the highest possibility beneath the beginning screen heading else to the desktop (and come back thereto once there are not any apps open).

3. Customize the beginning screen

If you're a disciple of the beginning screen, there square measure currently a lot of choices for customizing it -- you'll be able to name individual teams of shortcuts, access a lot of reminder color, and switch between 3 app tile sizes. Right-click on the beginning screen and opt for Customize to vary cluster names and tile sizes; open the Settings charm and opt for personalize to access the wallpaper and color choices.

4. create playlists from Bing

If you haven't already noticed , Microsoft is extremely keen on integration its premier apps as closely as doable. strive looking for your favorite creative person in Bing victimisation the net somebody begin screen app; with the results on show, open the Share charm. you will notice there is a Music possibility there to form a listing supported the creative person you have explore for, which might are available handy once you are searching for the simplest new band of the week.

5. Check app sizes

Open up the Settings charm, then opt for modification laptop settings > Search and apps > App sizes. Windows 8.1 presents you with a listing of your presently put in apps, with the most important at the highest -- this could be helpful if you are looking to unlock some house on your Winchester drive (or tablet's flash storage) and need to understand what you'll be able to cut.

6. Use the Reading read

Windows 8.1 comes bundled with the all-new web somebody one, and if you are running it in begin screen mode you will notice a chunky book icon on the proper of the address bar once viewing sure pages. Click this icon to enter Reading read, wherever adverts and superfluous appurtenances square measure stripped away to depart solely the content you care concerning. you'll be able to conjointly send articles to the new Reading List app from the Share charm.

7. Get your libraries back

The File somebody in Windows eight.1 is not quite as keen on libraries (music, videos, photos so on) as its forerunner. Open up File somebody to search out the new renamed 'This PC' read, then opt for read > Navigation pane > Show libraries to bring them back on the left-hand facet.

8. produce a lock screen slideshow

One of the neat new options in Windows eight.1 is that the ability to line up a slideshow of images on the lock screen instead of one static image. From the Settings charm, opt for modification laptop settings > laptop and devices > Lock screen. Switch the slideshow choice to 'On' and you'll be able to specify an area folder or SkyDrive folder to supply pictures from.

9. Set a universal wallpaper

Get the sensation that your desktop scenery would look equally attractive on the beginning screen? No downside -- Windows eight.1 allows you to use an equivalent image for each. opt for the personalize possibility from the Settings charm on the beginning screen and you will see your current desktop wallpaper seem because the final possibility.

10. Save to SkyDrive

 Microsoft is incredibly keen for you to create use of its SkyDrive app, and with 8.1 it's a lot of integrated into Windows than ever before. From the Settings charm, choose amendment laptop settings then open up the SkyDrive page -- the choices here change you to use SkyDrive as your default save location, transfer photos mechanically and adjust configuration settings across multiple PCs.

11. Edit your photos

 Microsoft has been busy at work on several of the beginning screen apps, as well as Photos, that currently includes basic piece of writing tools. choose a picture from the Photos app to open it, then right-click and opt for Edit to access a spread of tools, filters and adjustment choices. 

12. Restart apps

 In Windows eight, dragging the highest of a begin screen app right down to all-time low of the show closed it. In 8.1, this makes the app disappear, however it remains running in task manager just in case you wish it once more. you'll be able to use a similar action to restart associate degree app, however rather than material possession go of the push button at all-time low of the screen, keep hold of it. The app card can turn, at that purpose you'll be able to bring it copy on screen to restart the app. 

13. Disable hot corners

 The 'hot corners' allow you to access touchscreen swipe operations (like gap the charms bar) with a mouse, however you'll be able to flip them off in Windows eight.1. Right-click the desktop taskbar, opt for Properties then open the Navigation tab. beneath the Corner navigation heading, you'll be able to disable high|the highest} left (open apps) and top right (Windows charms) corners. 

14. read the total apps list by default

 furthermore as launching the beginning screen or the desktop once your laptop boots up, you'll be able to opt to launch the All Apps screen instead (normally found by clicking the tiny down arrow within the lower left-hand corner of the beginning screen). you will find associate degree possibility for this by right-clicking on the taskbar, selecting Properties and gap up the Navigation tab. 

15. build fast calculations

Click the down arrow within the lower left-hand corner of the beginning screen and you will realize the new Calculator app enclosed in Windows eight.1. you'll be able to use it full-screen or keep it in an exceedingly docked window for creating fast calculations -- here's a typical read, a scientific read and a conversion tool that covers volume, length, weight, temperature and a lot of besides.

16. produce a system image 

Windows seven and Windows eight each enclosed a system image backup tool, however initially look it looks to possess disappeared in Windows eight.1. It hasn't really nonexistent, however it's been well hidden. Launch the desktop board, then opt for System and Security > File History window and therefore the System Image Backup possibility is down within the lower left-hand corner. 

17. Set alarms

Windows 8.1 includes a replacement Alarms app that may wake you up within the morning or cue you to require the dog out for a stroll. If it is not visible on the beginning screen, click the downward arrow within the bottom left-hand corner. you'll be able to set up continuation alarms, created a counting or run a timer. Note that alarms can solely ring once your laptop is awake. 

18. Dock your apps

Windows eight allow you to dock 2 apps aboard one another, however Windows eight.1 permits you to prepare 3, and modify the dock sizes at a similar time. Drag associate degree app from the highest right down to the facet of the screen to dock it. you may notice several of the beginning screen apps have mini-modes that they'll revert to. 

19. turn out universal search

 Enter a keyword or 2 into the Search charm and you will be conferred with a richness of matching results from your laptop, Windows settings and therefore the internet. For a less expansive, less unreal expertise, disable the net part via the Settings charm > amendment laptop settings > Search. 

20. Get a lot of facilitate

 maybe in recognition of all the Windows eight users United Nations agency were lost by the beginning screen, Microsoft has designed a special facilitate + Tips app into Windows eight.1 to create it easier to search out your means around. If you cannot realize it on the beginning screen, click the down arrow (bottom left) to ascertain the total list of put in apps. facilitate + Tips ought to be out there beneath the primary Apps section. If you have put in Windows eight.1 for an admirer or friend, you'll be able to stir up this app then bid them an honest evening.

21. Picture password:

Picture password is a feature introduced with Windows 8 that allows you to create three different gestures on any image of your choice and use those gestures as your password. The gesture can be any combination of circles, straight lines, and taps. For example if the picture you chose was of a face your picture password could be a tap on each eye and then a circle around the mouth.

How do I enable a Windows 8 picture password?

1. Open the Windows Charms.

2. Click Settings and then More PC settings

3. In the PC settings window click Users and then select Create a picture password.

windows 8.1 tips