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Author: Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

How to hide files quickly in Windows 8.1

There are a number of ways in Windows to hide files. In the dark ages of MS DOS, there was the 'attrib' command, which was able to set or remove the 'hidden' attribute (along with several others). In all modern Windows versions, the 'attrib' command is still available. You can use it from the command prompt. Microsoft keeps it for:

  • backward compatibility;
  • scripting attributes with batch files;
  • historical purpose.

However, that console command isn't the only way to hide files and folders. Windows Explorer has a similar checkbox option in the properties of a file. Even in File Explorer of Windows 8.1 it is still available:

How to create a shortcut to open Windows Update settings in Windows 8.1

Windows Update settings allow you to configure the frequency of updates. Using these settings, you can specify if you want to receive recommended updates or not; also you can enable updates for other MS products installed on your PC.
In Windows 8.1, Windows Update settings are included in the Modern Control Panel, which is touch friendly. It is included in the PC Settings application. Today I am going to share a way to create a shortcut to open Windows Update settings in Windows 8.1.

How to invert selection in File Explorer of Windows 8.1

File Explorer, formerly known as Windows Explorer, is the default file manager of Windows 8.1. Starting with Windows 8, it features the Ribbon interface, which exposes all the possible commands for quick access to regular file management features. Additionally, it offers you the quick access toolbar, where you can put any of your favorite commands.

Today we will look how we can use the Ribbon UI to manage the selection of items in File Explorer effectively.

How to disable or enable Windows Defender in Windows 8.1

Windows Defender is an antivirus software which provides 'baseline protection' according to Microsoft and ships with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Since Windows 8, Windows Defender is the same application as Microsoft Security Essentials, which exists as a separate download for Windows 7, Vista and XP.

While Windows Defender provides very baseline protection, it slows down your PC considerably. I have done benchmarks with it enabled and then disabled and concluded that the filter driver it installs on the system slows down disk I/O noticeably. Every time, I download some small file from the Internet, it also makes my browser hang. If you are not happy with Windows Defender and would like to turn it off, follow this simple tutorial.

Create a shortcut to open Visual options of Windows 8.1

In Windows 8.1, Microsoft has implemented the Modern Control Panel, which allows you to control your tablet with the a touch screen device in a handy way. It is touch friendly and includes many classic options. Those options are located inside the PC Settings application.
Using Visual options you can turn off notifications and animations, turn off the window background and adjust the thickness of the text cursor. Windows 8.1 allows you to create a shortcut to open Visual options with one click. Let's see how it can be done!

How to disable Windows SmartScreen in Windows 8.1

The SmartScreen filter is a technology which was initially designed for Internet Explorer to protect users from malicious websites and web applications. It was integrated with IE8 and IE9 (as the successor to IE7's Phishing filter). These days, it is a part of the Windows operating system starting with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. The OS implementation exists along with SmartScreen for IE.

Do you know all these ways to open Control Panel in Windows 8.1

Control Panel is a special virtual folder of the Windows operating system ever since Windows 95 which provides access to most settings in Windows. There, you can change the appearance of your Desktop,  the functionality of hardware and many-many other things. If you are new to Windows 8.1, you might be interested in learning how to open the Control Panel. There are many different ways available to open it, let's discover them all.

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