One of the most controversial and hated changes in Windows 8 was Microsoft throwing a caution to the wind and removing the Start button as well as the Start Menu. The loss of desktop functionality that came with it is tremendous. Due to a huge public outcry and negative sentiment from Windows users, Microsoft restored the Start button in Windows 8.1. But the reinstated Start button is just lip service. Not only does it not restore the full Start Menu functionality but you also lose Windows 8's fast startup ability if you use the Start button to shut down. Let us see how.
Category: Windows 8.1
Fix: Windows 8.1 hangs or freezes
Windows 8.1 is the latest version of the client operating system from Microsoft available for end users. Although it is designed to be stable and supports various hardware, sometimes it can hang for some reason. If you are one of those unlucky users who experiences Windows 8.1 hangs or freezes, here are some basic tips for you which can help to resolve the problem.
How to boot into Windows 8.1 safe mode
By default, Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 have a new graphical environment for various recovery actions including an automatic repair engine due to which Microsoft has hidden the Safe Mode feature. When the system does not boot, it tries to analyze and fix startup problems automatically on its own without user assistance. However, you might need to enter Safe Mode for several purposes, i.e. to troubleshoot some issue with drivers and apps. In this tutorial, we will review three simple ways to get the Safe Mode feature back in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.
Enable the full keyboard (standard keyboard layout) in the touch keyboard of Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 (and its equivalent Windows RT edition) includes a touch keyboard for computers and tablets with a touch screen. When you touch any text field on your tablet, the touch keyboard appears on the screen. If you don't have a touch screen, then you have two options to run it. By default, it appears with a limited set of keys and lacks Function keys, Alt, Tab and Esc keys. In this article, we will look how to enable those missing keys in the touch keyboard, and, as a bonus, we will look for two possible ways to launch the touch keyboard.
Disable Windows 8.1 store upgrade offer prompt
While Microsoft is strongly recommending everyone to upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, not every user would like to go ahead with this upgrade. If you are too busy to upgrade your OS and are happy with Windows 8 while it still remains supported, then there is no reason to upgrade right away. However, by default, it is not possible to decline the offer because it has no options in the user interface. It will be displayed every time you visit the Windows Store. In this article, we will see how to disable the Windows 8.1 store upgrade offer if you don't want to upgrade yet.
How to fix Windows 8 apps slow start or app errors
Sometimes you may notice that your Modern/Metro Windows 8 apps are starting too slow or do not load at all. This is definitely annoying. On a fresh install of Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 those apps are fast, but sometimes the app might get stuck on the screen with the loading circle animation and the app logo. In this article, we will review some workarounds to reduce the startup time of Metro Apps in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 with very simple steps. We will also see what can prevent apps from working and take steps to correct those issues.
How to create a shortcut to open the Project pane in Windows 8.1
The Project feature (Win + P), which was introduced with Windows 7, is an amazing utility which allows you to share the screen between two monitors connected to your PC. When you connect an additional monitor, Windows automatically detects it and applies the video settings best suited to the monitor's display. With the Project pane in Windows 8.1, you can choose to mirror(duplicate) or extend your Desktop on all displays or or just use any one of them in exclusive mode. The Project pane is accessible by the Win + P shortcut, but if you prefer to work with the mouse, you can create a special shortcut for the Project pane in Windows 8.1 to open it with one click.
How to change the scrollbar width size in Windows 8.1
In Windows 8, Microsoft surprised many users by removing the classic appearance settings which were in Windows for ages. Microsoft decided to delete the user interface for all advanced appearance settings along with the classic and basic themes in Windows 8 and 8.1.
In this tutorial, we will look how to change the scrollbar width size in Windows 8.1 without using any third party tool. This question is very popular in emails I am receiving since the release of this controversial and polarizing OS.
Fix: Start screen search is very slow in Windows 8.1
Today I got a letter from one of our readers saying that he upgraded to Windows 8.1 and thereafter, the Start screen search was really SLOW, almost eating up 100% of the CPU. He asked if there was a fix or some way to speed it up. Always anxious to help people with such issues, which I find a challenge to troubleshoot, I looked closely at what was causing the slowdown and figured out what was the cause. In this article, I would like to share the fix that finally made the Start screen search more responsive.
How to create a shortcut to open the Settings charm directly
I would like to offer you yet another useful way to open the Settings charm in Windows 8.1. The 'official' ways to open the settings are as follows:
- Press Win + i keyboard shortcut.
- Move you mouse cursor to the bottom right corner of the screen, and click the 'Settings' gear icon.
Here is another tricky way: in Windows 8.1 you are able to create a shortcut to open the Settings charm with one click! For me, it is really a must-have shortcut which I have pinned on my taskbar.
