At the edge of tweaking
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Very often, when I ask users of my apps to take a screenshot in order to troubleshoot issues they are having, they get confused. Some of them do not know how they can take a screenshot which is why I decided to write this article.
Windows 8.1 offers you three different options to make a screenshot without using third party tools. Let's discover them to get the full benefits from the modern Windows version.
Starting next year, on in March 2014, Mozilla is planning to bring the Australis user interface for all Firefox users with version 28 of the browser. While the Australis experience has an attractive look and a unified appearance on all supported platforms, it will reduce many customization features available in Firefox at this moment. For example, tabs will stick to the top and you will not be able to change their location. You will be unable to re-arrange buttons and the addons toolbar will also be gone. With Australis, the appearance of the Firefox browser will be more like Google Chrome's UI.
If you prefer the classic user interface over the new Australis appearance, let's see how to disable Australis in Firefox.
Windows Update is a very important part of any Windows installation. It allows you to keep your OS secure, fresh and safe. With Windows Update enabled you will be able to receive security updates, bug-fixes, updated drivers and Windows apps such as Internet Explorer, service packs and many other useful things.
In Windows 8.1, Windows Update settings are more streamlined and located inside PC Settings. You might wish to create a shortcut to open Windows Update settings directly with one click.
Microsoft has released Internet Explorer 11 with lots of improvements. This version has support for Windows 7 SP1 x86, Windows 7 SP1 x64, and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. However, Microsoft annoyingly shows you only the web installer by default. For those who need the offline installer for any of these OSes, here are direct links to the offline installers of Internet Explorer 11.
Refresh your PC is a feature of Windows 8.1 which attempts to solve system problems by replacing system files without affecting user files. You might be asked to insert discs or recovery media that came with your PC. Check the info that came with your PC to see if your PC manufacturer provided these discs or media. In some cases, you might have created them when you first set up your PC. Apps you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Apps that came with your PC and apps you installed from the Windows Store will be reinstalled. Windows puts a list of removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC.
Remove everything and reinstall Windows is another recovery option shipped with Windows 8.1. It will completely reinstall your OS. All of your personal files will be deleted and your settings will be reset. All apps that you installed will be removed. Only apps that came with your PC will be reinstalled.
If you want to open Restore and Refresh recovery options with one click, here is the simple tutorial how to create the appropriate shortcut.
File History is a very useful feature of Windows 8.1. It allows you to create a backup of the important data stored in your Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos and Desktop folders. You can specify the drive where you plan to store your backup. It will prevent data loss in case something goes wrong.
Today we will learn how to create a shortcut to open these useful settings with one click.
If you are a Windows 8.1 user and happy with its default antivirus protection, which is provided by Windows Defender, then you can tweak its update frequency to get the updated security signatures faster. By default, Windows Defender updates them once in a day. There is an easy way to change this behavior.
Webcam privacy settings is part of the PC Settings application which allows you to customize the privacy of your web camera. Here you can prevent installed apps from using the camera or specify which apps are able to use it.
The good thing about Windows 8.1 is that it allows you to create a shortcut to open these settings directly with one click.
