Notifications inform the user about changes happening on his PC or tablet via sound or visual alerts. Windows 8 introduced toast notifications shown by Modern apps, which also notify you with a sound. There are lots of situations when you need to make your tablet or PC silent. In this article, we will see how to disable or enable notification sounds for Modern apps in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.
Tag: Windows 8.1
How to show classic desktop icons on Desktop in Windows 8.1
Ever since Windows XP, Microsoft has hidden all classic desktop icons from the Desktop, such as Computer, Documents, Network, and the user's personal folder. If you prefer to show these icons on your Desktop, it is easy to enable them again. Here are simple instructions on how to show classic Desktop icons in Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.
How to configure or disable System Protection (System Restore) in Windows 8.1
System Protection, which was introduced as System Restore in Windows Me, is a very useful feature which exists in all modern versions of Windows and allows you to have a snapshot of important system files, installed apps and registry settings. If something goes wrong, you can use this feature to restore your PC to a working state. In Windows 8.1, System Protection is turned on by default for the drive that Windows is installed on. If you don't use it, you can turn it off. Alternatively, you can adjust the amount of disk space used by System Protection.
How to diagnose memory using Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 8
Your PC's memory (RAM) is a very crucial component. If the RAM chip goes bad or develops too many errors your PC will start crashing, hanging and eventually become unusable until you replace the RAM. In many cases, a defective RAM module continues to work sometimes but causes sudden issues occasionally. This behaviour is very annoying as your PC can crash suddenly but it is hard to diagnose such a memory issue. Fortunately, Windows 8, Windows 7 and Vista ship with a built-in memory diagnostic tool. Let's see how to use it to know for sure if the memory is defective.
How to customize and personalize the Start screen in Windows 8.1
The Start screen in Windows 8 is the one stop shop for touch screen users to access everything on their PC. It is your personalized home screen where you can pin the tiles you want for Modern apps, desktop programs, website shortcuts, settings and even your most needed files. You can also search from the Start screen to access local files on your hard drive or web resources. The Start screen provides several options to make it look more personal and unique so it can suit your needs. Today I would like to cover these Start screen personalization features.
How to backup the Start screen layout in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, the Start Screen is designed as the touchscreen-friendly Start menu replacement. It allows you to customize its layout as you want. You can pin and unpin your favorite apps and documents as tiles there, in the order you want. Once you have organized your Start screen layout according to your personal preferences, you might want to backup the layout for further use, e.g. to use it again after a re-install of Windows. Here's how you can back up the customized layout that you have.
How to force Windows Store to check for updates in Windows 8
The Windows Store is a new way of installing software in Windows 8 and 8.1. It allows you to discover and install Modern apps as well as keep them updated. It was designed mostly for touch screen devices, but Desktop users can find some Store apps useful too. Windows Store has a feature to automatically check for updates to installed apps. However, you may wish to check for updates manually if you disabled auto update for apps. In this article, we will look how to make the Store app check for updates of installed apps via a special direct command.
SlideToShutdown is the Start Screen’s power button alternative in Windows 8.1
Do you know that Windows 8.1 comes with an alternative way to shutdown your PC? The feature called 'Slide To Shutdown' provides a fancier user interface to shutdown Windows with a swipe. It was created for PCs and tablets with Connected Standby. Connected Standby is a power management feature similar to what smartphones have. Most Desktop PCs and x86 tablets do not support the Connected Standby sleep state. However, you can use this Slide-to-Shutdown feature regardless. Here's how.
How to change the icon of a pinned desktop app on the Start screen
The Start screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 allows you to pin Desktop app shortcut for fast access. After pinning a shortcut, the Start screen shows a tile with the app's icon and its name. In Windows 8.1, Microsoft has improved the visual appearance of such tiles by making the background color of the tiles match the icon's predominant color. The one thing the Start screen lacks is the ability to change the pinned app's icon. Let's look how it can be done.
Learn all the possible ways to open PC Settings in Windows 8
Windows 8 features a new, touch-friendly UI to change your operating systems settings via a special app called "PC Settings". Along with classic Control Panel which remains in the Desktop, the PC settings app allows you to change the most important parameters of your PC. You can manage your user accounts, devices, change your personalization preferences and network settings, and so on. Since Windows 8.1, many more settings from the classic Control Panel are available in PC Settings. In this article, we shall see all the ways to open the PC Settings app in Windows 8.
