Windows 8.1 Archives - Page 25 of 25

How to change the location of SkyDrive files in Windows 8.1

In Windows 8.1, Microsoft improved the SkyDrive integration with the OS and moved the SkyDrive folder from "Favorites" to a separate item in the navigation pane of Explorer. If you decided to use the Microsoft account as a way of signing in, SkyDrive will be automatically enabled as well as synchronization of settings to SkyDrive. So, you don't need a separate desktop client for SkyDrive any more.

By default, Windows stores your SkyDrive files in a folder located inside your user profile on your system drive, e.g. C:\User\Sergey\SkyDrive. This can become troublesome if you run out of free space of you system drive or if you have large amounts of data stored on SkyDrive's cloud storage. In such a situation, you might want to move the SkyDrive files to another location.

How to remove the Start button in Windows 8.1

Microsoft has released Windows 8.1 to MSDN and Technet subscribers, and I decided to give a try to this shiny new OS from Redmond. In a nutshell: Windows 8.1 improves the Windows 8 operating system on the tablet side, but I did not find significant changes on the "Desktop" side.
After the release of Windows 8.1, I found its Start button useless. Seriously, there are no issues for me if that button is not shown on the taskbar. Sure, I miss the good, old Start menu. The Start screen still cannot replace that menu for me, there is no doubt about that... Just one button can't restore the classic UX. So I decided to restore the behavior of Windows 8, with blackjack and hookers, and free some taskbar space by removing the Start button.

Desktop gadgets and sidebar for Windows 8.1

As you may have noticed, Desktop Gadgets and Sidebar are missing in Windows since Windows 8 RTM. Personally, I don't miss gadgets since I did not use them. But a lot of people have been missing them. If you can't live without desktop gadgets, there is good news for you: desktop gadgets and sidebar are available for Windows 8.1.

An independent developer "PainteR" has updated his unofficial installer which allows you to get gadgets back in Windows 8.1 with just a few mouse clicks.

So, follow the installer wizard.

How to unlock the hidden display off timeout for the Lock screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

The Lock screen, new to Windows 8, is a fancy feature which allows you to display an image while your PC/tablet is locked and displays other useful information.

However, when the PC is locked, the normal display off timeout value has no effect on it and you cannot specify the timeout value after which the screen will turn off while you are on the Lock screen. Turns out, there is a hidden registry setting for this and enabling it even turns it on in the Power Options control panel GUI - the same window where you specify other power related timeouts. Let me show you how.