Top 10 Windows 8 Tricks

Windows 8 is almost upon us and we’ve already had a chance to try out the developer and consumer preview editions. Windows 8 in some ways feels similar to past versions of the popular OS, but it is also far different in many respects. Here are 10 important tips and tricks you need to know to jump right in and get started with Windows 8.

Three Finger Salute: Ctrl-Alt Del is still around in Windows 8. Here it still gives you a quick path to Task manager, switch users, lock the workstation or log out. Are you in the task manager, and want to check out Windows 8’s new task management system? Just click on the link near the bottom of the window to bring it up! Just need Task Manager? Ctrl-Shift-Esc is a fast, convenient way to get there.

Customize the Home Screen: the Metro interface is designed to look like a “tablet” style screen. You can easily un-pin apps you don’t want there with a right-click of your mouse if you have no touch screen to “down swipe.”

Type Away: Can’t find a certain app? Just begin typing at the home screen and app-related search results will pop right up.

Pin Favorites: Upgrading your gaming rig, and you are always on your favorite tech sites looking for new hardware to burn your Newegg and HP promo codes on? Pin your favorites instantly to the Metro desktop with a quick right-click.

Fast Shutdown: The interface is different and it may take a bit to find old functions you’re used to like the shut down command. For faster shutdown options, hold the Windows key and press “I” or Alt-F4. Both take you to the familiar shut down options screen.

Run as Administrator: Like in Windows 7, some apps run better with admin credentials. Having trouble finding this option with pinned Metro apps, since the “Run As Administrator” isn’t there in the context menu? It’s located one level down, under “Advanced.”

Alt-Tab: The old standby for switching between running applications, Alt-Tab, returns in Windows 8. It’s more beefed up this time, though. It now calls a convenient panel that displays active applications for you to choose from. If that’s not enough, the command also allows for easy switch between the desktop and Metro interface styles.

Auto Login: If you’re tired of typing a password, here’s how to fix it. Hold the Windows key and press “R.” At the Run prompt, type “netplwiz” and press Enter. This brings the user control panel where you can choose your default account and enter your auto login password.

Automatically Configure Backup: Windows 8 makes backups a snap. Just attach a USB drive and the automatic dialog actually gives the option, “Configure this drive for backup using File History.”

Mount ISOs: A major complaint about previous versions of Windows was the inability to mount ISOs natively. Windows 8 finally comes with an easy-to-use ISO-mounting process, accessible right from the Explorer context menu (right-click).

Have any Windows 8 tricks you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments section below.