Mark writes:
What’s not to like about Windows 8 ? In short everything. I hate icons and have removed all unneeded ones from win 7, Metro page did not include any newly installed software. No shut down button on desktop. no easy way to put everything into a list format vs icons. crashed on the first day . had trouble with external hardware. and they hide anything I had liked about windows and /or replaced it with garbage that doesn’t work. hopefully they will learn and totally revamp windows 9 to be more of what customers who use it for work want.
Mark, I don’t know if you just want to vent or would like some work-arounds to your complaints, but here goes. I’m working with Windows 8.1 here, so if you haven’t taken the upgrade, I’d suggest doing so. To shut down quickly from desk-top mode, just right-click on the Windows icon in the lower left and select Shut down or sign out and then either Sign out, Sleep, Shut down or Restart.
The reason you don’t see newly installed programs automatically in the Metro/Modern interface is that people complained that all of the new programs showing up there made it look cluttered. But it’s simple to add them. Either swipe up from the middle of a touchscreen or move your mouse cursor towards the lower left to get an arrow.
That brings up the All Apps View where all of your programs are visible.
There you can select any of your apps.
Choose Pin to start at the bottom left to put any app of your choice on the Start Screen.
Once the app is there, you can rearrange the Start Screen any way you choose to put the apps you access most frequently right where you want them.
As far as being able to organize files by list. Viewing files works the same in 8.1 as it did in Windows 7. Go to File Explorer.
There you can view your programs and files as icons or lists and sort them however you choose.
Your options for viewing icons on the desktop are the same in Windows 8.1 as in Windows 7.
If you don’t care for a cluttered desktop, the fantastic search features in Windows 8.1 make it easy to keep your desktop icon free. You can find any file or program in seconds just by typing it in the Search Charm and frequently used programs can be pinned to the taskbar for quick access. You can also keep the Metro/Modern screen clutter free by removing anything you don’t use frequently.
I haven’t had any experience with Windows 8 or 8.1 crashing on my device. For me, it’s proved to be the most stable platform I have ever used.
Hope some of this helps you navigate more easily. And remember, if you have any questions about Windows 8.1, you can ask us.
~ Cynthia
Dear Cynthia,
Just wanted to thank you for an excellent summary of the Windows 8.1 features. You explained in a very concise manner the key points of this OS. I always look forward to reading your responses to readers’ questions.
Sincerely,
Arnold H. Shifrin
Situations like this make me really appreciate your 8.1 DVD. It is so worth the price. I was annoyed by the number of things that were being downloaded to my new computer while I was trying to set it up the way that I wanted it. Needless to say I wound up the next morning locked out. I called Microsoft – was a big mistake. I talked to at least six people half of whom I could not understand and after over an hour, someone finally told me that they could not re-set my password and I should call the buyer. I called but 5 minutes was dragged out to nearly an hour so that the technician could pitch a service contract to me. I did not take time to spend the three hours that could have possibly saved me from the angst. I hope that the next upgrade (they need one already) will include more options re how you want your machine to look. Fancy and practical are not synonymous. Every 8.1 user needs your DVD!