Windows 8

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First thing to do with Windows 8 is install another OS... I would even say as a dedicated Linux user that Windows 7 would be a better option.

HOWTO: DISABLE:

AUTOMATIC MAINTENANCE TASKS

Thanks to Ghacks.

FAST BOOT: ONE TIME

While Windows 8 fast boot feature is great it really means that it has not been shut down fully and is effectively waking from suspension. This has the effect of not allowing the machine to boot from an alternative source, i.e. optical drive.

Option 1

  • On the Start Screen, press CTRL + ALT + DEL.
  • On the next screen select the Power icon located in the lower right.
  • An options screen will appear, press the SHIFT key and select "Restart".
  • On the next screen appears, select "Turn off your PC".

Option 2

  • On the Start Screen open the Settings charm from the right hand side of the screen.
  • Select 'Power'.
  • An options screen will appear, press the SHIFT key and select "Restart".
  • On the next screen appears, select "Turn off your PC".

Both of the above options will completely power off the machine allowing access to other boot options the next time the system starts.

INSTALLATION OF HOTFIXES THAT FACILITATE THE WINDOWS 10 UPGRADE

NOTE: The following must be done in the Windows Powershell command prompt, not the standard command prompt.

It can be launched straight from the Windows Start Menu or via the standard terminal by running: 

powershell

To see if a hotfix is installed in the Powershell run: 

get-hotfix -id KBxxxxxxx

To uninstall run in the Powershell: 

wusa /uninstall /kb:xxxxxxx

Remove all of the following:

  • KB 2952664
  • KB 2976978
  • KB 3021917
  • KB 3035583

Do Not Stop Installation of the following:

The following updates while linked to the Windows 10 update are also required for normal Windows Update function and should not be removed:

  • KB2990214
  • KB3044374

Once you have removed and restarted Windows you will need to run Windows Update again and hide the update to prevent re-installation.

Thanks to Ghacks.

HOWTO: ENABLE:

ADMINISTRATOR (SUPER USER) ACCOUNT

This tweak will enable the Administrator (super user) account to be shown on the Welcome Screen.

Windows 8 has built-in administrator account that is by default disabled and hidden. In Windows 8 the administrator account is true super user account (equivalent to root in Unix/Linux), while all other accounts designated as administrators are not 'super users'. The advantage of using the super user administrator account is that it is not subjected to UAC (User Access Control) restriction. The following instructions detail how to enable the super user administrator account:

From the right hand menu bar select 'Search' and type 'cmd' (without the speech marks)

Right click on the result 'cmd' then click on the option "Run as administrator" 

Windows Command Prompt:

net user administrator /active:yes

Press enter, then exit the command prompt

To reverse: 

Windows Command Prompt:

net user administrator /active:no

HOWTO: FIX:

USER CREDENTIALS WHEN PRINTING TO NETWORK PRINTER

Install it as a Local Port with the URL \\PC\Printer Exact Name

Thanks to B Hitney MSDN Blogs

ICON CACHE

WARNING: The last line/command below will immediately reboot the computer. 

Command Prompt:

taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
DEL "%localappdata%\IconCache.db" /A
shutdown /r /f /t 00

HOWTO: MODIFY:

BOOT STRAIGHT TO THE DESKTOP

To launch Windows to the desktop, right-click the taskbar, choose Properties > Navigation, check "When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start," and click OK.

Thanks to CNet

EMAIL ADDRESS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR WINDOWS 8 ACCOUNT

Windows 8

  • Charms menu >> Settings >> Users (left-hand column) >> Under 'Your account' there is a button marked 'Switch to a Local Account'.
  • Click on it to dissociate the Microsoft account with the incorrect information from the Windows account. Sign out and then in.

Windows 8.1

  • Charms menu >> Settings >> Select Accounts and then click on 'Your account'.
  • You should now see your incorrect email address in the right-hand pane.
  • Click on the word Disconnect beneath it to dissociate your Microsoft account. You'll need to enter your password and follow the instructions.
  • Sign out and back in with your new local account, then repeat the process until you are in the Accounts settings.
  • Now click on 'Connect to a Microsoft account' to connect to the correct Microsoft Live account.

Thanks to PC Advisor.

INFO:

INSTALL MEDIA

http://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/how-to-download-the-official-microsoft-windows-8-1-iso/

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

SEARCH THE APP STORE

Just start typing, a sidebar will appear

TOP & BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNERS

Gives access to:

  • Search
  • Share
  • Start
  • Devices
  • Settings

WINDOWS UPDATE

  • Top or bottom right hand corner to invoke menu
  • Settings
  • Change PC Settings

THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE TO ADD FUNCTIONALITY

RESIZEABLE APPLICATION WINDOWS

A paid option:

ModermMix

$4.99 a small price to pay if you want to have the option of not always running programmes fully maximised.

ADD A WINDOWS 7 STYLE START MENU

There are way of getting a start menu back in Windows 8:

$4.99 - Plus it allows several other tweaks as well.

Because the choice to use a start menu or not would have been nice. Who do Microsoft think they are... Apple?

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