How to Launch Windows 8 Apps From Desktop

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In the latest release of Microsoft windows, apps were made to access utilities features, that is just like programs in previous versions, the most obvious way to launch windows 8 apps is to go to start menu screen either from desktop "top right hand" corner or pressing windows button in keyboard, but it is not an easy way because there may be some programs that windows 8 does't get as apps. for that reason we're going to make a folder of all installed apps in windows 8.
the folder creation will be auto and you don't need to find one by one and paste in one folder. if you've installed an app and not appearing in windows 8 mode- will also appear there and you can open it-  by double clicking on it and running the app.

The above figure is the resultant folder which will you get after applying the trick here in this post.

let's ask ourself. why it is important if we can access apps at start menu screen, the answer is, it can be used for troubleshooting purpose. Let's start and complete the process to get the list of all apps in on folder.

Launch Windows 8 apps straight from Desktop:

Step-1: Right Click On Desktop, and select New and then shortcut. it's that simple. view the below picture.

Step-2: Now a windows will pop up, type the below link of code in the location box, and click on Next, Don't click on Browse.

Explorer Shell:AppsFolder

Step-3: Once you click on Next, Then type a name for the shortcut, it can be anything you want, in my case, i will write My Windows 8 Apps. 

Now whenever you will double click on that folder you will get all windows 8 apps installed on your PC.

And you can launch it from desktop anytime.

How to Use “Windows Defender” in Windows 8

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We are continuing our windows 8 basic tutorials, so far we discussed a few tips and tricks related to Microsoft windows 8, and our today topic is related to security.

if you're running latest windows on your machine, you might noticed that windows have own antivirus called "Windows Defender". 

In today post we will learn how to protect PC from viruses, spyware and other unwanted potential software’s, these are called malwares (malicious software), which infect your PC without your knowledge.

Mostly viruses come from removable devices such as USB Flash drives, CD, DVD or it might install itself from an email or when you’re connected to internet and installing some app. Viruses can also be programed to run at unexpected time, not just when it’s installed on your PC without your knowledge.

Windows Defender is included in Windows 8 and helps keep malware and other unwanted softwares from infecting your PC.

Providing real-time protection. Windows Defender notifies you when malware tries to install itself or run on your own PC. It also notifies you when apps try to change important settings without your permission.

Providing anytime scanning options without running app. You can use Windows Defender to scan your PC for malware that might be installed on your PC, you can schedule scans on a regular basis, and to automatically remove (or make temporarily quarantine, move to chest) anything that is detected during a scan process.

When you use Windows Defender, it's important to have up-to-date definitions regarding app. Definitions are the files that act like an ever-growing encyclopedia of potential software threats. Windows Defender uses database of definitions to notify you of potential risks if it detects any malware. To help keep your definitions up to date, Windows Defender works with Windows Update to automatically install new definitions as they're released. You can also have Windows Defender check online for updated definitions before scanning or you can manually update it.

How to run windows Defender:

By default, windows defender doesn’t running, that’s why you have to open it.

Hover your mouse at the top left corner, and click on search and type “windows defender”.

Scanning PC:

Once windows defender opened. then you can scan your PC, you either select quick to scan memory and some C Drive System files, or custom where you can define folders to scan or full which will scan thoroughly your PC.

Updating Viruses definitions:

it's a good practice to update windows defender viruses definitions regularly. At the top of windows defender window you can use Update button to update your antivirus. 

History: 

The history Tab includes details about quarantined items (viruses that windows blocked but did't removed due to risk of system file infection), allowed items which are the programs that windows suspects but may not be the viruses infection. and all detected items includes all items that are either blocked or removed by windows defender.

Settings:

You can configure the way windows defender run on your PC, Scanning your PC, some advance and administrator features.

How to Launch chrome in windows 8 mode

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Google chrome app is now available for windows 8 users, and thus you can use it like other windows 8 applications. if did't yet downloaded chrome and used, download it now for windows 8.
if you have already chrome installed, you don't need to re-download, because chrome update automatically.
By default chrome running in desktop modes, just like you were running in windows Xp,7 and vista Operating systems,
Now as windows 8 is the latest release of Microsoft windows, you should use it windows 8 style, because it work efficient, fast, flexible and secure.
throughout this post, we will learn what's new in chrome for windows 8, and what you can do with it.
Before we launch chrome in windows 8 mode, let's discuss something.

Chrome and Windows 8:

• You have always option, you can switch back to desktop mode.
• once you're using chrome in windows 8 mode, you can switch to other windows apps by hovering your mouse to left top corner of your windows 8 screen.
• All pops up chrome windows would open in new tabs.
• incognito windows will be considered as new chrome window, you can always switch back to normal chrome window by hovering your mouse on top-left side of Google chrome browser.
• Chrome will always open in windows 8, until you relaunch it in desktop mode.

How to Launch chrome in windows 8 mode?

In the below steps we're going to use chrome in windows 8 mode, just like other windows 8 apps.

first of all we've to enable it, let's start

Step-1: Open Google chrome, from windows 8 start screen, or from Task bar icon, or from desktop shortcut, Or search chrome in windows 8 apps, once you've opened chrome, jump to step2

Step-2:  Now in chrome, at the top left side, click on Setting icon, and then click on "Relaunch chrome in windows 8 mode",

Now wait for a few seconds, windows 8 will launch chrome.

Now whenever you'll open chrome, it would open in windows 8 mode, 

If you want to switch back to desktop mode, you can repeat above steps, and instead of relaunching in windows 8 mode, you would click on "Relaunch chrome in desktop mode."

Share Your experience:

I personally recommend for all windows 8 users to use chrome as windows 8 app, because it work more fast, and you can surf internet browsing more easily, and feel compatible, all pops chrome windows would open in new tabs, so you don't need to switch between bunch of chrome windows.

How to Change Windows 8 Password

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We are continuing our windows 8 basics tutorials, with some needed tips and tricks to enhance your Windows 8 PC experience, today we are going to learn how to change password in windows 8,  it would be a piece of cake for you to change windows 8 password once you learnt it.

As we have discussed earlier in one of our windows 8 basics, that Microsoft has released the latest version of windows, in which your Microsoft account is linked and synchronized with Microsoft windows, Microsoft account is your Hotmail id, or live.com account.

Basically when you Login to windows, you are using your Microsoft account info, so if you change your password in your Microsoft account, it will also be changed automatically in your windows  PC.

You can’t to use your windows if you cannot to Login  however in upcoming tutorials, we will learn how to bypass windows 8 Login screen, means you don’t want to see Login to windows, you probably have your account info, but you don’t want to Log in each and every time you want to use your PC.

However if you forgot your password, or you have no internet connection, you will need to enter your last password that was entered when you was logging to windows, Or you can go to your Microsoft account, then there find your password by using security questions or using your other email address that you had added as a current email address.

Let start tour:

Step-1: Hover your mouse on the top-right corner, in other words bring your mouse to right-top corner of your windows screen. You’ll see a metro type left sidebar menu.

Step-2:  At the bottom, click on settings, and then click on PC settings.

Step-3: A new window will pop, there click on Users at the left side,

Now at the right side in sign-in options click on change your password,

Step-4:  Now type your current password, and then click on Next.

Finally type your new password, Reenter your password, and then type password hint that is easy for you to guess and much difficult for others to find,

Click on Next and you’re done.

How to Change account Picture in Windows 8

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We are still playing with windows 8 basics, so far we have published two simple tricks.

In today post we will learn how to change profile picture in windows 8(the latest release).

In the previous versions of Microsoft windows, there were no linkage between your windows operating system and your Microsoft account that is Hotmail.com or Live.com.

The latest version of windows released by Microsoft have tons of features, including synchronization between your Microsoft account and your windows 8 operating system.

You can use your email address as Microsoft account to sign in to windows, once you done, then you will be able to access your files from anywhere, your photos, and settings.

When you turn on your computer, I suppose you have installed windows 8, then you might noticed, that you have to login into your pc in order to get the start menu screen and use your pc.

If you’re new to the Microsoft windows 8. Then let me explain for you a little.

In the latest windows whenever you are installing your operating system, then you must have to create your account , if you have already Microsoft account, then Microsoft windows will use your Microsoft account as your windows account, if not then you you’ve to create your account, what you need is an email address and some other info.

Once you have successfully installed. Then whenever you start windows, you must to sign in. and there you’ve your account/profile picture. So today post is dedicated to changing your profile/account picture.

For this purpose you don’t need internet connection, you can change manually.

Let start over:

Step-1: Hover your mouse on the top-right corner, in other words bring your mouse to the right top corner of your windows screen. You’ll see a metro sidebar menu,

Step-2:  At the bottom, click on settings, and then click on PC settings.

Step-3: A new window will open, click on personalize at the left side, then click on account picture at the top-right side.

Now you’ll see a browse button, click on it. Windows will bring you to your local hardware files, you can use Go Up to locate your desire picture that you want to use as a profile picture for your windows.

Once you selected, then click on Choose image. Finally you’re done. And your windows account picture was successfully changed and saved.

Bonus Tips:

From the above steps, you can easily change your account picture, but there are two things more that you can do along with your account picture, that is you can change lock screen picture in the personalize Pc Settings, which is the background picture, whenever you turn on your pc but before you sign in to windows, and the second one is the start screen picture, which is the background picture of start screen. Hopefully you like these three basic windows 8 tips and tricks. 

How to Turn Off (Shut down) PC in Windows 8

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This is the series of windows 8 tips and tricks, we have previously discussed how to bring back my computer icon in windows 8.
Unlike previous versions of Microsoft windows operating systems, windows 8 is programmed highly flexible, the hardware resources are used in efficient manner to utilize work experience of users, different types of modules are improved, such as easily find your apps in start screen.
The main improvement is booting, windows 8 boot very fast as compare to other operating systems as well as previous versions of Microsoft windows. And off course you don’t need to wait for a lot of seconds to see windows is successfully shut down, windows 8 shut downing speed is very fast.
Despite of these improvements and a lot of others, some features are changed. That is, where can I find turn off option?
In today post we will learn how to turn off PC in windows 8.  To shut down pc in windows 8 is a bit different from other versions of Microsoft windows, such as in windows XP, vista and windows 7 in which we simply go to start menu, then we shut down PC from there,
But in newer version of Microsoft windows, which is 8, there is no turn off option in the start menu screen, this options is brought to other part of windows 8.

How to turn off windows 8 PC: 

Step-1:  Bring your mouse to the left upper corner of windows, and click on settings.
Step-2: Now at the left bottom, click on power and then click on shut down.

Step-3: all is done, now your windows will prepare to shut down.
Bonus: 
You can always use the above method to turn off your PC  but if you have a bit knowledge of windows, then you might also know some of the shortcuts, such as ALT+F4, which can be used to turn off PC  to restart your PC, to sign out(Only in windows 8), Sleep mode and to switch user.

How to Show My Computer icon on Desktop in Windows 8

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Microsoft have made many changes and improvements in windows 8, if you have newly installed latest Microsoft windows 8, you might noticed that some of the icons are gone, such as computer icon,user files, network and many more.
This post would help you to bring back such important icons on your desktop and to pin to the start metro menu, you will be able to show or hide basic windows icons on your desktop, to facilitate the users, Microsoft have pinned folder icon on the Task bar near internet explorer, from which you can access your local hard drive files, but there are some options that cannot be done without my computer icon, such as if you want to manage your disk managements or you want to view the properties of you PC easily.

Create My Computer icon on Desktop

it is very simple to display computer and other icons on your windows 8 desktop, to be honest, it would be piece of cake for you.

Follow the Below Steps:

Step-1: First of all Right click on Desktop and click personalize. a new window will open, just like below in screen shot.

At the top-left click on Change desktop icons, Now there will be options for you, 

Step-2:

In the 'Desktop icon settings' window check the icons that you want appear on your desktop, these are Computer, Recycle bin, User's Files(Similar to windows xp documents ), Control panel and Network.

Once you check the icons, then click on Apply or Ok.

that's all you need to bring computer icon on your desktop.

Now wait a minute, Do you want My computer icon should appear on your Start Menu? Did't got?

Whenever you start your PC, a New type of metro menu appears, So if you want that computer icon be also there then follow the steps, 

How to Show my computer icon on Start Screen:

Once you followed the above steps to display my computer icon on your desktop, then you are on the right place to make it visible on your windows 8 start screen.

Simply Right click on My Computer and then click on Pin to start. that's all you need, was't that much simple?

Now whenever you will jump to your start screen, you will also see my computer icon.