5 Useful Windows 8.1 Tips You Should Know

Since the release of Windows 8.1 Preview at the BUILD Conference, many new features, tips and tricks have been discovered in Windows 8.1. Here we are with some of useful tips for Windows 8.1:

1. Disabling Charms Bar

Charms Bar is one of the important feature present out there in Windows 8.1. But for some reason, some people dislike this and want to disable it. There was no option present for disabling Charms Bar in Windows 8. But using some special programs, you could achieve that. But Microsoft has listned our request and has added an option to disable charms bar. Follow these steps:

(i) Right-Click on taskbar and click Properties.

(ii) Navigate to Navigation tab

(iii) Now uncheck “When I point to the upper-right corner, show the charms“

That’s it! If you want charms back, just check the same option again.

2. Disable Switching Between Recent Apps

If you hate modern UI and don’t use Modern apps, you might not switch between recent apps as you open none of them. To get rid of this switching, follow these steps:

(i) Right-Click on taskbar and click Properties.

(ii) Navigate to Navigation tab

(iii) Now uncheck “When I point to the upper-left corner, switch between my recent apps“

If you want to switch between recent apps again, just check the same option again.

3. Boot To Desktop

In Windows 8, when you boot, start screen is the first screen which appears after login screen. This is frustrating for some users which don’t use Modern UI. But don’t worry now. Microsoft has added an option in Windows 8.1 which allows you to boot directly to desktop if you want. Follow these steps:

(i) Right-Click on taskbar and click Properties.

(ii) Navigate to Navigation tab

(iii) Check the option “Go To Desktop instead of start when I sign in“

Uncheck the same option if you want to boot to start screen.

4. Making Modern Start Menu

Microsoft has introduced the start menu back in Windows 8. But what does it do? Just open the start screen….Phew…. This is frustrating. Did you know that you can get a Modern Start Menu when you click the start button? Yes, you can. Here Modern Start Menu refers to the new redesigned Apps page. You can make Apps page open when you click the Start Button. How? Here’s how:

(i) Right-Click on taskbar and click Properties.

(ii) Navigate to Navigation tab

(iii) Check “Show the Apps view automatically when I go to Start“

Uncheck the same option if you wanna open Start Screen when Start Button is pressed.

5. Set Desktop Background As Start Screen Background

A new option for setting the desktop background as start screen background is introduced in Windows 8.1. It means when you enable this feature or option, the start screen’s background will be the same as desktop background. Follow these steps to know how to enable this option:

(i) Right-Click on taskbar and click Properties.

(ii) Navigate to Navigation tab