Several months ago I had the opportunity to meet with the Microsoft Training Team during a Verizon Ambassador event to learn more about the devices I already own including Windows 8.1. It turns out, I was making my life harder by trying to “wing it” when it comes to learning how to use my devices and their operating systems. What I should have done is make use of some of Microsoft or Verizon’s training videos to become more comfortable right from the start and to avoid the frustration of trial and error.
3 Reasons Windows 8.1 is Better
We spent about 30 minutes covering Windows 8.1. I’d actually been using it for a few months on an all-in-one computer I already owned so I thought I had it figured out. Boy, was I wrong! Microsoft started the event by giving us each a Nokia Lumia 2520 Tablet loaded Windows 8.1 to learn on. It was obvious within the first few minutes that I knew NOTHING about Windows 8.1 and I was making it so much harder than it was.
How To use Windows 8.1 – Quick Overview – The Basics Tutorial:
- How do I customize the Start Screen (the Windows tiles) can easily be customized to provide the info that’s important to you.
- To move an app shortcut to your Start Screen, select it from the apps list (see how to access below). Press and hold the button and you’ll see an option to “pin to start.” Choose that and your app icon will move to your start screen. Options available for pinning including selecting a size – small, medium, or large. If your tile can be made live, you do it here as well. Live tiles give you a preview
- You can rearrange your tiles on the Start screen by touching and holding until the options appear at the bottom of the screen. Then drag them to the new location. You can resize and turn on/off the live tile as well (see the video below).
- How do I get to the Charms Bar? Swiping from the right hand edge towards the middle will bring up the Charms Bar.
- The Start Button is there – always go to the start button when you get lost and start over from scratch.
- You’ll also find the Search Bar in the upper right hand corner. Use it to find out how to change a setting, find an app, etc. It will search on your local device as well as on the Internet.
- Settings is here as well. If you’re in the operating system, you’ll find options to connect to Wi-Fi, personalize the colors, fonts, background, share the screen, and more. If you’re accessing settings from a running application, say Twitter, you’ll find the Twitter setting options there.
- How do I find the apps list? Swipe from the bottom up to access your apps list. That will show you everything that’s currently installed on your computer. Swipe left to right to see them all. If you scroll
- How do I close an app? Swipe from the top edge to the bottom to close the current app.
- How do I tell which apps are running? Swipe from the left side approximately 3” into the middle of the screen and then back to the left hand edge to find out what apps are currently running on your Windows 8 device. It also allows you to switch between running applications.
- How do I run two apps side-by-side: You can multitask two apps at the same time by pulling them into the middle and splitting the screen (that’s how I watch HuluPlus and play a game at the same time).
Windows 8.1: Organizing your Start screen
Learn More about Windows 8.1
Microsoft offers instructional videos for Windows 8.1 in the following topics:
- More about Windows 8.1 features
- Learn how to get online
- Learn about Microsoft account
- Learn about the Start screen
- Learn about the desktop
- Learn how to get around your PC
- Learn about the charms
- Learn how to get and use apps
- Learn about Internet Explorer 11
- Learn how to personalize your PC
- Learn about OneDrive
- Games, Music, Photos, Videos, TV & Movies, Keep your kids safer on the PC
Find out when features are added and more by subscribing to the Windows newsletter. You can also connect via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or the Windows Blog
This is just a quick overview of the Windows 8.1 features, but I learned more in this few minutes than I did in the few months I was hands-on and guessing at how to work with it. Those few moments of instruction made me become a Windows 8.1 lover.
Did you know that Verizon offers free instruction for their devices? I didn’t! You’ll find them in your MyVerizon homepage.
Have you tried Windows 8? Do yove it or hate it?
Thanks for the great post. I’ve been shying away from Windows 8, because I’ve heard it’s really hard to use. It actually seems pretty easy, though. Thanks!
It’s so easy! I promise once you know how it works it’s fantastic!
Windows is like a foreign language to me. I’d need help getting started with it. I have it on my family’s computer, but mostly use my Mac for work. My husband really likes Windows.
It took me a long time to get used to my windows 8 but now I could not live without it!
wow, windows has certainly come a long way since i used it. i have a mac now, but my husband is still a windows user. i wonder if this is on his new laptop! i’l like to play with it. 🙂
Thanks for all the great information. I may be making an upgrade one of these days and this will come in handy.
I was hesitant at 1st, but now I couldn’t live without it!
It took me a bit, but I finally got the hang of it! Love it now!
Thanks for the tips! I’m a Mac person so I’m clueless about how to use Windows.
My husband’s laptop was 8.1. I avoid it for that reason lol but I like what I know. N
These area great tips! Thanks so much for sharing! Now I can move on to Windows 8 with confidence.
Thanks a lot for the tips! Windows 8 has always been a mystery to me, so this is a great help.
Thanks for the great tips. Windows 8 is no longer a scary beast for me!
Great post! I’ve shied away from Windows 8 because it seemed so difficult. Now, I have a shot to upgrade successfully!
Thanks for the great tips. I tried Windows 8 before, and I had such a hard time with it, I reverted back to 7. Maybe it’s time to give it another shot.
I didn’t like it either until after this time – literally about 30 minutes – and then I loved it.
Thanks for the great tips! Windows 8.1 has always been difficult for me for some reason.
The split screen feature is one I haven’t fully explored. I think I need to do that though!
This looks like a great system. I hate how they always take a little while to get used to!
I am totally sending this to my FIL… he has the newest windows and has yet to figure anything out… he gets so confused…
The videos are a great way to learn the basics. I was frustrated by mine until the overview. I kept thinking I could just figure it out on my own. That was such a waste of time. A few minutes of instruction and I loved it.
I have been using Windows 8 for a while and I didn’t know half of this. Thanks for sharing what you learned!
I have this on my laptop that I am typing on right this very moment. Definitely different than the old version but I like it!
As a die hard Apple fan I must admit I’m pretty impressed with the new Windows tablet. The commercials have even intrigued my kids. I’m not even sure which was the latest version of Windows I last used.
Thank you for this. I use a Mac for my computer but have a Dell tablet that I have no idea how to use!
I just got a new computer with Windows 8.1. When I first booted it up, I was like, what is this?! It’s hard starting something brand new when you’re so used to and comfortable with something else. Thanks for the overview, it’s very helpful.
Once I personalized it I LOVED it. My mom has it right now but she says she’s bring it back as soon as Big Brother is over because the other Windows 8.1 computer she nabbed from me has now become her favorite.
I don’t have Windows, but this might come in handy if I ever come across a computer or tablet with it!