Top 10 Features Of Windows 8

Following the release of Windows 8 Developer Preview, many sites have done reviews on what the next Windows system will be like. The reviews are mostly positive, with some hailing Windows 8 as the next revolution in the technology of computer operating systems (OS).

There are two distinct parts to Windows 8 - the desktop, which looks and feels a lot like Windows 7, and the all-new, all-singing, all-dancing Start page, which is a complete departure for the operating system.

If you've just upgraded, it may take you some time to discover all of the tools hidden away in the nooks and crannies of Windows 8, so here are the top 10 hard-to-find features you should be aware of.

 Here are brief descriptions to some top features you would be keen to know about:

1. The secret Start menu

 Moving your mouse cursor down to the bottom-left of the screen and left-clicking switches to the tiled Start page... but if you right-click instead, you'll be met with a menu linking to key areas of the operating system, including Control Panel, the command prompt and the Task Manager.

 2. Innovative & Dynamic Desktop

The tiles-based interface, or the Metro UI, will be the first thing you see upon logging in to Windows 8. At first glance, the UI seems to go intuitively with touchscreen devices like tablets and smartphones. Indeed, in such devices, you tap on those apps to open them. The grid layout seems to facilitate such interactions. Needless to say, you can customize your grid by adding and arranging applications.

3. Simple shutdown

It's the same keyboard shortcut as in previous versions of Windows, but it's worth mentioning here because Windows 8 makes shutting down your PC more drawn out. Rather than opening the Charms bar, clicking Settings, selecting the Power button and choosing 'Shut down', simply press Alt+F4 while viewing the desktop.You can then press Enter to shut down the PC or choose an alternative option from the drop-down menu

 4. Improved Search Function

8 has no search box at the bottom of the Start menu. Heck, it doesn’t even have the trademark Start menu! That doesn’t mean that there’s no convenient search function available. All you need to do is to type anything, and a search box will appear from the right and give you the results. The search capability is even stronger this time, displaying all the matching apps and files instantaneously.

 5. Built-in screenshots

Windows 7 had the Snipping Tool for taking screenshots, and this tool is still around in Windows 8.

However, there's an even easier way to capture what's happening on your display - press the Windows key and the PrtScn button together, and a PNG grab will be automatically saved to your Pictures library.

6. Keyboard shortcuts

Swiping and tapping around Windows 8 is fine on a touchscreen interface, but what about standard laptops and desktops? Knowing the keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8 can save you a lot of clicking and dragging with the mouse, and make it easier to navigate the operating system.

Win+C brings up the Charms bar, for example, while pressing the Windows key on its own switches between the desktop and the Start page.  Another useful one: hit Ctrl+Tab on the Start page to switch to the 'All apps' view

 7. Reinstall Windows

Here's a feature you might not come across until something goes wrong - Windows' new reinstall routine, known as Reset (on the PC Settings page).

There's no need to dig out discs or serial codes, because everything you need is already available, hidden away on the hard drive.

8. Speedy Boot Time

The load and boot up speed has improved significantly over Windows’ predecessors. This is partly due to the better resource allocations to applications and the system. When compared to Windows 7 desktop CPU, Windows 8 has an even speedier boot time.

 9. File History

 Windows 8 can keep track of previous versions of your important files, which can be a lifesaver if you accidentally delete a document or a favourite photo becomes corrupted.

The feature - File History - is not enabled by default, so you'll have to activate it from the System and Security section of Control Panel. The only caveat is you'll need a second hard drive available, whether this is external, internal or networked.

 10. Sync your settings

 Windows 8 supports the old user account system, but it can also create a new kind of user account that's linked to your Windows ID, and pulls in information from SkyDrive, Xbox, Hotmail/Outlook and all the other cloud services the company is pushing. 

A linked account can also sync your Windows settings (from your desktop wallpaper to your browsing history) across machines, which is handy if you have multiple computers at home or at work.

Launch the Settings charm, then choose 'Change PC settings' and open the 'Sync your settings' page to configure the feature.