Top 10 Windows 8 tips and tricks

Here is the list of some very useful Windows 8.1 Tips and Tricks.

1. Options in Start Menu Button.

If you right-click on it, it will show options for Run, Search, Desktop, Shut Down, and many more.

2. Picture Password for Logon Screen.

Windows 8.1 includes a new feature called Picture password, which allows you to authenticate with the computer using a series of gestures that include circles, straight lines, and taps. Enable this feature if you want a new way to access your computer or have a hard time with passwords.

Open the Windows Charms.
Click Settings and then More PC settings
In the PC settings window click Users and then select Create a picture password

3. Log In Straight to Desktop

When you start your computer, by default it will take you to the Start Screen. There is a way to start your computer and go straight to the Desktop instead. Right-click on the desktop toolbar, select Properties and go to the Navigation tab. Under the Start Screen options, enable the box "When I sign in or close all applications on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start".

5. Create A Lock Screen Slideshow

Previously, your Windows lock screen could only be a static photo. On Windows 8.1, you are able to create a lock screen slideshow with your favorite photos. To do this, go to the Settings Charm menu, click on Change PC Settings, select PC and Devices then click on Lock Screen. Enable the option On to create a lock screen slideshow.

6. Sky Drive

Smart Files is a new feature on Windows 8.1 that allows you to view your SkyDrive files without having to download everything onto your computer. When you browse through your SkyDrive folder in File Explorer, you’ll see a column called Availability.

By default, all the files are listed as Online-only, which means that as long as you are connected to the Internet, you can view the files without actually having them on your computer’s hard drive. If you want a particular SkyDrive file or folder to be available offline, just right-click on it and select the Make available offline option.

7. Automatic App Updates

Unlike Windows 8, app updates in Windows 8.1 will be automatically installed by default without the user’s consent. To stop this from happening, open Windows Store and access the Settings Charm menu – the charm must only be activated once in the Windows Store or else it will not display the required menus. In the Settings Charm menu, select Settings and navigate to App Updates. Enable or disable the option to automatically update apps.

8. Close App Running in Background

Previously on Windows 8, when you drag a Start Screen app down to the bottom of the screen, it will close the app. However, on Windows 8.1, this action will only make the app disappear – it is still running in the background. To close the app, drag the app down to the bottom of the screen but instead of letting it go, hold on to it. Wait until the app card flips over, and only now the app is closed.

9. Delete Old Temp Files

When you upgrade from an old version of Windows, Windows keeps a C:\Windows.old with your old files. You can delete this folder to free up some storage space. To do this, Search for Disk Cleanup, and click on Free up disk space shortcut. Next, click on Clean up system files, enable the Previous Windows Installation(s) option, and run a disk cleanup. If this option does not appear, that means there is nothing to clean up.

10. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Last but not least, we have put together a list of 15 new keyboard shortcuts you can use on Windows 8.1.