Here are some notes that should get a user familiar with
previous Windows version up and running quickly on Windows 8.
Windows 8 paradigm shift
Windows 8 presents a look and user interface that is quite different
from previous versions of Windows, so much so that even an experienced Windows
user will likely be confused and floundering on first try. However, once you
understand the paradigm shift and some basic operations you should be able to
access the Windows functionality you expect - and more.
Think of it this way: Windows 8 has taken the Start menu
from the Windows 7 desktop and converted it into a Start screen which presents
itself as the main interface - the face of Windows 8. All programs are
"apps" which have dynamic tiles (icons) on the Start screen. The idea
is to present a modern interface consistent across all platforms. In fact, Microsoft calls it the Modern UI - not Metro, that was just an internal name. It's touch
friendly and tablet-like, but works just as well with a mouse and keyboard.
Another paradigm is that Windows 8 "Modern UI" apps attempt to present a clean,
minimal interface, maximizing screen space, with menus and options accessed
either with a right click or a pull-out side menu. The corners of the screen are magic touch points.
Start screen
- programs are
"apps" and appear as tiles on the Start screen (remember, no
Start Menu!)
- on the Start screen, to
scroll left just push the cursor to the right (or swipe touch screen)
- only apps written for
Windows 8 create a tile on the Start screen; they optionally display info that updates
live on the tile
- to access all installed
programs, accessories, and system utilities (Control Panel) - essentially
the old Start Menu
- right-click anywhere on
Start screen, bottom ribbon appears, select "All apps" on right
- All Apps screen shows
all installed programs and utilities
- click on a program to
run, right click for context menu, which includes option Pin to / Unpin from
Start screen
- "Desktop" is
an app on Start screen
Desktop
- Windows desktop is still
there underneath, accessed through a "Desktop" tile on the Start
screen.
- The desktop itself will
look familiar - except no Start menu!
- Desktop can have
programs and browsers open in varying size windows, shortcut icons, a
taskbar with minimized programs, Windows explorer, etc.
- File Explorer, formerly Windows Explorer, looks
very familiar, with the addition of a tool ribbon.
Apps
- Windows 8 apps generally
take over the complete screen (tablet-like)
- cursor at top middle of
screen changes to hand; pull down app to close
- can use "hand"
to shift app to 1/3 or 2/3 side of screen; can open second app in
remaining space
- when in an app, to go
back to the Start screen bring the cursor to lower left corner of window,
click on Start thumbnail that appears
- shortcut to Start
screen - press Windows key
- to go to last used app,
click in upper left corner
- to go to a recently used
app, go to lower left, see Start thumbnail, bring cursor up the left side
and select thumbnail of desired app
- on a touch screen you can just swipe in from the left side to go back to the last app
Other Controls
- go to lower right to
bring up Charms bar on right column
- contains Search, Share,
Start, Devices, Settings
- Settings->Tiles
allows you to "Show administrative tools as tiles on Start
screen"
- shortcut for Charms bar
- Windows+C
- or swipe in from right side on touch screen
- Charms bar within app is
app specific, but from Start screen is general to system
- right click on Start
screen shows system menu bar at bottom of screen (including "All
apps")
- right click within an
app shows menu bar at bottom, and possibly top, which is app specific
- Quick Access Menu
(advanced users) - right-click on Start thumbnail in lower left corner
- offers system tools, like
Control panel, Run, File explorer, Task manager, Cmd prompt,
Computer/Disk/Device manager, System panel
- Integrated Search - just
start typing anywhere on Start screen, opens search, finds anything (apps,
files)
- e.g., on Start type
"Des" and list shows all installed DesignSync tools (GUI,
SyncAdmin, shells, DS doc)
Internet Explorer 10
- The standard browser for
Windows 8 is IE10, although Chrome and Firefox are available
- There are actually two
versions of IE10 - the Windows 8 app run from the Start screen tile, and the one
from the desktop
- IE10 run as an app takes
over full screen, minimalist controls, maximum screen
- IE10 run on Desktop
looks similar to IE9 - adjustable window size, menu bar
Note:
- software written for older Windows version will likely install and run under Windows 8 but not create a Start screen tile
- you can create a Start
screen "app" tile for these programs by going to “All apps”,
right click on program name, and select Pin to start menu
