What's New in Windows 8.1 For Dummies

by Brian Underdahl

Overview

What's New in Windows 8.1 For Dummies Pocket Edition provides a brief, inexpensive, and focused guide for Windows 8 users upgrading to 8.1. Chapters include:

It's all about you: An exploration of the customization features, from flexible sizing on icons to shared wallpaper to boot options.

• We can build it better: Review of the updates to applications with special emphasis on communications and media apps
• Shiny new toys: Walkthroughs of the new features added to Windows 8.1, including the start button and search function
• Ten reasons you were smart to upgrade: In the spirit of the For Dummies Part of Tens feature, a list of the reasons why Windows 8.1 is a superior experience to Windows 8.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781118837924
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	10/18/2013
Sold by:	JOHN WILEY & SONS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	100
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Brian Underdahl is the author of What's New in Windows 8.1 For Dummies, Pocket Edition, published by Wiley.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Icons Used in This Book 2

Where to Go from Here 3

Chapter 1: Getting Started with Windows 8.1 5

Getting Your Copy of Windows 8.1 6

What’s New 6

New Start screen options 7

Easier access to settings 8

A more interesting lock screen 9

It’s easier to find apps 10

Getting a new Start (button) 11

Finding it easier 12

Doing more at the same time 13

The forecast is cloudy 14

A much improved Windows Store 15

Chapter 2: Customizing Windows 8.1 17

Making the Start Screen Your Own 17

Resizing tiles 19

Working with tile groups 21

Changing the background image and colors 26

Discovering the PC Settings 28

Playing with the Lock Screen 31

Changing the lock screen background 32

Choosing lock screen apps 34

Chapter 3: Finding Your Apps 35

Locating an App 35

Viewing All Apps 37

Viewing your apps in different ways 38

Viewing the app groups 40

Returning to the Start Screen 42

Chapter 4: New Stuff on the Desktop 43

Introducing the (New) Start Button 43

Using Start Button Options 45

The Programs and Features option 46

Controlling power options 46

The Event Viewer option 47

Using the System option 48

The Device Manager option 48

The Network Connections option 49

The Disk Management option 50

The Computer Management option 51

The Windows PowerShell options 51

The Task Manager option 51

The Control Panel option 53

The File Explorer option 54

The Search option 54

The Run option 55

The Shut Down option 55

The Desktop option 56

Chapter 5: Searching for Anything 57

Understanding Search 57

Finding Results Anywhere 60

Chapter 6: Opening and Using Multiple Apps 63

Comparing Windows Store and Desktop Apps 63

Opening Multiple Windows Store Apps 65

Chapter 7: Making Use of the Cloud 75

Getting to Know the Cloud 75

Sharing Stuff Using the Cloud 77

Chapter 8: Using the New Windows Store 83

Getting to Know the New Store 83

Finding Apps in the Store 85

Chapter 9: Ten Windows 8.1 Apps You’ll Love 89

MyRadar 90

GasBuddy 91

Kindle  92

Microsoft Solitaire Collection 93

Netflix 94

Network Speed Test 95

Police Radio Scanner 96

Skype  97

People 98

Bing Food & Drink 99

Chapter 10: Ten Great Windows 8.1 Tips 101

Just Type 101

Use All the Tile Sizes 101

Use Tile Groups 102

Swipe Up 102

Click the Upper-Left Corner 102

Use Multiple Apps 102

Use the Start Button Menu 103

Use Your Start Screen 103

Use the PC Settings 103

Swipe Down 103

Chapter 11: Ten New Features for Pro Users 105

VPN Enhancements 105

Remote Data Removal 105

Boot to Desktop 106

Workplace Joins 106

Work Folders 106

Windows To Go 106

Broadband Tethering 106

App Lockdown 107

Internet Explorer 11 107

Mobile Device Management 107