The History Of Microsoft Technology [INFOGRAPHIC]
We all like to bash Microsoft and Windows, but the truth is that they have been around for so long and given us so much software and technology, that we couldn't possibly imagine a computing world without them. Their software is installed by default onto every new PC (whether we like it or not) and who do you know that doesn't know Word or Powerpoint? Or how many young people don't know what an XBox is?
What You Need to Know About Native Social Networking Tools In Windows 8
Whenever you switch to a new operating system there are always a few new things to learn – and with Windows 8, the learning curve has increased considerably with the new user interface and built-in store adding a new dimension to Microsoft’s long-running OS. One of the key differences in Windows 8 is the approach to social networking.
Rearrange The Windows 8 Start Screen With Registry Tweaks & Utilities
As befits a new operating system, over the past few weeks we’ve featured many articles about how to use and tweak Windows 8. With the focus largely on tweaking. After all, when so many developers have gone to the lengths of making tools to make the new operating system more customizable, it would be a shame to overlook this, especially when so many potential Windows 8 users seem to want to make changes.
2 Windows Applications To Make Launching Files, Folders, And Applications Easier Than Ever
My original horror story when first upgrading to Windows 8 was having no idea how to comfortably launch applications anymore. By default, there is no Quick Launch toolbar and the Start Menu has been gutted to the point where it's almost foreign. Thanks to some third-party tweaks and advice, both issues aren't very hard to fix. Even if you prefer the new style Windows has taken on in the latest version of their OS, let it be known that there are applications out there that can ease the pain of launching your most commonly-used files, folders, and applications.
Bitdefender Security for Windows 8 Gives Security a New Look [MakeUseOf Rewards]
Microsoft’s new operating system has taken a radically new approach to the user interface. It’’s sleek, it’s simple - and it’s controversial. Some software developers are already learning from what Microsoft has done and packaging it into their own software. Bitdefender’s Windows 8 Security is an excellent example. It performs the same function as previous versions of software, and is just as effective. But it is also attractive, friendly and extremely easy to approach.
Modern Or Broken? Important Tips For Troubleshooting Windows 8 Apps
Windows 8 is shiny and new, bringing an entirely new and different application model and ecosystem. No matter how experienced you are at troubleshooting previous versions of Windows, you won’t be fully prepared to start troubleshooting Windows 8 when you first sit down with it. We’ve gathered some Windows 8 app troubleshooting tips. This is all still new to everyone, so this isn’t the ultimate guide to troubleshooting Windows 8 apps. That will come later.
How to Make Windows 8 Go Faster: 8 Tips For Improving Performance
Whatever you think of Windows 8 (at MakeUseOf, our opinions are mixed), it’s certainly speedy. Windows 8 boots faster than previous versions of Windows, has lower memory usage, and has a desktop that feels nice and snappy. Like all versions of Windows, Windows 8 has a variety of settings you can tweak to speed things up and make it even faster. Some of the tips here also apply to previous versions of Windows, but Windows 8 has some new tricks up its sleeve.
Email Goes Modern: Three Windows 8 Email Apps
With your shiny new Windows 8 device or upgrade booted up, tiles gleaming at you and winking with useful information, you might take a few moments having a look around before you get the chance to look at the email client. I should add here that not all versions of Windows 8 come with the Microsoft Mail client pre-installed. It really depends on the version and the manufacturer of your Windows 8 computer.
Start Menu, How I Miss Thee: 4 Ways To Make A Start Menu On Windows 8
Windows 8 brought down the axe on the Start Menu. This is a feature that no one paid special attention to for years but its untimely demise has caused all sorts of despair. Not only because it’s gone but also because its replacement is the Windows 8 Start Screen. I have good news. The official Start Menu is dead, but there’s a number of ways to re-create it.
Make Windows 7 & 8 Libraries Work For You
Libraries, found in Windows 7 and 8. are more than a list of suggested folders for saving documents, music, pictures, and video. Customizing your libraries isn’t just tweaking for the sake of tweaking – with libraries, you can streamline the way you organize your files and make yourself more productive. If you’ve ignored libraries so far and opted to organize your files the traditional way, be sure to give libraries a try.
It's Not Easy, But You Can Uninstall Windows 8 And Revert To Your Old OS
If you’ve installed Windows 8 and found yourself wishing that you could go back to Windows 7 or another operating system, there’s a way to do this. If you installed Windows 8 in a dual-boot environment and kept your old operating system around, it’s not too hard – but if you’ve installed Windows 8 over your old operating system, you’ll have to reinstall the old operating system from scratch.
Internet Explorer 10 Tips and Tricks: It Can Do More Than You Think
When Microsoft unveiled Windows 8, one of the most interesting things about it was the new iteration of Internet Explorer. If viewed via the Start screen, the slimmed-down browser offers maximum space for viewing web pages thanks to the position of buttons and the address bar striped across the bottom of the screen (where people don’t usually read). It’s a fascinating new approach, but Internet Explorer 10 is apparently low on features and options.
Not Sure About Upgrading? Then Why Not Dual Boot Windows 8 With Windows 7?
Are you interested in Windows 8, but don’t want to abandon Windows 7 just yet? Well, why not dual-boot Windows 8 and Windows 7, selecting the operating system you want to use each time you turn on your computer? This allows you to test Windows 8 while keeping Windows 7 around as an escape hatch if you want out. This process will install Windows 8 on its own separate partition, leaving your Windows 7 system intact.
We've Actually Used It - What Does MakeUseOf Think Of Windows 8?
If you haven’t installed Windows 8 yet; don’t worry, we’re technology writers - it’s our job to test these things out for you. Quite a few MakeUseOf staff including myself have taken the plunge and upgraded to Windows 8 now - and had the chance to play with newer touchscreen models too - so let’s take a summary look at what everyone thinks of it.
The Top 5 Cool Hidden Features In Windows 8
It’s very square, Windows 8, don’t you think? Those tiles have such defined lines – edges you could almost cut yourself on – and impressions of the whole user experience seem to change from person to person. Depending on your needs and requirements, Windows 8 is either a white elephant or a superb piece of finger-focused modern UI design. However, it remains as tweakable as previous versions of Windows, just in other ways.
Word 2013: An In-Depth Review Of What You Should Expect
It’s been three years since Microsoft launched Office 2010. Released alongside online versions (Microsoft Office Web Apps) of its popular applications, the jewel in the crown of the suite was, of course, Microsoft Word. Offering some minor improvements to the user interface following the introduction of the ribbon menu in Word 2007, the 2010 release looks very much like its predecessor. With Word 2013, however, things are slightly different.
How To Sync Multiple Google Calendars To Windows 8
A decent calendar service is indispensable. No matter what alternative I tried using - Windows Live, iCloud - I've always turned back to Google Calendar. It's easy to use, and widely supported. Even most (desktop and mobile) operating systems now provide out-of-the-box support. However, for some unknown reason, synchronising multiple calendars has always been at least a bit tricky to set up. It's no different for Windows 8.
5 Fullscreen News Apps for Windows 8
Do some reading, Metro-style. A variety of apps from major news sources and beyond give you quick, clutter-free ways to read the news you care about. If there's one thing Windows 8's new Metro (sorry, I'm not going to call it "Modern UI") interface does very well it's reading. The look is clean and keeps distractions out of the way – at least, once you've opened a given app. White space is used liberally and fonts are crisp and easy to read. This was all possible with Windows before, but now it's the norm.
How To Tweak The Visual Effects In Windows 8
Well, my upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 8 Pro hasn't been the smoothest one, but at least I'm slowly figuring things out. One thing that should be considered criminal is that Windows no longer offers the Classic or Standard themes. You know, the flat gray taskbar with the fading, blue window titles? I need my Windows looking like 98. I've never been a fan of XP's glossy default style, and don't get me started on Aero.