TSTC Windows 8 Guide - Complete Edition

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TSTC Instructional Support
Windows 8 Guide
Complete Edition

Texas State Technical College | Copyright 20131
TSTC Windows 8 Guide
Introduction
Windows 8 is the newest operating system from Microsoft. Windows 8 works on
both PCs and laptops, but the major redesign of the interface accommodates new
mediums: tablets and phones. Although the look of the environment that you’ve grown
accustomed to in previous versions of Windows has changed, how it operates is much
the same.
Some of the main features in Windows 8 include:
• Optimization for Touch Devices
• Start screen
• Charms
• Windows Store and Apps
• Desktop screen
In this training, we’ll create an account on our Windows 8 device, get familiar with the
new interface, set up our work email, and learn about some customization

Introduction
Before we begin, let’s make sure you’re connected to the internet. Power on your
device and log into the Administrator or Instructor account.
To connect to the internet:
1. Activate the CHARMS bar by hitting the
 (Windows) key + C on your keyboard.
The CHARMS bar will appear at the right
side of your screen
2. Click on the Settings option in the
CHARMS bar, then choose the icon with
the signal bars towards the bottom of the
Settings panel
3. Choose the network that you’d like to
connect to. You may have to type a
password if it is password protected

Introduction
Now that you’re connected to the internet, make sure your APPS that are already
installed on your device are up to date.
To update your APPS:
1. Go to the START screen by hitting the
 (Windows) key on your keyboard and
click on the WINDOWS STORE icon
2. Click on the “Updates (#)” in the upper
right corner
3. Click the Install icon at the bottom of your
screen

Create a Microsoft Account
When setting up your Windows 8 PC for the first time or adding user accounts, you
have two types of accounts to choose from: local and a MICROSOFT ACCOUNT.
Local accounts are like standard accounts you’d find on previous versions of Windows.
But when you create a MICROSOFT ACCOUNT, you gain access to the WINDOWS
STORE and connect to cloud applications such as Skydrive, Email, and more.
To change the local account into a MICROSOFT ACCOUNT:
1. Log in with the Administrator or
Instructor account. Move your mouse
pointer to the upper or lower right
corner, move your mouse up or down
slightly to display the CHARMS bar and
click Settings
2. In the Settings option, click the
Change PC Settings link at the bottom
3. In the PC Settings, click on Users.
Under the Other Users section, click
Add a User

4. Use your work email as the user name
for your MICROSOFT ACCOUNT
5. Fill out the form and use a password
that you can remember. You’ll need this
password to log onto your computer
6. Fill out the security info. The phone
number can be used to text you your
password should you forget it. You do
not have to include a phone number, but
the other information is required

7. Leave the Finish Up options unchecked
8. Click Finish to complete your account
setup. Now that your MICROSOFT
ACCOUNT has been created, you need
to give this account administrative rights
9. Return to your START screen by
pressing the Windows key on your
keyboard. Right click on a blank area of
the screen and click the All Apps option
that appears at the bottom of your
screen

10. Scroll to find the Control Panel app
located under the Windows System
section and click it
11. The Control Panel should open in the
DESKTOP screen. Click on the
User Accounts and Family Safety option
12. Click on User Accounts

13. Click on the MICROSOFT ACCOUNT
you just created
14. Click the Change the account type
option
15. Click the Administrator option and click
the Change Account Type button to
complete the process

16. Return to your START screen by
pressing the Windows key on your
keyboard. Click on the account
you’re logged into at the upper right
corner of the screen and click on the
MICROSOFT ACCOUNT you created
in the drop down list. You will be taken
to the login screen. Type your password
for the account and Windows will begin
setting up the new account.

First Look at the Start Screen
When you started your computer, you may notice that the boot time is significantly
faster than with previous versions of Windows. When Windows 8 has finished loading
and you’ve logged in, you will see your main screen: the START screen.
On your START screen, you’ll see some of your APPS (programs) displayed as TILES.
Some of the tiles may be LIVE TILES, where content is constantly changing or updat-
ing. The APPS on your START screen are APPS that have been pinned by Windows
by default or pinned after you’ve installed an APP.
To see more APPS pinned on your START screen:
• Drag the scroll bar at the bottom of your screen, move your mouse pointer towards
the left or right side of the screen, or use the scroll wheel on your mouse
How far you scroll depends on how many APPS are pinned to your START screen.
Scroll Bar
Live AppsApp Tiles

To view all APPS pinned on your START screen at once:
• Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and roll the scroll wheel down on your
mouse or move the mouse pointer to the bottom right corner and click the “-” icon
The START screen only displays APPS that have been pinned. To view every APP
installed on your computer:
1. Right click on a tile or the background and a menu bar will appear at the bottom of
your screen
2. Choose the ALL APPS option at the bottom right of your screen and a new screen
will display every APP that has been installed on your computer
To return to the START screen from the all Apps view:
• Press the WINDOWS key on your keyboard or right click on a blank area of the
screen and choose ALL APPS at the bottom right of your screen
All Apps Option All Apps View
All Pinned Apps View

The START screen has hotspots that activate when you move your mouse point-
er in those areas:
• Move your mouse pointer to the upper left corner to display a thumbnail of the previ-
ous app that was used. Click the thumbnail to switch to that app.
• Dragging down slightly will display START screen apps currently opened
• Moving your mouse Pointer to the lower left corner will display a thumbnail of the
START screen or the APP currently being used, depending on what is active. Click-
ing the thumbnail will switch your screen between the two.
• Dragging up slightly will display START screen apps currently opened
Previous App List of Previous Apps
Switch to Start Screen Switch to Previous App

• Move the mouse pointer to the upper or lower right corner to display the CHARMS
bar, which allows you to SEARCH, SHARE, return to the START screen, interact
with connected DEVICES, or change SETTINGS.
Some navigation can also be accomplished using keyboard shortcuts:
• If you are not on the START screen, press the (Windows) key on your keyboard
to quickly switch to it
• Press the Alt+Tab keys on your keyboard to switch between all START screen and
DESKTOP screen apps that are currently open
Charms Bar
Alt + Tab Keyboard Combination

Charms Bar
Anytime you move your mouse pointer to the upper or lower right corner of the screen
or hit +C keys, the CHARMS bar will appear with 5 options:
• Search - Search for installed apps, files, the internet, and
more
• If on the START screen, just start typing to begin a
search
• Share - With some apps, you can share photos, files, or
webpages with others
• Start - Quickly takes you to the START screen
• Devices - View devices connected to your PC, set up print-
ers and print documents, and sync your phone
• Settings - Adjust the settings of the currently active app
with the following Settings options available on every app:
• Networks - Choose how you connect to the internet
• Volume - Adjust the PC volume
• Brightness - Adjust the screen brightness
• Notifications - View system notifications
• Power - Sleep, Shut down, or Restart the PC
• Keyboard - Switch between different language keyboard layouts
Press the ESC key once or twice to exit out of the CHARMS options.
Access some of the CHARMS options using these keyboard combinations:
• +Q to open App search
• +W to open Control Panel settings search
• +F to open File search
• +I to open Settings search
Charms Bar

The Desktop
The DESKTOP in Windows 8 looks and feels very similar to the desktop you’ve grown
accustomed to in previous versions of Windows, minus the Start button. From the
DESKTOP you’ll be able to access and organize files, run applications, and do many of
the same tasks as you’ve done before on Windows.
To switch to the DESKTOP:
• Click on the DESKTOP app on your START screen or hitting the +D keys
Desktop Mode
Desktop App

The Desktop
Move your mouse pointer to the bottom of the DESKTOP screen to access the TASK
BAR. From the TASKBAR, you’ll be able to access:
1. File Explorer
2. Pinned Apps
3. Apps in use
4. Apps running in the background
5. Settings (System alerts, Power, Networks, Volume)
6. Date & Time
Click on the FILE EXPLORER icon to open up the Libraries window, where you can
access drives, libraries, folders, and files.
Taskbar
File Explorer

The Desktop
To pin libraries and folders from the DESKTOP to your START screen:
• Right click on a library or folder and choose “Pin to Start” from the list of options
• Undo this by going to your START screen, right click the library/folder, and
choose “Unpin from Start” at the bottom of your screen
To pin apps* from your START screen to your DESKTOP TASKBAR:
• Right click an app on your START screen and choose “Pin to taskbar” at the bottom
of your screen.
• Undo this by right clicking the app on your START screen or DESKTOP
TASKBAR and choose “Unpin from taskbar” from the options
*Apps specifically designed to run from the START screen, like People, News, or Music, cannot be
pinned to the DESKTOP TASKBAR.
Pin to Start
Pin to Taskbar

Windows Apps
APPS in Windows 8 are programs that are preinstalled on your tablet or computer, or
they can be downloaded from the WINDOWS STORE.
To open an APP, simply click on the APP.
• APPS that are optimized for the Windows 8 environment will open from the START
screen. All apps installed from the WINDOWS STORE are optimized.
• Programs that are downloaded or installed that are Windows 8 compatible will open
from the DESKTOP.
To view commands for an APP:
• Right click anywhere in the APP screen
APP Screen APP Commands

Windows Apps
To use two APPS at the same time:
1. Move your mouse pointer to the top of the APP screen til you see a hand icon
2. Click and hold your mouse button and drag down slightly, then to the left or right
side of the screen and release the mouse button
3. Move your mouse pointer to the bottom left corner of your screen and click to go to
your START screen. Click on another APP to open it. Use the bar between the two
apps to change the size and switch between APPS.
To close an APP:
1. Move your mouse pointer to the top of the APP screen til you see a hand icon
2. Click and hold your mouse button and drag down to the bottom of your screen and
release
Top of APP Screen Bottom of APP Screen
Move First APP First APP Set
Second APP Opened

Windows Apps
To uninstall an APP:
1. Right click the APP tile that you want to uninstall
2. Choose the Uninstall icon in the options that appear at the bottom of your screen
Uninstall an App

Windows Store
The WINDOWS STORE is where you can go to download APPS, much like an iPhone
or Android device. The WINDOWS STORE offers both free and paid APPS. Most of
these APPS are designed to run from the START screen.
To open the WINDOWS STORE, click on the Store icon.
The WINDOWS STORE has several categories and in each category you’ll see fea-
tured apps and the sections “Top paid”, “Top free”, and “New Releases”.
To scroll through the WINDOWS STORE categories:
• Roll the scroll wheel on your mouse, or
• Move your mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen and drag the scroll bar
To browse a category:
• Click on the category title, such as “Games”, “News & Weather”, “Sports”, etc.
Store Icon
Windows Store

Windows Store
To search the WINDOWS STORE:
1. Move your mouse pointer to the top or bottom right corner of your screen
to access the CHARMS bar
2. Click on the Search icon to open the search feature and type a title or
keyword
After you’ve selected an APP, a page displaying information about the APP will appear
on your screen.
To install an APP:
• If it’s a free app, click the Install button
• If it’s a paid app, click the Buy or Try button
After the APP has installed, a tile for the APP will be created on the START screen.
App Information in the Windows Store
Search Icon

Windows Store
APPS that you have purchased or installed through the WINDOWS STORE can be
installed on up to five PCs with your Microsoft account.
To see what APPS are installed on your PC(s):
1. Right click anywhere on the WINDOWS STORE screen and choose the Your Apps
option that appears at the top of the screen
2. In the Your Apps screen, click on the first dropdown list to see what APPS are in-
stalled on which PC
You may have noticed that the WINDOWS STORE icon sometimes contains a number
in it. This number indicates the number of APPS that need to be updated.
To update APPS:
1. Click on the WINDOWS STORE icon
2. Click on the “Updates (#)” in the upper right corner
3. Click the Install icon at the bottom of your screen
• You can click on the Select All or Clear icons, or select each APP individually to
customize which APPS you’d like to update
Update Apps

Set Up Work Email in the Mail App
In Windows 8, you can receive email notifications and reply to emails using the MAIL
app.
To set up your work email in the MAIL app:
1. Click on the MAIL app on your START
screen
2. Click on Google under the Add your
email accounts option at the bottom left
corner of your screen
3. Type your email address and email
password, then click Connect. On the
next screen about Staying in touch with
your Google friends, you can choose to
connect or not to connect

4. Now that your work email is synched
with the MAIL app, there are a few
options that should be changed. Access
the CHARMS bar by moving your
mouse pointer to the upper or lower
right corner of your screen, move your
mouse slightly up or down, and click on
the Settings option
5. Under Settings, click on Accounts
6. You should see two accounts with
the same email. Click on the first one
with the envelope icon. This is your
MICROSOFT ACCOUNT email

7. Make the following changes:
Change the account name to
My Microsoft Account
8. Click on the arrow icon at the top of this
panel to return to the Accounts section

9. You should see two accounts with the
same email. Click on the one with the
Google icon. This is your work account
email
10. Make the following changes:
Change the account name to
My Work Account
Change Download email from to
Any time
Ensure Email is checked next to
Content to sync
Change your email signature

11. Scroll down and make the following
changes:
Make sure the Show email notifications
slider is set to On

Quick Tips and Resources
Quick Tips
• Press the (Windows) key on your keyboard to quickly switch to the START screen
• Press +D keys to access the DESKTOP screen
• Press +C keys to access the CHARMS bar in both the START and DESKTOP
screens
• Click Devices > Second screen to change how your screen is displayed when
connected to a monitor or projector
• Click the Settings option to:
• Power off, restart, or put your computer in sleep mode
• Connect to a network
• Adjust the volume and brightness
• Temporarily hide notifications
• Accessing CHARMS bar > Settings in the DESKTOP screen will get you quick links
to the Control Panel, Personalization, and PC Info
• To view all APPS installed on your device, right click on the START screen and
choose the All Apps option that appears
• Press the Alt+Tab keys on your keyboard to switch between all START screen and
DESKTOP screen apps that are currently open
• When using an APP optimized for Windows 8, right click to view commands
• To close a Windows 8 optimized APP, move the mouse pointer to the top of the
screen til it changes to a hand icon, click and hold, then drag the APP to the bottom
of your screen
• To uninstall an APP from the START screen, right click the APP tile and choose
Uninstall

Quick Tips and Resources
Resources
Websites
• TSTC Windows 8 Guides
insupport.tstc.edu, click on Resource Repository > E-Doc Guides
• Windows 8 Tutorials from Microsoft
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/tutorial
• Windows 8 Tutorials from GCF
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/windows8
Videos
• The Missing Windows 8 Instructional Video - Who moved my Windows 8 Cheese?
http://youtu.be/5BSmmSU-UZU
• Learn Windows 8 in 3 minutes (OK, it’s really 4)
http://youtu.be/wi8NpwiEuzc

TSTC Windows 8 Guide - Complete Edition

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