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Tutorials, how-to guides, and blog posts about using Windows. How to use laptops, tablets, PCs, and other gadgets with Windows.

Reviewing the Toshiba Encore 2 with Windows 8.1 - Is It a Good Tablet?

Toshiba has announced a new generation of devices with Windows 8.1 and some of them are pretty exciting, at least in terms of design and specifications. The first device that was launched is the new Toshiba Encore 2. This tablet looks great and it is available in two versions: a 10" tablet and an 8" one. Luckily we got our hands on the 10" version and we were able to

How to Take Pictures or Record Video From the Lock Screen in Windows 8.1

Let's assume you have a Windows 8.1 tablet with you and you quickly want to take a picture or record a video. If the device is locked, you would think that you first have to log in, open the Camera app and then take your picture. This surely takes a lot of time. Fortunately, in Windows 8.1, you can take pictures or record video straight from the Lock Screen. Here's

ASUS Transformer Book T200 Review - Is It Better Than The T100?

ASUS has been kind enough to send us one of their newest Transformer Book devices. It is the big brother of the T100 that we tested a while ago - the new ASUS Transformer Book T200. We were very curious to learn what's different about this device and whether it is a worthy upgrade over its predecessor. We've tested it for a week and today we are ready to share

How to Use Windows Update from Windows 8.1's PC Settings

In Windows 8.1 there are two Windows Update tools: one available from the Desktop (which hasn't changed since Windows 7) and one in PC Settings, that's optimized for users with touch devices. When using the PC Settings version, you can view information about available updates, check for new updates manually, install those that are available, view your update history, and choose how updates get installed in Windows 8.1. Here's how
tutorial How to Use the OneDrive Troubleshooter to Fix Your Problems

How to Use the OneDrive Troubleshooter to Fix Your Problems

If you have problems with OneDrive and your files are not synchronizing correctly, you may want to consider trying the official OneDrive Troubleshooter that's offered by Microsoft. It is a small troubleshooting wizard that you can download and run in order to fix your problems. Here's where to find it and how it works: Where to Find the OneDrive Troubleshooter If you have
tutorial How to Configure How the OneDrive Website Works

How to Configure How the OneDrive Website Works

Once your OneDrive account is set up and in use, you may want to check out your options to make sure everything is configured the way you like it. While the defaults are fine for most, power users may enjoy the ability to change default file formats and tagging permissions. This tutorial will show how to change them. How To Access the OneDrive
tutorial How to Work with Files in the OneDrive Website from Any Browser

How to Work with Files in the OneDrive Website from Any Browser

One way to use the OneDrive service is with the help of a web browser. You can use it to add or remove files, edit documents, create documents and many other things, without the need for external applications. Read on to learn all you need to know about working with files in the OneDrive website. How to Add Files to OneDrive from the

How to Upgrade a Local Account to a Microsoft Account in Windows 8.1

As even the newest users to Windows 8.1 will quickly discover, Microsoft's newest operating system offers a choice of account types that you can use to log in. A local account works like a typical user account from any older version of Windows, while a Microsoft account offers a bunch of new and useful features that help you get more from Windows 8.1. Many users, not knowing the details of

Introducing Windows 8.1: Should You Use a Local or a Microsoft Account?

Windows 8.1 offers you a choice that has not been available in older versions of Windows. Right from the start, before you even log in and see the operating system's interface, you'll have to choose whether you want to log in using a local account or a Microsoft account. Users who don't plan on taking advantage of the new Windows 8.1 apps and don't want to use most of its

Introducing Windows 8.1: How to Add, Create & Switch User Accounts

When you install or use Windows 8.1 for the first time, the first procedure the operating system will walk you through is the one of creating your primary user account. In most cases, this will be the main account that you will use. There are, however, cases when you need to configure additional user accounts, for other family members or friends for instance. Creating additional user accounts is not a
tutorial How to Connect to Hidden Wireless Networks in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1

How to Connect to Hidden Wireless Networks in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1

While connecting to a broadcasting wireless network in Windows is a very simple process, the same can't be said of a hidden network. By not broadcasting its SSID (service set identifier), or network name, a hidden network is not visible in the list of available networks you can access from your computer. You'll need to know the SSID, as well as all of the
tutorial How To Disable a Virtual WiFi Network Adapter in Windows 8.1

How To Disable a Virtual WiFi Network Adapter in Windows 8.1

In a previous tutorial, we've shown how to turn any Windows 8.1 laptop or device into a WiFi access point. The process involved creating a virtual wireless network adapter that was used to broadcast the wireless network. When you are done using your Windows 8.1 device as a WiFi access point, it is good to disable and remove the virtual wireless network adapter that
tutorial How to Connect to Wireless Networks in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

How to Connect to Wireless Networks in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

Windows 8 and 8.1 provide a simple interface for connecting to wireless networks. The procedure varies depending on whether or not the network broadcasts its name (also known as SSID - Service Set Identifier). If the name is broadcast, connecting to the network is as simple as entering a password. But enough talk, let's see how it works: NOTE: Because the process is

How to Pin & Display Modern Windows 8.1 Apps on the Taskbar

One criticism about Windows 8 was that you couldn't easily access Windows Store apps from the Desktop. They were hidden, running in a different environment and switching between them and desktop programs was harder than it should have been. Windows 8.1 fixes this problem by allowing users to pin Windows Store apps to the taskbar and to set the taskbar so that it displays running apps. Here's how to work

5 Things You Can Do with the Travel App in Windows 8.1

As summer is coming with quick steps, it is also the time of year to start planning your holiday. The Internet provides a limitless resource for travel information, so much that it feels a bit overwhelming. For this reason, we have decided to test the Travel app that comes by default with Windows 8 and 8.1 and share what you can do with it. Can this app provide all that

Introducing Windows 8.1: What is the Apps View & How to Use It

You will notice many of our tutorials referencing the Apps View from Windows 8.1. You can think of it as a full-screen Start Menu, organized in a similar way to the Start Menu in Windows 7 but with more options on how to display the list of programs installed. In order for you to understand it better and learn how to use it, I decided to create this guide which
tutorial How to Perform Natural Language Searches in Windows 8.1

How to Perform Natural Language Searches in Windows 8.1

With the release of Windows 8.1, Microsoft has introduced a new way of searching, named Smart Search. It is designed to make search easier and better for users. When performing a search, the list of results includes not only local results like your own files and apps but also results from the Internet, provided by Bing. In a very recent update that is distributed
tutorial How to Use the Camera App in Windows 8.1 with Your Webcam

How to Use the Camera App in Windows 8.1 with Your Webcam

The Camera app is preinstalled in Windows 8.1. If your computer or device has a webcam, you can easily use the Camera app to take photos and record videos, or you can use it to update the picture of your Microsoft account. In this tutorial I'm going to show you how to use the Camera app from Windows 8.1. Important: If you are