Windows Tips

Here's an example of a question we've heard several times recently: "Dear Infopackets team, I'm thinking of upgrading to Windows 8. The problem is that I've heard using it over multiple monitors can be difficult. I find using two monitors very ... useful because I can write and use the web at the same time without needing to keep switching back and forth. Can you give me any insight? George H." My response: Thanks for your email, George. Before I get to the way the new-look Windows 8 interface works with multiple monitors, let me just remind you that you can always switch to the ... (view more)

We recently received this question about pinning items to the Windows 8 desktop: "Dear Infopackets team, Last week, when complaining about having to sift through an extensive list of my preferred websites under the "Favorites" tab in Windows 8's ... Internet Explorer, one of my co-workers suggested that I start pinning these sites to my desktop. I went home to do some more research and stumbled upon a website called "Pinterest." Yes, I can upload my favorite websites, but it looks like everyone will be able to see my list if I decide to go this route. I really don't want to make this a ... (view more)

In recent weeks we've received quite a few emails asking this pressing question: "Dear Infopackets, I recently bought a new Windows 8 computer and I've just about had enough with it. I'm sure some people love the system, but I find it too confusing. ... I can't afford to replace the computer, so is it possible for me to run Windows 7 on it, instead of Windows 8? George H." My response: Yes, George. The short answer is that you can retrofit a Windows 8 computer with Windows 7. But the process can be a lot of a hassle. Please read through all of our instructions before you decide whether ... (view more)

We recently received this letter from an Infopackets fan in Arizona: "Hi Infopackets squad, I'm interested in downgrading my new PC from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7. I know that in order to do that, I need to disable something called Secure Boot. ... What is Secure Boot, and how do I disable it? Thanks for the help, Gail C." My response: Great question, Gail. We'll be running a feature story soon giving you more information about how to downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7. However, in this article we'll be focusing exclusively on the Secure Boot feature. Secure Boot Protects Systems from Malware ... (view more)

We recently received this question from an Infopackets reader: "Hi there, I'm interested in giving cloud storage a try, but I'm not sure which service to use. Can you help me out? Thanks! Roger T." My response: Hi Roger -- certainly there are a ... number of different cloud storage services worth trying. I've given both DropBox and Microsoft SkyDrive a try and, personally, I prefer the latter. In this guide, I'll show you how to get started using that service. If you've recently upgraded to Windows 8 or have purchased a Windows 8 computer (including Windows RT, Windows 8 standard, or Windows 8 ... (view more)

"Hi Infopackets, I recently bought Windows 8 and naturally want to learn more about the new applications that come with it. In particular, I'm a huge fan of social media and would love to find out more about the new People app. Who better to explain ... it all than you, who have been helping me understand the computer world for half a dozen years. Thanks! Mary B." My response: Great question, because Windows 8's new People app is one of the more exciting features included in Microsoft's newest operating system. People App: A Central Hub for Social Media Basically, the new People app is a social ... (view more)

Dear Infopackets team, First off, thank you for your helpful Windows 8 tips! Now I need a specific answer. I recently found a neat cooking website and wanted to take a screenshot of one of the recipes. In previous versions of Windows, I was able to ... take a screenshot of the entire page, but I'm experiencing difficulty doing this in Windows 8. Am I still able to take screenshots in Windows 8? If so, is there any way that I can capture only a portion of the screen? I could really use your help on this! Thanks, Brenda W." My response: Yes, Brenda. Windows 8 contains a tool that lets you ... (view more)

We've been asked about this issue several times by different subscribers: "Hi Infopackets team, I have been using Windows 8 and, for the most part, I like it. But one feature I really dislike is the lock screen. Talk about a time waster. Can you ... help me get rid of it once and for all? Thanks for your great information over the years, Gerald H." My Response: Gerald, I completely understand why you would get annoyed with Windows 8's lock screen. Meet Windows 8's Lock Screen If you're not familiar with it, the lock screen is enabled after a Windows 8 PC is awoken from sleep mode. The lock screen ... (view more)

Here's a question we recently received from an Infopackets subscriber in beautiful Montana, "Dear Infopackets team, I'm thinking about buying a Windows 8 computer. But I'm not sure if I should buy one with Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro? And what's ... Windows RT? Can you please explain the differences to me? Thanks for the assistance, Molly C." My response: Technically speaking, Molly, those are the three different versions of Microsoft's newest operating system (OS), Windows 8. Windows RT is a trimmed-down version of the OS specially designed for portable devices with ARM chips. We're talking ... (view more)

Here's a question of increasing importance that recently came to us from a loyal reader in California: "Dear Infopackets, I really appreciate the helpful Windows 8 tips I've been getting from you. But there's one issue I am struggling with: Linux, ... and specifically installing it on my Windows 8 computer. I haven't been able to get Linux to install properly, and I really don't know why. One of my techie friends told me it has to do with a new Secure Boot feature in Windows 8. Is this true? I am really frustrated by this and would appreciate your telling me how to by-pass the problem, if ... (view more)