[Windows 8 General] offspin2040:
The Windows 8 FAQ

In order to declutter the windows 8 general thread with unnecessary questions,I decided to create this FAQ.I have answered most of the common questions here and will be adding more and more answers as time goes by.If you want me to cover a question,just post it in this thread and ill answer them as soon as possible....

Q1.What Is A Clean Install? What's the difference between a clean install and an upgrade?

A1.A clean install means deleting the previous operating system completely,then replacing it with windows 8.You do this by booting from the cd and then installing windows 8.This is almost always the best way to install windows 8.

Q2.I copied the Iso file to my cd and burnt it,but its not booting from the cd.Why?

A2.This is because burning an ISO is not as simple as just copying the iso to the cd.You need software like IMGBurn or Free ISO Burner.After you download that,when you right click the ISO,you should get and option to burn to disk.Insert a BLANK dvd AND Burn away!

Q3.My Windows 8 Installation failed/froze/crashed!What do I do?

A3.The First thing to do if windows 8 doesn't install is to try again.Yes,try again.If it still doesn't work then try the following troubleshooting:

1)If you are trying an upgrade,forget it,take a backup of your data and do a clean install.

2)Unplug all unnecessary hardware like microphones,speakers,headphones etc

3)Check if all the setup files are proper and not corrupted

4)Check the serial key.

Q4.What is a Microsoft account?Is it necessary to create one?

A4.You do not need to create a Microsoft account to use your computer,as Microsoft allows you to use your computer with a local account.However you will not be able to sync your settings across devices,use the windows store and use Microsoft services like xbox live.

Q5.What Is Windows activation? Is it necessary?

A5.Windows activation is a way by which Microsoft prevent windows piracy.It checks whether your copy of windows is genuine or not.Windows activation is necessary within 30 days.

Q6.The Personalize option is greyed out.Why?

A6.The Personalization option is greyed out when your copy of windows 8 is activated illegally or not activated at all.

Q7.There are only 100 apps in the windows store.Why?

A7.There are only 100 apps available to the users of the preview versions of windows.

Q8.Metro apps are force closing or not opening at all.Why?

A8.This is most likely due to a low screen resolution.Metro apps need a minimum screen res of 1024 to work.

Q9.My C Drive is filling up.How do I free up the c drive to install more metro apps?

A9.You can use software like easeus partition master to remove space from your d and e drive and add it to your c drive.Post below for a complete guide.

Q10.Where are Metro apps installed?

A10.Metro apps are installed in a folder called windowsapps in the c program fies folder.It is a hidden folder.

Q11.How do I access the windowsapps folder?

A11.You will need to enable show hidden folders in folder options.Then navigate to the folder and change permissions from trustedinstaller to urself.Now u will be able to access windowsapps folder

Q12.How do I Rename Non metro tiles?

A12.Right click on the tile and click on open file location.Rename the original file and the tile should follow suit.

Q13.How Do I Delete Preinstalled Metro Apps?

A13.You will need to gain access to the windowsapps folder and then delete the app folder from there.

Q14.Im getting an error continuously when I try to get a developer license.Why?

A14.This is due to your copy of windows being activated illegally.

Q15.How do I sideload Metro apps?

A15.For this you need a developer license.To get one,Open the windows powershell as administrator and type:-Show-WindowsDeveloperLicenseRegistration.Then follow the wizard to get a license.

Q16.How Do I Get Back The Start Menu?

A16.This can be done in several ways.There are lots of software available solely for this purpose like stardock start8,Vistart,Startisback and pokki.Ill list the pokki method here since its free..Download the software Pokki.It is free and it gives back the start menu in all its goodness.Once you download click the acorn icon in the desktop and enable the show start menu option.

Q17.Is there a way to boot directly to desktop?

A17.This too can be done with pokki.Enable the boot to desktop option and youre done!

Q18.What are the minimum hardware requirements to run windows 8?

A18.Microsoft has confirmed that windows 8 will run on the same hardware that runs windows 7.In other words,if windows 7 works,windows 8 will too!

To be more specific,here are the minimum hardware requirements:

•1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

•1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)

•16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

•DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Q19.How do I close a metro app?

A19.You do this by either pressing alt+f4 or dragging the app from the top to the bottom of the screen.You can also close an app by going to another app,hovering your mouse on the left side of the screen and then selecting the application and clicking close.

Q20.Do I need To close a metro app?

A20.Microsoft employs a system which automatically suspends applications when you click on the windows key and resumes them when you restart the app.In theory,this should allow you to open a lot of modern apps without closing any of them.

Q21.What is the Charms bar? How do I access it?

A21.The Charms bar is an attempt by Microsoft to put the most frequently used functions of the pc in one place.You can access the charms bar by hovering your mouse at the top right or bottom right corner of the screen.

Q22.How do I turn off my pc?

A22.You do this by going to the charms bar,clicking on power>shut down.

Q23.How do I switch between apps?

A23.Hover your mouse on the top left or bottom left of the screen to bring up the quick switch panel.Click on the app you want to switch to and youre done! You can also switch between an app and the start screen by clicking the windows key.

Q24.What is snap/crop view?

Windows 8 allows you to enjoy your applications in three ways.Snap,cropped and fullscreen.Fullscreen is when an app occupies the entire screen.Snap is when an app occupies about 1/4th of the screen and cropped is when an app occupies 3/4th of the screen.

Q25.How do I access snap/cropped view?

Pull down your mouse from the top of the screen.You will see a small bar dividing the screen.Put the app in the small space for snap and in the large space for crop.

Q26.How do I change pc settings?

A26.There are three ways to change settings.One,by using the control panel,two,by using pc settings in the charms bar,three,by using search.

Q27.Im not able to find the option I need in the control panel? What do I do?

A27.You will need to enable small icons view in the control panel to view all the options.

Q28.How do I Take A Screenshot?

A28.You do not need any external software to take a screenshot. Just press the win key +printscreen key to take a screenshot of your screen.

Q29.How do I Change My Homepage in the metro internet explorer?

A29.Change the homepage in the desktop internet explorer and the changes apply to the metro version too :)

Q30.The Modern version of IE10 suddenly disappeared from my start screen! How to get it back?

A30.The Modern version of IE10 will only appear if IE is set as your default browser. Set it as default and it should appear on your start screen!

Q31.What is Windows 8.1?

A31.Windows 8.1 is a major update to windows 8, part of the Windows Blue program of rapid updates.

Q32.Is Windows 8.1 A Free Update?

A32.Yes, Windows 8.1 will be available as a free update to all windows 8 users, through the Windows Store.

Q33.What's new in Windows 8.1?

A33.Windows 8.1 adds a start button, lock screen slideshows, 2 new tile sizes, lots of new apps, updates to existing system apps, live start screen backgrounds, ability to set desktop wallpaper as start screen wallpaper, boot to desktop, New universal search and much more!

........More To Be Added Soon!

If there is any other question you would like me to cover,Just post in this thread!