
Explore Windows 8’s bright start screen, live tiles, and new apps while learning to access, personalize, and optimize features across desktop and file explore, Internet Explorer 10, and security.
Learn by seeing, hearing, and doing through video-based training, with hands-on practice using the working files folder to reinforce Windows 8 skills you can apply immediately.
Navigate the first-time Windows 8 setup, choose express or manual options, personalize the screen and computer name, and sign in with a Microsoft account to synchronize across devices.
Explore how Windows 8 introduces a two-step logon with the new lock screen, swipe-to-unlock, and mobile-inspired design that secures your data before you log on.
Log on to Windows 8 by entering your password or using a Microsoft account to store settings in the cloud, switch profiles, and reach the start screen after login.
Explore the Windows 8 start screen, a bright dashboard of tiles and live tiles that offer real-time updates from email, weather, news, and social sites.
Navigate the Windows 8 start screen and apps using mouse, touch, and keyboard, learning to close, resize, dock, and use the charms bar.
Learn to resize start screen tiles in Windows 8 by right-clicking a tile to choose smaller or larger sizes, and balance information visibility on live tiles like the weather tile.
Customize the Windows start screen by unpinning unwanted tiles without uninstalling apps, and pinning needed tiles from all apps, such as adding the calculator under Windows accessories.
Learn to control live tiles and lifestyles in Windows 8 by turning off dynamic tiles, re-enabling them, and managing notifications to protect privacy on calendar and people tiles.
Rearrange and group Windows 8 start screen tiles using drag-and-drop or tap-and-hold, and create named groups to organize related tiles such as Excel and the calculator.
Explore how the Windows 8 charms bar from the right edge simplifies access to search, share, start screen, devices, and settings with context-sensitive options.
Begin typing on the start screen to search for apps, settings, and files in Windows 8, with results that span maps, Bing, and content inside open apps.
Access the traditional desktop in Windows 8, switch between the start screen and desktop using the Windows key and charms bar, and use desktop shortcuts and a taskbar.
Windows 8 bridges the traditional desktop and the new start screen, preserving the desktop taskbar while the start button disappears, using thumbnails for open apps like Notepad and Word 2013.
Explore how Windows 8 style multitasking merges desktop with split-screen apps, using alt tab, windows key plus tab, and docking to manage weather and maps on touch devices and keyboards.
Learn how to quickly lock the screen, sign out, and use power options in Windows 8, including sleep, shut down, and restart, via the lock screen, charms bar, or settings.
Personalize the Windows 8 lock screen by selecting a custom image, adding weather and other tiles, and choosing whether to show live details.
Personalize the start screen in Windows 8 by choosing a color and a pattern in PC settings, accessed via the start screen search.
Pin frequently used programs to the Windows 8 taskbar for quick access via the apps bar, then unpin as needed.
Create desktop shortcuts that act as pointers to programs or files, then use the new shortcut wizard to browse, name, and finish to launch from the desktop.
Use jump lists in Windows 8 to access recently used files quickly from the taskbar, pin important documents, remove items, and set how many recent files to keep for access.
Set the date, time, and time zone in Windows 8 and enable internet time synchronization. Add extra clocks for different locales to keep timestamps accurate across regions.
Discover how Windows 8 replaces the start menu with the charms bar, then access a hidden system menu via Windows key plus x that reveals power options and device manager.
Learn to optimize Windows 8 power usage by selecting and customizing power plans, adjusting display and sleep settings, and using advanced options such as hibernate and fast startup.
Learn to adjust screen resolution and monitor setup in Windows. Configure single or multiple displays, choose extend or duplicate, and set the primary display.
Explore File Explorer in Windows 8, learn the ribbon interface, location bar and breadcrumbs, back and forward navigation, and how to view, sort, move, copy, and manage files and folders.
Configure Windows 8 libraries to index and view content from multiple folders, create custom libraries, and optimize them for pictures, documents, or other content types.
Explore how to modify folder properties in Windows 8 using File Explorer, including read-only settings, content type, apply to subfolders, and icon customization.
Learn to create shortcuts in Windows 8 for quick access to files and folders from the desktop or file explorer using drag and drop, send to desktop, or cut and paste.
Learn to modify Windows user folder locations, such as downloads, documents, and pictures, using File Explorer and the folder's location tab, moving content to a new drive or network location.
Explore sharing in Windows 8 using the Share tab in File Explorer to email, compress, print, or fax files and folders, and stop sharing when needed.
Windows 8 lets you burn files to cd, dvd, or Blu ray from File Explorer via the Share tab; compare this with methods and note when burn options are greyed.
Discover easy access options in Windows 8 file explorer to quickly access content from a single button. Pin resources, map drives, and make content available offline from the Home tab.
Explore how Windows 8 handles deletion and recycle bin management, including permanent delete prompts, bin size settings, and restoring or permanently removing items.
Learn how Windows 8 style apps open full screen, stay pinned to the start screen with live tiles, and use app bars and charms for settings, search, and navigation.
Open the Windows 8 music app from the start screen. Manage your library by artist, album, or genre, and play or add songs to now playing with a simplified interface.
The Windows 8 Photos app consolidates images from the picture library, Sky Drive, Facebook photos, and other sources into one view, enabling easy viewing, scrolling, zooming, and sharing.
Learn to use the windows 8 video app to view your videos in my videos, control playback with pause and fullscreen, and explore movie and TV stores for shopping.
Explore how the Windows 8 media player handles music, videos, photos, and possibly television across libraries, and learn to organize content, create playlists, and use playback controls.
Learn to rip CDs to digital using Windows Media Player, configuring formats like MP3, destination folders, file naming, and metadata to build a personal music library.
Create and organize playlists in media player to combine music, photos, and videos by theme, then burn the playlist to disc using a burn list and sync with devices.
Learn to share media with the Windows 8 media player using streaming, home group, and device-specific access controls, enabling local-network sharing without duplicating files.
Discover how the Windows 8 people app consolidates email and social network contacts in one cloud connected interface, keeping data across devices and enabling messaging.
Learn how to link social sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to the Windows 8 People app, add accounts, grant permissions, and view updates in one place.
Explore how the Windows 8 messaging app integrates email, social media, and cloud accounts into a single interface, enabling messaging with multiple contacts across services.
Discover how the Windows 8 mail app simplifies email management across multiple accounts with a three-column interface, conversation view, synchronization, and quick actions like new, reply, and delete.
Learn to compose and send email with the Windows 8 Mail app, select recipients from contacts via the People app, attach files, and send via the built-in interface.
Organize tasks with the calendar app on Windows 8, link accounts for synchronized calendars, and manage events with monthly view, durations, reminders, and color coding.
Explore the Windows Store to browse categories, view highlighted apps, and compare free and paid titles using left and right navigation and touch or mouse gestures for a stress-free experience.
Navigate the Windows Store to find free apps by using search, filtering by categories and price, and exploring top free and new releases.
Explore how to evaluate apps in the Windows Store by examining the listing page, including ratings, price, permissions, screenshots, languages, and user reviews to make informed decisions.
Discover how to install Windows 8 apps from the Windows Store by browsing, checking requirements and permissions, and tapping install to add free or paid apps to your start screen.
Keep Windows 8 store apps current by updating from the store tile, selecting apps on the update screen, and installing them to see progress and a confirmation.
Explore how the network and sharing center in Windows 8 provides an overview of network status, connections, and settings, with built-in troubleshooting and access to adapters and firewall options.
Set a logical computer name and a consistent workgroup in Windows 8 to enable home network sharing, or join a domain in business environments.
Learn how to connect a Windows 8 computer to wireless networks using a wireless adapter, view available networks, enter a security key, and decide on sharing settings.
Learn to change a network profile in Windows 8 to control sharing and discovery between private and public networks by using the network and sharing center.
Discover the two faces of Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8, comparing the touch-optimized, full-screen Windows 8 style app with the traditional desktop version, and noting missing add-ins and plugins.
Explore how Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8 blends a Windows 8 style app with the desktop browser, featuring bottom and top bars, tabs, and pin to start.
Learn to personalize your Windows 8 experience by changing the account picture using PC settings, from taking a photo to browsing for an image and cropping it to a square.
Switch between domain, local, and Microsoft accounts in Windows 8 via the PC settings' users tab to enable roaming profiles and cloud syncing.
Learn to change a Windows 8 user password by accessing PC settings, entering current and new passwords, and adding a password hint for both local and online accounts.
Master picture passwords in Windows 8 by creating an image-based login with three gestures, drag-to-position setup, and finger-friendly security.
Create a pin to access user accounts in Windows 8 by opening pc settings and choosing create a pin. Enter the current password, set a four-digit pin (0-9), and finish.
Explore bypassing or strengthening the Windows 8 logon process by adjusting user accounts settings to require a username and password, or control alt delete, with security tradeoffs.
Learn how to add and delete user accounts in Windows 8, choosing between Microsoft and local accounts, setting passwords, and managing profiles, permissions, and family safety.
Create a homegroup in Windows 8 via PC settings to share documents, music, pictures, videos, printers, and devices with a generated password and simple on/off toggles.
Join a home group on Windows 8 to share libraries, media devices, printers, and other data, learn how to join with the password, and how to leave when needed.
Learn to locate and change the Windows 8 homegroup password via PC settings and control panel, ensuring all PCs are online and the new password has at least eight characters.
Learn how to access and share resources in a Windows 8 home group by navigating libraries with file explorer, viewing and editing shared content through the share tab.
Learn to share drives, folders, and files in Windows 7 or Windows 8 using homegroup or traditional sharing, and manage access with specific people, everyone, and read/write permissions.
Learn how to share printers in Windows 8 using PC settings, devices and printers, and home group, including naming, describing, and managing print queues for all users.
In this video training course for Microsoft Windows 8, an expert author teaches you how to take advantage of the enhanced and new features that you will find in this latest Windows release. No previous experience is required to get the most out of this tutorial, as this course breaks even complex operations down into easy to understand steps that anyone can absorb quickly and easily.
The course begins with the basics of logging in and then guides you through a tour of the new Windows interface. You will learn how to manage files and folders and how to use Windows 8 Apps. These lessons teach you how to use the music App, as well as work with the Photo and Video Apps. You will master the Windows 8 messaging App, sending and receiving email, and getting organized with the calendar. This computer based training course also covers topics such as using the Internet, sharing your data, keeping your data secure, securing the computer for family-safe use, and finally, properly maintaining your Windows computer to keep it operating at peak efficiency.
Once you have completed this tutorial video you will have learned how to effectively use Windows 8 to make your life easier. Working files are included, allowing you to follow along with the author throughout the lessons.