How to make a desktop in 8

Since the release of Windows 8, the new Metro interface has already attracted both its fans and opponents. And the greatest inconvenience for users is that the operating system is loaded not onto the usual desktop, but into the Metro interface.

After the release of Windows 8, program developers have already released quite a variety of utilities and applications that allow you to return to the desktop when loading Windows 8. But you don’t always want to litter your new computer with additional programs, sometimes of rather dubious content.

In this article we will tell you how to automatically load the Desktop in Windows 8 without any additional programs. All we need is a few minutes of time and standard tools of the operating system itself. Yes, yes, you won’t need emergency computer help at home.

Setting up the desktop to automatically load when Windows 8 starts

Launch the “Task Scheduler” (if you have an English version of Windows 8, then “Task Scheduler”). To do this, go to “Search” and type “Task Scheduler” in the search bar (in English “Task Scheduler”, without quotes). As you can see from the figure, it is enough to type only part of the phrase, and the desired application will already be found. Let's launch. Do everything very carefully, otherwise you may need

Let me say right away that compared to its predecessor, Windows 8 offers significantly improved capabilities for setting up multi-monitor setups. While these features may be of great interest to desktop users, they will not be discussed in this article.

Windows 7 (and Vista) offered Aero effects, which provided transparency and color variations to Explorer windows and other desktop interfaces. There are no Aero effects in Windows 8 (they have been removed in order to save mobile device batteries), they have been replaced by a new opaque interface (strangely, for some reason the taskbar has retained its transparency effects). Therefore, some of the customization options you were familiar with are also gone.

But Windows 8 lets you change your desktop wallpaper, and you can still change the color of the borders of now-opaque Explorer windows. As before, you can also save combinations of these settings as themes. However, if previously, in Windows 7, you configured these themes manually (for example, if you had a green wallpaper with a view of Ireland and wanted to make the windows green, you had to do it yourself), then in Windows 8 this can be done automatically.

To see how this works, launch the Personalization Dashboard. The easiest way to do this is to right-click on the desktop and select Personalization from the menu that appears.

Then, at the bottom of the window, click on the Color icon. As a result, you'll see a color and appearance control panel that's a little simpler than it was in Windows 7. It does have a new option, Automatic Color (the first in the list of 16 window border colors to choose from).

By selecting this option (it is set by default), the border colors of Explorer windows and the taskbar will automatically change to match your desktop wallpaper.

With the transition to the Aero interface in Windows Vista, Microsoft added screen scaling capabilities to the OS, making it easier to view on-screen elements on large, high-resolution screens (as screen size and resolution increase, on-screen elements such as icons and menus become smaller; as a result they become unreadable).

Windows 8 retains this ability, but also gives us a new, unique interface that allows us to independently control the size of some on-screen elements.

This interface, called the Screen control panel, is not at all easy to find, especially if you don’t know where it is. However, there are two fairly quick ways to detect it: by searching for the home screen (we wrote about setting it up) and by using the Personalization control panel, which we used in the previous part. At the bottom left of this control panel there is a link to the Display panel.

The top half of this window works as before, allowing you to adjust the new screen scale if desired. But at the bottom of this window there is a new option. There you can individually resize some desktop interface elements, such as title bars, menus, message boxes, icons, context windows, etc.

Instead of resizing everything on your desktop, you can only change the text size of an individual element. This can be very useful, especially for those who have difficulty seeing small elements.

If you want to change anything in this window, be sure to write down the original values of the options being changed. After all, there is no button to return to the original version.

When you sign in to Windows 8 using a Microsoft account—which is what I use and what I recommend for you—you can take advantage of syncing settings from computer to computer. It all works via SkyDrive. Synchronization also includes synchronization of desktop settings.

You can set up synchronization using the “Sync Settings” interface in “PC Settings”. The easiest way to call it is to use the key combination WINKEY + I, then select change computer settings, and then select synchronize settings.

This interface says that synchronizing desktop settings includes “themes, taskbar, contrast, etc.”, which is not very clear, and indeed not accurate at all. For example, Windows 8 does not sync pinned taskbar items. What is actually synchronized is: the desktop theme (including background, Explorer window color, sounds and screensaver), taskbar settings and photo slideshow options.

Moreover, the desktop sync switch is not the only element that affects the desktop. For example, synchronization also includes information about which application or applications you use to open certain types of files. So if you prefer to use the Adobe Reader desktop app instead of the Windows Reader app for Metro, this will also sync from computer to computer.

The password switch enables web passwords (via IE10). The app settings switcher includes some app settings and files purchased through apps. And other Windows settings are also important for desktop users. These include File Explorer and Mouse settings.

Even though the SkyDrive app - which adds SkyDrive storage to Windows 8 - doesn't come with Windows 8, it is in fact a necessary part of Windows 8. That's why it's included in the free Windows Essentials 2012 add-on, which also provides other useful desktop apps like Windows Mail and Photo Gallery. You can download the SkyDrive app and the rest of Windows Essentials 2012 from the Essentials website.

By installing SkyDrive, in addition to settings, you can also synchronize documents, pictures and other content between computers. This will allow you to always see all your data, no matter what computer or even mobile device you are working on today.

Already, some people are trying to sync small collections of music using SkyDrive. It is possible that video file synchronization will be added over time. Although, given the size of the latter, not all people will be able to use it right away.

That's all for today! Good luck to you!

Today there is no longer any doubt that Windows 8 and its successor, Windows 8.1, failed to win the sympathy of users. The confusing mixture of the new Metro touch interface and the familiar Windows desktop is inconvenient for users of traditional computers controlled by a mouse and keyboard. The Windows 8.1 update, seen as Microsoft's desperate attempt to fix the shortcomings of the initial release of Windows 8, did not solve all the problems. However, there are several ways to tweak Windows 8.1 to make it more like Windows 7

Traditional desktop users only need the new Start screen to navigate from it to the Windows desktop. Luckily, Windows 8.1 includes the ability to boot directly to your desktop. To enable this setting, right-click on the taskbar and select Properties. In the Taskbar and Navigation Properties window that opens, select Open the desktop instead of the Start screen when I sign in.

2. New Start button

Removing the Start button and menu from Windows 8 was, without a doubt, Microsoft's worst decision yet. At least the Start button is back in Windows 8.1. Right-clicking on it opens a convenient context menu that gives access to Programs and Features, Power Management, Event Viewer, Device Manager, Network Connections, Disk Management, PowerShell, File Explorer, Control Panel, Shutdown button and much more .

3. Keyboard shortcuts

The easiest way to navigate the new interface of Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 is to use keyboard shortcuts. Most of these combinations that work in Windows 7 still work. Specifically, in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8, you can use Alt+Tab to switch between applications, Alt+F4 to close the current application, Windows key to switch between the desktop and the Start screen, Win+D to go to the desktop, Win+L to lock the desktop, Win+R to display the Run window, Ctrl+A – select all, Ctrl+C – copy, Ctrl+V – paste, Ctrl+X – cut, Ctrl+Z – cancel.

4. Replace the Start screen with the Applications view

If you don't use Windows 8.1 apps, it makes sense to replace the Start screen with the Apps view. In this case, a list of installed applications will open on the screen instead of tiles. To enable the Apps view, open the Toolbar and Navigation Properties window and select Automatically open the Apps view when you go to Start.

5. Show desktop background on Start screen

If you are not in the habit of placing a myriad of icons on your desktop, then over time you may come to use the Start screen. In this case, it will be nice if the start screen looks like a familiar desktop. To put the Windows 8.1 desktop background on the Start screen, in the Taskbar and Navigation Properties window, select Show desktop background on the Start screen.

6. Using the desktop and taskbar

Effective use of the desktop and taskbar is a fundamental point in ensuring a comfortable experience with Windows 8.1 in a desktop environment. From the Start screen or Apps view, select an item and choose Pin to taskbar from the pop-up menu. Creating shortcuts on the desktop is a little more complicated. From the Start screen, click the arrow that appears as you move the cursor. In the Applications view that opens, select the items you want to create shortcuts to and select File Locations from the pop-up menu. Right-click on the desired items and select “Send”, and then select “To Desktop” from the context menu that opens.

7. Returning libraries to Explorer

Another handy feature of Windows 7 that was unceremoniously removed from Windows 8 is the Libraries view in Explorer, which allows you to group and share files. To add the Libraries view, open File Explorer on your desktop and select the View tab on the Ribbon. Click the Navigation Pane button and select Show Libraries.

8. Hide the Explorer feed

Personally, I like the new “Explorer” film. The View tab on the ribbon makes it much easier to display file extensions and hidden items. However, the tape has an unusual look and takes up a lot of screen space. Unfortunately, it cannot be removed completely, but you can hide it by clicking on the arrow in the upper right corner.

9. Ability to play DVDs

Removing the ability to play DVDs is another ridiculous change in Windows 8, and the Windows 8.1 update does not solve this problem. If you're not using Windows 8.1 Pro, you can download Windows 8.1 Pro Pack for $99.99. Windows 8.1 Pro users can purchase Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack for $9.99. Or you can download the free VLC player (www.videolan.org /vlc/download-windows.html).

10. Installing a replacement for the Start menu

One way to improve the interface of Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 is to install a third-party Start menu. Why Microsoft didn't bring this feature back in Windows 8.1 remains a mystery. One way or another, the free Classic Shell application (www.classicshell.net) will help you get the Start menu back, the same as in Windows 7. If you're willing to pay $4.99, Stardock's Start8 (www.stardock.com/products/start8) is an excellent app with lots of customizable components. Both solutions for creating a traditional menu make using the Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 desktop much more comfortable.

Although Microsoft has devoted its main efforts to the development of its next brainchild, Windows 9, it also does not forget about improvements to previous versions of operating systems. In particular, the current new Windows 8.1 received its spring Update, which introduces some features to the design and functionality of the system. Although such features cannot be called global or significantly changing certain parameters, some details are worth paying attention to.

Boot to desktop - now default

The first feature of Update 2014 is the ability to display the desktop after loading the operating system instead of the Metro interface. This feature could be implemented in the previous version of the OS after a series of adjustments, but the latest update is distinguished by the presence of this feature by default.

Everyone remembers the “hostility” of previous versions of the OS, in particular Windows 8, towards users of standard PCs with a mouse and keyboard. The orientation of the operating system towards tablets with touch controls led to a lot of negative feedback from consumers and, probably, it was this factor that became the key factor in the development of the new version. Now the system independently adapts to the new environment depending on several parameters:

Working platform (computer, laptop or tablet).

Control (mouse or screen sensor).

When installing Windows 8.1 Update on a tablet device, the system will automatically load into the start screen (Metro interface), and when installed on a desktop computer or laptop, it will boot into the usual desktop. Of course, you can change this parameter yourself by setting the desired system behavior, which was implemented in OS version 8.1. It is worth noting complaints about some problems with device identification from the operating system, but such problems do not arise very often and are mostly associated with the presence of information about the device in its firmware.

File association

Using desktop mode is now completely “friendly” to applications that run under it. In the previous “eight”, opening, for example, a file in gif or mp3 format entailed launching the Metro application assigned to this type of file, which was often not only inconvenient, but also quite annoying for some users. The developers decided to return to many of the usual functions and now opening files on the desktop will be accompanied by the launch of desktop applications. According to numerous reviews, this innovation (although it would be more accurate to say, a step back) has become very useful, because now the most convenient applications will be launched for each device (tablet or PC).

Penetration of “tiles” onto the desktop

It is worth noting that you can pin not only familiar programs to the desktop taskbar, but also applications from the Metro environment. This made it possible to use the necessary products from the “tiled” interface in desktop mode, which is much more convenient than switching according to the standards of previous versions of the eighth series operating system. By the way, the developers pinned the Windows Store tile to the taskbar by default, and users joke that this move was the only way for someone to click on it :).

What about the Start menu?

Everyone remembers the main slogan of users after switching to the first OS of the eighth series - “Bring back the Start button!” Most likely, Microsoft realized its mistake in that system and tried to please consumers by including the missing button in the Windows 8.1 version. But the matter was limited solely to the name, since clicking on Start did not cause the usual menu, but a “tiled” interface and a new wave of user indignation. Windows 8.1 Update, unfortunately, did not bring a solution to this issue, but Microsoft promises to soon release a new update in which the functionality of the Start button will be implemented in the classic standard, however, with a set of additional “tiles”.

In general, the Windows 8.1 desktop after the Spring Update is not much different from previous versions. Several cosmetic improvements and a set of innovations described above did not make fundamental changes to the desktop interface. But at the same time, it is worth praising the developers - users of desktop computers or laptops have a more comfortable opportunity to work in a familiar desktop environment.

What else is new?

We can also note a number of innovations that affected the software supplied with Windows 8.1 Update and, first of all, let’s pay attention to the updated Internet Explorer. The revision of the eleventh series of the browser was done primarily for the convenience of tablet users rather than desktop PCs and the desktop interface of the system, but in general parameters the browser still received some innovations in terms of interface. Of particular note is the special Enterprise Mode, a business-oriented feature that allows you to combine updated Microsoft products with older versions of software.

Other programs have also changed insignificantly. The built-in cloud service SkyDrive is called OneDrive, but this is not a consequence of the update, but of the rebranding procedure. Among the useful innovations of the service, we can note the ability to force synchronization to start or stop. The rest of the standard Windows programs remained without significant changes, except, perhaps, for some cosmetic improvements.

Windows 8.1 Update is not a major update. Its main goal is to create more convenient conditions for users of desktop computers or laptops who lost comfort with the release of previous “eights”. As can be seen from the latest version of the operating system, the developers are trying to implement the “tiled” interface not as crudely as in Windows 8, but by paying attention to the interests of consumers of desktop versions. The update brought with it, of course, a number of updates in terms of OS security, but it is expected that the new versions will be even more friendly in terms of interface.

This can be achieved using technologies built directly into the operating system, without the use of third-party utilities. It is enough to simply create a special task that should be executed when you log in. In this article I will tell you how to do this.

Let's get started

First you need to launch the Task Scheduler. To do this, press the key, enter “schedule” (Schedule, without quotes), select the “Settings” filter and click the “Schedule tasks” link in the results (Fig. A). The Task Scheduler will launch.

Figure A: Launching Task Scheduler from the Start screen is easy.

Create a task

Figure B: In the Task Scheduler, click the Create Task link.

In the Create Task dialog box, the first thing you need to do is enter a name for the task in the Name field. As you can see, I named my task “Show Desktop @ Start”. At the bottom of the page, select Windows 8 from the Configure for drop-down menu (Figure C). In the Security options section, you can leave the option “Run only when user is logged on”.

Figure C: Be sure to select Windows 8 from the Configure for drop-down menu.

Figure D: On the Triggers tab, click the New button.

In the New Trigger dialog box, select At log on item from the Begin the task drop-down menu (Figure E). This will refresh the page and display the appropriate setup options (Figure F).

Figure E: From the Start Task drop-down menu, select At Login.

By default, the options are “Any user” in the “Settings” section and “Enabled” in the “Advanced Settings” section. Leave everything as is and click “OK” to continue. Back in the Create Task dialog box, go to the Actions tab (Figure G) and click the New button at the bottom of the page.

Figure G: Click the New button on the Actions tab.

In the New Action dialog box, the Start a Program option is selected by default. In the Settings section, enter "c:\Windows\explorer.exe" (without quotes) in the Program/script field (Figure H). Or click the "Browse" button, find and select the "explorer.exe" file. Then click OK to return to the Create Task window.

Figure H You can enter the name of the executable file and its path in the Program or Script field, or you can find it using the Browse button.

If Windows 8 is installed on a laptop, go to the “Conditions” tab and uncheck “Start the task on if the computer is on AC power” in the “Power” section (Fig. I).

Figure I: This setting only needs to be changed if Windows 8 is installed on the laptop.

You don't need to change anything on the Settings tab, so just click OK to create the task. Returning to the rear Scheduler window, you will see a new task in the “Task Scheduler Library” section (Figure J). You can now close the Scheduler.

Figure J Once you create a task, you will see it in the Task Scheduler library.

Once you create a task, you can test it. To do this, restart your computer using the Power button charm (Figure K) or log out and log in again.

Previously, the logout option was located in the same place as other commands associated with shutting down the computer, but in Windows 8 it has moved to the Start screen and is now called “Sign out”. From the Start screen, right-click on your avatar in the upper right corner and select the “Sign Out” option from the menu that appears (Figure L).

Figure K. The “Restart” option is called up using the “Shutdown” charm.

Figure L To see the Sign Out option, right-click on your avatar.

When Windows 8 restarts, the Desktop will immediately appear with an Explorer window open on Libraries (Figure M). You won't see the Start screen at all.

Keep in mind that the Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos library icons may still move around for a while because the operating system continues to load in the background. mode.

Figure M: When Windows 8 restarts, the Desktop will immediately appear with an Explorer window open on Libraries.