Windows 8 »
Skip Metro Suite allows you to skip Start screen and disable hotposts on Windows 8
By now you know how to bypass the Start screen and go straight to the desktop. If you want an easier way to skip the Windows 8 Start screen to go straight to desktop upon boot, and the ability to disable Windows 8 hotspots, then Skip Metro Suite is just [...]
How to bypass Windows SmartScreen to install programs [Windows 8]
![How to bypass Windows SmartScreen to install programs [Windows 8]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-26_234934-290x160.png)
When you go to install a program on Windows 8, you may find that your installation is blocked by something called the SmartScreen Filter. Windows SmartScreen is a new feature Microsoft added in Windows 8 that, among other things, blocks installs of programs it feels are unsafe. If you know [...]
Read More »Bring the classic mine-sweeping game back with Microsoft Minesweeper [Windows 8]
Are you a fan of the classic game Minesweeper included in practically every version of Windows ever released? You might be dismayed to know that Microsoft has opted to not include any of their games with Windows 8, instead requiring you to download them from the Windows Store. With their [...]
Play a fun game of Tic-Tac-Toe with Simple Tic Tac Toe [Windows 8]
Some games are destined to fall away and never be played again. Others are timeless, and will exist as long as humans do. Tic Tac Toe is one of those simple, fun games, and with Simple Tic Tac Toe, you can play a fun game in just seconds on any [...]
Unscramble the dots with the free game Unscramble [Windows 8]
Much like games on other platforms, Windows 8-native games are beginning to evolve into small little ways to pass time while you’re on your device. Untangle is one of those, and it’s one of the better ones. How quickly can you untangle the dots?
Untangle is an incredibly simple concept. [...]
Read More »Never Late is a timer, alarm, and clock all rolled up into a beautiful Windows 8 interface [Windows 8]
If you took a look at SnapTimer and became instantly interested, but felt that it’d be nicer as a Windows 8 app, look no further than Never Late. Much more of a complete program than SnapTimer, Never Late is a clock/alarm/timer combo app that wins the battles of looks.
Never [...]
Read More »Windows vulnerability allows hackers to remotely extract password hints (the reminders you use for Windows account passwords)
Do you have a password set to protect your Windows account? If you do, then more likely than not you setup a reminder hint to help you remember the password in case you ever forget. Microsoft claims this password hint is only accessible to someone physically accessing a Windows PC, [...]
Read More »Windows 8 Pro full retail version (not upgrade) will cost $69.99 until January 31, then $199 [rumor]
Looking to buy Windows 8? We already know that Windows XP and higher users can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. We also know people who purchase Windows 7 PCs after July 2 can grab a Windows 8 Pro upgrade for $14.99. If you don’t fall into one of [...]
Read More »Upgrade to Windows 8 for $14.99 if you bought (or will buy) a Windows 7 PC on or after July 2
Are you holding back on purchasing a new Windows 7 machine because you want to wait until Windows 8 hits stores? If you have US$14.99 to spare, you don’t have to wait. Microsoft is offering an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 to those people who have purchased or [...]
Read More »User interface expert says Windows 8 is less user-friendly than other Windows, a “cognitive burden”
Giants from gaming industry have already expressed their dislike of Windows 8 (and Windows 8 Store). Add Raluca Budiu, User Experience Specialist at Nielsen Norman Group, to the list of naysayers. In an interview with Laptop Magazine, Budiu, who has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carnegie Melon University [...]
Read More »Two programs for getting the Start Menu back in Windows 8 (they work on Win7, Vista, and XP, too)
So you are in Windows 8 and can’t get over the lack of a traditional Start Menu. You just want your damn menu back and you don’t care what you have to do to get it. There is a simple “Start Menu” you could add to your Windows 8 installation [...]
Read More »How to block websites in Windows 8 using the HOSTS file — be sure to disable Windows Defender first [Guide]
![How to block websites in Windows 8 using the HOSTS file — be sure to disable Windows Defender first [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_171423-290x160.png)
Using Windows’ HOSTS file is a quick and painless way to block websites (such as Facebook, ad networks, or malicious websites) on your machine. In the past blocking websites using the HOSTS file was (is) as easy as editing the HOSTS file and adding the websites/servers you want to block. [...]
Read More »How to quickly find files and launch programs/apps on Windows 8 [Guide]
![How to quickly find files and launch programs/apps on Windows 8 [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_150643-290x160.png)
As I’ve mentioned before, after using Windows 7 for years and have become dependent on the search box inside Win7′s Start Menu. Windows 8 doesn’t have a Start Menu. But Windows 8 does still have search functionality that allows users to quickly find files, documents, etc. and launch programs/apps (calling [...]
Read More »How to shut down or restart Windows 8 [Guide]
![How to shut down or restart Windows 8 [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_142601-290x160.png)
Okay this article may sound ridiculous. A Windows tip on how to shut down or restart Windows 8? You must be joking, Ashraf. Well I’m not. For better or for worse, Microsoft has made a lot of fundamental changes in Windows 8. One such change is getting rid of the [...]
Read More »How to automatically go to Windows 8 desktop (skip Start/Metro screen) on Windows boot [Guide]
![How to automatically go to Windows 8 desktop (skip Start/Metro screen) on Windows boot [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_134248-290x160.png)
Windows 8 has a new ‘Start’ screen (also referred to as Metro UI). If you ever want to access the traditional Windows desktop, you need to click on/tap a tile at this Start screen which takes you to the desktop. Whenever turning on or booting Windows 8, Windows 8 opens [...]
Read More »How to open/run regedit (Registry Editor) in Windows 8 [Guide]
![How to open/run regedit (Registry Editor) in Windows 8 [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_133851-290x160.png)
After relying on the search box in Windows 7 to launch programs for so long, I was baffled with how to work Windows 8. More specifically, how the hell do I launch regedit without a proper start menu? I sat there thinking (for approximately five seconds) when it hit me: [...]
Read More »Lenovo: Windows 8 Pro tablets will sell for $500-$700, Windows RT tablets will be “$200-$300 less”
Despite rumors that Microsoft will sell its Windows RT Surface for US$199 and price the other Windows 8 Pro Surface around the same as current ultrabooks, pricing on the much-anticipated Windows 8-powered tablets have eluded us for the most part. Enter David Schmoock, Senior Vice President of Lenovo North America.[...]
Read More »Microsoft bans the use of ‘Metro’ in apps on Windows 8 Store
As reported earlier, Microsoft is facing a challenge by European retailer Metro AG over Microsoft’s use of the name ‘Metro’ in Windows 8 branding. As such, Microsoft is looking to eliminate the use of the name ‘Metro’. At first it appeared as if Microsoft would limit the eradication of ‘Metro’ [...]
Read More »Final version of Windows 8 now available for download through MSDN and TechNet
Dying for a taste of Windows 8? Windows 8 Previews not cutting it for you? Well wait no longer… if you have access to MSDN and/or TechNet.
Microsoft has released Windows 8 RTM (Release-To-Manufacturing) to MSDN and TechNet subscribers; this is the version of [...]
Read More »Evolution of Windows from Windows 1 to Windows 8, in pictures
Windows is the bane and backbone of modern day computing society. For better (Linux) or for worse (Mac), the world would be a completely different place if Windows was never born. Initially outed as Windows 1, Windows of the old age is nothing like Windows now. Indeed, I’m sure the [...]
Read More »Microsoft Windows RT Surface tablet will be sold for $199, according to a rumor
We know Windows 8, Windows RT, and Microsoft Surface tablets will be released on October 26. What has been eluding us is pricing for the Surface tabs, and pricing is critical to the success of these tabs. With the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire dominating the sub-$200 market and the [...]
Read More »Microsoft announces Windows RT partners ASUS, Dell, Lenovo, and Samsung
Microsoft’s Windows RT is a lean version of Windows 8 designed to run on ARM based processors and which will not be sold as a standalone item (i.e. you can’t buy Windows RT in a retail store or online — you need to purchase a tablet to get it). Earlier [...]
Read More »Microsoft is renaming Metro UI in Windows 8 to just ‘Windows 8′
Since it hit the airwaves, Microsoft has been touting its new ‘Metro UI’ for Windows 8. Microsoft still intends to keep this new user interface… but with a different name.
Last week an internal Microsoft memo was leaked which said “discussions with an important European partner” forced Microsoft to “discontinue [...]
Read More »‘Do Not Track’ is enabled by default in Internet Explorer 10
‘Do Not Track’ is a semi-new concept in the digital world that tells advertisers to not track user Internet activity for the purposes of serving targeted advertising. What happens is, when enabled, a header is sent to along with every web request you make containing either a 1 for ‘I [...]
Read More »Windows 8 may not let users boot past Metro to desktop
Windows 8 has two interfaces, Metro UI and the traditional desktop. Many people don’t like Metro and hence opt to use the desktop interface for Windows 8. Until now, Microsoft has had a setting in Windows 8 that allowed users to go straight to the desktop when booting their PCs. [...]
Read More »Blizzard Entertainment chimes in on the “Windows 8 is a catastrophe” bandwagon, says it is “not awesome for Blizzard either”
You know that Gabe Newell “Windows 8 is a catastrophe” outburst dotTech posted about earlier? Yeah, well, Blizzard Entertainment, the company that brings us gaming titles such as World of Warcraft, Diablo III, and Starcraft 2, just liked it.
Blizzard Entertainment’s Executive Vice President of Game Design [...]
Read More »Valve CEO: “Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space”
Gabe Newell, the CEO of Valve, is an ex-Microsoft employee who worked there for thirteen years. Apparently there are still hard feelings between the two because Newell has just raged against Microsoft’s latest Windows iteration, Windows 8.
At the Casual Connect game conference in Seattle, Newell has spoken out against [...]
Read More »Microsoft is limiting Windows RT tablets to a few, hand-picked manufacturers for quality control purposes
Looking for a Windows RT tablet? First batch of Windows 8 (Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro) tablets should be hitting stores in October. However, you will find Windows RT tablets from only a select number of manufacturers until January. The reason being is Microsoft is limiting Windows RT licenses [...]
Read More »Windows 8 Store details revealed: Apps priced between $1.49-$999.99, Microsoft takes 20-30% cut
In the ‘Post-PC era’ an app store is a given on any platform that wants to succeed. So it isn’t very surprising that Windows 8 will have its own ‘Windows Store‘ which will feature Windows software. To date, however, there haven’t been very much details on exactly how Windows Store [...]
Read More »It is official: Windows 8 will be released on October 26, 2012
There has been much speculation about the release date of Windows 8. Earlier this month Microsoft put much of the speculation to rest by announcing Windows 8 and Surface tablets will hit stores by the end of October. Now Microsoft has officially announced the exact day when Windows 8, and [...]
Read More »EU expands Microsoft browser choice probe to include Windows 8
A few days back we reported how Microsoft is being investigated for not properly showing European users the browser selection screen on Windows 7 Service Pack 1 PCs. The saga continues with the European Unionexpanding its Microsoft probe to include Windows 8.
According to Reuters, some third parties allege [...]
Read More »Office Home and Student 2013 will come preinstalled on all ARM-based Windows 8 tablets
Thinking about shelling out for an ARM-based Windows 8 (otherwise known as Windows RT) tablet? Maybe the Surface variant or a tablet from a different vendor perhaps. Then I’m sure you will be glad to hear Microsoft has officially announced Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 will come preinstalled on [...]
Read More »Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says Surface tablets will have all iPad features
After Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto this year, CEO Steve Ballmer, in an exclusive interview to CRN, said that Microsoft is looking forward to make life hard for Apple with the release of its Microsoft Surface tablets that are expected to hit the markets by late October.
Ballmer [...]
Read More »Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface tablets to hit stores by the end of October
Microsoft has revealed that it will be releasing the much awaited and anticipated Windows 8 operating system, along with the first Surface tablet(s) that Microsoft manufactures, by the end of October 2012. It isn’t immediately clear if October will see a global release of the products or if they will [...]
Windows 7 is the most used OS, has over 50% market share
With Windows 8 on the horizon, Windows 7 has become the most used operating system in the world, recently surpassing the 50% mark in June 2012.
According to StatCounter, Windows 7 had overtaken Windows XP back in the mid-September 2011 to become the most used operating system. However at that [...]
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