Windows 8

How to Watch Picture-in-Picture Videos on Windows 10 or 11

With picture-in-picture mode, you can have your favorite video playing over other open windows on your Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7 PC. You can use this mode on some of the popular video sites including YouTube and Netflix….

Mahesh Makvana Nov 8th, 2021

How to Create and Use a Recovery Drive or System Repair Disc in Windows 8 or 10

Windows 8 and 10 let you to create a recovery drive (USB) or system repair disc (CD or DVD) that you can use to troubleshoot and restore your computer. Each type of recovery media gives you access to Windows’ advanced start…

Chris Hoffman Nov 2nd, 2017

How to Disable User Account Control (UAC) on Windows

User Account Control is an important Windows security feature. If a running application wants full access to your system, it has to ask with a UAC prompt. If you disable UAC, all running applications can gain Administrator ac…

Chris Hoffman Sep 27th, 2017

How to Disable the SmartScreen Filter In Windows 8 or 10

The SmartScreen filter built into Windows automatically scans applications, files, downloads, and websites, blocking known-dangerous content and warning you before you run unknown applications. You can disable it, if you l…

Chris Hoffman May 19th, 2017

What Happened to Solitaire and Minesweeper in Windows 8 and 10?

The classic desktop versions of Solitaire and Minesweeper are gone in Windows 8 and 10. Instead, you’ll find shiny new versions with advertisements, Xbox integration, and optional subscription fees. But you can still play Sol…

Chris Hoffman May 15th, 2017

How to Open the Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows 8 or 10

Much of the time, opening the Command Prompt as a regular user is all you need. Sometimes, though, you’ll need to open the Command Prompt as an administrator so that you can run commands that require administrative privileges…

Walter Glenn May 10th, 2017

How the SmartScreen Filter Works in Windows 8 and 10

The SmartScreen filter built into Windows 8 and 10 blocks dangerous programs, files, and websites from running. It also warns you before you run an application it doesn’t recognize as safe.

Chris Hoffman May 10th, 2017

How to Manage Startup Applications in Windows 8 or 10

Many apps include a component that starts along with Windows. These startup apps can be useful, but they can also slow boot time and use up system resources. Here’s how to get them under control.

Walter Glenn May 1st, 2017

How to Set an Ethernet Connection as Metered in Windows 8 and 10

Windows 8 and 10 both allow you to set certain types of connections as metered so that you can limit the amount of data Windows (and certain apps) can use without asking. You can use the regular Settings interface to set m…

Walter Glenn Apr 13th, 2017

How to Customize the Lock Screen on Windows 8 or 10

The lock screen on Windows 8 and 10 isn’t just a background image or slideshow. It can display notifications and detailed status information from a variety of apps. You can also access Cortana directly from this screen….

Chris Hoffman Jan 30th, 2017

How to Add Items to the New Win+X Menu in Windows 8

A lot of us are lamenting the removal of the Start button and menu in Windows 8 Consumer Preview. However, a hidden context menu, or what is known as the Win+X menu, has been added.

Lori Kaufman Jan 18th, 2017

How to Edit the Win+X Menu in Windows 8 and 10

A new hidden context menu, called the “Power User” or Win+X menu, has been added to Windows 8 and 10 that is available by moving your mouse to the extreme lower left corner of your screen and right-clicking. You can also acce…

Lori Kaufman Jan 18th, 2017

How to Change the Priority of Wireless Networks in Windows 8 or 10

Windows automatically connects you to wireless networks you’ve connected to in the past. If you’re near multiple networks you’ve previously connected to, Windows uses a priority system to choose a Wi-Fi network….

Chris Hoffman Dec 16th, 2016

How to Disable Driver Signature Verification on 64-Bit Windows 8 or 10 (So That You Can Install Unsigned Drivers)

64-bit versions of Windows 10 and 8 include a “driver signature enforcement” feature. They’ll only load drivers that have been signed by Microsoft. To install less-than-official drivers, old unsigned drivers, or drivers you’…

Taylor Gibb Nov 11th, 2016

How to Log Out in Windows 8 and 10

It may seem rudimentary, but if you’re new to Windows–or just upgrading from Windows 7–the simple option to sign out of your account is a bit hidden in Windows 8 and 10. And even we geeks can be baffled at times, especiall…

Walter Glenn Nov 4th, 2016

How to Turn a Windows 8 PC Into a Chromebook

Do you prefer Google Chrome to Microsoft’s Windows 8 apps? Well, you’re in luck, even if you have a Windows 8 PC. You can swap the entire “Modern” environment for the Chrome OS desktop, hiding the Windows 8 interface entirely…

Chris Hoffman Nov 3rd, 2016

How Secure Boot Works on Windows 8 and 10, and What It Means for Linux

Modern PCs ship with a feature called “Secure Boot” enabled. This is a platform feature in UEFI, which replaces the traditional PC BIOS. If a PC manufacturer wants to place a “Windows 10” or “Windows 8” logo sticker to their…

Chris Hoffman Nov 1st, 2016

How to Add Gadgets Back to Windows 8 and 10 (and Why You Probably Shouldn’t)

Desktop gadgets and the Windows Sidebar were a big hallmark feature in Windows Vista and Windows 7. But Microsoft removed desktop gadgets, and you won’t find them in Windows 8 or 10.

Chris Hoffman Oct 26th, 2016

How to Get Extra Large Thumbnails Back in Windows 8

If you’ve recently made the jump to Windows 8 and you’re puzzled over the seemingly limited thumbnail size choices, read on as we highlight how to get extra large thumbnails back (and some very handy keyboard shortcuts that g…

Jason Fitzpatrick Oct 18th, 2016

How to Get Local Login Back In Windows 8

Dear How-To Geek,

Jason Fitzpatrick Oct 17th, 2016

What Is Windows RT, and How Is It Different from Windows 8?

Windows RT is a special edition of Windows 8. It runs on ARM and you’ll find it alongside Intel x86 machines in stores, but you’ll be surprised just how much Windows RT differs from the Windows you know….

Chris Hoffman Sep 26th, 2016

How the Windows RT Desktop Differs from Windows 8

Windows RT and Windows 8 aren’t the same thing. While Windows RT has a desktop that looks just like Windows 8’s, Windows RT’s desktop is very limited. The difference doesn’t just matter to geeks; it matters to all Win…

Chris Hoffman Sep 26th, 2016

Do You Need the Professional Edition of Windows 8?

If you’re looking to purchase Windows 8, there are two main editions you need to concern yourself with: Windows 8 (similar to the Home edition in previous versions of Windows) and Windows 8 Pro.

Chris Hoffman Sep 26th, 2016

Everything You Need to Know About “Reset This PC” in Windows 8 and 10

Windows 10 includes a “Reset your PC” option that quickly restores Windows to its factory default configuration. It’s faster and more convenient than reinstalling Windows from scratch or using your manufacturer’s recovery par…

Chris Hoffman Sep 22nd, 2016

How to Hide the Volume Pop-Up Display on Windows 8 and 10

Windows 10 and 8 include a volume display that appears at the top left corner of the screen whenever you adjust the volume using a shortcut key. Microsoft offers no built-in way to disable it, but there is a way to hide it….

Chris Hoffman Sep 8th, 2016

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