Create A Powershortcut for Windows 8

Windows 8 has been out for a while now and people still finds it inconvenient that there's no quick and easy way to do simple things like restarting, or turning the computer off. What I'm about to show you is how you can create a one-click button to turn off, restart, log off, and lock your Windows 8 computer. 

First thing we need to do is go to the classic desktop.  

The first thing we will do is the Abort shutdown. This is useful if your computer is shutting down and you want to cancel it. This is a one click button to abort the shutdown command for your computer. 

1. Create a new shortcut by doing a right click on an empty space on the desktop and selecting New and then Shortcut. 
   
   

2. Type shutdown -a and click next. 
   
   

3. You can name this shortcut as Abort. 
   
   

4. Now change the Icon to anything you want. Right click on the Abort shortcut we've created and click on properties. 
   
   

5. Click on Change Icon (click OK). On the "Look for icons in this file box"...replace the "SHELL32.dll" with "imageres.dll"
   
   

6. Look for a nice icon for the Abort button and  click OK. Now you have the appropriate Abort button on your desktop. 
   
   

Next, we'll create the actual shutdown button using the same process. 

1. Repeat the procedure in creating the Abort button. Except, change the command found on step 2 with shutdown -s and Click Next. 
   
   

2. Name it as Shutdown and click finish. 
   
   

3. Follow Step 5 and 6 above. 
   
   

The next shortcut is a bit different. We'll going to create a restart button which unlike the shutdown, it does restart the computer instantly. So we will going to add a command to delay the restart. 

1. Right click on a blank space in your desktop and click "create shortcut" 
   
   

2. Type shutdown -r -t 10. This means, after clicking the button the computer will restart in 10 seconds. You can modify the amount of time you want to delay the restart. You can also set a reminder with adding -c (the reminder message). 

 Example:  shutdown -r -t 10 -c "The computer will restart in 10 seconds" 

3. Follow step 5 and 6 on creating the Abort button.  
   
   

The next is going to be the Log Off button.  

1. Right click on the blank space on your desktop and click create shortcut. 
   
   

2. Type shutdown -l and Click next. 
   
   

3. Name it as Log Off 
   
   

4. Follow step 5 and 6 on the Abort button command. 

This next power control button is completely different command from the other so please follow the instruction carefully or it will not work. 

1. On the desktop space, right click and select create shortcut. 
   
   

2. type rundll32.exe User32.dll,LockWorkStation and click next. 
   
   

3. Name it as Lock Computer.
   
   

4. Follow step 5 and 6 on the Abort button command. 

Now, you can place these shortcut to the start menu by right click on each one and selecting pin to start. 

Thanks.

  

Adding Start Menu in Windows 8

There's lot of stuffs we like about Windows 8. There's a fast boot time, low system requirements, the Windows 8 UI which is very customizable like taking or adding apps, zoom in or out the apps, we like the fast sleep and wake, the new task manager which gives a whole new diagnostic tools, file copies that can be pause and tells you what's the speed its going at, the classic desktop mode, and a whole lot more.  

The thing most people don’t like about  Windows 8 is when they go to the classic desktop screen and they don't see the start menu. And that's the software I will be sharing to you right now. In a few simple steps, you'll be able to get the start menu back to Windows 8. 

• First, download the Classic App Here. 
• Run the setup and install. It will download the latest version of the start menu app.
• Now, check on your desktop. The start button should now appear. 

What's great about the latest start menu is that you can customize its looks from Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. You can also change the basic settings, like your Windows key button, context menu, sound, search box settings, animation, icon size,  and anything you want on your start menu.

It doesn't make sense to buy an older operating system. Windows 8 has a longer support cycle from Microsoft. If what's holding you back from upgrading to Windows 8 is the start menu, then here it is. A more significant and flexible start menu than the one built-in in Windows 7.   

My Thoughts About Windows 8

Windows 8 review 

Windows is the most popular operating system in the world. In the past few years, nobody seems to be talking about it. Everybody seems to be focus on mobile IOS, and Android however Windows still accounts for over 65% market share when you compare to the other operating system such as Linux, IOS, and Android. With the release of Windows 8, Microsoft has revamped the whole thing from the ground up. It’s been getting a lot of mix reviews some people love it, some hated it. 

But mainly the change, it doesn’t matter what kind of change they just don’t like what's different from what they were used to. When Facebook changed their interface, people started to hate it and then everybody gets used to it. Windows is here to stay, and Microsoft has produced great product in Windows 8.

The biggest changed in Windows 8 is the complete modern user interface. People are used to the Windows 7 interface and then here comes Windows 8 with entirely different UI which makes everybody freak out. If you really think about the modern UI, it’s actually pretty smart. You’ll have different application shows up on the Start screen and giving real time feed. It also allows you to label or group your apps. 

It also load faster and smoother than Windows 7. What Windows 8 really shines the most is that, no matter if you are using your desktop, notebook pc, or your tablet, the experience is the same and that’s where Microsoft really nailed it. This is really a bold move on Microsoft and I believe its going to pay off in the end.

The other thing Windows 8 has to offer is better speed, and overall battery life if you’re on a notebook. Overall, the experience is a whole lot better, so it’s really hard to dislike Window 8 specially with the Windows Surface that unifies your experience with the desktop computer and a tablet. It’s like a two in one product. 

I’m happy with the new Windows 8 product of Microsoft. They have done something very bold while others like Apple slowly integrating Mountain Lion with IOS then here it is, Microsoft just knocked out apple by introducing the future with Windows 8.  

You can share this article if you like. Thank you for reading my post.

How to Create A USB Recovery Drive For Windows 8

Create a USB recovery drive for Windows 8 and RT

Before creating a USB recovery drive, check for the recovery partition of your PC.  If it doesn't have one, then create the recovery drive.

Here are the steps on creating a recovery partition.

1. Search for the command prompt and select to run as administrator.

2. type recimg /showcurrent, then hit enter.

If you encounter a message stating "There is no active custom recovery image"  error 0x80070490 that means there is no recovery drive in your computer.

To create a recovery partition; follow this steps.

1. Search for CMD, then right click on it and select to run as administrator. If you will be prompted with the windows warning, just click OK or continue.

2. Type mkdir C:\RefreshImage, then hit enter.

3. Now create the image in the folder you created, still on the cmd, type recimg -CreateImage C:\RefreshImage, hit enter.

Create the recovery drive

You'll be prompted by the buit-in tool for Windows 8 and RT on how big the recovery partition is. Your USB flashdrive will depend on the size of your recovery partition.

New Added Features for Windows 8.1

Why do I want Windows 8.1?

Windows 8.1 is more... YOU. Windows 8.1 makes your experience more vibrant, powerful, an personal. 

What's different in Windows 8.1?

Windows 8.1 enhances your Windows 8 experience.

SkyDrive

When you sign in to Windows 8.1 with a Microsoft account, It will automatically synch with your Xbox, Windows Phone, Tablet, and Skydrive. Start with 7 GB of free cloud storage, and easily upgrade to more. Use SkyDrive to save photos, docs, and other files and access them from virtually anywhere. You can manage both local files and SkyDrive files in the included SkyDrive app. And when you opt in, SkyDrive becomes the default save location for new documents, photos in your camera roll, and personal settings.

Windows Store

Windows Store has been beautifully redesigned to make it easier to discover the best apps and games. Support for gift cards has also been added. And Windows Store supports new payment methods, including pre-paid cards and region-specific payment methods.

Start Screen

The Start screen is more of what you love. The Start screen shows what you want to see. When you install an app, it does not automatically appear on your Start screen until you choose to add it. All Apps view is enhanced and appears when you swipe up.

Using Apps

Windows 8.1 lets you arrange apps on screen more easily and more flexibly. It also keep your apps up to date, by installing app updates automatically. Use your apps on other devices where you sign in with your Microsoft Account. Apps sync to the All Apps view of Start for easy one -click install.

Search

The Search charm shows results from the desktop, Apps, Marketplace, and Bing in one well-organized, clean, graphic view and lets you take immediate action. The Windows search is Powered by Bing. 

Internet Explorer 11

Pages load faster, the frequent sites list is simple, and your Favorites have features to find things fast. Browse tabs side-by-side, pin your favorite sites to Start, and browse across your devices.

Microsoft Account

When you sign in using your Microsoft Account, it will automatically sync with your Apps, Xbox, Outlook.com, and Windows Phone. It will let you share your PC with your family and friends  (but not your stuff) with a separate Microsoft Account. It will also allow you to access your files from virtually anywhere using a browser of the SkyDrive App. These includes personalize settings (like your lock screen and Start Screen), favorite website, browser history and tabs, and pinned sites.

Settings

Windows 8.1 makes it easier to configure your device by organizing many system settings in PC settings.

Desktop

Your desktop wallpaper shows your personality. On Windows 8.1, you can also use it as your Start Screen background.


These are just a few reasons why you should upgrade to Windows 8.1. I'll be adding more soon.

Windows 8.1 First Look | Added Feature Reviews

Windows 8.1 Review

 

Windows 8.1 is the latest update for the fastest operating system today, which is Windows 8. There are several features added to Windows 8.1, it will definitely won't fit in a one article so I'm going to show you some of the coolest features that comes with it.

Lock Screen
 

The lock screen for Windows 8.1 has now turned into a beautiful SkyDrive powered photo frame  that brings all your picture from your PC, SkyDrive, and Phone all into one place.

 

Windows 8.1 Start Screen
 

 

When you open up Windows 8. You will be welcome with the Start Screen. You will notice that there is a couple of added tile sizes. There is a large tile that you can use for Weather, Mails, or entire day of Calendar Appointments. There is also a small live tiles which lets you create a very efficient Start Screen.
 

All Apps Screen
 

One of the features improved by Windows 8.1 is the all app screen. You can view it by swiping up on the Start Screen and you'll see all the list of apps installed on your PC. You can also sort the list to see by name, by date installed, by most used, or by category. To pin an app to the start screen, you just press and hold the app, and press pin to start.

 

Personalization Options

 

You can now select a whole new colors for your start screen. It has also added a whole new motion accents where it follows your finger and moves in the background. It also added the ability to let you choose to put to desktop wallpaper right behind the Start Screen. 

 

New Search Feature 
 

 

This is one of the best added feature for Windows 8.1. For example you search for "Linkin Park". The search result will show an app like result presentation where it brings together the results on the PC and on the web in one place.  It contains information, images, links to other queries, actions you can do directly from the search results. It also shows you what exactly the webpage is going to look like when you open it. It also has image tools that lets you choose what color of images you want to bring back, or the size you want to see in the faces.  
 

Windows 8.1 is powered by the Cloud. The important part of this is the SkyDrive which gives you gigs of space that allows you to put on your files so it will be available on every PC that's connected to the Internet.

Multitasking has made easy in Windows 8.1 by the ability to open attached pictures or files on the e-mail side by side automatically without closing the mail. And if you have a larger screen, you can put three  or even four apps side by side all at once.
 

These are just a few features added to the latest Windows 8.1. More cool reviews about Windows 8.1 coming soon. 

 

Make Your Windows 8 Computer's Performance Faster

Speed up your Windows 8 Computer 

Windows 8 is indeed the fastest operating system today, but it doesn't mean it can't be tweaked to make it more faster.. You are reading this post because you care about speed so much, so hopefully you'll have some take away after reading. Follow the instructions carefully.   

Go to the start screen and start typing "System" and select settings. 

Go to advance settings, and click on the settings on the Performance part. 

Now on the Performance Options, select "adjust for best performance" and check the boxes for the feature you want enabled. Click Apply, then click OK. 

Go to the start screen and start typing "Windows Features" and select settings. Click on the options where it says turn Windows Features On or Off.   

• Uncheck Windows Internet Explorer 10 if you don't use it that much or if you're using google chrome or firefox. 
• Uncheck "Print and Documents services" if you're not using a printer for a network. 
• Don't check the features you're not using there. Then click OK 
  
  

Go to the manager and click on startup and click all details. Disabling unnecessary programs will save you a lot of processor usage which would make the processor work faster. Look for unnecessary programs running and disable it. If you don't know what is the specific program running on your computer, google it to be sure. 

Download the Adavance System Care Pro and install it on the computer. It has several useful components including registry tweaks, defragmentation, browser cleanup, security hole, and a lot more. I would suggest running it once a day. 

Another thing you can do is by going to the start screen and start typing "disk cleaner" and go to settings. Now select all the boxes to check and click OK and delete files. 

Lastly, go back to search for disk defragment and select your C: drive and select on disk defragment.  

That's basically it. Thanks.