Only at the end of 2017 the new Windows 10 comes onto the market – with many exciting features. Do not you want to wait so long? Then you should miss the Windows 7 or 8 with the following tricks and tools the most important functions as well as the look of Windows 10. The advantage: instead of the still faulty test version of the new operating system, you keep your stable and secure Windows
TIP 1: Return the Start menu with Classic Shell and Start8
One of the most popular features in Windows 8 is probably for most users the missing start menu with the start button. For Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 both were present. Without it, however, it is unfamiliar for many users to open the programs installed on the computer. Microsoft has heard the complaints of the users and at Windows 8.1 at least the start button brought back. The corresponding start menu comes however only with the new version of the operating system. But fortunately, there are several tools that you can use to convert Windows 8.1 to your operating system.
TIP 2: Show open applications in the foreground
The "Start8" program not only returns the start menu but also some other practical functions. After the installation, you will be able to choose between two styles: Windows 7 or Windows 8. The latter works with live tiles, just like Windows 10. There is next to the apps and programs on the computer also a weather tile to see. If you want to change the look later, right-click on the start button and select Configure Start8. Here you will also find the additional functions. You can equip the start button with your own image and set it under the Desktop tab if your computer shows the UI-view (formerly Metro) or the desktop. In addition, you can deactivate the Charms Bar and all active screens in Windows 8 on Start 8. You can try Start8 for 30 days for free, you only have to register with your e-mail address. After that, you'll need to buy the program for $ 5 (about $ 4.50).
TIP 3: Place tile apps in the desktop window using ModernMix
A very good free alternative is "Classic Shell". It is less reminiscent of the start menu look of Windows 10, but more of the Windows 7. If you want, even get the Windows XP to your desktop. Therefore, the tool may also be of interest to Windows 7 users who prefer the older view. After the installation, no window opens, but the start menu is simply available. However, you can customize it individually. To do this, right-click on the start button and select the English-language settings. This determines the style of the Start menu. Choose from Classic, Classic with two columns (with two columns) or Windows 7 style.
TIP 4: Voice Control and Notification Center with Google
Lesetipp: Windows 10 Startup in the Windows 7 Look
Confirm with OK. In the settings you also change the design of the startbuttons - with predefined symbols or your own pictures. In the Basic Settings tab, you can define the type of click in the start button. The default is for a left-click to open the Start menu. Under Customize Start Menu, you can determine whether the start menu entries known from Windows 7, such as network, printer or computer, should appear. From the Start menu, simply navigate to the Windows 8 tiled view with the apps. ClassicShell displays the Home icon.
With a mouse click or a key combination, you get all open applications, files and folders in the foreground: This practical feature for more clarity brings Windows 10 under the name "TaskView". But this idea is not new. Mac users know this function long ago under the name "Expose", Linux is called "Compiz". Also with Windows Vista and Windows 7 "Flip 3D" all currently used applications can be displayed at a glance. However, this is unfortunately quite wooden and is still impractical, because the windows appear three-dimensionally behind each other. TaskView should work much better and look more elegant. Until Windows 10 appears, get the feature with a free tool on your computer. Switcher was originally developed for Windows Vista but also works with Windows 7 and 8. It shows all applications side by side as smaller windows on the darkened desktop in the background. If you click on one, the program will be displayed in full screen. When you open Switcher, you specify how the applications are displayed in the overview: as tiles, different sizes and at which point of the screen. Under Shortcuts, you define which key combination Switcher is to be used with.
Not every Windows 8 user has gotten used to the tile apps - certainly not to the strict separation between desktop and formerly Metro named UI view. Especially when using Windows 8 on a normal computer without touch screen, this division is tedious. So far, it is not possible to use the tiles on the desktop, so users are always forced to jump back and forth depending on whether you are using a program or an app. This changes Microsoft with Windows 10 and introduces the Universal Apps. These can be used not only in the UI view, but also in moveable desktop windows, and the artificial separation between the work surfaces is eliminated.
Lesetipp: Windows 10 as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1
This function is now available on the Windows 8 computer with the English-language program ModernMix. This allows you to store apps from the Windows Store directly on your desktop. Once you have opened MetroMix, right-click on it for each app that you want to create a shortcut on the desktop. To do this, select Create shortcut to this application on my desktop. Convenient: These apps can then be stapled to the taskbar for quick access. In the settings, you also specify how the program should be opened, depending on where you open it. For example, the mail app can run from the desktop in a small window, while it can be seen in full-screen mode when it is opened in the UI start screen.
Another plus: The tiles finally get the typical Windows cross in the upper right corner and are thus closed more easily. By the way, you can also install ModernMix when you download Start8 (see Tip 1). The program can be tried for 30 days free of charge after a registration, then the manufacturer Stardock once demand 4.99 euros.
Cortana know Windows Phone 8.1 users already, with Windows 10 the language assistant also comes to the desktop. It will probably be accessible via a magnifying glass on the taskliste and can answer questions. Microsoft does not reveal what functions it brings with it. New in Windows 10 will be a notification center in the taskliste, which reminds you about appointments.
You can use both features in Google 7 and 8 with Google. Google's language assistant helps only with the Internet search - but this makes them much brighter. To use the assistant, you need a microphone, notebooks are equipped as standard. Install Google's Chrome browser and visit www.google.com. Click on the microphone next to the search field and confirm in the following pop-up window that you can call the assistant by language. If you now have the browser window open and say OK Google, the language search is activated and you can ask your question. The answer will be displayed in the search results.
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Lesetipp: Windows 10 - The best tips
Google also brings a kind of notification center, using Google Now. You must have Google Now enabled on your smartphone and log into the Chrome browser on your computer with the same Google account. Google Now also shows on the computer, as on the mobile phone, information that might interest the user, such as the weather or the latest news
TIP 5: More features for the input prompt with ConEmu
But Google Now is even smarter: if you have an appointment in your Google Calendar, the program checks the traffic situation in the background and shows you the route. In addition, you will be reminded in time if there is a traffic jam and you should leave earlier. This information is displayed in the lower right corner of the taskbar, where you will find a bell icon. With a click on it, you can define which notifications Google Now should output and which not. You can also turn them off completely for certain periods if you do not want to be disturbed.
The input prompt is also available in the current versions of Windows, even if it is used less frequently than before. Now and then you need the possibility to enter commands yet, for example, to start analysis programs. In Windows 8, you can get the input prompt by right-clicking the Windows icon at the bottom left. But the input request has not changed for years and is quite cumbersome to use, because much does not work, which one is accustomed with the Windows operation. In Windows 10, the tool surprisingly adds a few new features to the tool. The usual keyboard shortcuts such as [Ctrl] + [C] and [Ctrl] + [V] should then be usable. Finally, it becomes easier to mark text parts. If you want to use such an improved input prompt now, use free tools like ConEmu. At first glance, the English-language program looks like the Windows input prompt, but it brings a lot more possibilities. You can highlight text with the [Shift] key and use [Ctrl] + [V] to insert text blocks. ConEmu also has a search field and works with tabs. If you had to open several windows at the Windows prompt, one is enough. Under Settings / Features / Transparency let ConEmu become transparent so that it does not completely cover the background. In addition, there are numerous other configuration options for the tool.
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