countrydi Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Can anyone please help me. One of my christmas presents was a new laptop, because mine is acting up. The new laptop came with Windows 8 and it is soooooo different than Windows 7 and I am TOTALLY lost and can't seem to even get things setup. I am in tears of frustration and don't know where to turn . All help will he appreciated. Thank you in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teecee Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Sorry I can't help you Di - I still use 7. I've heard 8 is very different - hopefully someone will be able to help you soon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraC1977 Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Di, Windows 8 can look different, and some things are indeed puzzling. If you are at the tiles screen, you can simply start typing to search your computer. There is a really useful reference card at Lifehacker, but you do need to provide a little information to download it at: http://lifehacker.com/get-over-windows-8s-learning-curve-with-this-cheat-she-493892772. Here is a Microsoft link to help: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/83acef72-1652-423a-af54-3750b176c298. Finally, my staff and husband all love the free "Start Menu 8" which creates a true "Windows 7 style" start menu and desktop. Then just click the "desktop" tile, or click the Windows button + D to reach the desktop. Download it here: http://download.cnet.com/Start-Menu-8/3000-2072_4-75852660.html. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimes1 Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Great Info Barbara! We have a windows 8 laptop under the tree for our High School daughter too. The guy at the store showed us that if you swipe with your finger the right hand side of the screen, a task bar comes out with icons on it. One of them said "desktop". He tapped that, and the desktop looked magically like windows 7. I'll be playing with it in a few days...LOL... Until then, I'll be watching this thread too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teecee Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Di, Windows 8 can look different, and some things are indeed puzzling. If you are at the tiles screen, you can simply start typing to search your computer. There is a really useful reference card at Lifehacker, but you do need to provide a little information to download it at: http://lifehacker.com/get-over-windows-8s-learning-curve-with-this-cheat-she-493892772. Here is a Microsoft link to help: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/83acef72-1652-423a-af54-3750b176c298. Finally, my staff and husband all love the free "Start Menu 8" which creates a true "Windows 7 style" start menu and desktop. Then just click the "desktop" tile, or click the Windows button + D to reach the desktop. Download it here: http://download.cnet.com/Start-Menu-8/3000-2072_4-75852660.html. Hope this helps. Great Info Barbara! We have a windows 8 laptop under the tree for our High School daughter too. The guy at the store showed us that if you swipe with your finger the right hand side of the screen, a task bar comes out with icons on it. One of them said "desktop". He tapped that, and the desktop looked magically like windows 7. I'll be playing with it in a few days...LOL... Until then, I'll be watching this thread too! Thanks for some great information ladies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraC1977 Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Great Info Barbara! We have a windows 8 laptop under the tree for our High School daughter too. The guy at the store showed us that if you swipe with your finger the right hand side of the screen, a task bar comes out with icons on it. One of them said "desktop". He tapped that, and the desktop looked magically like windows 7. I'll be playing with it in a few days...LOL... Until then, I'll be watching this thread too! Yes, this is right, too. I didn't know if Di had a touch-screen or not. Windows 8 with touch is cool, but when your arms get tired, it's nice to use the mouse & keyboard, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolkaDot Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Di, don't be scared! Barb gave you some great tips, one of which I am going to use for DH's laptop. He doesn't care much for Windows 8, so he'll be happy to use that Start Menu 8 which Barb showed. I installed that on my computer to try it out and it is amazing. I did go into the Control Panel right away after I installed it and removed the "extras" which came with it...... everything but the Start Menu 8 itself. (There were 3 extra programs installed along with it.) I even changed the Start icon to the old Windows 7 icon. Pretty amazing little program! I am going to go back to Windows 8, though. I have to say that I really like it a lot!! It doesn't take long to learn and if you will choose that little "charm" called Getting Started with Windows 8 you will find a lot of very helpful advice there. Once I added "desktop" to my Windows 8 Start Screen, I was able to set up my IE, Outlook etc. just they way I had it on my old computer. I added all my favorites to the Start Screen and it is a quick and easy way to access....... well, anything! I think you can have the best of both worlds now, Windows 7 and Windows 8! In the words of Mikey, try it. You'll like it! Ask away here, too. Lots of smart people to help you! BTW, thanks so much, Barb! And thanks for starting the thread, Di! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Cleek Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Hi Di - My DH got a Windows 8 laptop earlier this year and he basically couldn't even figure out how to turn the thing off until he installed the Windows 7 style Start Menu and desktop. I don't have any great help tips for you since I use a mac but I wanted to give you a virtual hug and let you know you are not alone in your frustration. Good luck and keep at it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaFace Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I'm in the same boat, I got a new puter recently and it has 8. It's soooo weird! I find myself wondering where the heck stuff is - slowly adjusting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countrydi Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 Di, Windows 8 can look different, and some things are indeed puzzling. If you are at the tiles screen, you can simply start typing to search your computer. There is a really useful reference card at Lifehacker, but you do need to provide a little information to download it at: http://lifehacker.com/get-over-windows-8s-learning-curve-with-this-cheat-she-493892772. Here is a Microsoft link to help: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/83acef72-1652-423a-af54-3750b176c298. Finally, my staff and husband all love the free "Start Menu 8" which creates a true "Windows 7 style" start menu and desktop. Then just click the "desktop" tile, or click the Windows button + D to reach the desktop. Download it here: http://download.cnet.com/Start-Menu-8/3000-2072_4-75852660.html. Hope this helps. Barbara...you are a LIFE-SAVER! Thank you so much!! I am definitely going to be doing these suggestions. You have made my Christmas a little brighter! I appreciate everyone's comments also, at least I know I'm not alone in this chaos. This is a wonderful place to go for much-needed help!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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