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Your ultimate guide to Windows 8.1
Everything you need to get more from your PC!
50Free Windows 8.1
APRIL 2015
Upgrades
Make all your built-in apps even better!
beginners' Guide
master the lock screen in Win 8.1
Discover the hidden settings and security features built into your lock screen
0 0 1 pages of
essential advice
boost your speed for free!
jargon-free advice! Windows tutorials
28 time-saving tips and tricks for a faster system
New things to do
Buying advice
Help & support
100% jargon free
Welcome Windows 8.1 offers a great ‘out of the box’ experience, but with a few extra programs and a little know-how you can make it so much better. This issue we give you some insider knowledge to get Windows 8.1 performing at its best, and, of course, we cover Windows 7 too. Another thing to look out for is our feature on speeding up your PC. It kicks off on page 64 and there’s essential advice if you have an older system that needs a bit of love.
We don’t think it will be too long before Windows 10 is released now, and once it is, don’t worry, we’ll show you how to get started and use the great new features. Plus, we’ll have you covered with our installation guides. Until then, don’t miss out on getting the best from Windows 8.1. Next issue we’ll take you on a problem-solving tour of Windows. See you on 10th April for more from Windows Help & Advice.
Graham Barlow Editor-in-Chief www.facebook.com/windowsmag SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAG TODAY AND SAVE - JUST TURN TO PAGE 30! We pride ourselves in being the only magazine on the shelves to show you exactly how to get the best from the Windows operating system, whether it’s Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Windows Help & Advice also comes with a disc, on which you can find some of the great apps covered in the magazine. If you get a chance, take a look at how you can even read the magazine on your laptop, phone or tablet.
Don’t miss our Next issue, when we show you how to…
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Solve 100 Windows 8.1 problems Master the Power Menu in Windows Add album artwork to MP3 files Tweak Windows 8.1 settings
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Features 12 Essential Upgrades
50 tweaks and apps to upgrade your Windows 8.1 and 7 operating systems
64 Get more speed for free
28 time-saving tips and tricks for a nifty and efficient Windows machine
70 Your Microsoft account
See page 27
Set up and use a Microsoft account to get the most out of Windows 8.1
Regulars 6 Discover Useful free apps, meet Spartan and the one-stop smartphone 30 Subscriptions Save up to 44% on print and digital issues
35 Back issues Don’t miss out! Order
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98 Next month Discover what’s coming up in the next issue
Support
74 Four pages of essential expert help for all your tricky technical queries 4
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Explore The best PC tutorials Your guide Graham Barlow says…
“Each month we include as wide a range of tutorials as possible, to help you use your computer more efficiently and inspire you to try new things” 24 Find files on your PC quickly with Rummage
46 Back up your files and folders to Google Drive
28 How to get online with Windows 8.1
48 Get longer battery life with Window 8.1’s built-in tools
32 Repair Windows with some simple and handy fixes
52 Get the best from Window 8.1’s Lock screen
36 Start programs faster than ever with Launchy
54 Customise Windows Phone 8.1 to suit your personal style
38 Keep track of your finances with Google Sheets
58 Secure your Windows 8.1 PC with free security tools
42 Get more from your photos and put them online with Flickr
60 10 great ways to use Google Drive for work and play
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On the cover
12 Discover how to restore Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 to its best
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78 Our expert reviews 80 Luxury headphones
64 28 time-saving tips and tricks
82 MSI GS60 2QE Ghost Pro 4K 83 Asus Zenbook NX500 84 Dell XPS 18
10 ways to use
google drive
60 The ultimate office suite and storage system!
86 HP OfficeJet Pro 6830 e-All-in-One 88 Elite: Dangerous 90 Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes 92 The Crew 94 This War of Mine
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NEW things to do
amazing websites
Free play Gaming stereotypes be gone! There’s a wealth of free game options available to you right now
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fascinating facts
Discover Free PC games
Ga mi ng the sys tem
How to find the best free computer games
The Knowledge…
Whether you like brain-tickling puzzles or action-packed shooters there's a game for you on the internet
C
omputer games have gone from being the indulgences of young men who spend too much time alone in their bedrooms to a billion-pound industry that eclipses even Hollywood. A big part of the success has been down to the shift towards new and interesting forms that appeal to people who wouldn’t normally play games. And, if you've been tempted to try your hand at popular puzzlers, or want a fun new experience, read on. Facebook has fast become a gaming platform unto itself, and some of the games available on the social network have huge budgets and attract millions of gamers. The most popular are Candy Crush Saga, Farm Heroes Saga and Trivia Crack, which provide instantly gratifying challenges. For a more engrossing experience we recommend Criminal Case, in which you have to find hidden objects to solve crimes, and 8 Ball Pool, which does a grand job of recreating the game of pool.
Most Facebook games tend to be flat and two-dimensional, but thankfully Unity 3D is available for a more consolelike experience. Developed to make creating games easier, it’s spawned hundreds of titles with nice 3D graphics, and they'll run right in your browser. A great place to start is the company’s showcase at unity3d.com/showcase/ gallery. Choose 'Unity Web Player' from the drop-down menu at the top of the screen and you’ll see a big list of games available to play right there in your browser. Finally, you can get in on the action of amazing new games without spending a single penny via free-to-play titles. These games make their money through in-game items, but more often than not you can play a fair amount without having to stump up any cash. Valve’s Steam service is a fantastic entry point for free-to-play games. Visit http://bit.ly/1zaaQBH to see and play the most popular titles.
"Get in on the action of amazing games without spending a penny"
Actual reality Making reality easy Virtual-reality gaming systems are an expensive frivolity that don’t always work. But if you’ve got a modern smartphone running Android you can build your own headset. Key to this is Google’s Cardboard, a DIY headset made of… you guessed it. You can make one yourself (you’ll need lenses, magnets, velcro, a rubber band and cardboard) or buy one online. Find instructions and retailers at www.google. com/get/cardboard/get-cardboard.html
Find apps Install the cardboard app and choose 'Cardboard Demos' (Android) to find experiences
In the fold Assemble the DIY cardboard headset and insert your Android smartphone or iPhone
Immerse yourself Fire up the app, get plugged in and prepare to be transported to another world
Raspberry Pi 2 Yum! I like pie. First, it’s not that sort of pie, and I’m sure you (as well as many others) made that precise joke when the first Raspberry Pi was released three years ago. Instead of being a pastry-based foodstuff, this is a rather smart credit card-sized computer capable of doing all sorts of wonderful things. Okay, I knew that really. So what’s new in Pi 2? First of all the processor’s been improved from a single-core to a quad-core, and it includes a whole gigabyte of memory. The result is (according to the Raspberry Pi foundation) the new unit is six times more powerful than its predecessor. Why would I want this computer over a normal PC? While the computer’s tiny size is particularly attractive, it’s primarily been created as an educational device to help schoolchildren understand programming and hardware design. That’s not to say the grown-ups can’t have fun with it though – you can use it as a media player, or play games such as Minecraft on it. But won’t I have to learn a complex programming language? Not necessarily. Just like the original Pi, its follow-up can be set up to run Linux, the free and open-source operating system. But the really impressive thing about it all is that Microsoft is developing a version of Windows 10 especially for the wee computers. We can’t wait to see it. I bet that version will be megaexpensive though... Not at all – in fact it comes with the same £22.85 (plus VAT) price tag as its predecessor. It’s an astoundingly cheap way to own a tiny computer capable of doing most of the things your desktop can. So there you have it, it’s true that all the best things do come in small packages.
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R INCHESTE HENRY W ERT TECH EXP
Media Player Shortcuts We love Windows Media Player for its all-singing, all-dancing abilities to play our favourite songs and dance videos. However, if you’re suddenly interrupted during one of your favourite vids it can often be hard to quickly move the cursor to the pause button, and it's always much less fiddly to use keyboard shortcuts. Fortunately, you can tap [Ctrl] and [P] to quickly pause and resume your music or videos. Other handy shortcuts include [Ctrl] and [f] to go forwards a track, [b] to go back a track, [h] to turn shuffle on or off, [w] to close a file, [e] to go straight to the search box and [s] to stop playback.
Calibrate your screen quickly and easily Here at Windows Help & Advice we always ensure our monitors are properly calibrated as it helps us accurately see how colours will look on the printed page. It also has the added advantage of making films and games look more vibrant. And it’s really easy to use Windows’ built-in calibration tool to get your screen looking better than ever. Click the Windows Orb, then go to Control Panel and choose 'Display'. Click 'Calibrate colour' on the left, then follow the simple instructions to set up your monitor. Run through the steps and you’ll notice an immediate difference.
Manage and edit photos with Picasa Despite being around a while, Picasa is still good photo-management and editing software, and is superior to Microsoft’s own Windows offerings. To get the program, visit picasa.google.co.uk and choose the Windows download. Once you’ve installed it choose the folders you’d like it to catalogue and you’ll be able to access them through the program. Features include face detection with the ability to create a morphing montage of a face, as well as quick access to cropping and image-adjustment tools.
Struggling to get something to work? Need a tip?
Then email us your woes (to windowsmagazine@futurenet.com with the subject line ‘Windows Insider’) and we’ll share your perfect Windows tweaks in a future issue.
Power ranger
Tip of the month
Become a Windows 8.1 Power User Did you know one of Windows 8.1's most useful features is right at your fingertips? We reveal all While Windows 8 dropped the Start menu, Microsoft arguably put something more useful in its place: the Power User menu. Accessed by pressing the Windows key with [X] or right-clicking on the Windows icon in the lower left of the screen, this menu contains lots of useful shortcuts. At the top you can quickly uninstall programs with Programs and Features, change battery settings with Power Options,
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view connected hardware with Device Manager and check for internet problems with Network Connections – all things that Windows previously hid away. Further down the menu are links to Windows Explorer-based settings, such as the Control Panel, File Explorer, Search and Run. Finally, you'll find a quick PC shut down or restart at the bottom of the menu, as well as the option to switch to the desktop.
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You got the power The Power User menu will become an essential part of your daily Windows experience
Discover It’s good to talk
Ev eryon e's tal king about…
Windows 10
M
Cortana, meet Spartan
Cortana will also play a key role in Spartan, Microsoft’s new web browser,
Meetup www.meetup.com
Microsoft's latest big announcement reveals a whole host of exciting features. We take a whistle-stop tour icrosoft has revealed more about its Windows 10 operating system, which is due for release later this year. As well as clarifying the new version would be a free download for those using Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, they have shared information on some new features. First up is Cortana, which aims to compete with Google’s Now and Apple’s Siri voice-controlled personal assistants. Ask Cortana if you’ll need a coat and it’ll look up the weather forecast. It will predict premiership football scores, remind you of tasks and activities, and it’s said to learn your interests and habits as you use it. It’s similar to Google’s Now and Apple’s Siri, but Microsoft is aiming to put more personality into Cortana with Star Wars impressions and jokes. It’ll be available across all Microsoft’s platforms, including Windows-powered smartphones and the Xbox One games console.
Download this…
which replaces Internet Explorer and takes on Google’s Chrome. Like Chrome it features a minimalist visual interface and easy navigation, but additional features include page annotations and cross-device page saving. As Microsoft switches to web-based revenue streams, the browser is going to become a key battleground, so it’s important it gets Spartan right. Finally, Microsoft unveiled HoloLens. This system uses a virtual reality headset similar to the Oculus Rift, but rather than enveloping you in a make-believe world it augments a real video feed of your environment. Microsoft demonstrated it with popular worldbuilding game Minecraft, turning a user’s living room furniture into bases for the virtual bricks. It’s a more forwardthinking feature, but it’s nonetheless very impressive. As Windows 10 builds momentum it seems Microsoft is concentrating on delivering an operating system, which not only ticks our boxes but delivers lots more useful and fun features. You can even try it right now at windows.microsoft.com.
This website is essentially a directory of nearby clubs and events. Meetup covers everything that’s interesting from philosophy and debating, to drawing clubs, to meditation and yoga. In fact, if there’s a subject you can think of you can be guaranteed there’s a Meetup group dedicated to it somewhere in the world (and hopefully near you). More often than not the events are completely free, and they’re a great way to meet like-minded folk with the same interests or you can learn a new skill. It’s been proven that meeting up with people who have the same new-found interests as you, encourages you to keep practising this latest hobby. We’ve often decided to take up new hobbies alone only to give up after a couple of weeks, but being surrounded by other people and seeing them flourish can be hugely motivational, and it’s also great for help and advice.
Meetup Follow your interests in the real-world with this essential website
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uiz The 60-SecondmQ e sta rts no w! 1
Which site did the recently convicted Ross Ulbricht found? A) Megaupload B) The Pirate Bay C) Silk Road
2
eZelleron’s Kraftwerk device uses what to charge mobile phones? A) Solar power B) Lighter fuel C) Electronic music
3
Thieves stole DVDs from Asda with which unusual method? A) Ripping them via in-store demo laptops B) Posting them from the in-store post office C) Flushing them down the toilet
4
What is YouTube’s newest feature?
A) Live satellite feeds B) Console-style gaming C) Multi-angled videos
5
Which drink is being delivered by flying drones in Chinese cities? A) Ginger tea B) Ginger beer C) Ginger wine
6
Rapper Jay Z has bought Tidal for $56 million – but what is it? A) A headphone company B) An app for fishermen C) A music service
Answers 1C, 2B, 3B, 4C, 5A, 6C
Pe ns at th e rea d y, yo u r ti
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10 Friday
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Henry Winchester reveals a host of fascinating digital facts
80lb is the weight of the weapons carried by the soldier in 1993 shoot-em-up Doom. US TV show Mythbusters loaded martial artist Brendan Schaub with the game's nine-weapon arsenal – including a chainsaw and a rocket launcher – and asked him to race through a recreation of the game's first level. Surprisingly, Brendan carted all the kit and completed the level just three seconds slower than his unladen time.
80lbs
90%
The level of coverage UK mobile operators O2, EE, Three and Vodafone have pledged to give the country by 2017. While 4G is available in big cities, the countryside is still plagued with 'not spots', where there is no signal. The big four have allocated £5 billion to ensure nationwide coverage.
the cost of hacking Recent leaks from Sony Pictures may highlight the unscrupulous nature of the movie industry – but the hacks only cost the company $15mn. For perspective, the company's sales for the last quarter in 2014 was $1.69bn.
How much can you make creating ingame items? Valve's videogames Counterstrike: Global Offensive, DOTA 2 and Team Fortress 2 include crafting systems so players can create trinkets and customise weapons, and then sell them via virtual market places. Astonishingly, the company says it's paid out over $57 million (in real cash) to players who create their own content since 2011, with 1,500 content makers making an average of $38,000 each. 10
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Discover Facts & figures
How does the UK's average public Wi-Fi speed stack up against the rest of the world? Lithuania 15.4 Mbps Ireland 11.4 Mbps UK 10.97 Mbps Finland 8.69 Mbps USA 6.89 Mbps
180,000 police officer
hours a year…
Could be saved if crime reporting is taken online. The Home Secretary announced the Home Office is working with the Surrey and Sussex forces to create a website for reporting crimes. But, don’t worry, you can still dial 999…
Where are the UK's tech cities?
Top Spotify Facts Founder Daniel Ek began development of the music service in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2006. It publicly launched in 2008, but reported a $4.4mn loss for that year. In 2009, it added a free service in the UK, but this was quickly switched to invite-only after it was flooded with users. After settling disputes with major record labels, Spotify launched in the US in July 2011. It's now available in more than 100 territories. Despite 25 per cent of users streaming Taylor Swift's songs, the singer-songwriter criticised the low payouts of the service and withdrew her entire back catalogue. However, Spotify believes it's paying artists well – it's shelled out $2bn in royalties so far, with half of those paid out in 2014 alone. The service now boasts 60 million users, a quarter of whom are using its paid-for subscription service. More than 30 million songs are available on Spotify, with 20,000 new tunes added every day. More than 1.5 billion playlists have been created using the service. The service is available on 20 platforms, including Windows, iOS, Android and Linux. It still doesn't have a Windows 8 app, though.
London is definitely a hotspot for all things technology related, but a number of other regions in the UK are catching up. London employs some 251,590 tech workers, while Bristol and Bath – the next biggest region and home to this very
magazine – has 61,653 people working in the sector, followed by 56,145 in Manchester. TechCityUK, the Government-backed agency which carried out the research, says 74 per cent of tech companies are based outside the capital.
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Essential Upgrades 12
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