book

Windows 8 Hacks

by Preston Gralla

December 2012

Intermediate to advanced

422 pages

11h 50m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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How to Use This BookHow This Book Is OrganizedConventions Used in This BookUsing Code ExamplesSafari® Books OnlineHow to Contact UsAcknowledgments
Hack #1. Disable Windows 8’s Lock ScreenHacking the HackHack #2. Hack Your Way Through the Lock ScreenChange the Lock Screen ImageLock Down the Lock Screen ImageCustomize Which Apps Show their Notifications on the Lock ScreenHack #3. Speed Up Boot TimeHack Your BIOS for Faster StartupsHack #4. Speed Up Startup by Halting Startup Programs and ServicesEliminating Programs that Run at StartupCleaning Out the Startup FolderUsing the Task ManagerUsing the Registry to Halt Programs Running on StartupShutting Off Services That Run at StartupHacking the HackHack #5. Reset and Refresh Your PC Instead of Doing a Complete ReinstallCreate a Custom Refresh PointHack #6. Installing and Running Windows 8 on a MacInstalling and Running Windows 8 Using Parallels DesktopInstalling and Running Windows 8 Using VMWare FusionRunning Windows 8 Using VirtualBoxHack #7. Use Hyper-V to Install and Run Other Operating Systems Inside Windows 8Hacking the Hack
Hack #8. Create an Application Folder for Quick Launches on the Start Screen and the DesktopHack #9. Put a Tile to Computer on the Start ScreenHacking the HackHack #10. Force Desktop Apps to Show up on the Start ScreenHack #11. Hack the Windows 8 All Apps ScreenHack #12. Add Folders and Other Objects to the Start ScreenHacking the HackHack #13. Run Windows 8 Native Apps Side by SideHack #14. Hack Your Way Through the Start ScreenAdd and Remove TilesCustomize TilesCreate and Customize Tile GroupsChange Your ThemeControlling Live Tile BehaviorHack #15. Access Windows 8’s Power Search ToolsMailFinanceMapsMusicMore Search HacksHack #16. Use the Task Manager to Track App UseDelving into the App InnardsChecking out an App’s Usage HistoryHacking the HackHack #17. Use Your Own Graphic for Your User Account
Hack #18. Bring Back the Windows Start Menu to Windows 8Start8StartFinityHack #19. Use the Built-In Mini Start MenuHacking the HackHack #20. Bring the Quick Launch Toolbar Back to the DesktopHack #21. Hack a Quick-and-Dirty Start Menu for the DesktopHacking the HackHack #22. Turn on Windows “God Mode” on the DesktopHacking the HackHack #23. Run the Desktop and Window 8 Native Apps Side by SideHack #24. Put Helpful Navigation Icons on the DesktopHacking the HackHack #25. Make the Desktop More Tablet-FriendlyMake Everything LargerMake Only the Text LargerHack #26. Hack the Notification Area Using the Registry EditorHide Only Certain Icons in the Notification AreaHack #27. Change Folders in the Open Dialog BoxHack #28. Control the Control PanelHide Unused Applets with the RegistryHide Unused Applets with the Group Policy EditorHack #29. Hack the TaskbarHack #30. A Power User’s Hidden Weapon: Improve File Explorer’s Context MenuAdd “Copy To Folder” and “Move To Folder” Context Menu OptionsAdd and Remove Destinations for the “Send To” OptionOpen the Command Prompt from the Right-Click MenuClean Up the “Open With” OptionHacking the HackHack #31. Open an Administrator Command Prompt Anywhere in File ExplorerHacking the HackHack #32. Hack Your Way Through File ExplorerTurn Panes on and OffChange Icon SizesAdd and Customize ColumnsHidden Files and Folders…and MoreUsing the Invert Selection Feature
Hack #33. Three Quick System and Performance HacksSchedule Windows 8 MaintenanceDisplay Administrative ToolsPerform a Memory CheckHack #34. Troubleshoot Performance Issues Using the Resource MonitorHack #35. Track Performance and Reliability with the Reliability MonitorHacking the HackHack #36. Peer Deep into Your System with the Performance MonitorHack #37. Speed Up System Performance with the Task ManagerProcesses TabPerformance TabApp History TabUsers TabMonitor CPU UseGive Program and Processes More of Your CPU’s AttentionHack #38. Windows 8 Keyboard ShortcutsWindows Key ShortcutsOther Keyboard ShortcutsHack #39. Using Windows 8 GesturesWindows 8 GesturesHack #40. Use File History to Recover Your FilesTurning on File HistoryHacking File HistoryUsing File History to Recover FilesHack #41. Troubleshoot with the Action CenterHack #42. Track Down Windows 8 System WoesHack #43. Save Money: Use These Free Alternatives to Microsoft OfficeLibreOfficeApache OpenOfficeGoogle DocsMicrosoft Office Web AppsZoho Office
Hack #44. Use SkyDrive to Sync Your Files EverywhereLook for Colored IconsAccess to All of Your Files from EverywhereHacking the HackHack #45. Make SkyDrive Play Nice with Other Windows FoldersInclude SkyDrive in your Windows 8 LibrariesHack #46. Recover Deleted Files on SkyDriveHack #47. More SkyDrive HacksMake OneNote Notebooks Available on SkyDriveScan Documents into SkyDriveChange SkyDrive OptionsHack #48. Using Other Syncing ServicesGoogle DriveDropboxBox (Formerly Box.Net)SugarSyncHack #49. Configure Windows 8 SyncingHacking the HackHack #50. Create a Non-Syncing Windows 8 AccountHack #51. Power Hacks for Windows 8 SyncingHack #52. Mastering the People AppHack #53. Share and Share Alike in Windows 8Hack #54. Other Social Networking AppsTweetroRowiMetroTwitTweetDeck
Hack #55. Open Graphic Files In Photo Viewer Instead of the Windows 8 Native Photos AppHacking the HackHack #56. Add Facebook and Flickr to Your Windows 8 Photo CollectionHacking the HackHack #57. Hacking Through the Photos AppFixing SkyDrive WoesTiles, Backgrounds, and Slide ShowsHack #58. Add Folder Locations to Photo and Video LibrariesHack #59. Improve DVD and TV Watching in Windows 8Hack #60. Using Windows 8 with Your Xbox 360Hacking the HackHack #61. Power Up Windows 8 with a Free Movie Maker, Photo Gallery, and MoreHacking the HackHack #62. Organize Your Photos with MetadataEditing and Adding Tags to PhotosUsing Other MetadataHack #63. Use RAW Photos in Windows Photo GalleryHack #64. Get a Free Copy of Windows Media CenterHack #65. Play it Loud!Hack #66. Convert Vinyl and Tapes to MP3s
Hack #67. Make the Desktop Version of Internet Explorer the Default Rather than the Windows 8 Native VersionHacking the HackHack #68. Change Your Default Native Windows 8 Browser to ChromeHacking the HackHack #69. Make Windows 8 Play Nice with Your Home NetworkUsing Homegroup with Windows 8Using Windows 8 with Network SharesHack #70. Hack DNS to Speed up Web BrowsingTell Your Entire Network to use OpenDNSHack #71. Control Another PC with Remote DesktopUsing the Windows 8 Native ClientControl a Remote PC with LogMeInHacking the HackHack #72. Hack Windows 8 Wi-Fi, Wireless, and Network SettingsHack #73. Use Task Manager to Track Bandwidth Use of Individual Apps and Overall Network UseHack #74. Map a Network Drive or Network LocationMap a Network DriveMap a Network LocationHack #75. Troubleshoot Network Connections with ping, tracert, and pathpingTroubleshoot TCP/IP Problems with pingTrace Your Network and Internet Data Path with tracertTroubleshoot Network Problems with pathpingHack #76. Troubleshoot Network Connections with netstat and ipconfigUse netstat to Get Information About Open Network ConnectionsUse ipconfig to Troubleshoot TCP/IPHack #77. Troubleshoot Wireless Interference Woes, and Extend Your Range
Hack #78. Keep Portable Storage Secure with BitLocker to GoHacking the HackHack #79. Hide Folders and Files with the Encrypting File SystemEncrypting Files and FoldersDecrypting Files and FoldersLetting Others Use Your Encrypted FilesEncrypting and Decrypting from the Command LineHack #80. Tell Windows 8 Apps Not to Snoop on Your LocationHacking the HackHack #81. Turn off the Windows 8 SmartScreen FilterHack #82. Protect Yourself with a Windows 8 Picture PasswordHack #83. Create a Windows 8 Recovery ToolHack #84. Hack Windows 8’s User Account ControlUAC and Elevating PrivilegesHack UAC with the Control PanelHack UAC with Local Security Policy Editor and the Registry EditorHacking the HackHack #85. Unlock Windows 8’s Super-Secret Administrator AccountHack #86. Punch an Escape Hole Through the Windows 8 FirewallAllow a Program Through the FirewallOpening Up PortsHack #87. Track Firewall Activity with a Windows 8 Firewall LogHack #88. Protect Your Privacy by Removing Windows 8 MetadataHacking the HackHack #89. Impersonate Another Computer on the NetworkUnderstanding MAC AddressesSpoofing Your MAC AddressHack #90. Protect Your Home Wi-Fi NetworkChange Your Administrator PasswordStop Broadcasting Your Network’s SSIDLimit the Number of IP Addresses on Your NetworkCheck and Filter MAC AddressesCheck Your Router Logs and Traffic

Hack #91. Trick the Windows 8 Mail App into Using POP MailConfigure Outlook.com to Get your POP3 MailConfigure Windows 8 Mail to Get Mail from Outlook.comHack #92. Use Different Live Tiles For Different Email AccountsHacking the HackHack #93. Hack Your Way Through your Windows 8 Mail AccountsHack #94. Understanding Windows Mail and Metered NetworksHack #95. Send Large File Attachments in Windows 8 Mail and Outlook.com Using SkyDriveSending Large Files via Window 8 MailSending Large Files via Outlook.comHacking the HackHack #96. Import Gmail Mail and Mail from other Web-Based Mail into Outlook.comHack #97. Configure Outlook.com for Windows Phone, Android Devices, and iPhones and iPadsWindows PhoneAndroid DeviceiOS DevicesHack #98. Switch Fast Between Outlook.com AccountsHack #99. Turn Outlook.com Into a Universal InboxGetting Mail from GmailHack #100. Great Freebies for Turbocharging GmailSmartr InboxFind Big MailCloud MagicPriviconsMinimalist for EverythingHack #101. Turn Gmail into a Universal InboxHack #102. Use Gmail as a POP3 ServerHack #103. Stay Off Spam ListsHack #104. Prevent Your Newsletter from Being Blocked as SpamHack #105. Block International Spam in OutlookHack #106. Open Blocked File Attachments in OutlookForce Outlook to Let You Open Blocked File AttachmentsHack #107. Instantly Compress Files You Send via OutlookHack #108. Sync Calendar and Contacts Between Google and Outlook
Hack #109. To Infinity and Beyond with Windows 8 Storage SpacesHack #110. Hack Windows 8’s Power PlanHack #111. Two Screens Are Better than OneConfiguring Both DisplaysConfiguring the Taskbar on Both DisplaysMoving Apps AroundMulti-Monitor Slide Shows and Different Desktop BackgroundsHack #112. Find Drivers for Windows 8 FastHack #113. Troubleshoot Hardware with Device ManagerHack #114. Get a Complete History of Troublesome HardwareHack #115. Uncover Hidden Hardware with the Device ManagerHacking the HackHack #116. Get a Comprehensive List of All Your DriversHacking the Hack
Hack #117. Don’t Fear the RegistryThe Five Logical Registry HivesUsing Keys and ValuesLaunching the Registry EditorAdding and Deleting Keys and ValuesHack #118. Hack Away at the RegistryTurn Off Mouse-Over Charm LauncherAuto Log On into WindowsDisable ShutdownChange the Names of the Registered User and CompanyChange the Default Location for Installing ProgramsHack #119. Safely Edit the Registry Using .reg FilesDelete Registry Keys and Values Using .reg FilesProtect the Registry by Changing the Default Action for .reg FilesHack #120. Better Registry BackupsHack #121. Hack Away at Windows with the Group Policy Editor

Overview

Unlock the secrets of Microsoft’s new revolutionary operating system. This book helps you control all aspects of Windows 8, from Startup and Shutdown, System Performance to Social Networking and the Cloud, Networking, Security, Hardware, the Registry, and more.