New to Windows 8.1 - thread 1 - log on

I have bit the bullet and bought a new computer (HP 110-412na) with windows 8.1 pre-installed.

There are a few things with which I would like help so it seems better to start a separate thread for each.

At switch-on I have to enter my Microsoft account password. It's complicated, and I have no intention of trying to remember it.

How can I completely bypass this so that the computer switches on ready to use?

 

Here's MS's topic on changing logon and creating local account so you won't need the e-mail logon



http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/disable-remove-password

 

If you switch to a local account you are going to miss out on many of the best and most useful features of Win 8.1, as DavidGP has said. Why not login and change your password to something you can remember? It still needs to be a strong password though - AAA123 is no good.

 

A subjective opinion.
Many of the new features are of no interest to me whatsoever, but that's beside the point.
The presentation of much of this operating system is visually confusing.

 

I'm talking facts, but if that's your view why on earth did you buy it? Win 7 is still available for those who can't handle or just don't like change. As to presentation it's just a case of getting used to it. Most ppl who start off hating it end up using it in preference. I suggest you reserve judgement until you have spent more time with it, then you might appreciate it more.

Think I'll skip thread 3 etc rolleyes

 

What constitutes "the best and most useful features" is a subjective opinion.

Economy. It was pre-installed on the computer, and, operating systems not being available on a trial basis, nor being clairvoyant, I had no way of knowing what to expect.

Yes, and mainstream support for it ends in three days' time.

If any change is for the better (subjectively of course), I welcome it.

Whether or not I can put up with (handle) these changes remains to be seen.

 

Mainstream support does.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle

 

That doesn't mean a whole lot to the average consumers unless they want to call for support.

 

You do know you can make windows 8 desktop look like windows 7, don't you?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/change-windows-to-classic-view

 

cscc- The page in the link says Applies to Windows Vista

 

Mainstream Support for XP ended in 2009 but, that didn't mean you'd lose Security and other updates for it and even now, with the POSReady registry key, I'm getting monthly updates for XP Pro SP3.

 

That figures I'd screw up my first attempt to answer a question on here... Well, we did it. I dont' remember how, but google it.
or Try this:
Step 1: Launch the Desktop from the Start page by clicking on the tile labeled Desktop.

Step 2: Right-click on the Taskbar.

Tip: The Taskbar is the solid-colored strip below the wallpaper.

Step 3: Choose Properties and then the Navigation tab in the resulting box.

Step 4: Scroll down to the dialog, "When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the Desktop instead of Start," and check the checkbox. Click on OK.

The next time you restart your computer, the Start tile-based page will be skipped, and you'll launch into a Windows 7-style desktop instead.

Aargh.

 

That's very useful CSSC, thank you.

I have since discovered classicshell, which does that and a bit more too.

 

I did see links to classicshell but one doesn't always want to download more software

 

You can't completely bypass the logging on process but you can, instead of having to remember and accurately type in a longish password, simply use a four digit PIN. You will find it in the charms bar under sign-in options in Accounts.

 

Yeah, I've been using the 4-digit pin with my new PC and I love it! You don't even have to hit "enter" -- now that's nice.

 

"How can I completely bypass this so that the computer switches on ready to use? "

Yes, you can do this.

I'm pretty sure this is the video I got that info from:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VOlZl7UmwQ

 

As in Vista and 7, you can type "control userpasswords2" (without the quotes) in the Search box and select it in the results field. Uncheck Users must enter... (see att'd [my screen is set to high contrast because of bilateral cataracts]) and click Apply. You'll be asked to enter your Password twice. Do so and OK out if Control Userpasswords. From then on, you'll automatically log in to your Desktop or Start Screen.

 

Thank you, I've done that, it's a big help.

However, when I tried to do a couple of things I was told that access was denied and I didn't have administrator's rights - or some such thing.

There's only one account on the machine, obviously an administrator's one.

What is going on?

 

Thank you Joe.

 

You didn't specify the couple of things you tried to do but, in Win 8.1, you can't disable UAC (User Account Control), only silence it. It may be UAC that's causing this and you'll have to right click and choose Run as Administrator.

 

Logins can be saved to a macro keyboard. You can have extremely secure passwords recorded (things you could never remember) and type them in with one keystroke. I have 12 and a cheat sheet telling me what macro key is for what login.
When I was doing 8.1 I set up my login with a macro.
I gave up on 8.1 since 10 looks like Win7 on steroids which will be a much better option for me.

 

I don't remember. I've been fighting several things.

I have changed from a Local account to ... what is it they call I? ... so that may make things easier.

Interesting, but I no nothing about macros. I wish that I had decided to update the operating system before Windows 7 became a rarity.

 

It's called a Microsoft account and I really would recommend making the effort to understand what it has to offer.

I'm really sorry you feel the way you do about 8.1 as it really is a first class system. This Lenovo laptop I'm on right now was supplied with Win 7 Pro 64 bit but later someone gave me a Win 8 key so I added Win 8 to the system. It wasn't long before I began to realise that Win 8, now 8.1, was preferable both in speed and features and these days I only keep 7 up to date just in case I hit unexpected problems with 8.1.

So block out your anti feelings and make the effort to understand Win 8 and all it has to offer. You will feel much better about bolth it and yourself.

 

My dislike is not an attack on you Earthling. Don't worry about it, it's no skin off your nose.
I do appreciate your time, not to mention your enthusiasm, thank you.

In "Search and apps" I have turned Bing OFF, but it still appears in IE when I open another tab.

Is it possible to banish it completely?

 

In IE click the Tools cogwheel top right > Manage add-ons and click Search Providers. You will probably see Bing as default. At the bottom left click Find More Search Providers and add those you want. For instance to add Google use the search box top right. Once you have the providers you want you can set the order and remove Bing if you don't want it.

This is identical to Win 7, it isn't yet another Win 8 irritation

 

Yes, I've tried that a few times now, trying to get Google UK, but that results in the message

"The Accelerator could not be installed.

This might have happened because:
-A required file could not be downloaded
-The website is unavailable
-You are not connected to the Internet

You might want to try again later."

Don't know what the first one could mean, the second isn't right because Google is available, and I am/was, obviously connected to the internet.

Any ideas please?

 

Oooh that's a bummer. Try starting IE with no add-ons and trying again. I'm on 7 atm but I believe IE with no add-ons is on the right click menu on the Start button.

 

Only Bing. There was another one, forget which, but I removed it.

I tried disabling add-ons and then adding Google, but still get the message.

 

I have tried doing that several times Joe, both with and without add-ons disabled.

Whatever I do results in that message.

 

Have you installed any AV? 8.1 has Defender built in and activated by default. Installing a second AV could possibly cause aberrations such as this.

 

McAfee LiveSafe was pre-installed on the machine. I haven't noticed whether or not Defender is installed or enabled.

Can't see it in Control Panel's Programs and Features, or in the Classic Start menu's list of programs.

 

I'm pretty sure your OEM would disable Defender when installing an alternative such as McAfee but you can easily check. Go to the Start screen and type Defender - you can type anywhere on the Start screen - and if Defender is already running it will pop up and tell you.

Assuming Defender is not running I would try temporarily disabling McAfee and trying again to add Google search. Your router has a hardware firewall built in so don't be concerned at turning McAfee off just for this exercise, but of course turn it on again afterwards.

 

I disabled McAfee, both the firewall and the real-time scanning. I'm afraid that hasn't effected a cure. I am still presented with that message.

 

Yes, that had crossed my mind. It's free for 30 days from first boot.

Do you have any idea what are the most favoured protection software packages nowadays?

 

You'll never get a consensus on that but my view is that those who understand and practice safe browsing, and know the dos and don'ts with downloads, emails etc, will remain clear of infection using nothing more than the Windows firewall and 8.1's Defender (Microsoft Security Essentials previously).

 

That makes sense, thank you.

I shall wait until the end of the trial and re-enable Defender.

 

Free versions of SpywareBlaster and MalwareBytesAntiMalware are also favoured by many here, me included.

Frustrating we haven't been able to crack the search engine issue.

 

I'm wondering if running the recovery file would sort it out.

 

I'd be surprised if it didn't, if you don't have a problem with starting all over that is.

 

Incorrect. Reset deletes your files, Refresh does not.

 

I refreshed the system last night and found that I am still not able to add Google as a search provider. The message still appears.

This is, to say the least, very frustrating. What should I do now?

I am reluctant to do anything else, such as changing settings or start re-installing applications, in case it's a waste of time and I'm faced with the palaver yet again.

 

Just tried that twice Joe, to make sure I did it correctly. No change I'm afraid.

 

The way I have tried is as follows:

Clicked on the Cogwheel at top right of the browser -> Manage add-ons -> Search Providers -> Find more search providers -> entered Google in the search box at top right -> clicked on Add to Internet Explorer (both for the US one and the UK one during different attempts) -> then clicked on Add to Internet Explorer again on the next screen.

Oh, and since turning off IE and back on again, its desktop icon no longer appears

 

I don't have any answer for this either, it just works on my 8.1. But like Joe I don't use IE either. You could try Chrome or Firefox.

 

Tried to edit last post but can't. The limit on the number of edits had been reached .....
Fixed the IE thing. Created a shortcut to its exe file.

 

I like to have Chrome too. Gone off Firefox some time ago.

But as I mentioned before, I don't want to potentially waste time adding things if it is all going to end in further frustration.

I may well decide to completely reinstall the damned thing.

 

You mean you have now been able to add Google by creating a new shortcut to IE? So how were you starting IE before?

 

Sorry, that was poorly worded.

I placed a shortcut to IE on the desktop.

IE's icon disappeared from the desktop after turning IE off and back on again.

The inability to add Google as a search provider is still present.

As the afternoon wears on I am getting resigned to the idea of a complete re-installation.