New PC and I am Losttt

Discussion in 'Software' started by deegazzo, Aug 30, 2014.

  1. deegazzo

    deegazzo Private First Class

    Just got a new pc and I need help as I am at a total loss. It is a Lenovo touch screen with Windows8. I am trying to find out what is all ready installed on it and don't know where to find anything. Like where oh where is the start button and where is the control panel??? There are things pre-installed but I want to make it my own, please help me.

    Thanks,
    Dee
     
    deegazzo, Aug 30, 2014
    #1
  2. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    One of the great things about Windows 8 is when you are on the Metro screen, all you have to do is start typing to do a search. So type Control Panel and it'll bring it up in search and you can just click on it. I actually pinned it to my Metro panel.

    The other thing you can do is right click on the Windows icon on the bottom left of your screen. You should be able to click on 'Programs and Features' and that'll pull up your programs. If you are on the desktop screen, you should see it. If you are on the metro screen, you should be able to hover in the bottom left corner and it'll appear. Using your touchscreen, I believe you swipe your screen up to see programs from the metro screen.
     
    LauraR, Aug 30, 2014
    #2
  3. deegazzo

    deegazzo Private First Class

    lol so confusing, miss my win7 :(
     
    deegazzo, Aug 30, 2014
    #3
  4. deegazzo

    deegazzo Private First Class

    let me ask you LauraR since you have a win8, is the win defender that comes with good enough protection? and can I get some advice on what is and would be best for my new pc?
     
    deegazzo, Aug 30, 2014
    #4
  5. Earthling

    Earthling Interplanetary Geek

    You will find a Desktop tile on the Metro screen. Once you've clicked on that things may start to look a little more familiar. The button Laura is referring to only got added in Win 8.1. It still isn't the full Start button of Win 7 but it's a small step in the right direction. If you upgrade to 8.1 you will find a lot of functions on right clicking that button, including Control Panel.
     
    Earthling, Aug 30, 2014
    #5
  6. oma

    oma MajorGeek

    oma, Aug 30, 2014
    #6
  7. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Yes... Windows Defender is an antivirus, but I do not use it (this post has been edited to reflect the correct info). If you install another antivirus program, be sure Defender is disabled. I personally use NOD32 which is a paid program. I've also used Avira which I always liked, and that is free. I use the Windows firewall and don't have any issues. Just a note on freeware: pretty much all of it contains additional programs to support the fact that is free. It is very important to pay attention and uncheck everything it offers except the actual program you are installing.

    Windows 8 takes some getting used to, but I honestly really like it. It's much faster for me for everything. Boot time is almost immediate which is great.

    Just make sure you go through and delete all the programs that Lenovo throws on there that are junk (there's a lot...I have the Y510P). This is a good site to use as a guide: http://www.shouldiremoveit.com/ (search is in the top right).

    Also, as mentioned, if you haven't already done so, update to 8.1
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2014
    LauraR, Aug 30, 2014
    #7
  8. Earthling

    Earthling Interplanetary Geek

    Not right Laura. In Win 8 Defender is essentially Microsoft Security Essentials, a full antivirus program, and since it is running in realtime you can create serious system instability by installing a third party AV without first disabling Defender. I've been using Defender, and only Defender since Win 8 first appeared and it does a very good job.
     
    Earthling, Aug 30, 2014
    #8
  9. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Thanks for the correction and I corrected my previous post to reflect it. Good to know. Windows disables it as soon as you install a 3rd party one. I had a current subscription of NOD32, so didn't even hesitate to install. I should have known that defender was an AV now since it was disabled.
     
    LauraR, Aug 30, 2014
    #9

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