New to Windows 8.1 - thread 3 - graphics

Discussion in 'Software' started by dmb06851, Jan 10, 2015.

  1. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    While I don't doubt that some of you may well be enamoured by Windows 8.1's graphics, I am not. The words Fisher and Price come to mind.

    I want to get rid of the pre-installed desktop's photograph and use my own background, but can't see how to do so. How do I do that?

    I would also like, as much as possible, to avoid all these fancy new graphics, which, to me, are nothing more than a hindrance, not to mention annoyance. I think user-hostile is an apt description.

    Is there a way to achieve a more conventional interface?
     
    dmb06851, Jan 10, 2015
    #1
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Some help for for many parts of Windows 8 HERE I know its different and some don't like it but you can change many aspects

    To change the wallpaper desktop pic > Right Click on the desktop and choose Personalise and then Desktop Background at the bottom and browse for a pic of your liking
     
    DavidGP, Jan 10, 2015
    #2
  3. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Understatement of the year ...

    Thank you David, I've got a couple of steps ahead now.

    Is there a way put a link to Programs on the desktop, as we had via the Start button in XP etc?

    And is there a method to simplify the way the content of a folder is presented? - they are grossly overpopulated and visually confusing.

    Once an application is open, I see no way to exit. I have to press Windows on the keyboard (and that presents me with the horrendous tiles). What other way/s is/are there?

    I often think that the software of many modern devices, not just computers, is overcomplicated, much of it incorporated simply because it can be, and they end up being too clever for their own good.

    The KISS principle is no longer taught or advocated.
     
    dmb06851, Jan 10, 2015
    #3
  4. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Thank you Joe.

    Yes, I agree. But I don't remember any difficulty when I migrated from Windows 95 to 98, and subsequently to XP.
     
    dmb06851, Jan 10, 2015
    #4
  5. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    Describing 8.1 as fisher price when coming from XP...


    That is golden ;)
     
    Adrynalyne, Jan 10, 2015
    #5
  6. mdonah

    mdonah Major Geek Extraordinaire

    You can still right click the application icon and select Send to...

    You can go to the view menu and change to what you prefer.

    My laptop is NOT touchscreen enabled. Win 8.1 detected this and it defaults to the desktop instead of the Metro Start screen on login. I also use Classic Shell from MG's so I have a Start button and menu like in previous versions of Windows.
     
    mdonah, Jan 11, 2015
    #6
  7. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    You could right click inside a folder and use VIEW option to change the folder layout, its still pretty much the same as previous Windows versions imho. I tend to use in general folders View > Large Icons

    This may help HERE


    If these are the modern apps like Weather, News, OneDrive then you have two ways,

    1. with the mouse put the pointer to the very top of the screen and you should see a bar drop down just left click and drag the screen to the bottom of the page.
    2. same mouse over top part of screen and on left side you will have the usual X to close an app.

    Yes, mainly due to technology moving on and us all wanting more options, its always difficult to create new tech and make the options simple, maybe voice control in a few years will be good, I gather Cortana (voice control) in Win 10 is not bad at present.


    For Windows 8.1 you will find this area HERE of Microsoft help perfect, really well laid out, in sections that cover all the general areas of advice and instruction you will need,
     
    DavidGP, Jan 12, 2015
    #7
  8. cssc

    cssc Guest

    For desktop photo is easy, I just downloaded a photo i liked, found it in the downloads file, right clicked & hit "set as desktop background". Probably the only thing I didn't need a tutorial for on Windows 8! :-D
    I dont' understand why everything seems to be hidden, then you have to look for it. (like the file/edit/view ribbon) I would think the default should be it's there, so you know it's there if you need it, and THEN you can hide it if you want to! Makes more sense to me.
     
    cssc, Jan 12, 2015
    #8

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds