How to sign into Windows 8 or 8.1 without a Microsoft account - make a local user

I was setting up Windows 8.1 on a machine and didn't want to use a Microsoft ID (Live ID) to sign into it. I didn't feel like linking this temporary machine to my existing Microsoft ID and just wanted a regular local login. Now, I realize that not using a Live ID would limit the things I could do and cause a lot more account popups when I visited apps like Music, Store, Video, and others, but still, I want the choice.
It wasn't immediately obvious to me how to create a local login, so I wrote it up here to help you, Oh Internet Person.

Step 1

When you get to settings, it doesn't matter if you click Use Express Settings or Customize. Pick what makes you happy.

Step 2

Setup will ask you to Sign into your Microsoft account. You can, but you don't have to. You can also click "Create a new account" at the bottom. You can click there to create a new online Microsoft account, sure, but this is also how you create a local account.

Step 3

At this point, it looks like you'll need to Create a Microsoft account, but you can also click "Sign in without a Microsoft account."
You should really know what you're doing here. Don't just do this because you don't like the idea of a Microsoft account. Be aware of the ramifications. That said, you can always add an account later. I found using a local local to be better for me when making a Virtual Machine.

Step 4

Here's where you actually make your local account. Put in a user name and password like you always do. This is a local account that has no ties to the online world.

Hope this helps someone.

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About Scott

Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

Source: http://www.hanselman.com/blog/HowToSignIntoWindows8Or81WithoutAMicrosoftAccountMakeALocalUser.aspx

Windows 8.1 Preview – How to install without Microsoft account (skip Microsoft account)

Jun 28th, 2013Computers, Internet, Software

Windows 8.1, also known as Windows Blue was released as Windows 8.1 Preview. If you wanted to try it out and install it like I did, you may have found that there is no option to skip connecting it to Microsoft account. In fact, FAQ on Microsoft page – http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/preview-faq says the following:

Warning – In order to use Windows 8.1 Preview you must sign in to your PC with a Microsoft account. The option to create a local account will be made available at the final release of Windows 8.1.

So according to this you can’t install it and bypass Microsoft account and additionally, there is no option to skip connecting it to Microsoft account and creating a local account instead. However, there is a way to do this.

Update: It seems that this “feature” has made it into the final version as well. But the following methods to avoid it still work:

Method 1:

1. Click on link Create a new account (near the bottom of screen, below the “Don’t have an account?” text) 2. When sign up form appears click on Sign in without a Microsoft account (also on the bottom).

Method 2:

1. Disconnect your Internet connection before installing Windows 8.1 (or after the first part of installation has finished). Windows detects at some point if there is an active Internet connection – if it isn’t available, it will skip the screen where Windows wants you to Connect this PC to your Microsoft account and offer you to create a local account instead. This is the simplest method of skipping this screen.

Method 3:

You can keep your Internet connection enabled. When a screen called Connect this PC to your Microsoft account appears it will ask you for Email Address and Password (for Outlook.com or similar Microsoft service). If you have one you may put it in or if you don’t have it (or use Gmail instead), you have an option to create one. I suppose you want neither otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this right? 1. If you don’t want to create Microsoft account enter some invalid email here for example:

• Email Address: localhost@localhost.localhost
• Password: whatever you like, doesn’t matter (I entered 12345678).

2. Windows will now check this account and conclude that there was a problem with logging into this account (as it obviously doesn’t exist).
3. On the side a text will appear – “The email address or password is incorrect. If you don’t remember your password, create a local account now and set up your Microsoft account later.”
4. Click on create a local account now part of the text and you’re now creating a local account.

It is likely that Microsoft did this on purpose to test the resistance against mandatory cloud services. As this is a beta version and not the one which will sell, it certainly looked like a perfect opportunity to do this test. If they really wanted, they could easily disable logging in with local account but instead they advertised it like “it can’t be done” even though they left a small gap to squeeze through.
It is also possible that they wanted to use this beta to increase a number of accounts for their Outlook.com service (once people sign up, some of them are likely to continue using it).
As for the first impressions here is something you might also be interested in:

• Start button is a fake – instead of start menu it opens start screen. It is back but that’s not really it. There is an option though to show only applications – it is called Show the Apps view automatically when I go to Start (right click Taskbar, then select Properties and finally click Navigation tab).
• To boot directly to desktop right click Taskbar, then select Properties and finally click Navigation tab. The checkbox option is called Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in.
  
  Source: http://www.infobyte.hr/blog/337/windows-8-1-preview-how-to-install-without-microsoft-account-skip-microsoft-account/

Windows 8 Start Menu set to return in August

By Tom Warren on April 23, 2014 10:09 am @tomwarren

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Microsoft revealed earlier this month that the Start Menu will return to Windows 8. While Microsoft is keeping the timing for its return vague, sources familiar with the company’s plans tell The Verge that the Start Menu will likely be available in a second update to Windows 8.1 currently scheduled for August. Microsoft’s Terry Myerson, head of Windows and Xbox software, demonstrated an early prototype earlier this month of what the Start Menu will look like once it’s available. It looks like a hybrid of the old Windows 7 Start Menu mixed in with some Windows 8 Live Tiles along one side.

Myerson also revealed that Microsoft will allow Windows 8-style "Metro" apps to run in the desktop environment inside their own windows. Both the changes bear more than a passing resemblance to a concept by a graphic designer that The Verge highlighted late last year. While Microsoft is expected to deliver the true windowing type of functionality in a "Windows 9" release next year, sources note that the company is pushing to try and get this ready for the second update to Windows 8.1 in August. Both the Start Menu and windowed apps could be pushed to the bigger "Windows 9" release, currently codenamed Threshold, but the current plan is to deliver these changes as soon as possible.

Microsoft speeds things up again

ZDNet originally reported on the second Windows 8.1 update earlier this week, and claims that it’s being developed as a way to speed up Windows releases. Microsoft already made some internal changes to increase the cadence of its Windows releases to once per year, but it appears that schedule is being accelerated. This is partly because Microsoft needs to fix the shortcomings in Windows 8, but also because competition like Android and iOS are constantly pushing out updates that bring changes and features.

We understand that Microsoft is still planning to merge its Windows Phone and Windows RT products to create a single operating system that runs across ARM-based hardware. At its Build developer conference, Microsoft revealed Windows will be free for computers and phones under 9 inches, a move that’s in place ready for this future version of Windows. We’re told this merger is part of the bigger work for the "Windows 9" release that’s currently due in spring 2015. Microsoft has hinted at this work on numerous occasions, but officials have not yet confirmed the company plans to merge Windows RT and Windows Phone.

Regardless of Microsoft’s future Windows plans, the current Windows 8.1 Update is a stop-gap towards a second update with additional functionality. If Microsoft is able to deliver the Start Menu to Windows 8 users in August it will address a key complaint from those who are more familiar with the traditional Windows desktop. Many have called for Microsoft to focus on desktop users, and the company has clearly accepted the feedback. "We’re going all in with this desktop experience," said Microsoft’s Terry Myerson earlier this month. It’s a sign that Windows is about to become Windows again.

Source: http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/23/5643328/windows-8-start-menu-return-in-second-update

Microsoft finally admits defeat, will bring Start menu back in future Windows 8 update

• By Sebastian Anthony on April 3, 2014 at 7:32 am

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At its Build 2014 conference, Microsoft has revealed that a future update to Windows 8.1 will resurrect the Start menu. No, really, stop looking at your calendar — it isn’t April 1 any more. This is isn’t just some half-assed Start menu, either — it’s a rather snazzy combo of the Windows 7 Start menu, plus some Metro-style live tiles. The same Windows 8.1 update will also allow you to run Metro apps in a window on the Desktop. Yes, it took Microsoft more than three years to backtrack on Windows 8′s nightmarish interface and usability changes, but it seems the company is finally coming around to the fact that it shouldn’t ignore the needs of hundreds of millions of PC users.


Take a long, hard look at the screenshot above. (There’s a slightly larger version too, if you want to admire the new Start menu in all its glory.) As you can see, the left side of the Start menu remains virtually unchanged from Windows 7, and the Shut Down button is right where it ought to be, instead of hidden behind a few awkward gestures and clicks. On the right side appears to be a bunch of Metro-style live tiles. Presumably you can configure these, just like the Start screen. “My Computer” appears to be missing, but you should be able to add “This PC” (the Metro live tile that gives you access to the System applet).

In Windows 8.1 Update 1, you can pin Metro apps to the taskbar — but you can’t run them in a window yet

In the current version of Windows 8.1 Update 1 you can pin Metro apps to the taskbar — but as you can see in the screenshot, in a future update, you’ll also be able to run Metro apps in a window. This one change will finally mean that using Metro apps on a desktop PC with a mouse and keyboard won’t be the abominable experience that it is now.


You may have noticed that we keep mentioning that these changes are coming in a future update — that’s because, unfortunately, that’s all the data Microsoft has given us. The Start menu is not being resurrected for Windows 8.1 Update 1 (due on April 8) — rather, there will be another update at some nebulous point in the future that will bring it back, along with windowed Metro feature, and presumably some other changes as well. We had originally heard that the Start menu wouldn’t be coming back until Windows 9, but perhaps its priority has been bumped up a bit — or, more likely, the exact product name/number is in flux.

Given Windows 8′s poor adoption and tarnished reputation, I wouldn’t be surprised if Microsoft rushes to release Windows 9 — but who knows, maybe it will stick to its guns and push out Windows 8.1 Update 2 later this year.

The original Windows 8 Metro interface screenshot that started this whole debacle, way back in June 2011

Earlier, as I told the other writers here in the ExtremeTech bunker about these changes, they all said exactly the same thing: It’s about damn time. Nearly everyone at ExtremeTech is a fan of Windows on the desktop, and thus the last three years have been painful to say the least. Right from the start, when Microsoft first unveiled the Metro-style Start screen in June 2011, I voiced my concerns about its poor suitability for mouse-and-keyboard use. For the first couple of years, Microsoft argued that it had done plenty of testing that proved people liked the Windows 8 interface, and that we’d eventually grow to like Metro. Now, almost three years on from its initial public preview, Microsoft is finally backing down on its touchscreen dream and trying to regain the love and trust of billions of desktop Windows PC users.


If you don’t want to wait for the nebulously scheduled future update that will bring the Start menu back, check out our list of third-party Start menu replacements — they’re all pretty good. Likewise, if you don’t want to wait to run Metro apps in a Desktop window, ModernMix has got you covered.

Source: http://www.extremetech.com/computing/179756-microsoft-finally-admits-defeat-will-bring-start-menu-back-in-future-windows-8-update

10 File Explorer Tips You May Not Know You Can Do in Windows 8.1

Because I deal with folders and files almost on daily basis, Windows Explorer, now called File Explorer in Windows 8, is still my best friend and the program I use the most on my day to day work. Guess what? I actually quite like what the new File Explorer offers. It’s powerful, smooth, efficient, and user friendly, even the Ribbon bar looks quite nice to me. You may not agree but let me share with you these tips you may not be aware that you can do in this version of File Explorer.

 

 

1. Things you can do with Easy Access

 

With Easy Access which you can find on Home Tab, you can

• Pin file/folder to Start (the Start menu, not Taskbar)
• Add file/folder to Library or Favorites
• Map a network drive
• Make file/folder offline, or Sync.

 

 

2. Invert selection

 

What is this Invert Selection anyway? Basically, it selects all items previously not selected. For example, you have spent quite a bit time selecting a lot of items from a large number of files or folders in a folder using a combination of Shift+Click and Ctrl+Click. Now, you realized you’ve made a mistake selecting the wrong item all along. And that’s when this Invert Selection comes to rescue. Simply click it and bang, all the items you previously wanted to select are all selected without going through again.
It’s available already in Windows 7 but it’s a lot easier in Windows 8.

 

 

3. Drop Files/Folder onto Address Bar to Copy/Move

 

The Address bar in Windows Explorer displays a detail folder path of the current folder you are in. Do you know in Windows 8 you can simply drag and drop the files or folders into the displayed folder name to do a file copy or move? For example, in the screenshot above, I can copy the file Blank.exe to Data folder by simply dragging and dropping it to Data folder in the address bar.
I found this feature is super handy to me, and I just love it.

 

 

4. Show and hide items a lot easier

 

Making a file hidden is a lot easier in the new Windows Explorer. You can find all the operations easily in View Tab, including Hide button, Show/Hide hidden items, Show/Hide extension names, and display the check boxes. Oh, you can even access the Folder Options right from there too.

 

 

5. Quick Access Bar

 

With Quick Access Bar, you shouldn’t have the accuse anymore that it’s not convenience to find what you want when needed. You can simply put the often used items to the Quick Access Bar which is always available either at the top of the window or below the Ribbon.

 

 

6. Native support of ISO image files

 

With this native support, I don’t need the 3rd party virtual drive to open my many ISO files anymore.

 

 

7. Delete file without confirmation box

 

It doesn’t really make sense having the confirmation box popping up asking “Are you sure” every time when we delete a file or folder when the items can still be recovered from the Recycle Bin, does it?
To disable the Confirmation box, right click the Recycle bin, choose Properties. And uncheck the option “Display delete confirmation dialog“.

/update on Nov. 26, 2013/

Alan Wade left a commend below raising a very good point that against the idea of disabling the confirmation of deleting file. If you have set the size of your recycle bin with a smaller size, any files larger than that size will get permanently deleted without going into the recycle bin. In that case, I agree that it might be a good idea leaving the confirmation window on to prevent something like this from happening.

 

 

8. SkyDrive and how to change the default location

SkyDrive is now tightly integrated in the system in Windows 8.1. The file sync is on by default and can be managed directly from PC Settings. Everything is done automatically, no more need for a separate client. But there is a small downside to this tightly integrated solution. If you are running Windows on a small capacity SSD, you will find the space would be filled up fairly quickly with SkyDrive sync’d files, even with the new feature called smart file that only downloads the files from SkyDrive when needed.
To change the default location of SkyDrive, go to File Explorer, right click SkyDrive from the left navigation panel, and choose Properties. Then change the default location in Location tab.

Change default SkyDrive location on Windows 8.1

 

 

9. How to open File Explorer as Different User

Running File Explorer as Administrator is fairly easy but not so much if I want to run it as a different user, which used to be fairly easy on Windows 7. But there is a workaround you can follow.

 

 

10. The hidden Exit Explorer option

Go to desktop in Windows 8 or 8.1, hold down Ctrl & Shift key and right click the blank space in Taskbar, and you will find it there.





And that’s it for now. As a bonus, in case you don’t know, the easiest way to open File Explorer on all Windows is to press Win + E.

Source: http://www.nextofwindows.com/7-windows-explorer-tips-you-may-not-know-you-can-do-in-windows-8/


And in another article:

Desktop Searching

Microsoft got rid of a lot of features in Windows 8, but they decided to keep the trusty old File Explorer on the desktop. From here, you can search just like you did before, but with a host of options for better finding what you need. Once you click on the search box, the Search tab will appear at the top with all your options.

When you begin typing in the search bar, options will appear for whichever folder you have selected. You can adjust where you search either by choosing a different folder or by navigating with the Location section of the Search tab. From here, you can choose to look in just the current folder or all the included subfolders, on This PC (which could take a while, as it scans everything), or search again in a different location or on the Internet (which will open Internet Explorer).

Under the Options section at the far right, you can choose to open the file location instead of opening the file directly, save your search for later (most helpful if saved to the desktop, but also viewable under Favorites in the File Explorer), view your research searches, or (under Advanced options) you can choose if it searches through file contents, system files, or zipped files, as well as choosing exactly which files are indexed.


The Refine section allows for much more customization to weed through the hundreds of options you may find for any search. Under Kind, you can sort by documents, pictures, music, etc.; under Size, you can sort by size in KB or MB; and  under Other properties, you can find options for tags, date taken, type, name, folder path, and rating.

When selecting these options, you can edit them by clicking just to the right of the search term that appears in the box. Above, I clicked just right of the word “month” to get this view of a calendar, so that I could adjust what date modified I was searching for. Plus, if you manage to memorize the search terms, you can type them yourself and completely bypass clicking in the Search tab.


Completed your search? Click the Close Search button at the far right of the Options section, and you’re done.

If you liked this, you’ll definitely want to improve Windows 8 with Win+X Menu Editor and some new Windows 8.1 tweaks.

Source: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/search-better-faster-windows-8/

Windows 9 coming in 2015, will try its hardest to distance itself from the Windows 8 train wreck

• By Sebastian Anthony on January 13, 2014 at 12:22 pm

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To distance itself from the Windows 8 snafu, Microsoft’s next major update — Threshold — will reportedly skip Windows 8.2 and jump straight to Windows 9. Windows 9 is expected to arrive in April 2015, with internal sources saying that Windows 9 will make good on many of the Windows 8 features that caused such cruel and unusual distress to Desktop users. The Start menu is expected to make its illustrious return, and you should be able to run Metro apps on the Desktop in windows. Microsoft is still on schedule to release Windows Phone 8.1 and a service/feature pack for Windows 8.1 at the Build conference in April.


This latest information comes from the ineffable and surprisingly handsome Paul Thurrott, who usually has pretty accurate sources when it comes to Microsoft leaks. We had previously heard about Threshold, but at the time we thought Microsoft would stick with the Windows 8 naming scheme. By moving to Windows 9, it definitely signals that Microsoft is looking to make drastic, significant changes. Windows 8 is almost completely characterized by the maligned Metro Start Screen. We would be surprised if Windows 9 did not change the primary interface in some way, so that it’s visually distinct from Windows 8 — so that users know that that it isn’t ewww Windows 8. Windows 9 might even boot straight to the Desktop, by default — at least on laptop and desktop PCs, anyway. (Read: How to bring back the Start menu and button in Windows 8.)





Windows 9 is also expected to feature Metro 2.0 — some kind of maturation of the current Metro design language that dominates the Windows 8 Start Screen and apps. It’s not immediately clear what Metro 2.0 will be exactly, but part of it appears to be the ability to run Metro apps in separate windows on the Desktop. Presumably, if Metro apps are going to be on the Desktop, they will also gain the ability to be controlled with a mouse and keyboard. (Navigating current Metro apps with your keyboard is unpleasant to say the least.) Windows 9 may also feature complete cross-platform app compatibility between Windows 9, Windows Phone 8.1, and the Xbox One — but really, it’s too early to tell at this point.

Steven Sinofsky, holding a Windows 8 tablet. The beginning of the end.

Thurrott’s other interesting tidbits revolve around April’s Build conference, which occurs a couple of weeks after the company finishes its huge internal reorganization. While the conference will be mostly focused on Windows Phone 8.1 and the Xbox One, there will apparently be a “vision announcement” for Windows 9 — something that we haven’t seen since 2003, when Microsoft unveiled Longhorn (which later became Vista). During Sinofsky’s rein, Microsoft’s Windows division has been incredibly secretive — this Windows 9 keynote probably won’t be quite as crazy and freewheeling as the olden days, but Microsoft hopes that it will enough to begin the process of healing the wounds left by Windows 8.


Of course, now that I mention Longhorn, it’s impossible to ignore the parallels between Vista and Windows 8. Both were victims of Microsoft’s long and slow development cycle: Slow and bloated Vista arrived just as netbooks were taking off, and Windows 8 — though its heart was almost in the right place — was a couple of years too late. Hopefully the successor to Windows 8 will be as good as good as Vista’s successor. Microsoft kind of needs a miracle for Windows Phone 8.1, too — if you think that adoption of Windows 8 has been bad, it’s even more anemic on the smartphone side of the equation. The next 12-18 months will be very important for Microsoft: It must either field a compelling OS and ecosystem for smartphones and tablets, or it runs the risk of fading into consumer obscurity.


Source: http://www.extremetech.com/computing/174583-windows-9-coming-in-2015-will-try-its-hardest-to-distance-itself-from-the-windows-8-train-wreck

Below are some Windows 9 concepts from the web....enjoy...

Microsoft is considering a free version of Windows 8.1, to increase its anemic market share

• By Sebastian Anthony on February 28, 2014 at 11:22 am

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Faced with poor adoption of Windows 8, and no clear sign that matters will improve any time soon, Microsoft is thinking about releasing a free or low-cost version of Windows 8.1 called “Windows 8.1 with Bing.” The theory is that, by providing a free (or perhaps low-cost) version of Windows 8.1, users of Windows XP, Vista, and 7, will finally be convinced to upgrade, driving up its anemic market share. Microsoft hopes to offset the massive loss of income by pushing more users towards services like Bing, OneDrive, and Office. This follows news from MWC 2014 that Microsoft is also considering a similar move for Windows Phone. Desperate times call for desperate measures.


News of Windows 8.1 with Bing comes from Wzor, a rather renowned Windows leaker from Russia. As it stands, this new build appears to be a fairly normal version of Windows 8.1 Update 1. Microsoft insiders tell ZDNet that Windows 8.1 with Bing “is key to Microsoft’s experimentation with monetization.” As for why there doesn’t yet appear to be any money-grabbing monetization, it’s likely that this is just a very early build. We have no idea if Windows 8.1 with Bing will debut at the same time as Update 1 (due to be released on April 8), or whether it’s following its own separate schedule.




The big question, of course, is how Microsoft actually intends to recoup the massive loss of revenue by giving away Windows 8.1 for free. There is some revenue to be gained from OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) and Skype subscriptions (both of which come pre-installed in Windows 8.1), but we’re talking relative peanuts to the billions of dollars that Windows licensing brings in per quarter. (Plus, OneDrive and Skype are available for all other Windows platforms anyway.) The most likely clue is the name of the build — Windows 8 has always had tight integration with Bing, and 8.1 Update 1 further cements it. Microsoft is working hard to make Bing much more than just a web search engine — some kind of deep-querying analytical engine that links together all of your Microsoft devices, services, and subscriptions — but still, we have no clue how Microsoft intends to make money from it. (Read: Windows 9 coming in 2015, will try its hardest to distance itself from the Windows 8 train wreck.)


Still, it’s significant that Microsoft is even looking at releasing a free version of Windows. If someone had suggested such an idea at Old Microsoft, they probably would’ve been fired. To be honest, at this point in Windows 8′s life cycle, and with the PC market continuing to fade, it’s probably not a bad idea for Microsoft to be exploring some drastic changes. Microsoft obviously needs to change something if it wants to continue competing in the PC and smartphone markets. If it has to give away its operating systems to grow its market shares until they’re non-trivial, then so be it. It’s not like Microsoft can’t afford to experiment for a while, especially if it’s a matter of life and death.

Source: http://www.extremetech.com/computing/177583-microsoft-is-considering-a-free-version-of-windows-8-1-to-increase-market-share

Windows 8 Factory Reset Tutorial - 2 Videos

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2Zaq6JG90A




Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSQEhYmz61M

Forget The End Of Life Woes: Windows 8 Has An XP Mode

XP Mode

Chris Hoffman

On 8^th April, 2014

Windows

Windows XP mode is restricted to Professional versions of Windows 7. Microsoft doesn’t officially support it on Windows 8, but there’s a way to get Windows XP Mode running on Microsoft’s latest operating system anyway. You won’t need a Windows XP disc or license key — just a computer running Windows 8.

Download Windows XP Mode

First, you’ll need to download the Windows XP Mode installer file from Microsoft. To download the file, you’ll have to validate your version of Windows. Microsoft won’t let you download this file if you’re using a pirated or improperly licensed version of Windows 8.
Choose to download the WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe file when prompted. Don’t actually run this installer when it’s downloaded — just download it.

Extract the Windows XP Image

You’ll need to extract files from the Windows XP Mode installer. For this job, we recommend the 7-Zip file archiver; it’s free and works well. Once the .exe file is downloaded, right-click it in File Explorer, point to 7-Zip, and select Open archive.

Double-click the sources folder inside the file and locate the xpm file. Drag and drop the xpm file from the archive to a folder on your computer to extract it.

Open the extracted xpm file with 7-Zip in the same way.

Locate the VirtualXPVHD file inside the archive and extract it to a folder on your computer in the same way.

This is a VHD — or virtual hard drive — file, so we should give it the correct file extension. Rename the file and add the .vhd file extension.

You can now delete the WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe and xpm files to free up space.

Boot Windows XP Mode

We now have a .VHD file we can boot in a virtual machine program. We’ll use VirtualBox for this because it’s free and runs on all versions of Windows 8. You could try booting this file in Windows 8′s Hyper-V virtual machine manager, but that utility is only available on Windows 8 Professional, so most people won’t be able to use it.
Download and install VirtualBox, if you haven’t already. Then click the New button to create a new virtual machine. Go through the setup process, selecting Windows XP (32-bit) as the operating system version.

Select as much memory as you like — VirtualBox recommends 192 MB, but your physical hardware probably has a few gigabytes to go around. You may need to allocate more memory if you’ll be running demanding applications in Windows XP Mode.

On the Hard drive screen, select Use an existing virtual hard drive file and navigate to your VirtualXPVHD.vhd file.

You can now boot your Windows XP Mode system by clicking the Start button in VirtualBox. You’ll have to enter a few details to finish setting it up, but you won’t have to go through the entire installation process or enter a product key. From here, the process is about the same as if you had installed Windows XP inside a virtual machine from a Windows XP disc. Install your old software that requires Windows XP inside the virtual machine.

Windows XP Mode is noteworthy because it lets you run Windows XP applications on the same desktop as your Windows 8 system, while VirtualBox will confine your entire Windows XP system and its applications to a window by default. To have your Windows XP applications run on a desktop, you can use VirtualBox’s seamless mode. First, you’ll need to select Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image and install the VirtualBox guest additions drivers and software utilities inside Windows XP. Next, you can click View > Switch to Seamless Mode to have Windows XP applications appear on your Windows 8 desktop.
Remember, Microsoft is ending support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014. They’re not supporting Windows XP Mode after then, either — that’s why Windows XP Mode isn’t officially part of Windows 8. Be sure to secure your Windows XP systems, even the ones running in virtual machines.

8 Geeky Ways To Customize Windows To Your Needs

  Aaron Couch

On 4^th April, 2014

Windows

Whether you’re a tech guru or you feel as if you’re hardly getting by on your computer, customizing Windows is for everyone. That’s right – even if you don’t feel as though you’re the “tech savvy” type, you should customize Windows. In fact, there’s a pretty good chance it’ll help you navigate your computer better. And thanks to the Internet, you don’t have to figure these customizations out yourself – we’ve covered a significant portion of them right here on MakeUseOf.

Manage & Enhance The Context (Right Click) Menu

If you thought your context menu could never be edited, you’ve been sorely mistaken. You have several options depending on how you’d like to customize it.

 

Remove Entries

 

One method is simply removing entries of the context menu. This is often overlooked as a method to speed up Windows. Below are two options we recommend:

• CCleaner (pictured below)
• ShellExView

 

Add More Functionality And Customize Programs

 

Finding the tool you’re looking for seems to always be a problem, no matter what type of computer you use, and with Windows 8 this is even more of an issue. Adding common programs you use and other shortcuts or functions can save time, headaches and increase your efficiency on tasks you find yourself constantly doing.
Your Menu (our review) is a great program for adding program shortcuts to the context menu, allowing you to access them with a simple right click on the Desktop.

If you want to do more than just add program shortcuts, I recommend the pro version of Right Click Enhancer (our review), which allows you to greatly extend the context menu’s functionality.

If you’re looking for more enhancements there are 7 awesome context menu tools you should check out.

 

Windows Taskbar Tricks

 

You may be aware of some of the tricks you can do with the Windows Taskbar, such as pinning folders to the Windows Explorer pop-up menu, which can be quite handy in cleaning up your desktop.

Other built-in functions include accessing programs’ additional functions by right clicking their icon, reducing the size of the Taskbar and icons to allow for more screen space, and organizing the icons in the Notification Tray.

This is by far not all the things you can do with the Taskbar. Further useful Taskbar tricks include disabling or changing the size of Aero Peek thumbnails, running applications with administrator privileges and the secret behind middle-clicking a Taskbar app icon.
7+ Taskbar Tweaker (our review) is the ultimate tool for adjusting the Taskbar exactly how you want it.

 

Add A Dock Or Replace The Taskbar Completely

 

Having a dock not only spices up the look and theme of your Windows PC, it adds awesome features, accessibility and can even be a taskbar replacement.
So what are your options when it comes to docks?

• RocketDock (shown above in combination with Stacks Docklet)
• ObjectDock (our review)
• Winstep Nexus (shown below)

If you’re interested in a different look altogether, perhaps one that’s not modeled after the Mac OS X dock, you should check out Circle Dock.

 

Switch Your Wallpaper… Automatically

 

How long have you had that wallpaper on your desktop? With all the awesome images both on the Internet and your own computer, why are you sticking with the same one day after day?
So how can you change your desktop wallpapers? You can try one of the following apps:

• John’s Background Switcher (our review) — which pulls images from different sources;
• Wallpaper Master – an advanced wallpaper manager
• Desktopper (our review) — a website that connects with Dropbox and relies on Windows’ native wallpaper changer
•  

Pulse (our review) and Wally (our review) are both great open source solutions full of functionality.

 

What About Finding Awesome Wallpaper?

 

If you’re stuck on what wallpaper you want to use, first I (again) recommend taking a look at Desktoppr – it has some incredible images. Below are some other great options.

• Tumblr blogs
• Flickr
• Cool 3D backgrounds
• “Socially Selected” Wallpaper: 4walled & Social Wallpapering

But we at MakeUseOf love variety, and so we have provided multitudes of options for finding awesome wallpaper.

• The Best Wallpaper Resources
• Funny Desktop Wallpapers

 

Personalize The Windows Logon & Start Screen

 

You have put up with that boring logon screen in Windows long enough – here’s how to give it your own spin and style. One of the most basic changes you can make is your profile picture, which Tina shows you how to do in her article of 5 cool ways to customize Windows 7.

  
The best ways to customize the Windows Welcome Screen:

• Logon Screen For Windows 7
• Windows 7 Logon Screen Tweaker
• Logon WorkShop

Alternatively, you can manually edit the Windows Logon Screen message and font with a program called Resource Hacker.
Windows 8 has several customizations built in on the Lock Screen where you can add your own background, choose an app to display a detailed status, decide which apps can run in the background, and show quick status and notifications.

Start Screen Tweaks:

• Rearrange the Start Screen with registry tweaks and utilities
• Create custom tiles

Furthermore, there are 10 Windows 8 Start Screen hacks such as running modern apps in the Desktop, adding shutdown shortcuts and moving the Start Screen onto the Desktop.
Lastly, if you absolutely hate the Start Screen you can completely disable the Modern User Interface.

 

Hack That Start Button

 

It’s no secret – removing the Start Button and the Start Menu in Windows 8 caused a lot of distress among Microsoft’s users. And when Microsoft added the Start Button back in Windows 8.1, they still left out the Start Menu. If you’re longing for the Start Menu on your Windows 8 machine, you have a few options:
Non-third-party software solutions:

• Build a Desktop Start Menu replacement – utilizes Windows 8.1 features
• Build a custom Start Menu using toolbars in the Taskbar
•  

While you’re moping about your missing Start Menu, go ahead and hold down the Windows Key + X.

Whoh! That’s new! Well, actually it’s been around since the beginning of Windows 8. This is known as the “power user menu” and although it’s awesome in itself, a third-party program called Win+X Menu Editor (our review) allows you to edit these shortcuts – a pretty nifty tool.

Third-party Start Menu options:

• Start 8
• Classic Shell (our review)
• Pokki (our review)
•  

What’s that? You say you’d rather get rid of the Windows Start Button? Well, don’t worry, you can still do that while having Windows 8.1.
If you’d like to change and customize the Start Button in Windows 7 we recommend a program aptly named Windows 7 Start Button Changer.

 

Change Up Your Mouse Cursor

 

A really simple option for customizing your PC is to change the mouse cursor from that plain and boring default one. There are two solid programs we recommend for this:

• RealWorld Cursor Editor (our review)
• CursorFX by Stardock (our review)

 

Complete Overhaul: Theme Windows

 

The final touch to personalizing Windows is a theme.
The non-third-party route:

• Windows 7′s default themes
• Windows 8′s built-in background and theme tweaks

Excellent Windows customization apps:

• Rainlendar (pictured below)
• Rainmeter

Whether your theme is aimed at having a minimalist Desktop (my preference) or adding several “moving parts” to your Desktop, there are plenty of ways to personalize your PC.

There are some amazing Windows 8 themes and also some pretty neat Windows 7 themes. Of course, the ones we covered are only a small amount of what’s available on websites like deviantART. Below is one of the many themes I’ve had.

In combination with themes, a great addition is to change the way Windows runs based on the time of day using tools like f.lux (our review), as well as many others.

 

Style In Combination With Functionality

 

There are some awesome tools you can use in combination with your customizations, that will add both functionality and style to your computer:

• Launchy (pictured below)
• Fences (our review)
• Color-coded folders
•  

There are so many excellent ways to customize Windows to make your computer more accessible. Whether you’re tech-savvy or have a hard time finding your way around the computer, there’s always the perfect customization option for you.Are you looking for even more tips and ideas on customizing Windows? Our in-depth Windows Customization guide is sure to answer all your questions.
What are your favorite Windows customizations? Do you have any additional tips and preferences to add? We always look forward to your feedback in the comments.

Source: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-geeky-ways-customize-windows-needs/