Lock screen

The lock screen is a new feature introduced with Windows 8 that displays an image, the time and date, and can even show apps you want to show such as your calendar, messages, and mail while the computer is locked. The picture shows the Windows 8 lock screen.

Tip: To lock the computer and show the lock screen press the Windows key + L.

Changing the Windows 8 Lock screen

1. Open the Charms by moving the mouse to the right-hand side of the screen or pressing the Windows key + C keys on the keyboard.
2. In Charms click Settings.
3. In the PC settings menu click More PC settings at the bottom.
4. In Personalize under Lock screen select the picture you want to use for the Lock screen.

Tip: At the bottom of the Lock screen section is Lock screen apps, which allows you to add and remove apps from the Lock screen.

Getting out of the Lock screen

There are several ways to unlock the lock screen. Press the space bar, press enter, touch your finger and flip towards the top of the screen, or click your mouse and flick towards the top of the screen.

Charms

The Windows Charms is a new feature that was introduced with Windows 8 that gives you access to Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings. This menu appears when you move you mouse on the top right-hand corner of the screen and then move down or by pressing the Windows key + C on the keyboard. The black bar along the right-hand side of the picture below is an example of what the Windows Charms looks like when open.

Description of each of the Windows 8 Charms

• Search (shortcut: Windows key + F) - Find and open any program or file.
• Share (shortcut: Windows key + H) - Share and send links, photos, and more to your friends and social networks in the app currently open.
• Start (shortcut: Windows key) - Open the Windows 8 Start Menu.
• Devices (shortcut: Windows key + K) - List available devices, for example a second screen.
• Settings (shortcut: Windows key + I) - View Start Settings, view settings such as battery monitor, volume, brightness, notifications, and the power (to shutdown computer). In Settings you'll also find More PC Settings at the bottom of the menu, which gives you all available settings that can be adjusted.

Windows Store

The Windows Store or Store is a feature introduced with Windows 8 that allows users to find, buy, and sell their Apps for Microsoft Windows 8. The store supports both free and paid applications, with the paid applications ranging in prices between $1.49 to $999.99. Any developers who add their app can also have free trials.

• The official Windows store is found at http://www.windowsstore.com/ and can also be found by clicking the Store app in Windows 8.