The Woes of Windows 8... and how to fix them!

Have you been debating on whether or not you should get a computer with Windows 8? Why is Windows 8 so horrible?  Those of you that have Windows 8 understand why… Does your start screen look like this or worse?

Are you tired of trying to figure out how to get to the ‘Good ole Windows’ desktop?

I have a solution for you!  There is a program that I use called Classic Shell that brings back the old Windows 7 button and menu.  Classic Shell allows you to make your Start Menu look like this:

This program can be set up to perform just like the Windows 7 start menu, even the function of pressing the windows key to bring up the menu!

If you are interested in de-Windows 8-ifying your computer, here are the steps:

1) Download and install Classic Shell

a. Go to www.classicshell.net and click the “Download Now” button

b. Install Classic Shell by double clicking the file you just downloaded

2) After Classic Shell has installed, it should run. If it doesn’t automatically run, press your Windows button and type “Classic Explorer Settings” and press enter.

3) Once your settings window comes up, you can either tweak it how you like, or if you want to import the same settings that I have, continue to the optional step

Optional: Nate’s Settings

1) Download this XML file Nate's Settings and save it where you can locate it again

2) In your classic shell settings window, click the backup down arrow shown here:

3) Select “Load from XML File…” and navigate to where you downloaded the file from Step 1, select the .xml file and select “Open” and then click “OK” in your settings window.

Now you have the same settings that I do.  Classic Shell will act just like the old windows 7 start menu, you can drag and drop items, you can pin items to your classic shell start menu (Select “Pin to Start Menu (Classic Shell”).  

Another nice feature is if you would like a different start button, you can replace it.  What I do to replace it is search google for “Classic Shell Start Button” and find the one I like. The pictures that will work the best will show 3 types of the buttons like this:

Once you have picked the start button you would like:

1) Right click your start button and select “Settings”

2) Check the “Replace Start Button” box

3) Select the “Custom” radio button option and click “Pick Image…”

4) Navigate to where you have downloaded your picture, select it and click “Open”

5) You should see your start button change and you can click “OK” to close the Classic Shell Settings

I hope this makes your Windows 8 experience better.  If anyone needs help or has questions or suggestions, leave a post here.  Make sure to check up next time for the next tech tip!

Welcome to 404 The Tech - Multiple User Accounts for Windows Users

Before I begin writing about my tips for everyday computer use, maybe you ought to know a little about me and how I know that these tips really do work.  There are three things you should know about me:

1) I love tech. I often get that “look” from my wife because I ask to upgrade our computer or smartphones nearly every week (but hey, at least I ask right?).  I could easily spend hours just taking my computer apart to clean it, or reorganizing my file system.  I love tech.  

2) I have been working with computers my whole life. I installed my first hard drive and operating system (Windows 95) when I was about 10.  First thing I did as a married man right after the honeymoon was build us a computer from scratch. I did all the research and ordered the parts and put it all together.  My wife was more easily impressed back then. Since then I have built 4 more computers, each customized for a different situation.  

3) I work as a Helpdesk technician.  I am always fixing things on my co-workers’ computers… not just their computers at work mind you, their personal computers too.  I have also built and sold computers to people and then end up staying at their house for an hour giving them tips to make the computer last the way it was intended.  I love helping people, and I am very excited about this opportunity that I have to write and give tips to people that need to use computers, but don’t have the time or energy to research how to effectively use their computers.

 So, now that you know a little bit about me, here is my first tip for you:

Windows has the ability to have multiple accounts

For those of you that have children, spouses, or parents that seem to click just about everything they see on the web, this is for you.  Windows has the functionality of creating user accounts for multiple people… What does this mean exactly?  It means that you can set up each child with their own account and their own password; your kids will love this because they will think they have control, and this is where tip number two comes in: 

Make yourself an Administrator and all of your children (spouse, parents, roomies, etc) standard users.  This will make it so they can’t install games and crap that they find on the internet without your permission.  Because with you in control, you can keep your browser from looking like this:

Tip: Don't install Toolbars (most of them are useless and have malware)

Now you’re asking, “But if my kids have their own password, how can I monitor what they are doing?”  I’ve got a solution for that.  If you set yourself as the administrator, you can change their passwords at any time… like if you have a child that needs to get their homework done before playing games.

So now you might be saying “OK, this sounds great, but how do I do it?”  Well, young grasshopper, that is why I am here.

STEP 1 KNOW YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM

Whether it be Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows 8.  Find out by pressing the Windows Key (bottom left hand side in between Ctrl and Alt) and the Pause|Break key (Just above the number pad on the right side of the keyboard) at the same time.  A window will pop up and will look like any of these 3 pictures:

Windows XP

This could be Windows XP Home, or Professional

Windows 7

This could be Windows 7 Home, Professional, or Enterprise

Windows 8

This could be Windows 8, 8.1, 8 Pro, or 8.1 Pro

Each Operating System will need to follow slightly different steps.

MULTIPLE USERS FOR WINDOWS XP

MULTIPLE USERS FOR WINDOWS 7

MULTIPLE USERS FOR WINDOWS 8

Tip: You can install a program while logged on as a Standard User in Windows 7 and Windows 8, however you will have to enter your username and password to do so (it will pop up with a box asking for a password when you try to install something).

Having multiple users for a family will make it so that if another user on the computer does something to their browser (such as making their homepage yahoo), it won't affect your browser because you are on a different account.  It also makes it so that another user cannot accidentally delete your important documents.  My wife and I have separate accounts so that she can sign into her google chrome easier and not affect mine.

I hope this helps you with your computer woes.  If you have a question or a particular thing you want me to write about, comment on this article.  Make sure to check back next week for another tip!