{"id":30124,"date":"2012-10-26T17:00:55","date_gmt":"2012-10-26T15:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/?p=30124"},"modified":"2025-07-02T01:42:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T08:42:42","slug":"essential-guide-to-windows-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/essential-guide-to-windows-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential guide to Windows 8"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Microsoft&#8217;s most ambitious operating system since Windows 95 is out today! Although there is a high learning curve to Windows 8, our editors have put together a great series of guides that walk you through how to use just about every feature in Windows 8.<\/p>\n<p>Here you&#8217;ll find in depth articles about the new Charms Bar, how to get the Start menu back, and how to backup before upgrading to Windows 8. There&#8217;s tons of information to get you ready for upgrading and getting to know the new operating system.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ll be updating this post with more Windows 8 guides and coverage in the next week so remember to check back here. Without further ado, here&#8217;s our essential guide to all things Windows 8.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/10-best-windows-8-apps\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30402\" title=\"top 10 windows 8 apps\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/top-10-apps1.png\" alt=\"top 10 windows 8 apps\" width=\"600\" height=\"239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/top-10-apps1.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/top-10-apps1-300x119.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-vs-windows-rt-which-version-is-right-for-you\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30403\" title=\"windows 8 vs windows RT\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/windows-8-vs-windows-RT1.png\" alt=\"windows 8 vs windows RT\" width=\"600\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/windows-8-vs-windows-RT1.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/windows-8-vs-windows-RT1-300x166.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/5-reasons-to-upgrade-to-windows-8\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30404\" title=\"5 reasons to upgrade to Windows 8\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/5-reasons-to-upgrade.png\" alt=\"5 reasons to upgrade to Windows 8\" width=\"600\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/5-reasons-to-upgrade.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/5-reasons-to-upgrade-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-guide-add-a-start-menu-to-windows-8\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30405\" title=\"Windows 8 guide start menu\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/Windows-8-guide-start-menu.png\" alt=\"Windows 8 guide start menu\" width=\"600\" height=\"330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/Windows-8-guide-start-menu.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/Windows-8-guide-start-menu-300x165.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-guide-how-to-install-windows-8\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30406\" title=\"How to install windows 8\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/How-to-install-windows-8.png\" alt=\"How to install windows 8\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/How-to-install-windows-8.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/How-to-install-windows-8-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/5-reasons-not-to-upgrade-to-windows-8\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30407\" title=\"5 reasons not to upgrade\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/5-reasons-not-to-upgrade.png\" alt=\"5 reasons not to upgrade\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/5-reasons-not-to-upgrade.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/5-reasons-not-to-upgrade-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/how-to-prepare-for-a-windows-8-upgrade\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30408\" title=\"prepare for Windows 8 upgrade\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/prepare-for-Windows-8-upgrade.png\" alt=\"prepare for Windows 8 upgrade\" width=\"596\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/prepare-for-Windows-8-upgrade.png 596w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/prepare-for-Windows-8-upgrade-300x233.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 596px) 100vw, 596px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-guide-in-depth-look-at-the-charms-bar\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30409\" title=\"Charms bar\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/Charms.png\" alt=\"Charms bar\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/Charms.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/Charms-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-guide-uninstall-an-app-on-the-windows-8-modern-ui\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30410\" title=\"uninstall apps\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/uninstall-apps.png\" alt=\"uninstall apps\" width=\"600\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/uninstall-apps.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/uninstall-apps-300x166.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/how-to-install-an-app-on-the-windows-8-modern-ui\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30411\" title=\"installing apps\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/installing-apps.png\" alt=\"installing apps\" width=\"600\" height=\"435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/installing-apps.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/installing-apps-300x217.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-guide-the-new-modern-ui-control-panel\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30412\" title=\"windows 8 control panel\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/control-panel.png\" alt=\"windows 8 control panel\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/control-panel.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/control-panel-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-guide-integrating-social-media-and-services\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30413\" title=\"social media and services\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/social-media-and-services.png\" alt=\"social media and services\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/social-media-and-services.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/social-media-and-services-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-guide-touch-commands\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30414\" title=\"touch commands\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/touch-commands.png\" alt=\"touch commands\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/touch-commands.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/touch-commands-300x187.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-guide-how-to-control-windows-8-with-a-mouse-and-keyboard\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30415\" title=\"mouse and keyboard\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/mouse-and-keyboard.png\" alt=\"mouse and keyboard\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/mouse-and-keyboard.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/mouse-and-keyboard-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/windows-8-guide-how-to-configure-your-windows-live-account\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30416\" title=\"configure windows account\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/sign-in.png\" alt=\"configure windows account\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/sign-in.png 600w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2012\/10\/sign-in-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Microsoft&#8217;s most ambitious operating system since Windows 95 is out today! Although there is a high learning curve to Windows 8, our editors have put together a great series of guides that walk you through how to use just about every feature in Windows 8. Here you&#8217;ll find in depth articles about the new Charms &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/essential-guide-to-windows-8\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Essential guide to Windows 8&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2033,"featured_media":30149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":0},"categories":[],"tags":[2564],"usertag":[],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-30124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-app-subdomain-redirectionwindows-8"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2033"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30124"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":333575,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30124\/revisions\/333575"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30124"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=30124"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=30124"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=30124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}