Monday, July 14, 2014

Finding Device Settings In Windows 8 And Windows 8 RT OS

The Windows OS users are familiar with the Microsoft Help & Support button, normally found in the OS Start Menu. This Help and Support button takes you to the OS wizard, where you can find the links, tools and tutorial articles for dealing with the different OS problems, like where to find the OS options and features, how to connect devices to the system, etc.

A similar Microsoft Help & Support option is present in the Windows 8 OS as well. Since Microsoft has removed the Start Menu from the new OS UI, it is not found in its usual place. All you need to do is just type the word Help from the Start Screen to the search function and you will soon the Help and Support link among the search results. Using the Help and Support app, you can easily figure out the different options and features in the Windows 8 OS.

About the Device settings in Windows 8 OS

The Device Manager option in the old Windows operating systems was very simple to use. A similar option is available in the Windows 8 versions as well. In Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you can use the PC Settings function to access the Device Manager options and settings. You just need to swipe to the right edge of the screen to launch the Charms bar.

Among the Charms bar options, click on the Settings button. Here, click on the Change PC Settings option to launch the PC Settings menu on the screen. In the PC Settings menu, you will see many options for managing the OS settings. You need to click on the Devices option from this list. In Windows 8.1, there is a small change in these settings. You will find a separate PC and Devices settings and from there, you have to click the Devices option and so on.

This will take you to the Device settings page, where you will see the option for adding a new device to the system, as well as a list of the all the devices you have currently installed in your system. You can change the configuration settings of any of these devices or add a new device to the systems using these options. This feature works just like the Device Manager function in the old Windows operating systems.

If you have any doubts regarding these Windows 8 options, visit the Microsoft support website online.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Tips For Finding And Connecting With Friends In Xbox Live

Xbox Live is an application from Microsoft, which helps a user to carry out variety of functions including chatting, playing games with your friends etc. Finding friends for an online game is the best feature that you can find in the Xbox Live application. An online gaming medium is necessary when you are far from your friends. It is easy to find friends and connect using Xbox Live. Well, given below are some easy instructions given by the Windows Live chat support team to find and connect with friends using Xbox Live.

Sending a friend request

  1. Start the process by logging in to the Xbox Live and navigate to the option called Social. From there, you need to choose the option called Friends followed by clicking Add Friend. 
  2. Now, you need to type the gamertag of the user whom you wish to add. After that, select the option called Done. 
  3. Next, you need to choose either 'write your own' or the 'standard message' option followed by selecting the option called Send Request.
Viewing a friend’s profile
  1. Again, you need to log in to your Xbox Live account and find your way to the option called Social. 
  2. Next, you need to select the option called Friends and to see their profile, you need to click the friend’s avatar. To select their gamer card, you need to press A. 
  • Personal Profile- This includes the personal and gamer card information of your friend and this information includes location, bio and full real name.
  • Gamer Profile- Here you can file a complaint, play a game, join a party, compare scores, send a message to your friends, invite your friends for a chat or delete a friend from the friend’s list.
Removing a friend
  • Start the process of removing a friend by signing in to the Xbox Live account. 
  • Next, you need to press the button called Guide from your controller. 
  • After that, you need to click the option called Friends. 
  • Now, you need to choose the gamertag of the user whom you want to delete or remove from your friend list. 
  • Confirm the action of removal by selecting the option labeled Remove Friend. 
These instructions provided by the Windows Live Chat support team will help you to find friends and connect with them using Xbox Live. For more assistance, contact our Windows support number.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Update To Bing Maps Adds Slew Of Features

The update for Bing Maps for Windows 8.1 is ready for download. Microsoft claims that the update has added a number of options that its software development team has been designing for the last few months. Although the update has nothing to do with improving Windows 8 features, it is a temporarily relief for those who complain about the scarcity of Windows 8 apps and features on the new devices.

New features added to Bing Map

The features the update has added to Bing Map include integration of TripAdvisor, Yelp, personalized recommendation, list and details of cities in 3D, static search box and roaming favourites. The update is available in Windows Store. So, go to Windows Store and download it right away to have a glimpse of the new Bing Map.

Auto-suggest in Bing Map

Another interesting thing with the updated Bing Map is its streamlined auto-suggest feature. For instance, when you type something in your Bing Search box, your past searches of addresses and locations will be popped up, simplifying the searches in a more personalized way. If you added any places or addresses to your favourite lists, the search would become even simpler. You will also be alerted about the popular places you might be interested to visit nearby the searched locations.

Integration with TripAdvisor and Yelp
The updated Bing Map is integrated with TripAdvisor and Yelp. Both of these utility services are favourites of most travellers. The integration of these services with Bing Maps can help you get professional advice regarding the nearby places you must visit when you make a trip to a particular place. It will also help you find a list of feasible accommodation facilities nearby the places you visit.

Roaming favourites

The roaming favourite option with Bing Maps allows you to access the favourite list you have created in your Bing Maps app on any of the Windows device you use. So, if you can’t access your Windows powered laptop or tablet, no need to worry. Simply switch on your Windows mobile and access the favourite list. In order to enjoy this feature, you must enable it. For this, launch the updated version of Bing Maps, navigate to the Settings, and select the option that says Personalization.

Hope you got some info about the Bing Maps update now. Obviously, it is one of the simplest ways to improve your Windows 8 features.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Microsoft Looks To Resolve Window 8 Ban In China

If you’re in the mainland China and looking to install Windows 8 operating system on your computer, then there is some good news for you. Recently the Chinese government had released a new law banning the latest operating system from Microsoft, and the company has been looking to work out something with the government. The Chinese government issued a ban on using Windows 8 computers on state-owned machines. This move was made from the Chinese government as a counterstrike on Microsoft for taking out the support provided for Windows XP computers that most of the Chinese people use.

As of now, the officials from Microsoft are working hard to make the government revoke the ban on Windows 8 operating system. Joanna Li of Microsoft commented on the issue as follows, “Microsoft has been working proactively with the Central Government Procurement Center and other government agencies through the evaluation process to ensure that our products and services meet all government procurement requirements. At the same time we are working on the Windows 8 evaluation with relevant government agencies.”

Central State Organs of Government Procurement Center first issued the ban through an official notice that read, “All computer products are not allowed to install Windows 8 operating system.” Luckily for Microsoft the ban does not say anything about the Windows 8.1 operating system. This means that there is no ban on the Windows 8.1 operating system even though it is a revamped version of the Windows 8 operating system. The main reason that the government officials state for banning the operating system is the security issues found in the new operating system.

One good thing is that even though you are banned from installing the Windows 8 operating system, you still have the Windows 7 operating system, which still has a seven more years of support that is until 2020. However, it is advised that you take into account the use of Google’s Chrome operating system as an effective replacement to the Windows XP operating system. Some of the government agencies in the UK have already made the switch to Chrome books, and they state a significant amount of cost savings from the switch.

With their client base set to deplete due to the current ban, Microsoft will be looking to bring a workaround into play, or to placate the Chinese government and have them rescind the ban.