Windows 8 is designed specifically for touch screen users’ convenience. Using a mouse in Windows 8, consequently, can get on your nerves at times since many age old (almost traditional) interfaces have been totally transformed.
Nonetheless, there are ways to get your mouse work fully to make use of all Windows 8 features. You will need to know Windows 8 thoroughly if you are using it on a PC rather than a touch device.
How To Use Windows 8 solely with a Mouse
Lock Screen Windows 8
Windows 8’s emphasis on touch screen use is clearly indicated by the lock screen feature since there is no unlock option to click anywhere over the screen.
Touch screen users just have to swipe on the locked screen to unlock it. Similarly, mouse users will have to drag on the screen for the same purpose. Pressing a key on the keyboard or using scroll wheel on the mouse might also work but there is no hint of it being successful.
Once the lock has been dragged away give your password to finally unlock the account.
New Start Button Windows 8
Befriend “Hot corners” in Windows 8 soon as you get your copy of this Operating System. No matter if you are using a Metro interface or desktop, hot corners are your most helpful feature.
The lower left corner of the screen includes the Start button you can access by moving the cursor to the corner and clicking Start screen.
If you are present at the Start screen on your windows, you can move back to the most recent app you used by going to the same left corner that works as a back button.
Switching Between Apps Windows 8
The upper left nook allows you to move between applications. To go back to the last application, click one time. If you observe the left part of your screen carefully, you will see other apps outlines.
If you wish to see all recently opened apps, move the cursor downwards. To access an app, click on it.
The complete desktop along with its applications are now displayed as one single thumbnail in the Switcher option. To move between desktop apps, press Alt –Tab or use desktop’s taskbar.
Charms Bar in Windows 8
To bring forward Charms bar, move the cursor to upper right or lower right corner. This will make the Charms slightly appear.
When you move the cursor upwards or downwards, the Charms bar will come into full view.
The common functions are given as charms options in the Charms bar like the Start charm navigates to Start screen and the rest of Search, Share, Devices and Settings options provide other commonly used operations. You can go to desktop settings directly by merely clicking on Settings charm from the bar.
Charms relate to the window you are currently on. For instance, if you are using the Metro interface of Internet Explorer and click Settings charm from there you will be directed to Internet Explorer’s settings.
Other computer settings are also displayed on the settings charm menu such as Power, network and other options.
Apps Bar Windows 8
Metro apps are full screen and let nothing else come in the way of your clear view. If you are using a Metro app like Internet Explorer, the app will take the complete screen without displaying any toolbar or other elements.
If you need to visit the app bar, right-click on the app and select from the options. For instance, for Metro-style Internet Explorer tab thumbnails are displayed at the top and browser tools at the bottom of the app.
Split-Screen Apps in Windows 8
You can use two Metro versions of applications at the same screen simultaneously. There is a limitation though, the smaller one will have a trimmed interface since two fully displayed apps cannot run on the screen at one time. For a split-screen option, your resolution should be set to a minimum of 1366 pixels wide.
From task switcher drag the app you want to run along with the current one and drop it on right or left side of the screen. You may also drag an app from its top and drop it on any one side of the screen.
You can decide how much space is given to each application by dragging the handle. To go back to a single app on the screen, move the handle to left or right side of the screen depending which app you intend to keep.
This procedure can be used for both style apps i.e. the Metro-style and desktop-style apps can be viewed at the same time.
Closing Metro Apps in Windows 8
Metro apps do not work like the desktop apps do. They stop taking up system resources when you are no longer using them since they get suspended. Therefore, there is no real need to close these apps. Still if you wish to manually close them then just drag it down from its title bar. It will convert into a thumbnail automatically.
When dragged to the lower part of the screen, the application will first shrink then go invisible and close when dropped.
Alternatively, you can use the task switcher at the left side to close an app. Right-click on the app thumbnail and click “Close” to shut it down.
Scrolling and Zooming in Windows 8
Metro and Start screen are focused on horizontal swipes on any touch screen used. For mouse users, the scroll bars come in handy that are present at the bottom of the screen. More convenient is to scroll with the mouse wheel that scrolls anywhere a scroll bar is seen.
The tiles can be arranged as you want them by simply dragging and rearranging or you can just right-click on any tile to select from a list of actions.
Zooming in and out of Start screen is fairly simple with touch screens as all you have to do is a pinching gesture.
The same can be achieved with a mouse in Windows 8 by clicking the small button displayed at the lower right corner of the Start screen.
It is fairly easy to rearrange groups of apps through simple drag and drop gestures on a zoomed out Start screen.
