Help me out with some Windows 8 basics

EdwardTeach · 5 Jan 2013 at 12:07

I have installed Windows 8 on my Dell Duo. The Duo is touchscreen so it was an obvious upgrade.

I could do with some pointers to help me make the most of it:

- Multiple user profiles - when I installed W8 it asked for an email address or Microsoft account, so I used my Hotmail address. Now when I turn on W8 I have to enter my Hotmail password and my emails appear on the start screen. This would be fine for some people but this is a shared computer and it makes it a bit unwelcome for my wife (plus I don't want her reading my emails!). I presume I can set up another user account for my wife, does she have to have a Microsoft account? she normally only uses gmail.

Also how does this affect "app" purchases from the store. Are they going to be tied to my profile or to the computer?

- Is there a user manual or video guide somewhere? I think I have worked out how to navigate metro, but I wouldn't mind some pointers on how to use it efficiently.

- Media player - I heard that media player is not included, and that wmc is free this month. Can I have a link please.

- any decent "apps"? (I hate that term!)

G-MAN2004 · 5 Jan 2013 at 12:10

You can request a free code for WMC through here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs

EdwardTeach · 5 Jan 2013 at 12:54

G-MAN2004 said:
You can request a free code for WMC through here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs

Thanks

nightmare99 · 5 Jan 2013 at 16:17

I presume I can set up another user account for my wife, does she have to have a Microsoft account? she normally only uses gmail.

You can create a local user account which is not tied to a Microsoft account, app purchased would be tied to the local account on the computer (they would normally be tied to your Microsoft account), you could create a Microsoft account for her and have her gmail appear in the mail app.

- Is there a user manual or video guide somewhere? I think I have worked out how to navigate metro, but I wouldn't mind some pointers on how to use it efficiently.

Have a look on youtube for videos from Microsoft build Windows 8

EdwardTeach · 6 Jan 2013 at 17:58

nightmare99 said:
You can create a local user account which is not tied to a Microsoft account, app purchased would be tied to the local account on the computer (they would normally be tied to your Microsoft account), you could create a Microsoft account for her and have her gmail appear in the mail app.

I am still a bit confused about this. If there is more than one user on the computer, will we have to purchase "apps" multiple times to use with different user accounts, or are the "apps" shared across all the accounts using the computer?

shuffle · 6 Jan 2013 at 18:10

Yes I've always hated the term 'Apps' especially as Microsoft now see fit to implement this way of thinking in Windows 8. I keep searching for a zx spectrum 'app' then it reminds me that the market place environment has a major flaw. People want freedom.
But its a brilliant OS, and very much enjoying using it.

Django x2 · 6 Jan 2013 at 18:14

Firstly, why wouldn't you want your wife to see your emails. Secondly, if you'd looked at the options on that screen and not rushed, you would have seen that you could have had a local account which needed no hotmail passwords etc and wasn't linked to anything. Just like the old times

EdwardTeach · 6 Jan 2013 at 20:59

Lucero said:
Firstly, why wouldn't you want your wife to see your emails. Secondly, if you'd looked at the options on that screen and not rushed, you would have seen that you could have had a local account which needed no hotmail passwords etc and wasn't linked to anything. Just like the old times

I am happy enough that my email is linked to my user profile.

My main question is, if I set up another profile for my wife would she be able to make use of any "apps" I purchase through the w8 store?

theheyes · 6 Jan 2013 at 21:41

Apps are linked to your Microsoft account and are essentially siloed from other users on a computer. What you could do for your wife is create a local user account for her and then add your credentials to just the Windows store app.

EdwardTeach · 6 Jan 2013 at 21:59

theheyes said:
Apps are linked to your Microsoft account and are essentially siloed from other users on a computer. What you could do for your wife is create a local user account for her and then add your credentials to just the Windows store app.

thanks, that is very helpful advice.

Is there much benefit to using a Microsoft account for myself?

theheyes · 6 Jan 2013 at 22:07

Well, you need one for downloading apps so that's reason alone to have one. Whether you want to sign in with it when you log in is a different matter, but the integration is pretty well done and it works a treat across PC/phone/tablet.