Windows 8.1 How To

[waggythegeek]

So, as I am in the middle of making the quantum leap from non-techie to techie, I am full of questions. Here's a couple windows how-to questions:

How do I choose what programs run on start, and which don't?

How do I make it so that my desktop icons don't permanently slide around when I snap my desktop?

thanks guys!

[ionbasa]

So, as I am in the middle of making the quantum leap from non-techie to techie, I am full of questions. Here's a couple windows how-to questions:

How do I choose what programs run on start, and which don't?

How do I make it so that my desktop icons don't permanently slide around when I snap my desktop?

thanks guys!

For question 1:

For choosing the startup programs, you can open the task manager, and then select the startup tab. From there you can right click on a task and disable it if you want:

 

Unfortunately, I don't quite understand what you are trying to ask in question 2. I never had that issue with Windows 8.1 of my desktop icons rearranging?

 

Do the icons move around after a restart? Or do they move around when you snap a program to the screen?

[waggythegeek]

For question 1:

For choosing the startup programs, you can open the task manager, and then select the startup tab. From there you can right click on a task and disable it if you want:

 

Unfortunately, I don't quite understand what you are trying to ask in question 2. I never had that issue with Windows 8.1 of my desktop icons rearranging?

 

Do the icons move around after a restart? Or do they move around when you snap a program to the screen?

Thanks! When I snap my desktop, like, use it side-by-side with something like Skype, the Icons rearrange to all fit in the screen. Then, when I un-snap, they don't go back to normal.

[ionbasa]

Thanks! When I snap my desktop, like, use it side-by-side with something like Skype, the Icons rearrange to all fit in the screen. Then, when I un-snap, they don't go back to normal.

With modern-ui apps, you unfortunately cannot disable that feature. If you use a normal 'desktop' program, like chrome, it shouldn't rearrange the icons.

[waggythegeek]

For question 1:

For choosing the startup programs, you can open the task manager, and then select the startup tab. From there you can right click on a task and disable it if you want:

 

Unfortunately, I don't quite understand what you are trying to ask in question 2. I never had that issue with Windows 8.1 of my desktop icons rearranging?

 

Do the icons move around after a restart? Or do they move around when you snap a program to the screen?

Also, which of these are safe to disable?

[waggythegeek]

With modern-ui apps, you unfortunately cannot disable that feature. If you use a normal 'desktop' program, like chrome, it shouldn't rearrange the icons.

sigh... Stuff like chrome doesn't. will that be fixed in win10?

[ionbasa]

Also, which of these are safe to disable?

On Startup.PNG

If I were you, I would just go to the control panel and uninstall any extra utilities that you don't need. 

But, you are probably safe disabling:

Anything from Cyberlink, mcagnet (this seems suspicious), Lenovo battery management (Windows takes care of this by itself, its just bloatware), Cyberlink Youcam.

 

Also, just an FYI: Windows 8.1 has antivirus built in. Its Windows Defender. AVG is usually unnecessary. If you feel you need extra protection, many people recommend Malwarebytes AntiMalware.

[ionbasa]

sigh... Stuff like chrome doesn't. will that be fixed in win10?

Yes. Windows 10 actually runs modern apps in a window, and the aps can be resized normally without affecting the desktop.

[waggythegeek]

Yes. Windows 10 actually runs modern apps in a window, and the aps can be resized normally without affecting the desktop.

Ik, but what about desktop in tablet mode?

[ionbasa]

Ik, but what about desktop in tablet mode?

Just tried it. It doesn't resize the desktop:

 

I don't usually use tablet mode. Tablet mode seems to disable the desktop. But in normal mode, the start menu can be adjusted to be fullscreen. And in either case it doesn't resize the desktop.