Computer E-Learning

Welcome to the Microsoft Windows 8 Essentials workshop. With an eye towards increasing mobility, Windows 8 was designed for PCs, as well as tablets and smart phones. This course will help you navigate a completely new type of operating system.

Windows 8 is a new operating system designed to work on a variety of devices, including PCs, tablets, all-in-one computers, and smart phones. In this module, we’ll look at the different versions of Windows 8 to determine which is right for your needs. Then we’ll learn how to install and set up Windows 8. We’ll take a look at the Start Screen and learn how to use Windows 8 with a touch screen. Finally, we’ll look at how to log in and how to shut down.

In this module, you’ll learn about the apps – or programs – that have been redesigned to work with Windows 8. First, you’ll learn how to open and close an app. You’ll also learn your way around the computer, now that there is no Start button. We’ll take a brief look at a few of the built-in apps in Windows 8, including the People app, the Mail app, the Internet Explorer app and the Music & Video apps. This module explains how to find programs that are not pinned to the Start screen. Finally, you’ll learn about the Windows Store, where you can update existing apps or download new ones.

This module introduces you to the desktop, which you may recognize from Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP. This version does not have the Start button, but many of the other features are the same or similar to before. This module explains how to open the desktop and introduces the desktop interface. You’ll learn about a number of desktop effects to help you multi-task. Finally, this module looks at how to open files with programs other than the default program.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use the taskbar to your advantage. Working with the taskbar includes rearranging the taskbar buttons, as well as making other changes to how the taskbar appears. This module explains how to pin apps to the taskbar for easy access to your favorite desktop programs. You’ll also learn how to take a quick look at the desktop by minimizing all open windows at once. This module explains how to use jump lists. Finally, you’ll learn how to customize the notification area.

The Charms bar helps you do things that you do most often on your computer. In this module, we’ll take a look at each of the items on the Charms bar: Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings.

You may be familiar with the File Explorer (as Windows Explorer) from previous versions of Windows. In this module, we’ll take a look at the new features. First we’ll look at how to work with the new File Explorer. You’ll also learn how to change the File Explorer view. This module explains how to sort and search for files. Then we’ll look at working with libraries. Finally, we’ll take a look at the SkyDrive, your place in the cloud for all of your files.

In this module, we’ll learn how to view the available networks in order to join them. You’ll also learn how to use a home group. Last, we’ll look at adding and removing devices to your PC.

First in this module, you’ll learn how to adjust the system volume and screen brightness. Then we’ll look at the Control panel, where you can make a number of changes to your computer. You’ll learn how to create and manage user accounts, as well as parental controls. Finally, we’ll look at how to remove a program that you no longer want on your computer.

In this module, you can really make your Windows 8 PC your own by customizing several different features. We’ll look at customizing the Lock screen. You’ll learn how to customize the Start screen as well as the tiles on the Start screen. Finally, we’ll look at customizing the Desktop background as well.

Module 11 helps you to understand your options for security and maintenance on your Windows 8 PC. First, we’ll look at the security features available in Windows 8. You’ll also learn how to use Windows Update. Next, we’ll take a look at the Action Center, where you can learn more about issues that may be affecting your computer. Then we’ll look at the Troubleshooting pane where you can further investigate problems with your computer. Finally, you’ll learn how to use System Restore to return your system settings to an earlier restore point.

Although this workshop is coming to a close, we hope that your journey to improve your Windows 8 skills is just beginning. Please take a moment to review and update your action plan. This will be a key tool to guide your progress in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. We wish you the best of luck on the rest of your travels!