Gadgetory

with the introduction of Windows 8.1 Microsoft has introduced a number of options to help users fine-tune their experience I'm Donna Bell and today I'm going to show you four simple ways to save time in Windows 8.1 now if you're really not worried about strangers jumping onto your laptop one way to save yourselves from daily hassle is to disable the sign-on screen from the Start screen type net p/l whiz and choose the account you want to automatically sign in with and then uncheck the box for users must enter a username and password to use this computer click OK enter your password twice and then the next time you wake up your computer you'll just jump right in now if you want to boot straight into the desktop instead of the Start screen here's how from the desktop right-click on the taskbar and select properties click the tab for navigation and check the box for when I sign in or close all apps on the screen go to the desktop instead of the start and then hit apply now before you close out this window here's another tip the windows button has returned to the bottom left corner but it doesn't do what you think instead of acting as a shortcut for all your applications it toggles you right over to the Start screen booooo to get closer to that classic Windows Start button within that same navigation tab check the box for show the apps for you automatically when I go to start and hit apply the Start button will now toggle over to a list of all your apps traditionalists can go even further by checking the box at the bottom here to prioritize desktop apps in the list ahead of the more tablet eyes windows 8 widgets finally there are a dozen different ways to shut down Windows 8 but here's the absolute fastest no confirmation there's no menus no fuss hit the Windows key and the letter X and then tap the letter U twice done personally I rarely do a full shutdown on my computer so to modify this for sleep mode hit the Windows key and the letter X and then U and s for sleep so there you go 4 tips for streamlining your time on Windows 8.1 for a bonus tip Dennis O'Reilly full post over on CNET how to prasena calm and Donald Bell