6 Simple Mouse Gestures to Help You Navigate Windows 8
When Microsoft released Windows 8 they knew it would cause a
storm amongst critics and divide experts as to whether it was the way forward
in operating system design or the next Windows Vista. Early reviews suggested
that it was a bit of both, with many features being praised whilst others,
notably the lack of an integrated start bar on the desktop, were scolded for
making Windows 8 difficult to navigate for people used to the familiar UI of
old.
Select or Perform an
Utilizing commands
Dragging icons and
Switching between
Finding recently used
storm amongst critics and divide experts as to whether it was the way forward
in operating system design or the next Windows Vista. Early reviews suggested
that it was a bit of both, with many features being praised whilst others,
notably the lack of an integrated start bar on the desktop, were scolded for
making Windows 8 difficult to navigate for people used to the familiar UI of
old.
Whatever the case may be, Windows 8 is here to stay for a good
few years before we get any hint of a Windows 9 being released, and until then
it will pay off in the future to make yourself accustomed to Windows 8
mastering mouse gestures in order to increase your productivity and have a more
enjoyable time on your machine. This especially rings true if your monitor or
laptop is not touch screen enabled.
few years before we get any hint of a Windows 9 being released, and until then
it will pay off in the future to make yourself accustomed to Windows 8
mastering mouse gestures in order to increase your productivity and have a more
enjoyable time on your machine. This especially rings true if your monitor or
laptop is not touch screen enabled.
Find below 6 simple and easy mouse gestures which will help
you make the most of Windows 8. If you are a new user of Windows 8, be sure to
bookmark this post for further reading in the future. Enjoy!
you make the most of Windows 8. If you are a new user of Windows 8, be sure to
bookmark this post for further reading in the future. Enjoy!
Select or Perform an
action
Performing an action in Windows 8 is essentially exactly the
same as in Windows 7, Vista or XP. All you need to do is right-click anywhere
to see commands, of which will be different depending on what you right click
on. Files with have different options available compared to apps, for example.
same as in Windows 7, Vista or XP. All you need to do is right-click anywhere
to see commands, of which will be different depending on what you right click
on. Files with have different options available compared to apps, for example.
Utilizing commands
for apps
This is really easy. When on the default Windows start
screen, i.e. the app based interface, right click on any app to see a list of
options. Usually this includes turning live tile off, uninstalling an app, or
changing the size of the tile to suit your tastes.
screen, i.e. the app based interface, right click on any app to see a list of
options. Usually this includes turning live tile off, uninstalling an app, or
changing the size of the tile to suit your tastes.
Dragging icons and
apps
Have you ever used a touch screen smartphone? On most,
dragging apps and icons requires you to hold and drag them. It is exactly the
same in Windows 8 with your mouse, Left click and hold any app you like and drag
them around to your heart’s content.
dragging apps and icons requires you to hold and drag them. It is exactly the
same in Windows 8 with your mouse, Left click and hold any app you like and drag
them around to your heart’s content.
Switching between
apps
You do not have to repeatedly return to your tile interface
to access an app you were just in. To switch between apps, simply hover your
mouse curser in the top left corner of your display and all of your recently
opened apps will be there waiting for you.
to access an app you were just in. To switch between apps, simply hover your
mouse curser in the top left corner of your display and all of your recently
opened apps will be there waiting for you.
Finding recently used
apps and accessing search
The biggest change to Windows 8 is finding recently used
programs and apps. To do this, drag your mouse curser up to the top right of
your screen and by default it will pop up search, share, start, devices and
settings. Click any of these to open.
programs and apps. To do this, drag your mouse curser up to the top right of
your screen and by default it will pop up search, share, start, devices and
settings. Click any of these to open.
Zooming in and out
This is an essential feature for anybody who has display
issues or less than ideal eye sight. To zoom in and out of web pages, as well
as some apps, simply hold [Ctrl] and scroll with your mouse wheel. This is a
simple solution for web pages with extremely small text.
issues or less than ideal eye sight. To zoom in and out of web pages, as well
as some apps, simply hold [Ctrl] and scroll with your mouse wheel. This is a
simple solution for web pages with extremely small text.
Overall Windows 8 was designed to be used either alongside a
touch screen display or by mouse. Some would testify that using Windows 8 with
a touch screen is the best way to make full use of Windows 8 and its
capabilities, however for some, the notion of using a touch screen in their
office for real work doesn’t seem that productive. Either way with the mouse
gestures above using Windows 8 does not have to be as drastic a change from
Windows 7 as you may think.
touch screen display or by mouse. Some would testify that using Windows 8 with
a touch screen is the best way to make full use of Windows 8 and its
capabilities, however for some, the notion of using a touch screen in their
office for real work doesn’t seem that productive. Either way with the mouse
gestures above using Windows 8 does not have to be as drastic a change from
Windows 7 as you may think.