Secrets you don't know. Deep parsing. Win 8.1 hides new features.

You must have been familiar with Windows 8.1. The biggest change is the regression of the Start button and Bing's control over the search toolbar and customized split screen functions. But do you understand some minor features of the new operating system? Although these details are not as dazzling as Windows 8 Application synchronization and IE11 tabs support a variety of devices, they are very useful and considerate. These hidden new functions exist in an inconspicuous corner of Windows 8.1. Unless you have a deep understanding of the new system or read this article, it is difficult for you to discover them all at once.

Shutdown From start

First, let's start with some basic but not so obvious functions.

Yes, the start button is back, but the Start Menu does not. Therefore, if you do not know the secret of the Start button, you may need to find it in the Charm column for a long time before closing your computer. So what is the secret about the start button?

When you move your mouse to the start button in the lower left corner and right-click the button, a group of options will pop up, including the ability to quickly connect to normally hard to find, such as disk management, command line tools, and shutdown and restart options.

In addition, no matter what program you are using, you just need to press and hold the start button for about one second with your finger, the pop-up option will show you whether to turn off or restart your computer, this saves you the trouble of hiding menus.

Directly start to the desktop or application

For a loyal fan of a desktop operating system, what I will talk about next is a bit unbelievable. You must have heard that Windows8.1 can enable users to directly access the desktop after startup, right? But it is clear that Microsoft doesn't want you to do this because this option is buried in the corners of the operating system.

How to use this function? Open to the desktop, right-click the taskbar (the attribute option of the taskbar is another old friend with slightly changed appearance), select properties, and open a new navigation label. Here you will find the options for directly starting the desktop or application. This is an amazing setting! Of course, other options are also very useful. For example, there are new options for prohibiting top hot zones. These options can also be found in the PC setting of Modern-style, but there are also many options about the Start Screen that can only be found here.

Open IE11 of Metro version in multiple windows

When you are playing with the new features brought about by Windows8.1, don't forget that now you can open the same application in multiple split screen Windows, which is not implemented in the previous Windows 8.

However, even though I have made a lot of effort, I have not been able to find this function in the Windows 8.1 preview. Open the same application on both sides of the screen, and one on the other -- it does not work.

But Modern IE does. You can open multiple instances in Internet Explorer 11 of Modern. If you have opened multiple tabs in an instance, hold down one of the tabs for a long time, and then you can re-open the tab in the new pop-up instance window. Similarly, if you hold down a link on the web page for a long time, a window consisting of multiple options will pop up at the bottom of the screen, including "open this tab in the new instance window ".

When this option is selected, the current page (or the selected link page) appears in the new IE11 window instance. Windows8.1 Automatically splits the two windows into 50/50 la S.

Sky DriveSynchronization

SkyDrive plays a very important role in Windows 8.1. It carries Microsoft's vision of seamless connection on the cloud.

As a matter of fact, because SkyDrive is so important for Windows, Microsoft left a large block for it in the PC settings of Modern style. With a large number of settings, You can synchronize data between different devices! However, if you really want to enjoy your life in the cloud, you still need to find options at several layers and then perform operations.

Open the Charm toolbar and choose "Settings"> "Change PC Settings ". Open the SkyDrive option and select a file from the menu.

In this way, your computer can automatically store images in documents and camera folders to SkyDrive by default. If you want to, you can use any Windows 8 device to connect to SkyDrive to view images, which is as simple and convenient as using your computer.

Quiet HoursSet

It's not easy to have a day, especially when your Toolbar keeps jumping out of reminders. Windows 8 has embraced the reminder feature like Apple and Android, making a sound or illuminating your screen lock page. Fortunately, Windows8.1 provides you with a brand new Quiet Hours setting option to block annoying reminders.

Similarly, this setting is also hidden. Open the settings sidebar and find "Change PC Settings"> "Search and application"> "Reminder ". Scroll down until you see the "Quiet Hours" setting option. In Windows8.1, the system sets the period from midnight to AM as the quiet time by default, but you can modify the period at will.

How to manage applications

The Modern applications floating on the Windows 8 interface really upset me. Of course, they do not mean that they are crowded together (the same is true for Windows8.1), but because in traditional desktops, you cannot find them in the file manager, file structure, and control panel program management.

However, Windows8.1 has improved this. Open "Search and application" Settings again, select "application size" in the left-side menu, and a list will be displayed, shows all the applications you have installed and the storage space occupied. If you want to clear some disk space, you can select an unwanted application and then the delete option is displayed.

WirelessMiracast pairing

People do not like wired connections, and Windows 8.1 does not. Like Android 4.2, Microsoft's OS update includes comprehensive support for Miracast, an immature Wireless Display Technology standard. Similar to Apple's AirPlay technology, Miracast can achieve wireless synchronization between computers and TV screens.

However, because Miracast technology is too new, you may not be able to find devices such as televisions with this function around your life. Don't worry, you can purchase a Miracast receiver with an HDMI interface, so that you can transmit the TV program to a Miracast compatible display device. Especially when Microsoft's Xbox One game host is available by the end of this year, it will be equipped with a full-featured Miracast receiver, which will further deepen the collaboration between Windows 8.1 and Xbox.

If you want to connect a Windows 8.1 device to a Miracast receiver, you can find the options in the settings of mordern-style PC. You can also select a simpler method to open the charm column of the device, select project> Add a display. If there is a Miracast display device nearby, Windows 8.1 will be able to find it.

About Printing

Windows8.1 has brought about a series of improvements in dealing with endless printer devices. This includes adding drivers and native APIs to support 3D printers. We hope this will make 3D printing technology as simple and popular as 2D printing technology, rather than just staying on the experience of a few technical experts.

Our idea is that you can use the print option on the charm bar to apply the 3D printer directly to your life. Therefore, if Microsoft supports printer software, you can print it directly on such a fresh and modern interface. In Windows 8.1, see how to connect to the MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printer.

In addition, Windows 8.1 supports connections to NFC printers. If both your Windows computer and your printer are equipped with an NFC module (although there are few at present), you just need to briefly describe one of the devices to touch the other device gently, it can automatically identify and print connections.

If NFC or 3D printer is not realistic for you, I think you will be glad to hear that windows also supports Wi Direct printing. What does it mean? Simple: you can connect to a printer that supports Wi-Fi Direct without having to use a Wi-Fi network or install any software. The specific connection procedure depends on the printer and the Windows 8.1 device you are using.

The above is a preliminary mining and introduction to some hidden functions of Windows 8.1 preview edition. If you and your Geek friends find any interesting functions and applications, leave a message in the comment.