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  • Posted October 25, 2013


    Windows 8.1 Pro is pretty much just like Windows 8 Pro.
    With more speed, less resources being used, quicker click speed!

    Windows 8 tips & tricks
    http://happyasis.com/forum/thread/97/happy-as-is-windows-8-help/

    You do get IE (Internet Explorer) 11!
    But it still only beats Safari in HTML5 score 355 out of 500 :(

    Be sure to re-install your Video & Sound drivers, after the upgrade.
    If you are upgrading from Window 8, Windows 8 Pro.


    Slight change in colors on your metro screen.


    Windows File explorer now gives you the option to hide Favorites & Libraries.
    Open Windows file explorer, click View, un-check Favorites & Libraries.


    But you are stuck with Windows Media Center and 6 new annoying folders.
    Haven't found a hack to remove them yet. :) So you lose 2 and gain 7!


    And yes annoying Homegroup stays there even when you disable it in system services. :)


    But not all is lost! Windows 8.1 adds a little Windows Logo to the bottom left of your task bar!
    Because it's just to hard to push that Windows Key on the keyboard. Yes I will be looking for
    the hack to remove that!



    New System, Installing or Upgrading to Windows 8.1 Pro
    If you're using Windows 8 Pro the upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro is free. You can find it on
    your Metro Screen under the store app. If it's not listed under FREE, you will be charged for
    the upgrade. Also make sure you have Windows Update KB2871396 installed. If that update is
    not installed the free upgrade will not show up.

    When upgrading Microsoft will try to force you into logging into a Windows Live account every
    time you start your computer. If you don't have one you can create one. There are some perks,
    you can sync all your settings and data across all Windows 8/8.1 machines. Windows 8 lets you
    sync personal settings account picture, colors, lock screen, desktop background,
    desktop themes, passwords, language preferences, app settings, IE 11 settings and history and
    favorites...

    I have a Windows Live ID. No way do I want to be connected to Windows Live the whole time I'm on
    my computer. Plus I use crazy passwords 16 or more characters! I want to just use my local account.

    So here is how to use your local account. :) (while you're installing)
    When you see this Choose "Create a new account"


    Then click Sign in without a Microsoft account. If you are upgrading or setup the local account
    while installing, it will now default to your local account.


    If you have already installed & setup a Windows Live ID to sign in on, don't worry, you can change it.

    Open PC settings, move mouse pointer to the upper or lower right-corner of the screen, click
    Settings


    Then click Change PC settings. You can also simultaneously press Windows
    logo key and I key to open Settings, then click Change PC settings.


    On the left of PC settings, click Accounts to see your Microsoft account ID and account
    picture on the right-side.


    On the right, click Disconnect that appears just below your Microsoft account name and ID.


    To open switch to a local account screen.
    Enter your Microsoft account password and then click Next.


    Next enter a user name for your local account, a password to protect your account, re-enter the
    password, and password hint then click the Next button.


    Click Sign out and finish button to switch from your Windows Live account to the local account.
    Now you can sign-in using this local account.

    Any questions just ask :)
  • Posted December 20, 2013
    Works in Windows 7, 8 or 8.1
    How to get the pictures out of installed background themes.

    1. double click and install the theme.

    2. Change your folder view settings
    "View Hidden,files, folders and drives - View protected operating system files"

    3. go to this location
    C:\Users\YOUR USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\THEME NAME\DesktopBackground

    Then just copy & paste any pictures you want from there.
  • Posted May 31, 2014
    If you are/were using SkyDrive/OneDrive in Windows Vista, 7 or 8.
    Then upgraded to Windows 8.1 :( Microsoft will try to force you into logging into your
    "Microsoft Live Account" And not use a more secure local account.

    Well I found a little program that fixes that! Get you SkyDrive/OneDrive sync working with a
    local account!

    Download and install this program:
    syncDriver for SkyDrive/OneDrive
    http://syncdriver.com/
    Just click "Download" At the top between About & Contacts. It's a very
    small program. Install, put in your Microsoft Account info, Select a folder or just select the folder you were already using. For me it was OneDrive in the Documents folder.

    Boom you're done! Your OneDrive/SkyDrive folder is now being synced again without logging
    into Microsoft Live :)

    Any questions just ask!
  • Posted August 22, 2014
    DO NOT INSTALL THIS UPDATE IF YOU ARE USING OneDrive with Windows 8 or 8.1

    Update for Microsoft Camera Codec Pack for Windows 8 for x64-based Systems (KB2899190)


    It will cause OneDrive to go into a loop, always "Looking for updates" But it will never find them!
  • Posted September 5, 2014
    OneDrive work around if you upgrade to Windows 8.1 and still want to use a local account.

    Just ignore the OneDrive folder you setup and do everything from the new mapped network folder. Then everything is still synced.

    https://d.docs.live.net/xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Is just the numbers do not include ?cid=

    Down side :(
    I little sluggish depending on internet speed.
    You are not able to share this drive with other computers on your local network or work network. You can set the mapped drive up on all your computers. Still a bit of a pain. Hopefully Microsoft will turn it back like it worked in windows 8 and works in every other version of windows but 8.1.

    http://www.ghacks.net/2013/11/09/access-skydrive-windows-8-1-using-local-accounts/
  • Posted January 18, 2015
    Another OneDrive work around/replacement if you upgraded to Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 and DO NOT want to be signed into your Windows Live account 24/7 :) I like using a local account, I don't even stay logged into Happy 24/7! This software will also work in Win XP & Vista!

    It's called syncDriver works just like the OneDrive software, connects to your online OneDrive account. But with a few features that the Microsoft OneDrive software is missing :)

    syncDriver: Desktop Client for OneDrive

    What does it do?
    Automatically uploads your files to OneDrive
    Automatically downloads your files from OneDrive
    Transfers files through secure connection only
    Easy installation and configuration
    Once setup, works in the background
    Low CPU and memory consumption
    Updates itself automatically to support the latest changes in OneDrive
    Optimized change detection algorithms

    Supported platforms:
    Windows XP SP2+ and 2003
    Windows Vista SP1+ and 2008
    Windows 7
    Windows 8
    Windows 8.1
    http://syncdriver.com

    They don't list it but it also works in Windows 10 :)

    1. You can choose how to sync.
    Bidirectional (Sync to both).
    OneDrive -> File System (OneDrive server to this computer).
    File System -> OneDrive (This computer to OneDrive server).
    CLICK THE PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW.




    2. You can pause and restart without exiting or closing the program.



    3. It NEVER gets stuck "LOOKING FOR CHANGES" which happens with OneDrive software all the time! I have the Office 365 + 1TB on 5 computers and 5 tablets for $99 per year! But adding 743 gigs to my OneDrive folder D:\OneDrive\Documents put OneDrive into a "LOOKING FOR CHANGES" head spin!

    You can download this from my other website beast-usa.com
    Click the link below to download it.
    http://www.beast-usa.com/downloads/windows/syncdriver-all-windowsver2.3.0.0.zip

    Or directly from the makers website.
    http://syncdriver.com

    This is GREAT free software that works better then the Microsoft OneDrive software. And in Windows 8.1 and OMG the mess they have made of the OneDrive software in windows 10!
  • Posted January 22, 2015
    Nobody wants to be signed into Microsoft 24/7. Well at least I don't want to be!

    To get around the Kindle app also non-usable in Windows 8.1 unless you sign into your Microsoft account! So dam annoying!

    Just use this
    https://read.amazon.com
  • Posted January 22, 2015
    Sorry forgot to post this :)

    How to remove the extra copies of copies of folders you DON'T NEED!

    They have same annoying folders added to Windows 10. But not all is lost. You can REMOVE THEM works the same for Windows 8.1 & Windows 10! And put them back if you find you need to have the same copies of the same folder over and over again! You can right click on anything and rename it. I changed "This PC" to "Computer"

    Before you delete them:


    Now to remove them :)
    Open "Regedit" if you don't know how to open it. :) Windows key + R will open the run box. Then type regedit and click enter.

    Navigate to the following registry entry:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace

    Each of the entries you see under this registry folder corresponds to a folder you see in "This PC" or "Computer" like this:
    Desktop: {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}
    Documents: {A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}
    Downloads: {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}
    Music: {1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}
    Pictures: {3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}
    Videos: {A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}



    Find the folder you want to delete from "This PC" or "Computer" if you renamed it. Just right-click it and Click “Delete.”

    The Registry Editor will ask you to confirm the deletion. Click “Yes” to delete the folder from "This PC" or "Computer". If you head back to "This PC" or "Computer", you’ll see the folder is no longer listed. You can always add the folder again if you deleted it by accident.

    Nice new CLEAN look :)


    To add the extra folders back to "This PC" or "Computer" Open "Regedit" again if you don't know how to open it. :) Windows key + R, type regedit in the run box, hit enter. Navigate back to the same folders as listed in removing them. Right-click “NameSpace” and click “New” and then “Key.”

    Name the key - you can just copy & paste these.
    Desktop: {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}
    Documents: {A8CDFF1C-4878-43be-B5FD-F8091C1C60D0}
    Downloads: {374DE290-123F-4565-9164-39C4925E467B}
    Music: {1CF1260C-4DD0-4ebb-811F-33C572699FDE}
    Pictures: {3ADD1653-EB32-4cb0-BBD7-DFA0ABB5ACCA}
    Videos: {A0953C92-50DC-43bf-BE83-3742FED03C9C}
    Make sure you include the brackets when you can copy and paste the folder you want to add back to "This PC" or "Computer" If you head to "This PC" or "Computer" you’ll see the folder has been added.

    Some things were better in Windows 8, and this is one addition to 8.1 & Windows 10 that doesn't help at all with performance. It just takes up more screen real estate! So if you don't want the extra clutter of these folders remove them. It only removes the shortcut, not the folders. The folders are still accessible through "This PC" or "Computer", Documents or your Documents Drive. You can add or remove them anytime you like using the Windows registry.

    Any questions just ask :)