Win8Key

Win8Key is a executable that can obtain a Windows 8 or 8.1 OEM license key from a computer’s firmware.

https://github.com/christian-korneck/get_win8key

Command to clear the local cache of the Windows Store

The command wsreset.exe will clear the local cache of the Windows Store with Windows 8 and 8.1.  The command needs to be executed with administrative authority.

 

A message should be displayed when the clearing process has completed.

How to check if Secure Boot is enabled with Windows 8

To determine if the Secure Boot feature is enabled, launch a PowerShell session with local administrative authority and use the following cmdlet:

Confirm-SecureBootUEFI

The possible answers are True, False, or the platform does not support the feature.

PowerShell cmdlets to remove Modern applications within Windows 8

A few PowerShell cmdlets are available to remove Modern applications within Windows 8.  Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage will remove an application from the operating system but will not remove the icons from any existing user profiles.  Remove-AppxPackage will remove an application for the user currently logged on.

How to delete your Windows 8 synced personal settings

With Windows 8 and Windows RT, Microsoft enabled the ability for users to synchronize their personal settings such as desktop themes, lock screen and backgrounds, saved passwords, IE history and favorites, etc. with SkyDrive.  If you wish to purge the data stored in SkyDrive, access http://skydrive.live.com/win8personalsettingsprivacy and use the Remove button.

How to change network firewall profiles within Windows 8 using PowerShell

To change network firewall profiles within Windows 8 using PowerShell (such as going from Public to Private), use the following command to list all network interfaces and the current values.

Get-NetConnectionProfile

To modify the profile, use the following command including the network interface to change and the new value.

Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias Ethernet -NetworkCategory Private

Scheduled scan with Defender within Windows 8

The Security Essentials application that is available for Windows 7 includes an option within the GUI to modify the default scheduled scan.

The Windows Defender that is included within Windows 8 has a similar interface, but the scheduled task option is not present.

The scheduled task entries for the application has moved to the standard Scheduled Tasks interface.

A new scheduled task can be created if needed by using the command line switches that are available.

Troubleshooting Utility for Windows Store Apps

Microsoft has released a utility to assist in troubleshooting issues with Windows Store applications.  Access the link below and execute the file in question.

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=271185

Windows 8 and Hybrid Boot

By default, Windows 8 uses a Hybrid Boot feature that results in faster boot times.  To determine if the Hybrid Boot feature is enabled, use the command powercfg /a within an administrative command prompt.

A few methods are available to disable the Hybrid Boot feature.  One is to use the command powercfg /hibernate off within an administrative command prompt.

How to use the refresh option with Windows 8

Windows 8 has a refresh option available.  Instead of reinstalling the operating systems and all data files, the refresh process has the following features:

1.  Your data files as well as personal settings will be retained.

2.  The PC Settings will be returned to the defaults.

3.  All application not installed via the Windows Store will be removed; those installed via the Store will remain.

In this example, we have installed Notepad++ and created a shortcut on the desktop.

We have one Windows Store application and a few test files within the Documents folder.

To start the refresh process, access the PC Settings area.  Click on General section.  The user account in question must have local administrative authority.

With the proper authority, the wizard should display.

The original media may be required.

Once the media is available, click on the Refresh button.

The boot screen should display information on the process after the required restart.

When logged back in, the Notepad++ application was not to be found but the two test files under the Documents folder were still present.  Also present was the Windows Store application.

List of “whitelisted” sites for Flash within Internet Explorer version 10

Internet Explorer version 10 includes a Flash plug-in by default.  But only certain web site URL’s are “whitelisted” and can use Flash by default.  To view the list of “approved” sites, access the iecompatdata.xml file under an account’s profile.

Open the file in a text editor and search for the string <Flash>.  A list of URL’s should be present underneath.

How to change the product key for Windows 8 and Server 2012

To change the product key for Windows 8 and Server 2012, launch an elevated command prompt and use the following command:

slmgr.vbs /ipk license key

Windows 8 and the start screen tiles with a keyboard and mouse

Within Windows 8, tiles can be removed from the start screen by performing a right-click on the entry in question.  A menu bar should appear at the bottom of the page with an option to “unpin” the tile.  A selected tile will have a check-mark in the top right-hand corner of the box.

Large tiles can be made smaller and vise versa by selecting the tile and using the menu bar.

To name a group of tiles, click on the minus icon near the bottom right corner of the screen.

This action should “zoom out” the start screen.

Right-click on a group of tiles, which should display a Name group option.

Click on the Name group icon and enter a value for the group.

When returning to the start screen, the name should appear above the group.

To create a new group, select a tile and drag it to the left or right until a grey bar appears.

Start8

Start8 is an free utility for Windows 8 that restores the traditional Start Menu to the desktop, and allows the operating system to be booted directly into the desktop mode.

http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

Resolve-DNSname PowerShell cmdlet

PowerShell version 3 that is included by default with Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 offers a new DNS lookup cmdlet.  The Resolve-DNSname can resolve DNS information, and offers options such as DNS record type and which server to use for the query.

Accessing startup boot options with Windows 8

With previous versions of Windows, the F8 key could be used during boot to access a list of startup options such as Safe Mode.  To access similar options with Windows 8, hold down the Shift key when clicking on the Restart option.

Another method is to use the shutdown.exe command with a new switch of /o.

Enhanced Protection Mode

Enhanced Protection Mode is a new feature within Windows 8.  It is enabled by default with the Metro version of Internet Explorer 10, and can be enabled manually with the desktop version.

Enhanced Protection Mode offers some additional features compared to the original Protected Mode introduced with Vista.  If the OS version and CPU support is available, all tabs processes are ran as 64-bit.  This helps with technologies such as Address Space Layout Randomization.  Enhanced Protection Mode restricts IE from locations that contain personal information until permission is granted.  Tab processes (which is where untrusted Internet pages load) do not have access to a user’s domain credentials, as well as some other options such as tab processes cannot operate as local webservers.

The desktop version of IE 10 with Windows 8 will use 32-bit tab processes by default if Enhanced Protection Mode is not enabled.  Metro IE uses EPM by default, so tab processes will be 64-bit with compatible hardware and operating system. 

If a plug-in does not offer support with the desktop version of IE 10 when EPM is enabled, a notification bar should appear near the bottom of the screen.

Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows Key (tap)- Toggles between the Start screen and the foremost running app (Metro-style) or the Windows Desktop.

Windows Key + 1, Windows Key + 2, etc. - Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and launch the nth shortcut in the Windows taskbar.

Windows Key + B - Switch to the Windows desktop and select the tray notification area.

Windows Key + C - Display Charms and time/date/notification overlay.

Windows Key + D - Switch to the Windows desktop and toggle Show Desktop.

Windows Key + E -  Switch to the Windows desktop and launch Windows Explorer with Computer view displayed.

Windows Key + F - Display File Search pane

Windows Key + H - Display Share charm.

Windows Key + I - Display Settings charm.

Windows Key + J - Swaps foreground between the snapped and filled apps.

Windows Key + K - Display Devices charm.

Windows Key + L - Lock PC and return to Lock screen.

Windows Key + M - Minimize the selected Explorer window.

Windows Key + O - Toggle orientation switching on slate and tablet PCs.

Windows Key + P - Display the new Project (for "projection") pane for choosing between available displays.

Windows Key + Q - Search (within) Apps using the new Search pane.

Windows Key + R - Switch to the Windows desktop and display the Run box.

Windows Key + U - Switch to the Windows desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center.

Windows Key + V - Cycles through Notification toasts.

Windows Key + W - Display Settings Search pane

Windows Key + SHIFT + V - Cycles through Notification toasts in reverse order.

Windows Key + X - Access the advanced context menu on the Start preview tip.

Windows Key + Z - Access the App Bar.

Windows Key + ENTER - Launches Narrator.

Windows Key + SPACEBAR - Switch input language and keyboard layout

Windows Key + TAB - Cycle through apps in Switcher.

Windows Key + SHIFT + TAB - Cycle through apps in Switcher in reverse order.

Windows Key + CTRL + TAB - Cycle through apps, snapping them as you go.

Windows Key + PGUP  - Moves the Start screen to the display on the left.

Windows Key + PGDN  - Moves the Start screen to the display on the right.

Press "Windows Key + PrntScr" keys together and a screenshot will be automatically saved to "Pictures" library folder.  The screenshot is saved with the name "Screenshot.png".

The new hotkey of "Shift+F8" replaces “F8” to boot into Safe Mode.