Can I use Windows 8 with a mouse and keyboard?

Do you want to switch to Windows 8 and are wondering whether you can also operate Win8 with a mouse and keyboard and thus do without a touchscreen? There is a clear answer in advance: of course. With its latest operating system, Microsoft wants to finally score on the tablet market, but we will show you how you can get the best out of your system in the classic way.

My Windows 8 has four corners - mouse operation

• Basic operating elements in Windows 8 remain largely identical to "old" operating systems. However, Microsoft has now hidden practical menus in all four corners of the screen (charms bar, start screen and recently opened apps), which you will often and gladly access.
• This is extremely practical on the touchscreen of a Win-8 tablet - you simply tap here in the corresponding corner.
• However, operation on a "classic" PC or notebook is not that easy. Both the touchpad and the hardware mouse require relatively long maneuvers to move the cursor into the corners - the conventional mouse is a good deal faster than the touchpad of a laptop.
• When switching between Win8 apps or the swipe gesture to end an app, you notice that these input methods were originally designed for the touchscreen. Here, too, mouse and touchpad prints get the B (edien) mark.

New Windows - old keyboard

• Windows 8 did not make any dramatic changes to text input. The keyboard continues to function as usual - even special keys or key combinations with the "Fn key" (usually next to the left CTRL key) do their job as before.
• The real highlight: The Windows key in the bottom row, which has hardly been used or noticed so far. Windows 8 makes a big appearance - one click takes you straight back to the home screen from any situation.

Conclusion: When all sticks break - back to the usual desktop

In principle, you don't need to be afraid of a system change: Windows 8 is also very comfortable to use with a keyboard and mouse - but some of the new gestures only work really intuitively on the touchscreen. If you don't like to find your way around, you can still switch back to the "classic" desktop mode, which you can operate almost completely without the Windows 8 tiling and wiping. Only the usual start menu is then missing - but this can be easily retrieved with a few tricks.

This practical tip is based on experience with an Acer notebook with upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8.