Windows 8: Tips for the new Power User menu

The Power User menu under Windows 8, as the name suggests, provides various functions for advanced users for quick access. However, many of these are also helpful for beginners.

Win8 Power User Menu: Quick access to frequently used services

To open the menu, you either have to move the mouse to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click there, or press the "Windows" and "X" keys. Then a context menu opens in which you will find several options.

• The menu is divided into three groups (see picture). At the bottom you will find the "Desktop" item, which you can use to reach the desktop.
• In the middle group you will find several services and functions that are used by almost every Windows user. This gives you the fastest possible access to the functions via the menu. Here you will find the Task Manager, the Control Panel, the Explorer, the search function and for advanced users the Execute functions.
• However, some functions can be called up much faster using key combinations. You can open the Task Manager with "Ctrl" + "Shift" + "Esc", the Explorer with "Windows" and "E" and the Execute function with "Windows" and "R".
• The third category gives you mainly display and diagnostic tools for advanced users (see picture). The hard disk can be checked by means of the data carrier management or you can look deeper into the system via the command prompt. You can also access all of these functions via the control panel, so it's just faster.
• Also of interest for beginners is the point "System" under which you can get all information about your computer and Windows system, as well as the Mobility Center. In this you can monitor brightness, volume, battery mode, monitor connection and synchronization on your laptop at the same time.

Add programs and services to the Power User menu yourself

• Open Windows Explorer by simultaneously pressing the "Windows" and "E" keys.
• Enter the following path in the navigation bar above and then click on "Enter". You have to replace the path "XXX" with your user name: C: \ Users \ XXX \ AppData \ Local \ Microsoft \ Windows \ WinX
• Here you will find the folders Group1 to 3. From this you can now delete certain shortcuts, or create a new folder named Group 4. Then drag any shortcut into the folder.

This practical tip shows you how you can change the image of your login screen in Windows 8.