Managing “My Computer” in Windows 8

As most of us know, My Computer in Windows world is a door way to storage devices. My Computer screen is very comparable to “Finder” in Mac OS X. Windows 8 introduces a new ribbon interface in for My Computer home screen. This allows users to easily access other Windows related functions additional to just storage devices.

“Customize Quick Access Toolbar” on top of the screen allows customization of quick access toolbar on the top. Now, screen real estate is better utilized by allowing quick access buttons. See screenshot below.

Clearing Temporary Items List and Address Bar History

“File” menu on the top left contains a few important options. One is “Clear History” and “Change folder and search options”. Clear history allows you to clear recent items list and clear Address bar history perform the similar function.

Folder configuration in Windows 8

Change folder and search options feature in My computer screen is very similar to folder options screen in Windows 7.

“General” tab of Folder Options will allow you to:

Choose Browse options such as Open each folder in same window or Open each folder it new window.
Click options such as Single click to open an item or DoubleClick to open an item while singleclick select the item.
Option to turn on or turn off Favorite pane.

“View” Option of the tab allows file and folder settings:

Always show icons, never thumbnails
Always show menus
Display file icon on thumbnails
Display file size information in folder tips
Display the full path in the title bar
Hidden files and folders: Show or Hide hidden files
Hide empty drives in the Computer folder
Hide extensions for known file types
Hide protected operating system files
Launch folder windows in a separate process
Restore previous folder windows at logon
Show drive letters
Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color
Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items
Show preview handlers in preview pane
Show status bar
Use check boxes to select items
Use sharing Wizard
When typing into list view, Automatically type into the search box or select typed items in the view.

“Search” tab in Folder Options allow configuration of:

Find partial matches
Don’t use the index when searching in file folders for system files.
Include system directories in search
Include compressed files
Always search file names and contents.

Windows 8 System Properties

Properties icon in ribbon menu allows direct access to system properties. System properties give you information about your system hardware and other information. A few examples are:

Windows edition
System Rating
Physical processor
Installed RAM
System type: either 32bit or 64bit
Name of your computer
Domain your computer belongs to
Windows activation settings

Shortcut to Control Panel items

My computer windows has shortcut to control panel, which will allow you to access below control panel items.

Action Center
Administrative Tools
AutoPlay
Color Management
Date and Time
Desktop Gadgets
Device and Printers
Ease of Access Center
Folder Options
HomeGroup
Internet Options
Language
Mouse
Notification Area Icons
Performance Information and Tools
Phone and Modem
Programs and Features
Region
Backups
System
Troubleshooting
Windows update
Bitlocker Drive Encryption
Credential Manager
Default Programs
Device Manager
Display
File History
Fonts
Indexing Options
Keyboard
Location Settings
Netowkr and Sharing center
Parental Controls
Personalization
Power Options
RemoteApp and Desktop Connections
Sound
Sync Center
Taskbar
User Accounts
Windows Firewall