It's been about two years since Windows 8 officially hit the market, and this operating system definitely was a big change for consumers following Windows 7. For many people, it has been difficult to adjust to this new operating system. Here are a few tips and tricks that can make using Windows 8 an easier experience.

Windows is a curious beast, but PC users were used to it and all of its many quirks. For instance, we learned to live with the notion that if you want to turn off your computer, you have to go under the Start button. With Windows 8, there is no Start button, rather the whole screen is filled with colorful icons for each of your applications. Still, if you want to find a program quickly, what do you do without the Start button? Well, it's very simple, you just type the name of the App you need. If you need Firefox, type Firefox and it will appear. If you need Microsoft Word, type Word or Microsoft and the icon will appear.

If you begin typing, you will notice that on the right side of the screen, there is a search box with the words Apps, Settings and Files. You might think that by clicking on files, you can find Excel files or Word files, but that is not the case. To find these files, just begin typing the word "file" and the File Explorer icon will appear on the left. After you click on the icon, the typical Windows search box appears, and you search your computer for whatever file you need just as you did with previous systems.

In the past, the Start button is where you found all of your computer settings. It's still simple to change any setting by simply typing a letter such as "a" and when the search box shows up, just click on the Settings tab and huge list of what you can change will appear. Alternatively, you can simply type on the Windows icon in between the function key and the alt key and also press on the letter I at the same time. This will make the Settings tab appear as well.

While you might be wishing for a return to Windows 7, this new operating system actually has some great features and it just takes patience and time to discover all that Windows 8 has to offer. Spend some of your free time playing with the new Start screen and you'll be an expert before you know it.

Installing Windows 8 or just setting up a new computer and getting started can be tricky and sometimes frustrating, particularly if you have to set up a network and a printer. The experts at GeeksAKnockin' can set up your computer quickly and easily, adding whatever software or hardware you need and making sure that the computer is well protected and working properly. If you find that your computer is simply working too slowly or having other problems, GeeksAKnockin' offers computer support in Portland and throughout the area, including Hillsboro computer repair, Beaverton computer repair and computer support in Gresham.