Remote Server Administration Tools in Windows 8

Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows 8 includes Server Manager, Microsoft
Management Console (MMC) snap-ins, consoles, Windows PowerShell cmdlets and providers,
and command-line tools for managing roles and features that run on Windows Server 2012.
To fully use these tools, Windows Server 2012 is required.

The new Windows Server Manager, found in RSAT for Windows 8 and Windows Server
2012, facilitates management of all remote servers running Windows Server 2012  from one
centralized console. In some cases, these tools can be used to manage roles and   features
on running on Windows Server 2008. Remote management capabilities of Windows
 Management Instrumentation (WMI), Windows PowerShell, and Distributed Component
Object model (DCOM) are used to manage the servers. Windows Server Manager removes
the necessity to remote into each server to change roles or update policies and empowers
administrators with these management tools on their desktop. Windows Server Manager also
hosts links to nearly all other tools found in RSAT, including the MMC snap-ins.

IPv6 Internet support In Windows 8

Most currently implemented networks have the ability to connect to the Internet via IPv4.
However, IPv4 has address limitations that are beginning to show strain and cannot keep up
with the quickly expanding Internet. Currently, network address translation (NAT) is used to
share addresses in residences around the country. This technology allows each home to have
one IP address but multiple devices connected to the Internet. With IPv4 addresses quickly
depleting, NATs may be used on a broader scale, hindering location based services such as
Bing and degrading the P2P application experience.

To remedy these issues, IPv6 was created with unimaginable scale, offering 3x10^38
available IP addresses (enough for every person to have billions to themselves). In addition
to offering an immense address range, IPv6 also offers new security features such as IPsec,
which provides security at the packet level. During the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, dual stack
topologies will be implemented. This allows devices to be configured with both IPv6 and IPv4
addresses. In Windows 8, if an IPv6 address is present, it will automatically take   connection
priority over the IPv4 address. Also, not all applications will support IPv6  immediately.
 Windows will automatically select the correct connection for applications to properly
 communicate by using a method called  address sorting.  These advanced Windows features
indicate that Windows 8 is fully capable of supporting the IPv6 Internet.

Mobile broadband support in Windows 8

Windows 8 offers a completely redesigned mobility experience to its users. Windows 8 was
designed to work well on a variety of platforms including desktops, laptops, and tablets, so
this feature was designed accordingly. Previously, if you wanted to use a mobile broadband
device on a laptop, you had to retrieve the software and drivers from the manufacturer and
carrier, install the correct one, and then troubleshoot any associated issues. In Windows 8,
the management tool and driver is built in. No hassle is associated with configuring mobile
broadband in Windows 8

Windows 8 includes a connection management API called Windows Connection  Manager
that provides functionality native to broadband devices currently in use.   Additionally,
 Windows 8 comes with an integrated mobile broadband class driver. It works with  virtually
all devices and completely eliminates the frustration of locating the correct driver for
your  device. Windows 8 is optimized for all wireless connectivity and offers connection
 prioritization, among many other user customizations. Using the Windows Connection
 Manager, you can manage all wireless radios side-by-side.

Included with mobile broadband support are many other wireless enhancements for
Windows 8. This optimized end-user experience includes metered connection awareness
and efficient data usage as well as the ability to conserve bandwidth by delaying network
heavy actions until an unmetered connection is made. Connection priority is learned by the

 operating system, which can then automatically choose the network for you. This feature
can be overridden through user customization. When resuming from standby, Windows 8
can also reconnect much faster to your wireless network than previous versions—oftentimes
before your display is refreshed. Due to substantial wireless improvements, Windows 8 is
capable of connecting to a wireless network in less than two seconds. Previously, the process
spanned nearly 12 seconds. 

DirectAccess Windows 8

Most IT pros are familiar with remotely connecting to their corporate network resources
through a virtual private network (VPN). Time-consuming redundancies are associated
with using VPN—such as the need to always log into a VPN service, run security scans, etc.
 Connection initiation and user authentication is necessary every time VPN is reconnected.
If users do not frequently reconnect, their PCs may not receive the latest updates or Group
Policy pushes. DirectAccess allows remote users to securely access their organizations shares,
websites, and applications every time they connect their DirectAccess-enabled portable
device to the Internet. DirectAccess does not require frequent logins or access maintenance,
and even allows remote computer management to administrators without an established
VPN connection. This availability of constant connection minimizes frustration and improves
efficiency in everyday “out-of-the-office” needs. Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 make
DirectAccess simpler to deploy and implement.

Networking enhancements in Windows 8

Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 provide new features and resources when deployed
together. Many new features that IT pros love about Windows Server 2012 are optimized
for use with Windows 8 clients. In fact, many of the new improved management features in
 Windows Server 2012 can also be used from a local console only available in Windows 8.
Many redesigned features were available in Windows Server 2008 but have been reimagined
for the modern, expanding business needs.

BranchCache
BranchCache was first introduced in Windows Server 2008 as a way of caching content from
wide area network (WAN) web and file servers locally at branch offices. BranchCache greatly
reduces network traffic by accessing reused files from the local cache instead of the WAN.
BranchCache has been enhanced with new features in Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8
that far surpass its previous capabilities. Just some of its many improvements include  
the following:

•    Removed requirement for individual Group Policy Objects for each branch.
•    Automatically encrypted cached content.
•    New management options in Windows PowerShell.
•    New ability to preload content into cache before a client request.
•    Increased scalability through multiple Hosted Cache servers and improved database

performance.
BranchCache supports two cache modes: Distributed Cache mode and Hosted Cache
mode. Figure 3-6 displays the fundamental differences of each

Windows PowerShell 3.0 in Windows 8

Windows PowerShell 3.0 is packed with new features and cmdlets that extend its use,  improve
its usability, and allow for more comprehensive control of Windows-based   environments.
 Previously, users and administrators enjoyed the rights and permissions provided by
 PowerShell. With more than one thousand new cmdlets, Windows PowerShell 3.0 is now more
powerful than ever.

New features
PowerShell 3.0 has updated features for Windows 8, as well as Windows Server 2012. A few
of the additional features specifically for Windows Server 2012 include BranchCache, Server
Manager, and web cmdlets. The new features found in Table 3-2 are only a small portion of
the new features available in Windows 8, but they are some of the most impactful.

Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE)
Windows PowerShell ISE is a host application for Windows PowerShell. It allows you to run
commands and write, test, and debug scripts in one graphical user interface. Windows
PowerShell ISE introduces many new features in Windows PowerShell 3.0. A few notable new
features are described in Table 3-3

Redesigned NTFS health model and chkdsk in windows 8

Although increasingly rare, disk corruptions can occur due to a variety of unique causes.
Whether caused by hard disk or transient memory errors, corruptions can occur within the
file system’s metadata, which links physical disk blocks to virtual data. To restore access to the
corrupted data, Windows must isolate and correct the issue using the chkdsk tool. Windows
8 vastly improves the resolution time of system errors by implementing a new NTFS health
model and Check Disk resolution strategies.

Key design changes
In previous versions of the Windows operating system, NTFS implemented a simple health
model which indicated two states for a volume; healthy or not. In this health model, the
 corrupted   volume had to be taken offline for however long was necessary to resolve the  issue.
The   downtime of the volume was directly proportional to its number of files, which for some
systems was quite large. Windows Vista and Windows 7 made significant  improvements to this
process that ultimately decreased the resolution time. However, with hard drive  capacities  rapidly
expanding, using the current resolution method has spanned several hours in some cases.

      A redesigned NTFS health model and chkdsk was necessary to correlate with the rapidly
expanding storage capacities. The new chkdsk design makes administrators aware of file system
health at all times and provides convenient scheduled resolution with nearly zero downtime.
Using this new design, downtime for correcting typical corruptions is less than two seconds.
The   correction process is now split into the following phases to ensure coordinated, rapid, and
 transparent corruption resolution. Figure 3-5 shows that in the green phases, the volume remains
online. The final phase requires the volume to be offline for only seconds (which is indicated in red).
In the previous model, the entire resolution process would be red rather than the stripe.

New NTFS health model
Unlike the previous two-state model, the redesigned NTFS health model implements four health
states. Some states are for informational purposes only, whereas some require action. The health
states are the following:

•     Online and healthy  This state represents normal operation. In this state, there is nouser        action          required and no corruptions are detected.

•   Online spot verification needed  The file system is briefly placed in a transient state

after it detects a corruption that cannot be self-healed. The volume is placed in this
state only until the spot verification service verifies the corruption. This state does not
require any user action

In the previous NTFS health model, a user might not know there is a problem until the chkdsk
screen suddenly appeared when booting. To improve transparency and user awareness,
Windows now exposes the current state of the file system and provides repair options via the
Action Center, Explorer, Windows PowerShell “REPAIR-VOLUME” cmdlet, and Server Manager.
These transparencies improve the user experience by providing full resolution control when it
is most convenient.

Client Hyper-V in windows 8

Client Hyper-V is an innovative virtualization platform available in Windows 8. It provides IT
pros and developers with a local environment to test applications and client–server  deployment
scenarios without requiring a Hyper-V server. For example, you can build, host, and test an
entire infrastructure on your local machine and then export the virtual machines directly into
production. Additionally, tools that were created for Hyper-V in Windows Server, such as VMM
P2V (Virtual Machine Manager Physical-to-Virtual) and Sysinternals DisktoVHD, can also be
used in Client Hyper-V. Windows PowerShell scripts and Hyper-V virtual switch extensions that
are developed and tested on Client Hyper-V can also be used in Windows Server 2012.
         Because Client Hyper-V is the same technology as found in Windows Server, IT pros and
developers do not need to learn any new tools or commands to implement and use this
 technology. The availability of Client Hyper-V allows cross compatible virtual machines (VMs)
to be imported and exported between Client Hyper-V and Hyper-V Server. This simplifies
 application and deployment testing and troubleshooting across an enterprise. Client Hyper-V
supports USB media, as well as other new Windows features such as Windows To Go.   Turning on
the Windows 8 Hyper-V feature also installs a VM management tool called Hyper-V  Manager.
        To enable Client Hyper-V from Control Panel:
            1.   From the Control Panel, click Programs, and then select Programs and Features.
            2.   Select Turn Windows Features on or off.
            3.   Click Hyper-V, then OK, and then Close.
        To enable Client Hyper-V using Windows PowerShell:
            1.   In the Windows PowerShell command line, type the following:
                  Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature-Online-FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V
Once Hyper-V is enabled, you must fully shut down and restart your computer to
 complete installation. Upon restart, you will be able to create and manage VMs through
Hyper-V Manager or the Hyper-V Module for Windows PowerShell. You can also use Virtual
Machine Connection to remotely connect to VMs. Not all features found in Hyper-V are
 available in Client Hyper-V;

PC Settings in windows 8

The PC Settings menu can be accessed by dragging the mouse pointer to the bottom right
corner of the screen and selecting Settings. (You can also simply press Windows key + I to open
Settings.) You will notice that a settings menu comes up. This settings menu is the  settings for
the active Window. At the bottom of the menu, you will notice “Change PC   Settings.”

Using this interface, you can:

•   Customize features such as lock screen and Start screen appearance.
•   Manage user accounts.
•   Edit application notifications and search history.
•   Share applications.
•   Edit general settings such as system time and language.
•   Refresh your Windows installation or fully reinstall Windows.
•   Edit privacy settings for location services and other information.
•   Manage devices.
•   Change Home group and profile sync settings.
•   Check for Windows updates.

Tile configuration in windows 8

The new Windows Start screen is fully customizable with “Tiles.” Some Tiles can be activated
to provide real-time updates of applications such as Microsoft Outlook. Windows 8 is an
event-driven operating system, meaning that it provides information and options right when
you need them. Right-clicking a Tile brings up its menu with available options. Figure 3-4
shows the menu available when right-clicking a Live Tile.

The Windows 8 Tile layout makes tasks like uninstalling an application very simple.
 Right -click the Tile of the program that you want to uninstall, and then select uninstall. 
For programs not designed for Windows 8, uninstallation can be performed through the add/
remove programs feature in the Control Panel

Profile customization In Windows 8

Profile customization in Windows 8 is simple. Both roaming and local profiles are available in
Windows 8. Roaming profiles allow user customizations to be saved remotely and accessed
on any Windows 8 machine. Local profiles are stored locally on the file system volume just like
those in previous versions of Windows. To manage the user experience for generated local
profiles, Sysprep is available in Windows 8. Default customizations can be packaged, just like
in Windows 7, and redeployed in the out-of-box experience (OOBE) after system imaging is
performed.

One new profile customization feature reduces the necessity for multiple images in
an  environment. Using Group Policy objects (GPOs) and AppLocker, limitations and user
 restrictions can be set on individual programs. Instead of having various images for   different
types of users, this option allows you to deploy general images to your environment and
simply limit program availability to different groups. For more information about AppLocker,
see Chapter 6, “Delivering Windows 8 apps.”

Customizing and configuring Windows 8

Windows 8 is full of improvements that IT pros can appreciate. Just some of its many
 improvements  include:

•    Better resource allocation.
•    Expanded device compatibility.
•    Innovative and completely customizable desktop.
•    Vastly improved Windows features.

Most advanced configuration options are exactly the same as in Windows 7. For example,
IT pros using features such as Key Management Service (KMS) and Multiple Activation Key
(MAK) volume activation still have those features available. Also available is the familiar
 desktop found in Windows 7. Desktop applications run on the desktop, just like before

Reimagined system applications in Windows 8

For IT pros, Windows 8 is just like Windows 7— but better. Features that were great in  Windows
7 were redesigned to be even more efficient and provide more  functionality. Windows 8
provides a flexible platform for a wide variety of applications and  devices. Most of the familiar
applications that IT pros use are exactly the same but with a  renewed, simplified layout. Many
system features such as Performance Monitor or  Windows Services, look nearly identical to 
their Windows 7 predecessors. Some   applications have gained increased functionality. For example,
Windows Defender now  offers malware protection as well as spyware protection. If you were 
a Windows 7 expert, then  Windows 8 is going to be simple for you to learn and implement.
             Making the transition from Windows 7 to Windows 8 is much easier than  transitioning from
Windows XP to Windows Vista or 7. Windows 8 is packed with new features that make your life
as an IT pro easier. Some quick access and navigation features that are heavily used as an IT pro
are still the same, such as Window key + R to open the Run dialog box. Also, many new quick
access features have been added for convenience (e.g., Windows key + X to open a menu of
 administrator tools). Throughout this chapter are tips on new quick access features that make
navigating Windows much quicker. Additionally, in an effort to  improve Windows  functionality,
two of the most commonly used applications—Windows Task Manager and Windows
 Explorer—have been infused with new features to enhance the user experience

Windows Task Manager
Windows Task Manager is one of the most widely used tools in the Windows   operating
 system. For IT pros, Windows Task Manager performs a vital role in maintaining healthy
 systems through troubleshooting resource issues. Virtually every IT pro has used Task
 Manager at some point to close an application or kill a process.
          Since its introduction in Windows NT, it has been polished and improved with each
 operating system revision. Before Windows 8, IT pros were forced to use other tools to
 compliment Windows Task Manager, such as Sysinternals Process Explorer

Windows Explorer
The redesigned Windows Explorer, named File Explorer, has been optimized for file
 management tasks. It provides a streamlined command experience but remains a powerful
tool. New features include advanced folder customization options, previously hidden explorer
features, and the ability to pause file transfers to free cpu usage.
       One of the biggest changes in Windows Explorer is the ribbon tool bar. As found in  Microsoft
Office 2010, menu options are displayed in an icon-filled ribbon toolbar for easy  access

grouping them by context and relevance. This grouping makes finding commands  predictable
and reliable. The ribbon layout also exposes a large set of commands while maintaining a
pleasant visual appearance. Specific sets of commands are visible when a user is working with
specific file and folder types. For example, Figure 3-2 shows the toolbar available when inside
a user’s pictures folder.

As shown in the figure, both Library Tools and Picture Tools menus are available. The new
Windows File Explorer toolbar focuses on the commands that are most used and combines
them with additional commands relevant to the current folder contents. For example, there is
no reason to have music tools available when you are in the videos folder.
For this reason, when you create a folder the new Windows File Explorer allows the folder
to be optimized for different content, as shown in Figure 3-3. To optimize a folder, simply
right-click the folder and select Properties. Optimizing the folder for pictures will force the
picture toolbar to appear when you enter the folder.

File history
File history is a new feature in Windows 8. It allows a user to back up files to removable
media or a networked repository and retrieve them if they are lost or damaged. The user can
customize exactly which folders are backed up and where the backup is stored. It also has an
integrated recovery feature that will cache backed up files on the primary volume for offline
access. For Enterprise use, this feature works well with DirectAccess because it allows remote
file share back up.
For more information on DirectAccess, see the section titled “DirectAccess” later in this
chapter

Windows 8 for IT pros

• Reimagined system applications 
• Customizing and configuring Windows 8  
•  Client Hyper-V  
• Redesigned NTFS health model and chkdsk 
• Windows PowerShell 
• Networking enhancements  
• Remote Server Administration Tools  
•  Windows Server 2012  
• Summary 

Microsoft Windows 8 is optimized for making your life as an IT pro easier. Increased
functionality and innovative new features distinguish Windows 8 from all other
previous operating systems. Windows 8 provides reimagined system applications,
expanded user customization, new tools such as Windows PowerShell 3.0, and new
functionality, such as integrated mobile broadband support. These additions, alongside
redesigned Windows Server 2012 remote management features, make Windows 8 one of
the most advanced operating system offerings from Microsoft—ever.
IT pros that have experience in Windows 7 will have no problem quickly   learning to
navigate through Windows 8. Its enhanced usability and new features make   everything
you need readily available. In addition to feature upgrades, accessibility, and   expanded
functionality, significant improvements have been made in areas such as startup
and shutdown times and general performance. This chapter explains some of the
key   improvements and added features for the Windows 8 operating system that are
 specifically important to IT pros.

Improvements to tools in Windows 8

The Windows 8 experience is about more than just the Start screen and Windows 8 apps.
It also offers improvements to the tools that you use every day, like File Explorer and Task
 Manager. The following sections describe some of these improvements

.
File Explorer
File Explorer is the new Windows Explorer. File Explorer has quite a history, going all the way
back to the days of MS-DOS. Over the years, the tool now known as File Explorer has evolved.
It used to be called File Manager, and for a long time it was called Windows Explorer. With
the release of Windows 8, Windows Explorer is now known as File Explorer.
          File Explorer is used for file management tasks. Whether the task is to copy or move a
file, to delete it or get its properties, when people use File Explorer they’re working with files
and folders. With this in mind, File Explorer has been optimized for file management tasks.
 Frequently used commands, such as those related to copying and moving files, are   available
in a ribbon. Commands for accessing properties and creating new files and folders are
 available in the same ribbon (Figure 2-6).
           People share files more frequently today, and File Explorer provides a new Share menu
that contains frequently used commands such as zip and email, along with advanced sharing
and security.
           View options, which are also frequently used, have their own menu in File Explorer. You no
longer need to go into Folder and Search Options and search through complex menus just to
see hidden items or file name extensions; those are now available with check boxes right in
the View menu.

File Explorer also has contextual menu options. When viewing a library such as the Picture
library, you’ll see tools that make sense for working with pictures. There are contextual tools
available for things like Video and other libraries as well. This gives you the tools you need for
the types of files you’re working with at a given time.


Task Manager
With the new Task Manager, you can quickly see running programs and can also end tasks if
there is an issue. But IT pros and power users frequently want to see more information about
the running tasks and the overall status of the system.
By clicking More Details, you see a significant amount of information about the processes
running on your PC, its performance, and so on (Figure 2-7). Merely looking at the available
tabs reveals that there is a lot of information and many options here. Like File Explorer, the
Task Manager interface has been redesigned to serve the needs of all types of users.

Summary
Windows 8 reflects changes in today’s workplace by providing an immersive experience that
you and your users will love. It gives people the freedom to get their work done the way they
want on the types of devices they want. Windows 8 builds on the foundation set by Windows 7.
Features like File Explorer and Task Manager have been updated and enhanced for today’s
users. These and other tools give you the ability to be more productive.

Closing an open app in Windows 8

Windows 8 can suspend Windows 8 apps when they are idle in the background; however, you
can close a Windows 8 app by throwing it away. Do either of the following to close an open
Windows 8 app by throwing it away:

•    Swipe in from the top of the screen and, without lifting your finger, drag the app to the

bottom of the screen.

•   You can also close an app by using the mouse: Place the mouse pointer at the top

edge of the screen. (The mouse pointer changes to a hand.) Drag the app to the
 bottom of the screen to throw it away.

Snapping apps to the screen edges in Windows 8

You can snap Windows 8 apps to the left or right edges of the screen to share the screen with
a second app (Figure 2-5), including desktop apps running on the Desktop. Complete the
 following steps to snap an app to the screen edges:
1.   On the Start screen, click a Windows 8 app, such as the Weather app. The app will
      open full screen.

2.   Press the Windows logo key + period (.) to snap the app to the right edge.

3.   Press the Windows logo key + period (.) to snap the app to the left edge.

4.   Press the Windows logo key + period (.) to restore the app to full screen.

5.   Move the mouse to the top of the app, and notice that the mouse pointer has changed
      to a hand. Drag the app to the right edge of the screen to snap it to the right edge.

6.   On the Start screen, click another Windows 8 app, such as the News app. Notice that
      the first app snapped to the right edge of the screen never changes as you open
      multiple apps. (For example, you can snap the Calendar app to the right edge of the
      screen, and keep it there while you work with multiple other apps.)

7.   To make one app bigger and the other small, simply drag the app divider from one
      side of the screen to the other, and release it.

8.   Drag the app divider to the left edge of the screen to unsnap the apps

Windows 8 Assessment and Deployment Kit

One of the first things you’ll notice is that the Windows Automated Installation Kit 
(Windows AIK) is now part of the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK).
The   Windows ADK also consolidates deployment tools that were once separate (e.g., User
State Migration Tool). You will use the same tools to customize and automate high-volume
 Windows 8 deployment that you used to deploy Windows 7—only, you get them all from
once place

          The following sections describe the tools in the Windows ADK. You can download the
Windows ADK from  http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=232339 .

Deployment and Imaging
The Deployment and Imaging component of the Windows ADK contains the tools that you
need to customize, deploy, and service Windows images. These tools can stand alone but
are recommended for use with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012 Update 1 (MDT 2012)
and System Center 2012 Configuration Manager. The tools in the Deployment and Imaging
component of the Windows ADK are required by both.
The Deployment and Imaging component includes:

•    Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)  DISM is a command-line

tool that mounts and services Windows images before deployment. You can use DISM
image-management commands to mount, and get information about, Windows image
(.wim) files or virtual hard disks (VHD) and to capture, split, and otherwise manage
.wim files. DISM replaces the ImageX tool for image management.

•    System Preparation (Sysprep) tool  Sysprep prepares a computer for delivery by

configuring it to create a new computer security identifier (SID) when the computer is
restarted. In addition, the Sysprep tool removes user-specific and computer-specific
settings and data that must not be copied to a destination computer.

•    Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM)  Windows SIM creates

 unattended Windows Setup answer files. You can create an answer file by using
 information from a .wim file and a catalog (.clg) file. Component settings are added to
appropriate configuration settings in the answer file. You can also add packages to be
installed   during Windows Setup.

•   Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE)  Windows RE is a recovery

 environment that can repair common causes of unbootable operating systems.
The Deployment and Imaging tools include many other command-line tools that assist in
the deployment and imaging of Windows, boot configuration, and Windows Preinstallation
Environment configuration.

Using the App Switcher in Windows 8

The App Switcher (Figure 2-4) displays a thumbnail of each open Windows 8 app. Do any of
the following to open the App Switcher and open a running Windows 8 app:

•   Swipe in from the left edge of the screen and, without lifting your finger, drag the app

back to the left edge of the screen. (The motion feels like drawing a right bracket [>]).
Notice the App Switcher on the left edge of the screen. You see a thumbnail for each
open Windows 8 app. At the bottom of the App Switcher, you see the Start screen.

•    Press and hold the Windows logo key, repeatedly press Tab to highlight each running

Windows 8 app; then, release both keys to open the selected apps full screen.

•    Press Alt + Tab, just like you did in Windows 7, to quickly switch between apps.

•    Move the mouse pointer to the upper-left corner of the screen. Notice in the

 upper-left corner of the screen a thumbnail for the next Windows 8 app. Also notice
the hint along the left edge of the screen that the App Switcher is available. Click the
mouse in the upper-left corner of the screen to bring in the next open app, or move
the mouse pointer straight down the left edge of the screen to open the App Switcher.

Switching between open apps in windows 8

You can switch to open Windows 8 apps by swiping in from the left edge of the screen. It’s a
quick way to cycle through your open apps. To try it yourself:
1.   On the Start screen, click Weather.
2.   Return to the Start screen, and click  News.
3.   Return to the Start screen, and click  Internet Explorer .
4.   Swipe in from the left edge of the screen to switch to the next Windows 8 app.
5.   Repeat step 3 to cycle through each open Windows 8 app.

Searching for files and settings in Windows 8

When you search in Windows 8, the results will include apps, settings, and files. You can
even search across your apps. As a result, you can find the apps, files, and information you
care about most—quickly and simply. Complete the following steps to search for results that
 contain the word  Windows , not just in your files but also across your apps:
1.   On the Start screen, type windows. Notice how Windows 8 displays a list of apps that
      contains the word “Windows.” By default, the Start screen displays results for Apps.

2.   On the right side of the search results, click Files . Notice that the search results show all
      files on the computer that contain the word Windows in their file names or metadata.

3.   On the left side, click Documents to limit the results to just documents.

4.   Click Videos  to limit the results to just pictures, as shown in Figure 2-3
.
5.   Press the Windows logo key + F, and click  Internet Explorer . Notice that the  
      Windows 8 Internet Explorer app displays search results that contain the word 
       “Windows.”

6.   Click News. Notice that the News app displays articles that contain the word  
      “Windows

Finding and launching apps quickly in windows 8

In Windows 7, you can quickly run apps by pressing the Windows logo key, typing the name
of the app, and pressing Enter. You can do the same thing in Windows 8. Complete the
 following steps to launch an app by searching for it:
1.   On the Start screen, type maps, and press  Enter. Notice that the Windows 8 Maps app
       opens immediately.

2.   Return to the Start screen, and type powershell.

3.   With Windows PowerShell already selected, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

4.   On the User Account Control dialog box, click Yes. Notice that Windows PowerShell
      opened with elevated permissions.

5.   Close Windows PowerShell.

Showing administrative tools in windows 8

IT pros like to keep their administrative tools handy. They also like keyboard shortcuts. Not
only can you add administrative tools to the Start screen, but you can also open a menu of
administrative tools quickly. Complete the following steps to see how you can quickly access
administrative tools by using just the keyboard:
1.   On the Start screen, press the Windows logo key + I, click Tiles.
2.   Click Show administrative tools to change it to Yes.
3.   Return to the Start screen. Notice all of the administrative tools on the right end of the
Start screen.
4.   Now press the Windows logo key + X. Notice the menu of administrative tools in the
lower-left corner of the screen (Figure 2-2). Press Esc to close the menu.