Top 10 Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 apps

Top 10 Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 apps for 2015

Designed to be equally useful on a tablet as on a PC or laptop, Windows 8.1 is the first operating system to truly make use of apps outside of smartphones and other portable devices. So we’ve rounded up ten of the most popular and essential apps for your Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 computer, all of which you can download today.

1. Google Drive Explorer

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/app/12e1a89a-6d6d-4dd4-940a-2ee4685adc3c
App Category: Business
Price: £3.49
Description: Store all of your important files, photos and documents safely in the cloud with Google Drive Explorer, and then access them from any device on-the-move.
Details: Get Google Drive Explorer for Windows 8.1 and save all important work files and documents for easy access when away from home or the office. With files stored safely in the cloud, editing and sharing become so much easier and more convenient, with collaborative work made simple and seamless.

2. Skype

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/5e19cc61-8994-4797-bdc7-c212...

App Category: Communications
Price: Free
Description: Skype is one of the most popular viode, video and instant messaging apps on the planey.
Details: Hundreds of millions of people use Skype everyday to talk to friends, family and colleagues for free. This internet service is more than just a replacement for a phone call. It also offers video calls and instant messages as well. On the horizon is real-time language translation for anyone that speaks English, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.

3. Mobile Document Scanner

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/43d45a0d-81d7-48e7-8533-4f86e6f8a663
App Category: Business
Price: £3.49
Description: What it says on the tin, Mobile Document Scanner lets you scan notes, documents or images and convert them to PDF format.
Details: The app works best for hybrid computers, designed to turn your Windows tablet into a portable scanner capable of turning pretty much anything into a PDF file you can share, store and edit to your heart’s content. You can upload to cloud services, share via social media or simply edit and crop images.

4. CatchupTV

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/tvcatchup/7d3a9c06-a804-4df2...
App Category: Leisure
Price: Free
Description: Watch TV over the internet on your laptop or tablet with this handy app.
Details: This app allows Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 users to watch live TV over the internet. It features most of the popular free-to-air channels in the UK and sports a TV guide as well. Users can create their own personal channel list and pin favourite channels to the start page as tiles.

5. Drawboard PDF

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/6d65bcd8-8390-4533-af58-307d2e1ec1dd
App Category: Productivity
Price: £5.99
Description: Get rid of the notepad and edit and annotate your PDFs directly with Drawboard PDF.
Details: There’s no need to make notes the old fashioned way when there’s an app that can do it for you – Drawboard PDF allows you to edit and annotate PDF files directly on your PC, with a huge collection of tools and options that make it the best way to amend and add to documents in a meeting or at your desk.

6. Gotomeeting

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/346bf3d4-6423-44d1-8d43-82c14b7819e1
App Category: Business
Price: FREE
Description: A free app to make setting up impromptu meetings a little simpler.
Details: Gotomeeting allows you to organise meetings in a more cohesive way, using it to either start a pre-planned meeting or set up a new one last minute. Share presentations and images on-screen for everyone in the group to see, display your browser or quickly send files, all to enhance team meetings and get-togethers.

7. Splashtop Personal Remote Desktop

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/3523093b-4869-4076-8c93-c1629c74b861
App Category: Business
Price: FREE
Description: Get remote access to your PC desktop on your Windows tablet.
Details: The only remote desktop app with HD video streaming and full audio, Splashtop Personal Remote Desktop gives you the option of working from your desktop even when you’re away from your PC or laptop. Access files over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G on your device, working seamlessly from wherever you are.

8. PowerPoint Templates

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/2a21c399-c036-4c01-a081-082d0db8b484
App Category: Productivity
Price: £5.99
Description: Enhance work presentations with new templates and animated backgrounds.
Details: An add-on for users who already have Microsoft Office 2008 or later, PowerPoint Templates offers lots of HQ designs for you to create your presentations with. This includes templates with animated backgrounds, video backgrounds or more subtle, professional-looking themes.

9. Mail, Calendar and People

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/64a79953-cf0b-44f9-b5c4-ee5df3a15c63
App Category: Productivity
Price: FREE
Description: Everything you need to stay organised and in contact with the right people.
Details: Organise your inbox with Mail, keep on top of your schedule with Calendar and stay in touch with contacts and colleagues with People. This is the best free app collection for professionals looking for a simple and easy way to communicate and manage their time in the most efficient way.

10. Trello

URL: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/trello/bd4fa6c1-0994-4caa-b0...

App Category: Productivity
Price: Free
Description: This digital Kanbanboard can make your projects easier to complete.

Details: Trello billed itself as the "easiest way to organise anything". You can create boards to organise the things you are working on. You can also invite friends, family or colleagues to work together on tasks. Everyone working on a project can l add cards, make changes, upload attachments, and more.

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Best Android apps for 2015

 

Android has crept into businesses and boardrooms in a big way, easily competing with Apple and gaining popularity all of the time. But which apps will make you more productive in the workplace? Which apps can help you tweak that winning sales pitch or make a note of that next big idea?
We run down a list of the ten best and most popular Android apps for you to download in 2015.

1. PrinterShare

URL: http://www.printershare.com/mobile.sdf
App Category: Business
Description: Get unlimited remote printing from your phone or tablet.
Price: £6.95
Details: As hard as we try to commit ourselves to the death of physical documents, sometimes we just can’t avoid having to print something we’re working on. PrinterShare lets you print documents, photos, emails and more directly from your device without any of the hassle of transferring files or locating a nearby PC.
The business case: Mobile working is becoming the norm so, when we find ourselves in need of a printer, an app like this easily removes the hassle of doing it from a desktop PC.

2. Inbox by Gmail

URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=5700313618786177705
App Category: Productivity
Description: An email app that helps organise messages in a way that’s easier to read.
Price: FREE
Details: Previously invite-only, Inbox by Gmail is the perfect tool for organising email in a way that’s much simpler to scan, organise and read. You’ll be greeted by highlights from your inbox when opening the app, and similar messages will be helpfully grouped together. You can also set reminders, or snooze emails and alerts to go back to later.

3. Swype Keyboard

URL: http://www.swype.com/
App Category: Productivity
Price: 59p
Description: A faster keyboard for those who want to type on their Android phone or tablet.
Details: For those who often find themselves typing on their phone or tablet, whether that’s sending lengthy emails or writing entire documents while on the move, your device’s default keyboard just doesn’t cut it sometimes. Downloading the Swype Keyboard means that you can type what you like much more quickly and comfortably. The app also claims to get up to 40 words per minute.
The business case: The app has three separate keyboard layouts to cater to your tablet or phone screen size, and the four-in-one keyboard offers Swype, Type, Write and Speak capabilities.

4. OfficeSuite Pro

 

 

URL: http://www.mobisystems.com/
App Category: Business
Description: A way to create and edit Word, Excel, PDF files and more from your Android device.
Price: £7.85
Details: A worthy alternative to Microsoft Office programs, OfficeSuite allows you to view, create and edit documents from your Android device, with all of the formatting and conversion options you need. Other rich editing features and easy sharing make this a fantastic tool for professionals who often need to view and tweak files from their phone or tablet while on the move, and full integration for various cloud services lets you back up what you need and pick up where you left off as soon as you’re back in the office.
The business case: A good office suite is one of the biggest essentials for professionals who find themselves away from their desks a lot, and OfficeSuite 7 is a great option with lots of advanced features.

5. CamCard

 

 

URL: https://www.camcard.com/
App Category: Business
Price: 60p
Description: Organise your business contacts by storing cards on your iPhone.
Details: Networking and building contacts is a big part of the everyday life of a professional and, rather than carrying around traditional business card, with the risk of losing them, CamCard makes sure you can keep track of contacts you’ve made and people you’ve met all on your iPhone. Not only does this eliminate the need to carry all of the cards you’ve collected, but it also lets you quickly exchange details with people nearby.
The business case: You can create your own personal profile, share with others quickly and easily, and follow-up on contacts you’ve made all through the app.

6. Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

 

URL: www.adobe.com
App Category: Productivity
Description: A popular tool for reading and modifying PDFs.
Price: FREE
Details: Easy-to-use and completely free, Adobe Reader is Android’s most popular app for reading and interacting with PDFs. With the app on your device, you can quickly open PDF files from email or the web, viewing them anywhere and using tools to edit, zoom and share them straight from your phone or tablet. All of the features are designed to make documents simple to read no matter what size screen you’re working with.
The business case: As well as reading and editing documents, users can also convert PDFs into Word or Excel files, fill out forms and share files quickly and easily.

7. CamScanner

 

 

URL: https://www.camscanner.net/
App Category: Productivity
Price: £1.16
Description: A way to create high quality PDFs from documents and more.
Details: When so much work is now done remotely or between team members who aren’t in the same place, being able to scan documents is still a vital part of any business. CamScanner turns your phone into said scanner, making it more convenient to turn hard copies into high quality PDFs that can be stored, saved and sent to relevant parties.
The business case: After scanning important documents, it’s much easier to work collaboratively using cloud storage, send to co-workers and print multiple copies.

8. File Manager Pro

 

 

URL: http://www.cmcm.com/en-us/
App Category: Business
Price: £1.99
Description: A feature-rich file manager for Android.
Details: For business users, a good file manager is an essential way of keeping things organised and tidy on your device, and this free app allows you to keep things from getting messy. View your files in list or grid display options, compress to save space, search and share easily, view thumbnails for video and photos and edit text files on the go.
The business case: With simple search and share features and a user-friendly interface, File Manager is one of the most popular apps of its kind for Android.

9. aCalendar+

 

 

URL: http://www.tapirapps.de/en/index.html
App Category: Productivity
Price: £2.99
Description: A comprehensive calendar app that will ensure you’re always organised.
Details: The perfect calendar app for those who may find it tricky to keep up with a busy schedule, with tons of extra features that make it very simple to stay as organised as possible. You can navigate different views, choose colours and other customisation tools, add widgets to your home screen, link events to relevant contacts, manage invitations, sync with your device’s native calendar and more.
The business case: The pro version of aCalendar+ has many more features useful for professional users, with an increased focus on organising events and managing contacts.

10. Dropbox

URL: http://www.dropbox.com/
App Category: Productivity
Price: FREE
Description: Store and share files and documents between team members directly from the cloud.
Details: The most popular cloud storage option available for Android, Dropbox allows users to store their photos, documents and videos to access them from anywhere across all of their devices. With 2GB of free space included when you sign up and sharing between team members incredibly simple, the ability to access files from wherever you are also increases mobility and eases collaboration.
The business case: You can easily access files and documents while out of the office, allowing you to continue working from wherever you happen to be, no fuss.

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Best antivirus software 2015

Antivirus protection you can trust is necessary for every PC to guard against malware, trojans and attacks from cybercriminals.
A good antivirus tool will prevent, disable and remove malicious programs from yourcomputer. While it won't prevent every attack, it is crucial to have such protetion to secure you laptop or PC.
The latest AV products do a much betterjob of preventing newer, unknown viruses than they did a few years ago, so it is important to update to the latest software to take advantage of the protection these products afford.
We've taken a look at some of the best enterprise antivirus products available in 2015. Our first list is based on the results from the Dennis Technology Labs's test research, but will be updated as time goes on to include a wider range of products.

1. Symantec Endpoint Protection

Price: £137 for six licences (Small Business Edition 2015)
Overview: This suite of tools covers the desktops, servers and virtualised infrastructure. Protection can be extended to mobile devices and disk encryption is also available. The suite has a single pane of glass-type dashboard and giving fine-tuned controls like the ability to monitor application behaviour.
In tests carried out by Dennis Technology Labs, Symantec scored 1000.5 for total accuracy in how effectively it blocked threats and allowed legitimate applications.
Supported devices:
PCs - Windows XP, XP Embedded SP2, Vista, 7, Embedded Standard 7, 8, OS X 10.6.8+
Server - Windows Server 2003/R2 SP1, Server 2008/R2 SP1, Server 2012, SBS 2003 (32bit), SBS 2008 (64bit), SBS 2011 (64bit), Essential Business Server 2008 (64bit), OS X Server 10.6.8+

2. Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business Core

Price: 25 seats, 1 yr subscription, £423 ex VAT
Overview: Kaspersky’s Endpoint Security provides top-notch malware detection and is easier to deploy than competing products. The Security Center console provides good centralised management facilities and offers quality reporting and alerting features.
Kaspersky's Endpoint Security for Windows recently scored 1017 for total accuracy in a recent Dennis Technology Labs test.
Supported devices:
PCs - Windows XP Home/Professional (32bit) SP3, Professional (64bit) SP2, Vista SP1, 7 SP1, 8, 8.1.
Servers - Windows Server 2008 R2/Standard SP1, SBS 2008 SP2, SBS 2011 Essentials, SBS 2011 Standard SP1, Windows Server 2012 R2/Foundation/Essentials/Standard.
Mobile - Android
Business Server 2008, Server 2012 Essentials, OS X Server 10.4.11+

3. Avast Endpoint Protection Suite Plus

Price: £144.95 for five licences per year
Overview: Avast Endpoint Protection Suite Plus is suitable for SMBs and can scale up to large enterprises. The suite offers endpoint protection and also covers email and file servers. Admins also receive a desktop firewall, antispam and remote management and deployment through a web-based console.
Its core malware engine had an overall protection score of 271 out of 300 according to tests run by Dennis Technology Labs on its free product.
Supported devices:
PCs - Windows XP (SP2 minimum), Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, OS X
Server - Windows Server 2003/2008/2012, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2003/2007/2010/2013, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003/2007/2010/2013

4. Sophos Endpoint Protection

Price: £161 for six users, one year
Overview: While Sophos still offers businesses the option of running a management console on-site, this antivirus suite ais available with a cloud-based option. Administrators can use a cloud interface to manage devices on their own network.
The console displays the real-time threat level and discovery of malware throughout the day. In a recent Dennis Technology Labs test, Sophos Endpoint Protection scored 986 for total accuracy.
Supported devices:
PCs - Windows XP SP2, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1

5. McAfee VirusScan, HIPs and SiteAdvisor

Price: On application
Overview: McAfee VirusScan Enterprise combines anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, and intrusion prevention technologies to stop and remove malicious software.
In a recent Dennis Technology Lab, McAfee scored 992 for total acuracy of its produc in protecting against threats and allowing legitimate apps to work.
Supported Devices: Windows 7,8,8.1,Vista, XP, 2000, Server 2012, Server 2008, Server 2003, Windows 2000 Server. VMware ESX, ESXi, Citrix XenDesktop and XenServer.

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Best iPad apps for 2015

 

  Collection of the best and most popular iPad apps to download in 2015

Smartphones are clearly an essential part of the working life of any professional, but it’s tablets that have really made working on the move so much easier and more productive. The iPad has also cornered the business market with apps designed specifically to help users be more productive and collaborative at work.

This includes invaluable tools for security, word processing, tracking finances and communicating more effectively with co-workers and clients. There are so many apps promising to do all sorts of things that it’s often hard to keep track, so we’ve created a handy list of the best and more popular apps currently available to download for your iPad.

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader

URL: http://www.adobe.com/go/acrobatdcmobile_forum
App Category: Business
Price: FREE
Description: The most popular app for reading, editing and converting PDF files on your tablet.
Details: If you regularly use PDFs, then you need Adobe Reader. With the app on your iPad, reading and interacting with PDF files is so much easier, and you can also use it to manage, convert and share files at your leisure. Open up documents in Adobe Reader directly from emails, the web or an app, search the file for words and phrases, convert them to a variety of different files types and access password-protected forms.
The business case: A lot of different businesses deal with PDFs on a daily basis, and so having Adobe Reader for the iPad means professionals can make use of all of its tools and functions from wherever they are.

2. Scanner Pro

URL: http://readdle.com/
App Category: Business
Price: £2.29
Description: For high quality scans of anything, from anywhere, using your iPad.
Details: Scanning paper documents to be used on our PCs used to be a relatively arduous and time-consuming task, but Scanner Pro allows you to reach the same end with your phone. After scanning, PDF files can be emailed, printed, shared or uploaded to tools like Dropbox etc. The app also has automatic edge detection to ensure high quality scans, and you can also manually crop pages afterwards.
The business case: As well as scanning documents to send electronically, a good portable scanner allows you to backup and store important information to access at your convenience.

3. Microsoft Word

 

 

URL: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/mobile/
App Category: Productivity
Price: FREE
Description: Microsoft Office has finally arrives for iPad, giving you access to the Microsoft Word you know and love for your tablet.
Details: Create and edit Microsoft Word documents on your tablet in exactly the way you’re used to, with the same layout and functionality that you’d find on your Mac or PC. That means images, charts, footnotes, tables and everything else you might need, with the option to view email attachments and access documents from the cloud via OneDrive, Dropbox and more.
The business case: Most people are already well-versed in how to use Microsoft Word, which makes it perfect for working more seamlessly across multiple devices.

4. Dropbox

 

 

URL: http://www.dropbox.com/
App Category: Productivity
Price: FREE
Description: Share files and documents simply and easily, storing them for access from anywhere.
Details: Dropbox has quickly become the most popular cloud storage app for storing videos, photos and documents, and the app’s iteration for iPad is just another tool for keeping your files together in one easy-to-access location. With 2GB of free space given to you just from signing up, it couldn’t be easier to create an account for an entire team to use, making collaboration much easier as well as allowing you to work remotely.
The business case: Whether you’re away from your PC or you want several people to access something at once, storing files with Dropbox is the perfect solution.

5. AirWatch Agent

URL: http://eyacker.com/
App Category: Business
Price: FREE
Description: An app for managing and supporting all devices across a company.
Details: A device tool for mobility management, this app can be used with the AirWatch console to monitor and manage all devices in your company. For organisations that rely on communication and collaboration between teams and employees, having a single app keeping track of everything can be very useful, and it couldn’t be easier to set up and use.
The business case: With the rise of BYOD in business, it’s already true that pretty much everyone works with a mobile device. This app helps to control and manage this, improving security at the same time.

6. Invoice2go

 

 

URL: http://www.invoice2go.co.uk/
App Category: Business
Price: FREE
Description: For fast and easy invoicing from your tablet.
Details: An app designed to create invoices, estimates, credit memos and purchase orders straight from your device, as well as keeping track of money owed, taxes and totals. With templates to choose from and the option to include PayPal buttons for convenience, Invoice2go Plus allows users to track and manage invoices before sending them directly to customers and clients.
The business case: This is the perfect tool for freelancers and businesses that have trouble keeping track of money owed, money paid and money received.

7. Gmail

URL: http://mail.google.com/
App Category: Productivity
Price: FREE
Description: Google mail for your iPad, with multiple account support and real-time notifications.
Details: There are lots of different email apps available for the iPad, but the most popular remains Google’s Gmail, which pulls multiple accounts (up to five) together, offers real-time notifications and sports top-notch search capabilities. Its main selling point is how user-friendly it is, with a stripped-back interface and easy navigation making it so many people’s go-to app for mail management.
The business case: Email is often the first point of communication in business, so it’s important that professionals find the perfect mail app to suit them – Gmail remains popular for a reason.

8. Evernote

URL: http://evernote.com/
App Category: Tools & Productivity
Price: FREE
Description: An app that makes brainstorming, making lists and sharing ideas much easier.
Details: Evernote is the ultimate note-taking app, giving you the option of sharing notes, scribbles and the results of a brainstorming session with you co-workers as well as sync lists and reminders across devices so that you can work from anywhere. It keeps things organised but gives you the freedom to use both images and text to create notes, as well as illustrations and web clippings.
The business case: It's great in meetings, when you need something more easily shared than scraps of paper, and you can upload or email your notes straight away without any hassle at all.

9. Splashtop 2 Remote Desktop

URL: http://www.splashtop.com/
App Category: Business
Price: £2.99
Description: A way to view your desktop via your device even when away from your desk.
Details: We can’t always be at our desks and – let’s face it, sometimes we just don’t want to be – so Splashtop provides a helpful way for us to view our work or home PC desktop from anywhere. With the app on your iPad, you can easily access your PC when on the train, at home or out and about during the day – meaning you’re never without your computer when you really need it.
The business case: Outside of using Splashtop to access files when away from your computer, it can also be useful for displaying your desktop on external screens when in meetings or presentations.

10. Microsoft Excel

 

 

URL: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/mobile/
App Category: Productivity
Price: FREE
Description: Microsoft’s spreadsheet tool is now available for the iPad with an Office 365 subscription.
Details: Create and edit formulas, tables, charts, comments and more, with the same familiar layout as you would see for MS Excel on your PC or Mac. View email attachments and access files across various cloud drives, keep working on your current project no matter which device you were previously using, print a workbook wirelessly with the right apps and use a special formula keyboard for increased speed.
The business case: The ability to continue working on a single spreadsheet across devices using MS Excel means you can switch to your iPad immediately, also aiding collaboration between team members.

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Windows 8.1 tips & tricks: 13 ways to increase productivity

If you're new to the Windows 8 experience, you might be irked by some of the interface tweaks Microsoft has made. We show you 13 tips to make the most out of your PC for productivity purposes and help to give the OS a more familiar feel.

1 – Boot to desktop

In Windows 8.1 users can now boot directly to the desktop. However, this feature needs to be activated manually. To do this right-click the Taskbar > Properties > Navigation tab.
Under Start screen (bottom pane), tick the first option that says, “When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start”. Then click on OK or Apply.

                                             2 -  Get a proper Start Button

Windows 8.1 is reintroduced a dumbed down Start button, but thankfully there are a range alternatives that bring back the fully featured Windows 7 version.
One of the most popular is Classic Shell and it’s free. The app offers three types of Start Button - Classic, Two Column and Windows 7.
Version 4 offers improved compatibility with Windows 8.1. New features include a dedicated shutdown button, the ability to pin programs to the taskbar from an explorer windows and better Windows Search functionality.

                                                   3 – Re-open Libraries
Microsoft has disabled the libraries feature by default. However, this can be reactivated easily. To do this open up Windows Explorer > View > Options. Tick the box Show libraries in the navigation pane to re-activate the feature.

                                  4 – Uninstall unused apps at the same time
Windows 8.1 allows users to select multiple apps and uninstall them all at the same time. If you ever need to do this, right click on the Start screen > Customise > Tick apps you want to uninstall.

                                                  5 – Disable Charms
Charms in Windows 8.1 aim to speed up access to menus. But if you find yourself inadvertently activating the menu with your mouse, it’s possible to disable it.
Go to Taskbar > Properties > Navigation and untick the “When I point to the upper-right corner, show the charms.”

6 – Open files in the desktop instead of Modern UI

Music, videos, pictures and PDF files are automatically opened using Modern UI apps by default, but you can changed to be opened within the desktop.
To do this, from the Windows Start screen type “default programs and click on the Default Programs icon under results. Click "Set your default programs" and choose the app you want to set as your default for your files.

7 – Keyboard shortcuts

Many people still use the mouse to perform tasks which can be done quicker using a keyboard shortcut. Here are a few useful combinations which will get you started.
Windows key + C: Opens up the charms menu
Window key + O: Locks the orientation of the screen
Windows key + Q: Opens up the App Search pane. This now appears alone and without the Start screen.
Windows key + M: Minimises all windows and brings you back to the desktop.
Windows key + H: Opens the Share charm in any app you are currently in.
Windows key + F: Opens up the Search box to help find files.
Windows key + I: Opens up the Settings Charm.
Windows key + (full stop) + Arrow key: Moves app to the left or right of screen so you can view more than one app at a time. Using the down arrow key with this combination will close the app you are in.
More shortcuts can be found here.

8 – Turn off notifications to minimise distractions

If you want to get work done without being distracted by notifications Windows 8.1 has got you covered.
Go to PC Settings > Search & apps and then make sure the Quiet Hours switch is on. You can then choose which times you want to be left in peace.

9 – Search locally and on the internet

The search function in Windows 8.1 searches files on your device and also for answers on internet simultaneously.
When you enter a term, the local files will appear as normally, but swiping to the left will bring up other web pages Bing has trawled through. This also shows up files on SkyDrive too.

10 – Get SkyDrive under control

SkyDrive is baked into Windows 8.1. Files stored here are listed alongside other categories, such as downloads and documents. Whilst cloud storage is a boon to those who use files across multiple machines, you may not want all you fires in the cloud.
To ensure that Windows 8.1 isn’t storing stuff in the cloud without your permission, go to PC Settings. Here there are settings for the cloud storage tool that will determine whether it is enabled by default as well as how specific content types are handled.
SkyDrive also tries to save space on the hard drive by using what it dubs “Smart Files”. This is a great feature as long as you have an internet connection, but useless when you don’t. To make sure that all SkyDrive files are accessible when you need them go to Windows Explorer > right click SkyDrive > select Make Available Offline. This will download all files stored in the cloud and save them locally.

11 – Ditch Command Prompt and go for PowerShell

In Windows 8.1 right clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar brings up a list of power user commands.
For those of you that need to carry out more intensive, complex tasks using DOS-style commands you can replace CMD with Windows PowerShell.
To do this go to Navigation Properties > Tick the box marked Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the lower-left corner .

                                    12 – Show all apps instead of live tiles
If you want to retain the Modern UI start screen but want to change the layout, it’s possible to display all apps.
To make this more productive in use, it is best to tick all of the last four boxes in the Taskbar and Navigation Properties dialogue box.
When you click on the Start button you will see all your desktop applications first on the list (Modern UI apps appear at the end). Of course you can still go back to the live tiles by clicking the little arrow at the bottom to go back to that view, but why would you?

13 – Pinning your apps to the taskbar & emails folders to desktop 
You should pin your most frequently used apps to your taskbar so you can access them faster.
Right click on an app within Modern UI. Then select the option at the bottom that says “Pin to Taskbar”.
If you like to set up rules and filters in your email that moves messages into certain folders (for example, all emails from your boss go into one folder), you can pin these folders to the start screen to save extra time in locating them.
From within the Mail app in Windows 8.1, right click a folder you wish to pin, then click on the “Manage Folders” icon at the bottom, the click “Pin to Start”. After selecting the tile size, you can then go back to the Start screen and place it wherever you want.

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Discover hidden tips & tricks in Apple's OS X Mavericks, including shortcuts and security. 

  Whether you're new to the Mac platform or have been using it for a number of years there are always tricks and tips you may be unaware of, which can boost productivity.

Below we list 14 tips and tricks to help you get the best out of Apple's desktop operating system.

1. Useful shortcuts

If you’re coming across from a Windows machine you’ll need to adapt to the new shortcuts on Mac. There are bucketloads of features so we've included ten useful ones to get you started.

Command + Tab  – Cycles through apps
Command + `  – Switches between application windows
Command + ,  – Opens up application preferences (may not work with everything)
Command + H – Hides current window
Command + Option + Esc – See running apps and force quit if necessary
Shift + Command + 3 – Screenshots entire screen and saves as a picture
Shift + Command + Control + 3 – Screenshots entire screen and is copied to clipboard
Shift + Command + 4 – Screenshot a designated area with the mouse
Option + Shift + Command + V – Pastes text with no formatting
Option + Shift + Command + Space - Opens a windows with spotlight so you can search for files on the Mac.

2. Make sure TrackPad gestures are activated

If you’re using a MacBook then chances are you’ve got the gestures sorted. If you’re using a desktop it’s a good idea to invest in the Magic TrackPad accessory so you can also benefit from smooth transitions between apps, desktops and windows.
We prefer unticking the natural scroll direction - but it’s worth experimenting to see what you find comfortable.

3. Screencast recording

OS X has a built-in screen recording facility allowing users to capture everything on the display. This is handy for making instructional videos and can even be useful in compliance situations. To record a video open up QuickTime Player and from the file menu, click on “New Screen Recording”. Then choose the audio source such as the internal mic and whether you want to include mouse clicks.
When ready, hit record and make your video. It’s possible to record the whole screen or a selection. Afterwards, you can edit it and upload it to YouTube.

4. Resize, crop,  fine-tune images & add a signature

The Preview app is more than just an image viewer. It can crop, edit and adjust the colours of an image/
From OS X 10.7 onwards, the Preview app allows you to add your signature to documents and mail them digitally.
In Preview preferences, navigate to the Signature tab and click on the “+” button. Write your name in black ink on a blank sheet of white paper and hold it to the Mac’s webcam, and watch as it magically appears onscreen.
To put your signature to a document, bring up the Edit toolbar and click on the signature icon. Draw a box and add your signature to the form. You printing, signing and faxing days will be a thing of the past.

5. Dictation

Voice dictation was built into Mountain Lion and has now been improved within Mavericks.
To enable dictation, go the System Preferences and choose “Dictation and Speech” and make sure the radio button for Dictation is “On”. Then to use dictation, just press the Fn key twice in succession and start talking. You can also change this shortcut to whatever combination of keystrokes works best for you.
In Mavericks, there is an “Enhanced Dictation” tool. Clicking on the check box downloads a 700MB language file so all speech processing is done on the Mac locally instead of through Apple's cloud servers. This also means the thirty-second limit on speech you dictate is no longer applicable and you can chat to your heart’s content.

6. Add website clips to Dashboard

Dashboard is the half-forgotten feature of OS X and only ever pops up when you accidentally swipe too far left.
You can add web pages as widgets and put them on the dashboard for future reference. To do this, open up Safari and make a clip of a website, open it in Safari, then choose “Open in Dashboard”. Use your mouse to select the area of the webpage you want on the dashboard and then click add (on the top right of the window).
This then puts the clipping onto the dashboard (there’s an “I” in the bottom right of the clip that allows you to change the frame appearance). The clip should automatically update, but if it doesn’t appear to Command + R will refresh the clip.

7. Kill the Dashboard

Perhaps having web clips isn’t your thing. You can get rid of the Dashboard by opening up the Terminal app and typing “defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean true”, then hitting enter. Relaunch the dock by typing in “killall Dock” and you'll never see this feature again.

8. Remote control a Mac

OS X has a built remote sharing feature called Back To My Mac.
You need to ensure the Mac you want to remotely connect to is on and synced with your iCloud account (this is done via the Systems Preferences app). You should also make sure that Back To My Mac is enabled by ticking the box. In the sharing preferences part of system preferences, make sure the remote management is enabled on the Mac you need to connect to as well. On the router the remote Mac is connected to ensure that UPnP is enabled. All of this should then allow your remote Mac to check in with Apple’s server to let them know its internet location.

From the Mac you are working on make sure that iCloud is turned on and you are logged in with your account to that service, turn on Back To My Mac as well as sharing. It’s important to make sure you are using the same Apple ID on both computers. Then it is just a case of clicking on the remote Mac on the sidebar in a Finder window and clicking on Share Screen. A window will open and display the remote Mac’s screen.

9. Copy Files to and from a remote Mac

Back To My Mac not only lets you share the screen but lets you copy files to and from a remote Mac. If you have followed the previous process to share the screen, to access files, you need to enable File Sharing under the Sharing icon in System Preferences.
In the Finder window go to the remote Mac you wish to share files with and you click on “Connect As”. Type in your Apple ID and password and now you have access to the hard drive. You can move files between the two systems as you would with a remote server.

10. Merge all finder windows

This is one for Mavericks users. Finder now supports tabs so you can consolidate multiple panes into one window. Instead of dragging them all together one-by-one, in the Finder menu choose Window the click on Merge All Windows and you're done.

11. Share a DVD drive with others

The latest Mac desktops and laptops don't have optical drives but it you need to use physical media it's still possible. If you have an old Mac with a Super-drive you can set it up to share this with your drive-less devices.
To do this, open up System Preferences on the Mac with a DVD drive, click on Sharing and in that window tick the box marked “DVDor CD sharing”. Then insert the disc you want to share. Go the drive-less Mac (making sure it is on the same network) and open the Finder window. Look at the sidebar for “Remote Disc” in the Devices section. Click on it and then double-click the computer you want to connect to.

12. Find another printer 

Working in a large department you may find a printer to be busy churning out a large document. You can set up your Mac to print to the next available printer if there is more than one on the network. To do this, go into System Preferences and click on Printers and Scanners.
Select the printers from the list that you want to be in the pool (To select multiple printer, hold down the Command button and click on additional printers. Click on Create Printer Pool and give it a name. Click OK.
Then next time you print a document, you can choose the printer pool from the pop-up menu.

13. Give your guests safe access to a Mac

Guest accounts are great if you want to let someone borrow your Mac to check email or browse the web.
This can be enabled by going into System Preferences and clicking on Users and Groups. This then puts the Guest User account on the login screen. Guests can use this account and once finished it wipes that session.

14. Find out what your Mac is up to

Sometimes you may find the Mac is running slow and you have no idea why. There is a handy little app that lets you see what exactly is going on under the hood.
Activity Monitor can be found in the Utilities Folder. This has columns showing CPU usage of individual apps and processes and how much memory it is using. If you find a problematic app hogging resources, you can click on Quit Process to shut the offending app down. You can also use this utility to look at usage graphs as well.

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