Windows 8 questions

[Squonk]

Hi
Sorry for troubling you.
I have a new computer, with Windows 8.
I have a couple questions.
1) how do I search for stuff on my computer?
2) how do I find control panel?
3) how do I change my language to another one?

Thank you for your answers.
Squonk / Heresson.

 

[Zelig]

1.
a. In file explorer, search for stuff in the top-right box, same as Win7.
b. On the start screen search for apps/settings/files by hitting windows+q/w/f respectively, or just windows + type to search for apps by default.
c. Open charms bar and hit search to search contextually depending on your current app, or to select the app you want to search in.

2. Hit windows, type "con" is probably enough.

3. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2607607

 

[Squonk]

thank You

 

[Squonk]

how do I close the computer?

 

[Zelig]

Hit the power button.

 

[Squonk]

oh.
One more question. In this new windows, if I have a couple applications of the same type opened, they are visible on the lower toolbar as one icon only, while once every application (in my case, word document) had its own icon. Is it possible to return to the old system? It was much better.

 

[Squonk]

oh, and thank you again.

 

[Zelig]

You can also shutdown by opening the charms bar (with the mouse, or windows+c), hitting settings, then power, then shutdown, but the power button modern computers shuts down the same way, and generally easier.

Right-click on the taskbar>properties>taskbar buttons, change "Always combine" to "Combine when taskbar is full" or "Never combine".

 

[Iranon]

Additional shutdown options to the best of my memory (not currently using Windows 8):

Alt+F4 on the desktop with no window active.

"shutdown /s /t 0" for immediate shutdown and "shutdown /r /t 0" for immediate restart. You can create shortcuts to these commands as pseudo-buttons.

 

[shadowplay]

Does Windows 8 increase power consumption? I've been getting symptoms that point to a weak PSU ever since upgrading to Windows 8 on my desktop (system hangs after a few minutes of being on)