{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T13:17:21+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T13:17:21+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:05:19+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Technology","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33512"},"slug":"technology","categoryId":33512},{"name":"Computers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33513"},"slug":"computers","categoryId":33513},{"name":"Operating Systems","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33524"},"slug":"operating-systems","categoryId":33524},{"name":"Windows","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33532"},"slug":"windows","categoryId":33532},{"name":"Windows 10","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33535"},"slug":"windows-10","categoryId":33535}],"title":"Finding Hidden Hotspots in Windows 8.1","strippedTitle":"finding hidden hotspots in windows 8.1","slug":"finding-hidden-hotspots-in-windows-8-1","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Most apps in Windows 8.1 fill the entire screen. The full-screen view lets you concentrate on the information in front of you. But that also means you can’t see","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>Most apps in Windows 8.1 fill the entire screen. The full-screen view lets you concentrate on the information in front of you. But that also means you can’t see any menus. When you need those menus — to switch between apps, close them, or change their settings — you need to find the hotspots in Windows 8.1. Each hotspot triggers a different reaction.</p>\n<p>Windows 8.1 adds some quick pop-up tutorials to help you find the hotspots. (You must complete the tutorial to make it go away.)</p>\n<p>The following three tables explain three methods of finding hidden hotspots in Windows 8.1: using a mouse, using a keyboard, or using your fingers on a touchscreen tablet or monitor.</p>\n<p class=\"Tip\">For many people, the new Windows 8.1 Start screen is a distraction to be avoided. The sooner they move onto the desktop, the better. For moving quickly to the desktop, reposition the Desktop tile to the Start screen’s top-left corner so it’s the first app listed. Then, whenever you see the Start screen, just press Enter to head straight for the desktop.</p>\n<table>\n<caption>\nFinding hidden hotspots with the mouse\n</caption>\n<tr>\n<th>To Perform This Action . . .</th>\n<th>. . . Point the Mouse Here</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Return to the Start screen.</td>\n<td>Lower-left corner and then click the Start button.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Choose from currently running apps.</td>\n<td>Upper- or lower-left corner and then slide the mouse pointer up\nor down along the screen’s left edge. Click an app’s\nthumbnail to return to it.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Charms bar.</td>\n<td>Lower- or upper-right corners.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>See options for current app.</td>\n<td>Right-click a blank part of the app’s screen.</td>\n</tr>\n</table>\n<table>\n<caption>\nFinding hidden hotspots with the keyboard\n</caption>\n<tr>\n<th>To Perform This Action . . .</th>\n<th>. . . Press These Keys</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Start screen.</td>\n<td>Windows key.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Choose from currently running apps.</td>\n<td>Hold down Alt and press Tab repeatedly until you’ve\nhighlighted the desired app. Then release both keys.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Charms bar.</td>\n<td>Windows key and C.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>See the currently viewed app’s menus.</td>\n<td>Windows key and Z.</td>\n</tr>\n</table>\n<table>\n<caption>\nFinding hidden hotspots on a touchscreen\n</caption>\n<tr>\n<th>To Perform This Action . . .</th>\n<th>. . . Do This</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Charms bar.</td>\n<td>Swipe from the right.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Start screen.</td>\n<td>Open the Charms bar and then tap the Windows icon.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cycle through last-used apps.</td>\n<td>Swipe from left and then tap the desired app.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>See options for current program.</td>\n<td>Swipe from bottom.</td>\n</tr>\n</table>","description":"<p>Most apps in Windows 8.1 fill the entire screen. The full-screen view lets you concentrate on the information in front of you. But that also means you can’t see any menus. When you need those menus — to switch between apps, close them, or change their settings — you need to find the hotspots in Windows 8.1. Each hotspot triggers a different reaction.</p>\n<p>Windows 8.1 adds some quick pop-up tutorials to help you find the hotspots. (You must complete the tutorial to make it go away.)</p>\n<p>The following three tables explain three methods of finding hidden hotspots in Windows 8.1: using a mouse, using a keyboard, or using your fingers on a touchscreen tablet or monitor.</p>\n<p class=\"Tip\">For many people, the new Windows 8.1 Start screen is a distraction to be avoided. The sooner they move onto the desktop, the better. For moving quickly to the desktop, reposition the Desktop tile to the Start screen’s top-left corner so it’s the first app listed. Then, whenever you see the Start screen, just press Enter to head straight for the desktop.</p>\n<table>\n<caption>\nFinding hidden hotspots with the mouse\n</caption>\n<tr>\n<th>To Perform This Action . . .</th>\n<th>. . . Point the Mouse Here</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Return to the Start screen.</td>\n<td>Lower-left corner and then click the Start button.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Choose from currently running apps.</td>\n<td>Upper- or lower-left corner and then slide the mouse pointer up\nor down along the screen’s left edge. Click an app’s\nthumbnail to return to it.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Charms bar.</td>\n<td>Lower- or upper-right corners.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>See options for current app.</td>\n<td>Right-click a blank part of the app’s screen.</td>\n</tr>\n</table>\n<table>\n<caption>\nFinding hidden hotspots with the keyboard\n</caption>\n<tr>\n<th>To Perform This Action . . .</th>\n<th>. . . Press These Keys</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Start screen.</td>\n<td>Windows key.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Choose from currently running apps.</td>\n<td>Hold down Alt and press Tab repeatedly until you’ve\nhighlighted the desired app. Then release both keys.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Charms bar.</td>\n<td>Windows key and C.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>See the currently viewed app’s menus.</td>\n<td>Windows key and Z.</td>\n</tr>\n</table>\n<table>\n<caption>\nFinding hidden hotspots on a touchscreen\n</caption>\n<tr>\n<th>To Perform This Action . . .</th>\n<th>. . . Do This</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Charms bar.</td>\n<td>Swipe from the right.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Open the Start screen.</td>\n<td>Open the Charms bar and then tap the Windows icon.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cycle through last-used apps.</td>\n<td>Swipe from left and then tap the desired app.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>See options for current program.</td>\n<td>Swipe from bottom.</td>\n</tr>\n</table>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9105,"name":"Andy Rathbone","slug":"andy-rathbone","description":" Andy Rathbone's computer books, which include Windows? 2000 Professional For Dummies? and Upgrading and Fixing PCs For Dummies?, have sold more than 11 million copies.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9105"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33535,"title":"Windows 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Finding Hidden Hotspots in Windows 8.1

By: Andy Rathbone and

Updated: 03-26-2016

From The Book: Windows 8.1 For Dummies

Windows 8.1 For Dummies

Book image

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Most apps in Windows 8.1 fill the entire screen. The full-screen view lets you concentrate on the information in front of you. But that also means you can’t see any menus. When you need those menus — to switch between apps, close them, or change their settings — you need to find the hotspots in Windows 8.1. Each hotspot triggers a different reaction.

Windows 8.1 adds some quick pop-up tutorials to help you find the hotspots. (You must complete the tutorial to make it go away.)

The following three tables explain three methods of finding hidden hotspots in Windows 8.1: using a mouse, using a keyboard, or using your fingers on a touchscreen tablet or monitor.

For many people, the new Windows 8.1 Start screen is a distraction to be avoided. The sooner they move onto the desktop, the better. For moving quickly to the desktop, reposition the Desktop tile to the Start screen’s top-left corner so it’s the first app listed. Then, whenever you see the Start screen, just press Enter to head straight for the desktop.

Finding hidden hotspots with the mouse
To Perform This Action . . .	. . . Point the Mouse Here
Return to the Start screen.	Lower-left corner and then click the Start button.
Choose from currently running apps.	Upper- or lower-left corner and then slide the mouse pointer up or down along the screen’s left edge. Click an app’s thumbnail to return to it.
Open the Charms bar.	Lower- or upper-right corners.
See options for current app.	Right-click a blank part of the app’s screen.

Finding hidden hotspots with the keyboard
To Perform This Action . . .	. . . Press These Keys
Open the Start screen.	Windows key.
Choose from currently running apps.	Hold down Alt and press Tab repeatedly until you’ve highlighted the desired app. Then release both keys.
Open the Charms bar.	Windows key and C.
See the currently viewed app’s menus.	Windows key and Z.

Finding hidden hotspots on a touchscreen
To Perform This Action . . .	. . . Do This
Open the Charms bar.	Swipe from the right.
Open the Start screen.	Open the Charms bar and then tap the Windows icon.
Cycle through last-used apps.	Swipe from left and then tap the desired app.
See options for current program.	Swipe from bottom.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Windows 8.1 For Dummies ,

About the book author:

Andy Rathbone's computer books, which include Windows? 2000 Professional For Dummies? and Upgrading and Fixing PCs For Dummies?, have sold more than 11 million copies.

This article can be found in the category:

Windows 10 ,