Those who have already upgraded their machines to Windows 8.

1 from either Windows 8 or other

previous versions, they would still be trying to settle down with it. Although, Microsoft has duly
addressed the user response on Windows 8, yet these users are concerned on adaptability.
Anyhow, the developer cannot undertake the requirements of each user. However, users are
advised to take initiative by their selves to enhance Windows 8.1 performance and customize their
operating system as per their own yearnings.
Your presence on this page shows that you have also arrived to the Windows 8.1 family. You can
use some guidance to crystalize your experience with this updated operating system. Read
through the references described below and make use of these.
As the tips given below are concerned with Windows registry, let us show you how to access it.

Press Windows key on your keyboard to access Start screen

On this screen type regedit to initiate a new Start search

Click Regedit in search results and confirm the UAC message to openRegistry Editor
Note: To perform these directions, you would need to access and edit your Windows Registry
database. Be cautious while reading and applying, and do not forget to back up your current
registry settings. Read through the guide onaccessing and editing registry, in order to avoid any
inconvenience.
Disable Windows Store
If you think that you have to use this new version of Windows officially without the support of
Windows Store, you can turn off this feature to free up some memory. The complete process for
doing so is written below.

Go to Registry Editor and expand through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to reach the key below

SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore

If WindowsStore does not exist under Windows key, create a new one and name it
as WindowsStore

Now create a New DWORD Value and name it asRemoveWindowsStore

Double click this Value to Modify

Change the Value data from 0 to 1

Once the Windows Store is blocked, you would definitely not need its concerned services. Turn off
these services too for unloading the extra burden from your system resources. For this purpose,

In Registry Editor, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to get the end key below

Now access SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SystemEventsBroker

Locate and Modify the value named Start. Change its Value data to 4

Now go to SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\TimeBroker

Locate and Modify the value Start by changing its Value data to 4

Now reach for SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WSService

Locate and Modify the value named Start. Deactivate it by setting itsValue data to 4

Windows Store along with its pertinent services will not show up from now on.
Lock Screen Timeout
If you think that the lock screen of your Windows 8.1 times out too quickly and it should stay a bit
longer, you can change this behavior to your preference. The default time for such timeout is 1
minute or 60 seconds. Go to the registry and modify the setting to increase this time limit. To do
so,

Navigate through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE in the right pane of Registry Editor and go to the
key:

SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\ 7516b95f-f776-4464-8c5306167f40cc99\ 8EC4B3A5-6868-48c2-BE75-4F3044BE88A7

While the above key is selected, locate Attributes value in the right pane

Modify this value and set the Value data to 2

Click OK to save the changes

Disable Lock Screen

Lock screen is basically an image that welcomes you whenever the system is turned on or wakes
up from sleep mode. Some people find it refreshing, while some feel irritated due to the number of
clicks to access login session. The screen can simply be deactivated and bypassed to view the login
screen at first place. To do so,

Expand through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE in Registry Editor to reach the following key

SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Right click Windows to create a New key and name it as Personalization

Let the Personalization key be selected, and locate value namedNoLockScreen in the right
pane

Double click to Modify the value and set its Value data to 1

Click OK to save changes

Disable Charms Bar
Charms bar is one of the basic features of Windows 8, as well as Windows 8.1. and works quite
sufficiently while operating a touch screen device. However, users of PC or lap may not agree to
this. Operating the cursor can bring up the Charms bar frequently and unintentionally. Perform the
following actions to prevent this functionality.

Expand through HKEY_CURRENT_USER and navigate to the following concerned key

Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell

Right click ImmersiveShell and create a New Key, naming it as EdgeUI

Now in the right pane, create the value DisableCharmsHint and double click to Modify it

In the field next to Value data, replace 0 with 1, and click OK button

The next value to be created is named as DisableTRcorner

Modify it, set the Value data of this key as 1 and click OK button

No go for another new value named DisableTLcorner

Modify the Value data to set it as 1 and click OK button to save changes
Bypass the Start Screen
By default, when a user signs in to Windows 8.1, he/she is being taken to the Modern UI Start
screen. Although, this feature is new and compelling, some users do not like it this way. If you are
also the one, who prefers to stick with the Desktop screen and want it as the initial display, see
the following instructions.

Navigate through HKEY_CURRENT_USER and search for the last key in order stated below

Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage

Right click StartPage key to create a New DWORD Value and name it asOpenAtLogon

Modify OpenAtLogon to set the Value data as 0 and click OK button.

In order to see the effects of changes you just made, you must have to restart the computer.
Starting with bypassed lock screen you will observe each change at its due.
Show/Hide Hidden Files, Folders and Drives
Although there is another way to show or hide files, folders and drives in Folder options. You are
sometimes unable to access and make changes in the standard way. For such an occasion, it is
suggested to change the setting through Windows registry in the following manner.
Files and Folders

Expand through HKEY_CURRENT_USER in Windows Registry Editor to find:

Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

On the right side, locate the DWORD values named Hidden andShowSuperHidden

Double click both the values, each at a time to and change the Value datato 1

Click OK button
Drives

Stay on the same address path within Registry Editor as above

Find the value named HideDrivesWithNoMedia and Modify its Value data to make it 0

Find the same value in the following path and assign a Value data of 0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Adv
anced
System Files

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE of Registry Editor, find the key:

SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\SuperHidd
en

Find the values DefaultValue and CheckedValue on the right, whileSuperHidden is selected

Modify both the stated values, and give the Value data as 1 and 0, respectively
Sort Apps on Start Screen

The renovated Start screen of Windows 8.1 has brought up much flexibility this time. Users have
been heard complaining about the live applications that are already found, while logging on for the
first time. The system allows you to replace these with the desktop applications of your own use,
displaying at the first instance. Moreover, you can also customize your Start screen to exhibit APPS
view, every time you access it.
Desktop Apps listed first

Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key throughHKEY_CURRENT_USER

Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage

Right click StartPage key and choose New to create a DWORD Value

Name the value as DesktopFirst and Modify it for the Value data be 1

Click OK button to save and exit

APPS View

Stay on the same location and create a new DWORD Value namedMakeAllAppsDefault

Double click the value and put 1 in the field next to Value data

Click OK
The next time you install a program, check out the directory path you have given in the above
steps and easily access the files of your installed application. Each of the above tweak may require
a proper reboot in order to take effect. However, you can restart the system only once, when all
the desired modifications are done.