Microsoft's Outlook.com now supports Google chat in web portal

 Micosoft's email service 'Outlook.com', which is the replacement of 'Hotmail.com', added support for Google chat. The users of  'Outlook.com' will be able to chat with Google chat users with in the web portal or from other Microsoft services.  One can begin chat after adding Gmail contacts to outlook using their Google account. Once you have added Google contacts, you can directly chat with them with in your inbox.
 Outlook.com email service already includes several unique features. Some of them are sweeping of news letters, social media alerts, Skype and Facebook integration.  Integration of Google chat in outlook.com is an important step to attract Google users to the web portal.
 In order to add Google contacts first you have to go to outlook.com.

 Now click the icon next to Outlook.

 From the new tab Select 'people' application.

 On right side click on 'Google contacts'. A new window appears.

 Then follow the instructions to connect. After completing a few steps you can connect with your Google contacts from outlook.com inbox

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Posted in: Outlook,outlook connect,outlook.com,people application

Windows 8 Lock screen; features, customization and optimization

 Windows 8 OS (operating system) is set to open with its lock screen. Lock screen is a feature not included in previous windows operating systems. It gives a good look to the OS.

 












 But there may be a little confusion to the users as there are no tips or cues provided. In order to go to the start screen from (lock screen) just click on the space bar or click using mouse. On touch screen devices swipe upwards to get in to start screen. If there are multiple user accounts on your PC, you will to go to the logon screen instead of start screen. If you have set secure login, you will be asked to enter your password on logon screen.

How to personalize lock screen

You can personalize your lock screen in Windows 8. Hover the mouse pointer to the top right or bottom right corner of the screen to access the 'Charms bar'. If you are using a tablet PC access charms bar by swiping from right.

Now on Charms bar select 'Settings'.
 Now you are on the settings bar. Here select 'Change PC Settings' option on the bottom right corner.

 Now you are on 'PC Settings' Window. Go to 'Personalize'- 'Lock Screen'. Here you can customize your lock screen.

 You can choose custom background by selecting a picture from library or from your computer. You can also choose the applications you want to display on your lock screen.You can chose from mail, calender or other applications.You can also choose detailed status for applications if you want.

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Posted in: win 8 lock screen,Windows 8,windows 8 customization,windows 8 lock screen,windows 8 lock screen background,Windows 8 Overview,Windows 8 Tips,Windows 8 Tricks

Windows 8 start screen features, optimization and personalization

 As I have mentioned on an earlier post Start screen is a new feature introduced in Windows 8 operating system. It gives windows a new look and it makes the OS absolutely different from the earlier versions such as Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. The start screen replaces the start menu on the above said windows operating systems.Windows have done this change to optimize the performance in touch screen PCs. The start screen displays all the applications on tiles.

  As seen on the above picture, on start screen the applications are displayed in colorful tiles. You can navigate on start screen using mouse pointer to choose the applications. You can also make use of your keyboard. You can use arrow keys, Home, End, Esc or other buttons. Using 'Home' button makes it easy to shift between Desktop, Start Screen and search or other windows.
 You can organize applications to application groups to get quick access. You can also access the quick launch menu from start screen.
 You can personalize the start screen in Windows 8 OS. For that, hover the mouse pointer to the top right or bottom right corner of your screen. You will get the 'Charms bar'. In case of a tablet PC access charms bar by swiping from right.

 Now on Charms bar select 'Settings'.

 Now you are on the settings bar. Here select 'Change PC Settings' option on the bottom right corner.
Now you are on 'PC Settings' Window. Go to 'Personalize'- 'Start Screen'.

 Here you can select a theme (or picture) and color for your start screen.

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Posted in: start menu in windows8,Windows 8,windows 8 start screen background,windows 8 start screen customization,Windows 8 Tips,Windows 8 Tricks

Organize Windows 8 start screen applications to application groups

 In windows 8, start screen displays all the applications installed. It is easy to find out an application from start screen by navigating using mouse pointers or key board. But if you have large number of applications your start screen will look like cluttered and it will become tough to find out the application you want. Here you can use the 'Application groups' function on the Windows OS to organize the application to groups. It will make finding the application simple.
 In order to organize applications to an application group, first go to 'Start screen'- Drag the applications you want to include in a group and drop them to an area before, after or in between the existing group, just after the divider appear.

Now click the 'zoom out' (minus) icon on the bottom right corner of the start screen.

Right click on the group to give a name. There will be 'name group' option on the bottom left corner of the screen.Now the group have a new name. You can easily create more groups if needed.

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Posted in: Windows 8,windows 8 application,windows 8 application groups,windows 8 apps,Windows 8 Tips,Windows 8 Tricks