1 hour Windows 8 lesson what would you cover?

ell

Well-Known Member
Reaction score
460
I'm starting to get a lot of calls asking for training on windows 8, I'm not really wanting to get into teaching but seeing as win 8 is so different I see a pretty good opportunity here. I was thinking maybe selling a 1 hour remote session, for maybe $80, looking for ideas on what I could include in it. Here a few of my thoughts, feel free to critique:

1. install classic shell if they want it
2. tweak metro tiles for local interest
3. set homepage and favorites bar for desktop ie
4. remove trial antivirus, install one of the free ones.
5. uninstall office trial, install libreoffice if they want it.

any other ideas?
 
Maybe show them the basics of the start screen etc. But also show that classic shell is available. I do agree with showing Open Office if they are not willing to pay for the newer office versions or if they don't like the new licensing. For AV, they can always use Windows Defender if you want the most basic setup possible.
 
Your list doesn't actually have anything to do with training. I've never done remote training, but here's how my residential sessions tend to go:

When I set up the appointment, I tell them to make a list of the things they want to learn; I encourage them to play with it ahead of time and figure out what they can (the more they know, the less I need to teach). Not everyone does this; normally they call you after they've tried to play with it and have given up. Sometimes you'll have to explain what the Microsoft account is and help them decide whether they want it or a local account; you may have to set up that account for them. It will all depend on what the person is comfortable doing.

Many times, they assume you'll copy their files and stuff from their old PC to the new PC; make sure you ask if they need that when making the appointment. If it's a laptop you may have to set up the wireless network information.

The first three things people want to know:
1 - How to check email
2 - How to check Facebook
3 - How to turn it off

I begin by showing them the start screen; I explain that it replaced the start menu. Normally I have it boot to the desktop so it's more familiar if they're running 8.1. At the moment I'm not encouraging people to upgrade from 8 to 8.1 (for many reasons). I show them how to adjust tiles and I'll make any adjustments they may want. I recommend they give it a week or two, then if they don't like the start screen I can install a menu (I would do this remotely).

Depending on what they are used to, I'll either set up Outlook, the Mail metro app, or show them that webmail is the same.

If they want a particular web browser, I'll set it up; otherwise I show both the Metro IE (grudgingly; people tend to find it and want to know why it's different) and the desktop IE (except Windows 8.1; IE 11 took three steps backward so I install something else). I set the home page and (if I transferred files) show them their favorites.

I generally use D7 to add power options to the desktop context menu; I then show them that, typing "turn off" or "shut down" at the start screen, or taking the cursor to the right and clicking Settings. Show all three and people will pick what they consider to be the easiest (and possibly remember it). I've seen that some vendors (ie, Acer) may have a utility pinned to the desktop bar and on the start screen.

From here, I show the Windows store, and maybe install the solitaire collection so they see what a purchase does. Then I'll go over the questions the person has about it and do a final review. Unless you're transferring stuff from an old PC it easily fits in an hour.

Show is better than tell, and stepping back to let the person do it is even better. They're more likely to remember what they do than what they see.
 
Your list doesn't actually have anything to do with training. I've never done remote training, but here's how my residential sessions tend to go:

When I set up the appointment, I tell them to make a list of the things they want to learn; I encourage them to play with it ahead of time and figure out what they can (the more they know, the less I need to teach). Not everyone does this; normally they call you after they've tried to play with it and have given up. Sometimes you'll have to explain what the Microsoft account is and help them decide whether they want it or a local account; you may have to set up that account for them. It will all depend on what the person is comfortable doing.

Many times, they assume you'll copy their files and stuff from their old PC to the new PC; make sure you ask if they need that when making the appointment. If it's a laptop you may have to set up the wireless network information.

The first three things people want to know:
1 - How to check email
2 - How to check Facebook
3 - How to turn it off

I begin by showing them the start screen; I explain that it replaced the start menu. Normally I have it boot to the desktop so it's more familiar if they're running 8.1. At the moment I'm not encouraging people to upgrade from 8 to 8.1 (for many reasons). I show them how to adjust tiles and I'll make any adjustments they may want. I recommend they give it a week or two, then if they don't like the start screen I can install a menu (I would do this remotely).

Depending on what they are used to, I'll either set up Outlook, the Mail metro app, or show them that webmail is the same.

If they want a particular web browser, I'll set it up; otherwise I show both the Metro IE (grudgingly; people tend to find it and want to know why it's different) and the desktop IE (except Windows 8.1; IE 11 took three steps backward so I install something else). I set the home page and (if I transferred files) show them their favorites.

I generally use D7 to add power options to the desktop context menu; I then show them that, typing "turn off" or "shut down" at the start screen, or taking the cursor to the right and clicking Settings. Show all three and people will pick what they consider to be the easiest (and possibly remember it). I've seen that some vendors (ie, Acer) may have a utility pinned to the desktop bar and on the start screen.

From here, I show the Windows store, and maybe install the solitaire collection so they see what a purchase does. Then I'll go over the questions the person has about it and do a final review. Unless you're transferring stuff from an old PC it easily fits in an hour.

Show is better than tell, and stepping back to let the person do it is even better. They're more likely to remember what they do than what they see.

great ideas I like your idea about letting them play with it for a while before deciding what they need to know.
 
My Windows 8 training is installing classic shell and people are good to go after that.

I tried Windows 8 training and it was not fun.
 
Regular windows 8 has too many shortcuts that involve the windows key. I can't even get people to remember 1 simple keyboard shortcut, much less multiple ones. Yeah Classic shell or start 8 and be done with it for me.
 
I suggested to my wife just last night that she should study up on Windows 8 and start teaching classes here for extra income. The stream of lost souls looking for Windows 8 help is getting fuller each day. Today alone I took a desktop in for a downgrade and a brand new laptop that the new owner couldn't even get past the initial account setup. The over 50 crowd is really having a hard time around these parts. I think Microsoft has provided a great new revenue source for someone with knowledge, patience and a soothing voice.
 
I agree and the only word to describe it is an abomination paying customers should be able to get what they want without something rammed at them
Not only is it hard for the consumer it much harder to fix, it has even ME beat
 
Yes...7 is much better IMO...but with that being said, if you do teach, think about a local venue where users can bring in their mobile devices...or if you have the funds, buy some cheap $300 laptops that you can resell to clients...and hold training classes. Whats better than $80/hr? 80x6= $480/hr!

But this requires an investment...but if the demand is there...

Oh, it also provides you with a small fleet of loaners on the off chance you decide to loan a machine out in emergency situations...ie a client who is leaving on business and needs a computer but his laptop screen just broke because he likes to carry it one handed by the corner of the screen...and you live somewhere like me and the nearest store that sells laptops is 60+ miles away.
 
I don't see where you are really teaching anything here, but rather setting things up differently, and installing some software. I don't think your customers will "learn" anything during this 1 hr session.

That said, navigation is the biggest issue. Another is differentiating and teaching an understanding of apps vs programs. Networking and logins need to be addressed too, as well as data backup.

I have too, been asked to teach some on Win 8 and have put it off, because there are so many things that need addressing.

Maybe pickup a dummy book of Win 8 to use a a guideline, and pick out the obvious issues that have changed since XP and Win 7.
 
Last edited:
I would show them how to use keyboard shortcuts. IDK how many of those listed are specific to Win 8, I know most work in 7 and probably Vista, but they are a MAJOR time saver and convenience if the client is a major keyboard user. I especially like the WinKey + arrow(s) for window size manipulation, if only there was one that split the screen horizontally like the R/L arrow splits vertically.

I would add these and some other shortcuts to any tutoring session for any PC and I would probably ask the client if they remembered them each session and then go through some of the more helpful ones each time.

Shortcut Description
Windows Key + D Show Desktop
Windows Key + C Open Charms Menu
Windows Key + F Charms Menu – Search
Windows Key + H Charms Menu – Share
Windows Key + K Charms Menu – Devices
Windows Key + I Charms Menu – Settings
Windows Key + Q Search For Installed Apps
Windows Key + W Search Settings
Windows Key + Tab Cycle through open Modern UI Apps
Windows Key + Shift + Tab Cycle through open Modern UI Apps in reverse order
Windows Key + . Snaps app to the right (split screen multitasking)
Windows Key + Shift + . Snaps app to the left (split screen multitasking)
Windows Key + , Temporarily view desktop
Windows Key + E Launch Windows Explorer Window
Windows Key + L Lock PC and go to lock screen
Windows Key + T Cycle through icons on taskbar (press Enter to launch app)
Windows Key + X Show Advanced Windows Settings Menu
Windows Key + E Launch Windows Explorer Window
Windows Key + Page Down Moves Start screen and apps to secondary monitor on the right
Windows Key + M Minimize all Windows
Windows Key + Shift + M Restore all minimized Windows
Windows Key + R Open Run dialog box
Windows Key + Up Arrow Maximize current window
Windows Key + Down Arrow Minimize current window
Windows Key + Left Arrow Maximize current window to left side of the screen
Windows Key + Right Arrow Maximize current window to right side of the screen
Windows Key + Print Screen Takes a Print Screen and saves it to your Pictures folder
Windows Key + Page Up Moves Start screen and apps to secondary monitor on the left
Windows Key + Pause Break Display System Properties
Windows Key + F1 Open Windows Help and Support
Windows Key + V Cycle through notifications
Windows Key + Shift + V Cycle through notifications in reverse order
Windows Key + 0 to 9 Launch/show app pinned to taskbar at indicated number
Windows Key + Shift + 0 to 9 Launch new instance of app pinned to taskbar at indicated number
Windows Key + P Choose secondary display modes
Windows Key + U Open Ease of Access Center
Windows Key + Spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows Key + Shift + Spacebar Switch to previous input language and keyboard layout
Windows Key + Enter Open Narrator
Windows Key + + Zoom in using Magnifier
Windows Key + - Zoom out using Magnifier
Windows Key + Escape Exit Magnifier
Alt + F4 Quit Modern UI Apps
Alt + Print Screen Print Screen focused Window only
Alt + Enter Display Properties of selected item in File Explorer
Alt + Up Arrow View upper level folder of current folder in File Explorer
Alt + Right Arrow View next folder in File Explorer
Alt + Left Arrow View previous folder in File Explorer
Ctrl + Shift + Escape Open Task Manager
Shift + Delete Permanently delete files without sending it to Recycle Bin
 
I can't remember the name of it, but there is a program out there that supposedly brings back the 'START' button and menu. This is the biggest "issue" I see from clients. I have only messed with Windows 8.1 briefly and thought they were going to bring back the start menu, but I didn't see it. maybe I was missing something
 
I can't remember the name of it, but there is a program out there that supposedly brings back the 'START' button and menu. This is the biggest "issue" I see from clients. I have only messed with Windows 8.1 briefly and thought they were going to bring back the start menu, but I didn't see it. maybe I was missing something

Classic Shell is the one I like.
 
I would show them how to use keyboard shortcuts. IDK how many of those listed are specific to Win 8, I know most work in 7 and probably Vista, but they are a MAJOR time saver and convenience if the client is a major keyboard user. I especially like the WinKey + arrow(s) for window size manipulation, if only there was one that split the screen horizontally like the R/L arrow splits vertically.

I would add these and some other shortcuts to any tutoring session for any PC and I would probably ask the client if they remembered them each session and then go through some of the more helpful ones each time.

Shortcut Description
Windows Key + D Show Desktop
Windows Key + C Open Charms Menu
Windows Key + F Charms Menu – Search
Windows Key + H Charms Menu – Share
Windows Key + K Charms Menu – Devices
Windows Key + I Charms Menu – Settings
Windows Key + Q Search For Installed Apps
Windows Key + W Search Settings
Windows Key + Tab Cycle through open Modern UI Apps
Windows Key + Shift + Tab Cycle through open Modern UI Apps in reverse order
Windows Key + . Snaps app to the right (split screen multitasking)
Windows Key + Shift + . Snaps app to the left (split screen multitasking)
Windows Key + , Temporarily view desktop
Windows Key + E Launch Windows Explorer Window
Windows Key + L Lock PC and go to lock screen
Windows Key + T Cycle through icons on taskbar (press Enter to launch app)
Windows Key + X Show Advanced Windows Settings Menu
Windows Key + E Launch Windows Explorer Window
Windows Key + Page Down Moves Start screen and apps to secondary monitor on the right
Windows Key + M Minimize all Windows
Windows Key + Shift + M Restore all minimized Windows
Windows Key + R Open Run dialog box
Windows Key + Up Arrow Maximize current window
Windows Key + Down Arrow Minimize current window
Windows Key + Left Arrow Maximize current window to left side of the screen
Windows Key + Right Arrow Maximize current window to right side of the screen
Windows Key + Print Screen Takes a Print Screen and saves it to your Pictures folder
Windows Key + Page Up Moves Start screen and apps to secondary monitor on the left
Windows Key + Pause Break Display System Properties
Windows Key + F1 Open Windows Help and Support
Windows Key + V Cycle through notifications
Windows Key + Shift + V Cycle through notifications in reverse order
Windows Key + 0 to 9 Launch/show app pinned to taskbar at indicated number
Windows Key + Shift + 0 to 9 Launch new instance of app pinned to taskbar at indicated number
Windows Key + P Choose secondary display modes
Windows Key + U Open Ease of Access Center
Windows Key + Spacebar Switch input language and keyboard layout
Windows Key + Shift + Spacebar Switch to previous input language and keyboard layout
Windows Key + Enter Open Narrator
Windows Key + + Zoom in using Magnifier
Windows Key + - Zoom out using Magnifier
Windows Key + Escape Exit Magnifier
Alt + F4 Quit Modern UI Apps
Alt + Print Screen Print Screen focused Window only
Alt + Enter Display Properties of selected item in File Explorer
Alt + Up Arrow View upper level folder of current folder in File Explorer
Alt + Right Arrow View next folder in File Explorer
Alt + Left Arrow View previous folder in File Explorer
Ctrl + Shift + Escape Open Task Manager
Shift + Delete Permanently delete files without sending it to Recycle Bin
I don't think people would use Keyboard Shortcuts. I think they are great, but I don't think they would remember them.

I would just email them the list of shortcuts, then be done with it.
 
Back
Top