Showing posts with label windows 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label windows 8. Show all posts

Sunday, January 03, 2016

Windows 10 - Adding / Creating Local User Instead of Microsoft User

Back in the days (not apologizing for reminiscing) of Windows XP (or maybe even Windows 7) or earlier, adding a user is a simple process of adding a user.

With Windows 8 (I hope not 7) onwards, there seems to be a deliberate attempt to coerce (force) people to open up Microsoft accounts and create such cloud users, even when people are just trying to use their Windows computers locally (not in the cloud). Then in Windows 8, you must read the fine print and try to choose to create or add a "Local User". So a "Local User" is actually what a normal user is, in the previous Windows version - but now we have to remember to use "Local Users" if we just want a normal user on  a computer.

In Windows 10, this is much more difficult, frustrating and annoying. So previous Windows just need: Go to Control Panel -> click Users -> Add user.
But now the problem is so complicated, bordering on deceiving, I just cannot stand it and have to share this process here so that people can get help.

Step 1: Use the normal process of going to Control Panel, or searching for User, to land on this dialog below. Or Control Panel -> User Accounts -> User Accounts (not typo) -> Manage Accounts -> click on "Add a new user in PC Settings"

Then click "Family and Other Users".
Why why why they can't just say "users"?

Then click on "Add someone else to this PC"
(What if this is my family member, but they don't have Microsoft account - sic)

Don't put email address, don't click next.
Instead click "I don't have this person's sign-in information"
(Why why why - well I have this person's sign in - but I refuse to use their Microsoft account. I just want to create them as a "Local User" - phethhhh  :p  )


Finally - almost there. Still don't fall into the trap of giving your details and email.
Click "Add a user without a Microsoft Account"

Home Run !!! (Exactly the fourth / home base)
Now this is more like the usual creation of a normal Windows user.
Go ahead and give it a funny user name - as all computer users have done since the dawn of computing - instead of giving your email account.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Windows 8

Here's a collection of links, notes and information on Windows 8 on the topic of recovery, creation of recovery DVDs, USBs and so on.

How to get System Properties?
- Go to the desktop
- Click on the Windows Explorer file manager icon.
- In Windows Explorer, right-click on the Computer icon and choose Properties.
- Information displayed include:
Windows 8  Product ID
Processor (CPU)
Memory
Computer Name
Workgroup

How to Open Charms
- Windows + C

How to get into BIOS
- For Toshiba P70, when PC is restarting, press F2

How to delete a wifi profile?
- In the Command Prompt, type:
   netsh wlan delete profile name="network_name"

How to Connect to a Hidden Wireless Wifi.
- On the Task Bar, right click on the network icon and select: Open Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on: Set up a new connection or network
- Choose: Manually connect to a wireless network
- A dialog box appears, fill in the following:
    Network name: the router's name that you set
    Security Type: eg Personal WPA2
    Encryption Type: AES
    Security Key:  the one set on the router
    Check: Start this connection automatically
    Check: Connect even if the network is not broadcasting (Need to ignore the warning about privacy issue). If this is not checked, then hidden SSID networks cannot be connected automatically)




Windows 8 Recovery

Search - Apps: " Recovery"
- Recovery Media Centre
Search -Settings: "Recovery"
- Refresh Your PC
- Remove everyhting and reinstall Windows



How to Create Factory Recovery USB Flash
- go to Charms
- Search for: recovery
- Run: Create a recovery drive
- Uncheck "Copy the recovery partitions from the PC to the recovery drive (512MB required)
- If Check the above options, USB needs to be 32GB at least.


How to use Factory Recovery USB Flash
- This assumes the recovery partitions are not copied. So this USB can only use to fix the system, or recover if the recovery partitions are still on the PC.
- Restart Computer and change BIOS (press f8) to boot from USB first.
- Restart Computer and follow instructions.
- Select Language, then Keyboard, then choose "Use a device". The options are:
   EFI USB Device
   EFI Network
   EFI DVD/CDROM
- Choose TroubleShoot, which has this options:
   Refresh Your PC
   Rest Your PC
   Recovery Tool
   Advanced Options
- In Advanced Options, there are:
   System Restore,
   System Image Recovery,
   Automatic Repair,
   Command Prompt,
   UEFI settings
- "Choose EFI USB Device"



Links:

How Do I Use Windows 8 Recovery Disc?
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1653296/windows-recovery-disc.html
- Vendors may ship for free the Windows 8 recovery discs.

Create installation disc (DVD) for new laptop. Windows 8
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/1755-73-create-installation-disc-laptop-windows

Windows 8 Tip: Create Recovery Media
http://winsupersite.com/article/windows8/windows-8-tip-create-recovery-media-144098

Factory Recovery Media
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/22219-factory-recovery-media.html

How to Create a Recovery USB Flash Drive in Windows 8
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

Official Toshiba site: I’ve lost my Recovery Discs or didn’t have any in the box when I purchased my computer.
http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/support/item/69