How to Use the Charms Bar in Windows 8 GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows
How to Use the Charms Bar in Windows 8
There's no Start menu in Windows 8 and 8.1, but there are charms
By Gilberto Perera Gilberto Perera Writer Nova Southeastern University Florida International University Miami Dade College Former Lifewire writer Gilberto J. Perera is a PMP and Six Sigma professional with more than 15 years of technology education experience and editor-in-chief of GilsMethod.com. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 19, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide What to Know
The Charms bar provides quick access to your system's settings and other important tools.There are 5 charms, each with its own purpose: Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings.To access the bar, move mouse cursor to bottom- or top-right corner of the screen. This article explains how to use the Windows Charms bar, which provides quick access to your system's settings and other important tools. Information in this article applies to Windows 8 and 8.1. How to Use the Windows Charms Bar
The Charms bar in Windows 8 and 8.1 is the equivalent of the Start menu in other versions of Windows without the apps. There are five options available—let's take a look at each of these elements in detail. The Search Charm
Select the Search charm to search for files on your computer or the web without having to open a browser. As you enter a query, Windows 8 will offer autocomplete suggestions to help you find what you're looking for. You have the option to search in your Settings, Files, or Everywhere. The Share Charm
File sharing is built into the Windows 8 interface. The default sharing method is email, but if you install Windows 8 apps for Twitter, Facebook, and other social media, you can upload files to these platforms from your desktop. All you have to do is open the Charms bar, select Share, and choose the service you wish to share with. The Start Charm
The Start charm takes you to the Windows 8 Start screen, where you'll find tiles representing all of the apps installed on your PC. It's similar to the home screens on other touch devices. Tiles can be static or dynamic. With dynamic tiles (also called live tiles), you will be able to preview information about the associated application. For example, a stock market app will display the latest market information on the Start screen in real time. The same applies to emails, messages, games, and other apps that make use of this feature. The Devices Charm
Select the Devices charm to access information and settings for connected devices such as printers and projectors. There are three options: Play: Stream audio files from your computer to another device.Print: Send documents to a printer.Projector: Project your screen with a projector. The Settings Charm
Select the Settings charm to quickly control your PC's volume, screen brightness, and more. You can also view your notifications and access your network, language, and power settings. To access additional settings, select Change PC settings at the bottom. How to Access the Charms Bar in Windows 8
The Charms bar is a universal toolbar in the Windows 8 operating system that can be accessed from anywhere no matter what you are doing or what application you are running. To access the Charms bar, move the mouse cursor to the bottom-right or top-right corner of the screen. The Charms bar should appear on the right side. On touch screens, swipe from the right edge towards to bring up the Charms bar. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + C. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Synchronize Account Data With Windows 8 and 8.1 How to Start Windows 8 or 8.1 in Safe Mode 5 Best Free Start Menu Replacements for Windows 8 How to Fix It When the Cursor Disappears in Windows 10 Can I Upgrade to Windows 8? What Version of Windows Do I Have? How to Open Command Prompt (Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, etc.) Install Windows 8/8.1 From USB [Full Walkthrough] How to Boot to the Desktop in Windows 8.1 How to Open Disk Management From Command Prompt How to Lock the Taskbar in Windows How to Set up Parental Controls in Windows 10 How to Properly Reboot (Restart) a Windows Computer How to Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11/10/8 How to Shut Down Windows 8: Easy, 9 Different Methods How to Disable AutoRun and AutoPlay for External Devices Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies