[h=4]To Access SkyDrive in a Web Browser: Now that you have files in your SkyDrive, you can access them from any computer that has an internet connection — even if the computer doesn't have Windows 8.
All of your folders and files will appear. Click on the desired folder or file to open it.
Opening a Word document
If you are viewing an Office document (such as a Word document or Excel spreadsheet), you can click Edit Document and then select Edit in Web App to edit it.
Editing a Word document
Some types of files cannot be edited in SkyDrive. Instead, you can download a file by right-clicking it and selecting Download. You can then open the downloaded file to edit it.
[h=3]Installing the SkyDrive Desktop App If you prefer working in the Desktop, you can download the SkyDrive Desktop app. This will add a SkyDrive folder to your File Explorer. When you move files into this folder, they will automatically be uploaded to SkyDrive, and you can access them anywhere you go. You'll even be able to access any files stored on your computer remotely, even if you haven't uploaded the files to SkyDrive.
Navigate to the Download SkyDrive page. Locate and select Download SkyDrive for Windows.
Downloading SkyDrive
Once the file is downloaded, click Run to open the SkyDrive Installer.
Opening the SkyDrive Installer
The SkyDrive Installer will open. Click Get Started to continue.
Clicking Get Started
The SkyDrive Folder window will appear, which explains how the SkyDrive folder works with your computer. Click Next to continue.
Clicking Next
Click Done to complete the installation. If you want to be able to access files on this computer remotely, leave the checkbox checked.
Clicking Done
The SkyDrive Desktop app is now installed on your computer. A SkyDrive folder will be added to your File Explorer, and any files you add to this folder will be uploaded to your SkyDrive.
[h=3]Using the Search Feature Once you've used Windows 8 for a while, you'll start to have more and more files, such as music, photos, and documents. It may sometimes be difficult to find the exact file that you want. You may even have trouble finding a specific app, since Windows 8 has moved everything around. Luckily, there is a built-in search feature, which can help you find files, apps, or almost anything else on your computer.
[*=left]From the Start screen, type what you're looking for. Your search results will instantly appear on the left side of the screen, and search options will appear on the right.
By default, the search results will show apps. However, you can select different search options on the right side of the screen to find files, settings, and more:
[*=left]You can select Settings or Files to search for a setting or file.
Searching for a file
[*=left]You can also use a specific app to search. For example, you can search the People app to find a friend's contact info.
[h=4]Searching From the Desktop If you're on the Desktop, you will first need to press the Windows key to switch to the Start screen, and then type what you're looking for.
If you're using a tablet without an attached keyboard, you can search by swiping in from the right, and then selecting the Search charm. You can then type what you're looking for.
You'll probably spend a lot of time on your Start screen, so you may want to personalize it so that it suits your taste. In this lesson, we'll show you several different ways to personalize it, including changing the background image and color, rearranging apps, pinning apps, and creating app groups.
[*=left]From your personalization settings, select Lock screen at the top of the screen.
[*=left]Select the desired picture from the list of thumbnails. Alternatively, you can click Browse to select one of your own pictures.
Selecting a lock screen picture
The lock screen will appear whenever your computer is locked, which happens automatically after a few minutes of inactivity. You can also lock your computer by clicking your account name and selecting Lock.
[*=left]From your personalization settings, select Start screen at the top of the screen.
[*=left]Select the desired background image and color scheme.
Changing the Start screen background
Windows 8 does not allow you to use one of your own photos as your Start screen background.
[*=left]From your personalization settings, select Account picture at the top of the screen.
[*=left]Click Browse.
Changing the account picture
[*=left]To use a photo in your SkyDrive, click on the desired SkyDrive folder. To select a folder on your computer, click the drop-down arrow at the top of the screen and select a different location.
Navigating to the desired folder
[*=left]When you have selected a photo, click Choose image.
Selecting an image
If your computer or tablet has a built-in camera, you can click Camera to take a picture of yourself.
[h=3]Customizing Your Start Screen Apps If you don't like the way your apps are arranged on the Start screen, you can rearrange them by moving them wherever you want. You may also find that the animated live tiles are too distracting, and you can easily turn them off so that they will display a plain background with no animations.
[h=3]Pinning Apps to the Start Screen By default, the Start screen doesn't show all of the apps on your computer. However, it's easy to pin your favorite apps to the Start screen so that you can open them quickly.
[h=3]Creating App Groups To further organize your apps, you can put related apps into groups. You can also name your groups, and each group will display its name at the top.
