Top 5 Windows 8 Tools

One of the nice things about Windows 8 is that it's equally functional as a touch-based interface or using a mouse and keyboard. That said, the touch-based functionality is more intuitive in the Windows 8 interface, so it helps to have some translation guidance if you'd rather type than touch. Win 8 Tips & Tricks has you covered.

No. 1: Win 8 Tips & Tricks

If you're feeling somewhat bemused by Windows 8's touch user interface, you're not alone. Conveniently, PranavTalwar has put together a compendium of workarounds, tips and tricks to help navigate this touch-UI designed operating system with a mouse and keyboard.

Non-touch instructions relating to hotkeys, zooming in tight, bringing up the quick access menu, using keyboard shortcuts, closing an application, and booting to the desktop are all covered.

No. 2: File Brick

Compal's File Brick takes the current Library and former My Documents concepts and mashes them into a beautiful tile-based interface that actually works. Once you've used it, you'll wonder how you put up with previous file explorer incarnations.

File Brick separates files into Local, Cloud and Neighbor. Cloud includes DropBox, SkyDrive and more, while Neighbor includes your local network.

No. 3: Asparion Clock

If there's one omission in this, the latest version of Windows, it's that there's no always-available clock. Earlier versions of Windows included a super-useful clock on the taskbar. That clock is still there in Windows 8, but you need to be in Desktop to see it.

Asparion brings an elegant clock to the Start page, appearing within a simple animated tile.

You have to awkwardly scroll around to find it sometimes -- but at least there's now an on-screen Windows clock again.

No. 4: AppSwitch

AppSwitch is designed to enable you to find Windows app equivalents to Apple iOS and Android Play apps that you may have become used to.

Click on the tile to launch the app, perform a search, and let the app find a match. Works well and includes popular searches for app ideas.

No. 5: Google Search

Search Google with one click, or touch, from the rather dull static Google Start page tile, or within the Charms menu. The app includes access to your search history. This is simply a faster way to access a Google search.

TechNewsWorld places this app into a runner-up position though, because we'd like to see a more interesting animated tile, as well as history syncing across devices.