Microsoft Windows offers the best of work and play. It’s true. I have convenience and productivity when I work on a Windows platform while my kids have user-friendly ease and entertainment while they play on my Windows based devices. I am simply a fan…
I previously shared How To Use Kid’s Corner on Windows Phone – which is a fantastic feature of my Windows phone. It locks my kids out of my inbox and allows them entry into a corner of my phone which I have set up just for them (the games and videos I, myself, installed in Kid’s Corner which I know to be age appropriate). I was happy to learn I could create family protection in a similar way on the Microsoft Surface Pro 3.
This is my work start screen…
I love having the same tiles on my Windows phone and on my Windows Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (so handy when everything has the same platform!). Live tiles provide up to date notifications – they are fast and fluid – and let you know updates as they happen. I use both the built-in apps on Windows 8 as well as apps I installed from the Microsoft Store. My top 3 tiles are my Mail, Facebook, and Twitter apps because they are what I work with most.
Other fav Windows apps for work include: OneNote, Weather, OneDrive, Skype. I also really like the food & drink app (great for dinner inspiration). And I pin them all to my start page for easy access.
My kids’ Windows start page is much different…
My work stuff is hidden (unless I choose to share them – which I won’t). The child’s account, which I set up in Windows, has extra security measures, so they see only what I want them to see. I highly recommend learning how to add a kids account (user profile) to Microsoft Surface Pro 3.
See how I have pinned my kid’s favourite games to their start page?… Despicable Me: Minion Rush, Cut the Rope, Avengers Smash are their top 3 Windows games. I often move the games around and re-size them so that the kids rotate games (switch it up I say!).
It sounds like there are a lot of fun games. I need to look more into those.
I really need to learn how to use the apps better. We have windows 8 and it works great. But I’m so slow to get into using the apps.
My most used app has got to be Facebook or Pinterest. I don’t have time for games, unfortunately. =/
My most used app is definitely facebook,then twitter. I use them all the time.
We now have a Surface 2 and a Windows 8 laptop, but I haven’t explored all the features yet. I like the idea of locking the kids out of certain parts of your device.
I must be living under a rock because I had no idea you could have a child’s are on Window 8. Very good to know!
My 7 year old is totally into Minecraft now! We just got an upgraded Windows 8 computer that she can play on.
I need to learn how to arrange my tiles on my window computer. You got me looking bad LOL
I switch up the colours of my tiles too (it’s the happy feeling of buying a new dress – without buying a new dress)
I have a Windows phone and I still have to figure out. Especially how to use the apps that come with it.
Once you get comfortable with it – you will love it!
Love that there is a way to hide your work stuff. Sometimes you just don’t want to see it. Love the kids feature as well.
I must admit – not seeing the kids’ games means I’m not playing games (which is better for office hours!)
I really like the interface on windows systems. It’s super smooth and I’m glad there’s so much to do!
agreed 😉
I have a Window’s phone – still trying to learn how to use it! That’s cool that your kids can have their own app screen!
Then you must set up the Kids’ Corner – it’s awesome!
My favorite game app is Candy Crush. I love all the different coupon and flier apps you can download.
I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about coupon apps.
This is great! I love that you can control what your child does and does not see using the Kid’s Corner feature. It makes it possible to keep my personal and work stuff so that none of it can be accidently tampered with when my children use my computer. The most used apps are definitely Pinterest and Facebook!
I am still on the lookout for a great Pinterest app for Windows 8.
I will have to take a better look at this. I like that my kids can have their own games on the start page.
Yep having their games all on their start page makes fun a lot quicker (and means they aren’t digging around the computer)
ZillionsofGames program. It’s abstract strategy and puzzles stuff. (I made 70+ of these these 2001. 13yrs unempl in Toronto.) Vers1.31 might have a 16-bit installer, although 32-bit game; also as a cutsier 2.0 version.
I love the recommendation about setting up a kids’ corner. I am going to look into doing it.
I can’t recommend Kids’ Corner enough! It is such peace of mind to know the kids have their stuff in one spot (and can’t get into your grown-up stuff).
I really need totake the time to LEARN everything Windows 8 has to offer; when my new computer arrived with it installed – I modded it to operate in the old desktop way to mimic Windows 7.. I am slowly seeing I could be doing a lot with the ‘apps’ though
I’m finding Windows 8 to be really powerful – makes work so much easier.
My only game app is Candy Crush but the app I use most often is the What’s app, that’s how I keep in contact with my children scattered throughout the world. It’s fantastic, you can send photos, videos, sound bites it’s great for keeping in touch.
Well now I want to download What’s app. Thanks for the recommendation!
My grasndkids are totally into Minecraft now!