Microsoft’s premier ARM tablet, Surface RT runs ARM tablet-optimized Windows RT operating system. It is slightly different from regular Windows 8 in that it supports only ARM architecture. ARM Cortex architecture is different from Intel’s x86 architecture found on desktop and laptop computers. In this article, let’s see how you can set up your new Surface RT tablet to work and look better.
1. Your Account PIN
Surface RT doesn’t come without a Windows Live account (Microsoft ID). In order to unlock the device, you have to use your MS account password. However, you don’t have to do this every time you start the tablet as you can go with a 4-digit PIN. Here’s how. Go to Charms Menu Settings, and select Change PC settings. Go to Users->Sign in options->Create a PIN. There you go.
2. Use Picture Password
You can get better security if you use a picture as a password within Surface. In order to set this up, go to Charms ->Settings->Change PC settings->Users->Sign in options->Set Picture password.
You should use your own picture, and create gestures on it to make a picture password.
3. Change Color Themes
If you don’t like the default color scheme the Surface tablet comes with, you can change it. In fact, it is recommended to change this. Go to Change PC Settings (as in the above step) and then select Personalize. Here, you have a selection of great color schemes that you can choose from.
4. Manage Metro Style Tiles
Windows RT’s user interface is better known as Metro UI. It has tiles that update in real time to display information for you. The updates are drawn mainly from web-based apps like Twitter. You can arrange tiles better by long-pressing the tile and then moving it around to suit your style. Also, you can resize the tiles to have them display more information or in a more conspicuous manner. You can also disable information shown on tiles by going to Charms->Settings->Tiles and then select ‘Clear’ option.
Also, you can name a group of tiles on the tablet. For this, zoom out of the tile display by using pinch-to-zoom gesture. A downward motion from a group of tiles will bring up its context menu (right-click menu). From this, you can change the name of the tile to what you want.
5. Set up Updates
Your Windows RT may not come with the latest updates installed. In that case, you should update the software. Go to Change PC Settings option and you will see Windows Update option there. You should also update some of the preinstalled apps. This will not be available in Windows Update option. You have to go to your Store app and find updates from there.
6. App Switching for Faster Multi-tasking
You can bring up Surface’s multitasking toolbar on the left-hand side by a sliding gesture. You can find the apps that you frequently use over there. You can slide from the left edge to go directly into an app you were using. For this, go to Change PC Settings, and find App Switching option. Here, you will find the option to turn this feature on.
7. Integrating With Social Networks
Surface has a built-in app called People which will help you manage your social connections. Facebook, Google plus, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, are all available in this. You can add various social media accounts here. Simply go to Charms->Settings->Accounts and you can add a new social media account here.
Conclusion
These are some of the basic things you need to do after getting your hands on the first Surface tablet. Surface is a highly productive tablet that runs a very innovative operating system. You will find the tablet enjoyable to use.
Author Bio:- Laurel Shah-Williams is the associate editor of Blue Bugle technology magazine. Here is a recent article about Surface Pro on Blue Bugle. Blue Bugle team also tweets @BlueBugleTech and is available at facebook.com/bluebugle.
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