FORGET YOUR MOUSE. Don't look for anything like the start button. It is gone, and there is nothing "hidden" to take its place. Mousing around the screen is fruitless. Have a look at the video Windows 8 Fails the "Dad Test." Ha ha! Been there, done that.
USE THE WINDOWS KEY. Yes, on the keyboard. That brings you to the Start screen. Okay, the Start screen doesn't look promising. You don't want the Store or the Xbox, but think of this screen as if it was the old Windows 7 Start menu with a HIDDEN SEARCH BOX.
JUST START TYPING. From the Start screen, you can just type the name of any app, files, or Control Panel module. For example, type "Word" if you want to start Microsoft Word. Type "CS101 Syllabus" if you want to open that file. Or type "Devices" if you want to change your default printer. THERE IS ONE CATCH (see Step 4).
The SEARCH DEFAULTS TO APPS. So if you want to find a file or Control Panel module, you have to take one more step. On the Search panel that slides in from the right, click Settings to search for control Panel Apps, or click Files to search for a file. You've already entered the thing you're looking for, so you don't have to type it again.The screenshot shows what appears after you:
1. Press the Windows key
2. Type "Devices"
3. Click the Settings option
