Overview of Customizing Windows 8.1 Settings

          Windows 8.1 has a large number of computer settings that you can configure to provide the optimal interface for your users. You can configure most of the Windows 8.1 settings in one of two locations: the PC Settings screen, or Control Panel.

PC Settings
          The PC Settings screen contains configuration options that you can apply to the Windows Start screen interface. It also provides a touch-screen optimized configuration interface for Windows 8.1 settings that you can configure elsewhere in Windows 8.1. You can access the PC Settings screen by opening the Charms menu, clicking Settings, and then clicking PC Settings at the bottom of the menu .The following settings are available within the PC Settings screen:
• Activate Windows. You can activate your version of Windows 8.1 from this screen.
• PC & devices. The PC & devices screen contains a large number of configuration settings for the look and feel of Windows 8.1, such as: lock screen view; display resolution and orientation; and mouse, touchpad, and other input device behavior. It also contains sections for adding and removing
peripheral devices, such as printers.
• Accounts. You can configure both local and Microsoft-based accounts from this screen, including
sign-in options like account picture and picture passwords.
• SkyDrive. You can view and configure your online storage space from SkyDrive® from this screen.
• Search & apps. You can use this screen to control your search experience in Windows 8.1 and the
default settings for tasks such as notifications and default apps.
• Privacy. You can control the behavior of devices like cameras and location-based behavior from this
screen.
• Network. You can use the Network screen to manipulate network settings and connect to new
networks.
• Time & language. You can use this screen to configure local and regional settings for time and
language display and input.
• Ease of Access. The Ease of Access screen contains settings that enable the customization of input and display methods.
• Update & recovery. The Update & recovery screen presents options for updating your computer,
recovering previous versions of files, or enabling advanced recovery modes for Windows 8.1.