8. Date and Time
This item is used to configure the date, time, and time zone for your
system. However, it is the Additional Clocks feature that is really
helpful. You can configure two additional clocks with their own time
zones. When you hover your mouse over the time, you see the time in
these other locations. The Date and Time item can be located in the
Clock, Language and Region group.
9. Default Programs
This is a quick place to find your default
program associations and file-to-program associations. For example, if
you are tired of your MP3 files opening up with Media Player and you
want them to open with WinAmp or some other player, you can make the
changes here.
There are four options when you open up the Default Programs item.
• Set Your Default Programs—Need
to choose between Firefox and Internet Explorer as your default
browser? Here is where you can tell Windows 8 which one is your go-to
application. The same is true for your email, contact management
information, media files, and photos.
• Associate a File Type or Protocol with a Program—For
an expanded view of all file types and protocols and their associated
applications, you can select this option to ensure all your file types
can be opened by the application you prefer.
• Change AutoPlay Settings
• Set Program Access and Computer Defaults—This
is yet another way to specify which programs access certain
information. You can choose the following: Computer Manufacturer (this
appears only if a manufacturer established preconfigured settings),
Microsoft Windows (for an all-Microsoft default world), Non-Microsoft
(allows you to use only non-Microsoft programs; access to Microsoft
programs is removed unless you select Custom), and Custom (for a mix
and match of applications—it’s the most logical choice for most of us,
and that’s why it’s selected by default).
Changes made under the
Set your Default Programs settings are unique per user. They won’t
affect other users on your computer. By contrast, the options you
select for Set Program Access and Computer Defaults apply to all users
on the system.
10. Devices and Printers
This feature shows you all the devices
connected to your computer. Depending on the device, you can see items
related to that device. For example, in Figure 11,
you can see your Devices, Printers and Faxes, and any Unspecified
items. By selecting the Microsoft XPS Document Writer, for example, it
shows you some options in the Menu toolbar, such as See What’s
Printing, Print Server Properties, and more.
Figure 11. Devices and Printers
