Learn Windows 8 gestures by watching GIF animated images from Microsoft

Facebook app for Windows 8

New to Windows 8 gestures? You are not alone, Microsoft latest operating system is a radical change and it is a touch-first software that it could take a bit of time to get used to. 

Luckily, the software maker understands that at the beginning many people will need a hand learning some of the basics to navigate the new user interface. You’ll see this in TV commercials, around the web, in your inbox after purchasing an online copy of the OS, while doing an installation or upgrade, and in many other places like Facebook — Yup! Microsoft is even posting in the social network giant in an app called Windows Quick Tips and it features the Windows 8 101 on how to use gestures in touch-enabled devices like Surface with Windows RT and Samsung ATIV or in those All-In-One PCs like Dell’s XPS One 27″, just to name a few.

What is interesting about each quick tutorial is that the company is using GIF animated images to showcase the gestures — something I have never seen before.

Throughout “the course” you’ll learn how to:

  • Unlock your device
  • Basic gestures
  • Snap: Use two apps together
  • Semantic Zoom
  • Downloading new apps
  • Search Charms
  • Share Charms
  • Start Charm
  • Customize your Start screen and Lock screen
  • Making a picture your password
  • Pinning apps or sites to your Start screen
  • Adding your social network 

To get access to all the Microsoft “micro-lessons” on gesture follow this link.

As you see there are quite a few good things you can learn here and you’ll very much benefit from them, if you are just starting out with Windows 8. Microsoft is also saying that more tutorials like these are coming in a near feature. Let us know in the comments what you think about these Microsoft “micro-lessons”.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.