Understanding the WinX Menu

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated January 26, 2015)

1

As you are managing your computer system, there are certain tools that experience has shown are used more than other tools. In previous versions of Windows many of these tools were accessible through the Start menu. With the advent of Windows 8, however, the Start menu was done away with. How, then, is one to get to the common system management tools?

The easiest way is through the use of what has come to be known as the WinX menu. This menu derives its name from the fact that you display it, at any time, by pressing the Win key (the keyboard key that has the Windows logo on it) in conjunction with the X key. Thus, Win+X displays the WinX menu. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The WinX Menu

The WinX menu is displayed at the bottom-left corner of the screen. The number of options visible on the menu depends on the version of Windows you are using. Even so, the menu contents and wording are very similar from version to version.

It is important to realize that the WinX menu's name is not its official handle. It has stuck because Microsoft has never seen fit to give this particular menu an official name.

 This tip (13361) applies to Windows 8.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He  is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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What is one less than 4?

2015-01-26 10:01:08

James Ward

I have been subscribed to Window Tips for a while and I think it is great. You have help me to learn several new procedures. Thank You
Have a blessed day

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