Windows 8.1: The Missing Manual

Search and Apps

This page lists settings that govern the searching described on Search:

• Clear search history. Windows remembers what you’ve searched for, to make searching faster later. But not if you’re worried about your spouse finding out what you’ve been looking for (ahem).

• Manage my Microsoft advertising. Here and there, Windows shows you ads (in some of those Bing magazines like Travel and Finance, for example). They’re tailored to your interests and the sorts of things you search for. Microsoft thinks most people prefer tailored ads, but this link takes you to a Web site where you can opt out of this helpful/creepy feature.

• Use Bing to search online. In Windows 8.1, searching for things on your computer also turns up matching results from the Web—unless you turn off this item.

• Your search experience. How much should Bing tailor your search results according to your location and search history?

• SafeSearch. Do you want Windows to omit dirty pictures and Web sites from your Web search results?

• Metered connections. Here’s another opportunity for you to avoid running up your cellular data bill—in this case, by eliminating Bing search results from the regular search box when you’re on a cellular Internet connection.

Share

As you know from Chapter 1, the Share icon in the Charms bar is handy whenever you want to send something you’re looking at (a photo or a Web page, for example) to other people (via email, Facebook, or Twitter, for example).

The Share controls govern which apps (Mail, ...