Windows 8 tips: introducing the Metro interface

NOTE: This screencast of Windows 8 Metro was recorded prior to the announcement that Microsoft had dropped the name Metro.

The Windows 8 interface is quite a departure from the traditional desktop of Windows 7 and previous versions. It shows it works with tiles that not only start programs but can give extra information about them. For example once email has been set up, notifications of new emails will appear in the tile.

Read more: Windows 8 tips

Watch: Windows 8 video guides

It's very easy to get started, just click on a tile to start that program. For example we're going to click on the Windows Desktop tile.

Like everybody else, you'll probably have noticed that the Start button has disappeared. There's no need to panic though, just press the Windows button to return to Metro.

The other use for the Windows key that you will want to learn is Windows and C. This launches the Charms menu that appears on the right-hand side of the screen.

In many ways the Charms menu is a replacement for the Start Menu as it has a Start option to return to Metro as well as buttons for Search and Settings.

Search works much as it did with the Start menu. Start typing and Windows will show suggestions from apps, documents and settings.

For example we tried typing 'user'. There are no results for apps but click on Settings to see the 18 results including changing the picture password and managing Family Safety.

Press the Windows key to return to Metro.

Read our Windows 7 guides