Maybe Microsoft’s fun holiday-themed ads have convinced you to buy a Surface Pro 3 or maybe a gift for a very generous family member. Now it’s time to set it up and get ready to use this versatile and fun tablet/laptop. We will share with readers some basic steps to help users get the most out of Microsoft Surface Pro 3 2-in-1 Windows 8 machine. These tips will help users enjoy one of the best mobile machines available today with Windows 8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5_CrXh227Q
Get to Know the Hardware
The Surface Pro 3 comes with the Surface Pen and should come with the Surface Type Cover, but instead, Microsoft charges an extra $129.99. Most people buy the Type Cover to use with the Surface Pro 3.
Take Surface Pro 3 out of the box and plug in the excellent magnetic charger to ensure the battery is fully charged before extensive use.
The Surface Pro 3 charger takes up space like traditional chargers, but also adds a USB charging port to power a phone or accessories.
Unpack the Type Cover keyboard cover and snap it onto the bottom of Surface Pro 3. The bottom is the edge opposite the power button. At the back you will find the kickstand. At first, it feels stiff as the user pulls the tablet to set it up. It will loosen a bit after use, but not too much.
The Surface Pro 3 doesn’t come with anything to hold the Surface Pen, unless owners also get the Type Cover, which includes that poor sticky loop.
The Surface Pro 3 Type Cover comes with an adhesive ring that Microsoft intended people to stick to the edge of the keyboard cover. However, it is more convenient to attach it to the tablet itself. This way, if the user takes the Surface Pro 3 with him without the keyboard cover, he can still use the Surface Pen. For holding the pen, a company called Cleanint offers a better solution. More on that later when we discuss accessories.
Set Windows and Surface Pro 3 Login Account
When the owner starts the Surface Pro 3 for the first time, the operating system will take the user through the necessary steps to install the operating system of their computer. The necessary steps are:
- Press the power button to turn on the tablet.
- Set the OS language, UI color and choose a name for the tablet – something like “Kevin’s Surface”.
- Accept the license terms.
- Pair the Surface Pen with the Surface Pro 3 by pressing and holding the top button until the light next to the pen flashes. It should pair using Bluetooth and you will see the message “Your device is connected”.
- Set up the Wi-Fi network by tapping on the pen, Type Cover trackpad, or a finger.
- If necessary, type the Wi-Fi network password.
- On the next screen choose the settings by choosing from or . We’ll assume you’ve chosen express settings.
Now it’s time to link a Microsoft Account to Windows. For those who already use Hotmail, Outlook.com, Live, OneDrive, Xbox, Windows Phone, or any other Microsoft account with a preset email and password, use this account. It makes life less complicated. Enter the email address and password to connect the device to this account. For those with multiple Microsoft accounts, choose one at this point and add the other later.
People who don’t already use a Microsoft account can create one now. Use an email address of your choice and then create a new password. Microsoft recommends using an Outlook.com email address. To do this, select via. Choose a name for the Outlook.com email address and follow the rest of the instructions.
Some people already have a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 PC with settings they like on that machine. The setup process allows them to add these settings to their Surface Pro 3 as well. Follow Microsoft’s guide by doing so.
People who don’t already have another Windows 8 machine will need to set up their OneDrive settings/accounts. To do this, Microsoft’s Guide to setting up Surface Pro 3 and scroll down to find these steps.
Download All Updates for Surface Pro 3
Microsoft updates Windows frequently, so a new Surface Pro 3 will most likely need a series of updates to fix security or stability issues. To update the tablet’s firmware or operating system, go to Windows Update using the following steps:
- Swipe in from the edge of the screen to reveal the Charms Bar.
- Tap on the bottom.
- Tap on it at the bottom of the floating settings window from the right.
- On the new settings screen, find it at the bottom of the list on the left.
- The Windows Update screen appears and checks for updates. If necessary, tap the button to make sure it’s looking for the latest updates.
- After a short wait, the operating system notifies the user that it has found updates. If available, it will offer to install them or notify you that the operating system will install it soon. Tap on it now to force the installation.
- Check for updates that Windows should install, and then tap the Details link next to each update to learn more about them, and then tap .
- Wait for the updates to install and then restart the computer even if it doesn’t require updates. A newly updated system usually works better after a reboot.
Protect Your Surface Pro 3 from Malware
Windows 8 comes with limited malware protection built in, but it’s not that great. Microsoft is calling it Windows Defender and it’s better than nothing.
Windows Defender comes in Windows 8 but is less effective than some third-party apps.
Lately AV-TEST.org reviewed free antivirus solutions and found two highly rated: Avira Antivirus and Kaspersky Security Scan. These did a good job of finding viruses. A third solution scored well in finding other types of malware, such as Spyware. comes from Panda.
Activate Your Microsoft Office 365 Account
Unlike some Windows tablets, Microsoft Surface Pro 3 does not come with Office 365 for free. Search around and you can often find it for less than retail price. $99.99 for Office 365 for homeincludes Office for up to 5 users. there is also Office 365 Personal for $69.99, that a user can install on a single computer and a tablet. We saw both at these prices with discounts of up to 25%.
The program comes pre-installed on the Surface Pro 3 and allows the user to try it out for a short while. Do not buy directly from the Surface Pro 3 or you will pay full price. Instead, shop and find a discounted price and then enter the activation code on that purchase. For example, we found on Amazon for under $60 from a third-party retailer.
Opening the program will load it quickly. The installer allows the user to use the program while adding features in the background.
Find Great Windows Store Apps
After installing and running Windows and Office, adding some apps from the Microsoft App Store provides even more functionality. Compared to other app stores on Android, iOS, or Mac OS X, the Windows App Store doesn’t offer as much, and the same apps available on these devices often offer less functionality in Windows 8 than in iOS, Android, or Mac. Fortunately, users can also download apps directly from these sites. Things like Dropbox, Evernote and more is very meaningful for users. Get them directly from these sites as Windows Store apps are not enough. Also consider installing Google Chrome or FirefoxMuch better browsers than Internet Explorer that comes with Windows 8.
Surface Hub, an essential app that should come pre-installed on the device, helps users customize Surface Pen functions. get it first. Use it to customize ink pressure sensitivity and pen buttons (hopefully doing more in the future).
Here is a list of 10 other great free apps that are also available on the Windows App Store.
Fotor includes great photo editing tools for free from the Windows Store.
Not all great apps in the Windows Store come for free. Here is a list of 5 paid apps and games that users should consider purchasing from the Windows Store because they are worth the money.
MetaMoji Note offers users the best note-taking app anywhere and syncs with iPad, iPhone and Android phones or tablets.
Bring Back the Start Menu
Many people love the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 hardware, but hate the user interface of Windows 8, and especially the Start Screen, which replaced the Start Menu of Windows 7 and earlier. Getting the start menu back is easy with a free third-party app like Classic Shell. It offers three views. The Windows 7 version and the two-column version look similar (see Windows 7 version above), the old Windows XP version will remind people of the flat design before Windows 7 (see below).
In addition to a classic version of the Start Menu, they also offer a classic Windows Explorer. Unwanted users should be careful when installing Classic Shell. Uncheck Classic Explorer during installation.
Protect Your Surface Pen from Loss
The Clean Stylus for the Surface Pro 3 replaces the dreaded loop that Microsoft introduced with the Type Cover.
As mentioned above, the dreaded Microsoft Type Cover pen loop will keep the pen temporarily attached to the tablet. However, the stylus snaps easily into things, and many Surface Pro 3 users are losing their $50 Surface Pen in this dreadful cycle, often without the user knowing (and where is it?) before the user gets well.
We found a great product from Cleanint. this Clean Pen for Surface Pro 3 ($19.95) is the pen holder Microsoft must have made. It attaches to the Surface Pro corners by docking to the tablet. Some adhesives hold it there without sticking so firmly that it won’t come off. The design keeps it out of the way of ports or buttons in either of the upper left or right corners and keeps the Surface Pen intact so it doesn’t come off easily. Simple, inexpensive and necessary.
Get Some Great Accessories
In addition to the Clean Stylus holder above, be sure to grab a few more accessories to make the Surface Pro 3 even more fun. Here is a list of products that owners should consider.
The Surface Pro 3 Docking Station turns the tablet into a desktop for fast connection to a monitor, printer and more.
Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse T30 combines the touch and gestures of a trackpad with the pointing precision of a mouse.
The eTauro charger and USB 3.9 hub also add a mini display port and cost half the cost of the Microsoft Dock.
