1. Click/touch the Desktop icon on the Start Screen.  You can tell Windows to boot to the Desktop - right-click Taskbar, Properties, Navigation tab, check box for "desktop instead of Start". 2. You can install apps from the Store, OR you can install apps in Windows - on the Desktop - just like with any other version of Windows.  The Store is your only repository for built-in apps.  If you want to install software not found in the Store, you need to download and install it.  Check the site/vendor for compatibility information.  Nearly every software package will list compatibilities. 3. Keep Windows Updates enabled.  Update third-party apps as prompted (Adobe, Apple, etc.).  Everything, by default, will attempt to keep itself up to date ... just let it do its thing.  Most file system maintenance is automatic (defragmentation, disk checking, etc.). 4. Windows 8 has a built-in AV, Windows Defender, which is adequate for a web-savvy user not visiting sketchy websites.  There are many third-party AV's available.  Windows PC's are most vulnerable to viruses and malware when users allow them to run on their systems, just like any platform.  Because Windows is used by 90% of computer users, they are a much more profitable target by malware authors, but the system itself is no more inherently vulnerable than Linux of Mac systems. 5. Yes, but you should always download from trusted sources, for the reasons listed in number 4.  Don't torrent or dangerous things like that.  Downloads from trusted sources are no more dangerous on Windows than any other platform. 6. There is only one Desktop.  You can install software to emulate additional Desktops/workstations, and Windows [next] will have multiple Desktops, but we don't really have details about it other than it will have that capability. 7. While Windows itself is not open source, open sources software exists for Windows too - that is not just a Linux idea.  Some software for Windows costs money (MS Office), some is freeware, and some is open source.  Be wary of sketchy "freeware" from unknown vendors.  Proprietary software by definition cannot be redistributed, nor can it be altered ... you should check the licensing agreement that comes with the software in question though. 8. Perform a clean install, as opposed to running Dell's factory install, but other than that, Windows is generally as fast as Linux.  OF COURSE, it depends on what you are doing with it.  The more software you install on it, the more likely it will be to slow down, because of registry entries, startup services, etc., so keep your startup clean, running only items you want to run. 8.  
I'm a Linux user, and I just got an Inspiron 15R that came with Windows. I haven't used Windows in years and don't really remember how to use it and I don't know what all has changed in that time. I'm not sure yet if I'll be keeping Windows yet, I'll either dual boot with Linux or just use Linux. But I have a few questions on using Windows until I decide and if I decide to keep it. It's running Win 8, I haven't upgraded to 8.1 yet. I'm sorry if any of these questions are dumb... 1. How do I change the desktop environment for Windows? I don't really like the one it came with :P I'd prefer something more light weight.2. How do I install software in Windows? I went into the Windows Store, but this looks more like the Google Play Store on my phone. I'm basically looking for the equivalent to Synaptic. Also, how do I add different repositories? Or do I have to download and install software myself? If I have to do it all myself, how do I check compatibility, versions, stability, etc?3. What sort of maintenance is required with Windows? Does all the software update at once? If not, how does software update? Does it still require defragging? If so, how often are you supposed to do that with Win 8? Is there any other sort of weird stuff like that I need to be doing?4. What all do I need for virus protection? I'm used to running a basic firewall & scanning files before emailing them to people with Win PCs. Is there anything else I need? How often do Windows PCs get viruses? I'm just concerned as I've heard viruses are a big issue with Windows... 5. Is it safe to download stuff using Windows? (Because of the viruses) Or should I stick to only downloading with my Linux PCs? 6. How do I access the different desktops? How many are there? 7. What are the differences between using all this proprietary stuff instead of FOSS? Do I have to buy software to use on Windows? Am I allowed to change proprietary software if it's for personal use and I don't distribute or sell it? 8. I seem to remember having to change a bunch of settings to get Windows to run at a decent speed. While this laptop is fast enough, it's not as fast as my old desktop running #!, even though the hardware specs are WAY better on the Inspiron 15R. Is there any way to get Windows to run as fast as Linux? Thanks for any help!
Questions: New to Windows 8