This past weekend, I assisted one of my friends in upgrading Windows 7 installation to the recently released Windows 8.1 version. The upgrade was smooth, even though the operation doesn’t keep installed programs and one needs to install all programs all over again after completing the upgrade.
After upgrading to Windows 8.1, we reinstalled all the desktop programs and also made sure that all drivers have been updated to the latest available version. While attempting to turn on Bluetooth, my friend noticed that Windows Mobility Center can’t be launched with the old Windows + X hotkey as pressing Windows + X keys reveals power user menu (also known as Win+X menu) in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.
For those who aren’t familiar with Windows Mobility Center, it’s a feature available on laptops and tablets to quickly change screen brightness, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, sync, display, sound and battery settings.
In Windows 7 and Vista, one could quickly launch Windows Mobility Center by simultaneously pressing Windows logo and X keys. Now that Microsoft has assigned this hotkey to power user menu, you might be wondering how to quickly open Mobility Center in Windows 8.1.
There are a couple of ways to open Mobility Center in Windows 8.1. You can follow the instructions mentioned in one of the four methods to open Windows Mobility Center in Windows 8.1.
Method 1:
Opening Mobility Center from desktop
Step 1: Switch to the desktop environment.
Step 2: Right-click on the battery icon in the system tray and then click Windows Mobility Center to open the same. If the battery icon isn’t appearing in the tray, please click on the small up arrow icon to see the battery icon.
Method 2:
Launching Mobility Center from power user menu.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start button on the taskbar to reveal the power user menu.
Step 2: Click on the option titled Mobility Center to open the same.
Method 3:
Launching Mobility Center from Start screen
Step 1: Switch to the Start screen by either clicking on the Start button (Windows logo button on the taskbar) or pressing Windows logo key on the keyboard.
Step 2: When you are in the Start screen, type Mobility Center to see Windows Mobility Center in the results. Double-click on Windows Mobility Center to open the same.
Alternatively, from anywhere, you can press Windows + Q keys to open search charm with filter set to Settings, type Mobility Center and then press enter key to quickly open Mobility Center without having to switch to the Start screen.
Method 4:
Launching Mobility Center with the help of Run command:
Step 1: Open Run dialog box by simultaneously pressing Windows + R keys.
Step 2: In the box, type Mblctr and then press Enter key to open Mobility Center.
How to open the Control Panel and how to open Disk Management in Windows 8.1 guides might also interest you.
