"hidden features"??? LAME! From this article I understand only this: "Yep, we know that Windows 8 is a failure, but look - you can make it look and feel almost like our real OS aka Windows 7."
I'm afraid MS is doomed where it comes to their current unified UI over the various Windows versions. It takes a bit of creativity to become accustomed to, and well, Win8 reception by 'hardcore users' has proven that's not going to happen any time soon It's actually very rare: MS overestimated their customers!
yep try making a task in task scheduler to go to the desktop automatically on log on, general tab make sure select windows 8 the Trigger = log on, the action= run C:\windows\explorer.exe which will start straight to desktop. this worked well for me going to desktop before I could have even clicked to desktop from start page I can't post link but if u look at tech republic windows/office blog u will find the full instructions there.
hidden features????? they are all easily accessible unless you have toidi na m'I stamped on your forehead but one hidden feature you have to live with is that Windows 8 is actually slow from a cold boot - twiddling your fingers and watching that stupid spinning circle while you waiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit for an application to launch.... thinking about all those comments around the web that "it's faster"!!!