Finding Places Using the Maps App

The Maps app starts off by displaying a map of your country and then quickly zooms in to your current location if you allowed the app to do so. You can drag the map to view other nearby areas. You can zoom out to see the entire country or the world or zoom in to see a specific state, city, or address. You can change the view of the map between a road view and an aerial view. You can map out directions between any two locations. And using the Search charm, you can search not just for states and cities but also restaurants, stores, and other businesses. This task explains how to find places using the Maps app.

1 Open the Maps app: Open the Maps app by clicking its Start screen tile.

2 Allow Maps to use your location: The first time you open the app, it asks if it can use your location. If you click Block, you will have to type your address any time you want to map out directions from your current location. If you are comfortable having the app find your location, click Allow.

3 View your location: The map zeros in on your current location and displays a gold diamond pinpointing your specific address.

4 Zoom in or out: Click the Zoom in button (+) to zoom in. Click the Zoom out button (–) to zoom out. Move your cursor around the map if the Zoom in and Zoom out buttons do not appear.

5 Change map style: Right-click anywhere on the map to display the app bar. Click the Map style icon and select Aerial view. You now have a top-down aerial view of your location. Right-click anywhere on the map to display the app bar again. Click the Map style icon and select Road view to return to the road view.

6 Show traffic: Right-click anywhere on the map to display the app bar. Click the Show traffic icon. The map displays the major highways and roads indicating traffic conditions. Right-click anywhere on the map to display the app bar again. Click the Show traffic icon again to turn off traffic display.

7 Open the Search charm: Move your mouse to the lower-right hot corner to display the Charms bar. Click the Search charm.

8 Search for a state: In the search field, type the name of a state, such as California. Click the Search icon. The map displays California.

9 Search for a city: In the search field, erase the name California and type the name of a city, such as Paris. Click the Search icon. The map displays Paris, France.

10 Get directions: Right-click on the map to display the app bar. Click the Directions icon. If you allowed Maps to use your current location, the A field displays My Location. If not, then you need to manually type the address for your current location. In the B field, type the address, city, and state of your destination. Click the right arrow next to the destination.

tip You may need to add the state or country to your search term to find a specific city. When you search for a city without listing state or country, Maps assumes the most obvious city — Rome, Italy, instead of Rome, New York.

11 View directions to destination: The map displays the route in the bottom pane and the mileage, time, and turn-by-turn directions in the top pane.

12 Search for a business: In the search field, type the name of a business, such as Dunkin' Donuts. Click the Search icon.

13 View results: The map displays a list of local Dunkin' Donuts shops in and around your destination. Use your mouse to scroll through the list of Dunkin' Donuts shops.

14 View a specific location: Click on a particular shop, and the map shows its location. Click the circled letter i icon on the map to view the address, a link to the website for the store or company, and a link for directions.

15 Clear map: Right-click on the map to display the app bar. Click the Clear map icon to return to the normal map view.

Quick Fix

Ripping a CD in Windows 8

At the Start screen, type Windows Media Player. In the search results, click on the app for Windows Media Player. Insert your CD. If Windows Media Player starts playing the CD, click the Stop button. To customize the options for ripping a CD, click Rip settings and choose the various options for format, audio quality, and more. When finished, click Rip CD. The CD's tracks are added to your Windows Music library.

tip You can print a location or set of directions using the Device charm from the Charms bar.