While Windows 8.1’s multitasking improvements and upgraded customization options will grab the attention of users upgrading from Windows 8, each one of the applications included in Windows 8.1 have also received big updates. The People app allowed users to keep in touch with friends and family before, however the application includes a revamped interface in Windows 8.1. Here’s how to tweet or post a Facebook status update in Windows 8.1.

Before you begin, it’s important to remember that the People app only connects to accounts that you’ve added to your Microsoft Account. You may need to configure your Microsoft Account to work with Twitter and Facebook before proceeding. Here’s how to do that first.

Configuring an Account

Open the Start Screen by tapping the Start button on your keyboard or device.

Open the People app by clicking on the orange Live Tile with an outline of two people.

Click the Connected to option in the bottom-right corner of the People app.

Click Add an Account to add your Twitter or Facebook account. Then enter your username and password for that account.

 

To Tweet

Open the Start Screen by tapping the Start button on your keyboard or device.

Open the People app by clicking on the orange Live Tile with an outline of two people.

Click or tap the picture attached to your Microsoft account labeled Me on the left side of the People App. Type a message into the window labeled Message and click or tap the circular orange Send icon to the right of the message area.

To Post a Message to Facebook

Open the Start Screen by tapping the Start button on your keyboard or device.

Open the People app by clicking on the orange Live Tile with an outline of two people.

Click or tap the picture attached to your Microsoft account labeled Me on the left side of the People App.

Select Facebook from the drop down menu in the What’s New area. Type a message into the window labeled Message and click or tap the circular orange Send icon to the right of the message area.

 

You’ve sent your first messages using Facebook and Twitter. It’s important to remember that configuring your Facebook and Twitter account to work with a Microsoft account also enables other Microsoft products to interact with those accounts. For example, a Windows Phone will now automatically connect to those accounts. The same is true for users who’ve previously configured their Facebook account to work with Microsoft’s Outlook.com mail service.