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Windows 8 gurus

T

tcsenter

Lifer
A family member has a non-touch screen laptop with Windows 8.1 and does not like the Metro thing, where every app and even windows or property pages become a Metro app that hogs the entire screen. She has trouble getting out of them, switching between apps and windows, knowing whether the app has been closed/terminated or just minimized to the background behind the next screen-hogging app that uses the Metro style interface. She has a simple Start Menu replacement proggy, and that didn't solve any of her complaints.

Any tips on how to get Windows 8.1 to stop using that crappy Metro UI, without scrapping Win8 and installing Windows 7?
 
tcsenter said:
A family member has a non-touch screen laptop with Windows 8.1 and does not like the Metro thing, where every app and even windows or property pages become a Metro app that hogs the entire screen. She has trouble getting out of them, switching between apps and windows, knowing whether the app has been closed/terminated or just minimized to the background behind the next screen-hogging app that uses the Metro style interface. She has a simple Start Menu replacement proggy, and that didn't solve any of her complaints.

Any tips on how to get Windows 8.1 to stop using that crappy Metro UI, without scrapping Win8 and installing Windows 7?
Click to expand...

Start 8 can turn it all off.
 
tcsenter said:
Shit, srsly? Any downsides? She is using a non-Microsoft user account. The regular local user account that doesn't require you to sign-in to Windows Live or whatever (e.g. like the user accounts in Windows 7/Vista).
Click to expand...

The regular user account is either the old-fashioned admin account or the rights-nerfed "standard account" that is more secure than running as an admin. I never registered with MS either.

Most likely, she is running as an admin, so you get all the "unlimited power" with regards to installing apps.

Nothing has substantially changed since Windows 7, and presumably Vista(since I never used Vista), with regards to the function of the local accounts.

Classic Shell is a free alternative.
 
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Dont get Start8, 3 activations if you reformat and the license is blocked.

Also, it uses a startup service for it to work.

Instead, get StartIsBack, that's the best Start Menu replacement app and gives you a replica feel of Windows 7.

It has no limits on how many times you can activate it on the same PC, costs only $3 USD for 1 user, and requires no service on startup to operate. It also auto updates to save you the headache.

The demo is fully functional for 30 days with no nag screens.

For the metro apps, right click on each one then select uninstall. I never use any of that crap
 
I set-up the computer with both admin (passworded) and standard user, both local accounts. She runs under standard user for almost everything but understands what the admin account is for.

Damn, I already installed Start8 and she is trying it out. So far, so good. Maybe I'll remote in when she isn't using it and install StartIsBack instead. Hopefully she doesn't pay for Start8 before then.

Thanks!
 
G73S said:
Dont get Start8, 3 activations if you reformat and the license is blocked.

Also, it uses a startup service for it to work.

Instead, get StartIsBack, that's the best Start Menu replacement app and gives you a replica feel of Windows 7.

It has no limits on how many times you can activate it on the same PC, costs only $3 USD for 1 user, and requires no service on startup to operate. It also auto updates to save you the headache.

The demo is fully functional for 30 days with no nag screens.

For the metro apps, right click on each one then select uninstall. I never use any of that crap
Click to expand...

I will second StartIsBack. I set it up for a customer and you should have seen that man grin!
 
If you don't use a Microsoft account you are locked out of the store for one. For another I'd install the programs you want and set them to defaults instead of Metro. If Metro does appear, drag down to close them or right click the taskbar icon and hit close. Also make use of the switcher along the left of the screen in conjunction with Alt+Tab.
 
On the desktop right click the taskbar and select the navigation tab. Here you can select the desktop on start-up and select the Apps page (the old all programs list) instead of Start. Effectively removing the Start page.

In the Apps view you can right click an app, select 'open file location' and send the shortcut to the desktop.

I find that I don't need a third party program to set Win 8.1 to as close as possible to Win 7's settings.
 
You can also disable the corner navigation, the Charms bar and top left for switching apps.
 
I bought my mom a laptop with Win8.1 and installed StartIsBack after setting it up for her. Working great. I do think StartIsBack is a little better and a bit more faithful to Win7's appearance. And $2 bucks cheaper. Later, I'll show her some of the Modern UI features intended for touch screens, since she her laptop has a touch screen.
 
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