Customising Windows...
 

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[Closed] Customising Windows 8 to "traditional view"

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New laptop has Windows 8 and cant get on with the bloody app/tile icon front page. Basically what i want is to try and have a more traditional view, like windows XP or 7 (what im used to).

Im aware of various programmes that can do this for you, any recommendations? These two look promising, but before i download one any advice would be appreciated.

http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/


 
Posted : 11/08/2013 5:55 pm
 MSP
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The windows 8.1 update should be available very soon, that should give enough of the old options while taking advantage the new to not use a third party program.


 
Posted : 11/08/2013 6:02 pm
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Classic Shell is what we've been recommending to people who ask at work.

[url] http://www.classicshell.net/ [/url]
It's more powerful than most of the others though so be careful. Had no complaints so far.


 
Posted : 11/08/2013 6:19 pm
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samuri- thank you sir!

Loathed the start screen and now it's gone, cracking 😀


 
Posted : 11/08/2013 6:42 pm
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Win8.1 update (preview) on my work machine just gave me a start button. Press start and then all the tiles are presented to you! I gave it my full 30secs attention and then installed classic shell again. Maybe you can change it to give you a start menu, but I didnt see it immediately.


 
Posted : 11/08/2013 7:01 pm
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Yeah the 8.1 update is bollocks for anyone that wants to go back to something like the Windows 7 UI. MS clearly don't listen, or at least don't want to admit they completely ****ed it up.


 
Posted : 12/08/2013 1:26 pm
 IA
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This seems relevant:

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2013/06/28


 
Posted : 12/08/2013 1:29 pm
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Thanks IA, I was looking for that 🙂


 
Posted : 12/08/2013 1:30 pm
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Windows Key +...

D switches between touch and desktop interfaces

I calls up the power-down modes

X calls up a powerful PC admin menu

Q calls up a list of the installed apps

W calls up a settings search

E calls up the My Computer screen

Remember to use Windows key + D to get back to the desktop.

Windows 8 can be a really nice place to be if you use these shortcuts.


 
Posted : 12/08/2013 1:35 pm
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It's still shit even if you remember a load of shortcut keys (rather than press on oh-so-obvious icons/menus arranged in an oh-so-obvious manner like on a Start button). I still use Windows 7 myself but have the misfortune of 'supporting' my GF's W8 laptop. I thought she was just being pedantic when complaining about how the whole in-built picture gallery stuff works but frig me a 4-year old could design something better.


 
Posted : 12/08/2013 2:34 pm
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Classic Shell is what we've been recommending to people who ask at work.

http://www.classicshell.net/
It's more powerful than most of the others though so be careful. Had no complaints so far.

Plus 1. No issues thus far.


 
Posted : 12/08/2013 2:36 pm
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useful - thanks muchly


 
Posted : 12/08/2013 2:39 pm
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+another for Classic Shell in fact I only "upgraded" to windows 8 as I knew I could get classic shell and a start button instead of that tile crap or I would have stayed on VISTA!


 
Posted : 12/08/2013 5:23 pm
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Thanks to all of those who recommended classic shell. I've just put it on my work windows 7 box and it is the best "productivity" upgrade I've yet seen.

Many thanks,

P


 
Posted : 13/08/2013 7:48 am
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Cheers for the suggestions, will give the classic shell a go.


 
Posted : 13/08/2013 8:08 am
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Cheers for the suggestions, will give the classic shell a go.


 
Posted : 13/08/2013 8:10 am

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