Steps To Disable Metro UI in Windows 8

Is there a simple easy free way to disable metro and get the Start button back in Windows 8 ?

I've tried this, but couldn't find the key mentioned:

How To Disable Metro UI in Windows 8

Thanks

 

Those instructions are for the Win 8 Developer preview, are you running the Official release of Win 8 ?

 

Yes, I am.

What can I do? Seems those instructions are not working to the official release.

 

If bringing back the Start Menu is what you are after, I would suggest taking a look at this:

StartIsBack.com - real start menu in Windows 8

 

Thanks, I will try this

 

Welcome to Classic Shell this one is freeware

 

Classic Shell works well, too.
Sent from my Nokia Lumia 920 using Board Express

 

this is also good and blends in a lot better IMO Start8 for Windows® 8 - Bringing back the Windows Start menu

 

Classic Shell here, many configuration options & it's been working great. btw, damn MS for trying to asphyxiate everyone with the Moron UI garbage (a personal opinion). Let's see how the MS stock value evolves (dissolves?).

 

Not only is it freeware, but it's the best too. At least I'm loving it the most, looks great with the Metro skin and is really fast.

It's an excellent UI and the apps that run on them are also really well designed. IE10 Metro browser is hands down the best browser I've used so far. Problem, I don't use Metro UI on desktop, so it's a pity. Thankfully Maxthon exists. I'd say it's the BEST for tablets and phones right now, Android and Apple got nothing on Metro. Metro is clean, fast, informative, and damn easy to use. I just think they should give PC/Desktop owners the option to disable it.

 

All of these applications are great. The only problem is it's just a UI skinning; you're not actually "re-enabling" the original start button. I think the idea was to force users to adapt to the Metro UI and not use the desktop so much.

 

Why is ui skinning a problem? The original start button no longer exists. But yeah its obviously intentional to promote the metro interface but i wouldnt of installed win 8 without start8.

 

Classic Shell sounds good, but how can I disable the Win 8 Start screen (the one with all the tiles) and make it disappear forever?

 

I tried Classic Shell and as good as it is, it lacks one of my favorite features; the ability to simply press the "Windows Key" and begin typing what you are looking for as a search. I tried this with Classic Shell and it simply doesn't work. The stock Windows 8 UI search function works better (same way, press the Windows Key and start typing what you're searching for). So you gain something and you lose another. Meh, not good enough.

 

It's not exactly a problem (as long as you don't end up with malware from trying to inject a little feng shui into your Windows appearance), and I was not implying it is. I've used said third party tools even for Windows XP. The software just takes some screening; a lot of developers - especially now with Windows 8 - want to capitalize on users interest to change the UI.

You can't. There are some (theoretical) registry hacks to boot directly to the desktop, but I've read none of them work, and that you're more likely to do more harm than good by following them.

 

use start8 i find it the best

 

I use both Start8 and StartIsBack on different laptops and I like both. For me I prefer StartIsBack because for $5 you get 5 licenses whereas it's $5 per license with Start8. Decor8 is also good for the Start Page.

I actually like Windows 8 while W7 is my all time favorite. What I like about Start8 and StarIsBack is that you get your Start button back and have the Start Page which I go to on occasion to view the Live Tiles for Sports, Weather, News etc.

 

Maybe Startisback will work with the search? I dunno. That's why I haven't returned to 8. Actually I have one laptop that I put to use occasionally in my bedroom mainly for my TV through my Slingbox, just didn't want to bother with fussing with Win 7 update and drivers etc (it's the Lenovo S405, you know the one... ), so it's running 8, but it still annoys me even though I don't use it that much.

 

Microsoft may bring back start button and boot to desktop for Windows 8.1

Perhaps we won't need to resort to third party apps anymore?

 

Hi.

Has anybody tried the free Skip Metro Suite?

Windows 8 Tip: Boot Directly to the Desktop with Skip Metro Suite | Windows 8 content from Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows

 

Windows 8.1 set to bring back the Start button

According to the Verge’s “sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans”, the upcoming update/upgrade to Windows 8, Window 8.1 (or “Windows Blue”, as it had been previously known), will bring with it the Start button.

Windows 8.1 set to bring back the Start button | The Verge

 

Well, according to the occasionally well-informed Thurrott, Microsoft will bring back the Start Button, but not the Start Menu. This means, you'll get a Start Button that will do nothing but take you to that despised Start Screen. If that turns out to be correct, then what they're really doing is adding insult to injury, as if the beef people have is with a stupid little button, rather than their inane interface.

 

Such a damn shame. I don't even know why they bother sometimes. Its like if you've made this drastic decision and you're willing to stand by it for more than a year (has it even been a year since Windows 8 came out?) then why all of a sudden back down in such a weak way.

We're getting closer and closer to some true Haswell laptops being announced I hope....I can't wait to get the latest version.

Is Windows Blue the same Windows 8.1 btw?

 

It is .

 

Well, I am going to quote Thurrott from the article I linked to above (occasionally even a dolt like Thurrott gets things right):

" And [Microsoft's] ability, pre-Windows 8, to give a diverse user base choices was always a huge strength. Decisiveness is a great trait when you make good decisions. But for the billion-plus users on traditional PCs, Metro is not a good decision. And continually ignoring users’ needs is a strange form of corporate suicide."

There's really nothing that needs to be added to this.