Windows 8 and Server 2012 have now RTMed and as expected the good old UI of desktop and startmenu has been replaced with a[intlink id=“2543” type=“post”]horrible new UI[/intlink] (previously called Metro). In their ultimate wisdom Microsoft have left no way to switch back to the old desktop/start menu system, but thanks to various tweaks and tools it is possible to get 90% of the interface restored — good enough to be fully usable. Below I document the various steps and tweaks required.
ਪੋਸਟ ਟੈਗ: start menu
0Windows 8: Fix the start menu
So, Windows 8 is coming in late July (October for retail customers). There are no signs that Microsoft will relent provide an option to switch back to the Windows 7 start menu, and instead will force the[intlink id=“2543” type=“post”]horrible metro interface[/intlink] upon everyone. As a result many of us will undoubtedly stick quite happily with Windows 7, however there are 2 reasons to use Windows 8: being forced to as it will come on all new PCs soon and for improvements including a performance increase and the new[intlink id=“2283” type=“post”]storage spaces[/intlink] feature amongst others. If you fall into either of these camps but, like me, can’t stand metro, there are now more options available than when I[intlink id=“2552” type=“post”]last wrote[/intlink] about this issue.
0Windows 8250 consumer preview: Traditional start menu
Windows 8 looks to have many nice new features, but unfortunately, as I mentioned in a previous post, Microsoft has decided to create a phone/tablet user interface and foist it upon desktop users as well. This wouldn’t be such a problem if Microsoft had left an option to turn the excellent and well established traditional interface back on, but in their infinite wisdom Microsoft hasn’t provided any such option. Fortunately there are 2 options for getting the traditional start button and menu back.
“Hi James I realise it has been a long while, but I just checked this on windows 11 (build 23H2)…”