جیت dows 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.
1. Turn on “desktop experience” (Server 2012 only)
- Open powershell and type these 2 lines
- Import-Module ServerManager
- Install-WindowsFeature Desktop-Experience
2. Get a proper start menu
- اپ ڈیٹ (12-دسمبر -2012) — if you are willing to cough up $4.99, Start8 is a fully functioning start menu replacement — I can’t tell any different from the real Windows 7 شروع مینو, except for the extended customisation options. You can try it free for a month too.
لوڈ نیچے اور انسٹال ViStart- دیگر[intlink id=“2862” type=“post”]start-menu replacements[/intlink] are available
but currently ViStart is the closest visually to the original start menu
3. Apply a nicer theme
- Save your current theme from a Windows 7 PC
- Copy it across to the new PC
- Double click on it to apply it.
- This will replace the desktop wallpaper and will apply some transparency effects
4. Get rid of “the ribbon” in folder views
- ڈاؤن لوڈ کریں Ribbon Disabler for Windows 8
- Run it as administrator and enable the effects
5. (a) Start on the desktop not in Metro (Server 2012)
- Open regedit
- Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
- Create a new key called “server” (or take ownership and change permissions if it already exists)
- Create a new 32bit DWORD called ClientExperienceEnabled and leave it set to 0. (or change it to 0 if it already exists)
5. (B) Start on the desktop not in Metro (Windows 8)
- Open control panel: Administrative tools: کام تخسوچک
- Expand the “task scheduler library”
- Create a new basic task
- Call it “Show Desktop” and click next
- Choose “When I Log On” and click next
- Start a program is selected — click next
- In “program/script” enter “%systemroot%\explorer.exe”
- In “Arguments (optional)” enter “shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}"
- Finish and close task schedule
6. Don’t open server manager at logon (Server 2012 only)
- In server manager click “manage”
- Select “server Manager Properties” in the pull-down dialog
- Tick “Do not start Server Manager automatically at logon”
7. Completely disable Metro (active corners, charms bar, وغیرہ)
- اپ ڈیٹ (12-دسمبر -2012) — if you use Start8 you no longer need this option.
Search google and download the file FxxkMetro.zip — I recommend the ZippyShare results as you don’t have to register to downloadRun the app on startup by placing it (or a shortcut to it) in %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
8. Other visual tweaks
- Make sure full visual effects are turned on — especially on server 2012
- Open control panel
- Click on System
- Click on System again
- Click on advanced system settings
- Make sure you’re in the advanced tab
- Click the top settings button (in the performance section)
- Select “adjust for best appearance”
It is worth the $5 with Start8 to bypass all of this. I use it on my installs of Server 2012 اور ونڈوز 8 and set it to boot to desktop. 5 minutes to download and setup and you are done. Got tired of all the tweaks and registry edits to enable for each install. Not worth my customer’s time.
Absolutely agree — I’m using the same thing. $5 (£3) is very cheap for what it does. I wonder what their sales figures look like — a message to Microsoft perhaps?
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