Consensus on getting Windows 7 desktop look & feel?

bbinnard

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I just ordered an Asus Zenbook that will have Win8-64 on it. It is replacing an old Sony laptop that was running Vista. My wife and I use the laptop for photo & video preview & backups when we travel. She is used to Win7 of course and would not like to have to learn the new Win8 Metro desktop etc.

I've read about several softwares that attempt to make Win8 look more or less like Win7, but without being able to try them it's hard to decide which is best. So my question is - is there a general consensus of which one is best?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8-64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Memory
    8GB
I simply switch on my laptop and wait till the Metro UI comes up. Then I click on the Desktop tile which takes me straight to the desktop. That's it. I feel like I'm back to Win 7. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung NP530U4B-S02
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 2467M @ 1.60GHz
    Motherboard
    SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. 530U3BI/530U4BI/530U4BH (CPU
    Memory
    6.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
    Graphics Card(s)
    1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7500M/7600M Series (Samsung)
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    931GB SAMSUNG HN-M101MBB (SATA)
    Internet Speed
    1 MBPS
I just ordered an Asus Zenbook that will have Win8-64 on it. It is replacing an old Sony laptop that was running Vista. My wife and I use the laptop for photo & video preview & backups when we travel. She is used to Win7 of course and would not like to have to learn the new Win8 Metro desktop etc.

I've read about several softwares that attempt to make Win8 look more or less like Win7, but without being able to try them it's hard to decide which is best. So my question is - is there a general consensus of which one is best?
My vote would be Start8 by Stardock. It costs $4.99 but they have a trial version (thirty days, I think). I only used it for thirty minutes and purchased it. It can bypass the start screen and give you a Win 7 like start button on the task bar. It's fairly configurable and completely unobtrusive, at least on my laptop. Here's a link. And, no, I don't work for them... :)

Start8™ for Windows® 8 - Bringing back the Windows Start menu
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 Pro 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M14XR2
    CPU
    I73630QM
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT 650M
You can try them.

There is a 30 day trial of startisback. Probably the best overall solution short of replacing w 8 with a completely different os.

If it does the job for you - it is only 3 bucks for 2 pc's. StartIsBack - real start menu in Windows 8

There are several others you could look at as well. Some are largely just start menu replacements - that hasn't stopped some of them selling millions of copies.

You might also take a look at Classic shell - a free program that can be used on other os as well as win 8. You can donate if you like it. Welcome to Classic Shell

MS have created a big market for these sorts of things.

Millionaires are being made - well done MS.





I just ordered an Asus Zenbook that will have Win8-64 on it. It is replacing an old Sony laptop that was running Vista. My wife and I use the laptop for photo & video preview & backups when we travel. She is used to Win7 of course and would not like to have to learn the new Win8 Metro desktop etc.

I've read about several softwares that attempt to make Win8 look more or less like Win7, but without being able to try them it's hard to decide which is best. So my question is - is there a general consensus of which one is best?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
There is also simply pinning what you need from the start menu to the Start Screen, uninstall the superfluous apps, know how to open the Settings Charms, and BAM! Supersized start menu!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Want Win 7 interface for Win 8 OS

Later today I'm going to install the Win 8 Pro 64-bit upgrade to my Win 7 Home Premium.
I'm doing it more for the core OS improvements then the Win 8 interface.
So I'm thinking of trying to remove or disable the "Tablet" features of Win 8 and give it more of a Win 7 interface.
So I'm looking for information on disabling the "tablet" features?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7-64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD 945 quad core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte 880G
    Memory
    2 X 2GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS 6870
    Sound Card
    Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 27"
    Hard Drives
    180GB SSD
    120GB SSD
    1TB storage
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    CM690II
    Cooling
    4 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G110
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000
    Internet Speed
    Cable
Just uninstall the metro apps, pin File Explorer locations to Start, pin Desktop apps, and BAM! Oh, and change program defaults for Desktop apps as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I tried a few options and found Start8 to be the best for me. for $5 I think it is very well worth it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8-64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Memory
    8GB
Iobit has a program called Stat menu 8, which is basically a free copy of Start8
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
I recommend using Windows 8 as it is for 10 or more hours before changing the start menu around with a third party application. You may find out that you like it and isn't that hard.

The basics to start off with are:
  1. Make the desktop icon the first icon by dragging to the top left corner on the start screen. This will allow you to go to desktop by clicking the icon or pressing and the Enter button.
  2. Return to start screen by pressing the Windows key
  3. While on the start screen start typing the name of a program, file or setting and icons will start appearing. By default, it lists Programs but, under the search box in the top right corner you can click on Setting or File.
  4. You can also All Apps by hovering mouse in the lower right corner or right clicking the start screen.

Jimbo45 had this posted in another thread to access all your programs. It works good.
Classical Menu WITHOUT using 3rd party apps or system mods the basic directions are below


1) on the bottom taskbar right mouse click ==> toolbars===>create new toolbar
2) enter %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs in the select folder
3) press the select folder button

Now in the bottom taskbar you'll see Programs with a >> sign

click on the >> and you'll see a list of your programs in classical menu style -- what's difficult about that --you don't even have to go near the start screen / charms etc once you've booted.

You can also pin 'File Explorer 'to your taskbar to gain access to such things as computer, pictures, videos etc
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
I recommend using Windows 8 as it is for 10 or more hours before changing the start menu around with a third party application. You may find out that you like it and isn't that hard.

The basics to start off with are:
  1. Make the desktop icon the first icon by dragging to the top left corner on the start screen. This will allow you to go to desktop by clicking the icon or pressing and the Enter button.
  2. Return to start screen by pressing the Windows key
  3. While on the start screen start typing the name of a program, file or setting and icons will start appearing. By default, it lists Programs but, under the search box in the top right corner you can click on Setting or File.
  4. You can also All Apps by hovering mouse in the lower right corner or right clicking the start screen.

Jimbo45 had this posted in another thread to access all your programs. It works good.
Classical Menu WITHOUT using 3rd party apps or system mods the basic directions are below


1) on the bottom taskbar right mouse click ==> toolbars===>create new toolbar
2) enter %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs in the select folder
3) press the select folder button

Now in the bottom taskbar you'll see Programs with a >> sign

click on the >> and you'll see a list of your programs in classical menu style -- what's difficult about that --you don't even have to go near the start screen / charms etc once you've booted.

You can also pin 'File Explorer 'to your taskbar to gain access to such things as computer, pictures, videos etc

Or just pin the things you need on the Desktop that aren't on your Taskbar to Start.... Kind of like the start menu?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Coke— I have my main programs pinned to the the taskbar but I can't pin everything there. I even have the all apps shortcut pinned to the taskbar which I've been using.

I've never said anything bad about Windows 8 missing start button and I'm not going to now. I've learned different shortcuts and key combinations to navigate for programs but I have to say this 'Programs toolbar' is a definite add-on plus feature without third party software.

I could be wrong but I think having this would help people get adjusted to 8 quicker because it is so easy to set up & resembles the old menu so much. Which is what everybody wants for comfort. They can create shortcuts and whatever has to get familiar with 8.

Programs Toolbar.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
Amazing how much baggage some of us add to our computers. I just used 'Refresh' for the first time and what a reduction in the Programs folders.

For anyone who hasn't used 'Refresh' yet ... it's awesome. At least so far. It saved all my personal documents, pictures, settings and windows updates. It removed third party programs. All it took was 20 minutes for a fresh start compared to hours for a clean install.
I don't know how perfect it is biased devil in a step in the right direction.
Programs after Refresh.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
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