Solved A Classic Desktop That Looks Like THIS!

Jody Thornton

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Go to the link and scroll halfway down. Is there ANY way to make Windows 8 look like that SAFELY?

Disable Aero on Windows 8? - Super User

As a quick aside (does anyone have a screenshot of the Basic Theme that is included with Windows 8?
 

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    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
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    HP xw8600 Workstation
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    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
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    Proprietary
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Hi there.

I disagree on this though on that desktop Old fashioned and rather Hideous looking IMO. (Reminds me a bit of Windows 98).

I agree Metro is (as it currently works) a total disaster for doing any sensible type of coprp[orate stuff - or even working on a HOME machine where you need a load of apps to work SIMULTANEOUSLY (or CONCURRENTLY).

Windows 9 might be able to run these in re-sizeable windows --that could be good as these would then be updating continuously even when the Focus was removed away from the particular app in question --for example you could have a Stock Market app, a News app a Sports app all updating in real time while you atre say using an EXCEL spreadsheet. Currently you only see an app actually updating while it "has the Focus".

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
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    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
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Well I don't mind using the Explorer shell on Windows 8.1, but I like the classic desktop (which was supposed to be removed in 8x, but it has to be buried in there somewhere because elements of the classic desktop can appear supposedly)

I think it looks more like Windows 2000 than 98, but it's precisely what you dislike, that I would want :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
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    7 mbps
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    Firefox ESR 102
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    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters

My Computer

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  • OS
    Win 10
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    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
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    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
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    Cable - 100MB Downlink
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    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
That's cool. I like IO Bit Start Menu 8, but right now, I speaking more of the windows elements (eg. Title bar, caption buttons, etc)
:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
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    Firefox ESR 102
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    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
Basically what I would like is three things for a theme:

When a window is in the background, I'd like a lighter coloured red "x" button (or at least one similar in colour to the foreground)
I would like a narrower "close" button. I manged this in Vista with a theme editor, but I want the same in Windows 8.
I would like a thinner taskbar.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
Some of the other applications that Stardock has may do some of what you want.

Otherwise it may not be possible. Windows 8 is not Win XP or Vista, or Win 7 (unless you have Start8).
 

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  • OS
    Win 10
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    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
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    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
There are in fact some things that can be brought back. The Start menu can be added by using software like Start 8 (Stardock), Classic Shell (freeware)... whereas Modern Mix (Stardock) makes apps run on desktop in windowed mode, close, maximize and minimize buttons included. I personally use Classic Shell for the start menu, Modern Mix for apps in windowed mode, Fences (Stardock) for hideable desktop icons, Window FX (Stardock) for windows effects. Those programs let me customize Windows 8.1 how I like it. And all those programs work flawlessly, at least on my pc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    AMD FX-8350
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD7 Rev. 3
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac GTX 770 Amp 2 GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    GDATA Internet Security
I'm aware of the add-ons that bring the Start Menu back. I like IOBit Start Menu 8 for example. No, I'm speaking of accessing the classic desktop sans any visual styles (apparently Server 2012 allows this).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
WindowBlinds by Stardock lets you download and install various skins for Windows 8. Maybe there is one skin among the ones available that suits you. I'm almost sure that there are also freeware solutions but since I'm not into skinning I am not aware of all the alternatives available.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    AMD FX-8350
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD7 Rev. 3
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac GTX 770 Amp 2 GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    GDATA Internet Security
WindowBlinds by Stardock lets you download and install various skins for Windows 8. Maybe there is one skin among the ones available that suits you. I'm almost sure that there are also freeware solutions but since I'm not into skinning I am not aware of all the alternatives available.

I appreciate everyone's help, I really do. But I wasn't looking for themes that emulate the classic desktop. What I'm trying to find out is whether or not someone has successfully hacked the visual styles theme engine in a way that exposes the classic elements that are underneath (it works in Server 2012 so we know its in there.) Basically I want to find a way to completely disable skinning and have my desktop look the way it did in Windows 7 with classic (of course I would shrink the height of the taskbar, but you know what I mean).

I want to expose the "native" classic desktop. (Really I do appreciate everyone's help a lot). Apparently it has been done but the method shown on the link I provided may not be all that safe.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
very easy way to do that...

Goto computer properties and select advanced system setting, in the appearance section select setting and select Choose for the best performance... click ok,

Now you can choose basic themes from personalize....
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq Presario 061
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    1GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Ati radeon xpress 200
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1152x864
    Hard Drives
    1. 80 Gb
    2. 1TB
    PSU
    no
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    Compaq
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    12 kb/s
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    Torch
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    Bit defender 2013
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    It is an average pc

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 / Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Dual Boot
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    HP
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    8 gigs
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    Nvidia GE Force 5200
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    HP 2009M x's 2
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 x's 2
    Hard Drives
    One internal Western Digital HD 650 GB
    Three external Western Digital HD's - 1 TB each
Hi there

If we are talking about themes then my favourite was the XP Lunar Black theme - Here it is on an XP VM with the background image changed to the classic Jaguar found in Costa Rica and Brazil (it's not only a CAR BTW !!!).

There isn't unfortunately a way to replicate this on W8. You can get the Jaguar but not the curved toolbars etc.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
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    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Hi there

If we are talking about themes then my favourite was the XP Lunar Black theme - Here it is on an XP VM with the background image changed to the classic Jaguar found in Costa Rica and Brazil (it's not only a CAR BTW !!!).

There isn't unfortunately a way to replicate this on W8. You can get the Jaguar but not the curved toolbars etc.

Cheers
jimbo

On XP x64 Edition, I ran a modded version of the Royale Noir Theme. I placed in an orb instead of a Start button. It was very nice. I had wallpaper from a Corona (WMP 9 style) theme that went really well with it. I miss XP (sniff.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
WindowBlinds by Stardock lets you download and install various skins for Windows 8. Maybe there is one skin among the ones available that suits you. I'm almost sure that there are also freeware solutions but since I'm not into skinning I am not aware of all the alternatives available.

This is a great suggestion. I have been a fan of blinds for a long time. There are some really really epic themes out there. When I was younger I used to have flames shoot upwards when start menu was pressed was so awesome.
 

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System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBUYPOWER
    CPU
    AMD 8320
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7850
    Screen Resolution
    1024x768
    Case
    Azza Solaris
    Internet Speed
    50MBps download/10MBps upload
    Browser
    Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes PRO
Well since I'm going to turf this VM for 8.1 soon, I figured I'd try the risky looking tool, and guess what? It really does reveal the classic desktop in all it's glory. There are some rough spots, but it's here for real. :)
Classic 8.pngClassic 82.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
Hmmm - surprised there isn't more interest on this topic. I remember this being a big beef for fans of older versions of Windows when 8x came out. Oh well.

However, the tool also includes a Control Panel applet that provides the Adavanced Appearance properties (akin to Windows 7 and before). Now you can easily change title bar fonts and caption sizes like before.
:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
I've been using the classic theme on Windows 8.1 for a while now. That tool you used has been updated, and now the taskbar is (mostly) fixed. I'd recommend checking it out.

Also, it will let you patch Internet Explorer to work properly with the classic theme. Certain applications that looked buggy (such as Firefox) have now been fixed too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 7 Professional, Windows XP Professional
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 7537
    CPU
    Intel Core i7
    Memory
    8 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Pale Moon
    Antivirus
    None, but I do use Malwarebytes Pro
I've been using the classic theme on Windows 8.1 for a while now. That tool you used has been updated, and now the taskbar is (mostly) fixed. I'd recommend checking it out.

Also, it will let you patch Internet Explorer to work properly with the classic theme. Certain applications that looked buggy (such as Firefox) have now been fixed too.

Where is the link to the new tool? I downloaded the one on the page earlier in the thread.
:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
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