Roundup: Apps for Customizing Win8

Tepid

Vapor
Power User
Messages
835
Here is a list of apps that will help tweak Win8 to a more personal likable level

These are apps that are known to work and do not require hacking of system files, only registry.
If you wish to add to this list, please do, but please make sure they do not hack system files, for stability reasons.
Unless they are very well known not to cause problems. Thank you for you cooperation.

My wish for this thread is to make it easier to locate quality apps to make decent changes to Win8.

****************
Top of my list and fully endorsed by me, for what it is worth....

1.} WinAero: Close Threshold for Metro Apps
Close Threshold for Metro Apps is a must-have tool for all Windows 8 users. It allows you to improve ways of Metro apps closing. You will able to do much smaller mouse movements/touch "swipes" to close any app.

I have mine set to 350

2.} WinAero: Downloads / Software / Tiny Windows Borders
Tiny Windows Borders allows you to change szie of huge windows borders in Windows 8 RTM.

3.} Welcome to Classic Shell
Classic Shell is a collection of features that were available in older versions of Windows but were later removed. It has a customizable Start menu and Start button for Windows 7 and Windows 8, it adds a toolbar for Windows Explorer and supports a variety of smaller features.

[DEL]I personally do not use the Explorer add on. There is no need for it as you have access to customize the
"Quick Access Toolbar"
[/DEL]

I had revisited this a while back based on the post below. There is some merit to it. It can be customized pretty nicely. I think it needs some tweaking to be able to move it a round a bit better. But it does have some nice features.

4.} http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...-desktop-context-menu-windows-8-a.html?filter
This will show you how to add or remove a cascading (expandable) Power menu to the desktop context menu for all users to quickly Lock, Switch user, Sign out (log off), Sleep, Hibernate, Hybrid Shut down, Full Shut down, or Restart in Windows 8.

****************
Secondary on my list,

1.} http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...ve-expanding-desktop-context-menu.html?filter
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove a custom Personalize expanding desktop context menu for all users in Windows 8 and Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise.

2.} http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/9487-clear-clipboard-add-context-menu-windows.html?filter
The clipboard is a temporary storage area used by Vista and Windows 7. Information (such as text, files, graphics, sound, or video) can be copied to the clipboard from one program or location and pasted elsewhere. The clipboard can only hold one piece of information at a time. Whenever something is copied to the clipboard, it replaces whatever was there before automatically.

If you have a habit of copy pasting Passwords and user names, etc. You can clear them easily with this.

****************
Apps that do integrate with Windows...

1.} Download IconViewer
I put this here as I have tested this pretty well. It is an Icon Viewer for DLL's and EXE's
It only allows you to view, save, copy the icons. You access it by right clicking and select Properties of the file you want to see the icons for. If there are no icons in the file, the Icons Tab will not be visible.

****************
Lower on my personal list...

1.} Rainmeter, desktop customization tool
This tool is great for a lot of things, but there is a lot of garbage out there that can make a desktop look trashy.
I may start a new thread based only on quality (being a relative word) Rainmeter Skins.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Btw note that Classic Shell allows custom items too to the Explorer toolbar. I have added items for opening any program or even document as admin, my favorite search utility, 1-click Share-Unshare buttons, Pin to Taskbar etc. Plus the icon sizes are not restricted to 16x16 unlike the Quick Access Toolbar. You can also create a button for any folder with dropdown menu showing its contents.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows
    Other Info
    I do the testing and give feedback on User Experience and ideas for Classic Shell.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Still checking out this little tool, [DEL]but I like it....[/DEL]

For the official Thread.... and the latest version...

Windows 8 Start Menu Modifier - Neowin Forums - Page 3

Well, actually, this was a neat concept, and some might like it.
I found it a bit more annoying in the end. Uninstalled
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Has been updated to Version 7
LucidDock by ~LucidDiminution on deviantART

9/30/2013 - Updated File
I accidentally deleted the God Settings Icon from the Resources folder
Sorry about that.

If you want to add that back without downloading again
create a New Folder and name it God.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
put this under "C:/Users/YOURPROFILE/Documents/Rainmeter/Skins/LucidDock/@Resources"
That's it.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 consumer 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire M5 481PT-6644
    CPU
    Intel Core I5
    Memory
    6 GB
    Hard Drives
    Spinning/SSD hybrid 500GB/20GB
    Mouse
    ELAN Trackpad
    Internet Speed
    18mbs/5mbs
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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