Thanks for the replys .
I am using classic shell , which has made windows 8 at least slightly bearable . To make it acceptable i would need to
get rid of the silly left hand pop up menu
stop the need to associate with my hotmail account as i only use that on my xbox (am a gmail fan).
get rid of the silly app screen (apps are just more gimicky rubbish for phones)
despite having 8mb of memory windows freezes and locks up way too much
task manager doesnt shut things down for more than 5 seconds before they boot up again
stop the built in apps from taking priority over the programs i choose like vlc and gmail notifier
and basicly strip out all the unnessecary bits to run a "normal" windows system not a gimicky app machine (i have an ipad for that , which is more stable and runs faster)
So what are the chances of doing all this and is it worth keeping or going to windows 7 pros and cons
cheers
Pumbaa
OK!
By the left hand fly out, you mean the app switch bar or the right hand Charms bar? The Charms bar is something you will kind of need to use, but you can disable it through a third party app, and use power option tiles for shut down and such on the Start Screen.
You can use a local account versus a Microsoft account, you'll need to change that in PC Settings. Open the Charms bar, hit Settings, then hit Change PC Settings. Click on Users, then you'll see Switch to a local account.
The Start Screen, when used effectively, is MUCH better than the start menu.
It doesn't by default, have the needed Desktop links that are needed. To put them there, open File Explorer, then right click on a folder, library, hard drive, program, or even Control Panel subsections and hit Pin to Start. It'll make new tile shortcuts, of which you can click and drag around to where you like. I prefer to have my Libraries on the left hand side as I have a tendency to click on the lower left corner to access a Library or Computer, so it's like how it was with the start menu except I have more of my Libraries and more Explorer locations accessible.
If you don't want the apps, right click on them from the Start Screen, then on the bottom hit Uninstall. Hit Uninstall in the popup box, that's it.
To change program defaults for Desktop software (I know, this is kind of annoying when you first use Windows 8), go to Start, and just type in default programs. Hit enter or click on the link, then you can change program defaults from the Control Panel section from Set your default programs. Then you can set VLC player as your default music and video player.
Overall, it takes about probably five minutes to pin Desktop items, uninstall the unneeded apps, and change defaults for programs. It'll take probably another five to organize your Start Screen. Check out this thread...
http://www.eightforums.com/customization/6732-post-your-start-screen-9.html#post171817
to see how people are using their Start Screens, and how to customize them. A real nice app to use to get your Start Screen like mine or whatever is Decor8. It has a 30 day trial and then it's needs spare change to keep it going.
Windows 8 is better than 7, as there are numerous under the hood changes that makes it even more slick. There are several things you can customize over 7, a plethora if you use Decor8. Security is better than 7 out of box. It's overall more efficient and more flexible as a UI and OS. There will be an update later this year that will probably make better use of the new metro styled apps. Speaking of such, one of which is VLC player that will be debuting in the Windows 8 form within a few months. It'll have the full Desktop feature set into a metro app form.