Windows 7 Original StartButton and metro Killer

The best metro killer, restores the original windows 7 explorer.

Windows 7 explorer for Windows 8

Old here his new project Start Is Back - beta 1 - MSFN Forum

Old in not supported by the creator any more when windows updates come out it will brake your install.

Nope, it will not brake anything.

Because its a hack it replaces system files if Microsoft releases updates that change these files it will brick your system please be aware of this for now its fine because windows 8 hasn't been released so no update has been released.

Not really, the "hack" doesn't change any system file, the program only uses another files inside one custom folder instead of original ones.

It has to hack system files or it wouldn't run explorer from windows 7.

No, the program changes the explorer.exe location from registry to a custom folder and use a custom DLL to avoid Metro from loading

If you want the original Windows 7 Gadgets, (Right click on desktop Gadgets), that are not supported by default in Windows 8.

Download 8GadgetPack - 2.0

srg84 said:

If you want the original Windows 7 Gadgets, (Right click on desktop Gadgets), that are not supported by default in Windows 8.

Download 8GadgetPack - 2.0

Click to expand...

Just installed.

Thanks for that!

This beats Stardock and Classic Shell by a country mile. It is exactly as per Win7. It includes the following features which were not available in Stardock; plus it's free.

In the 'All Programs' list you can:

1. Pin items to the Menu jump list by right clicking the item and selecting 'Pin to Start Menu'.
2. Rename folders/files.
3. Drag/drop items from a sub-menu up to be in the main menu.

And it includes an easy switch to toggle between W7 explorer and W8 explorer with Metro.

I'm running Enterprise version by itself on a backup machine, and will definitely purchase and trial W8 upgrade as main machine if this hack version proves to be reliable.

I originally ran this hack as a test in Enterprise loaded on an eSATA spinner in a docking bay in tower, with W7 on main HD, and W8 was running fine. However, after installing the hack, it worked fine in the OS, but when I shut down and rebooted it wouldn't boot to W8 on eSATA and borked W7 boot. Had to reload Acronis image of W7.

srg84 said:

If you want the original Windows 7 Gadgets, (Right click on desktop Gadgets), that are not supported by default in Windows 8.

Download 8GadgetPack - 2.0

Click to expand...

Thank's srg84 the 8gadgetpack works perfectly and previously saved or downloaded gadgets from other sources can also be used.




Example: Desktop Clock gadget

One thing is a must have item! The installer will prompt for the Windows 7 dvd or location of installation files. When trying to get it to go an 8 RP VM the install failed not having the 7 dvd in the drive and the automatic option won't download them for you.