Want "Windows 7 looks" at my desktop - possible?

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Burgurne

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Greetings.
Have now been using Windows 8 for some time, after I found the solution to boot directly to desktop (thank you, PCworld.dk). Allmost all works fine. But then today I found an old screenshot of my Windows 7 desktop. Gosh, I think Windows 8 desktop is ugly.
Is there any tips and tricks to get something like a "windows 7 look" at the desktop? I think rounded corners at the windows, more glamour at the taskbar, shadowed controllers at the windows top, aso.

Maybe it is only me, but I don't like this minimalistic "windows 95" design, it is really REALLY ugly I think. All I have found is aero-glass and a cstm START-button, but that is not what I'm looking for.

Is it possible to get this? (The standard theme from Windows 7 will be just fine)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3570K @4,4Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77A GD65
    Memory
    16Gbyte DDR3 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX770 lightning
    Sound Card
    Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1
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    BenQ BL2411
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840EVO 240Gbyte, Samsung 830 256Gbyte SSD, Seagate 4TB , Western Digital black edition 1,5Tbyte
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    Zalman ZM850 HP
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    Corsair Carbide 500R
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    air
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    Logitech G15
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    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    60/60mbit fiber
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    Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender total security
A lot of people are not taken by the regressive design.

You could upgrade to windows 7.

Or there maybe some themepacks on deviantart.

cstm START-button
Click to expand...

I don't know what that is.

You could try classic shell and see if that provides some relief.

Welcome to Classic Shell
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Classic Shell did solve some of the uglyness (or I have not found the correct setting yet).

I'm still missing "glass" at window-borders (something like the taskbar).
I want rounded corners at the windows and the program running in windows.
I want clearly marked buttons at the top right corner of the windows, with shadow aso.

Gosh, Windows 8 is ugly. I did not see this at first, but after using it for some time, and then looked at a screenshot from Windows 7, I miss the "windows 7 glamour". Is it possible, or should I go back to Windows 7? I have seen absolutely NO speedgain at win8 over win7, except shutdown-times.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3570K @4,4Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77A GD65
    Memory
    16Gbyte DDR3 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX770 lightning
    Sound Card
    Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2411
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840EVO 240Gbyte, Samsung 830 256Gbyte SSD, Seagate 4TB , Western Digital black edition 1,5Tbyte
    PSU
    Zalman ZM850 HP
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 500R
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    60/60mbit fiber
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender total security
Gosh, Windows 8 is ugly
Click to expand...

Sterile, I think. Bit like a hospital waiting room. Not somewhere you want to hang out.

I miss the "windows 7 glamour". Is it possible
Click to expand...

There have been some attempts. None terribly successful so far.

I have seen absolutely NO speedgain at Windows 8 over win7, except shutdown-times.
Click to expand...

Me neither.


should I go back to Windows 7?
Click to expand...

If you like - a lot of people have done exactly that. It sounds like you will be happier in 7. I am in 7 right now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Ok. I go back to Win7 next weekend.
Thank you for your time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3570K @4,4Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77A GD65
    Memory
    16Gbyte DDR3 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX770 lightning
    Sound Card
    Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2411
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840EVO 240Gbyte, Samsung 830 256Gbyte SSD, Seagate 4TB , Western Digital black edition 1,5Tbyte
    PSU
    Zalman ZM850 HP
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 500R
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    60/60mbit fiber
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender total security
I recently installed the new WindowBlinds Beta from Stardock, and although I don't get rounded corners, I do get "glass".

Unfortunately, it's only available at present with a subscription -- which is a lot just for WindowBlinds. But, when it comes out of Beta, you will be able to buy it separately. You should look at the other Stardock add-ons for Win8 as well: Start8, Decor8, and ModernMix. They do a lot to bring the desktop features of Win7 "back" to Win8.

And, no, I'm not tied to Stardock in any way ... I just like what they have done to Win8.
 

My Computer

System One

It is not a good sign there are so many programs to try and make 8 function sensibly and look less ghastly.

Must be great for the devs making millions out of selling them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
You mean.. looks like this?
fJNMDk6.png
Just search "[h=1]Aero 8 Glow Deviantart" in google, it's a 3rd party theme created by ~MrGRiM01[/h]
Cya~
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with Bing
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Stream 11
    CPU
    Intel Celeron N2840
    Memory
    2 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1360x768
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox v55.0.3 (64 Bits)
Mark Phelps said:
I recently installed the new WindowBlinds Beta from Stardock, and although I don't get rounded corners, I do get "glass".

Unfortunately, it's only available at present with a subscription -- which is a lot just for WindowBlinds. But, when it comes out of Beta, you will be able to buy it separately. You should look at the other Stardock add-ons for Win8 as well: Start8, Decor8, and ModernMix. They do a lot to bring the desktop features of Win7 "back" to Win8.

And, no, I'm not tied to Stardock in any way ... I just like what they have done to Win8.
Click to expand...



The "Diamond' theme included with WindowBlinds 8 beta has rounded corners.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit - Windows 8 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Laptop: Acer Aspire V3-771G-9809
    CPU
    Intel Xeon 3110 3.0Ghz @ 3.6Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EX38-DS4
    Memory
    8GB G. Skill PC2-8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    PALiT GeForce 9600 GT PCI Express 2.0
    Sound Card
    OnBoard - Realtek ALC889A High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS - 300GB | Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS - 750GB | LaCie d2Next-Quadra external - 1TB
    PSU
    Corsair HS620W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-V1100b Plus II
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    SLOW - HughesNet Satellite Internet - SUCKS!
Yuck.
 

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
Round corners? No thank you.
Once I wanted to get rid of those... but I respect each one's choice.
Can you increase the radius size? Who knows. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Come on gang. . .there are at least several dozen (if not more) skins available for Win 8. At present I am using an XP style UI on one computer and a Mac OS X 10.8.3 Mountain Lion on another. You do not have to just go with Stardock products (windowblinds, objective, etc.) to get what you are looking for.

The one thing about any Windows version is the ability to make changes to the UI. So, always remember "Google" can help find anything you want.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
Lee said:
Come on gang. . .there are at least several dozen (if not more) skins available for Win 8. At present I am using an XP style UI on one computer and a Mac OS X 10.8.3 Mountain Lion on another. You do not have to just go with Stardock products (windowblinds, objective, etc.) to get what you are looking for.

The one thing about any Windows version is the ability to make changes to the UI. So, always remember "Google" can help find anything you want.
Click to expand...

To each their choice. I'm not gonna patch system (uxtheme.dll and stuff) files to allow 3rd party themes to run. This already messed things up in the past. I'm satisfied with the variety Aero, AeroLite, the msstyles from RP and High Contrast variations give me.

There are a lot of themes out there, but people will always need more, especially if they have a lot to choose from.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
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