Desktop Icons

bgraae

New Member
Messages
10
I use Windows 7 and I love it. I am a trader and don't need anything very fancy, just a dependable operating system. I absolutely need the desktop icons just as they appear now. I will not move to 8 unless I am assured that I can have my desktop as it is now. I read that some how you can click and restore the desktop of 7. Is that true, how can it be done?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 7100
    CPU
    AMD
    Motherboard
    Dell 0NNWWY0
    Memory
    12288mb DDR3-SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series
Hello bgraae, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Windows 8 does have a desktop that is the exact same as Windows 7 minus the Start Menu.

You would click on the "Desktop" tile on the Start screen, or press the Windows+D keys, in Windows 8 to go to the desktop.

Please provide more details if this is not what you meant.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Shawn,
That's what I understand. Is there a way to keep the desktop in the 7 mode or do I have to do the Windows+D everytime I log on?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 7100
    CPU
    AMD
    Motherboard
    Dell 0NNWWY0
    Memory
    12288mb DDR3-SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Brink,
I appreciate your help but I have given this some thought. I will not upgrade to 8 until Microsoft really understands what we want and gives it to us. I am a trader, I need quick access to several sites, sometimes over and over. I want to be able, like i do now with 7, to boot up and have my desktop come up. I don't want to have to press "enter" or anything else. When Microsoft comes out with an upgrade that allows us to boot up directly to our desktop, I will take a hard look at 8. Until then I am happy and it's 7 for me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 7100
    CPU
    AMD
    Motherboard
    Dell 0NNWWY0
    Memory
    12288mb DDR3-SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series
Ok. Please let us know how it went. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
It's pretty simple, Windows 8's Desktop is the VERY as Windows 7's, without a start menu and with a few more useful features.

It's also not too difficult, it'd probably only take 10 minutes AT THE VERY MOST after installing, to make the Start Screen a king sized start menu and some. For example, the Documents library can be pinned to Start. It by default isn't. To do that, you right click on the Documents library icon, and hit Pin to Start. It makes a new tile on the Start Screen, where you can arrange it the left hand side of the screen; kind of where it would be on the start menu. You can also default IE 10 to be on the Desktop only, as well as pinning sites to the Start Screen.

The Start Screen in Windows is your "start" launcher. One click on a Desktop item puts you in the Desktop.

After using Windows 8 for over a year, and probably have more Start Screen items pinned onto it than probably anyone here, I can tell you for a straight up fact, once you give a shot and give a good personalizing to YOU, it's FAR superior than the start menu.
 

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
*jab* *jab* Shawn, why didn't you just advise him to download and run Start 8? Would of put him where he wanted to be.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro Retail

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
(jab, jab) Why not just learn how to make the Start Screen serve your purpose of the start menu? That would make the use of Windows 8 a little more justifiable... :)
 

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
Well Coke Robot this is how it is, going to be ATLEAST till Windows 10/X before everyone will get/be use to the Start screen without the help of the tutorials that Shawn gave us to make getting use to the new Windows 8 interface more productive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro Retail
By Windows 10, the Desktop might become a vestige of olden days and might become like command prompt from DOS.

Also, by the way, there are tutorials on Seven Forums that basically show you have to utilize Windows 7's updated Desktop UI effectively, basically in a way making the start menu redundant, then later transition to Windows 8...
 

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
(jab, jab) Why not just learn how to make the Start Screen serve your purpose of the start menu? That would make the use of Windows 8 a little more justifiable... :)

This is too hard for some and too easy for others.

There was a time when people had to adapt to newer interfaces (like switching form DOS). Now, after so many releases, people expect the interface to adapt to them.

But as you well know, with or without adapting, a new change in interface has already started.
 

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.
It looks like I won't be able to upgrade at this time. I ran the upgrade assistant. Too many applications are incompatible. For example, only 36 of my apps are compatible; PC wizard, no; Adobe PhotoShop, need paid upgrade; Norton needs update; some of my games won't run; side bar gadgets not supported; ATI needs to be reinstalled. I think in a year or two, most of these problems will be resolved, I hope.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 7100
    CPU
    AMD
    Motherboard
    Dell 0NNWWY0
    Memory
    12288mb DDR3-SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series
It looks like I won't be able to upgrade at this time. I ran the upgrade assistant. Too many applications are incompatible. For example, only 36 of my apps are compatible; PC wizard, no; Adobe PhotoShop, need paid upgrade; Norton needs update; some of my games won't run; side bar gadgets not supported; ATI needs to be reinstalled. I think in a year or two, most of these problems will be resolved, I hope.

First of all those are not problems, having to upgrade programs because of a new OS is not uncommon. In a year or two you will STILL have to upgrade your software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
It looks like I won't be able to upgrade at this time. I ran the upgrade assistant. Too many applications are incompatible. For example, only 36 of my apps are compatible; PC wizard, no; Adobe PhotoShop, need paid upgrade; Norton needs update; some of my games won't run; side bar gadgets not supported; ATI needs to be reinstalled. I think in a year or two, most of these problems will be resolved, I hope.

Upgrading the software and drivers is ALWAYS recommended to fix most of the known issues.

-PC Wizzard 2012: works fine (CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting)

-Adobe Photoshop (CS6): works fine, reinstall if needed because the upgrade assistant gives you science fiction...
For the record, GIMP (2.8.2) also works.

-Norton: try to use the latest version to be OK, also try a re install of the current version to see what happens, after Win8 upgrade.

-Some games: compatibility mode to whatever version worked is a recommended try.
Newer releases should work fine. Updating graphics (ATI) drivers may fix most of the games issues so see next point as well.

-ATI: needs newer version indeed: WDDM 1.2 drivers are needed to take advantage of the new Win8 graphics features.
Install the aplication profiles (http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/pages/crossfirex-app-profiles.aspx) and this can fix some of the game problems.

If all in all you only have problems with this and Win7 is fine... then why do you want to upgrade?
 

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.
It looks like I won't be able to upgrade at this time. I ran the upgrade assistant. Too many applications are incompatible. For example, only 36 of my apps are compatible; PC wizard, no; Adobe PhotoShop, need paid upgrade; Norton needs update; some of my games won't run; side bar gadgets not supported; ATI needs to be reinstalled. I think in a year or two, most of these problems will be resolved, I hope.

The reason software is incompatible is because the software has bugs that make it incompatible with a newer OS. Time will not change that, and that software will ALWAYS need upgrading before it will run on a new OS.

Some software needs to be re-installed. It happens. OS upgrades are not simple things. In fact, it's advisable to NEVER do an upgrade install at all, as these are the most common causes of problems we see on the board (that and installing intrusive software that tries to make the OS into something else).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Back
Top