Metro at first, then, it's Desktop on the PC?

mcquicker

Member
Member
Messages
20
I have been using 8 for since the Beta came out. I'm still skeptical about the Metro interface, but was willing to give it a try downloading a few apps, etc.

What I found is that there are many apps, like news, etc. where you begin in Metro, but then switch to the regular desktop browser. This is also the case with IE10. You go into metro, then, suddenly, you're back in the old and familiar browser.

If this is the way it is going to be, then METRO is a waste of time. I would think that for METRO to work it has to be 100% METRO all the time, no switching back and forth to the regular Desktop.

I am curious to see how apps like Office, or Adobe Photoshop and the like will work in METRO, if at all.

Looking forward to your comments, observations, etc.

Peter
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7
    CPU
    Interl Core i7
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    12 GB
Metro is mostly to benefit tablet and phone users with touch screens. I think MS is trying to build an OS that is everything to everyone.

I've been using it for several weeks now, and I have found little use for Metro on a laptop. It looks good and I sort of like the slide show through my pictures folder and the calender app. I think the concept is sound and it seems to work fine after they get the bugs out of some of the apps, but it's of little use for a desktop or laptop. At least to me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 Consumer Preview
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite A105-S4397
    CPU
    Intel Centrino Duo 1.73 GHz T2250 2MB L2, 533MHz FSB
    Motherboard
    Mobile Intel 945GM Express
    Memory
    4GB PC4200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA 950
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.4" built-in
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    160GB 5400RPM Hitachi
    PSU
    15VDC@5A or 12VDC at 6600MaH Li
    Case
    Plastic
    Cooling
    Smallest fan on the planet
    Keyboard
    Querty Eng/German
    Mouse
    Yes, but I've set traps
    Internet Speed
    10M
    Other Info
    Clean install from a corrupted and virus laden Vista original factory install on this ancient laptop.

    Runs like it was at Indy!
I have been using 8 for since the Beta came out. I'm still skeptical about the Metro interface, but was willing to give it a try downloading a few apps, etc.

What I found is that there are many apps, like news, etc. where you begin in Metro, but then switch to the regular desktop browser. This is also the case with IE10. You go into metro, then, suddenly, you're back in the old and familiar browser.

If this is the way it is going to be, then METRO is a waste of time. I would think that for METRO to work it has to be 100% METRO all the time, no switching back and forth to the regular Desktop.

I am curious to see how apps like Office, or Adobe Photoshop and the like will work in METRO, if at all.

Looking forward to your comments, observations, etc.

Peter

There are settings for Internet Explorer that control how links are opened. You can, for example, tell Metro IE to always open links in the desktop IE. It's also possible to choose to open links in the desktop IE on demand. You can check the current settings by opening the desktop IE and:

1. Open Internet Options
2. Select Programs
3. Set "Choose how you open Links'
4. Remove the check from the box "Open Internet Explorer Tiles on the Desktop" if present.

Which News application are you using?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate/Windows 8.1/Linux
    CPU
    FX-8350
    Motherboard
    GA-990XA-UD3
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD7860
    Sound Card
    Xonar Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Various
    PSU
    Corsair HX 850W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian
    Cooling
    Thermalright
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    50/50
    Browser
    firefox
mcquicker, I run Win 8 with Lightroom & Photoshop and apart from my login, never see or use Metro on my desktop PC. Metro is for portables.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
Yes, but what I mean is that some programs, including IE10, will revert back to Desktop on their own to view material on the web. So far, most apps are geared towards the regular desktop, but once they start designing them for Metro, my question is, will they work entirely on Metro or revert back to the regular Desktop?

And I agree, Metro is for pads and telephones, because I can't see much use for it with serious work apps like Adobe PS, etc and WordPerfect, etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7
    CPU
    Interl Core i7
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    12 GB
Ah well I haven't used any Metro Apps apart from Maps and Schedule so don't know. I thought IE10 had the option on startup to run in either mode or two instances could run, one in each mode (with seperate histories note). The first thing I did was ditch IE10 so can't test! (I am currently using Chrome).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
Ah well I haven't used any Metro Apps apart from Maps and Schedule so don't know. I thought IE10 had the option on startup to run in either mode or two instances could run, one in each mode (with seperate histories note). The first thing I did was ditch IE10 so can't test! (I am currently using Chrome).

Right, but even when IE10 is engaged, it will, on occasion, revert back to Desktop and take you out of Metro. That is what I'm talking about. If that is the way Metro is intended to work, then it is an abysmal waste of resources.

However, if the apps are to run exclusively in Metro, then that's something else.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7
    CPU
    Interl Core i7
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    12 GB
Yes, but what I mean is that some programs, including IE10, will revert back to Desktop on their own to view material on the web. So far, most apps are geared towards the regular desktop, but once they start designing them for Metro, my question is, will they work entirely on Metro or revert back to the regular Desktop?

And I agree, Metro is for pads and telephones, because I can't see much use for it with serious work apps like Adobe PS, etc and WordPerfect, etc.


Can you provide any specific examples where a Metro application switches to the desktop voluntarily, I've not seen this happen, yet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate/Windows 8.1/Linux
    CPU
    FX-8350
    Motherboard
    GA-990XA-UD3
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD7860
    Sound Card
    Xonar Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Various
    PSU
    Corsair HX 850W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian
    Cooling
    Thermalright
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    50/50
    Browser
    firefox
From my experience, if you click (tap) a link in a Metro app, it will open in the Metro IE10. Conversely, if you click (tap) a link in a desktop app, it will open in the full-fledged desktop IE10. This is the default behavior of IE when 8 is installed. In the Internet Options dialog, Programs tab, the first selection at the top is where this can be changed:

Let Internet Explorer decide (the default behavior mentioned above)
Always open in Internet Explorer (Metro IE10)
Always open in Internet Explore on the desktop (self-explanatory)

Hope this helps.

John
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Update 1 Pro 32-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP m8200n Media Center PC
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+
    Motherboard
    ECS Nettle2 (Socket M2)
    Memory
    4 GB DDR2 335 Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB NVidia GeForce GT 430
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung BX2440
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung (primary) 500 GB,
    WDC-WD10 HP Personal Media Drive (USB) 1.0 TB
    Keyboard
    HP Multimedia
    Mouse
    Microsoft Explorer Trackball
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps/750Kbps DSL
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
apps are apps, all I know is that Wordament is so addictive that's it not even funny. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro ($39.99 upgrade)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel I5 3570K overclocked to 4.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77-V LX
    Memory
    Cosrair DDR3-1600 (4 x 4gb)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 610 2GB
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 27" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x0180
    Hard Drives
    Seagate HDD 500gb (windows)
    Seagate HDD 1.5tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    PSU
    CoolMax 700watt
    Case
    Cosiar R400 Carbide series
    Cooling
    Cool Master H212
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    PowerUp 3 button mouse
    Internet Speed
    12mb down, 1mb up
    Other Info
    qty. (5) 120mm fans, four are monitored by motherboard.
    Logitech T650 Touchpad for touch screen gestures
I have been using 8 for since the Beta came out. I'm still skeptical about the Metro interface, but was willing to give it a try downloading a few apps, etc.

What I found is that there are many apps, like news, etc. where you begin in Metro, but then switch to the regular desktop browser. This is also the case with IE10. You go into metro, then, suddenly, you're back in the old and familiar browser.

If this is the way it is going to be, then METRO is a waste of time. I would think that for METRO to work it has to be 100% METRO all the time, no switching back and forth to the regular Desktop.

I am curious to see how apps like Office, or Adobe Photoshop and the like will work in METRO, if at all.

Looking forward to your comments, observations, etc.

Peter

Office Home & Student 2010 will not install!!

Tully
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Beta
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Assembled
    CPU
    Intel I5
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z&&-V LX
    Memory
    8 GB DDR2 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on board
    Sound Card
    INTEL ON MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung TD390 HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
    2TB Storage
    External Seagate "Dashboard" File Backup Drive USB3
    WD "My Cloud" 4TB
    Samsung Super Write Master 24 DVD Writer
    PSU
    Cosair
    Case
    Corsair
    Cooling
    AIR
    Keyboard
    Advent USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Advent USB
    Internet Speed
    200 MB dwn 30MB up
    Browser
    IE 11 Win 10
    Antivirus
    MS Essentials
    Other Info
    USB2 & USB3
I had Photoshop (CS6 beta) running on Win 8 CP with no problem. Don't know what you mean by running it in Metro though?? Photoshop is a software application not a Metro App.

Tully, we need more info for failed installs...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
I have been using 8 for since the Beta came out. I'm still skeptical about the Metro interface, but was willing to give it a try downloading a few apps, etc.

What I found is that there are many apps, like news, etc. where you begin in Metro, but then switch to the regular desktop browser. This is also the case with IE10. You go into metro, then, suddenly, you're back in the old and familiar browser.

If this is the way it is going to be, then METRO is a waste of time. I would think that for METRO to work it has to be 100% METRO all the time, no switching back and forth to the regular Desktop.

I am curious to see how apps like Office, or Adobe Photoshop and the like will work in METRO, if at all.

Looking forward to your comments, observations, etc.

Peter

Office Home & Student 2010 will not install!!

Tully

I'm not sure why Office 2010 didn't install for you. It installed for me without a hitch. The icons should show up on the Start Screen, and will, of course, only run in the desktop mode. There is no Metro version yet.

Any program that installed under Win 7 will work just fine in Win 8. The only exception that I have found so far is that my HP keyboard driver will not install, no matter what I try.

John
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Update 1 Pro 32-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP m8200n Media Center PC
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+
    Motherboard
    ECS Nettle2 (Socket M2)
    Memory
    4 GB DDR2 335 Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB NVidia GeForce GT 430
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung BX2440
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung (primary) 500 GB,
    WDC-WD10 HP Personal Media Drive (USB) 1.0 TB
    Keyboard
    HP Multimedia
    Mouse
    Microsoft Explorer Trackball
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps/750Kbps DSL
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
I will try it one more time

Thanx

Tully
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Beta
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Assembled
    CPU
    Intel I5
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z&&-V LX
    Memory
    8 GB DDR2 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on board
    Sound Card
    INTEL ON MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung TD390 HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
    2TB Storage
    External Seagate "Dashboard" File Backup Drive USB3
    WD "My Cloud" 4TB
    Samsung Super Write Master 24 DVD Writer
    PSU
    Cosair
    Case
    Corsair
    Cooling
    AIR
    Keyboard
    Advent USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Advent USB
    Internet Speed
    200 MB dwn 30MB up
    Browser
    IE 11 Win 10
    Antivirus
    MS Essentials
    Other Info
    USB2 & USB3
Office 2010 Home & Student

I tries & here is the result;

I received a message in a box
"This program has compatability isues."
"Contact Microsoft" clicked on that,

Another box came up;

It said " Microsoft does not have a solution to this problem"

"We will contact you when a solution is found"

There was no way to cut or copy the baxes!

Tully
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Beta
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Assembled
    CPU
    Intel I5
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z&&-V LX
    Memory
    8 GB DDR2 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on board
    Sound Card
    INTEL ON MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung TD390 HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
    2TB Storage
    External Seagate "Dashboard" File Backup Drive USB3
    WD "My Cloud" 4TB
    Samsung Super Write Master 24 DVD Writer
    PSU
    Cosair
    Case
    Corsair
    Cooling
    AIR
    Keyboard
    Advent USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Advent USB
    Internet Speed
    200 MB dwn 30MB up
    Browser
    IE 11 Win 10
    Antivirus
    MS Essentials
    Other Info
    USB2 & USB3
A quick question...Which version of Win 8 are you running, 64-bit or 32-bit; and the same with the Office you are trying to install?

I installed 32-bit Office 2010 on 64-bit Win 8 about 3 weeks ago and it has worked without a hitch since then. Check the compatibility lists on Microsoft's Win 8 website. Last I looked Office 2010 was OK.

John
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Update 1 Pro 32-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP m8200n Media Center PC
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+
    Motherboard
    ECS Nettle2 (Socket M2)
    Memory
    4 GB DDR2 335 Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB NVidia GeForce GT 430
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung BX2440
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung (primary) 500 GB,
    WDC-WD10 HP Personal Media Drive (USB) 1.0 TB
    Keyboard
    HP Multimedia
    Mouse
    Microsoft Explorer Trackball
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps/750Kbps DSL
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
Ah well I haven't used any Metro Apps apart from Maps and Schedule so don't know. I thought IE10 had the option on startup to run in either mode or two instances could run, one in each mode (with seperate histories note). The first thing I did was ditch IE10 so can't test! (I am currently using Chrome).

Right, but even when IE10 is engaged, it will, on occasion, revert back to Desktop and take you out of Metro. That is what I'm talking about. If that is the way Metro is intended to work, then it is an abysmal waste of resources.

However, if the apps are to run exclusively in Metro, then that's something else.

I think the IE thing is by design. IE10 doesn't run any plugins in Metro mode, quite deliberately, so it doesn't slow it down (as Metro is a tablet UI,) if you want to use them, it falls back to desktop mode.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built
    CPU
    2nd Gen Intel Core i5 2500k
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z86a-d3-b3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333Mhz Crucial DIMM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 460 (Gygabite OC)
    Sound Card
    Realtek On board sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Al1980 + Generic non brand Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1280*1024 + 1366*768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Sata III Cavier Green
    500GB SATA II WD Caviar Blue
    160GB SATA II Hitachi
    PSU
    Corsair Extreme
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF-X
    Cooling
    HAF-X cooling (1 exhaust, 1 front, 1 side, 1 top fan)
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    12.5 Mb/s down 1.2 (ish) M/b up (ADSL2+)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
The Start Screen is really more suited to adapt to your needs. If you use the Desktop more than anything, you can use it more than anything by pinning somewhat used programs onto the Start Screen. If you like some metro apps, you can use them while still using the Desktop. It really matters on HOW you use it.
 

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
OK!

Thanx

Tully
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Beta
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Assembled
    CPU
    Intel I5
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z&&-V LX
    Memory
    8 GB DDR2 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel on board
    Sound Card
    INTEL ON MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung TD390 HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
    2TB Storage
    External Seagate "Dashboard" File Backup Drive USB3
    WD "My Cloud" 4TB
    Samsung Super Write Master 24 DVD Writer
    PSU
    Cosair
    Case
    Corsair
    Cooling
    AIR
    Keyboard
    Advent USB Keyboard
    Mouse
    Advent USB
    Internet Speed
    200 MB dwn 30MB up
    Browser
    IE 11 Win 10
    Antivirus
    MS Essentials
    Other Info
    USB2 & USB3
It seems that Microsoft never gets it quite right. Windows 8 is another example. They have run with the new "Start Screen". But yet, when you open a file or program from the start screen and then close it, the desktop comes up. Why wouldn't it revert back to the start screen? It might seem like picking nits but, I'm not going to press the Windows key in order to open the Start Screen every time. I seem to be one of the odd ones out because most others seem to want to stick with the old, known Windows desktop. I think if you're going to start with the Start Screen, things should keep going back to the Start Screen. But of course, an option to make either the Start Screen or the original desktop the default, would be the best way to go.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    AMD
Back
Top