Solved A Classic Desktop That Looks Like THIS!

[Jody Thornton]

Go to the link and scroll halfway down. Is there ANY way to make Windows 8 look like that SAFELY?

Disable Aero on Windows 8? - Super User

As a quick aside (does anyone have a screenshot of the Basic Theme that is included with Windows 8?

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there.

I disagree on this though on that desktop Old fashioned and rather Hideous looking IMO. (Reminds me a bit of Windows 98).

I agree Metro is (as it currently works) a total disaster for doing any sensible type of coprp[orate stuff - or even working on a HOME machine where you need a load of apps to work SIMULTANEOUSLY (or CONCURRENTLY).

Windows 9 might be able to run these in re-sizeable windows --that could be good as these would then be updating continuously even when the Focus was removed away from the particular app in question --for example you could have a Stock Market app, a News app a Sports app all updating in real time while you atre say using an EXCEL spreadsheet. Currently you only see an app actually updating while it "has the Focus".

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Jody Thornton]

Well I don't mind using the Explorer shell on Windows 8.1, but I like the classic desktop (which was supposed to be removed in 8x, but it has to be buried in there somewhere because elements of the classic desktop can appear supposedly)

I think it looks more like Windows 2000 than 98, but it's precisely what you dislike, that I would want

 

[fireberd]

I'm using Stardock's "Start8" which gives the desktop just like Windows 7.

The Windows 8 Start menu returns with Start8!

 

[Jody Thornton]

That's cool. I like IO Bit Start Menu 8, but right now, I speaking more of the windows elements (eg. Title bar, caption buttons, etc)

 

[Jody Thornton]

Basically what I would like is three things for a theme:

When a window is in the background, I'd like a lighter coloured red "x" button (or at least one similar in colour to the foreground)
I would like a narrower "close" button. I manged this in Vista with a theme editor, but I want the same in Windows 8.
I would like a thinner taskbar.

 

[fireberd]

Some of the other applications that Stardock has may do some of what you want.

Otherwise it may not be possible. Windows 8 is not Win XP or Vista, or Win 7 (unless you have Start8).

 

[altae]

There are in fact some things that can be brought back. The Start menu can be added by using software like Start 8 (Stardock), Classic Shell (freeware)... whereas Modern Mix (Stardock) makes apps run on desktop in windowed mode, close, maximize and minimize buttons included. I personally use Classic Shell for the start menu, Modern Mix for apps in windowed mode, Fences (Stardock) for hideable desktop icons, Window FX (Stardock) for windows effects. Those programs let me customize Windows 8.1 how I like it. And all those programs work flawlessly, at least on my pc.

 

[Jody Thornton]

I'm aware of the add-ons that bring the Start Menu back. I like IOBit Start Menu 8 for example. No, I'm speaking of accessing the classic desktop sans any visual styles (apparently Server 2012 allows this).

 

[altae]

WindowBlinds by Stardock lets you download and install various skins for Windows 8. Maybe there is one skin among the ones available that suits you. I'm almost sure that there are also freeware solutions but since I'm not into skinning I am not aware of all the alternatives available.

 

[Jody Thornton]

WindowBlinds by Stardock lets you download and install various skins for Windows 8. Maybe there is one skin among the ones available that suits you. I'm almost sure that there are also freeware solutions but since I'm not into skinning I am not aware of all the alternatives available.

I appreciate everyone's help, I really do. But I wasn't looking for themes that emulate the classic desktop. What I'm trying to find out is whether or not someone has successfully hacked the visual styles theme engine in a way that exposes the classic elements that are underneath (it works in Server 2012 so we know its in there.) Basically I want to find a way to completely disable skinning and have my desktop look the way it did in Windows 7 with classic (of course I would shrink the height of the taskbar, but you know what I mean).

I want to expose the "native" classic desktop. (Really I do appreciate everyone's help a lot). Apparently it has been done but the method shown on the link I provided may not be all that safe.

 

[Nayamvallah]

very easy way to do that...

Goto computer properties and select advanced system setting, in the appearance section select setting and select Choose for the best performance... click ok,

Now you can choose basic themes from personalize....

 

[edee]

Stay away from Window Blinds, it's garbage.

I think what you are looking for is here:
http://www.eightforums.com/customization/9192-how-do-i-get-classic-color-scheme.html

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

If we are talking about themes then my favourite was the XP Lunar Black theme - Here it is on an XP VM with the background image changed to the classic Jaguar found in Costa Rica and Brazil (it's not only a CAR BTW !!!).

There isn't unfortunately a way to replicate this on W8. You can get the Jaguar but not the curved toolbars etc.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Jody Thornton]

Hi there

If we are talking about themes then my favourite was the XP Lunar Black theme - Here it is on an XP VM with the background image changed to the classic Jaguar found in Costa Rica and Brazil (it's not only a CAR BTW !!!).

There isn't unfortunately a way to replicate this on W8. You can get the Jaguar but not the curved toolbars etc.

Cheers
jimbo

On XP x64 Edition, I ran a modded version of the Royale Noir Theme. I placed in an orb instead of a Start button. It was very nice. I had wallpaper from a Corona (WMP 9 style) theme that went really well with it. I miss XP (sniff.)

 

[loveandpower]

WindowBlinds by Stardock lets you download and install various skins for Windows 8. Maybe there is one skin among the ones available that suits you. I'm almost sure that there are also freeware solutions but since I'm not into skinning I am not aware of all the alternatives available.

This is a great suggestion. I have been a fan of blinds for a long time. There are some really really epic themes out there. When I was younger I used to have flames shoot upwards when start menu was pressed was so awesome.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Well since I'm going to turf this VM for 8.1 soon, I figured I'd try the risky looking tool, and guess what? It really does reveal the classic desktop in all it's glory. There are some rough spots, but it's here for real.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Hmmm - surprised there isn't more interest on this topic. I remember this being a big beef for fans of older versions of Windows when 8x came out. Oh well.

However, the tool also includes a Control Panel applet that provides the Adavanced Appearance properties (akin to Windows 7 and before). Now you can easily change title bar fonts and caption sizes like before.

 

[Butters]

I've been using the classic theme on Windows 8.1 for a while now. That tool you used has been updated, and now the taskbar is (mostly) fixed. I'd recommend checking it out.

Also, it will let you patch Internet Explorer to work properly with the classic theme. Certain applications that looked buggy (such as Firefox) have now been fixed too.

 

[Jody Thornton]

I've been using the classic theme on Windows 8.1 for a while now. That tool you used has been updated, and now the taskbar is (mostly) fixed. I'd recommend checking it out.

Also, it will let you patch Internet Explorer to work properly with the classic theme. Certain applications that looked buggy (such as Firefox) have now been fixed too.

Where is the link to the new tool? I downloaded the one on the page earlier in the thread.