Solved A Classic Desktop That Looks Like THIS!

[Butters]

Sure, here you go:
Download

It's still not perfect, but it's a lot better than it was.

Another way to enable the classic theme is to rename the Aero folder (in C:\Windows\Resources\Themes), but I would not recommend this method, as it completely breaks the login screen. If you do this, the only way to log on is to enable auto login beforehand. Not very piratical if you ask me. I had used that method for awhile (and I also renamed DWM.exe in System32) but there was too much loss in functionality. I was so happy when I heard this tool had been updated.

 

[Butters]

It will also let you keep window composition enabled, meaning that the classic windows will still use Aero animations. If you want to disable the animations, you can do so in System Properties.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Sure, here you go:
Download

It's still not perfect, but it's a lot better than it was.

.

Your URL is abbreviated and I can't navigate to it pal. Thank you though. Can you post the full URL?


**** EDIT ****

Never mind. I see what's going on here. I tried to post a URL below too of the original. It truncates any link with direct access to an attachment download (probably a security thing). If you link me to a referral page, I can down load it on my own.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Is it the same link as on this page? Because if it is, that's the same program I'm using.

Disable Aero on Windows 8? - Super User

The link I used was this:
http://bertrand.deo.********/TEMP/w8classic.zip

**** EDIT ****

See, it truncated my URL too...lol
(help Mr Admin )

 

[Jody Thornton]

Delete this post please

 

[Butters]

Is it the same link as on this page? Because if it is, that's the same program I'm using.

Yes it is, but the program has been updated.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Oh OK, because I downloaded it four nights ago. I take it the taskbar is still blue on white, there are are still tab issues on IE11?

I'll check it out tonight again.

 

[Jody Thornton]

I grabbed the new version. I'm posting inside my Windows 8 VM right now with the classic desktop. It looks just like classic Vista or Windows 7. Unbelievable. And now IE 11 works perfectly.

Thank you Butters. Thanks a million!

 

[Butters]

Sure thing, Jody!

Keep in mind that the program is still being worked on, so you may encounter some problems with certain things. For example, a few Control Panel applets won't load, and some windows still use transparency where they shouldn't. I've also experienced some problems with the Start Screen, but if you don't use that it shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[Jody Thornton]

I know that Personalization doesn't work, but there are handier ways around that. I use Classic Shell (with the Classic Theme) so it works out perfectly.

I noticed that I still can't rid of Aero effects (like windows fading in/out on open and close). I wonder if there's a way to stop that, but also retain the animation on minimizing and maximizing. I didn't see DWM in Services, otherwise I would have disabled that.


Even still, I'm surprised that you and I are the only two discussing this (when there were a LOT of users initially disappointed the the Classic desktop was "Gone"). Many so-called experts on other boards like MSFN told me up and down that there was no classic desktop, and thought I was foolish and stubborn to suggest that it was just buried deep somehow.

This is precisely why I NEVER take "no" for an answer.

 

[Butters]

Yeah, when I first found out they were 'removing' the classic theme, I really wasn't happy. But knowing how Windows visual styles work, I figured they hadn't removed it, but had instead burred it deep under windows. And after doing some research, I found out I was right!

I also use Classic Shell (great application) so the Start Screen not working properly isn't really a big deal to me. But I thought I'd mention it just in case.

I really don't know of any way to disable the window fading (without disabling the maximize/minimize animations as well) unfortunately. That would be nice though.

There's more discussion on the classic theme in other places, but it is quite a small number (all things considered). I was wondering why Microsoft had removed it in the first place, and I really do think it was for their image. I think that people see computers using the classic theme, and automatically assume windows is old and outdated, despite the fact that those computers are running Windows 7. I'm sure Microsoft is aware of this, and decided that their image was more important than giving users the choice of using that interface. Actually, I think that can be said about a lot of things. I mean, is it just me, or has advanced customization been becoming less and less of a thing since Windows Vista? I think so, and I'm not a fan of that.

Anyways, there's my short rant on that particular subject. But like I said, there are some discussions about the classic theme on other websites (I even remember a few discussions here on Eight Forums). I'm not sure if you've already seen those, but check them out if you'd like.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Some classic Windows 8 Samples to show off:



I can't believe it's Windows 8, but it's running nicely.

 

[Anixx]

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?

Nobody upvoted that answer :-( I am currently banned from SuperUser by an automatic system for receiving very few upvotes.

 

[Anixx]

I can't believe it's Windows 8, but it's running nicely.

You may want to tune your ClassicShell more classic: enable 3D borders, make the selection 1-colored, take the icon image from
%SystemRoot%\Branding\ShellBrd\shellbrd.dll, 1077 (this will bring the Windows emblem).

By the way, what is the background you use?

 

[Jody Thornton]

I will have to find the image. I just went Googling for Blue Wallpaper one day and found it. I can send you it though.

 

[Anixx]

You can upload it to ITmages - image hosting I will be glad.

Nevermind. I've already found it.

 

[groze]

Some virus scanners are reporting this file as w8classic.zip as viruses/pup/spyware just thought you should know that. Maybe that why the link in being cut off.

 

[Jody Thornton]

I never had an issue otherwise, so I'm guessing it's a false positive.

 

[Butters]

Well I wouldn't be too worried about it being a virus/malware, as the source code is included in the download.