How close can the Win 8 desktop act like the Win 7 desktop?

[Indoobidubly]

Buying a new laptop that will come with Windows 8. I already tried using Windows 8 on a relatives PC and I didn't like it (not a hater, it's just not for me).

I plan on using just the Desktop mode of Windows 8 and not the Start Screen. I know that programs like Start8 exist to bring back the Start Menu, but is there any way to disable all of the Hot Corners? I'd also like to disable the Charms Bar.

Are there any other curveballs that I'm missing that make the Win 8 desktop different from the the Win 7 desktop?

[sailorsonic]

Start8 can disable all those corners you mentioned, and can take you to the desktop when you login.

[Detection]

Some things like network connections that would normally pop up from the taskbar near the clock are now part of the Metro UI, so afaik you will still have some Metro left (Unless someone has managed to change that since I last tried)

[+Elі Subscriber²]

Start8 does all that you asked and more, but I think after you give a try to Win8 for just a few weeks you will not want to disable the new features, it's really cool after you get to know it, give it time to learn it, it has a learning curve.

[ViperAFK]

If you use a start menu application like start8 (paid) or iobit start menu 8 (free) then you can easily have it act like windows 7, you can boot straight to desktop, disable hot corners etc (start8 has options to do this, not totally sure about other start menu apps since I haven't used them, but most probably have the same options)...

Start8 does all that you asked and more, but I think after you give a try to Win8 for just a few weeks you will not want to disable the new features, it's really cool after you get to know it, give it time to learn it, it has a learning curve.

I gave it a try for a few weeks and it wasn't hard to get used to, but I do find somethings are definitely still quicker with the start menu (like rebooting). I like start8 because it can give you the best of both worlds. It sets the right side windows key to open the start screen, and the left one to open start menu, and you can enable/disable each hot corner according to your preference. The few metro apps I do use occasionally I have pinned right to the start menu.

[link6155]

StartIsBack, probably the best start menu for windows 8. Not only does it bring back the real native start menu, but it lets you log right into the desktop.

[+Elі Subscriber²]

IMHO Start8 is the best option, you get the best of both worlds with it, you can either make the Start Icon bring up the classic Win7 Start Menu, or bring just the new Start Screen, or if you would like it can do both, clicking on the icon can bring the old Start Menu while clicking on the Windows logo on your keyboard brings up the Start Screen or viceversa, plus it can log you in directly into the desktop as well if you so wish, plus it also lets you disable ALL hot corners or just 'Some' if you want, fully functional, awesome program and very little resource usage.

[mzta cody]

There's also the Ribbon interface, that has been welded onto Explorer. I myself have no problems with the ribbon, but if you'd rather have a Windows7-like Explorer, with the good old "command module", there's this software.

http://winaero.com/download.php?view.18

[Growled Member]

If you don't mind me asking, why not just use Windows 7?

[firey]

I'd install 7 on it personally. However if you insist on sticking with 8, use startisback. Removes all the metro that start8 keeps.

[Pam14160]

You people do know that you can by pass the Modern UI (Start Up Screen) by holding down the "The Enter Key" after entering your password; guess not. By holding down the Enter Key you can jump to the desktop screen. If you have something like a dock or an app like Fences you may not need to go to the Start Screen except for Modern UI apps. Personally I use Rocket Dock (free), hence not paying for a Menu app that is not needed. . .:)

[George P Global Moderator]

Those start menu apps are going to have a hard time 1-2 years from now when the desktop changes even more. I doubt Windows 9 will have a desktop like 8 does.

[myxomatosis]

Those start menu apps are going to have a hard time 1-2 years from now when the desktop changes even more. I doubt Windows 9 will have a desktop like 8 does.

Then I doubt Windows 9 will have as many users as Windows 7/8 has now ;)

[George P Global Moderator]

Then I doubt Windows 9 will have as many users as Windows 7/8 has now ;)

No, it'll have more I bet. When the two sides that 8 brings are further merged into one and flow/work better.

[TheLegendOfMart]

If you don't mind me asking, why not just use Windows 7?

Maybe he doesn't have Windows 7?

Or maybe he wants to take advantage of all the enhancements that aren't superficial, after using 8 I can't go back to Windows 7, so I bought Start8 and jobs a goodun.

[ViperAFK]

Those start menu apps are going to have a hard time 1-2 years from now when the desktop changes even more. I doubt Windows 9 will have a desktop like 8 does.

I bet it will, MS would be insane to drop win32 support this early.

[George P Global Moderator]

I bet it will, MS would be insane to drop win32 support this early.

Dropping win32 support and changing the desktop ui more are two different things.

[Rickkins]

Classic Shell does all the things mentioned, very very well, and is free. One need never even see the metro nonsense.

[ViperAFK]

Dropping win32 support and changing the desktop ui more are two different things.

It wouldn't make any sense for them to totally change the legacy desktop though. The big reason the classic desktop UI is still around is backwards compatibility for desktop apps, and these programs are all designed to work with the classic desktop. it makes no sense from a backwards compatibility standpoint for MS to completely change how the "legacy" desktop works.

[George P Global Moderator]

It wouldn't make any sense for them to totally change the legacy desktop though. The big reason the classic desktop UI is still around is backwards compatibility for desktop apps, and these programs are all designed to work with the classic desktop. it makes no sense from a backwards compatibility standpoint for MS to completely change how the "legacy" desktop works.

From one angle what you say is right but from the other apps will still run and work as they do even if there are more changes to the desktop ui itself. Say they add a notification center later, I can then see them replacing many things you see in the systray, or the systray itself can be dropped. If so apps, legacy apps, still run, you don't need the systray to run or use them.