Making the desktop more Metro in Windows 8

By efjay
in The Fast Ring (Insider Previews)

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efjay

Posted
Posted

I am enjoying the CP of Windows 8 but would like a way to make the desktop experience more Metro-like. I came across this tweak which worked in Windows 7 but doesnt work in Windows 8 http://zetro-vs.en.uptodown.com/ so I though I would post this to get ideas for Metrofying the desktop with any tweaks or programs. Thanks.

Grand Master

jakem1

Posted
Posted

I hope that the RTM version of Windows 8 will include a Metro theme for the desktop by default. They could leave Aero as an option for people who like it but I think most of the complaints about Windows 8 would disappear if the switch between the Start screen/immersive apps and the desktop wasn't so stark.

  • Calum and umneycreep
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Grand Master

Stoffel

Posted
Posted

I really hope they do come out with a Metro Theme for the desktop.

It would tie everything together nicely.

Knowing MS, they will **** it up by not including something like this :(

Other then that I am enjoying the CP a lot

Experienced

Wyn6

Posted
Posted

If it's not too late to tweak the UI, I would like to see Metro as the default look for all things desktop. For example the new MS device software they released. The menus and such are pure Metro.

http://microsoft-new...-for-windows-8/

I'd also like to see, if it's not too late, when you click the individual app thumbnails for the desktop, which appear in the preview pane, that it takes you directly INTO that app as opposed to the desktop. As it stands now, when you do that you have to then click the app to go into it. I think that would also go along way toward a more seamless integration.

Grand Master

jakem1

Posted
Posted

The issue with a pure metro look is some apps would have some graphical glitches as they're designed with Aero in mind.

That's true but the developers of those apps would just have to redo their UI. The same thing happened when Vista came out and lots of apps with custom GUIs designed for XP looked out of place but they've (mostly) been upgraded to work better with Aero.

Also, it shouldn't really be a problem for apps that use standard controls which will be the majority of desktop apps.

Grand Master

Osiris

Posted
Posted

They must have considered it but yeah the metro start screen on the actual desktop itself probably would have been a nice 3rd way for desktop users. Tablet version should still have the full overlay.

Would be interesting to see something come of this.

Grand Master

Detection

Posted
Posted

The issue with a pure metro look is some apps would have some graphical glitches as they're designed with Aero in mind.

Metro apps designed with Aero in mind ?

Do you mean non metro programs that use the normal win 7 shell ?

Surely they will work just like they do when you install a custom theme

Veteran

migo

Posted
Posted

That's true but the developers of those apps would just have to redo their UI. The same thing happened when Vista came out and lots of apps with custom GUIs designed for XP looked out of place but they've (mostly) been upgraded to work better with Aero.

Also, it shouldn't really be a problem for apps that use standard controls which will be the majority of desktop apps.

I'm sure Microsoft wants devs who are going to re-do their apps to redo them in Metro.

Real Player? :laugh: Who uses that thing anymore?

Porn watchers. Although even for that I haven't seen any in real format for years.

Grand Master

jakem1

Posted
Posted

I'm sure Microsoft wants devs who are going to re-do their apps to redo them in Metro.

I really doubt that MS would expect that all apps will be rewritten in Metro. While some apps may suit a simple, touch-friendly UI, there will always be other apps that are better suited to a WinForms-style desktop UI.

but realplayer has a BOAT!!!

m9IHD.jpg

:laugh:

Proficient

DarkyDan

Posted
Posted
If it's not too late to tweak the UI, I would like to see Metro as the default look for all things desktop. For example the new MS device software they released. The menus and such are pure Metro. http://microsoft-new...-for-windows-8/ I'd also like to see, if it's not too late, when you click the individual app thumbnails for the desktop, which appear in the preview pane, that it takes you directly INTO that app as opposed to the desktop. As it stands now, when you do that you have to then click the app to go into it. I think that would also go along way toward a more seamless integration.

We just need to wait for someone to make a uxtheme patcher for Windows 8 Consumer preview, I assume.. then any Metro style themes made for Windows 7 should work. I too want a desktop theme that fits with Metro so it doesn't seem like a tablet interface slapped onto Windows 7.

Experienced

bolix

Posted
Posted

It wont happen because according to Microsoft, Desktop is just another full screen App within Metro Start Menu therefore no Metro elements will enter Desktop.

Have you seen the latest Device Center for Windows 8? It's very Metro and it's for the desktop http://www.microsofthardwareblog.com/microsoft-touch-mouse-to-be-updated-for-windows-8/

Grand Master

excalpius

Posted
Posted

I think most of the complaints about Windows 8 would disappear if the switch between the Start screen/immersive apps and the desktop wasn't so stark.

And in that, you would be wrong...

It wont happen because according to Microsoft, Desktop is just another full screen App within Metro Start Menu therefore no Metro elements will enter Desktop.

And according to the entire rest of the world, Metro is just a desktop widget launcher/start menu replacement that is getting rammed down desktop users' throats. 8)

Proficient

DarkyDan

Posted
Posted

You would think that Device Centre theme previously mention would get a look in come RTM. As far as Metro being shoved down people's throats, we had the superbar shoved down our throats and the show desktop bar also in Win7. I don't think there is anything wrong with the start screen. Infact there are only 3 things they need to address. Content (more metro apps/live tiles = less wasted startscreen space) Multi-Screen behaviour (Metro on 1 screen desktop on the others is a little lame) and Hot spot differentiation when Remoting from Win8 to Win8 in the Metro Remote Desktop App.

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