Microsoft, THIS is what Metro UI on Desktop Should Look Like! Community


Recommended Posts

Well, Microsoft, from what we have seen so far, almost no one is happy with what you are doing with the desktop. It's not that we don't want a clean metro UI on the desktop, it's that you are making the desktop look ugly not clean! Metro can look beautiful on the desktop if you put just a little effort into it; here are some concept arts of how metro can make the desktop look stunningly beautiful. The best part of this is that the changes are subtle; yet, the result is magnificent. Please, Microsoft, make the desktop look like this!

Windows Explorer

Windows%20Explorer.jpg

By Zain Adeel

Author Comments: I made a mockup of where MS could go with this. Here the blue is the accent color of Aero (it could be any color, preferably mid intensity one). This accent color will control the accent on the icons aswell. This way they can create a massively customizable UI and one which is harmonious. The window not selected will become greyscale so it can be the biggest indicator and we wont need darker shadows or even borders.

Windows Explorer with Ribbon minimized

ribbon%20minimized.jpg

By Zain Adeel

Author Comments: Actually.. The mockup I created is exactly how the UI is in the new office preview minus my own made icons for the ribbon. somebody asked for a ribbon minimized look here it is.

Control Panel

Control%20Panel.png

By "floppydoodle" from Winunleaked.info

Author Comments: I would love it if it looked like this

My only complaint is the lack of consistency between capital letters. Some labels are ALL CAPS (not good for readability), some have no caps, and others have partial caps.

Other than that that looks great. Though third party themers tend to make better themes than Microsoft all the time.

Actually that makes a lot of sense. I guess Microsoft would go that way eventually. What they are missing is an actual Metro icon set .

If you look at the new Metro designs for other Desktop products ie: Office/OWA/VS/Zune you may find that they actually look MUCH better . Surely Microsoft with its Metro expertise is not blind to see the problem in their flagship product when all the other products look awesome.

So, if you can do better, get LFS and make an OS and put your ideas into reality instead of just mockups. Doesn't have to be Windows-based - since Linux is free and a perfect candidate for a foundation to start working with - so stop offering opinions (not that they aren't welcome, of course) and get to it.

Basically, put up or shut up. ;)

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • "lets you pause updates by choosing an end date, for up to 35 days" Wasn't it "indefinitely"?
    • Those extra reboots are related to the UEFI Secure Boot certificate update thing.
    • Hands on with the ProtoArc EM25: Affordable ergonomic mouse that focuses on the right things by Taras Buria ProtoArc is known for making all sorts of office products with a big focus on ergonomics and comfort. Its latest product, the EM25, promises a comfortable-to-use, affordable, and customizable mouse. We took one for a spin; here are our impressions. The ProtoArc EM25 is a $49.99 mouse, but right now, during Prime Day 2026, you can get it for just $37.99. Right off the bat, you can see that the EM25 is inspired by Logitech's MX Master lineup and the legendary MX Master 3/3S. Its shape and proportions are very similar, so for a person with large hands (right-handed person, mind you), the EM25 is very comfortable to use. The mouse fills the palm, and the thumb rests on a small extension, giving your wrist a small tilt to reduce strain. The mouse is made of black plastic without any coating, eliminating long-term wear concerns. However, I can see the main buttons and other areas you touch the most getting polished over time. Despite its size and bulk, the mouse is not too heavy. It weighs about 100 grams, which is significantly less than the MX Master 3S and its successor. It is no lightweight gaming mouse by any means, but it is not excessively heavy like the MX Master 4. The EM25 has a built-in storage for its USB dongle. It is a cleverly made magnetic flap that you open by simply pressing on it. Next to the flap, you will find the on/off switch, the 1,000 Hz sensor, and a DPI button (up to 8,000 DPI). I find the DPI button location a bit odd, and I would prefer it somewhere below the main scroll wheel. Still, given that I never change DPI on my mice, I will let it pass. What is more important is that, unlike MX Master 3/3S/4, the device switch button is located below the left-click button, which allows you to switch devices without lifting and flipping the mouse. For a multi-device setup, this is a perfect solution: the button does not require too much effort to use, it does not get in your way, but it is also easily reachable with your thumb. The main scroll wheel has two modes: ratcheted and free-flow. You can only change between them with a bright orange button (I like this little touch of color), which is sprung and requires some effort to press. The wheel is dead-silent in free-flow mode, but ratched is quite loud and stiff, perhaps even too much to my liking. I can hardly call it deal-breaking, but it will certainly take some time to get used to. The side scroll wheel, it is notched, silent, and pleasant to use. Next to it, you can find a piece of glossed plastic with connection indicators: Dongle, Bluetooth 1, Bluetooth 2, and the low battery indicator. By the way, the built-in battery is rechargeable via a USB Type-C cable, which is included. It is sleeved and has an orange velcro strap to keep it tidy. After using the EM25 for a few weeks, I can say that its main buttons are my absolute favorite. They have very pronounced clicks, which feel great with just the right amount of force required to register a press. I would say they feel like something in between regular mouse clicks and silent ones. You can hear and feel the springy switch, but it is not sharp or loud to the point of annoying you. As for back/forward and device switch buttons, they are very clicky and quite noisy. Unfortunately, there are no extra buttons that you can map to specific things like in the MX Master lineup. Besides great primary clicks, another thing I like about the EM25 is its 1,000 Hz sensor. In the world, where Logitech still uses 125 Hz sensors in $100+ mice, seeing a much faster sensor in a mouse that costs three times less is very refreshing. Also, all the settings and customization you make are stored on-device, and you do not need to install any software. Just open the web-based app and change all that you need. Speaking of customization, you can remap what buttons do, adjust the DPI, and the sensor speed. Sadly, gestures are not supported, but you can still map pretty much anything to each button, including shortcuts, media buttons, and more. I also recommend using software like XMouseControl, as it will let you remap the side scroll wheel. At the end of the day, the ProtoArc EM25 is a great mouse. Clearly inspired by the MX Master lineup, it takes the best of it and complements it with a much more wallet-friendly price tag, significantly better sensor, on-device memory, a built-in storage for the dongle, and more (it fixes everything that I complained about the MX Master 4 recently). And for only $37.99 during Prime Day, the EM25 is an easy recommendation. Buy ProtoArc EM25 mouse - $37.99 | 24% off with Prime As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Pretty nice tool, thanks
  • Recent Achievements

    • Rookie
      DaviKar went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Dedicated
      HidekoYamamoto94 earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • One Month Later
      timbobit earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      nates earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Almohandis earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      464
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      161
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      110
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      83
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      69
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!