Windows 7 explorer for Windows 8

[Andrea Borman]

XMac wrote-

Firstly, stop using netbooks. They're very underpowered hardware. The price you'd paid for the several netbooks you own (my guess is four, since you state you have 2 XP netbooks and several running Windows 7) could have gotten you a much better laptop, or better yet-a desktop.

The reason I use netbooks is because they are the only ones that have 32 bit Windows 7. But the big Windows 7 laptops have 64 bit. Which as you know you cannot run Windows 3.1 or 95 games or 16 bit software on 64 bit Windows, only on 32 bit.

And even though I always do a clean install of Windows 7 now from my Windows 7 DVD. If my laptop was a 64 bit,it may only have 64 bit drivers. And so that would be a problem because I want to install 32 bit Windows.

And may I add that my 32 bit Windows 8 RP is wonderful. All of the 16 bit software,Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and now Dos games works on Windows 8 RP. But they won't work on 64 bit Windows. Also I read 64 bit Windows is not very good.

But I do have one big desktop laptop that has Windows Vista 32 bit. But that is a second hand one made in 2009,before they stopped putting 32 bit on big laptops.

Javik wrote-

Absolutely agree, but they aren't going to do so, it should be clear by now that they have no interest in listening to their users. 3rd party options are going to be the only way of disabling it, sorry.

That's right. the only way now to get the start button and Windows 7 start menu is with third party software. Which I hope will work on the final version of Windows 8.

Notuptome2004 wrote-

Also Microsoft does listen to its users Many windows 8 features are here because of us users the only thing Microsoft dont want to hear is anything about the start menu because they made the choice long time ago to ditch it and come up with the start screen that does everything the start menu does but better . so They do listen also they read the forums they read the windows 8 blogs and emails you send them but the metro start screen is something that is staying.

I think that the Metro theme is not needed. And I find the Metro start menu does not meet mine and most peoples needs. It is difficult to create new start menu folders on the Metro start menu. And the Metro start menu is not on the desktop.

So I and most people install a third part start menu software that gives us both the start button and Windows 7 start menu. Andrea Borman.

[Detection]

The reason I use netbooks is because they are the only ones that have 32 bit Windows 7. But the big Windows 7 laptops have 64 bit. Which as you know you cannot run Windows 3.1 or 95 games or 16 bit software on 64 bit Windows, only on 32 bit.

And even though I always do a clean install of Windows 7 now from my Windows 7 DVD. If my laptop was a 64 bit,it may only have 64 bit drivers. And so that would be a problem because I want to install 32 bit Windows.

Andrea, a little tip for you.

If your Laptop or Desktop is 64bit, you can install a 32bit version of Windows and use 32bit drivers

The only time you need 64bit drivers, is when you install a 64bit version of windows.

I have a laptop with a 32bit and 64bit capable CPU (x86_64) I can choose to install either 32bit or 64bit versions of windows on it and both work fine.

If I install 32bit Windows 7, I install the 32bit drivers, if I install 64bit Windows 7, I install the 64bit drivers.

Buy any machine you like, and install whichever version of Windows 7 or 8 or whatever you like on it.

[Andrea Borman]

Andrea, a little tip for you.

If your Laptop or Desktop is 64bit, you can install a 32bit version of Windows and use 32bit drivers

The only time you need 64bit drivers, is when you install a 64bit version of windows.

I have a laptop with a 32bit and 64bit capable CPU (x86_64) I can choose to install either 32bit or 64bit versions of windows on it and both work fine.

If I install 32bit Windows 7, I install the 32bit drivers, if I install 64bit Windows 7, I install the 64bit drivers.

Buy any machine you like, and install whichever version of Windows 7 or 8 or whatever you like on it.

Yes you can install 32 bit Windows. Because when you buy a copy of Windows,you get a 32 bit DVD and a 64 bit DVD. But the problem would be the drivers.

And as you know you cannot run 16 bit software on 64 bit Windows and many 32 bit Windows 85,98,Windows 2000 and some Windows XP software,won't work on 64 bit.

So 32 bit is better. I have no complaints about my Windows XP,Windows Vista,Windows 7 and Windows 8. All of which are 32 bit. Andrea Borman.

[Detection]

No the problem would not be the drivers.

Find any laptop that comes with 64bit Windows, then go to the manufactures website and find the drivers

it will ask you 32bit or 64bit and offer a driver for each.

[Noir Angel]

There's very little software that I could imagine someone actually needing that doesn't work on Windows X64. If you're still running outdated stuff, maybe that's a hint that you need to consider getting more recent versions? I've personally been running X64 Windows for nearly 5 years now, and in all that time the only thing I have that doesn't work is the first Trackmania game, and that's only because it uses an outdated version of Starforce DRM

[Andrea Borman]

No the problem would not be the drivers.

Find any laptop that comes with 64bit Windows, then go to the manufactures website and find the drivers

it will ask you 32bit or 64bit and offer a driver for each.

Well what's good about my HP netbooks is that when you buy them.They have a program file called Sw Setup on C Drive. And that has all of the exe installer files for all of the netbook drivers,video card,wireless network etc.

And what I do is first copy that folder to a DVD using Windows back up. And I can use Windows back up in install my files from the DVD back onto my netbook. After I re-install Windows and most of the time I have to run the installers to install the drivers after a clean install.

And I have made a small 20GB partition on of my hard drive, where I have also copied that drivers folder to, and other program installer files. And as I only format the C Drive during my Windows install.The 20GB partition I created on D drive does not get touched.

But I find the manufactures website not very user friendly. And it's like looking for a needle in a haystack finding the right drivers on there. Andrea Borman.

[Detection]

You seem to have a lot of needles and haystacks problems...

Regardless of how difficult you find it, the fact is it can be done easily.

[Noir Angel]

Just buy yourself a desktop computer with generic hardware. Getting drivers for most generic hardware is extremely easy.

[Nashy]

<Don't Care Snip>

I'm only quoting this post because you wrote it. I've not read it, and I don't plan to.

If we employed your horribly negative attitude to every software developer, we wouldn't have awesome software. You failed to reply to my previous comment direct at you, but seriously, if you don't like this software, feel free to not use it. If you do, the person who spent the time on it,is allowing to use his work for free. It really is that simple.

All you've done in this thread is whinge and moan and try and stop people using this software because you personally don't like it. Get over yourself. Clearly, other people think this is better than the things you've suggested. They wouldn't say that if they didn't believe it.

As for your hardware or lack of hardware, surely it's better in another thread.

[KRazpopov]

And I have made a small 20GB partition on of my hard drive, where I have also copied that drivers folder to, and other program installer files. And as I only format the C Drive during my Windows install.The 20GB partition I created on D drive does not get touched.

I'm sorry, but using a 20 GB partition for your OS these days is just ridiculous. You do know, that even the OS itself will probably take up at least 15 gigs of that space? Unless you're installing something like XP, then that partition isn't going to cut it.

Also, I don't understand why you find a need to use software from 17 or more years ago. It's outdated, and there's surely better substitutes by now. Seriously, start using modern software and modern hardware. Stop Sticking to stuff tro Windows 98 or earlier.

[DesGaiZu]

Firstly just want to say thanks to the op for the patch, It's pretty much exactly what I want.

..secondly this entire thread is utterly bewildering, almost surreal.

[Andrea Borman]

I'm sorry, but using a 20 GB partition for your OS these days is just ridiculous. You do know, that even the OS itself will probably take up at least 15 gigs of that space? Unless you're installing something like XP, then that partition isn't going to cut it.

Also, I don't understand why you find a need to use software from 17 or more years ago. It's outdated, and there's surely better substitutes by now. Seriously, start using modern software and modern hardware. Stop Sticking to stuff tro Windows 98 or earlier.

No no, I have not installed my OS on the D drive 20 GB partition. I have just put some program files and installer files on there as back up,that's all. My OS is installed on the C drive which has 200GB space. Andrea Borman.

[Shaun N.]

It seems someone deleted my post, I've no notification to this effect and would appreciate one if and why my post was deleted.

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

Windows 7 explorer.exe for Windows 8

Long story short, i made a wrapper to Windows 7 explorer.exe to run on Windows 8. You can try it now in order to have native Windows 7 desktop experience.

You need to have Windows 8 Release Preview 32-bit installed. Most likely won't work for other builds.

Just wanted to say this is really awesome, and works very well! hopefully the start of something great.

All the benefits of Windows 8, with the Windows 7 desktop interface (Y) perfect for my desktop PC if you ask me.

I hope you find the time / motivation to keep developing this :)

[Detection]

Hopefully OP will keep updating this thread, there is a new and improved version with x64 support and more fixes posted here

http://www.msfn.org/...-for-windows-8/

I just re-patched over the top of the old one successfully

Fixed the notifications customisation link :)

Only bug I have found so far (Not important really)

User Accounts > "Make Changes to my Account in PC settings" gives an explorer.exe error "Class not registered"

[Jose_49]

I don't think MS will "modify the code" for it not to work.

MS does not do that. People just misunderstood the company. MS was talking about not bringing the Start Menu with a reg hack, so this shall work for RTM.(Or mostly...)

[Andrea Borman]

Well I have just looked on my Windows 7 netbook,in Windows System folder and in Windows System 32. But I could not find any of those shell file names the OP told us about.

It could be because my Windows Explorer settings are set to hide hidden drives and folders. Andrea Borman.

[Noir Angel]

Evidently you're not reading his instructions properly then because it says, quite clearly that you get them from /windows, not from System or System32

[Andrea Borman]

Evidently you're not reading his instructions properly then because it says, quite clearly that you get them from /windows, not from System or System32

Well I have looked in my Windows folder as well and I never saw those file names. And the folder Explorer in Windows is just a short cut to Windows Explorer. And when I click on it it opens Windows Explorer. Andrea Borman.

[Josh the Nerd]

Well I have looked in my Windows folder as well and I never saw those file names. And the folder Explorer in Windows is just a short cut to Windows Explorer. And when I click on it it opens Windows Explorer. Andrea Borman.

You found it. That's not a folder; it's explorer.exe, the file you're looking for.

[KRazpopov]

And the folder Explorer in Windows is just a short cut to Windows Explorer. And when I click on it it opens Windows Explorer. Andrea Borman.

OK, how can you not know the difference between a folder and an application? That is stuff that even beginner computer users should know.

If your details pane is turned on in Windows 7's explorer, then you'd notice that when you select explorer.exe, it lists it as an application, not a directory. So there's another visual differentiation, if you're not able to tell what it is by the icon.

Also, if you haven't noticed, the way the file structure works in Explorer, it first lists the folders in alphabetical order, and then other files will be sorted again alphabetically, only they'll be under the folders. So there's another hint on how to tell a difference between an application and a directory.

[Noir Angel]

Well I have looked in my Windows folder as well and I never saw those file names. And the folder Explorer in Windows is just a short cut to Windows Explorer. And when I click on it it opens Windows Explorer. Andrea Borman.

I can assure you they are there

[Andrea Borman]

Well here is my Windows folder on Windows 7. First the EN file and then the second images is of the files(batch files I presume inside the EN folder.) And the third image is of the Windows Explorer icon which is just a shortcut to Windows Explorer. It does not give you the shell files.

I am using print Screen and Paint,so it would not capture the whole of my Windows folder. That's why I have got 3 images.

So what do we do now with those folders? And which folders are you supposed to copy into the patch?

I still say he should provide the files for us like they do with every other software. Andrea Borman.

[Shaun N.]

Can a mod rename this thread to "AndreaBorman Support" so we can all help her out with tasks because this constant derailing of threads is becoming annoying.

[Auroka]

Well here is my Windows folder on Windows 7. First the EN file and then the second images is of the files(batch files I presume inside the EN folder.) And the third image is of the Windows Explorer icon which is just a shortcut to Windows Explorer. It does not give you the shell files.

I am using print Screen and Paint,so it would not capture the whole of my Windows folder. That's why I have got 3 images.

So what do we do now with those folders? And which folders are you supposed to copy into the patch?

I still say he should provide the files for us like they do with every other software. Andrea Borman.

That's not a shortcut, that is explorer.exe.

The files needed are stated in the first post:

c:\windows\explorer.exe

c:\windows\en-us\explorer.exe.mui

Also, it's been said a million times - the files are not included because they're owned by Microsoft. Get it?