Tech Tip of the Week: Bypass Metro and Boot Directly to Windows 8's Desktop

[dividebyzero]

How to bypass Metro: Don't buy Windows 8.

Wow. That would have been a very witty post if;
1. I hadn't read the same thing about a million times in every Win8 article on the net, and,
2. You hadn't just paraphrased the post immediately above your own.

Maybe he wasn't trying to be funny

Recognizing sarcasm not your strong suit I take it. Mine, not ramonsterns. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if ramonsterns took issue with my observation, then ramonsterns likely would have made an attempt at disambiguation. This is the internet is it not?

I think it's high-time TechSpot did a poll to find out how many people intend to upgrade to Windows 8 upon release

Not only are some people afraid of change, they also require herding like domestic livestock.
>>Here's an idea!...If you think it's "high time", maybe YOU could start a thread and post a poll. It's so basic (both the idea and it's execution) that I don't think you'd even need to be a power user . I'd also suggest that you include an option for what OS the user would choose for a new build, since very few people upgrade their OS in relation to total licenses sold...although judging by the fact that you seem to be trolling Win8 threads with the same dreary repetitive message (FYI this thread is about offering tips for people who are using Win8...as opposed to people who haven't tried W8 but like to troll it) I'm guessing posting a poll would require a level of involvement exceeding your interest level.

 

[mailpup]

TJGeezer, I suggest you post the problem you are having in the Site Feedback and Suggestions forum. I notice that you have had a problem more than once. A few problems seem to have remained from the change over to the new XenForo software. An Admin or developer can look into it.

 

[ig-88]

OMG,

Talk about trolling and repetition. The same old droning lame argument about people who don't embrace Windows 8 with open arms as being afraid of change. I think that reverse psychological argument has been used in every thread I've read on Windows 8. Even though I upgraded from Windows 95 to 98, to ME, to XP, and to Windows 7. Yes, that's the reason I won't upgrade to Windows 8. Im afraid of change.

And yes, livestock do require herding. That's why TechSpot is releasing article after article as of late on what a higher quality of life one can enjoy for the low, low price of $39.99.

If I started a poll using a forum message it would simply digress into a pissing match much like this thread has done. I want to see numbers without all the self-righteous sarcastic rhetoric. Because in the end, it's the numbers alone that will tell us whether Windows 8 wins or loses.

I want to see numbers, not start yet another thread for back and forth banter. If I have to read the same lame *** arguments again from people telling me that I am afraid to upgrade to Windows 8 because Im afraid of change I may hang myself. So, the poll is the safest option for my well being at this point. And while I do realize that some polls allow thread comments we get a more mathematical result and allow those who don't wish to contribute much more than a mouse click, involved in the process as well.

 

[SNGX1275]

I like change, but not bad change. Neither is my company.
My company has decided not to upgrade to Windows 8 which save hundreds of license.

That is always going to happen though. For most businesses it doesn't make sense to upgrade to another OS when what they need done works fine with what they have. So I don't buy this whole 'we aren't upgrading to 8 because it sucks' argument - when that is said, I would wager that at least 90% of the time the real reason is it costs to much to make another OS transition.

 

[ET3D]

I agree, every time Windows 8 is mentioned the comments are full of Windows 8 haters. What's your point people? Except for showing your lack of taste in modern UI's what are do you expect to achieve?

Anyway, I want to thank steve7 for the mention of Classic Shell.

 

[ig-88]

What's the point? To let as many people as possible know that giving center stage to a cellphone interface on the desktop version of Windows 8 is unacceptable. A finger is no substitute for a keyboard and mouse. And if your going to post articles like 'How to Bypass Windows 8 Metro Interface' it begs the question why even upgrade to Windows 8 if your going to bypass its most prominent feature??? There are no other features worth upgrading to Windows 8 for and the most prominent feature is the most hated feature. So why bother?
Pretty funny stuff. Thanking somebody for a link that explains an easier way to bypass the Metro User Interface and in the same message asking Windows 8 haters what the point is. Why are you thanking somebody for a link that explains an easy way to bypass Windows 8 primary User Interface?

 

[ET3D]

I'm asking what the point is because "let as many people as possible know that ... is unacceptable" is equivalent to "just because". You hate it, you want people to know that you hate it. Completely pointless, completely troll.

I don't like metro myself. Does that mean I should go wasting everyone's time posting about it on every thread? I'll either stay with 7 or upgrade for $40 and use something like Classic Shell, and get the benefits of a better underlying OS without the new UI. Haven't decided yet, but I appreciate the people who help me learn more about my options.

 

[ig-88]

Your response is lame, seriously. The point of a troll is to draw attention to himself. The point of my posts is to have a "possible" influence on the next version of Windows. The reason this very article exists is because of people expressing their dislike over the Metro UI. If I don't express my opinions and eat everything served to me like a good little sheep they will assume that what they are serving is delicious.I am not going to sit around with a smile on my face when I really wanna puke it back up. If you love Windows 8 so much, knock yourself out. Everyone has a right to express their opinion about it and that's all I am doing. I will express my opinion with my words and with my wallet. Anything I can do to influence the next version of Windows I will do and hope the next version of Windows doesn't turn out like this one did.

 

[ET3D]

How do you influence Windows 8 by posting here? Did you provide any feedback directly to Microsoft or do anything else that really can have a difference?

No to mention that you never post anything constructive. How do you expect to influence anything this way? You just tell people that there's no point in buying 8, and that they're stupid if they want that. When people give you reasons they want to upgrade you dismiss them. You basically ignore everything people say (certainly if you say "if you love Windows 8 so much" it means you haven't read what I posted). So as you so nicely said, you just try to draw attention to yourself and your hatred of Windows 8.

It's a bit silly of me to reply, considering that you're not really reading what's being said, so I'll try not to do it from now on.

 

[Guest]

I actually kinda like the metro ui, and it boots up in 1o seconds on a old sata hard drive. however, I refuse to pay over $150 for win8 pro. if it was $30 or $50, sold. till then, ill take win7 ultimate (thank you ebay)

 

[Det]

How do you influence Windows 8 by posting here? Did you provide any feedback directly to Microsoft or do anything else that really can have a difference?

No to mention that you never post anything constructive. How do you expect to influence anything this way? [...]

To be fair I really don't think it would make any difference. MS _knows_ a lot of people don't like Windows 8. Probably even the devs creating it since the early days have said "god, this is going to suck".

It has been Microsoft's decision to go on with it nontheless.

Although, I do agree that not only isn't ig-88 helping either MS or the actual Windows users here in any way, he's also doing it in a particularly annoying way. I've never really had much regard for people who just keep whining about decisions that aren't theirs to make. They just go nuts over the fact that other people are accepting or even defending those decision. What they don't understand is that the better choice would have been to either do something _constructive_ about it or shut up.

In this case I would have recommended the latter. You don't like it? Fine. Don't use it. Nobody gives a sh*t anyway.

ps. And the "poll" point was just stupid because you wouldn't even have to look at anybody's posts but your own.
pps. Yeah, and I've already ignored you so go nuts all you like. I might come back at some point of course, if I wanna have a good laugh.

 

[steve7]

I agree, every time Windows 8 is mentioned the comments are full of Windows 8 haters. What's your point people? Except for showing your lack of taste in modern UI's what are do you expect to achieve?

Anyway, I want to thank steve7 for the mention of Classic Shell.

You're welcome. I really liked Windows 8 with Classic Shell, the only reason im still using Windows 7 is because my sound card (Asus Xonar DG) isn't fully supported on Windows 8, what I mean is it still works but a lot of features don't work like virtual 7.1 and dolby headphone amp, because the Asus Audio Centre doesn't work (not compatible with Win8). As for performance its quite better than Windows 7. I think we need to give Windows 8 a second chance. And you know this is coming from an avid Windows 8 critic and hardcore PC gamer.

 

[Guest]

win8 is rocks, and it's here to stay. Sure the previews got some bugs, but thats why its called previews, the end product will be spectacular and ol' BG will have negative ignoramuses like you folk to thank for it. Get with the times people or get out of the way, upgrade to Linux if it makes you happy, go to the zoo and throw a half eaten Apple at a Lion but don't badmouth win8 anymore.

 

[DAOWAce]

The truth of the matter is that people simply dont like change and if thats the case then dont change simple as

No, it's not simple because when you're using services (like websites) that companies decide to re-design we're forced to deal with it.

New software allows usage of new technology that you want to use? Forced to deal with it.

It is not simple and not everyone can change like some people can.

 

[Guest]

Boot To The Desktop - For Windows 8 and 8 Pro

Make sure you have "Hide extensions for known file types" unchecked in Folder Options. Just for file verification purposes.
Re-check it afterwards if you want.

Create the "Show Desktop" file:

Open a text editor like Notepad. (not Word or Wordpad)
Copy and Paste or type the following into the text editor:

[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop

Do not have any extra spaces at the top and do not "Carriage Return" (enter) to next line at the end.

Save the file as - Show Desktop.scf (actually any name you want, just remember it)
When you see the file it will have the Desktop icon but it will not have .scf at the end even with "Hide extensions for known file types" unchecked. Right click the file and go to properties. It should have "Type of file: File Explorer Command (.scf)" and the name should be just "Show Desktop" with no extension.

Copy the file to the "Start Menu\Programs\Startup" folder.
There are more than one "Startup" folders in Windows 8 and 8 Pro. Put it in this one:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Close everything down. Restart your computer.

When it boots up, it will pause at the "Start" screen until it reads the contents of Startup.
It will then go to the Desktop with nothing opened up.

Side note: If you want something to open automatically when you boot up, put it in this same Startup folder after Show Desktop.