Windows 8 - Classic Start Menu

How to enable classic start menu in Windows 8?

The Windows 8 Developer Preview allows us to enable the classic start menu and at the sametime disable the Metro User Interface (UI) with few simple steps.  If you are interested to give a try, please follow the below steps in order to get back the classic start menu:

• Open regedit and locate HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

• Change value of RPEnabled from "1" to "0"

• Close regedit, you get your old start menu and no more Metro UI because as you just disabled it (a restart recommended)
• To et back the Metro UI, change the value back to "1" follow by a restart

The Windows 8 Desktop with mini Start Menu before Metro UI disabled

The Windows 8 with Classic Start Menu after Metro UI disabled

Back to classic Windows Task Manager (after Metro UI disbled) 

Back to classic Windows Explorer (after Metro UI disbled) 

Internet Explorer remain unchanged!

 

The same steps is applicable on Windows 8 Server and it was discussed on Chon Kit's blog recently.

Windows XP just turns 10 years old!!!

Windows XP just turned 10 years old!!!  

Although 10 years consider a long time for the same technology however Windows XP has proved that it is very successful technology and being widely use on personal computer for the last 10 years.  The following are few articles and blogs which I think is good to share, enjoy reading :)

 

 

Windows 7 overtakes XP globally, Vista found weeping in a corner

Microsoft Product Lifecycle - Windows XP

The Windows Blog - Then and Now: What 10 Years with XP Looks Like

Windows 8 Client - Working with Applications

Microsoft Windows 8 seems backwards compatible most Windows 7 applications so far. I have below few common applications installed on my Windows 8 client and it works fine, no compatibility issue found and the experience of working with applications on Windows 8 is similar to working on Windows 7.  Perhaps you should give a try and share your experience with me :)

• Microsoft Office 2010
• Microsoft Visio 2010 Viewer
• Microsoft SyncToy 2.1
• Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1.1116.0
• Adobe Reader 9
• QuickTime Player Version 7.7
• Skype Version 5.5.0.124
• Apple iTunes 10.4.1.10

Screenshots of applications running on Windows 8:

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010

Microsoft Word 2010

Microsoft Excel 2010

Acrobat Reader 9

Microsoft Security Essential

Skype

iTune

Windows 8 Client - Switching to Desktop Mode

Switch to Windows 8 Desktop Mode

• From the Metro UI Start screen, click on Desktop tile to switch over.
• The Windows 8 Desktop mode and environment looks familiar to us as it is still based on Windows 7 Desktop design. 
• Quick Launch icons & System tray still available in Windows 8.  However the traditional full Start menu has been removed.  

Windows 8 Desktop Mode

Internet Explorer is presented in two different interface in Metro UI and Windows Desktop, not sure about the purpose of having two interface Internet Explorer interfaces.   (Anyway, this is the Developer Preview version of Windows 8, Microsoft may change the design after hearing feedback from customer)

 

 

Internet Explorer Version 10

 

Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer with Disc Image Tools can now Mount ISO file as a drive as a drive, which is very handy for those that do not want to burn the installation media into a optical disc.

Select a ISO file and click on Mount button on menu

ISO file is mounted as DVD Drive G:

To burn a disc, click on Burn button on menu.  Now it support a disc to a CD, DVD, Blu-ray, or removable drive

By default, Task Manager launch with less details, click on More Details to expand

New Task Manager with improved interface & more enhanced features

 Control Panel remain unchanged

There are more features which yet discovered, stay tuned for the next post!


Switch to Windows 8 Metro UI

• To switch to Metro UI, move the mouse to the left hand corner of the Windows, a 'mini version of start menu' appear almost instantly.  Click on Start to switch to Metro UI.

By default, Task Manager launch with less details, click on More Details to expand