Windows 8

nKoan · 2013-07-06T08:28:44.000Z

Well one way to do it is to use the open programs mouse over in the upper left. It’s generally only for the metro apps, but I believe the desktop link stays up there too.

barstein · 2013-07-06T14:20:10.000Z

You could also drag a copy of the Notepad shortcut from the Start Menu or from C:\windows\system32 to the Desktop. Since I use it a lot, I just pin Notepad it to the Start Menu and to the Taskbar

Mark_Asher · 2013-07-06T16:07:21.000Z

I don’t have a Start menu anymore.

Anyway, not a big concern. I was just surprised there was no obvious way to go directly to the desktop from an open app. It’s easy to go to Metro, but unless you know shortcuts it seems like you need to go to Metro first to get to the desktop.

Don_Quixote · 2013-07-06T16:57:43.000Z

err. did you not read my post?

barstein · 2013-07-06T17:24:18.000Z

Mark Asher:

I don’t have a Start menu anymore.

Anyway, not a big concern. I was just surprised there was no obvious way to go directly to the desktop from an open app. It’s easy to go to Metro, but unless you know shortcuts it seems like you need to go to Metro first to get to the desktop.

You can get it back for $4.99 if you pick up Stardock’s Start8. I bought most/all of their W8 fixers, and I never see Metro now unless I want to. And you can go to your Desktop by hitting Windows+D.

Editer · 2013-07-06T17:31:31.000Z

Note that Windows-D doesn’t need Start8. Just clarifying that. :)

Also, Windows-Tab will Alt-tab through Metro apps, and Desktop is one of the entries in the apps list.

Mark_Asher · 2013-07-06T19:19:54.000Z

barstein:

You can get it back for $4.99 if you pick up Stardock’s Start8. I bought most/all of their W8 fixers, and I never see Metro now unless I want to. And you can go to your Desktop by hitting Windows+D.

I can’t really do that on this PC unfortunately. It’s not mine, just one I use with some frequency. If I did, though, what would I lose by never seeing Metro? Are there some compelling Metro apps that let me do things I can’t do on the desktop? This new PC doesn’t have a touchscreen so the charm of a touchscreen interface doesn’t translate too well.

nKoan · 2013-07-06T20:48:58.000Z

If its cost you are worried about, you can always grab ClassicShell too. But, if its because its someone else’s PC and you don’t want to install anything on it, well then you can’t do much of anything until 8.1.

As for what do you miss? Not a whole lot, a few minor things maybe. For a while I kept the metro mail app up, snapped to the side and the desktop in the main view. I also tried the twitter app in the same config. While both were nice, I didn’t see it as much of an improvement over the standard desktop model (with a non touchscreen, that is). I might play with it more, but I’m usually on my work PC (win7) or my iPad so I don’t get that much time to immerse myself on a daily basis.

Mark_Asher · 2013-07-07T07:27:32.000Z

Yeah, same with me. I’m on my work PC or my iPad at home. I know we won’t be going to Win 8 at work for as long as we can avoid it. That’s already been stated.

If the Win 8 machine was mine I’d restore the Start menu. I don’t see any reason not to have it. It’s handy.

barstein · 2013-07-07T14:08:24.000Z

Does Win8 perform better than Win7 in Parallels? Considering upgrading at work now that I’m using it everywhere else. Win7 occasionally has display issues when switching into fullscreen.

nKoan · 2013-07-08T08:58:09.000Z

“Late August” for 8.1 to PC makers, not necessarily consumers.

The Verge – 8 Jul 13

Windows 8.1 update to be finalized in 'late August,' ready for PC makers

After releasing a preview version of Windows 8.1 recently, Microsoft says it's ready to deliver a final version to PC makers in "late August." Speaking at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference...

stusser · 2013-07-08T09:12:44.000Z

Good, happy to hear they aren’t sticking to august 1st if it isn’t ready.

LMN8R · 2013-07-08T09:28:25.000Z

The August 1st date was never remotely accurate. Always funny to see rumors like that confusingly spread everywhere :-P

I guess that date came from Paul Thurrott? It’s pretty shocking how much stuff he’s gotten wrong over the past year. My only guess is that someone is deliberately feeding him bad information or is trying to root out sources of leaks. Though I’m sure he’ll happily spin this one as a “delay”.

stusser · 2013-07-08T11:09:10.000Z

Not sure where it originated. Could be.

Cyrano · 2013-07-08T12:26:35.000Z

He got Xbox One $499 when everyone else was guessing lower.

barstein · 2013-07-17T21:30:59.000Z

Is it possible to run Skype on Windows 8 outside of Metro? I reluctantly installed the Metro version and it doesn’t work. Launches, but sits there with a blank light-blue screen. I’d rather run it from the Desktop anyway.

Edit: Never mind, Google is my friend after all. https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12162/how-do-i-get-the-desktop-version-of-skype-on-windows-8

Gus_Smedstad1 · 2013-08-22T17:32:17.000Z

Lenovo PCs will ship with a Start Menu replacement pre-installed.

A smart move, frankly, and rather telling about how damaged Windows 8 is. I’m using Start8 and ModernMix to fix the major problems - lack of a good way to get to applications that aren’t on the desktop, and the ill-behaved nature of Metro apps which want to take over the entire screen.

LMN8R · 2013-08-22T18:39:45.000Z

A Start Menu isn’t an important part of that news story. The important part of that news story is that it has an app store attached to it, and one that’s apparently pretty obnoxious about trying to get you to buy apps.

Gus_Smedstad1 · 2013-08-22T18:41:59.000Z

I didn’t really pay attention to that, since I figure you can always delete it. I deleted HP’s similar stuff off my Windows 8 laptop almost immediately. I’m just fascinated by the idea that we’re going to see a PC manufacturer shipping with something that effectively modifies Windows. That seems like a first.

mkozlows · 2013-08-22T19:53:27.000Z

Gus_Smedstad:

a PC manufacturer shipping with something that effectively modifies Windows. That seems like a first.

Um, no. PC manufacturers have been shitting up Windows for as long as I can remember. Back in the mid-90s, Acer had their own simplified icon-grid program launcher that started up automatically (you had to exit out of it to get to Win95); Packard-Bell had a pre-Bob cartoon house thing; etc. They got a lot more toned down after it became clear that people weren’t scared of Windows any more, but they’re still around.