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I don't mind seeing the Start Screen once a day, but I know there are more than a few who would prefer to boot straight to the desktop in Windows 8. Greg has described a way to do that without paying for a third-party application. Is this a solution you will consider?
Mark, I'm tied up in an SCCM class this week or I would have already tried it!
Thanks, Greg! It ain't a Start Menu, but it does bypass a screen that I don't anticipate using on a desktop.
Thanks, Greg! It ain't a Start Menu, but it does bypass a screen that I don't anticipate using on a desktop.
I implemented this in mid-November when it was widely covered in tech blogs and now run my system >99% from the desktop using a few easy "tricks". I used four of the five in W7 and have written them across to 8, where they work well.
1. Pin all key program launchers on the taskbar, also Shutdown and Restart buttons. Pin key data files to the program icons
2. Add a new toolbar to the taskbar linking to the desktop, then remove unwanted programs and reorganize it (I use alphabetic) to run all other programs. However, it is then undesirable to save files to the desktop as they clutter the toolbar.
3. Add a Quick Launch toolbar to the taskbar and place all of your apps and management shortcuts on it
4. Launch all of the W7 right pane start button items and more by right clicking the little start window icon at the extreme left of the taskbar, including useful things like launching an administrator command prompt.
5. A few other useful apps like Pure Text install themselves by default in the "hidden notification icons" area of the taskbar as they used to in W7.
With these 5 steps, 8 becomes entirely usable. Every program and function can be launched from the desktop with one or two clicks. Search in a working machine is much better from Explorer than Start, so with this approach there is almost no need to use Start or Charms which seem to offer nothing useful (to me) on a working non-touch notebook.
1. Pin all key program launchers on the taskbar, also Shutdown and Restart buttons. Pin key data files to the program icons
2. Add a new toolbar to the taskbar linking to the desktop, then remove unwanted programs and reorganize it (I use alphabetic) to run all other programs. However, it is then undesirable to save files to the desktop as they clutter the toolbar.
3. Add a Quick Launch toolbar to the taskbar and place all of your apps and management shortcuts on it
4. Launch all of the W7 right pane start button items and more by right clicking the little start window icon at the extreme left of the taskbar, including useful things like launching an administrator command prompt.
5. A few other useful apps like Pure Text install themselves by default in the "hidden notification icons" area of the taskbar as they used to in W7.
With these 5 steps, 8 becomes entirely usable. Every program and function can be launched from the desktop with one or two clicks. Search in a working machine is much better from Explorer than Start, so with this approach there is almost no need to use Start or Charms which seem to offer nothing useful (to me) on a working non-touch notebook.
.......It beggars belief that the humble start menu, a feature which adorned the good old Windows computer since Windows 95 could ever garnish sooo many blog pages, a user navigation feature which has never been copied ..... because, it is the most utterly useless, decrepit, tiresome user interface to grace a computer screen, and the more you use your computer the worse this interface became, do you know how a user interacts with the start menu? - they don't! - 95% of the time people are launching programs from the desktop or opening files from folders (probably on the desktop) - ye know what the metro interface reminds me of - a F%#king desktop -
yes that's right - you can pin your programs there (you won't see a million menus when you want to launch a program).
you can press windows key + D to go to the desktop - you know- when you ever need to.....launch a program I suppose, that's right! you can press Windows key + D for the last 10 years on a windows computer to go to the desktop, cryptic I know, what with the D and the Windows key and all.,...... the keys are like -right next to each other too, you can literally do this anytime you want and WHAM desktop time!!
did you notice how the author open the scheduled tasks manager above? he typed the word scheduled - surely this is a sane way of opening programs, type the first couple of letters, windows 8 displays the matches- open the program.
thankfully now the start menu is finished, all we have to do now is listen to peopling pissing and moaning about a horrible feature they want returned and spewing out on and on about how Windows 7 is better than Windows 8, it's not, Windows 8 IS Windows 7 with many good improvements and an absent start menu that many people have neurosis about
yes that's right - you can pin your programs there (you won't see a million menus when you want to launch a program).
you can press windows key + D to go to the desktop - you know- when you ever need to.....launch a program I suppose, that's right! you can press Windows key + D for the last 10 years on a windows computer to go to the desktop, cryptic I know, what with the D and the Windows key and all.,...... the keys are like -right next to each other too, you can literally do this anytime you want and WHAM desktop time!!
did you notice how the author open the scheduled tasks manager above? he typed the word scheduled - surely this is a sane way of opening programs, type the first couple of letters, windows 8 displays the matches- open the program.
thankfully now the start menu is finished, all we have to do now is listen to peopling pissing and moaning about a horrible feature they want returned and spewing out on and on about how Windows 7 is better than Windows 8, it's not, Windows 8 IS Windows 7 with many good improvements and an absent start menu that many people have neurosis about
Just go to download.com and look up "Classic Shell." It adds a start button back (in a clamshell shape instead of a circle) and boots to the desktop. Free little program that works great, and does all that behind-the-scenes work for you.
While you are on Download.com, You might also take a look at StartW8. I did and found this FREE start button program to work for me. One feature I really like is the way he upgraded Control Panel to have all the controls listed on one menu window.
I was playing with it in a shop. With alt-tab from the tilescreen I got in the desktop.
don't know if this is normal behavior.
don't know if this is normal behavior.
Years ago when I worked at Microsoft all the geeks were lamenting the death of the client server model. The users however where cheering the fact that they didn't have to kow tow to some admin and could control their own digital destiny.
How things have changed. Now microsoft wants to play me too with the smart (stupid) phones and tablets. With typical big corp group think they want to foist a one size fits all OS on all their users. Microsoft wants to jump on the pay for play, passive TV type, cud chewing "viewer". This GUI (graphic user interface) is stupid, vapid and clumsy. It seems to be that it has become a new geek game to twist the head of each one of these new "chickens" that microsoft makes and stitch back the old GUI. That should tell the idiots at MS that people don't want this junkware. Any thing for a buck, lets dance for the gum chewing, mouth breather, honey bo bo types. I think I will take a pass on Win 8 thank you, Win 7 will last long enough for me to move on and train on another OS.
It seems that we are back to the client server model (by any other name), but at least the users can go to Mac X, BSD or Linux to avoid the crapware.
How things have changed. Now microsoft wants to play me too with the smart (stupid) phones and tablets. With typical big corp group think they want to foist a one size fits all OS on all their users. Microsoft wants to jump on the pay for play, passive TV type, cud chewing "viewer". This GUI (graphic user interface) is stupid, vapid and clumsy. It seems to be that it has become a new geek game to twist the head of each one of these new "chickens" that microsoft makes and stitch back the old GUI. That should tell the idiots at MS that people don't want this junkware. Any thing for a buck, lets dance for the gum chewing, mouth breather, honey bo bo types. I think I will take a pass on Win 8 thank you, Win 7 will last long enough for me to move on and train on another OS.
It seems that we are back to the client server model (by any other name), but at least the users can go to Mac X, BSD or Linux to avoid the crapware.
most of what you just said could apply just as easily to Apple/iOS and all their products.
examples please. I have been a Windows user for years. Seems to me to be quite the opposite.
I'm a big fan of Windows 8 and am really enjoying it on my non-touch desktop PC. However, on reflection, I think this is the correct default configuration for a non-touch Windows 8 PC.
unless there's a way to ensure that Windows doesn't revert back to that butt-ugly start screen, we don't care at all about apps-it's not a smart phone, and reinstate the start button to alleviate icon clutter Windows 8 will remain, deservedly, blocked from consideration. We're interested in getting work done in as streamlined way as possible both internally and for our clients. Windows 8 does nothing to help business as presently constrained. And we're betting that MS won't have the wisdom to relent with respect to the features we and many others require. MS will likely do okay with business given the downgrade rights to Open Licenses (that they will trumpet as Win8 sales), but as presented it's largely a business no-go.
Are you aware of the MASSIVE list of other improvements to Windows 8? Its ridiculous to not consider it just because of the start screen/start button.
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/
The link you posted lead me here:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/18/creating-the-windows-8-user-experience.aspx
While I still don't know that I like Metro any better after reading it, or whether I think the benefits of W8 are outweighed by the new GUI, now I know what MS was thinking when they developed it.
http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-397765-3723311
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/18/creating-the-windows-8-user-experience.aspx
While I still don't know that I like Metro any better after reading it, or whether I think the benefits of W8 are outweighed by the new GUI, now I know what MS was thinking when they developed it.
http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-397765-3723311
DId anyone else get the sense that this article was written in a very condescendingly apologetic manner? As in, look we're sorry, but this is the way it is and here is why we feel it is better for you. I suppose it could be interpreted in a number of different ways, but clearly, the author had a distinct distaste for many of the changes having been made recently in the Windows GUI. I cite the "cheesy and dated" reference to Aero for one.
In the past I have sarcastically made many references to what I perceived Microsofts manner of developing their OS. Specifically, I have stated that judging from results, it would appear that they assembled a group of people, -those who after being polled with regard to their previous experience with computers were believed to have virtually none- gave them a specific task to accomplish and then observed their path in trying to complete it and used that as a model to build their next OS. Again, while I made the remarks in a sarcastic manner, this article virtually proves that is exactly what they do. sigh
Moving on over to my Mac, refamiliarizing myself with Linux and leaving Redmond behind. Though not easier to use than Windows 7, I find them far easier to use than Windows 8. As for the capabilities and shortcomings of the different operating systems when compared with each other, one only need observe a user with a familiar understanding of the Unix command line to see how far Windows falls short in a vast universe of possibilities.
In the past I have sarcastically made many references to what I perceived Microsofts manner of developing their OS. Specifically, I have stated that judging from results, it would appear that they assembled a group of people, -those who after being polled with regard to their previous experience with computers were believed to have virtually none- gave them a specific task to accomplish and then observed their path in trying to complete it and used that as a model to build their next OS. Again, while I made the remarks in a sarcastic manner, this article virtually proves that is exactly what they do. sigh
Moving on over to my Mac, refamiliarizing myself with Linux and leaving Redmond behind. Though not easier to use than Windows 7, I find them far easier to use than Windows 8. As for the capabilities and shortcomings of the different operating systems when compared with each other, one only need observe a user with a familiar understanding of the Unix command line to see how far Windows falls short in a vast universe of possibilities.
I too was confused by the 'cheesy' reference to Aero, but I usually disable it on V and W7. I appreciated the honesty that touch in W7 was subordinate to keyboard and mouse, even though I don't use touch and don't anticipate using it anytime soon. What i liked was that it provided something I've been looking for: an explanation for why MS decided Metro was necessary, especially why the didn't make it an 'either / or' interface. I don't agree with some of it, but I didn't expect to. I just wanted to know their reasons.
It's good that other operating systems can meet your requirement. I can't say the same, personally or professionally.
It's good that other operating systems can meet your requirement. I can't say the same, personally or professionally.
There are improvements but nothing that blows my hair back. The reality of typical business computing is that it's not that elaborate and retraining to do the same thing less efficiently just sucks. There's nothing that Win8 offers that is sufficiently compelling to drive an upgrade from Win7 but the UI issue, that they screwed around moving functionality even beyond Win7 and the fact that it's just plain ugly to boot conspires significantly against it. If it suits one's style then go for it but otherwise the rest of us will be busy getting real work done.
I am always amused when I read that one can't get "real work" done on a Windows 8 computer.
I would appreciate a definition of "real work".
I would appreciate a definition of "real work".
...to make the explorer window be minimized, but it isn't possible as far as I can tell.
In the time it takes to click the red "X" to close the explorer window, you could have already just clicked the Desktop tile on the Start Screen. I don't understand why people act like their eyes will bleed if they even briefly see the Start Screen. It's one click away!
Write the following batch file in Notepad and save as CloseExp.bat . Then run the batch file in the task scheduler to follow the "Start Desktop @ Log-In" task. I called the task "Restart Explorer" and ran it with a delay of a few seconds. You will start with a fresh windows 8 desktop.
CloseExp.bat
echo.
TASKKILL /f /im explorer.exe
echo.
echo.
start c:\windows\explorer.exe
echo.
echo.
exit
I also put my most used programs on the taskbar with an added launch bar with folders for utilities, multimedia, games, internet, etc. . Who needs a start button?
The other users on my system do not have access to the administrator password (they could potentially cause real problems). In the Task Scheduler I had to change the setting under the "General" tab: when running the task, use the following user account: from my account to the "Users" account in order for your technique or my addition to work with their log-ins. This seems to have worked quite well with no instabilities or side effects now with multiple log-ins for all of us over the last day and a half.
CloseExp.bat
echo.
TASKKILL /f /im explorer.exe
echo.
echo.
start c:\windows\explorer.exe
echo.
echo.
exit
I also put my most used programs on the taskbar with an added launch bar with folders for utilities, multimedia, games, internet, etc. . Who needs a start button?
The other users on my system do not have access to the administrator password (they could potentially cause real problems). In the Task Scheduler I had to change the setting under the "General" tab: when running the task, use the following user account: from my account to the "Users" account in order for your technique or my addition to work with their log-ins. This seems to have worked quite well with no instabilities or side effects now with multiple log-ins for all of us over the last day and a half.
Using the mentioned Start8 from Stardock is so much easier and I would think more long lived. not only does it remove the "Metro" start screen but used in conjunction with windows own "netplwiz" can remove the need to sign in as well (although you will need to sign in following any sleep or instances where the screen-saver comes into action - so safe there then). As the author states - Microsoft may alter the code in the future to eliminate the Explorer.exe scheduled event but I'm pretty sure that Stardock will keep Start8 up and running in the future!
...a much easier and long lived solution would be to just embrace the Windows 8 Start screen and learn to use it.
I don't know why, but that word always brings up my deflector shields. I can accept 'Accept'.
Just me.
Just me.
...to me, accept connotes to tolerate and that is not what I mean. When I say embrace, I mean to "Embrace," to welcome, to avail oneself of.
Which is exactly what I am working toward at this very moment and those to come. AVAILING myself -and those of whom my influence matters- of Microsoft products.
Would of been easier if Microsoft left the choice between the "Modern" interface and the "Classic" interface to the user like they way they did it for Windows XP.
Prior to Windows 8, there was maybe a half dozen key shortcuts that people knew. Now there is a few dozen [yes you can use the mouse to play around but it ain';t that simple.
On a non-touch screen just give the user the choice.
Prior to Windows 8, there was maybe a half dozen key shortcuts that people knew. Now there is a few dozen [yes you can use the mouse to play around but it ain';t that simple.
On a non-touch screen just give the user the choice.
Accepting the Win8 UI as the only way to use Windows, or at least Windows as conceived by Redmond, is not like accepting things that are truly unavoidable like aging. And frankly acquiescing to something that's distasteful or ridiculous is not a sound mode of operation for a good life, at least without making a strong effort towards change. Easier isn't always a good path to take.
I don't work for Microsoft, Microsoft works for me. I pay them to produce products that help me do my work. So, when their design is inferior and a hindrance, there is no reason I should do things the Redmond way.
The marketplace will decide the issue. If sales are below expectations, there will be enormous pressure within Microsoft to remove, or make optional, all the interface changes that are hurting sales.
The marketplace will decide the issue. If sales are below expectations, there will be enormous pressure within Microsoft to remove, or make optional, all the interface changes that are hurting sales.
But somehow tapping the enter key seems easy to me. /sarcasm
...but this technique is designed for those who can't stand to even SEE the Start screen.
then how will I know where the Enter key is? 
But here's a related dumb question. I have a half-dozen programs in my W7 Startup folder. Is there an equivalent in W8, and what happens if that folder contains classic programs like Outlook or Excel? Does starting them at login shift focus to them on the desktop?
While I'm at it, is it possible to create tiles that point to files, not executables?
But here's a related dumb question. I have a half-dozen programs in my W7 Startup folder. Is there an equivalent in W8, and what happens if that folder contains classic programs like Outlook or Excel? Does starting them at login shift focus to them on the desktop?
While I'm at it, is it possible to create tiles that point to files, not executables?
It's the one under your finger after you used it to complete your password. Press it again
I don't know if you can put Programs in a StartUp folder. I doubt it.
It does not look like you can pin a file as a tile either.
Press it againI don't know if you can put Programs in a StartUp folder. I doubt it.
It does not look like you can pin a file as a tile either.
Ouch. So I'll have to manually start those half a dozen programs that W7 starts for me automatically when I log in, or create scheduled tasks for each of them?
...the Startup folder in Windows 8 seems to be a serious oversight on Microsoft's part. Can't understand that one at all...
However, there is a workaround: Access the Run command ([Windows ]+R) then type Shell:Startup and click OK. This will instantly open the Startup folder into which you can copy shortcuts of those application that you want to have automatically launch when you start Windows 8.
However, there is a workaround: Access the Run command ([Windows ]+R) then type Shell:Startup and click OK. This will instantly open the Startup folder into which you can copy shortcuts of those application that you want to have automatically launch when you start Windows 8.
Greg, I was wondering if the simple windows + R shortcut could not be sent from a scheduled batch file, since it does just this, open the desktop
Anyway, I am so used to key this in that I am not sure I would bother to automate it
Fact is that when I open a session on the desktop sometimes I stay for a while looking at the tiles, the live ones showing traffic alerts, wheather reports, headlines on the news, you know...
Sometimes in 3 or 5 seconds I see something important there. And Win+R key sequence takes less than a second. Maybe I am buying the tiles idea after all
Anyway, I am so used to key this in that I am not sure I would bother to automate it
Fact is that when I open a session on the desktop sometimes I stay for a while looking at the tiles, the live ones showing traffic alerts, wheather reports, headlines on the news, you know...
Sometimes in 3 or 5 seconds I see something important there. And Win+R key sequence takes less than a second. Maybe I am buying the tiles idea after all
...neither batch files, shortcuts, nor minor executables are powerful enough to displace the Start screen. The only thing that I found that was capable of doing so was explorer.exe.
I can't be bothered to move my hand, stretch my fingers to get out of this metro mode :P
if you store enough on your desktop that this is preferable you still have to minimize the explorer window to see most of it. why is it any harder than to click the desktop tile on the start menu? i pin many items to the taskbar, but some of my shortcuts on the desktop i dont want in the taskbar, so they're on the desktop. most if the users i support have so much crap on their desktop that this is fairly pointless, and trying to get them to change is so much harder than showing/ telling them to simply click the desktop tile...
when we began deploying W7, I made a point of NOT preloading a bunch of desktop shortcuts for users. I explained that I often installed shortcuts people wound up not using, that users were losing time minimizing all their apps to get to the desktop (despite repeated explanations of the 'Show Desktop' feature; users are driven by habit), and that I was tired of people who complained they didn't have a program because they couldn't find a desktop shortcut (like there's a reason to have Acrobat Reader or Visio Viewer on the desktop). I showed them how to pin apps to the Start Menu, accessible with a single click or keystroke; or to the Taskbar; or, if they insisted, to the desktop. Now MS has removed the Start Menu, but most of them opted to create desktop shortcuts anyway; apparently habits die harder than even I thought.
Man, that's a bunch of run-on sentences.
Man, that's a bunch of run-on sentences.
Thank you for the posting this step by step guide to boot straight into the desktop on Windows 8. Why Microsoft did not build an option into to Windows 8, with out such a procedure is beyond me. As smart as Steve Ballmer is, being a Harvard Graduate, does he visit with the average consumer and ask their opinion prior to releasing a new Operating System? The Ipad operating system and a Mac computer has a different desktop, why doesn't Windows 8? The key word here, is giving Microsoft customers a choice on what they want.
Jose F. Medeiros, San Jose, Cal.
MCP+I, Former MCSE and Microsoft Certified Trainer
http://www.linkedin.com/in/josemedeiros
Jose F. Medeiros, San Jose, Cal.
MCP+I, Former MCSE and Microsoft Certified Trainer
http://www.linkedin.com/in/josemedeiros
The more I use Windows 8, the more I am enjoying working from the Start screen.
I am visiting the desktop less and less (unless taken there by a program I am opening). I now have the great majority of programs and folders that I use regularly pinned to the Start screen. It's just flick of the scroll wheel to locate the item I want and a click and I am where I want to be.
I find I am using the Start screen quite dynamically, pinning what I am working on to Start for ready access and unpinning it when the project is done.
No, I have no desire to go direct to the desktop.
I am visiting the desktop less and less (unless taken there by a program I am opening). I now have the great majority of programs and folders that I use regularly pinned to the Start screen. It's just flick of the scroll wheel to locate the item I want and a click and I am where I want to be.
I find I am using the Start screen quite dynamically, pinning what I am working on to Start for ready access and unpinning it when the project is done.
No, I have no desire to go direct to the desktop.
I too typically start Windows 8 in desktop mode, but I did it through the little app you mentioned from Stardock called Start8 (more details at http://stardock.com/products/start8/). For only $4.99, I can avoid all the the task scheduling issues and go right to the desktop. I've also been using their Fences (for many versions) and have recently started also using their Decor8, which lets me customize the lock screen, Start screen, as well as desktop. Cheap, and it does the trick...;-)
Thanks,
Richard
Thanks,
Richard
Why pay five bucks for a trivial app when the free Classic Shell will take you straight to the desktop?
Classic Shell, which also runs on Win7, provides a very customizable Start button and menu, and it restores toolbars and functions to Windows/File Explorer.
It puzzles me that Start8 is mentioned so often, yet Classic Shell is a tool that really helps to tame the idiotic Win8 interface.
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
Classic Shell, which also runs on Win7, provides a very customizable Start button and menu, and it restores toolbars and functions to Windows/File Explorer.
It puzzles me that Start8 is mentioned so often, yet Classic Shell is a tool that really helps to tame the idiotic Win8 interface.
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
there to start with.
Worked like a charm with Windows Server 2012 and made me feel more at home
Cheers Greg!
Br. Janne
Cheers Greg!
Br. Janne
Greg,
You are wonderful! I do a lot of computer consulting and repair for members of various organizations like the Moose Lodge, American Legion, etc. This being said, most of my work is for older people, who had FINALLY learned windows XP/Vista/7 and were comfortable with it. Microsoft's drastic change to Windows 8 has left many people (including me) scratching their heads and wondering how to use it. The Desktop mode isn't easy to find, and there's no real documentation unless you go online and search for tutorials or blogs such as yours.
Thanks again for your wonderful insight and tips! Would you mind if I re-post this article on my blog (with proper attribution, of course)? This is DEFINITELY information I feel that needs sharing.
Sincerely,
Christian
You are wonderful! I do a lot of computer consulting and repair for members of various organizations like the Moose Lodge, American Legion, etc. This being said, most of my work is for older people, who had FINALLY learned windows XP/Vista/7 and were comfortable with it. Microsoft's drastic change to Windows 8 has left many people (including me) scratching their heads and wondering how to use it. The Desktop mode isn't easy to find, and there's no real documentation unless you go online and search for tutorials or blogs such as yours.
Thanks again for your wonderful insight and tips! Would you mind if I re-post this article on my blog (with proper attribution, of course)? This is DEFINITELY information I feel that needs sharing.
Sincerely,
Christian
instead of posting the article content, you could post a link back to the original article here.
Check the original article. There's usually a link to contact the author directly.
Check the original article. There's usually a link to contact the author directly.
I tried the tip because I am not a big Metro fan (but I am a Windows 8 fan just for the increased security defenses alone).
It seemed to boot rather slowly compared to without the Task is one concern and even more of deal killer for me is the open Libraries window. Any way to avoid that?
Thanks,
Texruss
It seemed to boot rather slowly compared to without the Task is one concern and even more of deal killer for me is the open Libraries window. Any way to avoid that?
Thanks,
Texruss
Thanks for the solution. Instead of setting the task to start explorer.exe, could I substitute any program such as firefox? My mother just bought a new laptop w/ Win 8, and it's too confusing for her. She primarily just uses Firefox to check e-mail, etc. So, if I can set her machine to boot to the desktop and start Firefox automatically, I've killed two birds w/ one task! Thanks.
...that won't work. The only program that works is explorer.exe.
This is my first experience with Windows 8. Glad you shared some of your tips. Thanks so much for the tips to Boot Directly to the Desktop and Shutdown Menu. I would like to bypass the Library pop up in the Boot Directly. Is there a way to accomplish this within the task? I found a program "RoboForm" that is really good for automated log ins and bookmarks.
Get a copy of Classic Shell. It's free. http://www.classicshell.net/ . It will give you the startup, menu, and explorer that Microsoft should provide by default on non touch-screen systems.
I found that article very useful. Just one question - the final step in the procedure says that when Windows 8 restarts, the Desktop with a File Explorer window targeted on Libraries appears. Will this happen every time I log on or only the once following the successful procedure. If it happens every time then its just as bad as at present. I'd like to know before making any changes.
...every time you start Windows you will see a File Explorer window targeted on Libraries.
I just purchased the SONY VAIO w/Windows 8, as that was the only operating system on all of the brand new PCs on the shelf??? Anyway, after playing around with this for a day, it seems to me that the Windows 8 interface was created with the view that people have nothing better to do than 'play' and 'socialize' all day -- I really don't get it. Your instructions allow me to auto-bypass all the Windows 8 non-sense, and go right to my desktop for my work on WORD, OUTLOOK, etc. Hopefully, Microsoft will not sneak in some sort of update to cripple this wonderful fix of yours. Great work and thanks!
you can put the same short cut right in the start up menu.
however, windows 8 has made this harder than it's ever been and harder than it has to be.
even tho we can easily find the start menu in task manager now, it's impossible to place anything there.
you must find the start menu and add a new shortcut there.
however, windows 8 has made this harder than it's ever been and harder than it has to be.
even tho we can easily find the start menu in task manager now, it's impossible to place anything there.
you must find the start menu and add a new shortcut there.
This looks like a way to boot to a "clean" desktop (no Explorer window visible)
Sourced from http://superuser.com/a/433444
Create an ahk text file with the two lines below, compile it with Autohotkey and add the compiled application as a scheduled task using the method above.
WinWaitActive Start menu ahk_class ImmersiveLauncher
WinMinimizeAll
I don't have access to Win8 right now, so any AHK users please test to let us know if this works!
Sourced from http://superuser.com/a/433444
Create an ahk text file with the two lines below, compile it with Autohotkey and add the compiled application as a scheduled task using the method above.
WinWaitActive Start menu ahk_class ImmersiveLauncher
WinMinimizeAll
I don't have access to Win8 right now, so any AHK users please test to let us know if this works!
make a bat file with the exit command in it and launch that with the task scheduler, it does the same thing but leaves nothing behind like launching explorer does. Also if you have things you want to do with automation at startup then you could do it with that batch.
I'm sure this would work with power shell as well....but I'm old fashioned.
I'm sure this would work with power shell as well....but I'm old fashioned.
but again, why use scheduler instead of simply put anything of this nature in the start up folder...?
I asked earlier about the Startup folder
http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-397843-3723776
It isn't obvious; you have to jump through a hoop to get to it.
http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-397843-3723776
It isn't obvious; you have to jump through a hoop to get to it.
The whole classic Start menu structure and functionality is present in Win8.
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\StartUp
The tiles on the Metro start screen are drawn from the classic folders, and programs like Classic Shell make easily accessible that which Microsoft has stupidly chosen to hide.
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\StartUp
The tiles on the Metro start screen are drawn from the classic folders, and programs like Classic Shell make easily accessible that which Microsoft has stupidly chosen to hide.
as i posted elsewhere in this thread, i've actually done this, tho it is harder than it ought to be. i simply searched the term 'startup' or start-up or start up, i dont recall which and at this moment i'm on win7, and simply put a few shortcuts in it to affet this sort of behavior.
For those who want to open a specific file upon log on, ( I was one of those people) you can use the same technique.
Create a task following the steps above but in Step/Figure H - in the program/script box you direct it to the executable file of the program that need to run the file you want to be open on your desktop. ie: "C:\Programs Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\EXCEL.EXE" Then, in the box below that is labeled Add Arguments you enter the path to the file you want opened. ie: "C:\users\John Doe\my documents\schedule.xlsx" Then to test it log off and back on, when you click on the desktop it will have loaded the program and opened that file.
Just thought I would throw that out there for those who are like me and have a spreadsheet that is always in need of being opened on the desktop. (and for me, keeps me on track and I don't forget to look at it because it's not in front of me and opened) LOL
Create a task following the steps above but in Step/Figure H - in the program/script box you direct it to the executable file of the program that need to run the file you want to be open on your desktop. ie: "C:\Programs Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\EXCEL.EXE" Then, in the box below that is labeled Add Arguments you enter the path to the file you want opened. ie: "C:\users\John Doe\my documents\schedule.xlsx" Then to test it log off and back on, when you click on the desktop it will have loaded the program and opened that file.
Just thought I would throw that out there for those who are like me and have a spreadsheet that is always in need of being opened on the desktop. (and for me, keeps me on track and I don't forget to look at it because it's not in front of me and opened) LOL
Now if you could just invent a scheduled task that would create a "Start Button" I would actually think about keeping Windows 8. But as it is, I just purchased a new copy of Windows 7 and I'm headed back "Where Everybody Knows My Name". I've tried hard, but I just can't get comfortable with Windows 8.
And I've been a Microsoft guy since MS-DOS came on 5.25 in floppies (still have my original MS-DOS disks and my IBM PC-XT). I've weathered all of the iterations of Windows, Windows 3,0, Windows for WorkGroups, Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, VISTA, and Windows 7. I never thought I'd ever be thinking of buying an Apple, but If I have to start all over and learn something new, it is darn sure going to be something proven. Windows 8 looks to me like it won't be with us long. Unfortunately for many of those of us who get out of bed every morning and then log on while the coffee is brewing, it appears that Microsoft may not be a part of our future either. And, did I mention, I am a stockholder.
And I've been a Microsoft guy since MS-DOS came on 5.25 in floppies (still have my original MS-DOS disks and my IBM PC-XT). I've weathered all of the iterations of Windows, Windows 3,0, Windows for WorkGroups, Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, VISTA, and Windows 7. I never thought I'd ever be thinking of buying an Apple, but If I have to start all over and learn something new, it is darn sure going to be something proven. Windows 8 looks to me like it won't be with us long. Unfortunately for many of those of us who get out of bed every morning and then log on while the coffee is brewing, it appears that Microsoft may not be a part of our future either. And, did I mention, I am a stockholder.
The complete steps to make Windows 8 go directly to the desktop (disable the smart screen when loggin) can be found here
http://mauriciogracia.com/win8desktop/
http://mauriciogracia.com/win8desktop/
How utterly ridiculous that you have to go through all this just to boot to the desktop. Why does Microsoft makes things so difficult? Inexperienced users have enough difficulty with the simpler things. Experienced users have to get a road map. How much did they pay the idiot that came up with this?
I don't know how much he's paid (too much that is for sure) but obviously it's an "engineer" that did it. It is too much like a schematic for a circuit board. And believe me having been in the field as an assistant, it's not much different, except we don't even have the schematics (road map) available to us. We are digging around and figuring it all out as we go, which isn't too much different than what a repair engineer does.
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