TR Dojo: Make the Windows 8 Developer's Preview Start Menu work like Windows 7

Bill Detwiler: Windows 8's new Metro interface may beperfect for tablets, smartphones, and even touchscreen PCs, but it can be areal pain for those who use a keyboard and mouse. If you'd rather Windows 8work more like Windows 7, you're in luck.

I'm Bill Detwiler, and during this episode of TR Dojo, I'llshow one way to do just that, by making the Windows 8 Start button work like itdoes in Windows 7.

Windows 8 marks a significant shift in the operatingsystem's development. As more people use tablets and other touchscreen devicesas their primary computer, Microsoft wants an OS interface that work's as wellwith your fingers as it does with a mouse and keyboard. With it's tile-basedMetro Interface, Windows 8 is that operating system.

And in September 2011, the Microsoft gave the world it'sfirst good look at Metro with the release of the Windows 8 Developer’s Preview.

Because Microsoft wants this first public release of Windows8 to spur development of applications with touch-based interfaces, the Metrointerface is turned on by default. And, while there is a desktop view inWindows 8 (which you can access by pressing the Windows key), it lacks one keyfeature that many long-time Windows users feel is a must-have -- the familiarStart Menu.

Now, there is a small Windows logo in the lower-left cornerof the Desktop, but it functions a lot like Alt-Tab cycling through the runningapplications or if nothing is running switching you from the Metro interface tothe Desktop.

Luckily there IS a simple Registry tweak that will restorethe familiar Windows Desktop complete with the Windows 7-style Start Menu.

To open the Registry Editor, just start typing regedit fromthe main Metro Interface or Desktop View screen. Windows will assume you wantto search for an Application can open the Apps search screen with the registryeditor selected. Click it or just press Enter.

Once the registry editor launches, navigate to followingkey:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Double-click the key labeled: RPEnabled

When the Edit DWORD comes up, change the Value Data from 1to zero and click OK. Close the registry editor and you're done.

When you click the Start Menu on the Windows 8 Desktop youwill get the old Start Menu you know and love.

Just remember, this tip is strictly a tip designed for theWindows 8 Developer’s Preview build and may not apply to the final version.

Thanks to TechRepublic Senior Editor Mark Kaelin for puttingthis together. I'll link to his original article and more Windows 8 resourcesin the TR Dojo blog.

And as always, for more teachings on YOUR path to becomingan IT Ninja, visit trdojo.techrepublic.com, sign-up for our newsletter, orfollow me on Twitter.

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