Sunday, September 25th 2011

Metro UI Tweaker: Make Windows 8 Look Like Windows 7

For those of you trying out the Windows 8 developer release who already hanker for the old Windows 7 look, help is now at hand! Enter Metro UI Tweaker from The Windows Club. From the screenshots below, you can see that things like the Explorer Ribbon and the Metro Start menu can be turned off. It can do a lot more, however.


Note: This application requires the enabling of .NET Framework 3.5.1 on the Windows 8 developer preview as follows:
1 Fire up Control Panel then click on More Settings and go Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off
2 Select .NET Framework 3.5.1 from the listing and click OK
3 Windows will connect to Windows Update to download the required files
4 When that's done, you're good to go

The tweaks currently being offered are:

1 Disable Metro Start menu: Disables only Metro Start menu screen. This function requires editing a system file. It does not remove the file
2 Disable Metro Ribbon: Disables only the Metro Ribbon UI. It requires taking ownership of a system file. It does not remove this file
3 Disable Metro Start menu and Ribbon: Disables the Metro Start menu UI, Ribbon UI, Metro Task Manager UI and the lock screen
4 Enable Metro Start menu and Ribbon: Re-enables all available Metro UI options
5 Add power options to the Metro Start menu screen: Logoff, Switch User, Lock, Sleep, Restart and Shutdown
6 Add any application/file to the Metro UI Start menu screen: Some applications/files may not be available to you to add to the Metro Start menu screen. This program allows you to add those applications/files which would otherwise be unavailable

When first run, the program will generate a folder in your Windows directory labelled Metro UI Tools. This folder is there to keep your power option apps in place without worrying about them having to be moved. Once generated and the files are unpacked from the program, do not remove the folder or the power apps from this folder as these options will no longer be available and may generate errors. The program works on 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. It's constantly being refined, so check the Windows Club website regularly for updates.

Sources: ZDNet | The Windows Club | Microsoft Developer Preview Intro | Windows 8 Developer ISO download page
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32 Comments on Metro UI Tweaker: Make Windows 8 Look Like Windows 7

#26
Deanr
I have been using computers since 1980 - have grown up with Microsoft from the early days of DOS to the current windows 7, through good and bad. Have my own business and have been teaching retirees how to use computers for many years. I repair, rebuild and upgrade systems. Microsoft, you have finally gone troppo!! Computers are for people who need something simple and something to run their businesses not a b....y glorified X-Box. I have loaded Windows 8 into a spare computer, have been using it for a few weeks and I still haven't found anything I like about it. How about allowing the choice of interface or should we abandon this gamey c..p and opt for Apple, Linix or just not bother purchasing any more Microsoft?
Please, please give us back a simple lackluster interface of old.
Posted on Reply
#27
illli
PVTCaboose1337I have been running the below for a while. Called Omnimo.
that actually makes it seem more serviceable
Posted on Reply
#28
Yo_Wattup
digibuccare you serious? you have no argument. you're whining that people who don't like windows 8 are whining. grow up.

if you can run win 8 in win 7 mode, what is the purpose of this third party software? if there is a simple option in win 8 that does the same thing, why does this even exist?
gates has already said he expects the touch interface to be used by everyone. he thinks touch monitors should be ubiquitous - despite the fact that they are ridiculously tiring to use for any extended period of time.

i like a lot of the features windows 8 offers. i don't like the metro screen. it is locked in unless you use third party software(or edit core files), and classic mode is still win8 with metro, unless hacked.

thanks for schooling me kid, but i know the variety out there and the chance was with the dev preview. of course i will try rcs as well, but with gate's own comments they don't plan to change anything.
in fact, the only way it WOULD be improved is by feedback from people like me, who actually care - rather than people who simply want to insult and demean others just because they have a different point of view. again, grow up.

and please, answer this: do you all really think the only valid comment about windows 8 is a positive one? you people attack everyone who doesn't have something nice to say - no matter how valid their negative feedback. that doesn't hint of intellectual honesty.
He's simply stating his opinion dude, chill out.
Posted on Reply
#29
erocker
*
Yo_WattupHe's simply stating his opinion dude, chill out.
I'm sure he's "chilled out" since that post is from last September.
Posted on Reply
#30
FierceRed
erockerI'm sure he's "chilled out" since that post is from last September.
Heh, there's one born every minute isn't there... :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#31
FELIXTHECAT777
digibuccare you serious? you have no argument. you're whining that people who don't like windows 8 are whining. grow up.

if you can run win 8 in win 7 mode, what is the purpose of this third party software? if there is a simple option in win 8 that does the same thing, why does this even exist?
gates has already said he expects the touch interface to be used by everyone. he thinks touch monitors should be ubiquitous - despite the fact that they are ridiculously tiring to use for any extended period of time.

i like a lot of the features windows 8 offers. i don't like the metro screen. it is locked in unless you use third party software(or edit core files), and classic mode is still win8 with metro, unless hacked.

thanks for schooling me kid, but i know the variety out there and the chance was with the dev preview. of course i will try rcs as well, but with gate's own comments they don't plan to change anything.
in fact, the only way it WOULD be improved is by feedback from people like me, who actually care - rather than people who simply want to insult and demean others just because they have a different point of view. again, grow up.

and please, answer this: do you all really think the only valid comment about windows 8 is a positive one? you people attack everyone who doesn't have something nice to say - no matter how valid their negative feedback. that doesn't hint of intellectual honesty.
Posted on Reply
#32
FELIXTHECAT777
Just wondering how you go about running Win 8 in Win 7 mode? I buy and sell PC's for a living and found Classic Shell which I found to be so much better than this software. I need something that goes quick since I work alone and have to keepem moving. Ever tried Classic Shell and if so which is faster, any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated
Posted on Reply
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