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How to try the Windows 8 Metro interface free

Microsoft is betting that Windows 8 will put it ahead of the pack, thanks in part to its slick Metro interface. Current Windows users can get a sneak peek into the look and feel of Metro with the free metro7 app.

Rob Lightner headshot
Rob Lightner

Master the Windows 8 basics (screenshots)

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Windows 8 is still just a promise, except for a few folks with developer's builds. If you want to try out the fabled Metro interface on your computer, there's now a solution. The metro7 app changes the Windows 7 interface to make it look and feel like Metro. Here's how to use it:

  1. Download and install the app here.
  2. Start it up. You should see a tiled interface, though it is separate from your desktop.
  3. Click the arrow in the upper right to set your options, pin programs or Web sites to the tile screen, and more. Experiment! The built-in apps are minimal, but you can get more or add any apps or bookmarks you like.
    Step 3: Settings.
    Step 3: Settings.
  4. You can drag tiles to rearrange them, or drag down to the bottom to trash them.
    Step 4: Move tiles.
    Step 4: Move tiles.

The app comes loaded with caveats. It's not from Microsoft, so it's all reverse-engineered, which means that the final product is likely to be fairly different. It's also in beta, and while I only experienced one bug (it crashed when I tried to back out of a Facebook screen), it's not perfect. Still, it delivers on its promise, and it's definitely fun to play around with the interface we're all likely to be using in a year or so!

Thanks to MakeUseOf for the link!