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General discussion

How can I make Windows 8.1 desktop look like and earlier version of Windows?

Jul 23, 2014 1:02PM PDT

How can I make Windows 8.1 Desktop look like and earlier version of windows with the windoes start ball on the bottom left corner etc.?

Thank you.

Jerry

Discussion is locked

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third-party application
Jul 24, 2014 12:27AM PDT

Hi, there are some things you can do to make Windows 8.1 look more alike to Windows 7 and earlier versions. However, if you really want the same user experience you had with Windows Vista or 7, then you'll need to install a third-party application or wait for the next version of Windows which will bring the start menu back for desktop users.

I would recommend you try out this tool which is free and will let you get the Windows start menu experience back, round button and all: http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

Hope that helps!

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Did you try Classic Shell.
Jul 24, 2014 2:42AM PDT

It's at http://www.classicshell.net/ and free.

Iobit has been a source of unwanted adware or worse. I'll write you should avoid all their titles.
Bob

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Windows 8.1
Jul 24, 2014 7:20AM PDT

Is there anything to back up the suggestion that lobit has been a source of unwanted adware or worse?


Jerry

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Iobit changes home page and more.
Jul 24, 2014 7:25AM PDT
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Windows 8
Jul 27, 2014 4:32AM PDT

A great big thanks to you especially for show the patience with me.


Jerry

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I'm alarmed by what you stated re IO-Bit
Aug 16, 2014 6:24AM PDT

As a heavy user of their products, which have received high ratings & praise, I find it hard to believe their products are a source of "unwanted adware or worse". I've been using their Ultimate 7, Defrag Pro, Smart Ram, & Driver Booster for approx 6 mos on my xp-pro sp3. My pc has been great, except that IE-8 takes 34 seconds to open, which may or may not be related to IO Bit. Would you be kind enough to provide me with your sources re IO Bit causing problems? I'd like to read them and decide on my own. If true I will uninstall all their programs.
Thanks Bob.
-Michael

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It's the new way of getting revenue.
Aug 16, 2014 6:38AM PDT

As the question of sources has been asked and answered many times, I think the web provides more than ample fodder for that. If it works for you, that's great but here it's a fine source of work/repair for my friends that work on PCs.
Bob

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How about this one?
Aug 16, 2014 7:00AM PDT
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Personally
Jul 24, 2014 9:50AM PDT

Personally, I'd say just take a few minutes to figure out the Start screen. It really is considerably more efficient than the start menu, and makes much better use of screen space. Instead of tiny menus you have to keep expanding, everything's just right there in a big list. Even better than the Start screen is the Search charm. The name is stupid, but you can just start typing in the name of any file or program on your system and it will show you matches. You don't even need to start at the beginning of the name. For example, you can start typing in "Explorer" to find "Internet Explorer". You spend a week or so training yourself to use the search charm, if you try and use an earlier version of Windows you'll realize just how bad the start menu really is/was.

Note: This post was edited by a forum moderator to remove unnecessary offensive remark on 08/18/2014 at 9:15 AM PT

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windows old style start menu
Jul 25, 2014 4:45PM PDT

Many or wanting just the old fashioned start with shut down easy to find. They do not have touchscreen or even want one. Just basic email and shop. We say Thank You CNET download for several programs that give us back our easy to find start and folders on left.And even vista style task bar on right.
For the more tech people there is 8.1. I use both menus and love 8.1. But some family(old and some just middle age) can not figure out how to find documents pictures or even how to shut down there computer. For them I added old style and old sidebar I love it for easy weather, google search, start menu and even language translator..

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How can I make Windows 8.1 Desktop look like and earlier ver
Jul 25, 2014 10:32AM PDT
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Windows 8
Jul 27, 2014 4:28AM PDT

I would like to thank everyone that responded.


Jerry