7 ms·

I use Windows 8.1 on a desktop and it's fine even without mods. I can see how Windows 8 might have been a problem for some people, but for the most part 8.1 is

I use Windows 8.1 on a desktop and it's fine even without mods. I can see how Windows 8 might have been a problem for some people, but for the most part 8.1 is 7 with a fullscreen start menu.

free652 13y ago
>for the most part 8.1 is 7 with a fullscreen start menu. And missing the non-full screen start menu. I hate going back to metro interface to launch an app, now I have to create shortcuts on the desktop. I used to simply type an app name in windows 7's launcher.
- dangrossman 13y ago
  > I used to simply type an app name in windows 7's launcher Why don't you still do that? That global search has only gotten smarter, it's definitely not been removed. You press the windows key, type 3 letters, hit enter and your app is running before your eyes even register the start screen having briefly appeared and gone. I couldn't imagine going back to desktop shortcuts -- I haven't had to move my hands off the keyboard to launch a program in 7 years.
  - free652 13y ago
    I do, but it switches me to the metro interface with a color change. Also it pulls metro apps first and only 2 apps then its like 2 settings apps and the 2 documents, but I want all apps. Something like if I type "sky" SkyDrive Skype (metro) ..Some settings ..Some settings ..Some document ..Some document
    - dangrossman 13y ago
      If there are 4 programs that match my search, it shows 4 programs before any documents or other results. If a color change is that bothersome, you can use Win+S to open the search panel on the desktop. You can also uninstall the Metro apps you're not using and don't want to see in search results. They uninstall in one click.
      - free652 13y ago
        Here are two screenshots: https://portal.bitcasa.com/send/3555f1c51a7e086335e4e0d6895fe862b37b40e03e9d7919cd727d96b03d720e/7e955128f20e8e7a689b1f414319b2f7c9142b9c57d068e3071f54340307a5a5 https://portal.bitcasa.com/send/3555f1c51a7e086335e4e0d6895f... "Sky" should have return both skypes, not just first 2 search results. Also how do you start desktop internet explorer? The search returns the metro one.
        dangrossman 13y ago
        I hit Win, type "ie" (short for iexplore.exe) and press enter. It only starts the metro version if it's set as your default browser. You've made some pretty bold color choices, that would be distracting. Set your background to be your desktop wallpaper. Then the start screen just looks like an overlay, rather than a context switch. 1. http://i.imgur.com/WyiizIR.jpg http://i.imgur.com/WyiizIR.jpg 2. http://i.imgur.com/ROxIXp0.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ROxIXp0.jpg
    - Encosia 13y ago
      If you don't like the color change switching into the Start Page, there's a setting that uses a dimmed version of your desktop background as the Start Page's background too. It sounds trivial, but makes a big impact on how jarring the switch between them is. At this point, I usually just Win + type instead of Win + S because the Start Page just seems like an overlay over the desktop for me now with that one setting change. Similar to the Launchpad feature that OS X added a few versions ago.
- adolfojp 13y ago
  Win + S brings up a small search panel to the right of the screen. It's not full screen and it allows you to do exactly what you describe.
  - free652 13y ago
    Thanks, that's better. But still doesn't solve only 2 apps and 6 total search results. I looked over settings and can't seem to find to change that.
- gooble_flop 13y ago
  > I used to simply type an app name in windows 7's launcher. Me too... the process hasn't changed. Windows key -> first few letters of the app's name -> enter

I use Windows 8.1 on a desktop and it's fine even without mods. I can see how Windows 8 might have been a problem for some people, but for the most part 8.1 is 7 with a fullscreen start menu.

free652 13y ago

>for the most part 8.1 is 7 with a fullscreen start menu. And missing the non-full screen start menu. I hate going back to metro interface to launch an app, now I have to create shortcuts on the desktop. I used to simply type an app name in windows 7's launcher.

dangrossman 13y ago
> I used to simply type an app name in windows 7's launcher Why don't you still do that? That global search has only gotten smarter, it's definitely not been removed. You press the windows key, type 3 letters, hit enter and your app is running before your eyes even register the start screen having briefly appeared and gone. I couldn't imagine going back to desktop shortcuts -- I haven't had to move my hands off the keyboard to launch a program in 7 years.
- free652 13y ago
  I do, but it switches me to the metro interface with a color change. Also it pulls metro apps first and only 2 apps then its like 2 settings apps and the 2 documents, but I want all apps. Something like if I type "sky" SkyDrive Skype (metro) ..Some settings ..Some settings ..Some document ..Some document
  - dangrossman 13y ago
    If there are 4 programs that match my search, it shows 4 programs before any documents or other results. If a color change is that bothersome, you can use Win+S to open the search panel on the desktop. You can also uninstall the Metro apps you're not using and don't want to see in search results. They uninstall in one click.
    - free652 13y ago
      Here are two screenshots: https://portal.bitcasa.com/send/3555f1c51a7e086335e4e0d6895fe862b37b40e03e9d7919cd727d96b03d720e/7e955128f20e8e7a689b1f414319b2f7c9142b9c57d068e3071f54340307a5a5 https://portal.bitcasa.com/send/3555f1c51a7e086335e4e0d6895f... "Sky" should have return both skypes, not just first 2 search results. Also how do you start desktop internet explorer? The search returns the metro one.
      - dangrossman 13y ago
        I hit Win, type "ie" (short for iexplore.exe) and press enter. It only starts the metro version if it's set as your default browser. You've made some pretty bold color choices, that would be distracting. Set your background to be your desktop wallpaper. Then the start screen just looks like an overlay, rather than a context switch. 1. http://i.imgur.com/WyiizIR.jpg http://i.imgur.com/WyiizIR.jpg 2. http://i.imgur.com/ROxIXp0.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ROxIXp0.jpg
  - Encosia 13y ago
    If you don't like the color change switching into the Start Page, there's a setting that uses a dimmed version of your desktop background as the Start Page's background too. It sounds trivial, but makes a big impact on how jarring the switch between them is. At this point, I usually just Win + type instead of Win + S because the Start Page just seems like an overlay over the desktop for me now with that one setting change. Similar to the Launchpad feature that OS X added a few versions ago.
adolfojp 13y ago
Win + S brings up a small search panel to the right of the screen. It's not full screen and it allows you to do exactly what you describe.
- free652 13y ago
  Thanks, that's better. But still doesn't solve only 2 apps and 6 total search results. I looked over settings and can't seem to find to change that.
gooble_flop 13y ago
> I used to simply type an app name in windows 7's launcher. Me too... the process hasn't changed. Windows key -> first few letters of the app's name -> enter