[Q] Metro style app wrapper utility. - Windows 8 General

Hi,
I couldn't find a [q/a] section to put this but.... I was just wondering if there was any application that could take regular windows 7 or below "legacy" windows program and allow it to be run in a "metro mode". Something like Mozilla's chromeless project but instead executes the program metro style. Is there a way to do this? I got the thought when I saw Google chrome for windows 8 and how it looked just like the desktop version but ran in metro.

joshumax said:
Hi,
I couldn't find a [q/a] section to put this but.... I was just wondering if there was any application that could take regular windows 7 or below "legacy" windows program and allow it to be run in a "metro mode". Something like Mozilla's chromeless project but instead executes the program metro style. Is there a way to do this? I got the thought when I saw Google chrome for windows 8 and how it looked just like the desktop version but ran in metro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only apps that can do that are browsers (And only when they are set as the default browser afaik).
You can use the metro RDP client and RemoteApps in Metro if you want.

"Wrapping" an app like you mention isn't really possible. I don't know how much you know about the way software works, but basically there's a bunch of standard code used for making "windows" that apps run in. These "libraries" are used with almost every app that creates its own window, even ones that don't use the normal Windows chrome at all. These libraries aren't available to TIFKAM (The Interface Formerly Known As Metro) apps, so the legacy apps won't even launch - the OS literally fails to load them. In theory you could create "fake" versions of those libraries which create the desired UI using TIFKAM elements, but the scale of that project would be incredible and I don't even know if it would work.
Then there's the sandbox problem... TIFKAM apps run with extremely limited permissions, much lower than the normal user permissions. This is going to cause problems for pretty much every non-trivial legacy app, which are used to being able to do things like access the Application Data folders and HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry.

If you were feeling adventurous you could make an app that has a non-metro broker that starts the app in the background fullscreened and streams screencaps to a Metro app, and mouseclicks away from a Metro app. I've seen apps (Like this one) that do it in DirectX overlays for games, so it should be theoretically possible for a Metro app to do this.
Note that such an app would never get approved into the MS store, since it would require a non-metro broker to escape Metro's permissions lock.

Related

[Q] Newbie questions about W8

Hello everyone,
I hope with your knowledge of the system you will be able to help me with some of my questions.
I would like to make sure that I know what I am doing before swapping to a new system.
Here we go than...
1. I am currently using Netflix and Hulu services via VPN (and Windows 7 + Chrome), will I be able to use them with Windows 8 without any problems?
2. I understand that there is no option to side load apps for the Modern Interface other than from MS Store... is there any way to go round it? Reason for this question is connected to Q1. If I would want to use Netflix/Hulu app instead of browser will I be able to get it? (I suspect that there will be a market geolocalization thing... as it is with WP. In iOS or Android it is not a big problem though...
3. I got my original Windows Vista HP (32b) in my desk, purchased as an OEM... should I install it on my PC before buying an upgrade to WIn 8 Pro? What other options than "upgrade W8Pro" will there be for ppl. to purchase new system...
4. If I get a tablet/hybrid to replace iPad with more versatile device (x86 architecture) will I have to get 2 browsers...2 mail clients, etc... in order to be able to work in both modes desktop/modern? Considering that such a device will have limited disk space it seems like a problem. As far as I know modern interface is not really an interface but it is more like a second separate and quite independent system. This means that if I open Word/browser/mail in one mode and move on to continue to work in second I will have to start those app again and data between them will not be synchronised? Yes?
Like... all those program started in Modern Interface will no be visible and accessible on my task bar in desktop mode...
5. Along with changing system on my desktop and getting replacement for my iPAd I am thinking about swapping my phone. I use Lumia 710 and as much as I like the general feel of WP I hate that it is even more "closed" than iOS. Will I loose or gain functionality if I'll get Android device instead of WP8?
1, yes not a prob at all its the same as windows 7
2, I am 99% sure this will be hacked soon but you could also go for Enterprise edition or get a dev license (if you can get an edu email then you don't even need to pay)
3, not to sure myself sorry I have software assurance and so didn't look this up.
4, Windows 8 has a built in mail app (can be removed), you shouldn't think of it as 2 interfaces but more that you have some metro apps some x86 apps the desktop and the modern interface are as one. This whole hula balu about 2 diff interfaces is rubbish. Also the main browser is the one used in metro so you don't download a second one you just set it as your main one and you have both interfaces.
5, depends on what you mean by functionality, both os's have there strong and weak points it really Is down to how you use it and whatyou want from the phone.
lumpaywk said:
2, I am 99% sure this will be hacked soon but you could also go for Enterprise edition or get a dev license (if you can get an edu email then you don't even need to pay)
4, Windows 8 has a built in mail app (can be removed), you shouldn't think of it as 2 interfaces but more that you have some metro apps some x86 apps the desktop and the modern interface are as one. This whole hula balu about 2 diff interfaces is rubbish. Also the main browser is the one used in metro so you don't download a second one you just set it as your main one and you have both interfaces.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
thanks for your answer.
2. Can you give me more details about it? What is Enterprise edition and about this edu e-mail address...How does it all work...
4. Can I start desktop apps in Metro (can they be pinned?) or vice versa? IE10 is default in Metro - if I use default Metro mail app... can I change default browser to Chrome (btw: how does it work in Win8...as in Win7? Or are there any differences).
IE10... does it sync between devices like Chrome?
I install enterprise edition but I get no sound it may be the drivers but I am not sure realtek has drivers for windows 8 yet
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galtom said:
Hi,
thanks for your answer.
2. Can you give me more details about it? What is Enterprise edition and about this edu e-mail address...How does it all work...
4. Can I start desktop apps in Metro (can they be pinned?) or vice versa? IE10 is default in Metro - if I use default Metro mail app... can I change default browser to Chrome (btw: how does it work in Win8...as in Win7? Or are there any differences).
IE10... does it sync between devices like Chrome?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2. As with other versions of Windows you get multiple versions depending on your needs budget etc. Windows 8 come in Windows RT (ARM version (does not support old style x86 software, this is for cheap tablets etc and will only be sold preinstalled)), Windows 8 (basic version), Windows 8 Pro and then Windows 8 Enterprise. Enterprise has a few extra features for big business and own of them is the ability to side load metro apps meaning a company can write custom metro software.
The thing with the edu email is that .edu is for educational institutions schools university's etc. So that MS can get students using its products they let you have a dev license free for the time your in study. All you need to do is find someone who has an email from a school college etc and sign up with there email. I used my dads he is a lecturer. With a dev license you can unlock a couple of devices.
4. There is no 2 separate things here metro and desktop are NOT 2 diff working spaces. Try to think of the start screen as the same thing as the start menu from the old windows except instead of just a list it fills the screen. You can put any app software etc on this screen the same as you could before with the start menu. Older software does have ugly icon squares but there is a thread here with software to make your own metro style icons. The one thing to note though is that you can only open metro apps on 1 monitor ie you cant pin your mail app to one screen and then open cut the rope on another. This is not true for the desktop. Metro apps also open in there own sandbox environment, this means they can not interact with anything outside of themselves, they can share info etc but they cant change anything and so on.
lumpaywk said:
2. As with other versions of Windows you get multiple versions depending on your needs budget etc. [...]
4. There is no 2 separate things here metro and desktop are NOT 2 diff working spaces. [...].
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2. Ok.. I guess I'll have to wait and see what is out there and for how much.
Are you sure that with dev licence I will be able to use US Store/UK Store/etc... as I please?
4. Do I read you correctly (I do work with 2 screens) that I will not be able to have Chrome (I believe it does not support Metro yet) on both screens (to get data and to write in the second). One would thought that I should be able to have any combination of software/apps I want on both screens - Metro x Metro; Desktop x Metro; Metro x Desktop; Desktop x Desktop.
Truly strange and quite disturbing...
New questions :
Are there apps for Metro from Hulu, Netflix, BBC (iPlayer)?
Will they be OK to use with VPN tunnelling or I will have to use browser any way...
Will Hulu work on tablet/hybrid with x86 Windows 8 or will it say I am using mobile device (as it is with iOS/Android) and will not work in its Free version.
galtom said:
2. Ok.. I guess I'll have to wait and see what is out there and for how much.
Are you sure that with dev licence I will be able to use US Store/UK Store/etc... as I please?
4. Do I read you correctly (I do work with 2 screens) that I will not be able to have Chrome (I believe it does not support Metro yet) on both screens (to get data and to write in the second). One would thought that I should be able to have any combination of software/apps I want on both screens - Metro x Metro; Desktop x Metro; Metro x Desktop; Desktop x Desktop.
Truly strange and quite disturbing...
New questions :
Are there apps for Metro from Hulu, Netflix, BBC (iPlayer)?
Will they be OK to use with VPN tunnelling or I will have to use browser any way...
Will Hulu work on tablet/hybrid with x86 Windows 8 or will it say I am using mobile device (as it is with iOS/Android) and will not work in its Free version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome does now support Metro you just have to have it set as your default browser. The 2 screens is only Metro style apps so yes you cant have 2 metro style chromes but you can still open as many desktop/old style chromes as you want just as you did in windows 7. With dual screen one screen will always display its half of the desktop the metro start screen only goes onto 1 monitor. It is that one monitor that metro apps will run. It is a huge blunder in my opinion but what can you do.
If you are running a desktop pc esp with multi monitors then you wont notice to much diff in looks and feel. You will notice a huge jump in speed though but a loss of transparent windows . It is also worth putting a start link on the taskbar as sometimes getting the corner between screens is tricky (well not tricky but faster if you have a bigger target), just google "show start.exe".
As for the marketplace from diff country that I don't think would be possible I thought you where talking about side loading apps. You may be able to with the use of vpn but I cant confirm this.
Ok, thanks for the info.
I guess the best would be to simply try Win8 before I buy it.
3 (new) questions than:
What is the latest ver. of Win 8 I should download?
I do not own any VM software - is there (an easy) way to test Win* under Win7 (I dont mind that system will not be as fast, etc... but I would be able to see how it works...)
If I would have to make a proper install of Win8 on my PC... how hard will it be to go back to my current Win7?
As I keep 90% of ma data either in the cloud or on a on a different partitions on my drives formatting C: is not a problem... but I have read that once Win 8 is installed Win7 does not want to format this drive and install itself on it.... true?
galtom said:
Ok, thanks for the info.
I guess the best would be to simply try Win8 before I buy it.
3 (new) questions than:
What is the latest ver. of Win 8 I should download?
I do not own any VM software - is there (an easy) way to test Win* under Win7 (I dont mind that system will not be as fast, etc... but I would be able to see how it works...)
If I would have to make a proper install of Win8 on my PC... how hard will it be to go back to my current Win7?
As I keep 90% of ma data either in the cloud or on a on a different partitions on my drives formatting C: is not a problem... but I have read that once Win 8 is installed Win7 does not want to format this drive and install itself on it.... true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is to use a diff hard drive that way you can dual boot into windows 7 and windows 8 then when your done unplug the hard drive test you can boot into 7 still then format. This is the best way though I have heard of issues going back I have never had any, you boot to a disk then format the drive when you install 7 so I don't see how it could be, maybe they are trying to keep there files etc ie downgrade instead of a new install.
you can get a 90 day trial of rtm (the final build as it will be sold) here http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/jj554510.aspx But note you will need to uninstall it and reinstall if you want to keep using windows 8 after the 90 days.
Last thing,
I plan to install Win8 (today) on my external 160GB disk.
It will be connected to my PC via e-Sata... any advice before I proceed?
I dont want to put it on disk where is my current Win7 as I need it daily to work... so this should work... right? (motherboard is old; Abit Ab9Pro)
If this hasn't already been answered, I use tor for Netflix and it doesn't work will on windows 8. I can load the home but then it goes back to the UK version. It works fine on 7.
X10man
Sent from my U20i using xda premium
x10man said:
If this hasn't already been answered, I use tor for Netflix and it doesn't work will on windows 8. I can load the home but then it goes back to the UK version. It works fine on 7.
X10man
Sent from my U20i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I got bit confused...
Where do you use it (UK or USA)?
You try to access Netflix via VPN and Metro app or browser?
I'm in the UK and I use tor to access the US version with desktop chrome and proxy switchy to act as a Tor button.
X10man
Sent from my U20i using xda premium
Perhaps it is a TOR (and selected exit node) problem...
Try this 3h trial of VPN (free) and see if it is working - http://www.hideipvpn.com/freetrial/
Do you use Chrome under desktop or Modern UI mode?
Can you recommend a good (free) set of video codecs? I cant play mkv at the moment

Who finds uninstalling an application weird on Windows 8

So you're in Metro, sry Modern UI, right-click on a program and it brings up various options all in the modern UI style, however once you select uninstall, it takes you back to the old style of Windows to do the dirty work. I am the only one to find this strange?
Doesn't happen on RTM. Everything stays in Metro.
Whattt?
If you uninstall a Windows Store (Metro) app, it uninstalls immediately from the Start screen.
If you uninstall a desktop app, it will switch to the desktop and uninstall like any other desktop app always did.
If your Metro apps are kicking you to the desktop to uninstall, then that's just not correct. lol
prjkthack said:
Whattt?
If you uninstall a Windows Store (Metro) app, it uninstalls immediately from the Start screen.
If you uninstall a desktop app, it will switch to the desktop and uninstall like any other desktop app always did.
If your Metro apps are kicking you to the desktop to uninstall, then that's just not correct. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm talking about a desktop app, but viewed from the Metro screen, it just seems strange the OS switches interfaces, surely all the required functionality could be performed in Metro, it doesn't lead to a consistent user experience, IMO.
Turbotab said:
I'm talking about a desktop app, but viewed from the Metro screen, it just seems strange the OS switches interfaces, surely all the required functionality could be performed in Metro, it doesn't lead to a consistent user experience, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no choice. Uninstallers are often custom executables which need to do a whole bunch of stuff, exclusive for each installation.
Uninstallers are tailor-made by app developers.
Turbotab said:
I'm talking about a desktop app, but viewed from the Metro screen, it just seems strange the OS switches interfaces, surely all the required functionality could be performed in Metro, it doesn't lead to a consistent user experience, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it is totally consistent.
I would expect that an app that runs on the desktop will also perform its uninstallation on the desktop. After all, desktop apps are not installed the same way as a Metro app, so it certainly would not uninstall using the Metro-method. A desktop app can be installed in numerous ways, using the various installation processes and applications available for many of year.
I expect that a Metro app would uninstall within the Metro interface.
I hate this idea (and its MS fault for explaining it all badly) that the start menu is a new interface and thus separate from the desktop. Its just a new start screen it fills the screen instead of being a small clumsy list. Metro Apps run side by side with the desktop its not 2 separate things and I think this is why there is so much confusion. People seem to think you either work in one or the other when you still work the same as you always have just with an added layer of functionality. This means that using the old style uninstaller is no more strange then the hole of control panel still being in the "old" style. I love that it gives you a direct link not only to Programs and Features but also has the specific app highlighted.
lumpaywk said:
I hate this idea (and its MS fault for explaining it all badly) that the start menu is a new interface and thus separate from the desktop. Its just a new start screen it fills the screen instead of being a small clumsy list. Metro Apps run side by side with the desktop its not 2 separate things and I think this is why there is so much confusion. People seem to think you either work in one or the other when you still work the same as you always have just with an added layer of functionality. This means that using the old style uninstaller is no more strange then the hole of control panel still being in the "old" style. I love that it gives you a direct link not only to Programs and Features but also has the specific app highlighted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MS are to blame but a sizable portion of the blame lies with people who feel the need to spread FUD and those willing to believe that FUD without confirming it for themselves. And as this very website as seen for its self, those individuals that feel the need to make crap up and slag off win 8 / wp8 are often android users, not always, and im not generalising, but from my experience Linux based platform users (desktop and mobile) tend to be the most anti- everything-to-do-with-MS people I have ever had the miss fortune in talking to.
in saying that, I whole heartedly agree with you that MS has done almost nothing to combat that

[OT] What Legacy Apps Do You Use?

This was part of a discussion I had with a friend lately. I argued that windows 8/RT desktop environment looked fug-ugly compared to WP8/ModernUI and that it needed a MAJOR overhaul. Because TBH windows still looks generally the same now, as it did 10-15 years ago & is only really optimised for displays that are 13-24". But the thing is I see windows going to larger displays (HTPC's and Living Room PC's) and smaller ones (Handsize tablets) and windows on these displays just doesn't function nice.
However, my friend argues that they couldn't change the entire UI/UX of the desktop environment because too much legacy stuff will look out of place and be confusing. I understand this may be the case in a business environment where loads of a wide range of diverse and unique tailored software is used BUT I don't think it's a problem for the average home PC user.
The way I see it is that most people only use a couple of different applications on their home PC/laptop and I'm pretty sure it's only a handful of applications would need updating to the new UI for consumers to not have headaches.
So I was wondering, what do you actually run on a day-to-day basis?
Here's mine.
DAILY:
Chrome
VLC
Office
Adobe Reader
Dropbox* (Doesn't have a UI :laugh: )
That's mine! If MS came up with a much more unified ModernUI inspired desktop, I would only need 5 developers to update their app to the same style and I'd be happy.
All the major web browsers (everything from IE to Opera), not that web browser developers have been respecting their platforms' UI conventions for the last few years anyhow.
Office (mostly Word, OneNote, and Outlook).
Pidgin.
Steam (not that its terribly respectful of UI conventions either).
Windows Explorer (obviously built-in, but the TIFKAM "replacements" are crap unless you have reallllly fat fingers and no mouse).
Various terminal apps (cmd, powershell, bash, etc.).
Visual Studio.
A bunch of others that aren't "every day" but are needed for my job and such, although they rarely get run on my home system.
A bunch of full-screen games, but I suppose those don't count.
On my Acer W510, I've installed:
Chrome - works better than IE with AirDroid for connecting w/my Android phone
iTunes - still use my 7 y/o iPod in my car
Zune - can download 10 drm-free songs monthly on the grandfathered Zune pass subscription
Dropbox
Google Drive
Skydrive - can't upload folders w/the Win store app
Office
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I use dropbox,quake 3,vlc,microsoft office,evernote,pidgin,winamp and WinRAR
Here's what I use normally:
WinSCP
PuTTY
Hyper-V
A few Hyper-V terminals
Pandora One Desktop App
NetBalancer
Mumble
Opera
Firefox
Chrome
Steam
Deluge Manager
Task Manager
Visual Studio 2012 (and various related tools, such as windbg or remote debuggers)
Skype (Desktop Skype, Metro Skype has issues)
X-Chat (Hexchat)
WinRAR
VLC
Xming
Netbeans
Of all of these, the only ones I could see realistically being reproduced in Metro are:
Opera
Firefox
Chrome
Steam
Skype (Well, it is, but I can't get the Metro Skype to stay connected for any length of time)
Mumble
Pandora
X-Chat (Any decent IRC client would do, but there weren't any last I looked)
PuTTY (It could be ported, though I think it would work far better as a window)
VLC
Xming
netham45 said:
Of all of these, the only ones I could see realistically being reproduced in Metro are:
Opera
Firefox
Chrome
Steam
Skype (Well, it is, but I can't get the Metro Skype to stay connected for any length of time)
Mumble
Pandora
X-Chat (Any decent IRC client would do, but there weren't any last I looked)
PuTTY (It could be ported, though I think it would work far better as a window)
VLC
Xming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome already has (a really poor, is just the desktop browser without any options) Metro browser, Firefox has a beta version that looks and acts like an Android app. Gabe Newell is ****ting his pants over Windows 8 because it cuts him out of game sales completely: the Windows Store is already Steam. I don't know what Mumble is. There is already a third-party Pandora client that is excellent. There are already multiple IRC clients for Windows Metro. A TTY app needs to be Windowed? You really believe that? I run PuTTY on my eMate, let's be real here. VLC is begging for money so that they can decide how and when they want to make a VLC for Metro. I have already moved to MPC-HC and CCCP. I think you will see something like XBMC for Metro before any of the others because it is more portable in terms of being self-contained and not needing to hose down the system with files and registry entries to operate correctly.
dragon_76 said:
Chrome already has (a really poor, is just the desktop browser without any options) Metro browser, Firefox has a beta version that looks and acts like an Android app. Gabe Newell is ****ting his pants over Windows 8 because it cuts him out of game sales completely: the Windows Store is already Steam. I don't know what Mumble is. There is already a third-party Pandora client that is excellent. There are already multiple IRC clients for Windows Metro. A TTY app needs to be Windowed? You really believe that? I run PuTTY on my eMate, let's be real here. VLC is begging for money so that they can decide how and when they want to make a VLC for Metro. I have already moved to MPC-HC and CCCP. I think you will see something like XBMC for Metro before any of the others because it is more portable in terms of being self-contained and not needing to hose down the system with files and registry entries to operate correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gabe Newell is going crazy because of competition. The Store is not replacing Steam, the games in it are at a different level (mobile casual games) than the desktop games from Steam.
scaryshark said:
The way I see it is that most people only use a couple of different applications on their home PC/laptop and I'm pretty sure it's only a handful of applications would need updating to the new UI for consumers to not have headaches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I'm sure there are a lot of people who don't use their PC's for much beyond e-mail and the web, I think you're vastly underestimating the number of people who DO use more than just a handful of basic applications.
On a typical day, I use:
At least 3 to 4 programs from the Adobe Master Collection, and I need frequent access to all but maybe 3.
Several 3D programs including LightWave 3D and Luxology Modo.
SmartFTP
Virtualbox
Tight VNC client
All the major web browsers
Several small utilities like notepad++, Media Player Classic, etc.
That's my biggest criticism of the new UI - it pretty much assumes no one does anything productive with their computers. If Microsoft truly thought it was the future, why isn't Office fully Metro complaint? Because a touch UI is simply not an efficient way to control applications with ANY degree of complexity.
I appreciate this thread, as I am considering what I really do with my legacy apps that I can't do on rt. I use office, and adobe, but really on a day to day basis that is really it. Office 2013 works with metro ui, so I wonder just how beneficial legacy apps, other than games that are desktop, are going to be in the future. I have the Sammy Ativ smartpc 500t btw. I love it, but really dig the look and design of the surface. RT made me go with the intel run tablet, and I know the surface pro is coming out, but a bit pricey. Anyway, as I say, the two main legacy apps I use are office and adobe.
dragon_76 said:
Chrome already has (a really poor, is just the desktop browser without any options) Metro browser, Firefox has a beta version that looks and acts like an Android app. Gabe Newell is ****ting his pants over Windows 8 because it cuts him out of game sales completely: the Windows Store is already Steam. I don't know what Mumble is. There is already a third-party Pandora client that is excellent. There are already multiple IRC clients for Windows Metro. A TTY app needs to be Windowed? You really believe that? I run PuTTY on my eMate, let's be real here. VLC is begging for money so that they can decide how and when they want to make a VLC for Metro. I have already moved to MPC-HC and CCCP. I think you will see something like XBMC for Metro before any of the others because it is more portable in terms of being self-contained and not needing to hose down the system with files and registry entries to operate correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted those on that list regardless if they were ported or not to Metro.
Steam is better than Windows 8's games purely because of the already-established userbase/games
Mumble is a VoIP solution geared towards gaming
The third-party Pandora client, while decent, still has some standby issues on Windows RT. I'm hoping the official client (if/when it comes out) will have these solved.
Yes, I believe an SSH client is better off windowed. It's nice to be able to have a web browser and multiple SSH clients open on one screen. Also, there's no need to be condescending over a matter of preference.
VLC is looking for aid to help pay off the development costs for a totally-free app they produce, I don't think it's unreasonable for them to ask. MPC-HC requires codec packs (such as CCCP), whereas VLC has their codec packs bundled in, making an easier all-in-one install. I do agree that XBMC is a likely candidate for being ported first.
Spectredroid said:
Office 2013 works with metro ui
...
Anyway, as I say, the two main legacy apps I use are office and adobe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless I'm mistaken (which I could be), Office 2013 does not work in metro - it's run from the RT desktop ui, so it's not really a "metro" application.
And when you say you use Adobe, what do you mean by that? It could refer to anything from Adobe Acrobat reader to Photoshop, After Effects and the rest of their graphic applications.
If you just use Acrobat Reader, there probably is, or will shortly be, a fully metro compliant reader, so that wouldn't be a problem. But if you use one of Adobe's graphics programs, there isn't, and I can't see there ever being, Metro and/or RT versions. First, the ARM architecture just doesn't offer the performance needed for the type of work Adobe's applications were designed to do. And second, the Metro/touch ui just doesn't facilitate the on-screen information density needed for the amount and intracasy of the tools.
Adobe may make "Touch" apps for Metro/RT similar to Photoshop Touch on iOS, but that's extremely limited in features and capabilities.
So if you need to use any of Adobe's main graphics programs, there's your decision right there - RT is out. If you just need to view PDFs, aside from the previously mentioned Office, then RT is a viable option.

cant disable metro ui

im trying to disable metro.in the register but there isn't RPenabled to disable it.
i want to remove it.so it goes straight to the desktop just like windows 7
I'm pretty sure this was removed in the official release.
JihadSquad said:
I'm pretty sure this was removed in the official release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it was removed.
Learn metro, its actually pretty good once you get the hang of it with or without the touch
It was in fact removed well before release. "redpill" (what is controlled by the registry value you seek) is an MS-internal test mode for secret and/or experimental features. It's been present for at least a few previous beta products too, covering things like Win7's new taskbar. Only the very first public build of Win8 used the Redpill switch; everything after that had it built in.
There are third-party apps which disable TIFKAM (The Interface Formerly Known As Metro) to a lesser or greater degree, but I can't recommend any of them as I don't know what they actually do to the system. Personally, I just move the mouse to the lower-left corner (where the Start button appears usually), and then Right-click followed immediately by a Left-click. That will take you to the desktop from anywhere. Another way to do it is hit [Win]+d, the "Show Desktop" shortcut from previous Windows versions still works on Win8, and if you aren't on the desktop it will take you there.
To boot to desktop, change
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
from "explorer.exe" to "explorer.exe /select,explorer.exe"
There are other ways w/o involving external software, one of which is to set up a task that runs on desktop. To find out, Google.
As far as disabling Metro altogether (ie the hot-corners), use any of the common 3rd-party fixes like Classic Shell. They work fine. Then you'd have basically an improved Win7 with some new features.
Unlike the "embrace change" advocates here, I think the user should decide if he wants to use Metro.
Good tip on the Shell registry change, thanks!
Thanks for the shell reg change, nice find. But we do have a choice to use metro or not, MS isn't a public service made to suite our needs, its a private company that can do as it wants, whether that is what we want as users is a different story, the best way to to affect change on private companies is to vote with your wallet so to speak. I'm not arguing that metro is better or anything there are issues with win 8, but as it stands there is a choice, an buying something then complaining it isn't what you want is perhaps a little silly, an we wouldn't do it in any other market cept the movie industry of course! Nope, MS will have your money an they won't be to bothered about anything else.
Sent from my Samsung Focus S using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
>it stands there is a choice, an buying something then complaining it isn't what you want is perhaps a little silly
The OP asks if there's a way to boot to desktop, not whether he wants Metro. Please restrict the editorializing and proselytizing to appropriate threads. Thanks.
BTW, credit for the reg edit goes to another in the Win8 Dev subforum. It's a compact variation of starting a desktop task (the task in this case being Explorer itself). Explorer's parameters are below for those interested. You can vary the results by experimenting with different combinations:
/n: Opens a new window in single-paned (My Computer) view for each item selected, even if the new window duplicates a window that is already open.
/e: Uses Windows Explorer view. Windows Explorer view is most similar to File Manager in Windows version 3.x. Note that the default view is Open view.
/root,<object>: Specifies the root level of the specified view. The default is to use the normal namespace root (the desktop). Whatever is specified is the root for the display.
/select,<sub object>: Specifies the folder to receive the initial focus. If "/select" is used, the parent folder is opened and the specified object is selected.
Usage examples here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/130510
Guys no need to go into the shell!!
Get this app called pokki(search on google) .Install it.Once you install it click the pokki icon on desktop.Then check the boot to desktop option.If you want you can also get back the start button,thereby saying goodbye to metro altogether.
Hope this helps....
Thread Closed
e.mote said:
>it stands there is a choice, an buying something then complaining it isn't what you want is perhaps a little silly
The OP asks if there's a way to boot to desktop, not whether he wants Metro. Please restrict the editorializing and proselytizing to appropriate threads. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
e.mote said:
Unlike the "embrace change" advocates here, I think the user should decide if he wants to use Metro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...I was referring to your post above, its irrelevant we think it should do, it is what it is. There's no need to get all uppity about it. Once again, thank you for the interesting find.
>>Unlike the "embrace change" advocates here, I think the user should decide if he wants to use Metro.
>...I was referring to your post above, its irrelevant we think it should do, it is what it is. There's no need to get all uppity about it. Once again, thank you for the interesting find.
You should work on your reading comprehension. I said "the user should decide," not what I think Win8 should or shouldn't be. And you're welcome.
I'm using the classic shell add on:
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
It allows one to bypass the Win 8 UI and go directly to Windows. Plus it puts the start menu back in. I personally see no reason to try and disable the Win 8 new shell; just ignore it and stay on the desktop.
The only exception is that the new UI has some settings on my ultrabook that are not present in the Desktop interface (like controlling the GPS).
stevedebi said:
I'm using the classic shell add on:
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
It allows one to bypass the Win 8 UI and go directly to Windows. Plus it puts the start menu back in. I personally see no reason to try and disable the Win 8 new shell; just ignore it and stay on the desktop.
The only exception is that the new UI has some settings on my ultrabook that are not present in the Desktop interface (like controlling the GPS).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I found ClassicShell to be buggy and unreliable. It frequently caused Explorer to crash.
I used Start8 through the trial and it seemed decent enough (I didn't crash hourly), but by the time that it expired I felt that Metro was just fine and didn't bother.
mrappbrain said:
Guys no need to go into the shell!!
Get this app called pokki(search on google) .Install it.Once you install it click the pokki icon on desktop.Then check the boot to desktop option.If you want you can also get back the start button,thereby saying goodbye to metro altogether.
Hope this helps....
Thread Closed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or install start8
Verstuurd van mijn GT-S5660
netham45 said:
To be honest, I found ClassicShell to be buggy and unreliable. It frequently caused Explorer to crash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have it on one system, and although I haven't noticed it to cause any stability issues, I found Start8 to be more refined.
In any case, here are the top start menu/metro avoidance programs:
Classic Shell
Start8
StartMenu7
StartMenu8
Pokki
ViStart (linked but not recommended because it tries it's best to install all kinds of 3rd party toolbars)
netham45 said:
I used Start8 through the trial and it seemed decent enough (I didn't crash hourly), but by the time that it expired I felt that Metro was just fine and didn't bother.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found just the opposite. I tried Metro for a while and just found it didn't do anything objectively better than the start menu, and the hot corners kept getting in my way (several of my programs have a lot of tools/buttons at the corners and edges and I was continually activating the various hidden menus). I tried Start8 and it works perfectly.
Theres an app called "FxxkMetro.exe" (actually spelt like that). It's designed to "seek out" and terminate all running instances of Metro, completely disabling it.

Multiple metro splitting / customizable metro splitting

I didn't find any topic about this. Excuse me if a topic already exists.
Name it as you want, but windows 8 allow us to split the screen and see two metro apps at the same time. I miss the windows' windows ( windows without windows is quite stupid for me ), but I like metro. Is there any way to split the screen many times, horizontally and with different ratios? ( not only 80:20 )
Many thanks.
Inviato dal mio HTC Desire con Tapatalk 2
It's been asked before, but nothing found. The official reason is that using a fixed-width sidebar mode allows developers to optimize their app interfaces for the width of that sidebar, but it would be nice to, for example, have two apps side-by-side in portrait mode on a 1920x1080 monitor (giving about 950x1080 each). I'm sure if such ahack is found, it'll be posted here...
GoodDayToDie said:
It's been asked before, but nothing found. The official reason is that using a fixed-width sidebar mode allows developers to optimize their app interfaces for the width of that sidebar, but it would be nice to, for example, have two apps side-by-side in portrait mode on a 1920x1080 monitor (giving about 950x1080 each). I'm sure if such ahack is found, it'll be posted here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, many thanks for answering. I'll pantientiently wait. So sorry for useless topic.
Optimization or not, in Win7 I could have A LOT of windows on the screen at the same time. Falling back to 2 in the new version is very disappointing. Samsung smartphones have visual multitasking and my 1920x1080 PC can't have more than two windows? If it wasn't for performances of Win8, I would be on Win7 right now.
Win8 is capable of having an arbitrary number of windows open at once... I get almost no use out of the Metro apps and just do everything on the desktop.
GoodDayToDie said:
Win8 is capable of having an arbitrary number of windows open at once... I get almost no use out of the Metro apps and just do everything on the desktop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, desktop is just like win7 desktop, so you can get unlimited windows. But Metro apps are quite integrated with everything and living without them is hard. And I can't see a youtube video while writing a document.
You can't? Word and a browser pointing at YouTube works fine for me...
Seriously, aside from mail (which I only use because it'll connect from outside work's firewall) and Skype (which works great snapped to one side), the only "Metro" apps I use are games (which I would have full-screened anyhow). The music, pictures, and messenger apps are crap. I manage my calendar from the phone and only "use" it on the PC to see and dismiss notifications. I prefer the desktop control panel and OneNote. The built-in PDF reader app is... not great, so I have Foxit. Metro IE is worthless next to the desktop version. Metro remote desktop is OK, but the desktop version is powerful and familiar. Start and the Store are both "metro" but aren't really apps in the usual sense. SSH and such are available on the desktop (I use Interix).
If anything, I'd say Metro apps are the opposite of "integrated with everything". They can't change system settings, and often can't even check them. They have very limited ability to talk to other programs, whereas almost everything on the desktop supports drag&drop, for example. They can't do anything requiring high privileges. They're terrible for browsing the filesystem. They suck for multitasking in general. They can't (officially) launch other programs. They might not be an evolutionary dead end, but they aren't an evolution I'm happy to see. Give me sandboxes, and maybe even a store, but let *me* control the sandbox and let me apply them to desktop software. Give me synced app state, but let everything use it not just the stuff from your store. Give me Vista's Windows Mail instead of this crap. Touch-friendly is great, but even on my Surface I don't so much except games with touch; give me traditional UIs too.

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