If you don't want the Windows 8 Metro User Interface, and instead prefer
to the Windows 7 Start menu, then this is how you could once roll-back with the registry
setting called RPEnabled.
Note 1: This only works in the Windows Developer beta, and
not the Consumer version.
At this point it's good practice to export this branch of the registry.
However, most experts recommend going further and creating a restore point.
To get rid of the Metro UI, find the RPEnabled value , double-click and
change 1 to 0 (zero).
As soon as you close regedit the old Windows 7 style Start menu and desktop
will replace the Metro UI. Should you wish to revert to the Windows
8 style user interface, then just change back to RPEnabled 1. Remember
to logoff / logon before the default Metro UI returns.
Note 1: HKCU Make sure you start in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER,
as shown in the above screen shot, I say this because so many people head
for the HKLM instead and consequently cannot find RPEnabled.
Favorite Registry Tip: I find it hard to remember places that I
visit in the registry, this is why I take every opportunity to 'Add to
Favorites ...' First select 'Favorites' from regedit's menu.
See how to create Windows 8 .reg
files.
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An alternative way of reverting to the old style desktop is to use a .reg
file. Just use notepad to save these three lines into a file and make
sure that you give it a .reg extension. Right-click the resulting file
and 'Merge'.
This enables, or disables, the Office 2010 style top menu ribbons.
Microsoft's ribbon idea has taken a while to evolve to a point that users
accept it. Or is it a case of people slowly adapting to new technology
for navigating around Windows Explorer or Microsoft Outlook?
Registry Instructions to Check the New Explorer Ribbon
Note 3: Don't start in HKLM, launch Regedit and navigate
to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\
Create a New Key called:
{4F12FF5D-D319-4A79-8380-9CC80384DC08}
Create a New, String Value under this key called: 'AppID'
Set its value to '{9198DA45-C7D5-4EFF-A726-78FC547DFF53}'
My favorite technique for recovering from mini-disasters is to export the
registry key BEFORE I change any values. To do this, launch regedit
then click on the File menu, Export,
Selected Branch. Every other registry expert will tell you to backup the System State before you begin.
Switching Between Metro UI and The Old Style Desktop
It the RTM version of Windows 8 it is rumoured that there will be a GUI to make the switch
from the Metro UI to the desktop default. The control panel will have
a GUI, similar to how you can amend the UAC in older version like Vista and
Windows 7.
