Wednesday, 14 September 2011

How to enable the Start Menu in Windows 8 developer preview

If you want to enable the classic Start Menu on Windows 8, there is a simple registry switch you can use.

It is located at

"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer"

Simply change the "RPEnabled" entry from "1" to "0"


Changing this key changes a lot - it seems to put it back to a "Microsoft Internal" state displaying the following warnings on Winver and the desktop:


Please note, as with everything on the preview, this is a sort of "hack" which is not officially supported. It changes a heck of a lot - Pressing the start button in the bottom left corner works as expected... but, the ribbon bar disappears, you get classic Task Manager, and pressing the Windows keyboard key is buggy - the start menu appears, then disappears to reveal the metro interface, then metro interface disappears and the start menu loads!

The start menu really is not officially supported in this release and does seem to have a few bugs (mainly style related). I am not sure if Microsoft have disabled it on purpose from the preview in order to get people to use Metro and it will be there in the final product, or if it will be dropped entirely from final product - (or in the state it is in now for some sort of legacy reason.

A big downside is that apart from seeing a glimpse of the metro interface when you press the Windows key, it does actually break it and the ability to deploy/test applications on it - which is the whole point of the developer preview. So... do this once, have a look around and put it back!

(Error starting a tile application)

As you can guess, the preview is unfinished and I am sure they will change the start menu (either disable completely or simply modify behaviour) before release.

If you are not comfortable editing the registry, here are some ready made .REG files for you:

Change the key to 0 (Enable the start menu)
Change the key to 1 (Disable the start menu)

UPDATE---
If you force close and reopen Explorer after changing this key, it stops the Metro app from flashing up when pressing the Windows Key - however - tile based apps and running from Visual Studio still do not work. That being said, you can change the target in Visual Studio to an Emulator which runs the tile applications fast. I haven't looked in to this more, but it is a really cool application that allows you to test touch amongst other things.

25 comments:

  1. This info about How to enable the Start Menu in Windows 8 developer preview is very helpful for me! Thanks for giving out. it’s all very fresh and clearly written! Respect

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great Article. Thank you for sharing! Really an awesome post for every one.

      IEEE Final Year projects Project Centers in Chennai are consistently sought after. Final Year Students Projects take a shot at them to improve their aptitudes, while specialists like the enjoyment in interfering with innovation. For experts, it's an alternate ball game through and through. Smaller than expected IEEE Final Year project centers ground for all fragments of CSE & IT engineers hoping to assemble. Final Year Project Domains for IT It gives you tips and rules that is progressively critical to consider while choosing any final year project point.

      JavaScript Training in Chennai

      JavaScript Training in Chennai

      Delete
  2. Windows 8 can create many 'interesting' problems. Really I don't like this OS

    ReplyDelete
  3. Considering how you can get part of the $75 billion boost arrange went for helping fiscally strapped property holders? Do you know the credit adjustment prepare utilizing Obama's program-how to apply and fit the bill for a lower contract installment. payday loans

    ReplyDelete
  4. Each savvy entrepreneur realizes that advancement is the thing that keeps their organizations alive with regards to the income field. Beginning up an independent company and being fruitful requires a solid conviction on yourself. payday loans san-diego

    ReplyDelete
  5. One of the best important spaces in a abode is the kitchen, and one of the best agency to add amount to a home is to accomplish abiding the kitchen is not abandoned a anatomic space, but additionally a admirable one. Here are a few things to accede afore starting a kitchen acclimate project. kitchenremodeling manhattan ny

    ReplyDelete
  6. New York is assuredly the best avant-garde accompaniment in the accomplished apple and not alone in United States. The cardinal of crimes is additionally actual aerial and one will absolutely divorce lawyer near me acquisition out that alone in the New York City about 48 bodies are dead circadian due to assorted kinds of reasons. Thus, abomination is at its aiguille in this state. Similarly, the cardinal of divorces is additionally actual aerial and added than 50% of the marriages out actuality end up in divorce. Undoubtedly, one can acquisition some of the best attorneys out actuality as some of the chrism from all over the US appear out actuality to assignment back the alternate acquittal ante out actuality are actual high.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's a bright web log. Air cleaner will add the application. You have got a lot of is critical to get this condition, while a good deal romance. Also you can try to make many people move lurking behind the application. At present follow-up payday loans oceanside Undoubtedly belonging to the typical reactions.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Technology makes people more conscious and informative about the modern world.Technology gives people the whole world in their hand.
    Technology has developed TV consumer apps much better than old days.Nowadays, technology also has developed most entertainment device,TV.Every day people are checking TV price drop alert for their courtesy through technology.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Michael Kors handbags can now be found on many discounted sites for fractions of retail prices. The best option for individuals wanting to own Michael Kors handbags is to shop at online discount stores. A great place to shop for these luxury bags is eBay.
    Friendly Links: Michael Kors Handbags Sale Clearance | Michael Kors Outlet Store

    ReplyDelete
  10. Michael Kors Handbags On Sale,
    You can find Michael Kors handbags in many department stores around the country.
    Michael Kors Purses Outlet,
    They are being seen all over the place.
    Michael Kors Bags On Sale,
    There are so many fabulous handbags to fall in love with.
    MK Handbags,
    To find these amazing handbags you can also shop online for all your Michael Kors products.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Explanation expense is a month to month expense charged to take care of the expenses related with producing a month to month paper proclamation and other authoritative holding costs. Regularly these announcement expenses go from $3 to $15.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Det finns flera stora och kända omnibus online-shoppingwebbplatser som Michael Kors Väska Rea. Dessa webbplatser är alla väldigt lättillgängliga och praktiska, de erbjuder Mikael Kors Väska med alla olika märken, stilar, priser och de kan strida mot de flesta köpare.

    (Läs källa: Michael Kors Plånbok,Michael Kors Väska Rea,Michael Kors Väska)

    För tjejer som vill ha speciella, ikoniska och högkvalitativa väskor från sina favoritdesigners, är det mest direkta och effektiva sättet att hitta den nyaste, hetaste och mest speciella designen på deras officiella webbplatser.

    (Läs källa: Sac Longchamp Femme,Sac Longchamp Pas Cher, Sac Longchamp Solde)

    Det finns verkliga butiker som säljer kvällssäckar på alla ställen, till exempel varuhus, designerbutiker eller sändningsaffärer. Fördelarna med att köpa i en butik är att du kan känna påsar i alla storlekar, du kan se om färgen matchar din klänning, eller om väskans storlek och vikt passar dina behov.

    (Läs källa: Michael Kors Bolsos,Bolsos Michael Kors Outlet,Bolsos Michael Kors Rebajas)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Coach Handbags Outlet are usually viewed as luxurious brands, but yet at inexpensive price.
    Today most people looking for COACH accessories will look for them at Coach Bags Factory Outlet.
    Coach Sale are just the most inexpensive items to purchase through Coach Purses Outlet, a small change purse or Cheap Coach Purses.
    Coach Bags On Sale are a fun accessory to add to a new collection.
    Coach Bags Outlet is can be carried or slipped over your shoulder.
    Authentic MK Outlet are made of high grade quality leather and Michael Kors Factory Outlet can actually have real leather on them.
    Michael Kors Purse Sale usually come with a plate bearing the MK Outlet logo to distinguish it from other Cheap Michael Kors Purses.
    Michael Kors Outlet Online have the inherent ability to capture the essence of what women like and what they want to wear and utilize.
    Michael Kors Outlet Store are a symbol of feminine elements and speak for all kinds of women.
    Michael Kors Purses On Sale of the day vary greatly, but all seem to share one characteristic, they are popular!

    ReplyDelete
  14. kami menjual produk penambah gairah seksual tersebar di berbagai wilayah seperti obat kuat di menteng dan obat kuat di bojongloa kaler , pemesanan obat kuat bisa melalui online agar semua masyarakat bisa mendapatkan aneka brand original tanpa harus keluar rumah dan jika anda berminat ingin menanyakan tentang seputar produk, anda bisa menghubungi kontak kami yang sudah tersedia khusus bagi pembeli obat kuat di cibitung atau yang berada di jabodetabek.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Both things are possible if you carry Michael Kors Handbags Wholesale. If you are a woman who goes for innovative designs, a designer Michael Kors Bags On Sale is perfect for you. Offering a huge selection of chic purses, handbags, shoes and accessories, Michael Kors Outlet Online Store celebrates womanhood in an entirely unique way. Michael Kors Factory Outlet Online Store At Wholesale Price are one of the most sought-after handbags worldwide. We all agree that diamonds are a woman's best friend; however Official Coach Factory Outlet Online are absolutely next in line. To Coach Outlet Sale aficionados, don't fret because we have great news: a discount Official Coach Outlet Online isn't hard to find. If you are a smart shopper looking for a good buy and great deals on your next handbag purchase, you can go to Official Coach Outlet Online.

    Friendly Links: Toms Shoes Womens | Toms Clearance

    ReplyDelete