Win 8.1 on a Desktop PC...

Hi,

I just got a new system with Win 8.1.

My question is basically: has anyone figured out a way to use its insanely stupid great-for-tablets interface on a PC?

Okay, tongue in cheek aside, I installed Nero and it has 21 separate icons that it installs to the Start Menu. In XP it was fine. They were put into separate folders according to their function, etc. On 8.1 they're all installed in one giant mess. I had to scroll two screens sideways just to get to them. E.g., click Start, click down-arrow, mouse way-right, keep mousing right, keep going, keeeeeep going. Okay, I found Nero. Now scan to find the icon you want, keep scanning, keep scanning. Ah, there it is. Now, I can burn that music CD. Phew, I'm exhausted. I feel like a ran a mousing-marathon. I'll burn it later.

Okay, my real question: has anyone got a link to a page, or personal advice on what they did to make 8.1 desktop friendly?

And the example was for only one program. What happens when I install the rest of the programs I regularly use? I know, I'll just buy 3 mouse pads to make it easier to scroll sideways. Maybe 4, no 5.

 

Thank you, LauraR!

"You don't need all those icons on your metro screen if you don't use them."

Currently, 8.1 is looking like a giant desktop with semi-sorted icons/tiles everywhere. A single icon on the Metro Screen is fine for things like Firefox, etc. that have only one icon (two clicks to open...cool). My thing is I use a number of programs that have several icons for each different function, e.g., Tune Up Utilities has a Registry Cleaner, Registry Defragger, Disc Defragger, Disc Doctor, System Optimizer, History Cleaner, etc. and they're all fired-up with separate icons.

I have pinned several icons to the Metro Screen, grouped them and then labeled the groups. And, I tried resizing some of the icons. The large icons are 1-1/4" square (BIG) and when resized they're about 5/8" (still kinda big) but they lose the text. I tried adding text without success. So, trying to tell the difference between Disc Doctor, Disc Defrag, Disc Cleanup, etc. on small icons is...let's just say, I don't know which one is which when they all have a picture of a disc on them. Besides, resizing isn't the answer for me anyway...it's just more semi-sorted icons.

Is there anyway to make a "folder" on the Metro Screen so that I can move all of an individual programs icons inside of it so it acts kind of like the Start Menu? The problem I'm having with it is, for example, even if I only use 5 programs with 5 icons each on the Metro Screen; that's 25 icons. Again, I use programs with many more than five and I have a lot more programs I want to install. My point is that it starts getting out of control quickly.

"To access anything that isn't on your metro screen just start typing whatever the software is and you'll see the files pulled up."

That's a GREAT feature!! Thanks, for the heads-up! I thought I had to mouse all the way up to the right and click on the magnifying glass to do a search.

"You can also click on the arrow which should be on the bottom left and that'll take you to all your programs."

I guess, I got a little too confusing trying to make my post humorous. It was from that arrow on the bottom that I had to scroll 2 screens sideways to get to Nero's icons.

I've got to figure out a way I can access programs without having to cover so much real estate; more importantly, faster. In XP I had all of my frequently used programs and files accessible from the SysTray in a space about 2.5"x7". Usually 2-clicks away; some were 3 clicks. I couldn't get a tenth of those on the entire Metro Screen. Unfortunately, that menu program doesn't work with 8.1 and I haven't found one that does yet.

By the way, I can see how 8.1 would be pretty nice on a tablet when a finger swipe changes screens, etc. and you don't have as many programs and files. But, for me, on a desktop it's way too much mousing, etc.

Again, thanks Laura!
AY

Oh, just an FYI: I'm running a 22" monitor in 1920x1080.

 

If you would prefer to have a Win 7 style desktop start menu then try Classic Shell. Personally I use a mix of desktop icons and pinned taskbar icons for my most used programs and only use the Start screen (it isn't called Metro any more) for the rest, and I have severely pruned the number of icons Start displays. I haven't tried Classic Shell myself but as MG hosts it it should be OK.

Also, as Laura says, you can set 8.1 to boot directly into the desktop.