Cat,

To what you have said, I will just add this. After using Win8 for, @ least, 3 months, except for the Applications folder on the Taskbar, it is fine 'as is'. That is to say, w/out adding 'outside' stuff, retro-fits or a lot of 'tweaking'. There was a time, @ the onset, when I was trying a few things including, the Shutdown & restart buttons. Then I found a Power button that would sit in the System Tray but, that won't stay there in the RP. In actuality, > Charms > Settings to get to the Power button is really not a bothersome ordeal... and that's all I'm using, now... more Win8 'as is'. & it's quite ok.

Cheers,
Drew

It's OK for me also, Drew. I used CP for 2 months w/o any modifications. I can adapt to most any OS thrown at me, even some Linux OS's. A few weeks ago, I added the explorer folder on the taskbar that you showed us, until after RP was released, that was it.

The other modifications that I made, was after RP was released, to see if they worked. TM reported issues with the logoff/restart/shutdown shortcuts that Ted provided, so I installed them to see if they would work. And they did. For checking system performance, use the built in Task Manager, once it's opened, & the user chooses to show the notification (normally hidden), one can see the performance of the CPU, RAM, Disk & Network simply by moving the cursor over there. Just open the Task Manager, minimize it, & forget it. No fancy interface, resource wasting app is needed to keep an eye on performance. Check it out.



Windows 7 has a similar function, but it only shows CPU usage doing it this way.

The other mods that I added are for testing/showing others their options (I already have 4, & possibly 2 more that will install Windows 8 upon retail availability, but only if a classic type of Start Menu is added. I cannot change these users mode of thinking, & won't try to. They are paying me to install the OS modded to meet their needs (I'm positive that IT Pros has to do this for some customers also), not mine.

I'm not in a position to walk away from easy money, & can no longer depend on XP re-installs for income, I may do 1 or 2 per month (if that). New Windows releases keeps me somewhat busy for 4 to 6 months after availability, it does gradually taper off, but I do virus/malware cleaning also, which helps.

Cat

Nice too. I will try it even I like new Start.

X X A,

Please note, some of the notes you are seeing & answering of mine are a wee bit old.

Let me give you something current & I'll preface it by saying Classic Shell is 100% unneeded, can use it, but, not needed.

1. Adding Shutdown & Restart buttons or other Power buttons: Best solution I have found & now use is a Rt Clk on the Desktop to a Power menu w/ ALL the ever wanted options right there. I quit adding such buttons long ago. But, this menu is terrific & right @ one's fingertips.

2. There's been mention of Programs Toolbar... I tried it & dropped it long ago. Proved to be redundant & unnecessary.

3. The Toolbar I use & that does help immensely is the Desktop Toolbar.

4. ALL applications can be reached via WinQ whilst on Desktop. Any active APPs can be kept on the APP Bar & managed from there, again, w/out leaving Desktop. That said, also, an applications fold can be created & kept on the Taskbar. This can have various, selectable ways of displaying.

5. For me, since a long time & after trying many other, extra, things, the only modifications are the Power menu & applications folder... both of which are nice but, not imperative, in other words, optional. Point is Windows8 can be used straight out-of-the-box beautifully as it comes natively. No add-ins, add-ons or retro-fits; just purely, as is, by default.

6. Start & Tiles can be used OR NOT. I tend to not go to Start, @ all, once I've gone to Desktop. I may select a couple of APPs from Start before going to Desktop or maybe after... APPs which I keep 'live' constantly are on Start but, whether I grab them before or after going to Desktop is a toss-up.

7. I'll show you my Start but, remind you it could have no Tiles, except Desktop. I do not have to scroll to see what I have left on it.

8. I'll show the Taskbar, which is uncluttered... few personal things/sites pinned.

9. I'll show an example of the Applications folder.

10. I'll show the Power menu.

Windows8, pure & unadulterated, can be a very fine & appealing End User experience. Do not neglect to make use of the Rt Clk menu @ the Bottom-Left corner!

Cheers,
Drew
Attachment 1037

Clk images for best viewing.

Attachment 1038 Attachment 1039

Yeah, I agree, it's not needed. I miss some items but in generally new Start is attractive.

Thank You for your detailed explonation.

Please note, X X A, my last entry has been amended... Please, revisit it (above). Thanks.

Cheers,
Drew

Alright, Drew.

In previous version of Windows I used ShellToys, Actual Windows Manager and gMote and I keep them in Windows 8. They are not working 100% well like in Windows XP but still they are usefull and makes Windows even better (XP was perfect together with these programs).

Xahi Xixa Armati, welcome to the Forum! Hope you're enjoying Win 8 RP.

Where's "A, A" at? Several recent members states they're from there, I was wondering where it's location is.

Cat

Hello, Catilley1092! I've registered here using Facebook account so A, A was selected automaticaly (I don't know why). Now I will edit it. I'm from Prishtina, capital of Kosovo, small country in Europe.