Make Windows 8 to look like Windows XP/7.

[Spike99-forgot password]

A few weeks ago, the screen on my HP 17.3" / Win 7 laptop went "zap". Had to immediately rush out and buy a replacement.  Today, they only sell Win 8 OS / tablet GUI units.   And, the "tablet" look isn't my liking... 

To make Win 8 OS look like previous Win XP/7 icon GUI, simply:

- Upgrade base Win 8 to Windows 8.1 -> free download from Microsoft.

- Configure Win 8.1 to bypass its startup default tablet screen.

- Download/Install a FREE program called Classic Shell.  re: www.classicshell.net/

- Within Classic Shell program, change its "skin" and its default icons.    Thus, making Win 8.1 File System appear like previous Win XP/7 system.   And change Win 8 Start button to appear like previous Win XP/7 Start button.   It isn't an exact 100% match but very close.   And with this Classic Shell overlay program, one can flip back to default Win 8 tablet view.   This allows one to slowly learn Windows 8 GUI and in time, eventually remove the Classic Shell overlay program. 

If Window 8 "tablet" GUI isn't your thing, above might work for you as well.  

Lesson learned:  Glad I did monthly backups of my old HP laptop.   Luckily, its monthly attached external My Passport 1 TB drive copied recent backups.   Restore onto new Win 8 laptop was easy.    Monthly backups saved us....

Hope this helps others...

 

[jim]

thumbsupde1 Thanks for the info Spike, I may need it one of theses days

[aero63]

I love my Win 8. There's is now an update (8.1) for those that have a hard time with it.