Big Windows 8 Customisation Thread: Tools, Tricks, Hacks and Help

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by magdalene, Sep 19, 2012.

  1. magdalene

    magdalene MDL Novice

    Sep 15, 2012
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    #1 magdalene, Sep 19, 2012
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2012
    Hey everyone! I love to customise* my machine and there is no general repository of information for customising Windows 8, as far as I can tell. So how about a big thread about everything you can do to make your desktop cool, pretty or whatever you fancy..?


    • Everyone who has discovered a cool customisation hack, tool or setting, please share!
    • Anyone who's got [intelligent] questions, please ask!

    Let's learn from each other and get on top of how we can master the GUI of Windows 8...

    Existing Threads:
    • How to get the Start button back, (Please see separate thread)
    • Win 8 Wallpapers (Please see sticky thread)

    Other Potential Topics:
    • How to Customise the Start Menu (Metro) - Really change it
    • Does Stardock and similar companies make any products for Win 8?
    • What other customisation tools (freeware, shareware etc) are available and what do people think of them?
    • Real hacks that change the look and feel of Windows 8 - Description and implementation
    • How to customise the Desktop - are Dreamscapes and moving desktops still around?
    • Cool GUI features that exist in Win 8 and are new (trying to think positively...)
    • How to get Aero back, and is there any point?
    • Warnings - what NOT to do, or you'll break the installation....
    • Help if you've messed up...
    • Annoying features and how to turn them off....



    *duh spell-checker, this is UK spelling, and it is correct. :rolleyes:
     
  2. testplayer

    testplayer MDL Junior Member

    Jun 25, 2011
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    I really want to run metro apps without FilterAdministratorToken=1, that's really annoying.
     
  3. robonzio

    robonzio MDL Junior Member

    Sep 13, 2012
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    Rainmeter is a good Tool to costumize your desktop. I hope there will be a free version of Fences2 soon, i dont want to pay for a software thats still beta
     
  4. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

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  5. HALIKUS

    HALIKUS MDL Addicted

    Jul 29, 2009
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    Theres activation threads, how to get rid of the installation tutorial, how to add net 3, how to add media centre, Refs filesystem, autounattend threads, and the ei.cfg trick. There are already alot of threads with lots of mods. A member with a higher post count should be the one moderating a super thread like this. This thread is by a seldom posting person who seems unaware of the many tricks already available on this forum that he didn't bother to read. It shows his level of commitment to the thread.
     
  6. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Aug 15, 2012
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    As i understand, this thread is about customizing the look and feel of win 8. Atm there are a lot of single threads around here but no repository. So not a bad idea.
    We will see what moderation statement would be...about your point who is authorised* moderating such a thread.
    regards


    *very british too :D.
     
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  7. magdalene

    magdalene MDL Novice

    Sep 15, 2012
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    #7 magdalene, Sep 20, 2012
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2012
    (OP)
    I just want to report that I installed Stardock's free Startbutton for Windows 8.

    It installed quickly, works well - exactly like the "original"
    ....and lets you choose another image for the actual start button icon.

    I can't post links yet, but just google Start8 and you should find it. You have to sign up with email, click on the link and then download. However it is possible to immediately unsubscribe from Stardocks emails after that.

    Could you explain a bit more what this is about, please?
    All I've noticed is that I seem to be hassled more about permissions and warnings, even though I've tried to turn all of it off....
     
  8. Windows Fan

    Windows Fan MDL Senior Member

    Mar 6, 2012
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  9. Mr GRiM

    Mr GRiM MDL Junior Member

    Sep 4, 2012
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    #9 Mr GRiM, Sep 20, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Might not be what you want but I managed to put the details pane back on the bottom in Explorer, you need a resource hacker and you need to change 7 UI files in the shell32.dll with the following.

    UI File 3
    Code:
    <duixml>
    <Element resid="FolderLayout" layout="shellborderlayout()" sheet="genericlayoutstyle">
    <StatusBarModule ModuleID="StatusBarModule" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()"/>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewContainer)" height="53rp" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()">
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewShineLayer)"/>
    <PreviewBackground id="atom(BackgroundClear)" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)" layout="borderlayout()">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="PreviewThumbnailModule" MaxThumbSize="256" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element layoutpos="Client" layout="filllayout()">
    <PreviewMetadata ModuleID="PreviewMetadataModule" NullSelectPropertyString="prop:*System.OfflineStatus;*System.OfflineAvailability" layoutpos="Client"/>
    </Element>
    </PreviewBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(PreviewContainer)" FramePersistType="2" SlidesUpAndDown="true" layoutpos="top" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(ReadingPane)" layout="filllayout()" layoutpos="right">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="ReadingPaneThumbnailModule" HideProperty="PreviewHandlerRunning" Vertical="true" layoutpos="client" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)"/>
    <ReadingPaneModule ModuleID="ReadingPaneModule" layoutpos="none"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(ReadingPane)" GrowTargetFirst="true" SlidesUpAndDown="false" PrioritySizer="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false" FramePersistType="2" layoutpos="Right"/>
    <ProperTreeModule id="atom(ProperTree)" ModuleID="ProperTreeModule" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element id="atom(ViewHostContainer)" layoutpos="Client" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layout="borderlayout()">
    <ViewHost id="atom(clientviewhost)" layout="borderlayout()" layoutpos="client">
    </ViewHost>
    </Element>
    </Element>
    </duixml>
    
    UI File 4
    Code:
    <duixml>
    <Element resid="FolderLayout" layout="shellborderlayout()" sheet="musiclayoutstyle">
    <StatusBarModule ModuleID="StatusBarModule" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()"/>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewContainer)" height="53rp" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()">
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewShineLayer)"/>
    <PreviewBackground id="atom(BackgroundClear)" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)" layout="borderlayout()">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="PreviewThumbnailModule" MaxThumbSize="256" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element layoutpos="Client" layout="filllayout()">
    <PreviewMetadata ModuleID="PreviewMetadataModule" NullSelectPropertyString="prop:*System.OfflineStatus;*System.OfflineAvailability" layoutpos="Client"/>
    </Element>
    </PreviewBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(PreviewContainer)" FramePersistType="2" SlidesUpAndDown="true" layoutpos="top" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(ReadingPane)" layout="filllayout()" layoutpos="right">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="ReadingPaneThumbnailModule" HideProperty="PreviewHandlerRunning" Vertical="true" layoutpos="client" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)"/>
    <ReadingPaneModule ModuleID="ReadingPaneModule" layoutpos="none"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(ReadingPane)" GrowTargetFirst="true" SlidesUpAndDown="false" PrioritySizer="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false" FramePersistType="2" layoutpos="Right"/>
    <ProperTreeModule id="atom(ProperTree)" ModuleID="ProperTreeModule" sheet="musiclayoutstyle" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element id="atom(ViewHostContainer)" layoutpos="Client" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layout="borderlayout()">
    <ViewHost id="atom(clientviewhost)" layout="borderlayout()" layoutpos="client">
    </ViewHost>
    </Element>
    </Element>
    </duixml>
    
    UI File 5
    Code:
    <duixml>
    <Element resid="FolderLayout" layout="shellborderlayout()" sheet="photolayoutstyle">
    <StatusBarModule ModuleID="StatusBarModule" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()"/>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewContainer)" height="53rp" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()">
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewShineLayer)"/>
    <PreviewBackground id="atom(BackgroundClear)" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)" layout="borderlayout()">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="PreviewThumbnailModule" MaxThumbSize="256" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element layoutpos="Client" layout="filllayout()">
    <PreviewMetadata ModuleID="PreviewMetadataModule" NullSelectPropertyString="prop:*System.OfflineStatus;*System.OfflineAvailability" layoutpos="Client"/>
    </Element>
    </PreviewBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(PreviewContainer)" FramePersistType="2" SlidesUpAndDown="true" layoutpos="top" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(ReadingPane)" layout="filllayout()" layoutpos="right">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="ReadingPaneThumbnailModule" HideProperty="PreviewHandlerRunning" Vertical="true" layoutpos="client" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)"/>
    <ReadingPaneModule ModuleID="ReadingPaneModule" layoutpos="none"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(ReadingPane)" GrowTargetFirst="true" SlidesUpAndDown="false" PrioritySizer="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false" FramePersistType="2" layoutpos="Right"/>
    <ProperTreeModule id="atom(ProperTree)" ModuleID="ProperTreeModule" sheet="photolayoutstyle" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element id="atom(ViewHostContainer)" layoutpos="Client" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layout="borderlayout()">
    <ViewHost id="atom(clientviewhost)" layout="borderlayout()" layoutpos="client">
    </ViewHost>
    </Element>
    </Element>
    </duixml>
    
    UI File 6
    Code:
    <duixml>
    <Element resid="FolderLayout" layout="shellborderlayout()" sheet="documentslayoutstyle">
    <StatusBarModule ModuleID="StatusBarModule" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()"/>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewContainer)" height="90rp" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()">
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewShineLayer)"/>
    <PreviewBackground id="atom(BackgroundClear)" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)" layout="borderlayout()">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="PreviewThumbnailModule" MaxThumbSize="256" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element layoutpos="Client" layout="filllayout()">
    <PreviewMetadata ModuleID="PreviewMetadataModule" NullSelectPropertyString="prop:*System.OfflineStatus;*System.OfflineAvailability" layoutpos="Client"/>
    </Element>
    </PreviewBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(PreviewContainer)" FramePersistType="2" SlidesUpAndDown="true" layoutpos="top" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(ReadingPane)" layout="filllayout()" layoutpos="right">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="ReadingPaneThumbnailModule" HideProperty="PreviewHandlerRunning" Vertical="true" layoutpos="client" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)"/>
    <ReadingPaneModule ModuleID="ReadingPaneModule" layoutpos="none"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(ReadingPane)" GrowTargetFirst="true" SlidesUpAndDown="false" PrioritySizer="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false" FramePersistType="2" layoutpos="Right"/>
    <ProperTreeModule id="atom(ProperTree)" ModuleID="ProperTreeModule" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element id="atom(ViewHostContainer)" layoutpos="Client" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layout="borderlayout()">
    <ViewHost id="atom(clientviewhost)" layout="borderlayout()" layoutpos="client">
    </ViewHost>
    </Element>
    </Element>
    </duixml>
    
    UI File 19
    Code:
    <duixml>
    <Element resid="FolderLayout" layout="shellborderlayout()" sheet="documentslayoutstyle">
    <StatusBarModule ModuleID="StatusBarModule" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()"/>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewContainer)" height="53rp" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()">
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewShineLayer)"/>
    <PreviewBackground id="atom(BackgroundClear)" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)" layout="borderlayout()">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="PreviewThumbnailModule" MaxThumbSize="256" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element layoutpos="Client" layout="filllayout()">
    <PreviewMetadata ModuleID="PreviewMetadataModule" NullSelectPropertyString="prop:*System.OfflineStatus;*System.OfflineAvailability" layoutpos="Client"/>
    </Element>
    </PreviewBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(PreviewContainer)" FramePersistType="2" SlidesUpAndDown="true" layoutpos="top" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(ReadingPane)" layout="filllayout()" layoutpos="right">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="ReadingPaneThumbnailModule" HideProperty="PreviewHandlerRunning" Vertical="true" layoutpos="client"/>
    <ReadingPaneModule ModuleID="ReadingPaneModule" layoutpos="none"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(ReadingPane)" GrowTargetFirst="true" SlidesUpAndDown="false" PrioritySizer="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false" FramePersistType="2" layoutpos="Right"/>
    <ProperTreeModule id="atom(ProperTree)" ModuleID="ProperTreeModule" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element id="atom(ViewHostContainer)" layoutpos="Client" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layout="borderlayout()">
    <ViewHost id="atom(clientviewhost)" layout="borderlayout()" layoutpos="client">
    </ViewHost>
    </Element>
    </Element>
    </duixml>
    
    UI File 20
    Code:
    <duixml>
    <Element resid="FolderLayout" layout="shellborderlayout()" sheet="documentslayoutstyle">
    <StatusBarModule ModuleID="StatusBarModule" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()"/>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewContainer)" height="53rp" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()">
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewShineLayer)"/>
    <PreviewBackground id="atom(BackgroundClear)" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)" layout="borderlayout()">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="PreviewThumbnailModule" MaxThumbSize="256" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element layoutpos="Client" layout="filllayout()">
    <PreviewMetadata ModuleID="PreviewMetadataModule" NullSelectPropertyString="prop:*System.OfflineStatus;*System.OfflineAvailability" layoutpos="Client"/>
    </Element>
    </PreviewBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(PreviewContainer)" FramePersistType="2" SlidesUpAndDown="true" layoutpos="top" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(ReadingPane)" layout="filllayout()" layoutpos="right">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="ReadingPaneThumbnailModule" HideProperty="PreviewHandlerRunning" Vertical="true" layoutpos="client" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)"/>
    <ReadingPaneModule ModuleID="ReadingPaneModule" layoutpos="none"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(ReadingPane)" GrowTargetFirst="true" SlidesUpAndDown="false" PrioritySizer="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false" FramePersistType="2" layoutpos="Right"/>
    <ProperTreeModule id="atom(ProperTree)" ModuleID="ProperTreeModule" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element id="atom(ViewHostContainer)" layoutpos="Client" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layout="borderlayout()">
    <ViewHost id="atom(clientviewhost)" layout="borderlayout()" layoutpos="client">
    </ViewHost>
    </Element>
    </Element>
    </duixml>
    
    UI File 21
    Code:
    <duixml>
    <Element resid="FolderLayout" layout="shellborderlayout()" sheet="genericlayoutstyle">
    <StatusBarModule ModuleID="StatusBarModule" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()"/>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewContainer)" height="53rp" layoutpos="bottom" layout="filllayout()">
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(PreviewShineLayer)"/>
    <PreviewBackground id="atom(BackgroundClear)" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)" layout="borderlayout()">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="PreviewThumbnailModule" MaxThumbSize="256" layoutpos="Left"/>
    <Element layoutpos="Client" layout="filllayout()">
    <PreviewMetadata ModuleID="PreviewMetadataModule" NullSelectTitlePropertyString="prop:System.Computer.SimpleName;*System.Computer.Description" NullSelectPropertyString="prop:*System.Computer.DomainName;*System.Computer.Workgroup;*System.Computer.Processor;System.Computer.Memory" layoutpos="Client"/>
    </Element>
    </PreviewBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(PreviewPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(PreviewContainer)" SlidesUpAndDown="true" layoutpos="top" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <TemplateBackground id="atom(ReadingPane)" layout="filllayout()" layoutpos="right">
    <PreviewThumbnail ModuleID="ReadingPaneThumbnailModule" HideProperty="PreviewHandlerRunning" Vertical="true" layoutpos="client" background="ARGB(0, 0, 0, 0)"/>
    <ReadingPaneModule ModuleID="ReadingPaneModule" layoutpos="none"/>
    </TemplateBackground>
    <Sizer id="atom(ReadingPaneSizer)" sizingtarget="atom(ReadingPane)" GrowTargetFirst="true" SlidesUpAndDown="false" PrioritySizer="atom(PageSpaceControlSizer)" DownOrRightGrowsTarget="false" FramePersistType="2" layoutpos="Right"/>
    <ProperTreeModule id="atom(ProperTree)" ModuleID="ProperTreeModule" sheet="documentslayoutstyle" layoutpos="Left" RootMgrClsid="{93319CCC-B277-48FF-95BD-6CDCCAFCBD31}"/>
    <Element id="atom(ViewHostContainer)" layoutpos="Client" sheet="genericlayoutstyle" layout="filllayout()">
    <ViewHost id="atom(clientviewhost)" layout="borderlayout()">
    </ViewHost>
    </Element>
    </Element>
    </duixml>
    
     

    Attached Files:

  10. david_xross_2

    david_xross_2 MDL Senior Member

    Aug 31, 2012
    284
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    Check this thread here for all Windows 8 Information h ttp://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/36236-All-Windows-8-Information
     
  11. magdalene

    magdalene MDL Novice

    Sep 15, 2012
    34
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    Thanks, but this thread is about Customisation only. Not activation, not technical problems or new features. It's a pain to have to read a general thread, if you are only searching for one topic - and a fairly popular topic at that.

    Mods have approved it, so it should be ok. This had to be your first post on the forum?!

    If anyone else has opintions about the usefulness, or lack thereof, of this thread, please simply report the thread to mod, and let them determine. Else, let's stay on topic: Windows 8 Customisation.
     
  12. david_xross_2

    david_xross_2 MDL Senior Member

    Aug 31, 2012
    284
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    Actually I had over 75 posts on the thread "What are the options to activate Windows 8, if any", But that thread has unfortunately been deleted by a moderator because of excessive spamming and irrelevant posts by noobs :D
     
  13. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Aug 15, 2012
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    Nope, actually is not, we all lost posts due to a deleted thread...:D.
     
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  14. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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  15. david_xross_2

    david_xross_2 MDL Senior Member

    Aug 31, 2012
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    Here is a thread : Wallpapers
    Link: h ttp://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/26946-Windows-8-Wallpapers-Express-your-creative-side-here
     
  16. moderate

    moderate MDL Guru

    Aug 31, 2009
    3,355
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    It still needs much tuning:
    tuning.jpg
    Frames of inactive windows should be just darker version of chosen color instead of black and frame of active window shouldn't be tampered at all.
     
  17. phailyoor

    phailyoor MDL Junior Member

    Aug 6, 2012
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    There was a disclaimer that the mod was for dark colors only....