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Background: I have been intrigued by the idea of by-passing Windows 8's Metro UI by adjusting the Registry's Shell setting.
Location: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon Shell Explorer (Default)
I have experimented with appending /root /e and /Select. Upon booting many of my test options swerve the Metro UI, but none provide the usual Windows 8 desktop complete with Taskbar.
What I get is an explorer which I can 'Root' and 'Select', but there is no sign of the Taskbar.
Question: Is my objective possible using the shell setting and explorer switches?
Note: I don't want a 3rd party product.
For perfection I would like to be able to press WinKey and get out of the traditional desktop into the Metro UI.
Guy Thomas
Posted 2012-11-26T18:23:49.887
Reputation: 3 160
You can try to use Scheduled Tasks: create a task that starts a desktop application when you logon. Notepad or Calculator can be used for testing. You can configure the task to stop the running task after a minute or so. (If it's successful, a simple desktop app can be written which starts, shows no windows, and then exits by itself.) – Alexey Ivanov – 2012-11-27T06:42:29.250
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The article 3 Way To Boot Straight to Desktop in Windows 8 might be of interest to you.
– Karan – 2012-11-28T01:47:11.073@AlexeyIvanov I tried the Task Scheduler. Notepad launched, but it did not cause a switch from the Metro UI to the Desktop. As soon as switched manually, there was notepad, but it would not change to desktop automatically. What am I missing? – Guy Thomas – 2012-11-28T13:08:19.883
@Karan That is a good answer, it works. – Guy Thomas – 2012-12-03T20:18:21.527
Good to know! So did you end up using the Show Desktop icon or the executable? – Karan – 2012-12-03T22:52:09.367
@Karan I found only the .exe works. Incidentally, I am experiencing a strange effect, I miss the Metro-style UI! – Guy Thomas – 2012-12-08T18:12:55.680