In case you aren't aware of this, Windows 8 delays the startup for all desktop apps. Shortcuts located in your Start Menu's Startup folder as well as the items which run from various Registry locations will be launched after a delay of few seconds. This behavior was implemented by Microsoft probably because Windows 8 is a tablet-oriented OS (another example of how the Desktop takes a backseat in Windows 8). However, you can reduce this startup delay for desktop apps by editing the Registry. Read this post to learn how.
How to pin any Modern (Metro) App to the Taskbar or the Desktop
One of the most anticipated and highly desired features lacking in Windows 8 is the ability to pin Modern (Metro) apps to the taskbar. Microsoft did not make this possible out of the box. There have been a few articles written by various websites covering how to do this but they only deal with the built-in Modern Apps. The method didn't work for additional Store-installed apps. Here's how you can do it easily with the help of a free third party tool, called OblyTile. OblyTile is a little tool that allows you to do two things:
- OblyTile lets you pin a shortcut to anything you want on the Start screen with a custom image of your choice. Even Desktop apps can have a custom static tile image instead of just a regular icon.
- OblyTile includes a launcher lets you launch Modern (Metro) apps from anywhere on the Desktop. Modern (Metro) apps have an AppID, stored in their shortcut (the AppID concept was introduced in Windows 7). OblyTile lets you create a shortcut to a Modern app on your desktop that you can move or pin anywhere like the Taskbar or inside your favorite Start Menu replacement.
Blades of Nature theme for Windows 8
How to improve the way you close Modern (Metro) apps
Ever since I released "Close Threshold for Metro Apps" utility for Windows 8, many people have been asking me how to make it easier to close Modern Apps without using third party software.
In case you are not familiar with Close Threshold for Metro Apps, it is a utility that simply adjusts the registry value for mouse as well as for touch screens so that the distance needed to close a Modern App by dragging it from the top edge of the screen can be reduced to whatever you want. You no longer have to drag it all the way to the bottom of the screen to close an app. It's a significant improvement in usability, trust me.
Coming back to the manual way of accomplishing the same thing. because Windows RT-based devices are unable to run my utility as it does not have a version for ARM architecture. Well, now they can use this simple registry tweak I am going to share.
Highways theme for Windows 8
Download Alt Tab Tuner VIII
Alt Tab Tuner VIII.
Alt Tab Tuner VIII has been superseded by Winaero Tweaker and is no longer being maintained. Unlike this app, Winaero Tweaker supports all recent Windows versions, including Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and above. It constantly receives updates to improve the end user experience and make all its options more friendly for the end user.
Instead of the standalone Alt Tab Tuner VIII app, use the following options from Winaero Tweaker:
You can download Winaero Tweaker here: Download Winaero Tweaker.
Alt Tab Tuner VIII
Alt Tab Tuner VIII has been superseded by Winaero Tweaker and is no longer being maintained. Unlike this app, Winaero Tweaker supports all recent Windows versions, including Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and above. It constantly receives updates to improve the end user experience and make all its options more friendly for the end user.
Instead of the standalone Alt Tab Tuner VIII app, use the following options from Winaero Tweaker:
You can download Winaero Tweaker here: Download Winaero Tweaker.
I notice that hidden settings of the Alt+Tab dialog in Windows 8 are different from Windows 7. E.g., Microsoft has removed Columns/Rows and Fade effect settings, but added Focus Width and LOTS of other settings that suddenly does nothing at this moment.
I will post them all with descriptions in blog here at Winaero, so interested person can wait for the article which will come in near future..
Today I would like to offer you my latest application - Alt Tab Tuner VIII. It was written from scratch for better code base and full featured Windows 8 support. Alt Tab Tuner VIII is the successor of my famous Alt+Tab Tuner for Windows 7.
With brand new Alt Tab Tuner VIII you will able to change the following settings of Alt+Tab dialog:
Beautiful Places theme for Windows 8
Nice Day for a Ride theme for Windows 8
Frosty theme for Windows 8
