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Next, you’ll want to make those programs the defaults for opening their associated file types-to prevent Windows 8 from opening files with the Modern apps that ship with the system. I use the same trick to pin a Control Panel icon to the taskbar.ĭiddling with defaults Changing your default programs is an important step in exorcising the Metro interface. Right-click a program and select Pin to Taskbar to do just that. Cluttering up your desktop with shortcuts is one approach, but I prefer to pin icons for my most-used programs to the taskbar. Once you’ve compiled a hefty stash of desktop programs, you’ll want to make the most-used ones readily accessible, since Windows 8 lacks a Start button. (Sure, Windows 8 includes a desktop version of Internet Explorer, but I prefer Google’s browser.) If you want to be able to play DVDs on your Windows 8 machine-something that Windows Media Player doesn’t do by default-I recommend picking up VLC along with the other things you’re busily downloading.
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![metro live tiles metro live tiles](https://libredd.it/img/2pi0sn7tj9771.jpg)
Your critical mix will undoubtedly differ, but I found that I could satisfy my basic needs with Thunderbird, a free email client that blows the pants off the Windows 8 Mail app Digsby, a versatile IM client that works with a cornucopia of chatting services (unlike the Windows 8 Messaging app) the Spotify desktop app, to replace the sultry streaming tunes of the Windows 8 Music app the SkyDrive desktop app, which is far more flexible than its Modern app counterpart and Google Chrome. So before you can excise Modern, you have to find some desktop alternatives for the default apps. Every major program you might need for everyday use-from Mail to Messaging to Video-shows up in Modern app form, rather than as a proper piece of desktop software. Given the Modern interface’s deep hooks in Windows 8, it’s hardly surprising that cutting the cord isn’t an instantaneous one-snip process.