Can I still use the full Start Screen?

[AndyCalling]

I am irritated by 8.1 as it forces legacy interface controls unless I use it on my tablet. My desktop has a Logitech T650 touch pad and so Windows recognises my system as touch capable, but still forces the legacy interface controls. It gives no choice and no amount of registry fiddling will change its mind.

Win10 looks like it is going to go even further with the legacy regression, so I am dead worried. Can anyone who has the trial confirm that we are going to have an actual choice between legacy interface (start menu, apps neutered to run on desktop, legacy context menus and application top bars etc.) and modern metro interface?

This will be my main decision making factor (that and any ability to move metro apps to SD card like my WinPhone, which better be there!). Please advise, early adopters. I need your guidance.

 

[Hoss98]

You still can use it I guess that's what the leaks tell I'm downloading the preview anyway I'll figure that out

 

[Asskickulater]

I am irritated by 8.1 as it forces legacy interface controls unless I use it on my tablet. My desktop has a Logitech T650 touch pad and so Windows recognises my system as touch capable, but still forces the legacy interface controls. It gives no choice and no amount of registry fiddling will change its mind.

Win10 looks like it is going to go even further with the legacy regression, so I am dead worried. Can anyone who has the trial confirm that we are going to have an actual choice between legacy interface (start menu, apps neutered to run on desktop, legacy context menus and application top bars etc.) and modern metro interface?

This will be my main decision making factor (that and any ability to move metro apps to SD card like my WinPhone, which better be there!). Please advise, early adopters. I need your guidance.

yea, you can, right click on an empty spot in the start menu select properties, than navigate to the "start menu" tab, the very first check box is the toggle between the start screen and the start menu!

EDIT
just found this little tid bit:

you bring the menu up by clicking the 3 dots all apps have, and those 3 dots show up in the same place when in full screen mode

 

[Hoss98]

Yes you still can use but you have to sign out and in each time you change the mode

 

[AndyCalling]

What? So I have to log out and back in again if I want to use a desktop app, then again to return to a full Metro interface? Erm... no. If this is what they think is a good compromise then I'm sticking with Win8.

Not sure why you show me that pic of a usb device error or talk about 3 dots, AssKick. If you mean the context menu can only be accessed by the three dots then that's worse than the right click legacy stuff. I just want to swipe the touch pad and get the Metro context menu as in Win8.

Oh well. Looks like it's a wait for Win11 then.

 

[boltman2013]

What? So I have to log out and back in again if I want to use a desktop app, then again to return to a full Metro interface? Erm... no. If this is what they think is a good compromise then I'm sticking with Win8.

Not sure why you show me that pic of a usb device error or talk about 3 dots, AssKick. If you mean the context menu can only be accessed by the three dots then that's worse than the right click legacy stuff. I just want to swipe the touch pad and get the Metro context menu as in Win8.

Oh well. Looks like it's a wait for Win11 then.

No it just makes you log out in once to change from Start menu to Start screen...no biggie. After that it stays.

 

[Deepak]

This article might help you:- http://winsupersite.com/windows/windows-10-tip-swap-between-start-menu-and-start-screen

 

[Bobvfr]

Did you read the bit where it said "This is for people who don't mind unfinished software", do remember you are on a preview, it will not be finished software for about a year.

Do not judge Windows 10 on your experience of what you are seeing now.


Bob

 

[Asskickulater]

What? So I have to log out and back in again if I want to use a desktop app, then again to return to a full Metro interface? Erm... no. If this is what they think is a good compromise then I'm sticking with Win8.

Not sure why you show me that pic of a usb device error or talk about 3 dots, AssKick. If you mean the context menu can only be accessed by the three dots then that's worse than the right click legacy stuff. I just want to swipe the touch pad and get the Metro context menu as in Win8.

Oh well. Looks like it's a wait for Win11 then.

What? No, the login in/out is only for switching the start screen/start menu, and those three dots are basically what replaced the charms bar for the desktop part, I was mostly showing that you can full screen any app and then window it by going there.. a bit trigger happy on the rage gun, eh?

 

[Jas00555]

yea, you can, right click on an empty spot in the start menu select properties, than navigate to the "start menu" tab, the very first check box is the toggle between the start screen and the start menu!

EDIT
just found this little tid bit:
https://rucfuq.dm2301.livefilestore...1PE8iJMkbQs8ACsa374vyttJY/Untitled.png?psid=1
you bring the menu up by clicking the 3 dots all apps have, and those 3 dots show up in the same place when in full screen mode

Actually, even easier, all you have to do is type "Navigation properties" into the search and it'll bring the menu up.

But to answer the OP, yes, it's possible, and soon there will be a feature called Continuum that switches for you.

 

[AndyCalling]

Sounds OK, but Asskick, you say the 3 dots thing replaces the charms? So I can't simply swipe in from the right and use the charms anymore? Can I swipe the 3 dots or do I have to resort to using the mouse pointer? Basically, I don't want Windows to force me to use any legacy features. I want it to work on my desktop the same way it does on my tablet. I'm not going to mess up anything by running this trial so I'm fishing for info from those who are running it to see if this OS is going to further regress to a WIMP system on desktops (even with my T650 touch interface) rather than progressing the Metro system, as unfortunately Win8.1 has done. I keep getting the feeling that W10 is to be a kind of holdover OS whilst people get used to Metro concepts, and that W11 may be more of a Metro follow up to W8.

 

[paulsalter]

If you are after it working similar to Win 8 wait a bit longer until the Consumer Preview has been released

The current version is very Desktop oriented (it is the desktop preview though), All apps open on the desktop, charms are almost gone and replaced by the little dots, no default full screen apps (you need to put them in full screen each time you launch them)

I use touch/keyboard/mouse and find the touch side very annoying at present (like using the desktop in 8 with touch)

Touch is coming more in later builds, so hopefully it will be better then

 

[colinkiama]

Oh go to task bar properties and there is a tick box that let's you go straight to the start screen.

 

[AndyCalling]

Sounds like the Metro side has yet to be properly added. I do hope this is just due to the, well I guess Alpha state of the build. If the Metro side is going to be held in abeyance until Win11 then my wallet will be similarly restricted. Fingers crossed! Thanks for the guidance, folks. Much obliged.

 

[Lorenzo Farinelli]

Yes, right click the taskbar, select properties, go to start menu page and uncheck "use the start menu instead of the start screen".

 

[AvatarEW]

Please share your interface concerns by either using the app provided in Windows 10 Technical Preview or posting on Microsoft Windows Technical Preview support forum.

A picky point, this is not Beta software and this is not for early adopters. Expect beta in several more months. Early adopters are consumers who purchase the first publicly released for sale item. Any usage before that is regarded test phase and the users testers.