Windows 8 Start Menu Hack - Windows 8 Development and Hacking

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/10/pokki-brings-the-start-menu-back-to-windows-8/
This one works pretty good for people wanting the start menu back, personally it doesn't matter that much to me, I like Windows 8. But hopefully this can help some people who don't like the changes, enjoy!
Sent from my SCH-R530U using xda app-developers app

Hey, let's dig out progman.exe to help some people who don't like the changes.
If you think I am being facetious you can actually do that. It's just as asinine as trying to cling to the Start Menu.

dragon_76 said:
Hey, let's dig out progman.exe to help some people who don't like the changes.
If you think I am being facetious you can actually do that. It's just as asinine as trying to cling to the Start Menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, to be fair Pokki is not like Start8 it's not just there to bring back the start menu and the start menu it does give you is a bit different from the traditional Windows one and does have some extra features (not to mention the extra features of Pokki). Actually it reminds me more of the "startmenu" that linux mint used to have for Gnome than it does the Windows start menu.
I agree with you though, preserving the startmenu is like preserving progman, of course, progman did remain in Windows 95 and I think even 98, possibly further and I'm sure many thought the start menu was stupid when 95 came out.

I'm actually using Classic Shell in my install. Works well and you can disable Metro, or rather, make it less annoying by disabling the live corners.
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

You can also try ex7 for W8. It is a hack that allows the Windows 7 explorer to run on Windows 8 and disables much of the metro stuff, so you go straight to desktop at login. It requires a Windows 7 disc on hand to copy the files.
I'm using it in Virtualbox as Metro was acting really laggy and giving me screen resolution errors since I running the VM at lower than the required screen resolution.

I made a video recently showing different ways you could have start-menu LIKE experience without the Orb on my TechMeShow video (http://youtu.be/10aKOuF6hXA) but at the same time? I also show you how Classic Shell can be used and different options.
Only reason I am offering the video here is simply because I actually use the second method in the video, using a Toolbar for my "Start" Menu but even though it isn't graphical, the 3rd option is just a free download away.

Complaints about Windows 8:
Adds an app store, forces you (not really) to use less functional apps, is fullscreen.
Pokki:
Adds an app store, forces you (not really) to use less functional apps, isn't fullscreen.
Is this really better than Metro? The only difference is that Windows 8 does it all in full screen.
I really don't see the point. If you want the start menu to not be full screen, you might as well just buy Start8.

Related

Suggesting New Ingredients for Cooking Tasty ROM's

Hi there i feel there's a need for a thread such as this where anyone can post and suggest any good applications which he/she feels should be part of a ROM.
1) My first suggestion would be an application call QuickMenu. i put a pic down there. It is a really cool windows xp-type start menu, so you dont need to go through all folders. it replaces the retro start menu Windows Mobile has.
2) My second suggestion is this one called " T-Mobile Soft Key ". it provides the custumisation of the soft keys in the home menu.
Start Menu by dotFred
Hmmm... I think dotFred has something similar to your suggestion. I think he's still working on it.
Code:
[URL]http://www.dotfred.net/FdcStartMenu.htm[/URL]
I would like to think I have fairly normal size hands and these type of menus are just too small for me to use with my thumb..
I dunno who you guys do it without hitting the wrong thing all the time.. nice apps though gonna have to check them out.
MrDSL said:
I would like to think I have fairly normal size hands and these type of menus are just too small for me to use with my thumb..
I dunno who you guys do it without hitting the wrong thing all the time.. nice apps though gonna have to check them out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would look like ass, but you could put a separator between each menu. That would probably space them out enough.
Or you could use the scrollwheel.
My addition to this is WM5NewMenu. Super small, super light and totally useful. It is basically a customizable new menu ala WM2003. It has tons of options, but my favorite is the ability to set a new SMS/Call to a specific person. It beats the hell out of opening the Messaging app and searching through the contact list.
I agree
the point is to use your stylus not your fingers.
so the menu is appropriate
larsuck said:
It would look like ass, but you could put a separator between each menu. That would probably space them out enough.
Or you could use the scrollwheel.
My addition to this is WM5NewMenu. Super small, super light and totally useful. It is basically a customizable new menu ala WM2003. It has tons of options, but my favorite is the ability to set a new SMS/Call to a specific person. It beats the hell out of opening the Messaging app and searching through the contact list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really different from the one posted here. This one does not replace the windows start menu.
Personally, I have a few apps that I'd like for 2 different ROMs
Lite ROM like CRC's could use HTC Album, ClearTemp, and the latest Schaps Config.
I'd really like a custom ROM built on a VERY lite ROM, with the SPB Apps cooked in (un regged of course, I have them all licensed and can add after hard reset) PocketPlus, mobileshell, and phonesuite cover a fairly broad feature set of all the freeware and such built into the Full ROMs. Building them in might save a bit of space and possibly make them quicker. It would be a fairly custom build and I i'd only expect licensed users to get the benefit of those apps... but quite frankly, they are top notch apps with lots of features worth paying for. Makes it hard to go back to the freeware/HTC apps
roomtek*8525 said:
This is really different from the one posted here. This one does not replace the windows start menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thank you roomtek. WM5NewMenu is quite different from QuickMenu. I use both together and almost never have to use a stylus or my fingers.
While it is nice to have some apps cooked-in, one problem is that once an app is updated then the cooked-in software becomes out of date.
I agree...
larsuck said:
Yes, thank you roomtek. WM5NewMenu is quite different from QuickMenu. I use both together and almost never have to use a stylus or my fingers.
While it is nice to have some apps cooked-in, one problem is that once an app is updated then the cooked-in software becomes out of date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree, but there are some app's that never get updated. such as mobile word, powerpoint and excel, calc1-lite, audio manager, E-Java, PIM backup,Screen capture, HTC-Zip,etc.
Besides a new ROM comes out almost every month, and most basic apps dont get updated that much...
Controlling the device from The desktop via usb
There is also an app which is very very small in size <100kb for microsoft CE devices, called " remote display control ", and it could serve as a good ingredient for a ROM. The application is built by microsoft, so it's virtually bug free.
The app can be included into a ROM because unlike other app's it is hardly updated, as you can see this version was created in 2001.
I really like this application cause i can use my mouse as the stylus to operate the device, which appears as a 240 x 320 window on the windows desktop PC, as long as my Windows mobile phone is connected to the PC.
It works on my WM6.1 Rom, despite how old the app is.

A WM/Android User's Take

1st off this is not intended to be a flaming / bashing thread. If you want to do that please go elsewhere; I'm sure the vibrant forums will welcome you. If a MOD feels this belongs somewhere else, please move it.
I have been a long time WM user and recently switched to android for the past year. I am offering my take on WP7 on the pros on cons.
Interface - Finally something completely new and wonderful. Microsoft really did hit a homerun on trying to make information at a glance approach. Mail and search apps look beautiful. I thing missing, being able to quickly jump to apps in the app menu.
Lack of Landscape Support- For as great as the UI is I am shocked at the lack of landscape support. The start menu, app menu, nor Zune have lanscape support. You can not even refresh a webpage or type in a website if you are in landscape mode. Calling this anything other than an epic "FAIL" by microsoft is sugar coating it. Especially when the HD7 and Surround beg to be in landscape mode with their kick stands.
Browser - As expected from an IE browser it is pretty good. I already mentioned the lack of landscape support which is really frustrating but there is something else that gets under my skin more. Web pages do not resize to fit the screen when you zoom in. This was/is almost a deal breaking for me honestly. I love the organization of having all the buttons at the bottom and the interface is stunning but you lose way to many options in landscape mode. You can't even access favorites without first going back to portrait. MS, this NEEDS to be addressed soon. The browser is the main feature of smartphones now.
Zune - Wonderful if you have a Zune Pass. Honestly it was one of the main reasons why I bought this phone. I expected it to be awesome and it didn't disappoint. That being said they need to add a Play Now option to the market songs. When I'm browsing the market sometimes I want to queue songs and the Add to Playlist option makes sense but how could you leave out Play now? Seriously?
Another thing I don't like is I can not fast forward to a certain spot in a movie. Video files can be hours long, why should I have to hold the fast forward button to get to the point I'd like. Let me hit the progress bar and then use the rewind / fast forward buttons for getting to the exact point.
USB Storage Device- glaring admission, but I can kind of see why. It helps stop piracy, but I loved being able to hook my fuze / tilt 2 / nexus 1 / vibrant to my car stereo and play the music I had downloaded on my phone. I know I could get an audio cable and do the same, but while driving it is so much easier to use the radio head unit to control music rather than your phone. I knew this when getting in bed with WP7, but that doesnt mean I still can't miss it.
Bluetooth- for music works just like it should. however it will not play the audio from video files threw bluetooth. It keeps coming out of my phone's main speakers and there is no way to get into the bluetooth profiles to see if something is wrong. VERY ANNOYING MS. get to fixing it.
People- Wonderful. Could anyone ask anymore? I gave it my facebook and gmail accounts and I didn't have to worry about any contacts not showing up. Love the Facebook updates also.
Dailer- No smart dialer? This used to even be in my old wizard by default. How it get left out is completely beyond me.
Announced fixes- Flash, Copy & Paste, Turn by Turn navigation can't come soon enough but I am glad microsoft acknowledged they needed them.
Local Outlook Support- I knew this before hand, but I am in the crowd that says MS needs to add this ability.
Overall- I bought my HD7 without a contract and I am pretty sure i will NOT be returning it. I love my HD7 and WP7, however this OS isn't entirely complete. That being said was iOS and Android complete when they came out? To even suggest that is laughable. I can not wait for microsoft to release all the fixes for this OS because when it does it will be a powerhouse.
I will not buy that this phone is for dumbsmart phone users. I probably done more with my phones than 95% of android users who will do nothing by bash WP7 and i honestly see this for ALL users. It helps bring the powerhouse experience in an easier way without being tied down as much as iOS.
Why not just post in one of the other 50 threads? Now people will be copy-pasting replies from those into this one.
I did notice the lack of landscape mode in IE. I think that was the only thing that made me go WTF when I used the HD7.
However, the keyboard is so good that I don't think it even mattered that much.
I guess with a 3.7-8" screen it can be a bit annoying, but on anything 4" or bigger it didn't strike me as a big deal beyond the initial shock of it not being there.
Also, lots of people dont' seem to know the difference between an Operating System and an Application.
N8ter said:
Why not just post in one of the other 50 threads? Now people will be copy-pasting replies from those into this one.
I did notice the lack of landscape mode in IE. I think that was the only thing that made me go WTF when I used the HD7.
However, the keyboard is so good that I don't think it even mattered that much.
I guess with a 3.7-8" screen it can be a bit annoying, but on anything 4" or bigger it didn't strike me as a big deal beyond the initial shock of it not being there.
Also, lots of people dont' seem to know the difference between an Operating System and an Application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those threads became nothing but flaming / bashing threads. I thought it would be a good idea to try to get away from that.
Also a core application can be considered part of the OS. If you can not uninstall it, it is part of the OS.
I thought it was annoying not being able to get to the address bar with all that screen space.
I don't know about you guys but my Surround goes into landscape mode IE just fine...
The only thing I don't like is lack of landscape in marketplace and Zune...
also if you want a nice photo editor, Thumba photo editor for $.099 is awesome!
EDIT: Oh i see. I can't believe I have to switch to portrait to type a URL!! WTF microsoft!
jz9833 said:
Browser - As expected from an IE browser it is pretty good. I already mentioned the lack of landscape support which is really frustrating but there is something else that gets under my skin more. Web pages do not resize to fit the screen when you zoom in. This was/is almost a deal breaking for me honestly. I love the organization of having all the buttons at the bottom and the interface is stunning but you lose way to many options in landscape mode. You can't even access favorites without first going back to portrait. MS, this NEEDS to be addressed soon. The browser is the main feature of smartphones now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Overall I agree with just about everything you said. Regarding the browser, I've noticed that certain areas of webpages are zoomed in more than others. For instance, on xda, the text of people's posts is HUGE compared to the buttons such as User CP, etc. at the top of the page. What I've found is a double tap in my area of interest on a page will zoom the page so that ONLY my area of interest is approriately sized. Then, when I want to switch to another part of the page, I double tap there and the page will resize, and so on. The text does not dynamically reflow a la Android, but I think it's a pretty usable system.
-R
jz9833 said:
Dailer- No smart dialer? This used to even be in my old wizard by default. How it get left out is completely beyond me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is voice dialing in WP7 not sure what you mean by smart dialer???
rruffman said:
There is voice dialing in WP7 not sure what you mean by smart dialer???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By going to the dailer and being able to spell "MOM" for example on the keys and it would automatically come up with the number for that contact.
jz9833 said:
Also a core application can be considered part of the OS. If you can not uninstall it, it is part of the OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, what? No, it's not. It's a stock application distributed with the OS. It is not part of the OS.
By the Logic people can say "Android is buggy because the GMail client is buggy." or "Windows Mobile is buggy because the Opera Browser HTC bundled with the HD2 is buggy." or "Linux is full of bugs because the KDE in that distro is buggy as hell."
Every OS comes with a set of stock applications, but they are just that, and are usually updatable independent of installing a new kernel or driver stack on the device.
In any case, I've already said I agree that the lack of landscape mode is an issue.
I just wanted to make that distinction, because lots of people on this forum are incapable of doing it themselves.
N8ter said:
Lol, what? No, it's not. It's a stock application distributed with the OS. It is not part of the OS.
By the Logic people can say "Android is buggy because the GMail client is buggy." or "Windows Mobile is buggy because the Opera Browser HTC bundled with the HD2 is buggy." or "Linux is full of bugs because the KDE in that distro is buggy as hell."
Every OS comes with a set of stock applications, but they are just that, and are usually updatable independent of installing a new kernel or driver stack on the device.
In any case, I've already said I agree that the lack of landscape mode is an issue.
I just wanted to make that distinction, because lots of people on this forum are incapable of doing it themselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still completely disagree with you. Froyo for Android made plenty of browser updates so would you say that wasn't a OS update?
I like most people consider stock apps part of the OS
jz9833 said:
I still completely disagree with you. Froyo for Android made plenty of browser updates so would you say that wasn't a OS update?
I like most people consider stock apps part of the OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree. Basically system is made of apps.
If email app built into it is buggy, we can say OS is buggy.
jz9833 said:
I still completely disagree with you. Froyo for Android made plenty of browser updates so would you say that wasn't a OS update?
I like most people consider stock apps part of the OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesnt meam ur right and most people are ignorant in os design and the diff between an os and an app distributed with said os.
Obviously...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
Doesnt meam ur right and most people are ignorant in os design and the diff between an os and an app distributed with said os.
Obviously...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then you are going to have to disagree with almost all people. This isn't a techy vs jock debate. These are apps which are built into the os and therefore part of the os.
But anyway this thread is meant for objective evaluation of WP7. If you want to continue this debate we should continue it somewhere else.
jz9833 said:
By going to the dailer and being able to spell "MOM" for example on the keys and it would automatically come up with the number for that contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use search in the people hub for something very similar. Admittedly not an exact substitute but it works well enough for me.
jz9833 said:
I have been a long time WM user and recently switched to android for the past year. I am offering my take on WP7 on the pros on cons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good post
jz9833 said:
USB Storage Device- glaring admission, but I can kind of see why. It helps stop piracy, but I loved being able to hook my fuze / tilt 2 / nexus 1 / vibrant to my car stereo and play the music I had downloaded on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does this increase piracy? If the files you buy on Zune are locked down they can still do this even if there is a common store of files accessible as usb mass storage. Either by drm or by using isolated storage for those files.
jz9833 said:
Local Outlook Support- I knew this before hand, but I am in the crowd that says MS needs to add this ability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do it this way, then you are working with two sets of data (email, calendar, tasks, contacts, etc.) neither of which is guaranteed to be up to date. I don't see why people think this is preferable to a server-based system.
jz9833 said:
I will not buy that this phone is for dumb smart phone users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully this will be true; I will keep my fingers crossed. Currently, as I see it, they are targeting people who don't understand what files are, and would be confused by files, and who believe that music consists of songs arranged by artists into albums. I.e. the dumb mass market.
CSMR said:
How does this increase piracy? If the files you buy on Zune are locked down they can still do this even if there is a common store of files accessible as usb mass storage. Either by drm or by using isolated storage for those files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The cintent u purchase in zune have no drm..... The piracy statement is legit.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
though given you just purchased for your zune account, you can then access it on zune desktop, and burn discs from there. so no necessarily correct.
however, what i think of a common storage area is a good idea. just have it so that the pictures, videos, music, documents are in a folder view for when you plug the phone into your PC. it would really only require a bit of mapping within the OS to make it look like a storage unit. Even if it was just more restricted down to just the documents section, that's still something. better than nothing imo as i don't have access to skydrive at work. but aye, i can live with it, it's not going to make me want to return the phone.
The Gate Keeper said:
though given you just purchased for your zune account, you can then access it on zune desktop, and burn discs from there. so no necessarily correct.
however, what i think of a common storage area is a good idea. just have it so that the pictures, videos, music, documents are in a folder view for when you plug the phone into your PC. it would really only require a bit of mapping within the OS to make it look like a storage unit. Even if it was just more restricted down to just the documents section, that's still something. better than nothing imo as i don't have access to skydrive at work. but aye, i can live with it, it's not going to make me want to return the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its 2001, people pirate with digital media. Cd piracy may still be hip in the third world, but I haven't operated a cd player in years (or used my computer to play one), much less bought or burned one.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
N8ter said:
Its 2001, people pirate with digital media. Cd piracy may still be hip in the third world, but I haven't operated a cd player in years (or used my computer to play one), much less bought or burned one.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how about an MP3 cd? to play in your car? to lend to a friend? or your USB stick? as soon as it's available on zune desktop you have a copy of it... there is plenty ways around it. i'm not saying you should do it, i'm saying the possibilities are there.
N8ter said:
The cintent u purchase in zune have no drm..... The piracy statement is legit.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the files are not DRMed, and Microsoft wants to protect them, either it can DRM the files, or it can keep them in isolated storage. The existence of common storage doesn't exclude isolated storage.

thoughts on WP7 and future of Windows Mobile

Hello.
Few years ago, there were hundreds of different OS for mobile phones, everyone with its pros and cons.
But with these phones, we only could send/recieve calls and sms, take photos and crappy videos and store some music.
every phone had its own file extensions and file compatibilities, only java was able to unify some programms.
The browser were also unusable, despite the small screens, and high costs of internet, there was no compatibility with activex and some frameworks.
I can remember, I had a Samsung sghP910 with 320x240 screen and Nvidia chipset, enough to do many things, but completely disabled by the bad Samsung OS.
Later there was the unification of mobile phones with PDA with Windows Mobile.
I think this was the biggest step in history for mobile phones.
I bought the HTC Touch 3G WM6.1, and I could virtually do anything I could do on my computer. Download programs, remotely connect with my office PC, and surf the internet without any compatibility issues.
for any problem or need, ther was a program on the internet to download!
The only big issue, was the small resolution display 320x240, that complicated my life a little bit.
Now i was searching for something newer, that could totally replace my netbook, I was thinking about some HTC with this brand new WP7 but today I tried out the new HTC trophy of my girlfriend, and was really disappointed!!!!
I mean, very high resolution that could finally activate some remote desktop function, fast processor and relative lightweight.
I saw that junk OS of Iphone, made for rich and useless people, the nokia junk Symbian that I'm actually using for work, and that new IPhone-like Android, that is here today, but maybe not tomorrow.
Blackberry is another useless junk, my sister got it.
I'm searching for some desktop remplacement handheld, but the new WP7 is back to this kind of Multimedia useless stuff, no SD support for upgrade, and this whole windows, that only makes you take more time to find the right application (like the start in WM6.5)
I saw that instead to make a step forward, Microsoft mad a big big step backward!!!!
I'm asking myself why, because handheld should be every-time more like Desktops, but like this, you're bound to stupid aplications, and you have to pay for it.
No file-manager, no desktop, no start button and no task manager, nothing!!
Someone can tell me if there is a possibility that with some tweaks, it would be posible to go back to real Windows Mobile???
If you want all that, buy yourself a HD2 and run WM or Android. Has RDP, file-managers galore, task managers, useless SD support and those all important crashes and slow-downs all the time.
While I agree, the lack of RDP on WP7 is disheartening, judging from the number of quasi-remote-desktop apps available there is actually a real want for this. So I have no doubt it will become available sooner rather than later.
Yes it would be possble, go to your nearest provider and purchase a 6.5 enabled device.
A mobile OS should absolutely not evolve to look and act like a desktop OS. That's what windows mobile was. And it was awful. A mobile OS should be really what wp7 and iOS is; quick, easy to use, and accelerate what you're doing, not hinder it.
XxAndrexX said:
No file-manager, no desktop, no start button and no task manager, nothing!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah see this is exactly the reason I switched to wp7. I was so sick of tweaking and managing. and tweaking. The endless tweaking and managing. My mobile device should not give me a headache whenever I use it and watch it lumber through its operations. Wp7 has no task manger to keep an eye on, no tweaks needed, no file manager to navigate (what do you need one for... seriously), and it's awesome. Seemless and quick. And what's the purpose of the start button? Why do you want one? What do you want it to navigate you to?
I'm really having a hard time understanding why so many people don't research what wp7 is before getting it. It is not windows mobile. Those days are gone. A mobile OS should be what iOS and wp7 is, quick and painless. Let me do whatever I want without having to worry about an app now running in the background or what my memory is at.
Why not just get an HD2 or similar that is designed to run "real" Windows Mobile and not buy an OS that obviously does not suit your needs?
I ave had several wm phones and was a fan, however, windows mobile as it was nearly finished off microsoft in the mobile Market, wp7 may save them
Right now there is nothing more to do for me than wait for an upgrade and see how MS will act. WP7 is a great foundation.
But yes, smartphones - opposed to dumphones - should replicate most of PC abilities.
They should not act like racing horse with 3 legs - and this is what WP7 is right now.
I am able to compromise my needs to wait now. I can't wait however for very long, year is too much, to get features instead of their basic forms like maps, word etc.
So for me, if MS will not make it soon and accelerate development, bring the features an make it capable, I am off to Android.
But now I wait, I want to see MS cards open.
doministry said:
I am able to compromise my needs to wait now. I can't wait however for very long, year is too much, to get features instead of their basic forms like maps, word etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which features are you after exactly?
I think you get me wrong. I mean, its very good that everything is getting "easier", more beautiful and so on, but normally they should add tools, without quitting the old good ones.
with my touch 3g, 6.1 i have to use the pen to go through the menus, its complicated, but i know where to find my applications, and configurations, like windows.
But the worst thing, i heard that's a whole new OS and no longer compatible with cab files.
that means, if i want some new programs, maybe i've got to pay for them, and the old ones are lost.
am I right???
XxAndrexX said:
I think you get me wrong. I mean, its very good that everything is getting "easier", more beautiful and so on, but normally they should add tools, without quitting the old good ones.
with my touch 3g, 6.1 i have to use the pen to go through the menus, its complicated, but i know where to find my applications, and configurations, like windows.
But the worst thing, i heard that's a whole new OS and no longer compatible with cab files.
that means, if i want some new programs, maybe i've got to pay for them, and the old ones are lost.
am I right???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. WP7 is made "from scratch" so no, no .cab files.
Everything has to be purchased from Marketplace.
emigrating said:
Which features are you after exactly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which? Well: marketplace support for all users, bing maps supporting all countries at least in Europe, PC Usb transfer of all documents, multitasking, video send by email, word at least on the level of docs to go featurewise, greater openeness for developers, and some other stuff.
doministry said:
Yes. WP7 is made "from scratch" so no, no .cab files.
Everything has to be purchased from Marketplace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aha...
And you like this new feature?
Instead of downloading third-party freeware???
what does it means made from scratch?
XxAndrexX said:
aha...
And you like this new feature?
Instead of downloading third-party freeware???
what does it means made from scratch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest the app distribution is not a problem for me right now.
From scratch = from the beginning. Not based on WM6.5.
doministry said:
To be honest the app distribution is not a problem for me right now.
From scratch = from the beginning. Not based on WM6.5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm maybe i'll wait until they'll put Intel Atom instead of Arm, and run normal Window 7, because even if I buy somenthing like HD2, it will be sooner or later discontinued damn
WP7 is super system, till you use it as M$ engineers thought you would be.
I mean there's plenty things missing. Many people will say, who needs tethering, for example. And those many will be satisfied with other advantages of WP7. But me, who need tethering all the time, I'm stuck. I'm really keen on WP7, it's speed, live sync, zune sync,... but who will tell me when tethering will be possible. I didn't even consider such phone systen doesn't have tethering.
Now I spent whole week hacking the HD7 phone with Chevron unlocker and DFRouter xap. As I'm reading the thread about tethering I must be lucky that I didn't mess it all up cause some can't connect to zune after that.
So, as sbdy said, if you use your phone for most phone obvious things, than WP7 is really great. But if you need a bit more, than you're stuck. So I'm probably selling my HD7 and waiting for Nokia MeeGo device. There I think I can expect more as computer device and a bunch of things WP7 doesn't have: tethering(USB and WiFi), FM transmitter, open platform, video calling. That is what I can think of what matters to me.

This might be a usefull addition for WP

Hi guys
Isn't it annoying that you have to go a (long) way just to enable Wifi/Bluetooth/Airplane mode/...
You have to go all the way to the settings app, choose a setting and change it over there.
I think I might have a solution to make things much easier to access.
Image the main menu of WP in your head.
On the left side, you have all your tiles and on the right side, you have your whole list of apps.
What if you had 3 columns?
Middle column: Tiles screen
Right column: App list
Left column: Settings list
In that settings list, you could easly control and adjust the most used settings.
Is this a usefull idea or is it just stupid?
Let me know!
MattProductions said:
Hi guys
Isn't it annoying that you have to go a (long) way just to enable Wifi/Bluetooth/Airplane mode/...
You have to go all the way to the settings app, choose a setting and change it over there.
I think I might have a solution to make things much easier to access.
Image the main menu of WP in your head.
On the left side, you have all your tiles and on the right side, you have your whole list of apps.
What if you had 3 columns?
Middle column: Tiles screen
Right column: App list
Left column: Settings list
In that settings list, you could easly control and adjust the most used settings.
Is this a usefull idea or is it just stupid?
Let me know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its interesting, i think if there was absolutely no loss of UI speed and fluidity then it would be pretty handy, but it is only a slight hassle to add a tile,which is only slightly slower than your suggestion, so i guess,the real question, if it is possible to start with is,will there be any side effects, esp speed of menus.
WP7 has been really smooth all the time, so that might (normally) don't cause a problem.
If it would cause a problem, WP8 is the answer to that.
The WP8 devices will have improved internals, so it would be weird if WP8 devices woudn't be able to support it.
Another question: has WP7 been hacked to a point where we can adjust the whole OS?
Why not use a app called connectivity shortcuts in the market place
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/s...hortcuts/430cf007-731f-4357-af7b-b897bff25a2c
sutt359 said:
Why not use a app called connectivity shortcuts in the market place
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/s...hortcuts/430cf007-731f-4357-af7b-b897bff25a2c
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that app and it's very usefull.
My idea is that it would be fully integrated in the OS itself (and not some extra tiles).
Via those tiles, you still need get in the settings app (automatically with connectify) to change settings.
With my concept, it would be all available at 1 place.
MattProductions said:
WP7 has been really smooth all the time, so that might (normally) don't cause a problem.
If it would cause a problem, WP8 is the answer to that.
The WP8 devices will have improved internals, so it would be weird if WP8 devices woudn't be able to support it.
Another question: has WP7 been hacked to a point where we can adjust the whole OS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically the OS hasn't been hacked at all!
dazza9075 said:
Technically the OS hasn't been hacked at all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And custom ROMs?
Or doesn't that count as hacking?
Custom roms exist on some devices, but only as a result of the manufacture screwing up, interop is only available again of the manufacture or mobile network screwed up, so technically, the OS hasn't been hacked as such
Sent from my Lumia 900 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
dazza9075 said:
Custom roms exist on some devices, but only as a result of the manufacture screwing up, interop is only available again of the manufacture or mobile network screwed up, so technically, the OS hasn't been hacked as such
Sent from my Lumia 900 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clearing that up!
Does anybody want to comment on the idea from the first post?
Well, the path traversal hack is pure WP7, nothing but Microsoft code. It's relatively minor as a hack by itself, though, certainly nowhere near to enabling something like this.
I like the suggestion, but it would be a moderately complex undertaking on a custom ROM, and probably impossible on a stock one (for now, at least).

Deleting built in (and otherwise undeletable) metro apps (saves disk space too.)

EDIT: Found a faster and cleaner way!
You guys who run tablets that have uber tiny amounts of storage (e.g. 32gb dell venue 8 pro) might want to do this as it will free up space used by apps that you probably don't even touch. You can always just install any you want to keep from the Windows store, but personally I think 8 apps are all crap (except Netflix.)
Click start > type 'powershell' (no quotes) > press ctrl+shift+enter > (say yes if it asks)
Type the following:
Get-AppXProvisionedPackage -online | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -online
Get-AppXPackage | Remove-AppxPackage
Tada! No more useless built in Windows apps taking up disk space, and new user accounts don't start with a cluttered start menu.
If you're like me and you keep an autoconfigure batch script for new installations, you can accomplish the above with the following lines:
powershell -Command "Get-AppXProvisionedPackage -online | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -online"
powershell -Command "Get-AppXPackage | Remove-AppxPackage"
Guessing this works with RT as well, but it's a sad OS that I wouldn't ever buy, so I can't test.
(Old post sticking around for archival purposes)
I never use these things. I don't like apps that force full screen when it is really unnecessary. I guess it makes sense for a touch screen, but for a desktop this is downright stupid, especially when you have a big monitor and like working with multiple things at once. Anyways, I noticed that these take up a gig of space, and I am on an SSD, so space is precious. Sadly, uninstalling them from the start menu doesn't actually delete them, in fact it's really no different at all from using the unpin from start option.
Simply navigating to that folder to delete them doesn't work. First you'll claim ownership via the UI, and then it will at least let you browse the folder. I tried taking it a step further and using the universal "take all" method from an admin prompt:
d:\windows\program files\> icacls windowsapps\* /T /C /Grant UsersOI)(CI)(MA)
It failed. So I figured, let's try rebooting to the command console and do the same thing. Success! Well, not really.
If you type del windowsapps, it pretends to delete them, but it doesn't actually do so. Microsoft is clever, they really went out of their way to make sure you keep them and like them! So I took it a step further, I tried the same thing from WinPE by booting from the install disk, hitting the repair button, and navigating to the command shell. Same result as above. Microsoft REALLY wants to make sure they remain intact.
Fortunately though, I have an ace up my sleeve. I booted a linux ISO, mounted the partition, and did an rm -rf WindowsApps, and lo and behold, its gone! You see, linux doesn't really care if you keep metro apps, it just does whatever you tell it to.
By the way, I did this inside of a VM just to make sure that it doesn't break anything, and so far, it doesn't appear to do so. The apps still remain in the start menu (if you didn't unpin them) but launching them just returns right back to the start menu. No worries, just unpin them and it will stay out of sight and out of mind.
Something confuses me though...the live tiles for these apps still actually work. At least, the live tiles for news, finance, and travel still work, but launching the app just drops you back to the start menu. My guess is that the live tile portion of the app runs in another process. Somebody who is more familiar with WinRT could chime in here. Also, the useless windows store and some important things like the desktop app and the "pc settings" app (aka metro control panel) remains intact, so no issues there.
Anyways, I'd like to figure out a way to delete these while windows is still running, that way I can automate doing so when I install windows. Any ideas? My current thought is to remove them from the install.wim, but it's kind of a PITA and often something goes wrong when I try to muck with that.
Thanks for the info. I won't be able to do the research until the weekend, but in searching for windows 8 (non-Microsoft) themes, I found info on a program (I hate that all of a sudden all programs are being called 'apps') which lets you take (for real) ownership if system files. The info where I ran into it's usage was because Windows 7 and 8 need either hacked system files (guess having a hacked 7 with legit license was a great idea) or a special program to load a custom theme.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Out of curiosity, what built-in apps did you find to be un-deleteable? Removing the built-in apps that I didn't use (Finance, News, etc.) was easy; just right-click or flick downward (to select the tile) then select Uninstall. Leftover files in the WindowsApps dir could be removed.
GoodDayToDie said:
Out of curiosity, what built-in apps did you find to be un-deleteable? Removing the built-in apps that I didn't use (Finance, News, etc.) was easy; just right-click or flick downward (to select the tile) then select Uninstall. Leftover files in the WindowsApps dir could be removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The built in apps that it places on the start menu when you first log in to Windows 8. It prevents you from deleting them, because then new accounts won't see the apps, and it forces them on to the start menu by default.
You can delete them from Start easily enough, if for some reason you find their presence there offensive. You can also delete the updated versions from the device. The basline (1.2) versions are, I assume, what you are complaining about... meh. If you want to bang your head against this, go ahead. I get what you're asking for now, though I really don't understand why. Besides, full-screen or not, some of the "Metro" apps are pretty good, especially a few of the games (which are frequently FS anyhow). It's worth keeping the store around for free game downloads IMO... but I think we've already established that our opinions differ on how to use Win8.
GoodDayToDie said:
You can delete them from Start easily enough, if for some reason you find their presence there offensive. You can also delete the updated versions from the device. The basline (1.2) versions are, I assume, what you are complaining about... meh. If you want to bang your head against this, go ahead. I get what you're asking for now, though I really don't understand why. Besides, full-screen or not, some of the "Metro" apps are pretty good, especially a few of the games (which are frequently FS anyhow). It's worth keeping the store around for free game downloads IMO... but I think we've already established that our opinions differ on how to use Win8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're thinking of using the "uninstall" option from the start menu. That does NOT delete them, it just removes all references to them. They still reside on the hard disk and consume disk space. On my 120GB SSD on my laptop, every gig counts. Why leave them there when they are doing nothing at all? No banging your head involved, just boot up linux, rm -rf WinApps, problem solved.
Anyways, last I checked there were approximately zero AAA titles in the windows store. In fact, I've yet to see any windows app do anything that can't already be done better in a web browser. I'm not particularly impressed with solitaire collection, pinball, toy soldiers...and ooh mahjong, the game to end all games. The only one even remotely interesting is hydro thunder, in which case they ought to call it Retro instead of Metro.
Rakeesh_j said:
I never use these things. I don't like apps that force full screen when it is really unnecessary. I guess it makes sense for a touch screen, but for a desktop this is downright stupid, especially when you have a big monitor and like working with multiple things at once. Anyways, I noticed that these take up a gig of space, and I am on an SSD, so space is precious. Sadly, uninstalling them from the start menu doesn't actually delete them, in fact it's really no different at all from using the unpin from start option.
Simply navigating to that folder to delete them doesn't work. First you'll claim ownership via the UI, and then it will at least let you browse the folder. I tried taking it a step further and using the universal "take all" method from an admin prompt:
d:\windows\program files\> icacls windowsapps\* /T /C /Grant UsersOI)(CI)(MA)
It failed. So I figured, let's try rebooting to the command console and do the same thing. Success! Well, not really.
If you type del windowsapps, it pretends to delete them, but it doesn't actually do so. Microsoft is clever, they really went out of their way to make sure you keep them and like them! So I took it a step further, I tried the same thing from WinPE by booting from the install disk, hitting the repair button, and navigating to the command shell. Same result as above. Microsoft REALLY wants to make sure they remain intact.
Fortunately though, I have an ace up my sleeve. I booted a linux ISO, mounted the partition, and did an rm -rf WindowsApps, and lo and behold, its gone! You see, linux doesn't really care if you keep metro apps, it just does whatever you tell it to.
By the way, I did this inside of a VM just to make sure that it doesn't break anything, and so far, it doesn't appear to do so. The apps still remain in the start menu (if you didn't unpin them) but launching them just returns right back to the start menu. No worries, just unpin them and it will stay out of sight and out of mind.
Something confuses me though...the live tiles for these apps still actually work. At least, the live tiles for news, finance, and travel still work, but launching the app just drops you back to the start menu. My guess is that the live tile portion of the app runs in another process. Somebody who is more familiar with WinRT could chime in here. Also, the useless windows store and some important things like the desktop app and the "pc settings" app (aka metro control panel) remains intact, so no issues there.
Anyways, I'd like to figure out a way to delete these while windows is still running, that way I can automate doing so when I install windows. Any ideas? My current thought is to remove them from the install.wim, but it's kind of a PITA and often something goes wrong when I try to muck with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to remove them from a windows install image
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/37039-Remove-Metro-appz-and-default-associations-to-them
phailyoor said:
If you want to remove them from a windows install image
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/37039-Remove-Metro-appz-and-default-associations-to-them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks!
You could had taken ownership of the WindowsApps folder and delete it, that's what I did.
Rakeesh_j said:
You're thinking of using the "uninstall" option from the start menu. That does NOT delete them, it just removes all references to them. They still reside on the hard disk and consume disk space. On my 120GB SSD on my laptop, every gig counts. Why leave them there when they are doing nothing at all? No banging your head involved, just boot up linux, rm -rf WinApps, problem solved.
Anyways, last I checked there were approximately zero AAA titles in the windows store. In fact, I've yet to see any windows app do anything that can't already be done better in a web browser. I'm not particularly impressed with solitaire collection, pinball, toy soldiers...and ooh mahjong, the game to end all games. The only one even remotely interesting is hydro thunder, in which case they ought to call it Retro instead of Metro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, so a game is only good if it has AAA backing?
Konstantinos said:
You could had taken ownership of the WindowsApps folder and delete it, that's what I did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that, even used some command line stuff that break all file locks and ensure that the current user has full control over the files. It would let you delete them, even go through and say it deleted them, but when you look in the directory again, they are still there.
link68759 said:
Oh, so a game is only good if it has AAA backing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. My current favorites are both indie titles, and are not AAA. Those being Natural-Selection 2, and League of Legends.
For Google Chrome, there are MORE and BETTER games than in the Windows store, and to a lesser extent, Firefox as well. Yep, web browsers have better games than the Windows store.
Every single game in the windows store is either old or just plain crap. I played Angry Birds on a CELL PHONE over a YEAR ago. These are all casual games, not games that you sit down for a marathon session to play. If the windows store is your idea of a good place to get games, then I dare you to go to your friends and say "Hey guys, let's all go to my house and play some reversi and then some tick tack toe!" and see what kind of reaction you get. Or how about one better, ask them to bring their PC's over for a windows 8 lan party, I'm sure they'll get right on that one.
The two games I listed above are legit desktop titles. Windows 8 games are not. In fact, as I've said numerous times, there isn't a single windows store app that does anything that isn't already done better in a browser.
So I'm doing the ol' nuclear option of a reformat for the windows 8.1 update, and I just updated OP to include some new info I found (Maybe common knowledge at this point after 18 months of futzing around with 8? Who knows, just something I discovered on my own a few minutes ago while tinkering with powershell.)
Really neat and really clean compared to the other way.
I use Embedded edition that doesn't include preinstalled metro apps (only IE, skydrive and photo viewer are included)
441Excelsior said:
I use Embedded edition that doesn't include preinstalled metro apps (only IE, skydrive and photo viewer are included)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
windows embedded is not windows 8...
windows 8.1 Embedded Industry Pro is the same as Windows 8.1 Pro
here is screen of my desktop
441Excelsior said:
I use Embedded edition that doesn't include preinstalled metro apps (only IE, skydrive and photo viewer are included)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's effectively what you get when you run the two commands I listed. For whatever reason, skydrive and photo viewer aren't possible to remove. In fact they don't even appear to reside in the WindowsApps folder...I'm not even sure where they reside.
ok but true reason why I use embedded edition is that I got free product key from MS DreamSpark

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