You don’t have to use Metro Apps. No one is talking about it.

You don’t have to use the default music app.
You can use Media Player.

• Simply right-click on a music file, like an MP3, and select “Open With”.
• Then select “Choose Default Program”
• Then select “Windows Media Player”

You can do the same thing for all file types and programs.

You can download Live Mail for use on the desktop too. You don’t have to use the Metro Mail App.

Nothing is forcing anyone to use Metro apps!
Here again is my guide to customize your Windows 8 for Win32 Desktop only:

1. One cool customization is to turn off all background patterns and make the Desktop color match the Start Screen color exactly.

On the Start Screen:
Charms Menu>Settings>More PC Settings>Start Screen>Choose a background: no pattern

On the Desktop:
Right-Click>Personalize>Desktop Background>Picture Location: Solid Colors>More…

The default Start Screen color is: Red 0 Blue 64 Green 80

If you want to use another color I recommend ColorPic, a free color chooser. Just take a screenshot of the Start Screen and choose the color to get the Red, Green and Blue values.

Now you will have a Start Screen and Desktop that are an exact color match.

But wait, there’s more!

2. Turn off animation:

Charms Menu>Search>Animation>Settings>Turn off unnecessary animations

Now you will have a very fast, very slick transition between the Start Screen and Desktop.

But wait, there’s more!

So, you are a Windows 8 Start Screen sceptic.

Here’s the solution:

3. Unpin every single item from the Start Screen.

Now search for and pin every one of the programs you regularly use to the Start Screen.

Work with the new configuration for a while.

I’m sure you will find that if you take the time to personalize Windows 8, you will not find any problem with the Start Screen.

Note: This is also a great configuration for a business machine. That’s right, Windows 8 is a lean mean business machine. No doubt about it.

Dan