Can we disable the charms bar in Windows 8?

Anonymous
2013-01-22T14:37:05+00:00

Old Title: when I move the mouse around the right hand side bar keeps appearing, when I don't want it to.

I recently bought a new computer with Windows 8 and have managed to work with it OK.  The thing is that when I move the mouse around, the right hand sidebar with the Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings buttons (and the date and time, bottom left),  keeps appearing.  It is so frustrating as I keep having to click to get rid of it. Ironically, when I am ready to close the computer down, I have to fiddle around with the mouse trying to get the damn bar to appear so that I can get the settings button to shut it down. Are there any solutions for this?

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Anonymous
2013-06-05T09:31:15+00:00

"I am sorry to inform you that we do not have any option to disable the Charms Bar in Windows 8."

OMG, when I pay hundreds of my hard-earned dollars, especially in this economy, I expect to customize my product after purchasing. Did Microsoft have regular people try Win 8 for awhile before releasing it?

Got it!!! Its simple, go to control panel, synaptics touchpad and disable side swipe function, simples. it was really beginning to annoy me.

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Anonymous
2013-01-23T10:24:36+00:00

Hi Deborah,

Thank you for choosing Windows 8 and posting your query on Microsoft Community Forums.

It seems that you are not happy with the “Charms Bar” in Windows 8 as it always appears when you move the mouse pointer to the right hand side of your computer screen and would like to know if we can disable it.

I am sorry to inform you that we do not have any option to disable the Charms Bar in Windows 8. I can definitely forward your suggestions to the concerned department.

Microsoft has designed it for making things faster and easier. The charms bar help you do the things you do most often, like search, share links and photos, connect devices, and change settings without any difficulties.

For more information, please check this link:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/charms#1TC=t1

Hope this information is helpful.

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Anonymous
2013-07-31T18:02:19+00:00

"I am sorry to inform you that we do not have any option to disable the Charms Bar in Windows 8."

OMG, when I pay hundreds of my hard-earned dollars, especially in this economy, I expect to customize my product after purchasing. Did Microsoft have regular people try Win 8 for awhile before releasing it?

Got it!!! Its simple, go to control panel, synaptics touchpad and disable side swipe function, simples. it was really beginning to annoy me.

This issue was driving me crazy with my new week old inspiron 7720 windows 8.  I even spent time on the phone with tech support who suggested using an external mouse. I followed your suggestion to disable side swipe function and it worked perfectly.  Thank you.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-09T00:14:59+00:00

    I found a solution for Thinkpads!!!

     

    Use the generic Synaptic driver, and turn off "Enable Edge Swipes".

    Sounds like Touch gestures are enabled by default on a Thinkpad's Touchpad?   There is a multi-page manual about that which people should read and get familiar with if they want to leave Touch gestures enabled.   Then they would at least realize that their Touchpad was not just a standard mouse...

    http://www.synaptics.com/solutions/technology/touchpad 

    Unfortunately, though, I don't see any way to specify that you just want to use it as a normal mouse, without going through each and every  option in Properties and trying to choose something which would minimize the effects of "advanced features".   Are you saying there may be a way of uninstalling the Synaptics driver and replacing it with a more generic one?

    Fortunately, my Tablet has a physical switch that I can use to disable its Touchpad and in any case most of the time it is hidden while I'm using my Touch screen in slate mode.   Otherwise I think that I would probably be having some of the same usability difficulties that the people posting in this thread are complaining about.

    FYI

    Robert Aldwinckle


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  2. Anonymous
    2013-02-08T19:51:31+00:00

    PLEASE!!!

    I have a ThinkPad and the charms bar is driving me INSANE when using the mousepad in the desktop!

    I don't mind it in Metro...

     

    Please somebody from Microsoft help us!

     

    I have read that we can modify the registry... but that scares me.

    Thanks to anybody that can give us a solution.

    Ditto -  It is costing me time everytime I have to respond to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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