Can we disable the charms bar in Windows 8?

Drew, I say this with no malice, just want you to perhpas understand things from a different perspective.  You clearly have a pro Windows 8 agenda and good for you that you have had this kind of experience and all your cohorts feel the same.  I can tell you are passionate about it and I respect that.  However, I along with numerous others, are not having the same experience and your posts and responses can be rather condescending.  I will assume that is not your intention but perhaps be aware that you are not helping win fans, with the manner in which you dismiss genuine concerns and issues that people are experiencing.  

You mention that everyone you work with loves Windows.  I work in the technology field myself, and dealing with customers technical issues.  Several times a day when I am logging in to someone's computer to assist them with troubleshooting, I will ask them how they like Windows 8.  The response from the public is a resounding 'no'. So while you and your colleagues may be happy, the average person is struggling with Windows.  Instead of so defiantly defending Windows, accept that there are some things that just don't work for a lot people.  The overall consensus is that Microsoft tried to create something innovative, but ultimately, especially if you are using a non touch computer, there are things that just don't work.  I'm not mad at Microsoft, they have not necessarily acknowledged the issues per se, but I think the changes they have made in the updates make it clear that they have been listening to customers and are trying to od right by them.  That's good with me.  Even Microsoft knows there might have been a bungle here for the average user.  Maybe not even a bungle, perhaps just too much too soon.

Further, you mention all the joys of these fantastic windows 8 updates,  That would be awesome.... if I was able to get a Windows update.  I am among a group of people who are experiencing a known issue getting those updates.  They fail and then my computer has to revert.  This takes a long time and has been pretty annoying.  As of today, I have still not been able to update.  Microsoft has acknowledged the issue but has failed to find a fix as of the last time I had an opportunity to check a couple weeks ago.  My computer is only 6 months old so it's not the computer.  I am confident I will get an update eventually but keep in mind there are quite a few out there like me whose updates are non existent.

All the best!

It was actually Windows 8.1 Update in April that added the power button to the Start Screen menu.  The rest were available in Windows 8.1 (October 2013) release or prior and some were available in Windows XP thru Windows 7.  ;-)

Some people wanted to get rid of the added "power button" on the "Start Screen Menu" as soon as it appeared:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/44237-power-button-start-screen-add-remove.html

Some people wanted to get rid of the Start Button that was placed in Desktop Mode as soon as it appeared:

http://winaero.com/comment.php?comment.news.215

It is highly likely that if there is no innate method of turning off the hybrid start button menu if/when it appears - there will be people who want it gone and will either create or use a created product or hack to remove it.  ;-)

Heck - some people still using Windows XP/Vista/7 want the Modern UI of Windows 8/8.1 without upgrading:

http://www.iobit.com/iobit-winmetro.php

[Note their talking points:

  WinMetro

  Bring Windows 8 Metro UI to Your Desktop

• Enjoy the New Metro Look on old versions of Windows
• More Informative and Productive
• Faster Access to Programs and Files
• Light, Easy, and FREE to Use

]