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?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Email and communications

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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
    2014-07-08T18:37:25+00:00

    JeanKluge,

    Thanks, I recommended the Windows Logo + C combination back in response 481 (Page 49) of this conversation.  :-)

    In-as-far-as apps for Windows 8/8.1 go: I don't use them.  Don't see the need or attraction yet.  Much like other devices with such things (Android, iOS, etc.) it needs a bit of time (3-5 years seems about right) to mature - especially on a platform that already has so many fully functional desktop applications available that do the same thing/are the same thing.  Never have recommended them - in fact - if you read the tips I linked to (and wrote):


    1. Install all the same applications you are used to and USE them!  Those that you can, of course.  You aren't moving Outlook Express if you are coming from XP, really old software,different architecture dependent software, etc.  However, if it ran on Windows Vista/7 - most of it runs on Windows 8.1 as well. 

    Expanded:


    (5)

    The last thing I suggest is installing and using the same applications you used before.  Sounds simple because... it is.  It's an important tip, though.

    If you used and liked Mozilla Thunderbird or Windows Live Mail 2012 before - install and use them now.  If you used Skype - download and install the desktop edition for Windows.  If you have always used Adobe Reader for PDFs, download and install it now.  Google Chrome?  Mozilla Firefox?  Google Earth?  Paint.NET?  OpenOffice or LibreOffice?  Microsoft Office?  iTunes?  VLC media player?  The list goes on and on.

    This is still Microsoft Windows - don't start treating it like a tablet because one screen and some gesture capabilities give you that OPTION now.


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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-08T18:31:28+00:00

    Not to put too fine of a point on it, but if changing a setting in the driver/software for your touchpad is what fixed the issue you were having with the CHARMS, it is not an operating system issue, but a touchpad driver/software issue.  :-)  After all - there are dozens (likely more) features you have likely not used in any version of any operating system you ever used - if they are made to appear because of some option in some other software (driver) that you use/have installed - and can be fixed by changing an option in said software (driver) - that's not an operating system issue, eh?  (Just because the operating system presents that option, if something else is forcing it in your face, is that the fault of the operating system for having the option available or the fault of the driver/software for how they chose to implement that option?)

    The driver update for the touchpad should be yours to install only if you WANT to - if you follow the decade plus of advice given in this forum and those like it of controlling your own updates and always getting hardware device drivers from those who manufactured the hardware device(s) in question.  :-)

    Having pointed that out - it is great that you have re-iterated another option that may need to be represented for those who have the CHARMS popping up on them when they do not wish it.  Thanks!

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