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
    2014-06-17T01:59:12+00:00

    Designed to make it easier?  I am a pretty positive person but my frustration level with Windows 8 is beyond any other frustration I can think of and I rely on my computer heavily for a number of functions.  This is not easy.  It's a pain.  I have had every new version of Windows within a few months of release since 1994.  I can honestly say, that while some versions were definitely better than others, Windows 8 is by far the worst.  I want apps on my phone and on my tablet. NOT on my PC or laptop.  I'm at the point that I barely want to use my computer because of the frustrations I am experiencing.  And I am pretty darn good with technology.  I have despised Apple products for years but I have NEVER been tempted until now to use a Mac over this disaster I am experiencing.  I work in the technology field providing support to customers and I can honestly say that since I bought my new Windows laptop in December of 2013, and began talking to others about it, I have not interacted with one person who is happy with Windows 8.  I speak to hundreds of consumers a week, and since December not one person had anything good to say? Does that mean anything?  I love progress and technology, I truly do, and I had hoped it was just going to take an adjustment period.  However it's June now, 7 months have passed since my Windows 8 laptop purchase.  I'm not adjusting.  I appreciate your attempt an innovation, I truly do, but please, with future versions, if nothing else, allow an option for 'classic mode' perhaps?

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-06-16T23:19:23+00:00

    That charms bar is SO annoying.  I agree with others.  Didn't Microsoft test these "ideas" with real folk?  They REALLY need to make it go away.  It is NOT helpful.  It gets in the way and slows me down.

    Hi Teresa,

    I think this is the 3rd time I have answered this in this thread...

    Charms Bar can be useful or used but, certainly, there are other ways to access the things it offers.  The main issue people are addressing when they complain about the Charms Bar is it popping out accidentally.

    Prior to 8.1.1 we told people this could be rectified via a tweak in the Registry.  However, because this bothered a few people (MSdid listen) and, now, since 8.1.1, one can deal w/ the issue thusly:

    Rt Clk Taskbar > Properties > Navigation and UNcheck the top box.  Now, it will show only by going to the Bottom-Right Corner or by hitting Win+C.  Thus the chances of seeing it unexpectedly, unintended or accidentally are pretty much gone.

    Cheers,

    Drew

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