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
    2014-05-04T19:30:42+00:00

    Just to repeat...

    Cannot "Disable" Charms Bar.  Would not, really, want to (fully) disable.  There are useful functions in it .  And there is the fact that it is dedicated or proprietary to whatever (application) is on the screen, makes it, especially, utilitarian.

    As far as it for showing time/day/date... one can have (all) that on the Taskbar, already and constantly.

    The real issue here for people is the thing is too 'touchy' and poops out when not wanted, intended or 'called' by the User.  It's these 'accidents' that irk people.

    Ergo, A solution has been provided.  In this thread, I believe and I know it is elsewhere, as well.  Instructions for a simple means to not have it so easy to bump into it & have it opening unexpectedly.

    Doing this would likely appease many Folks regarding this concern.

    Drew

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-04T19:21:13+00:00

    You're right. My apology for reinventing the wheel. The page you suggested with various step-by-step instructions will help a lot of folks. I'd already accomplished all of the changes I wanted (including some of those), including a regedit to disable the mandatory password at logon and all changes to make the computer easier for me to use with my visual impairment, but the one thing that was still making me crazy was the unwanted popup of the charms bar. Now that that's been eliminated by disabling edge swipes in my mouse (touchpad) settings, I'm delighted with my new PC. I'll use the apps infrequently, but I like having the option to use them...if and when *I* choose.

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