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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

737 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-22T15:55:09+00:00

    I have to say that with the Charms Bar disabled and the Classic Start Menu I am able to do anything I would in Windows 7 or XP and it feels reasonably similar. If people get on OK with the Charms Bar that is of course fine. I just think that Microsoft should always include a Classic option in any of their OS. At least that way people could choose. If you have a touchscreen then obviously the way Windows 8 works  is not such a bad option but if you use a desktop for serious productive use you need the ability of having a Classic interface. I am always amazed when I go into some commercial premises and they appear still to be running DOS based systems, not much hope of dragging them up to date  with Windows 8!!!

    David

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-22T15:19:50+00:00

    But it's a personal preference to use Charms or not.

    Considering the Charms is the main way to configure your system and print and set up a external monitor and a lot of other things, especially on the Metro side, it wouldn't make sense to disable it entirely.

    But I agree there should be an option for the user to turn it off. But it should be for the user to do, not set by the manufacturer.

    I feel the same way about the new Metro titlebar - all it does is get in the way!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments