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
    2013-09-11T19:12:28+00:00

    Any work or pastime which requires the use of the pointer will cause these charms to leap onto the screen.

    Also, Magnification. This too has the amazing ability to zoom in and out completely at random.

    Neither would occur if you disabled your Touchpad and used a real mouse.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-09-11T18:39:04+00:00

    Hello Robert and thank you again. OK I will try to clarify. Firstly forget the keyboard issues, I think I can get them fixed under gaurantee. My main problem along with, now, thousands of others is these iniquitous 'charms' on a laptop. Any work or pastime which requires the use of the pointer will cause these charms to leap onto the screen. One from the right and one from the bottom (this one carries

    date/time). Once this happens, the pointer is frozen until you double tap on the pad, return to your activity and within seconds the blessed things are back and so it goes on. How on earth Microsoft can claim this software speeds up operation of the machine can only be a blatant lie. I am writing this on my 7 yr old Dell with XP and it is far,far quicker AND more comfortable. Microsoft seems to be saying

    'thankyou for buying '8' now we couldn't care less'. And the really weird thing is the charms perform no other function at all--they simply get in the way and that is it.

    Also, Magnification. This too has the amazing ability to zoom in and out completely at random. Can you imagine the chaos when charms and zoom all go off together. It would be funny except we are not talking about a £10/20 pound bit of kit. To most people, many hundreds of pounds is a huge amount of money and I think, having laid out this money we should be  able to expect a working,

    consistent trouble free machine. Windows 8 on a laptop is NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE and should be recalled. Talk about exasperated---I do not require to be reminded of the date and time every 10 seconds.

    Regards   Malcolm  Cutlan

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments