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
    2014-08-31T00:04:18+00:00

    Thanks Drew. Yes, that particular box is unchecked. However, Charms still pop up when I go to use the scroll bar from the right bottom. Since I am unable to change the size of the scroll bar, or the color as in previous versions, this is very disconcerting. Fatter scroll bar, less chance of activating the charms. But that's a whole 'nother thing.

    I guess I'm just frustrated at the whole lack of ability to control appearances and other things we used to have.

    I've already installed several hacks, like Classic Shell and Classic Start Menu and am still looking for a "Perfect" replacement for OE. I've also gone through all the installed apps and either uninstalled the extraneous ones or replaced the ones "suggested" with smaller, more efficient programs. Sun Open Office instead of Windows Office for example.

    I just put Linux Nice on another computer and am going to play with different other versions. If it works out, I may replace Windows for something cleaner.

    FYI, I was a tester for 98 and XP back in the day. Too old to do all the reports now, though.

    Thanks again for your reply.

    Maybe the wiser thing (for me) would be to not add anything further to the conversation but, seems I'm too dumb for that.

    1st, I can scroll stuff & never hit the Charms Bar.  The cursor has to go fully into the bottom-right corner to get the C Bar.  Ergo, here's a tip... don't have the bottom edge of your windows (if they are fully to the right edge) touching the bottom of your screen.  Leave the width of the Taskbar.  Now, you will not hit the C Bar accidentally.

    Entitled to my feelings, one could not pay me to install stuff like Classic Shell; completely unneeded.  I spend 100% of my time on Desktop and here is a good tip... enable the Desktop Toolbar.  Nor do I need Start, nothing against it, but between Desktop, Applications & the Desktop Toolbar & the Power Users menu, all bases are nicely & fully covered.  Nor do I talk about, offer or give those Classic Shell type start things to any of my clients & they are all very much enjoying Windows 8.1

    As for age, not sure how much to attach to that.  I am 62.  I have gone through, @ least, 98 to Windows 8.1 and very, very, much prefer Windows 8.1 over anything previous.

    As for OE, amongst IT Pros it never was held in very high esteem.  I use Outlook 2013.  W/out paying for Office or an Office365 subscription, there is Outlook.com  From what I've heard & from what little I've used it, not sure you would think much of the Store Mail APP.

    Store APPs are, certainly, optional. Some have useful substance, some not so much.  Many have traditional web-based alternatives.

    Finally, in terms of performance, security & ease of use, Windows 8.1 has it in spades.

    BTW, there is, even, a way to have an Applications window on the Taskbar & thereby never need to change screens & or leave the Desktop to access anything.

    Cheers,

    Drew

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-30T22:59:56+00:00

    Thanks Drew. Yes, that particular box is unchecked. However, Charms still pop up when I go to use the scroll bar from the right bottom. Since I am unable to change the size of the scroll bar, or the color as in previous versions, this is very disconcerting. Fatter scroll bar, less chance of activating the charms. But that's a whole 'nother thing.

    I guess I'm just frustrated at the whole lack of ability to control appearances and other things we used to have.

    I've already installed several hacks, like Classic Shell and Classic Start Menu and am still looking for a "Perfect" replacement for OE. I've also gone through all the installed apps and either uninstalled the extraneous ones or replaced the ones "suggested" with smaller, more efficient programs. Sun Open Office instead of Windows Office for example.

    I just put Linux Nice on another computer and am going to play with different other versions. If it works out, I may replace Windows for something cleaner.

    FYI, I was a tester for 98 and XP back in the day. Too old to do all the reports now, though.

    Thanks again for your reply.

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