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
    2014-01-18T15:14:29+00:00

    Dear Rajesh (Rajesh Govind)

    I am amazed that you think the things we all do most often on our computers are: 'search, share links and photos, connect devices, and change settings'! What about using word processors to write reports, plans, tables, articles, books, using spreadsheet programs, powerpoint, drawing programs, photo-editing programs? What about people working in offices on financial and accounting packages, or computer aided design? Do they want the charms bar appearing at random so that they can 'share links and photos'? How often does a computer user 'connect devices' or 'change settings'? That sounds like a kid playing with windows. The average serious computer user sets up the computer and then does not want to change devices or settings frequently. Microsoft has not made it faster and easier to WORK on a computer, only to PLAY. I think the Win 8 developers' priorities were wrong.

    Regarding this particular problem, MS needs to make the touch pad response separate from the touch screen response, so that charms and switching screens happen when you touch the screen but do not happen in response to mouse/touchpad movements. I have just given you one of the specifications/objectives for Windows 8.2 or 9.0, and I expect my commission payment from Microsoft as soon as possible. . . .

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-18T16:20:54+00:00

    Totally agree. Additionally I expect a reimbursement for my money spent on "Failure 8" in the form of FREE upgrade to Windows 9... Otherwise I'll feel CHEATED - what I actually feel - and my money stolen. I don't mention my LOST TIME with the "charms bar"...

    Microsoft shouldn't assume what they presume - that those gadgets make "easier" the user's tasks. On the other hand, they should assume their failure and REIMBURSE people.

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