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
    2016-03-01T11:11:20+00:00

    You are correct & do have the issue in proper perspective, so to speak.  We have been telling people forever it's in some laptops not the OS & how to deal w/ it.

    However...

    It does seem surprising, though, to see this said on March 1st, 2016.  Its kind of 'old news'. It would, also, seem logical, at this point in time AND before 28/6/16 that the discussion would be towards Upgrading to Windows 10, wherein the issue does not exist and cannot exist since 10 has no Charms Bar.

    In other words, @ this late date, instead of talking about Charms Bar concerns (or enduring them), switch from 8.1 to 10 which, has no Charms Bar.  Problem solved. :)

    And, certainly that is far from being the only reason to appreciate Windows 10 more than 8.1 and to find it more appealing, enjoyable & easier to use than 8.1.  Urge anyone to get it done & certainly before the Free Upgrade offer expires.

    Cheers,

    Drew

    ![](http://fud.community.services.support.microsoft.com/Fud/FileDownloadHandler.ashx?fid=f9da353b-018d-4d56-b8e4-c11f4b98c59a)

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-24T01:20:23+00:00

    I too do not like the charms bar, I have had this computer for about 2 years and I have never used the charms bar. I don't know who does the stuff you listed above, but I work on my computer. I don't have time for playing around on and wasting time doing useless things such as those.

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