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
    2013-05-16T15:40:05+00:00

    Hi, I agree,  Windows 8 is good on tablets or touchscreen PCs but using an ordinary laptop or desktop, it is totally frustrating.  I hate it!!!!

    Even more frustrating is having a PC WITH a touch screen and not being able to turn off access to the charms bar via the trackpad or mouse.

    "Discover Windows 8 flexibility!..." Yeah, right after you find Atlantis. "More flexible, more you!" Assuming you are the engineer who said "Yep, this is great, let's release it now." Or maybe his/her Mom.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-05-17T15:35:27+00:00

    There is only one place on the desktop which can activate the charms (implying you are using a mouse): the upper top right corner.

    That is not the case ( sadly ) on my Toshiba Satellite C850, using the touch pad, anywhere on the right of the screen often brings up the charms bar and the clock. I have not intentionally used it once in the week I have had the machine, but have had it pop up at least 30 times a day.

    I appreciate Windows 8 is not designed for computers, but for iphones etc, ( so I am told ) so why are Microsoft forcing it on us laptop buyers be pre loading it.

    I am seriously disappointed by all this, and Microsoft's apparent disregard for the pc user.

    Yes Ipads etc are the future , but all us pc users have not disappeared overnight.

    Ray

    I even have the pleasure of it constantly popping up when trying to use Google Earth, what fun.

    Ah I see your problem. I assume you have a synaptics touchpad. The Charm bar activation by swiping from right to left on the right side of the touch pad is a synaptics feature. This is a very annoying feature. You can disable it though.

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