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
    2013-08-28T22:11:09+00:00

    Woaa, I, Malcolm Cutlan am on your side. I don't work for Microsoft. If I did they would produce stuff which is FIT FOR PURPOSE which Windows 8 is most certainly NOT

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-29T06:04:56+00:00

    The computer is a Lenovo G 585

    I had that much by finding it in your other thread.   The problem is that that is not enough detail to make the Lenovo site show some specific support information, such the maker of your Touchpad.  The specifications  page I found does not help.   All it says about the Touchpad is "Two clicks with Dome" (e.g. no manufacturer name).    I even downloaded the Hardware Maintenance Manual that that page links to.  All it discloses is that you could use  Fn+F6  to toggle the Touchpad  off and on.  So, if you got a real mouse as I have been advising others you could try that option instead.   <eg>

    Did you try using  wmic?   I gave the command I did to see if it would help start exposing details about your Touchpad.

    However another wmic command which might expand on your product identification is:

    wmic.exe  csproduct  list  /format:list

    FWIW when I do that  IdentifyingNumber= my serial number,  SKUNumber=  is empty and  UUID =  is some weird number that probably only means something to HP.   I don't think either of the two values that I have would be useful search terms;  however, I think that if  SKUNumber  was not empty that it would be useful as a search term; so YMMV.   For example, somehow  msinfo32.exe  (aka System Information) shows my product identifier under  System SKU  in its  System Summary display.   And, of course, that same detail may be given that way on your system.

    Unfortunately I was unable to find the paper with a code on it. Microsoft will not supply it.

    Sounds like you are thinking of your OS product Key.   Do not disclose that in a public forum.   So, good thing you couldn't find it.   ; )

    All I have is an entry from PC INFO which reads Product I/D 00179-60382-22114-AAOEM.

    That's probably the Product Id for your OS.  The OEM suffix would be the tipoff that Microsoft would use to know that you should be contacting your manufacturer (e.g. Lenovo) for support.   <eg>

    Here's an example, translated, which shows how that works

    http://www.oschina.net/question/948579_89920?sort=time

    (BING search for

        00179-60382

    )

    When I try to activate Windows Office with this number it bleeps out after 4 digits

    You would need a product key associated with Windows Office to enter then.   Perhaps you were given a trial of Windows Office without a product key?  Then you would have to purchase a product key to be able to continue using it after the trial was over.   I'm not sure what the procedure to proceed with a trial without a product key looks like.   You may get more informed help about that on an Office forum.

    HTH

    Robert


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