OldNewExplorer turns Windows 8's Windows Explorer into Windows 7's
One of the few changes that Microsoft made to the desktop part of the Windows 8 operating system was a redesigned Windows Explorer interface.
Microsoft renamed the default file browser to File Explorer, but that was not the only change that shipped with Windows 8.
The new interface uses a ribbon design by default in the header similar to the design that Microsoft's Office suite uses.
It is possible to hide the ribbon so that only tab names are displayed which reduces the header area. It does mean however that you cannot access some of the features until you display those options again in the ribbon.
Some ribbon tabs are added dynamically depending on the selected file types in the file explorer. If you select an image for example, you get access to the manage ribbon which allows you to set it as the background image, rotate it, or view it in a slideshow. Video files on the other hand display play options instead.
One of the features that the new file explorer lacks is a proper status bar, at least when you compare it to the one that Windows 7's Windows Explorer offers. The new explorer display only the number of items that you have selected, their size, and the total number of items in the folder.
The old explorer displayed additional information here, including date creation and modification information.
Out with the new, in with the old
If you do not like the new Windows Explorer layout, then there is something that you can do about that.
A program like OldNewExplorer for example can change the interface of Windows 8's File Explorer so that it resembles the interface of Windows 7's Windows Explorer.
This means first and foremost away with the ribbon. But, there are other features that it supports that you may like.
Installation is quite simple. Just run the program after you have unpacked it on your system. All you have to do is click on the install button so that the program can make the modifications on the system.
You can revert those changes at anytime with a click on the uninstall button. Both operations display an UAC prompt that you need to allow.
I'd recommend you create a system restore point before you run the program, but that is entirely up to you. To do so, type create a restore point while you are on the Start Screen part of the operating system and select the option from the search results.
Here you need to click on the create button to create a new restore point which you can later restore should something go wrong.
Another option that should restore the changes is to run the command sfc /scannow on the command line.
Options
- Use classical drive grouping.
- Use libraries; hide folders.
- Use command bar instead of Ribbon.
- Hide caption text in File Explorer.
- Hide caption icon in File Explorer.
- Hide Up (go to parent folder) button.
- Enable glass on navigation bar.
- Show details pane on the bottom.
- Pick an appearance and status bar style.
- Show status bar.
You can make modifications here, and changes take effect immediately. You do not need to restart your PC for that, but do need to close all open File Explorer windows.
Verdict
If you want Windows Explorer instead of File Explorer on Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, then you should give OldNewExplorer a try, as it delivers exactly that. The program is portable and highly customizable.
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What mental age of reader are you targeting with the first sentence? 10?
Why not write an article on how to *avoid* upgrading from W10 to W11. Analogous to those like me who avoided upgrading from 7 to 10 for as long as possible.
If your paymaster Microsoft permits it, of course.
5. Rufus
6. Ventoy
PS. I hate reading these “SEO optimized” articles.
I used Rufus to create an installer for a 6th gen intel i5 that had MBR. It upgraded using Setup. No issues except for Win 11 always prompting me to replace my local account. Still using Win 10 Pro on all my other PCs to avoid the bullying.
bit pointless to upgrade for the sake of upgrading as you never know when you’ll get locked out because ms might suddenly not provide updates to unsupported systems.
ps…. time travelling?
written. Jan 15, 2023
Updated • Jan 13, 2023
This happens when you schedule a post in WordPress and update it before setting the publication date.
Anyone willing to downgrade to this awful OS must like inflicting themselves with harm.
I have become convinced now that anybody who has no qualms with using Windows 11/10 must fit into one of the following brackets:
1) Too young to remember a time before W10 and W11 (doesn’t know better)
2) Wants to play the latest games on their PC above anything else (or deeply needs some software which already dropped W7 support)
3) Doesn’t know too much about how computers work, worried that they’d be absolutely lost and in trouble without the “”latest security””
4) Microsoft apologist that tries to justify that the latest “features” and “changes” are actually a good thing, that improve Windows
5) Uses their computer to do a bare minimum of like 3 different things, browse web, check emails, etc, so really doesn’t fuss
Obviously that doesn’t cover everyone, there’s also the category that:
6) Actually liked W7 more than 10, and held out as long as possible before switching, begrudgingly uses 10 now
Have I missed any group off this list?
You have missed in this group just about any professional user that uses business software like CAD programs or ERP Programs which are 99% of all professional users from this list.
Linux doesn’t help anyone who is not a linux kid and apple is just a fancy facebook machine.
Microsoft has removed KB5029351 update
only from windows update though
KB5029351 is still available from the ms update catalog site
1. This update is labaled as PREVIEW if it causes issues to unintelligent people, then they shouldn’t have allowed Preview updates ot install.
2. I have installed it in a 11 years old computer, and no problems at all.
3. Making a big drama over a bluescreen for an updated labeled as preview is ridiculous.
This is probably another BS internet drama where people ran programs and scripts that modified the registry until they broke Windows, just for removing stuff that they weren’t even using just for the sake of it.
Maybe people should stop playing geeks and actually either use Windows 10 or Windows 11, but don’t try to modify things just for the sake of it.
Sometimes removing or stopping things (like defender is a perfect example) only need intelligence, not scripts or 3rd party programs that might mess with windows.
Windows 11 was a pointless release, it was just created because some of the Windows team wanted to boost sales with some sort of new and improved Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft cannot support one version well let alone two.
Windows 11 is the worst ugly shame by Microsoft ever. They should release with every new W11 version a complete free version of Starallback inside just to make this sh** OS functionally again.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released a statement regarding the “unsupported processor” blue screen error for their boards using Intel 600/700 series chipsets & to avoid the KB5029351 Win11 update:
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/MSI-On–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–Error-Message-of-Windows-11-Update-KB5029351-Preview-142215
check out the following recent articles:
Neowin – Microsoft puts little blame on its Windows update after UNSUPPORTED PROCESSOR BSOD bug:
https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-puts-little-blame-on-its-windows-update-after-unsupported-processor-bsod-bug/
BleepingComputer – Microsoft blames ‘unsupported processor’ blue screens on OEM vendors:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-blames-unsupported-processor-blue-screens-on-oem-vendors/
While there may be changes or updates to the Windows 10 Store for Business and Education in the future, it is premature to conclude that it will be discontinued based solely on rumors.
My advice, I left win 15 years ago. Now I’m a happy linux user (linuxmint) but there is Centos, Fedora, Ubuntu depending on your needs.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released new BIOS/firmware updates for their Intel 600 & 700 series motherboards to fix the “UNSUPPORTED_PROCESSOR” problem (Sept. 6):
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/Updated-BIOS-fixes-Error-Message–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–caused-BSOD-on-MSI-s-Intel-700-and-600-Series-Motherboards-142277
I try to disable the Diagnostics Tracking Service (Connected Devices Platform User Services) but it wont let me disable it, any help will be greatly appreciated.
Tank you for your help