Windows 8, Microsoft’s newest operating system, is proving to be the Marmite of computer OS’s. While some love its new security features and enhancements, others are critical of the user interface, and bemoaning the apparent loss of familiar features and functionality of previous Windows version.

In this blog, I’ll attempt to show you how you can make Windows 8 into a much more pleasing experience, and make the jump from Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 not seem such a daunting prospect.

1: Bypass the Windows Tile Screen, and Boot Straight To The Windows Desktop

In its default state, Windows 8 boots to the new tiled, (previously called “Metro”) interface. This caused confusion among a lot of users, as it’s an interface that seems to have been designed with touch screen technology in mind. From personal experience, navigating the tiles, while great on a touchscreen tablet, such as Microsoft’s Surface, is tricky for those of us that can’t be dragged away from the traditional mouse-and-keyboard combo. But did you know that you can bypass the tiles completely, and get your computer to boot straight to the Desktop? First, you need to make sure that you have upgrade to Windows 8.1. (Available from the Windows App Store.) In Windows 8.1,click the tile to take you to the familiar Windows Desktop, then right click on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. From the popup menu, click or tap Properties, then click on the Navigation tab. In the Start screen section, check the box which says “When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start”. This will ensure that your PC completely bypasses the tiled interface when you start it up.

2: The Start Button. (Or, lack of…)

Of all the new features added into Windows 8, none seems to have caused more discussion than the removal of the traditional Windows Start button. Although the Windows 8.1 update claims to have replaced it, it is merely nothing more than a shortcut button that takes you to the tile interface. Many users want the familiar Start Button, listing all their installed programs,just as it did Windows XP, Vista and 7. The good news is that you can install a tradition Start Button to do just that. ClassicShell (http://www.classicshell.net/) is a third party (ie, not support by Microsoft) addon that installs a classic Windows Start Button, so you’ll be right at home. There is also a more full-featured program called Start8, which only costs a small amount, that gives you access to some wider features.

3. Reinstall The Windows Aero Theme from Windows 7

One of the really nice features of Windows 7 was the Aero theme, which made Windows translucent. Conversely, Windows 8 has dull, bland-looking Windows that are, frankly a little boring. The solution is a third-party program called UXStyle (http://uxstyle.com/) which allows users of Windows 8 to download themes for older versions of Windows, including the Windows 7 Aero theme.

4. Add a Shortcut Button to the Tile Interface to Shut your PC down 

When you’re browsing the tile interface, it can seem long-winded to have to browse through lots of screens, simply to shut your PC down. To make a shutdown button for your start screen, you must first create a desktop shortcut (right-click, new shortcut) and enter this line of code in the location field:

Shutdown.exe —s —a 00P

Name the desktop shortcut Shutdown and click Finish. Finally, right-click on that shortcut and choose Properties then Change Icon and from the menu that pops up you will need to select “Pin the shortcut to your start menu.”