Windows 8’s No-Aero Desktop Interface Leaks

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Published on 06-15-2012 04:06 PM

8 Comments

One of the major changes that Microsoft announced for Windows 8’s interface was the lack of the Aero Glass that users were already accustomed to in Windows 7 or Windows Vista.

The Redmond-based software giant said that this change is bound to result in a nicer, cleaner look of the desktop in Windows 8, and that it would affect checkboxes, buttons, sliders and other elements as well.

The Release Preview flavor of Windows 8 was released two weeks ago without these changes inside, but the company did say that future versions of the platform would sport them.

Today, however, a series of leaked screenshots that emerged over at Winunleaked.tk are meant to offer us a look at what these changes would involve.

Moving forth with the platform’s development, the UI of the Windows 8 desktop will be flattened, while the transparency that was present in Windows 7 will not be there for all users to enjoy.

According to Microsoft, the appearance of windows will be crisper as a result of removing unnecessary shadows and transparency. Moreover, glows and gradients were removed from buttons within the chrome.

Of course, the overall feel of the UI will remain mostly unchanged from Windows 7, since Microsoft is looking into offering continuity with the platform.

However, the Redmond-based software giant is bringing to Windows 8’s desktop the look of the Metro interface that took over the platform, something that was officially announced several weeks ago.

Users will be able to customize the desktop color, and they will even receive access to the color mixer in the Color and Appearance settings, but they won’t be able to bring the Aero Glass back.

Since the screenshots were taken with a pre-RTM version of the platform, we should expect Microsoft to perform even more changes to the Windows 8 UI before the OS is released to manufacturing, something that should happen at the end of July, so stay tuned to learn more on the matter.

In the meantime, however, you can try out the Windows 8 Release Preview build 8400 to learn more on the novelties that Microsoft packed the platform with when compared to Windows 7.

Categories:
Software

8 Comments

mr. nails - 06-15-2012, 06:18 PM
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i just got a copy of win8, but won't install it for awhile due to lack of interest. i will miss the aero though.. i liked it. hopefully a mod so i can still use it. easy on the eyes and i for one thought it looked nice.

Cabalo - 06-16-2012, 01:45 AM
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Yeah, this new look appears a lot like some android features. They are paying too much attention to the tablet war and they should never neglect their userbase, the desktop and laptop users.

megabyteme - 06-16-2012, 04:24 AM
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I still don't love Win7. However, the one feature I do like is Aero. Nice to see they are throwing that out.

mjmacky - 06-16-2012, 05:32 AM
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I do love Win7, I honestly can't think of any complaints with how it works (except maybe hangups when trying to access unavailable network drive).

So I guess it's true, no start menu. Glad to see they threw away the most useful part of Windows as well.

Skyliner - 06-16-2012, 09:16 AM
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they should just call it windows touch, and make something different for PCs

duke0102 - 06-16-2012, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Skyliner

they should just call it windows touch, and make something different for PCs

+1 there, it's feeling more and more like this is just for tablet/touchscreens. Maybe they are making is naff on purpose so future patches will entice people into buying later on after release.

megabyteme - 06-16-2012, 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by mjmacky

I do love Win7, I honestly can't think of any complaints with how it works (except maybe hangups when trying to access unavailable network drive).

So I guess it's true, no start menu. Glad to see they threw away the most useful part of Windows as well.

Win7 works fine, the problem is that I still cannot intuitively find stuff. I never had to use Google to locate features with any other version. From the screens posted, it doesn't look any better. I've had the same issues with the "newer" versions of Office. Whatever, we'll all keep using (and learning for school/work) whatever crap they want to put out.

mjmacky - 06-17-2012, 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by megabyteme

Win7 works fine, the problem is that I still cannot intuitively find stuff. I never had to use Google to locate features with any other version.

When I finally adopted the new start menu (I had been using classic from XP to Win7), that helped me immensely. From the different security panels to particular programs, it worked wonders.