Techdows

Windows how-to guides, fixes and software downloads

  • Home
  • Windows guides

    • Printer settings and problems
    • Windows Update
    • Wi-Fi and network settings
    • Sound and microphone
    • Keyboard shortcuts and symbols

    Popular fixes

    • Get help in Windows 11
    • Connect a wireless printer
    • Re-pair Bluetooth earbuds for stereo sound
    • Cancel a stuck print job
    • Change default programs

    Windows 11 26H2

    • Should you install 26H2?
    • 26H2 not showing in Windows Update
    • 26H2 build numbers explained
    • Where is My Computer (This PC)
    • ncpa.cpl network connections

    All Windows how-to guides →

  • Popular downloads

    • GTA V for PC
    • YouTube app for PC
    • Google Meet for PC
    • Cisco Packet Tracer
    • TikTok for PC

    Office and productivity

    • Microsoft Office
    • Microsoft Word
    • Google Sheets for PC
    • Office product key

    Windows tools

    • PC Health Check app
    • HEVC Video Extension
    • DirectX 12
    • Cinebench R23

    All software downloads →

  • Microsoft Edge

    • Fix WebView2 using too much memory
    • Internet Explorer mode in Edge
    • Manage Edge favorites
    • Set or remove Edge as default

    Chrome and Firefox

    • Make Chrome the default browser
    • Restore closed tabs
    • Change the default web browser
    • Google Chrome news and tips
    • Firefox news and tips

    All Microsoft Edge articles →

  • Office apps

    • Office product key
    • Office Deployment Tool
    • What is OneDrive?
    • Turn off OneDrive in Windows 11

    Outlook and Teams

    • Outlook inbox view changed
    • Schedule an email in Outlook
    • Outlook dark mode
    • Teams breakout rooms
  • PHP security

    • PHP2Shell patch download
    • PHP critical RCE security update
    • CVE-2026-109618 fix
    • CVE-2026-109619 explained
    • Mitigations if you can't update

    Update PHP

    • Update PHP to the latest version
    • Check your PHP version
    • Update PHP on Ubuntu and Debian
    • Restart PHP-FPM

    Hosting and local servers

    • Update PHP in XAMPP
    • Change PHP version in cPanel
    • Update PHP in Laragon and WampServer
    • Update PHP Docker images
    • WordPress PHP version check

    PHP downloads

    • PHP 8.5.12 download
    • PHP 8.4.27 download
    • PHP 8.3.36 and 8.2.35 download
    • Download PHP for Windows

    PHP2Shell by platform

    • PHP 8.3 fix on Ubuntu 24.04
    • PHP 8.1 fix on Ubuntu 22.04
    • PHP 8.2 and 8.4 fix on Debian
    • Update PHP on IIS
    • Cloudflare PHP2Shell WAF rule

    All PHP guides →

  • News

Classic Shell Now Skips The Metro Screen on Startup and Boots You Directly on to Windows 8 Desktop

July 1, 2012 by Venkat Eswarlu

Two annoyances in Windows 8 are Metro Start screen and user will be taken to start screen instead of desktop after startup, there are freeware third-party apps on net which disables metro start screen and enables conventional start menu on Windows 8, Classic Shell, the app which primarily designed to bring Classic Start menu in Windows 7 enables Classic Start menu in Windows 8, till now using Explorer script we can able to boot directly onto Windows 8 desktop  but that’s tedious process, if you’re looking for an app that not only enables classic start menu but also takes you straight to desktop after login in Windows 8, no more searching needed! Classic Shell provides both these features, latest Classic Shell 3.5.1 program update adds “skip metro screen” setting which is selected by default, so all you need to do is install the program and you’re ready to access desktop after startup in Windows 8.

Classic Shell update takes you directly to Desktop by skipping Metro Screen on Startup

Configuring Classic Shell during the setup in Windows 8

Classic Shell also adds Classic Explorer and Classic IE9 to Windows 8 which you can unselect during the setup, i.e you’re only installing Classic Start Menu feature in Windows 8 that brings Start orb (Start menu) and negates metro screen on startup.

From the screenshot below you can see “Skip Metro Screen” option selected by default under Basic Settings of Classic Shell. We’ve installed this program on Windows 8 Release Preview and its working.

skip metro

You can download Classic Shell 3.5.1 from here.

Venkat Eswarlu
Venkat Eswarlu

Venkat is an independent technology journalist and the founder of Techdows. He has been covering web browsers, Windows, and software news since 2009. His exclusive scoops on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge features have been cited by Forbes, TechCrunch, Wired, CNET, and other major publications.

More in Freeware

Download Samsung Smart Switch for PC, Windows 11/10 & Mac (Free)Download Samsung Smart Switch for PC, Windows 11/10 & Mac (Free)2 hours agoDownload ScanSnap Home for PC, Windows 11/10 & Mac (Free)Download ScanSnap Home for PC, Windows 11/10 & Mac (Free)17 hours agoDownload HEVC Video Extensions for PC, Windows 11 and 10Download HEVC Video Extensions for PC, Windows 11 and 102 weeks agoDownload ROCCAT Swarm for PC, Windows 11 and Windows 10 (Free)Download ROCCAT Swarm for PC, Windows 11 and Windows 10 (Free)2 weeks agoDownload Windscribe for PC, Windows 11/10, Mac & Linux (Free)Download Windscribe for PC, Windows 11/10, Mac & Linux (Free)2 weeks agoDownload iMazing for PC, Windows 11/10 & Mac (Free Trial)Download iMazing for PC, Windows 11/10 & Mac (Free Trial)2 weeks ago
Posted in: Freeware, Tips and Tricks Tagged: Classic Shell, desktop, Metro Start Menu, Windows 8

More from Techdows

How to connect AirPods to Find My on iPhone and iPad
How to connect AirPods to Find My on iPhone and iPad
How to · 5 hours ago
Prime Video logo with version, download size and supported systems
Download Prime Video for PC, Windows 11/10 & Mac (Free App)
Software · 5 hours ago
Configure Windows LAPS (Local Administrator Passwords Solution) in AD
Configure Windows LAPS (Local Administrator Passwords Solution) in AD
How to · 5 hours ago
Windows desktop icon spacing changed and messed up
Windows desktop icon spacing changed and messed up
How to · 4 hours ago
Duolingo download size, price and supported operating systems
Download Duolingo for PC, Windows 11/10 & Mac (Free)
Software · 4 hours ago
How to Cast on Vizio TV (All Methods)
How to Cast on Vizio TV (All Methods)
How to · 4 hours ago
Speaker phone icon disappeared on iPhone 7? How to get it back
Speaker phone icon disappeared on iPhone 7? How to get it back
How to · 4 hours ago
Godot Engine card with version, license, platforms and requirements
Download Godot Engine for PC, Windows 11/10 & Mac (Free)
Software · 2 hours ago

© 2009–2026 Techdows · About · Contact · Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 Techdows.

Techdows WordPress Theme by Techdows