Making Windows 8 Modern UI "Better"

[TravisLee]

Hey people.

 

I just wanted to post something I thought was cool.

I know most of us hate Windows 8 Modern UI and I am one of them so was looking for some things to make the jump bearable.

 

There were two programs I found that helped.

 

The first being Custom Tile Maker, I know everyone has already heard about this but I find although it doesn't really serve a purpose it helps make the aesthetics look good.

The second is called OblyTile, this is really cool as you can make custom icons to launch various applications, web pages and folders. This is the main thing that make a difference to using Modern UI. Apart from the aesthetics if you willing to put in the initial work you could make it quite cool.

 

 

This is what I was able to do with these two programs.

 

Pretty simple but I have all that I need pretty much there (I am not a power user) and once I add more programs like eventually Office 2013, it's no problem making it neat and usable.

 

If you did indeed like this then give it a try, I know most people know about these programs so if you didn't continue using them maybe post why. (I could be satisfied with mediocre and not know it)

 

To get these two programs:

Use Windows Store for Custom Tile Maker, published by Goheer

and for OblyTile - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1899865

 

 

Thanks people for reading.

[naca1227]

dat Stingray ass

 

Looks super nice gj! 

[SteepGnomeKing]

WoW I did not know of these programs before.

 

This is going to really change how my modern ui looks.

Thanks.

[DirkaFat]

I want windows 8

[Samdb]

The easiest way to make it better is to not use it at all.

[DirkaFat]

The easiest way to make it better is to not use it at all.

That's Vista you're talking about

[Coombzy]

to avoid frustration install startisback it solved all my problems :3 

[solomongrundy]

I like the metro style icons but if it's just a shortcut to a desktop app, it looks like crap.

 

I just use Classic Shell and use Windows 8 like Windows 7. Works for me.

[Aza6001]

 

My Attempt at making it better. I used a app called Steam Tile for the games and I also found a handy site called Wall of Tiles: http://walloftiles.net

I then filled in the blank space with some gaming pics and I'm quite happy with the result

[TravisLee]

@Aza6001, wow man great wall!

 

It's really cool how you used the entire space of the screen.

A quick question, the games, were those made using Steam Tile and do they have to be Steam games?

 

Great work by the way.

[GoodBytes]

Awesome guys!

I know I post this a lot, but many don't know, so sorry if you already seen this.

For a more work environment system. This is my start screen (old picture, today it's about the same, with more games installed):

 

 

Something I have to try is mix you guys look, for games, with my layout.

[Aza6001]

@Aza6001, wow man great wall!

 

It's really cool how you used the entire space of the screen.

A quick question, the games, were those made using Steam Tile and do they have to be Steam games?

 

Great work by the way.

 

Thanks! And yes unfortunately they do have to be steam games.

[ultimatemythbuster]

Looks better than regular Windows 8.  I'm not saying I would use Windows 8 if I had a choice, but still better.

[Exotath]

This app has brought me to really enjoy the start screen. B)

 

[old reece frost]

Took me some time but...

[Giddyguy]

This is cool, thanks!

And Microsoft should definitely add this option to the next update!

[GoodBytes]

I doubt it. Microsoft did say that, at multiple times, that Windows 8 was going to be (well now is) a very risky direction.

And, I think that, like Vista, Microsoft went too ahead of it's time for some users, so now they try to take few steps back, especially for power users, and computer enthusiast which, ironically, seams to be the most reluctant to change, and spread the word and gives advice to others on how Windows 8 is bad. So, while Microsoft continues steps in the experimental stages of Windows 8 (as, while Microsoft won't admit it, it's clear that companies follows a 6 year life cycle, so making Windows 8 what Windows 8 is, at this time, was actually the best time to),so they are trying to focus more on keyboard/mouse users who have trouble adapting to changes.

I expect Windows 9 to the version of focus on polishing things, to have such feature, and a better ,ore unified looking GUI.

In other words, I think Microsoft is going: "What the heck? Lets try things" with Windows 8.1.1, in trying to please those who have trouble adapting to change. If it works, it will polished and be put in Windows 9, if not, then something else will be tried in Windows 9, and cross their fingers.

All to say, don't hold you breath until Win9, that would be my expectations and opinion. I would live the ability to right-click on a tile and pick an image or color, but I doubt it will be in Win8.