How can I make Windows 8 use the classic theme?

The answers I've seen are themes, which only give me the colours and not the appearance/performance of the UI; in addition, I want to keep Metro.

Basically this:

Instead of:

Solution 1:

Actually the Classic theme does not get you more performance on the modern hardware:

• Classic theme uses CPU to render all its elements;
• New theme (it's Aero-based but without transparency) uses the power of GPU to render UI.
  Graphics Processing Units have enough memory to keep many window images in memory, so that the windows does not have to be repainted when you switch to a window which wasn't visible. Thus you save processing resources to other tasks or merely preserve battery energy.

Having the above in mind, with Windows 8, Microsoft decided you can't turn off Desktop Window Manager (DWM) any more. However, if you stop Themes service, Windows will have to fallback to CPU-based window rendering similar to Classic theme.

However, the approach from How-To Geek in another answer seems better alternative to stopping a service.

Solution 2:

You can use the following program:

http://bertrand.deo.free.fr/TEMP/w8classic.zip Forum link: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=113024

It allows you to have Classic look (disables the themes) but keeps DWM running:

Using this method all Metro apps and Start Screen remain functional.

If you want DWM disabled as well, try this program:

Windows 8 no DWM

After using it, rename the Resources folder.

But do not forget to enable Auto-login to desktop because both login screen and StartScreen need DWM.

This method makes Metro apps not working because they need DWM.

A third method is somwhat similar to the first one, but is reported not to work with the taskbar (or the taskbar needs to be restarted). It uses a batch file and the handle utility by sysinternals. As the first method, it keeps DWM running. You have to run them unde admin command prompt.

Use this

@echo off
FOR /F "delims=^T" %%G IN ('Handle Theme') do set output=%%G
FOR /F "tokens=6" %%G IN ('echo %output%') DO set handleid=%%G
FOR /F "tokens=3" %%G IN ('echo %output%') DO set pid=%%G
echo %handleid%
echo %pid%
Handle -c %handleid% -p %pid% -y

or this script

@ECHO OFF
SETLOCAL ENABLEEXTENSIONS
FOR /F "tokens=3,6 delims=: " %%A IN ('Handle Theme') DO (
ECHO handleid=%%B
ECHO Pid=%%A
Handle -c %%B -p %%A -y
)

or, alternatively a one-liner:

@FOR /F "tokens=3,6 delims=: " %%A IN ('Handle Theme') DO Handle -c %%B -p %%A -y

and you'll get something like this:

Source: http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/173367-simple-hack-enables-classic-theme-in-windows-10-and-8-too/

With all three methods the task manager stops working so you have to install the classic task manager from Windows 7.

For advanced users I recommend this method though.

Additionally, one can apply this tweak to make the menus looking more classic.

Solution 3:

I have classic theme working. Quite simple.. Just setup auto logon, rename dwm.exe so winlogon.exe can't find it, and do the same for the resources folder ..\Windows\Resources\

Also good to import the classic theme colours registry settings from windows 7..

Use penetwork for metro network ui, use turn system icons on or off to get rid of Windows network icon. Use Windows pe task manager (old style non dwm dependant, can be pulled out of Windows setup using shift f10, notepad, open file, all files. Need en-us\taskbar.exe.mui). Use clearlock instead of locking pc, replace sethc.exe for lock on 5x shift key. Use classic shell for start menu, disable all metro and start screen references. Google how to disable the explorer ribbon ui, do it. Google how to disable Command bar, edit the shellstyle.dll in system32. Use batterybar and disable low battery notifications if using a laptop, also disable icon using turn system icons on or off. Disable lock and switch users. Disable password on wake. Set force auto logon key to automatically log on if you accidentally log off. Google how to disable all hot corners, charms bar & mouse edge ui

Only problem with this.. Can't see any startup/shutdown messages Can't use multiple user accounts Insecure due to clearlock Can't use metro apps Can't use startscreen Can't use ctrl alt del security screen Can't use open with dialogue Can't use network UI dialogue Can't use autoplay dialogue Can't use charms bar

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1q_nlcCjyA