Server 2012 with Cilent windows 8.1 pro

[APS]

Hi all, hope we are ok.

Can anyone help me out here.

I have windows 8.1 pro, but I don't like the current startscreen, is there a way to change the startscreen so that it looks similar to Windows 7?

I have seen some windows 8 computers like that before, but, have no idea on how to do it.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[Arthur]

Classic Shell or StartIsBack will do what you want.

[APS]

Ok, Thanks.

How would I apply it to the workstations? As i'm planning to do a testing on server 2012.

Or do I have to go to each client computer and install it manual?

[Arthur]

I've never tried deploying Classic Shell (or similar Start Menus) since I am happy with the standard Start Screen in Windows 8.1 and after showing users how it works they are too usually. When I read your question I assumed you only wanted it for your PC.

 

I had a quick look and it appears that when you run the Classic Shell installer an MSI is extracted to C:\ProgramData. This can be used to deploy the program via Group Policy, SCCM, etc., although I would also create an MST to prevent some of the additional features being installed (like the three shown in the screenshot below).

 

http://a.pomf.se/obfcsc.png

 

In the installation folder there are some Group Policy templates (%ProgramFiles%\Classic Shell\PolicyDefinitions.zip) that enable you to control the settings for users. This should stop the box pictured below from appearing the first time they click the Start button after Classic Shell has been installed. See the section called "Administrative Settings" in the help file for further details.

 

http://a.pomf.se/whxvir.png

Edited January 31, 2015 by Arthur

[APS]

Ok, thank you

[APS]

Hello, does anyone know on how I can find the MSI of Classic Shell so that I can deploy it across the network?

I have looked in C:\ProgramData but no luck.

[Arthur]

I have looked in C:\ProgramData but no luck.

The MSI gets deleted from C:\ProgramData as soon as you close ClassicShellSetup_4_1_0.exe.

 

Therefore what you need to do is run the EXE installer, wait until the "Welcome to the Classic Shell setup wizard" screen appears, but instead of clicking Next, go to the C:\ProgramData folder and make a copy of the MSI. Then close the EXE installer.

 

Alternatively, use the extract32 or extract64 command-line parameters to extract the MSI(s) from the EXE installer.

 

www.classicshell.net/faq/#install_commands

[APS]

Thanks, and yes, it did work.

Thanks for helping