How To Get The Windows 8 Interface Now

**DF Bot** · 6th July 2011

This is a guest post by Ken. If you want to guest post on this site, then please read our*guidelines*here.

Windows*8 is coming in the spring of 2012, bringing with it a whole new*interface.* The Windows 8*desktop is taking a lot of cues from Windows Phone 7, by implementing*the Metro UI and live tiles. Not everyone thinks this will be a*good desktop interface and it looks aimed at tablets.* I found*three free programs that can let you get a feel for the Windows 8*interface on your current Windows 7 desktop.
Mosaic

Mosaic is in the alpha stage – so it’s still pretty limited.* I*found that it works best on the 32 bit version of Windows 7 over the 64bit version.* Since it�s still in the alpha stage, a lot of the
widgets currently lack functionality.* It�s very basic in terms of*what you*can do with it, but you get a good idea of the look and feel of the*Metro UI on your desktop.

In addition to the widgets you can pin*applications and websites to the desktop.* The tiles can be*positioned where you want them and you can scroll to the right as you*add tiles.

Download

Mosaic Zetro VS

This program is more of a Windows 7 theme based program.* However*unlike other Windows 7 themes that usually are prepackaged, this one*requires a bit more work.* You have to run a patch file and then*move a copy of the theme to the themes folder in Windows.* I found*Mosaic*easier to run and did a better job at mimicking the Metro UI tiles, as*I ended up installing three different things to get the end result.
In the end you get a lot more functionality out of the tiles*however.

Download

Zetro VS STDU Explorer

In addition to the tile based start screen, Windows 8 will be adding*a ribbon interface into the explorer window.* The STDU Explorer*adds a ribbon interface for Windows Explorer.* It is not the same*as the ribbon interface for Windows 8, but it will give a user the idea*of what it will be like to use the ribbon in Windows Explorer.

It�s a simple download of an install package.* This is a*standalone application and will not run if you open up Explorer*normally.* You will have to click on the executable to get the*ribbon.
Download

STDU Explorer Many people are not that excited to see the new*interface that Windows 8 promises to bring us.* However using*these three free tools can pave the way for someone already using
Windows 7, to make a transition easier.* Just keep in mind that*these are all still development tools and will not reflect the actual*user experience with Windows 8 once released.
About*the Author: Ken Bell is a System Support Specialist at the Akron-Summit*County Public Library. *He is also a staff writer for the IT’s*department’s blog www.itsitblog.com at the library.

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**Possy_99** · 6th July 2011

naah.. I'll pass..

..is it just me or does anyone else think the live tiles looks more like a screensaver - I'm getting the impression they've taken 7, made a few tweaks here n there and slapped on this horrible UI..