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Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:47 pm
by GeoTrail
I'm working on a small utility and I need to be able to launch the Windows 8 Metro UI from the Desktop. I was thinking something like sending a keyboard shortcut or something, but I can't find any info on this.
Does anyone have a clue how I can launch the Metro UI from the Desktop? It needs to work even if a thirdparty Startmenu program is installed.
Re: Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 1:50 am
by Danilo
Code: Select all
Procedure OpenStartMenu()
keybd_event_(#VK_CONTROL,0,0,0) ; press CTRL key
keybd_event_(#VK_ESCAPE ,0,0,0) ; press ESC key
keybd_event_(#VK_ESCAPE ,0,#KEYEVENTF_KEYUP,0) ; release ESC key
keybd_event_(#VK_CONTROL,0,#KEYEVENTF_KEYUP,0) ; release CTRL key
EndProcedure
OpenStartMenu()
Works here, but don't know if some 3rd party start menus catch this message with a keyboard hook.
It is CTRL+ESC, see
Complete list of Windows 8 shortcuts
Re: Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 2:19 am
by GeoTrail
Thanks for the reply
Unfortunantly that don't work with most 3rd party start menus as they catch the keyboard combo and opens the 3rd party startmenu instead.
Re: Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 6:08 am
by Danilo
Another way, but not so good:
Code: Select all
Procedure OpenStartMenu()
PostMessage_(#HWND_BROADCAST,#WM_SYSCOMMAND,#SC_TASKLIST,0)
EndProcedure
OpenStartMenu()
Best way I found seems to be by using a .vbs script, which I create in TEMP here:
Code: Select all
Procedure.i OpenStartMenu()
;
; .vbs script from thread @ http://www.7tutorials.com/download-shortcut-windows-8-start-screen-desktop
;
Protected file
Protected tempFileName.s = GetTemporaryDirectory()+"$tmp"+Hex(Random(-1))+".vbs"
file = CreateFile(#PB_Any, tempFileName)
If file
WriteStringN(file, "Set objShell = CreateObject("+#DQUOTE$+"WScript.Shell"+#DQUOTE$+")")
WriteStringN(file, "objShell.SendKeys "+#DQUOTE$+"^{ESC}"+#DQUOTE$)
FlushFileBuffers(file)
CloseFile(file)
;Delay(50)
RunProgram(tempFileName,"","",#PB_Program_Wait|#PB_Program_Hide)
;Delay(50)
DeleteFile(tempFileName)
ProcedureReturn #True
EndIf
ProcedureReturn #False
EndProcedure
OpenStartMenu()
Re: Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:11 am
by GeoTrail
The first one worked great even with a thirdparty startmenu installed.
The second one with the VB script only opened the start menu.
Seems the first option is going to work perfect for me.
Thanks a million Danilo
Re: Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:50 am
by SFSxOI
Windows 8, the operating system its self, is great, however, the GUI is like it was designed by a bunch of circus clowns on crack for those who are not power users.
Re: Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:03 am
by IdeasVacuum
SFSxOI wrote:Windows 8, the operating system its self, is great, however, the GUI is like it was designed by a bunch of circus clowns on crack for those who are not power users.
Huh? They must of made some serious improvements since the Beta then
Re: Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 7:17 pm
by GeoTrail
I was, honestly, one of the biggest sceptics when I first tested an alpha version of Win8. But after using it on my 6 year old mini laptop with a single core 1.6GHz atom CPU with 1GB of RAM, I am convinced that this is the best Windows so far. It is super optimized and very fast.
Yes, the Metro UI gave me nightmares for a long time, but I'm getting used to it. But, that said, I do have Stardock Start8 on all my computers now, so they basically all work and look almost the same as Windows 7.
Re: Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 7:42 pm
by skywalk
That is encouraging. I heard Windows 8 is tighter but no chance yet to try.
Re: Windows 8 - Start MetroUI from desktop
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 7:55 pm
by GeoTrail
Yeah it does feel tighter. Like it's better "screwed together" in car-terms hehehe