AboutThis is just a list of all Metro-ified components of Windows ever since Windows 8.0. These Metro-ified components are a problem for both people who want DWM off and/or consistency using when Classic Theme, Basic Theme, or even a different visual style from the default. That is why I also have alternatives that are Win32 or Non-Metro that also serves the same function.
List of Metro-ified Components
Here is the list. Each successive Windows version will inherit the metro from the previous ones. Also, in ones which need file replacing, "corresponding locale folder" means the folders in system32 like en-US, fr-FR, etc. Also, I use "mutilated" as a term for old Win32 components getting features removed or forced to redirect to metro apps.
Windows 8.0/8.1:
- Start Screen (Start Menu in Windows 10+):
Open-Shell (Windows 7+) and
StartIsBack (Windows 8.1+) are the best options available. You can use either.
- Various system dialogs (eg. Battery Low, "About to be logged off in x seconds). No alternatives or replacements available except for the logoff dialog. See this thread for details:
winclassic.net/thread/1044/windows-shutdown-dialog-newer-versions- Login screen/CTRL ALT DEL screen (No replacements until Windows 10)
- The user accounts control panel: No good alternatives except netplwiz.exe
- netplwiz.exe contains a metro dialog when creating accounts. Replacing netplwiz.dll and its corresponding locale file (netplwiz.dll.mui) with the ones from Windows 7 will work to remove it. It serves as a good alternative to the User Accounts control panel. To have a direct link to it in control panel, see this:
www.tenforums.com/tutorials/147578-add-advanced-user-accounts-control-panel-windows-7-8-10-a.html- Network Flyout:
PE Network Manager
- OOBE: Completely metroified, with no proper alternative.
This ISO has replaced it, but I have no idea how (replacing msoobe.exe?).
- Windows Activation dialog (typing product key in and activating): Also metroified. No alternative except slmgr commands in Command Prompt.
- Accessibility options in login screen (Utilman.exe) got metroified. No alternatives, unless if someone wants to make one that can replace utilman.exe. Replacing it with the Windows 7 version does not work.
- Various other metro components (eg. Charms bar) can be removed using
FxxkMetro
- Taskbar Jump Lists: Only way to de-metroify them is to use StartIsBack++.
- Login Screen: Can now be replaced with a console logon. This
registry value works up until 1903, afterwards you have to rename Windows.UI.Logon.dll in System32.
- ms-settings: URI Redirector:
www.winclassic.net/thread/1661/ms-settings-uri-redirector . It fixes most Control Panel to Settings redirections introduced in 1507+ (with the exception of the command bar/ribbon "Open Settings" button). Any redirections or links to Settings in Windows 8.1 directly call up the Settings app instead of using the URI, so it won't work.
- Display Settings control panel: While the resolution/monitor configurator still works, the DPI scaling has been mutilated. To fix, replace display.dll in System32 and display.dll.mui in your corresponding locale folder with the ones from Windows 8.1. That will fix things up to 1607 AFAIK.
- Personalization control panel: Either replace themecpl.dll and themecpl.dll.mui in the corresponding locale folder with the Windows 8.1 counterparts (works up to 1607), mod themecpl.dll (works for all versions).
ThemeCPL Modding Instructions:
1. Open themecpl.dll (themecpl.dll.mun in 1903+) in Resource Hacker. If you are opening themecpl.dll from System32, make sure to either copy it to a different directory first or just symlink a directory to System32
2. Find this line: <navigatebutton id="atom(DesktopBackgroundNavigateButton)" layoutpos="top" layout="verticalflowlayout(0,2)" sheet="PersonalizationHubStyle" class="ThemeElementGroup" active="keyboard" shellexecute="ms-settings:personalization-background" accname="Desktop Background"></navigatebutton>
3. Replace shellexecute="ms-settings:personalization-background" with navigationtargetrelative="pageWallpaper"
4. Find this line: <navigatebutton layoutpos="top" layout="verticalflowlayout(0,2)" sheet="PersonalizationHubStyle" class="ThemeElementGroup" active="keyboard" shellexecute="ms-settings:personalization-colors" accname="Color"></navigatebutton>
5. Replace shellexecute="ms-settings:personalization-colors" with navigationtargetrelative="pageColorization"
Alternatively, you could also use the ms-settings: URI Redirector.
- Text Services and Input Languages: It may have been mutilated in this version. However, there is a way to get the old one back. See
this thread.
- Balloon Notifications: Became metro toast notifications. See
this to revert.
- Notification Area Icons: Became inaccessible normally. To revert, unzip regs,zip, go to the Notification Area Icons folder, and import both regs as TrustedInstaller. You will see in in Appearance and Personalization.
- You can replace the metroified HelpPane with the Windows 8.1 version. To do that, get HelpPane.exe and HelpPane.exe.mui from the corresponding locale folder and put both of them in C:\Windows (with HelpPane.exe.mui going to the locale folder). See
this thread for more details.
Windows 10 1511:
- No major changes, except the fact that the resolution changer may have become inaccessible normally (it is still accessable by running "explorer shell:::{C555438B-3C23-4769-A71F-B6D3D9B6053A}\Settings"). You can still replace display.dll and display.dll.mui with the Windows 8.1 counterparts.
Windows 10 1607/LTSB 2016:- Taskbar configuration:
This, along with the ms-settings: URI redirector to fix the taskbar context menu.
- Display settings: Resolution/Monitor configurator has been removed completely. You can still fix it by replacing display.dll and display.dll.mui with the Windows 8.1 counterparts.
- Classic Clock Flyout: No longer can be reverted natively. However, you can use StartIsBack++ (version 2.9 or later) to make the registry key work again.
- UAC prompt: In 1607, it is possible for it to be reverted using a registry key. See
this.
- Sticky Notes: Metro-ified with this version. See
this to revert.
- Windows Journal: No longer preinstalled with Windows. However, there is a way to bring it back. See
this thread for details (thanks
OrthodoxWin32 )
- Desktop Context Menu items may be redirecting to the garbage metro settings app instead of control panel starting from this version. To fix, unzip regs.zip, go to the Context Menu folder, and import both regs as TrustedInstaller.
Windows 10 1703:
- The display option in control panel may have been removed in this version. To restore it, unzip regs.zip, go to the Display folder, and import ALL reg files (as TrustedInstaller). To make it fully work, you will need display.dll and display.dll.mui from an older version of Windows.
- Windows Defender has been metroified. However, you can still get the old interface by going to the directory and running MsAsCui.exe. Not working as of 1803 I believe. A good alternative is just to delete Windows Defender and use a different antivirus instead.
- Win + X menu items may be redirecting to the garbage metro settings app instead of control panel starting from this version. To fix, use
Win + X Menu Editor to change them back.
- MSPaint: Has a link to the metro Paint 3D app. To remove it, get mspaint.exe and its mui from Windows 10 1607 and copy both into System32, with the mui in the corresponding locale folder. (Thanks
Jevil7452 )
Windows 10 1709:
- ThemeCPL: Replacing with the Windows 8.1 version may have broke with this version (or it may have broken with 1703). The modding method or the ms-settings URI redirector are the only methods going forward.
- DisplayCPL: Replacing with the stock Windows 8.1 version may have broke with this version (or it may have broken with 1703). You can either replace it it with the 1511 version, which doesn't have the DPI changer but does have the resolution changer (see here:
winclassic.net/thread/1390/classic-display-settings-control-partially ), or you can replace it with a modified Windows 8.1 version (see here for files, instructions are the same as for the 1511 version:
winclassic.net/post/14304/thread ).
- Troubleshooting option has been removed from Security and Maintenence/Action Center in this build. To restore it, unzip regs.zip, go to the Troubleshooting folder, and import both regs (as TrustedInstaller). You will see it in System and Security. The blue link under "Security and Maintence" that says "Troubleshoot Common Computer Problems" can be fixed using the ms-settings URI redirector.
- Default Programs control panel: May have been mutilated in this version (According to
this thread on tenforums). However, the old default programs menu still exists. To access it, run this: "explorer shell:::{17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966} -Microsoft.DefaultPrograms\pageDefaultProgram". The file associations menu can be accessed using this: "explorer.exe shell:::{17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966}\pageFileAssoc". It may be possible to replace it with the Windows 10 1703 version to bring back the proper links.
Windows 10 1803:
- Personalization Control Panel item may have been removed in this version. To restore it, unzip regs.zip, go to the Personalization folder, and import both regs (as TrustedInstaller).
- Old classic default programs and file associations no longer exists. Only good alternative is
this. There also exists
this alternative for file associations. (thanks
OrthodoxWin32 )
- Classic control panel language switcher has been removed in this version (According to
this). No alternatives available except to replace intl.cpl and intl.cpl.mui from the corresponding locale folder with the Windows 7 counterparts. However, it may not work properly.
- Snipping Tool: May have a link to the garbage metro replacement for it starting from this version. A solution is to copy SnippingTool.exe and SnippingTool.exe.mui from the corresponding locale folder from a Windows 8.1 install into System32 and for the mui file, into the corresponding locale folder.
- Sticky Keys Dialog: Changed from Control Panel to garbage metro settings app. Replacing sethc.exe in System32 and sethc.exe.mui from the corresponding locale folder with the ones either from 1607, 1703, or 1709 (Not sure when exactly it started redirecting, but just to be safe use 1607 since I am 90% certain that it still has the link to control panel there).
- The Connect to Network Share password dialog may have been metrofied in this version (or it could be 1709). To fix, see
this. It MAY also fix UAC for 1703+, but it has not been tested. A reg for this will be posted in the future.
- Windows Smartscreen Settings: May have benn metroified in this version (or it could have been either 1703 or 1709). Get SmartScreenSettings.exe and its corresponding MUI file from the locale folder (SmartScreenSettings.exe.mui) from Windows 10 1607/1703/1709. Copy SmartScreenSettings.exe into System32 and SmartScreenSettings.exe.mui into the corresponding locale file. However, this may not be functioning.
Windows 10 1809:- Introduction of
ExplorerPatcher: Can be used for getting the classic Windows 7 flyouts (including clock) without registry or paid programs (StartIsBack++). (thanks
OrthodoxWin32 for providing more accurate info on what Windows 10 versions ExplorerPatcher supports)
Windows 10 1903:
- Logon screen: Registry key to change the Logon screen to the console one no longer works. Only way going forward is to rename Windows.UI.Logon.dll in System32.
- Certain files that need to be modded are now in .mun files in SystemResources (eg. themecpl.dll.mun).
- Default Programs Control Panel: Replacing with the Windows 10 1703 version may have broken with this version (or it could have broken later on or in 1809). Clicking on the Default Programs or File Associations either crashes explorer or brings you to a glitched version of the page.
Windows 10 1909:- Explorer Search Bar: Use
mach2 and run this: mach2 disable 18755234 . This does not work in 2004, though there is a solution.
- ExplorerPatcher could probably remove it, though this is unconfirmed.
Windows 10 2004:- mach2 no longer works. However, there are still ways to disable it. See
this thread. ExplorerPatcher could also be used to remove it.
Windows 10 2009/20H2:- System goes to the garbage metro settings app when directly clicked on in the Control Panel. However, you can still access it by running "explorer shell:::{BB06C0E4-D293-4F75-8A90-CB05B6477EEE}". An alternative way is just to append "\System" to the address bar when in "System and Security" or "All Control Panel Items". Also, when Control Panel is displayed as a menu in Open-Shell in "Customize Start Menu"/Right Column in the 7-style menu, clicking on System in the sub-menu will bring you to the proper page and not the garbage metro settings app. You can fix this by downloading
vivetool, and then running "vivetool /disable /id:25175482" (no quotes obviously) when in the directory where vivetool is located (thanks
Jevil7452 ). That method will not work in Windows 11. Alternatively, the lazy way would be to just use the ms-settings: URI redirector, but the panel will open in a new window instead of the same window (due to the way that the redirector works).
Windows 10 21H1: - Windows.UI.ImmersiveShell.serviceprovider.dll can be renamed to remove many metro components and instability of Explorer in this version (when DWM is off). However, it may be there starting from 2004.
Windows 10 21H2:- No major changes AFAIK.
Windows 11 21H2:- Taskbar: Can be reverted using ExplorerPatcher back to the Windows 10 version
- Explorer Context Menus: Can be reverted using ExplorerPatcher
- Explorer Ribbon becomes Metro toolbar: Can be reverted using ExplorerPatcher, either back to the ribbon or the Windows 7 Command Bar. An alternative way is to replace ExplorerFrame.dll with the one from Windows 11 Build 21332 (thanks
OrthodoxWin32 )
- Paint: Get mspaint.exe and mspaint.exe.mui from the corresponding locale folder from Windows 8.1. Copy mspaint.exe into System32 and mspaint.exe.mui into the corresponding locale folder. If you want a classic-looking paint, use the ones from Vista (still requires the mui).
- Notepad: Get notepad.exe and notepad.exe.mui from any other version of Windows 10. Copy notepad.exe into System32 and the Windows folder and notepad.exe.mui into the corresponding locale folders (including the locale folder in the Windows directory)
- Command Prompt/Powershell: See
this for how to change the default terminal from the shitty metro terminal back to conhost.exe (Windows Console Host). (thanks
OrthodoxWin32 )
- Programs and Features, Time/Date, and old Notifications Icons options all now also go to the garbage metro Settings App. All of these as well as System can be reverted using ExplorerPatcher.
Windows 11 22H2: (all thanks to
OrthodoxWin32 for providing this information):
Future (Windows 11 either 23H2 or 24H2):
- Classic taskbar from Windows 10 (and potentially other Win32 things from Windows 10) has a chance to be removed in a future version. Most likely copying explorer.exe and its mui from an older version of Windows 11 will work, but it might not work for long. Only alternatives then will be custom shells such as Cairo Shell or custom taskbars such as Retrobar. (thanks
OrthodoxWin32 , from shoutbox)
That is basically the list, though feel free to reply with more accurate information and other components that have been metro-ified, as well as new alternatives. And no, do not mention Classic Logon Shell as an alternative for the logon screen, it still requires the metro login screen as the backend. Once it can use the Windows Console login screen as the backend, then it will be listed as a viable alternative.
Misc
This is just a section contain features that can be reverted (or added back if it was removed) that are not actually metro components. This also contains "nice to have" features that are metro but can also be implemented in a way without Metro.
- Performance Information and Tools (WinSAT): See
this thread.
- Windows 7 Games: See
this.
- Getting Started: No alternatives currently. File replacement does not work.
- winhlp32.exe can be replaced with the one from Windows XP (preferably x64) to get the classic help dialog back. No need for locale files, as mui files did not exist in Windows XP. While the Help application in Windows 8.x is not metro (it really only has the design language), in Windows 10 it is. (thanks
OrthodoxWin32 )
Windows 10 1507:
-
WindHawk can be used for many things related to patching.
- Immersive Context Menus (Taskbar): Use either WindHawk and the "Non Immersive Taskbar Context Menu" mod or
TaskbarContextMenuTweaker- Immersive Context Menus (Explorer): Use either WindHawk and the "Disable Immersive Context Menus" mod or
ExplorerContextMenuTweaker (latter is not recommended)
- File Copy Dialog: Alongside the Windows 8.x method, you could also use WindHawk and the "Legacy File Copy Dialog" mod.
- Explorer Ribbon: Alongside OldNewExplorer, you could also use WindHawk and the "Windows 7 Command Bar" mod.
- Action Center: See
this thread.
- Taskbar Context Menu: Contains new options related to metro. To disable them, it requires modding.
1. Disable all of the options (except options that existed before such as taskbar locking) in the context menu.
2. Open Resource Hacker. Open C:\Windows\(locale folder)\explorer.exe.mui.
3. Go to Menu > 205:[locale]
4. Remove everything between
MENUITEM "&Adjust date/time", 408, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "&Customize notification icons", 421, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "", 65535, MFT_SEPARATOR, MFS_ENABLED
and
MENUITEM "Casca&de windows", 403, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "Show windows stack&ed", 405, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
...
It should generally look like this afterwards:
205 MENUEX
LANGUAGE LANG_ENGLISH, SUBLANG_ENGLISH_US
{
POPUP "", 0, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED, 0
{
MENUITEM "&Adjust date/time", 408, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "&Customize notification icons", 421, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "", 65535, MFT_SEPARATOR, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "Casca&de windows", 403, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "Show windows stack&ed", 405, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "Show windows s&ide by side", 404, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "&Show the desktop", 407, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "&Undo", 416, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "", 65535, MFT_SEPARATOR, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "Tas&k Manager", 420, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "", 65535, MFT_SEPARATOR, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "&Lock the taskbar", 424, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "&Lock all taskbars", 425, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "Taskbar se&ttings", 413, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
MENUITEM "E&xit Explorer", 518, MFT_STRING, MFS_ENABLED
}
}
However, if you have a different language, it might look a bit different. You have to find the equivalent lines.
5. Compile and save file, then restart explorer.
Windows 10 1703:-
f.lux can serve as a good alternative to Night Light (thanks
OrthodoxWin32 ). It also works on older versions of Windows, down to 7.
Windows 10 1803:- Classic Games Library has been removed. To add it back, see
this.
Windows 10 1809:- ExplorerPatcher allows you to disable the Immersive Context Menus, new File Copy Dialog, and the Explorer Ribbon without needing WindHawk.
Windows 10 1909:
- To shrink the address bar height, use mach2 from earlier.
Windows 10 2004:
- To shrink the address bar height, use WindHawk and the "Shrink Address Bar Height" mod. You could also use ExplorerPatcher.
Windows 11 21H2:- The address bar can no longer be shrunk to the height it was in Windows 10 1903 and below, even with the WindHawk mod or the ExplorerPatcher option checked, except when you replace ExplorerFrame.dll with the one from Windows 11 Build 21332. For more information see this thread:
winclassic.net/thread/1703/restoring-classic-explorer-proportions-windows (thanks
OrthodoxWin32 )
Again, you can reply with more accurate info and other components that can be reverted.
Also, here is the link to regs.zip:
regs.zip 
