Metroization of Windows 8 Traditional Desktop

For Microsoft, how to integrate Windows 8's Metro interface and traditional desktop style is an urgent problem. From now on, Microsoft has not stripped the Metro interface out as a separate OS. The signs, then the Metroization of Windows 8 traditional desktop software seems to be the only remaining option.

Windows 8 has not been very good in recent months. The Windows traditional interface and Metro interface coexistence method that tries to integrate laptop and tablet experience is not recognized by many users. Tim · Cook satirized as if the toaster function was attached to the side of the refrigerator. Indeed, the same is the fusion, Apple is the traditional desktop interface, the Launchpad as an application, and Microsoft is the Metro interface as the main interface, the traditional desktop as an application. I am not talking about it here.

Windows 8 Status

Metro and Traditional Desktop Splitting

Whether it's the Consumer Preview in February or the release preview just released yesterday ( Release Preview) is a semi-Metro half desktop, between Metro and traditional desktops. The Metroized Charm menu that appears when the mouse is moved to the bottom right or top right corner of the screen is also extremely uncoordinated.

Windows 8 Traditional Desktop Metroization

From the Developer Preview to the Consumer Preview in November last year, and now to the release preview, we can see the traditional desktop UI. Evolving in the direction of Metroization.

In addition, Microsoft's own desktop software including Zune, Office 2015, Visual Studio 2011, Device Center, etc. is gradually becoming Metroized, and third-party desktop software is also developing in the direction of Metro, such as GitHub. For Windows, Metrotwit, IDM.

Metroization of Desktop Software

Although the Metro interface for supporting the tablet experience is the biggest highlight and feature for Windows 8, but for Microsoft, more users Still staying on the original desktop, how to make the look and feel of the new desktop software closer to Metro is what will be done next. At present, we can summarize the trend of desktop software from the interface changes of Windows 8 system and the traditional software of its own and third parties.

1. Flat Integration

One of the features of Metro UI is flattening, giving users a sense of immersion. The Metro words of desktop software are not as full-screen as the Metro app, but It has also been moving in the direction of full planarization, including flattening, right angled and deframed. In addition, Microsoft recently announced that it will remove Aero Glass transparent frosted glass effects, remove reflective effects, reduce gradients and shadow effects (which will be applied in subsequent RTM versions), and the overall trend is to integrate distracting borders and function bars into the main body. In the middle, unified plane integration, so that the products are more neat and neat. The following Visual Studio interface changes can be seen at a glance.

2. Simplification

While the plane is three-dimensional, Microsoft has been advocating simplicity, turning transparency into white, and using more white space to increase the breath of the interface. At the same time, try to reduce the number of function bars and focus more on the content. The performance is to adjust the color ratio, with a uniform white, gray and other light background with black text, it seems to be simpler and simpler than the previous Vista, Win 7 interface.