ModernUI Tuner, Tweak Windows 8 specific settings

Here is what each tab makes available:

• • Define the distance you need to mouse-drag or touch-drag an application from the top of the screen before it gets closed. Also define how long it takes before the app flips when it reaches that point. Flipping indicates that it will be closed when you release the action (default 1 second).

  • Set the hover timeout delay for the desktop and Start Screen Charms Bar (default 1 second).

  • Set the interval that you need to hover the cursor in the top left corner to display thumbnail icons there on the desktop and on the Start Screen (default 1 second).

  • Show or hide the shutdown button on the Start Screen.

As you can see from the options, it is mostly useful to Windows 8 users who use these controls that the operating system makes available.

If you do however, you may find the tweaks that it makes available useful. For instance, you can use the app to improve the closing of apps when you drag them. While some users may prefer to use Alt-F4 to close apps, others may prefer the dragging motion, especially when they use a touch device.

All settings can also be modified directly in the Windows Registry instead. ModernUI Tweaker may be more comfortable to use, but editing the Registry may be interesting to some users as well, for instance if these changes need to be made to a number of computer systems or if you dislike running Net software.

Here are the relevant keys:

• • Charms Bar Hover Timeout Desktop: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\EdgeUi\CharmsBarDesktopDelay

  • Charms Bar Hover Timeout Start Screen: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\EdgeUi\CharmsBarImmersiveDelay

  • Disable shutdown button: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Launcher\Launcher_ShowPowerButtonOnStartScreen (set to 0)

  • Drag distance mouse: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Switcher\MouseCloseThresholdPercent (between 0 and 100)

  • Drag distance touch: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Switcher\TouchCloseThresholdPercent (between 0 and 100)

  • Time before apps get closed: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Switcher\CloseDwellTimeout

  • Switcher (left top corner) hover timeout delay on desktop: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Switcher\AppTipDesktopDelay

  • Switcher (left top corner) hover timeout delay on Start Screen: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Switcher\AppTipImmersiveDelay