Classic Shell: Forum

I'm currently setting up a freshly installed Win8 x64 Pro on a laptop (Win7 was not possible because of lack in vendor drivers), and one of the first things to do was to install Classic Shell.
I went with the recommended 3.6.8 version and set up everything by importing .XML configuration backups from a previous installation on another PC. I was content until I discovered that Classic Explorer boasts the "Always show more details" option for the file transfer dialog in Win8, which I'd like to use.

I then went to configure CE and found that the File operations tab isn't present, even when selecting the "Show all settings". I've checked in the Internet explorer add-on manager, and it shows all the Classic* plugins as enabled (this was suggested in another thread for problems with Classic Explorer).

I've then tried the experimental 3.9.3 build, but no luck. The only CE option panes I have are:
"Navigation Pane" "Title bar" "Toolbar Settings" "Toolbar Buttons" "Status Bar" "File Pane" "Language"
Feature search shows no option remotely similar to "Always show more details" in name.

I can't find the Classic Explorer setting file in the usual AppData locations (I've found only the StartMenuLog.txt and the DataCache.db which seems to be in a database format I'm unfamiliar with). I've found the registry key for Classic explorer, but don't know what the "Always show more details" DWORD should look like to change it manually.

Could someone at least point me to the proper "Always show more details" registry key entry or Classic explorer config setting that I could manually change to enable this option, it's the only reason I'd need the File Operation tab anyway. All web searches pointed me only to the regular CE configuration or some custom hooks/programs, not what lies beneath them.

In Windows 8, Microsoft reworked both their copy dialog and their copy overwrite dialog. Hence the enhancements Classic Shell made to these dialogs are no longer available. But the Windows 8 copy dialog automatically saves the state of the dialog. If you show the details once, it will remember that and always show more copy dialog details.

Unfortunately, the classic dialogs for file overwrite/conflict are not available even though Windows 8 makes these file details harder to see by hiding them behind one more click. You need to click every time "Let me choose" to make a decision if you decided whether to overwrite by looking at the file details such as Date, Size etc.

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Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Indeed it does, thanks for the prompt clarification, and the reason for the extra file copy/replace click.
I've been switching between users and, now that you've pointed it out, can verify that Win8 Explorer does remember settings for "More detail".
I'm mostly done with updating and fiddling with drivers, settings and customizations, I just needed to do it once per user.

I'm still not used to Windows 8 logic regarding user settings (change one thing in the control panel, other in the Metro settings) so I'm still experimenting. Too bad their import/export isn't as easy as copying one .XML. I haven't tried Syncing via Microsoft Accounts, but don't think it would be viable for multiple users anyway.

I just find Windows 8 did a huge step back in user display configurability, compared to Win7 and XP. It seems that since Win95, MS locks down more and more options steadily, hiding them in obscure registry keys or group policies even for Administrator accounts.
Example/rant: For some reason the Group policy change for the default Lock screen didn't work even though I got the required update, and checked the registry key for the policy myself, put the picture in the %SystemRoot% and added permissions for everybody. I had to manually find the original Space Needle jpegs (taking system folder ownerships along the way) and replace them. At least now I know the 250kb limitation from Win7 no longer applies. I have to check what'll happen when the laptop is connected to a 16:10 or 4:3 external display - regarding scaling and stretching of said jpegs.
And I still cant change inactive window colors, not even with the registry WindowMetrics key.
(Rant end)

This locking down trend and restricting customization started with Windows Vista. You're right. Windows 8 is indeed less configurable overall than Windows 7. You know best what system to stick to so Microsoft learns it the hard way. You can also use Classic Shell on Windows 7.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.