Get Windows 8 Charms Bar on Windows 7, Vista, XP

Bringing the Windows 8 Charms Bar to Windows 7

If you’ve experimented with the Windows 8 Preview releases and appreciated the functionality of the Charms bar on the Metro Start Screen, you aren't limited to Windows 8 to enjoy it. It’s possible to integrate the Charms bar into your Windows 7 environment.

Utilizing RocketDock for Implementation

The Charms bar can be added to your Windows 7 desktop through the use of a RocketDock skin. RocketDock is a freely available and highly customizable application launcher designed for Windows systems. Further information regarding RocketDock and its installation can be found in a dedicated article. A portable version of RocketDock can also be employed.

Extracting the Necessary Files

To implement a “Charms bar” on your Windows 7 desktop, begin by extracting the contents of the downloaded .rar file (a link is provided at the article’s conclusion). RAR files are typically handled by WinRAR, a shareware application.

Important Note: While WinRAR offers a 40-day free trial, continued use necessitates a purchase ($29.00). Alternatively, the free program 7-Zip can be used to extract RAR files without cost.

Installing the Skin and Icons

After extraction, you will find three folders and a file named StartMenu.exe. The “Charmbar transparent” folder should be copied into the Skins directory within your RocketDock program folder.

Note: For installations of RocketDock (not running from a USB drive or similar), the program folder is located in C:\Program Files for 32-bit Windows, or C:\Program Files (x86) for 64-bit Windows.

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Prior to proceeding, consider creating a backup of the Icons folder and the Settings.ini file (if it exists) within the RocketDock program folder. This will allow you to revert to your previous RocketDock configuration if desired.

Note: The Settings.ini file is generated if you choose to store settings in a portable .ini file, or simply to facilitate backing up your preferences.

Replace the existing Icons folder and its contents with the new Icons folder you extracted.

Configuring the Settings

The extracted Settings folder contains two settings files: Settings.ini and Settingstransparent.ini. Using Settings.ini will result in a Charms bar with a black background, mirroring the appearance in Windows 8. To apply this, copy the Settings.ini file to the root of the RocketDock program folder, overwriting any existing Settings.ini file. For a transparent Charms bar, rename Settingstransparent.ini to Settings.ini and then copy it to the RocketDock program folder.

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Upon restarting RocketDock, the new skin, icons, and settings will be applied, adding a Charms bar to the right side of your Windows 7 desktop. The bar may not be immediately visible; move your mouse cursor to the right edge of the screen to reveal it.

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Understanding the Charms Bar Icons

The icons on the Charms bar provide the following functionalities:

Search - Launches an Explorer window with the Search box activated.
Share - Opens Network Connections.
Start - Opens the Start Menu.
Devices - Opens the Device Manager.
Settings - Opens the Control Panel.

Note: If you are using the 64-bit version of Windows 7, the RocketDock program folder resides in C:\Program Files (x86). The default Start icon path may point to C:\Program Files. Manual editing of the icon settings is required. Right-click the icon on the Charms bar, select Icon Settings, and adjust the Target path accordingly.

The Settings icon may also require adjustment. If it fails to open the Control Panel, edit the Target path within the Icon Settings dialog box for that icon as well. In some cases, a drive letter assignment may be incorrect.

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To restore your previous RocketDock configuration, simply replace the Icons folder and Settings.ini file with the backups you created earlier.

You can download the Charms bar skin for RocketDock from http://peterrollar.deviantart.com/art/Win8-Consumer-preview-charmsbar-for-XP-Vista-Win7-285947568.