If you are testing Windows 8 Server just for the fun of it, you will soon realize that the new Metro-Style application interface does not really work great for server administration (right now), so the easy way is to turn it off.

Here is how to use REG.exe to see the setting and to modify it:

Check the setting:

• reg.exe query HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer /v RPEnabled
• 1 = Metro style
• 0 = Classic Desktop and start menu

Modify the setting:

• reg.exe add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer /v RPEnabled /d 0 /t REG_DWORD /f

Hopefully the new UI will work better for servers in the future.

/mike