No.

Post #359,213 by pwhysall 6/20/12 7:49:39 AM Reply	No. Metro is nothing like previous iterations of touch Windows. Windows RT (i.e. the variant of Windows 8 that runs on ARM-based computers) doesn't have a desktop mode at all. All Metro, all the time. Win32 doesn't even exist on Windows RT. If you've got a spare machine of reasonable spec, and there's Windows in your personal or professional future, I strongly recommend grabbing the release preview from Microsoft's site and installing it. The times they are a-changin'. My personal take? Good! I was getting bored of the existing desktop paradigm. Even if Metro turns out to be a big steaming pile, at least MS tried to move the game on.
Post #359,241 by folkert 6/20/12 7:27:38 PM Reply	So... since W8 will be a steaming pile... And Since you are bored with current iterations, what DO you want in a new "desktop" paradigm now?
Post #359,271 by pwhysall 6/21/12 2:21:13 AM Reply	It's all about bridging the touch/point divide In order get to get over the "two devices" problem. I'm running W8 right now. It's not awful, by any stretch of the imagination. The new Explorer is a great improvement. I like the new Start screen, too. But then, I like Metro, a lot.
Post #359,335 by altmann 6/21/12 8:02:37 PM Reply	Re: Win32 (actually it is still there) The desktop is still there in Windows 8 RT. And presumably Win32 is still there as well, though only so MS can run the standard desktop stuff like Windows Explorer and the cut down version of Office (which will not be a Metro app). 3rd parties don't have access to Win32 on RT however..

Welcome to IWETHEY!