I sometimes wonder, especially since Windows 8.1, if people know or realize how or how much things can be maneuvered and manipulated @ or from the Switcher Bar; what I always call(ed) the APP Bar, Top-Left Corner.
>> Size & position of 3 items
>> Replace 1 of 2 APPs w/ Desktop or vice versa...
I'm going to suggest that part of the problem w/ people using & understanding Win8 & taking issue w/ the UI may be the following...
One does not need to 'dwell' on Start. One can use the familiar Desktop & yet, still, select any desired APPs BUT, let or have those active APPs (say, like...
Some of these are new, others are the same keyboard shortcuts we've known for years. Note that "charms" refer to an element of the Metro interface
Win + Spacebar : Switch the input language and keyboard layout
Win + C : Open the Charms
Win + D : Show the desktop
Win + E : open Windows Explorer...
appbar
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input
keyboard
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lock
metro
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run
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settings
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windows 8