How to customize Windows 8 Charms Bar: My WCP CharmBar Customizer [Download]

My WCP CharmBar Customizer - App

Microsoft added many new features and enhancements to the upcoming Windows 8, and the Charms Bar together with the Start Screen are some of the most noticeable changes in the graphical user interface.

This time the company really enhanced the way we interact with the operating system and how we now access applications and system settings. With all this, Microsoft’s goal is to give the end-user more control of Windows, however there are minimal options to customize the new Metro style user interface and that is when My WCP CharmBar Customizer comes in handy. This is free portable application that will help customize many aspects of the Windows 8 Charms Bar.

Important: When you first run the application, the Windows SmartScreen prevents you from running the app, because it’s been detected as unknown. We know that this app works well, so you can just click the More info link, and then click the Run anyway.

Run Anyway - Windows SmartScreen

This application contains all the available options right in the main page. The first thing you’ll notice is the Default, Hover (Light), and Hover (Dark) set of icons for the Charms, clicking each individual icon will allow you to choose a custom image. Additionally, you can change the time and date background and text as well as the background text and icon hover background, and text hover of the Charm Bar. 

Other features available are:

  • Disable Charms Hint
  • Disable Logo Smoothing
  • Disable Hover Wash
  • Disable Wash
  • Transparency
  • Edit UI File (only for advanced users)

My WCP CharmBar Customizer - Windows 8

What is worth noting about My WCP CharmBar Customizer is that if at any time, you decide that you don’t like the changes anymore, you can restore default settings with only one click.

If you want to add some additional style to the Windows 8 Charms Bar, use the link below to download this app.

Download link

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.