As we all know, the first visible feature of Windows 8 is the new Start screen. If you have installed Windows 8 on a tablet, notebook, or netbook, once in a while, you probably switch to the Start screen to launch apps or check other information.
Windows 8 ships with some Metro-style apps to check your mail, social network status, weather, stocks, and other information. The only thing missing from the Start screen is a clock. To check the time of the day, you need to either switch to the classic desktop or open the Charms Bar by swiping from the right edge of the touch screen or pressing Windows + C hotkey to see the date and time. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a clock app to display the date and time on the Start screen?
Get a clock on Windows 8 Start screen
Thankfully, there are quite a few apps available in the Windows Store to display clock on the Start screen, and there is no doubt that the Store will get more clock apps in the coming months.
Clock Tile is a simple app that aims to bring the clock to the Metro interface. By installing this app, you will be able to see the date and time on the Start screen. But before jumping to the download page, let us tell you a few things about this app. The current version of the app doesn’t let you customize the clock style, background, and text color.
Users who can’t wait for an update to Clock Tile can visit the Store to install the app. When you launch the app for the first time, it will ask for your permission to run in the background. Please note that the app needn’t be running in the background to display date and time on the tile.
Grand Central is another similar app to display date, time, as well as the weather on the Start screen. You might also like to download Windows 8 Start Screen Customizer and Windows 8 Charms Bar Customizer.
Download Clock Tile (Store link)
Debbie says
I just want my regular clock and calendar at the bottom left corner of my computer screen. Please, I’m not a rocket scientest or an IT major. Is there a simple way to get the display I had before I mistakenly went to 8.1?
Rosemary Page says
I recently purchased my HP Licorice and HATE THE FRIGGIN CLOCK! It is 5″x2.5″ and pops up on almost every screen every 30 seconds! HOW do I get rid of this thing?! I have enough clocks/watches and do not need this FRIGGIN CLOCK! I cannot find any clue to eliminate it. PLEASE help.
Tx
RPage
Melissa says
admin, Thank you for the windows + c, that works perfect for me.
pete says
@Shawn: You’re wrong, I do. If we weren’t meant to, there would be no need for live tiles. MS needs to provide their own clock tile that matches the UI. All of the 3rd party apps fall short, either functionally, aesthetically, or both.
admin says
@ Lou
On Windows 8, press Windows + C keys to see the date and time.
Lou says
How do I get a clock on my screen bottom right corner regardless of what I am looking at on the computer?
XTC says
“”Run Visual Studio 2012. Then, create a metro style app from File, New, Project. It will ask you to developer unlock the PC. Choose I agree. Then, enter your Windows Live ID password. Once done, close Visual Studio.
Now, go the clock application that you downloaded. From the application folder, run the Add-AppxDevPackage.bat, and Windows will automatically install Clock for you.””
All of this just to get a dumb ugly clock on the Start Screen? You are all crazy…
Nazmus says
Installation instructions:
Run Visual Studio 2012. Then, create a metro style app from File, New, Project. It will ask you to developer unlock the PC. Choose I agree. Then, enter your Windows Live ID password. Once done, close Visual Studio.
Now, go the clock application that you downloaded. From the application folder, run the Add-AppxDevPackage.bat, and Windows will automatically install Clock for you.
You can see the app on your start screen!
admin says
The Clock is still in development. So, you need Visual Studio 11 Express to run it. We have already mentioned that in the article. We will update the article once the final version comes out.
Chris says
How do I install this? I downloaded it but I don’t see any way to run installation. Thanks
sumit_g says
wow cool metro interface……btw i have a question to make(off topic though)……sir do you know how to add/remove windows ‘RUN’ command in desktop right click context menu?(any registry script or something like that)(win 7 32 bit) thanx & regards…. :)
admin says
Agree, most of desktop users won’t need a clock for the Start screen. But users who like to the Metro-style apps may like it.
Shawn says
Why do you need a clock for the start screen? You aren’t going to spend time there.