Dual Monitor Questions on Windows 8

I have a question for those of you who have used Windows 8 with dual monitors before.

I'm looking to build a new machine and install Windows 8 Pro (then upgrade it to Media Center before Jan 31st) and I want to use a dual monitor set up. The primary monitor is touchscreen while the secondary is a 2ms, 120hz gaming monitor. (Both monitors are 1920x1080 is that makes any difference)

From what I've researched when windows 8 starts up with dual monitors, the primary monitor starts to Metro while the secondary monitor starts to desktop. What I want to do is pin games/desktop programs to the touchscreen monitor and have them launch on the second monitor, Effectively using the touchscreen monitor as a permenant start menu/launchpad for my games and programs to run on the second monitor.

Does anyone know if this is possible? If not I'll probably just stick with a single monitor set-up. Thanks!

(PS this is my first post, i look forward browsing to this board and meeting all of you as I'm a Windows fanatic, especially legacy systems)

 

Thats what I figured it would do but I wanted to see if anyone had anyone had tried a similiar set up with windows 8. MS tends to take "1 step forward, 2 steps back" when it comes to their OS "upgrades" and the lack of a start button already makes me wary. I'll mess around with it once i get the monitors and update this thread. Thanks!

 

I haven't updated this thread in a few weeks but I'll give you guys a status report for now. I'm still waiting on tigerdirect to ship one of my monitors, Its been backordered for over 2 weeks now although it was conviently "in stock" when i ordered it and when i called about it being back ordered they assured me that it'd ship the next week.

But the monitor I ordered from newegg should be here tomorrow. I've been using a LCD TV as a monitor for now. I'll give you guys an update then. So not quite resolved yet but soon. Thanks again for your help.

 

If it helps to give additional assurance I can confirm that Win 8 does act like Broni described regarding dual monitors. When at home I use another monitor as well as my laptop's screen (though neither is touch screen).

 

Ok guys, I went ahead and got my monitor yesterday and everything works perfectly. A few older programs don't work quite the way I want them to but overall, I'm pleased with it. It is a little frustrating that you can't work on a metro app and the desktop at the same time, but not a deal breaker for me.

I'm gonna go ahead and mark this as resolved. (PS windows 8 is very fluid with a touch screen)

 

For me too, in fact it was only after reading your post and testing I noticed it. I avoid metro with a passion, yes I'm sure Win 8 is quite intuitive with a touch screen, but for me I just can't get used to the Metro UI. I see a permanent switch to Linux looming closer if MS continue down this route.

 

If this was a work computer, I most likely would use classic shell and skip metro entirely. But the fact this computer is mostly for gaming and movies, Its not a huge deal to me.

I remember reading @ PCMag a few weeks ago that Windows "Blue" is supposed to go on public beta in July. I imagine that MS is definitely gonna be productivity focused with Win9 with optional Metro GUI for touch users. I really doubt, or at least I hope they don't, they stick with the "one unified Windows experience" concept.