1 - Yes you can disable metro, unless running applications that require it (say, with RT on a tablet). Desktop? Yeah disable metro (just like you can disable AERO in Vista/7).
Windows as you all know it on a standard ARM tablet with all the windows programs is not happening, so expect metro on tablets.
2 - The average person DOES need common functions pointed out to them because
the average person doesn't know shit about computers. Do you all know how often I need to show people how to transfer files from one computer to another with a flash drive? How often I need to explain what running a different browser is? Do you know how many times I have to show somebody how to access their mail throgh a browser so they're not tied down to using outlook on a single PC?
If you all think the average person knows what they're doing on a computer,
then you need to get out more.
http://googleblog.bl...is-browser.html