The original version of Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 operating system did something Microsoft never thought it would do. With this, Microsoft removed the Start Menu that dominated older versions of Windows and replaced it with the Start Screen, an updated Start Menu that takes up the entire screen and provides users with notifications from their apps.
Understandably, long-time Windows users were not happy with it. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that a future version of Windows would actually reintroduce the Start Menu. This Start Menu will include apps available in the Windows Store, but not the Desktop.
Unfortunately, Microsoft did not share any information about when this version of Windows will hit the shelves and did not confirm that it will be available to users via a free update. Those who hate the Start Screen shouldn’t worry though. There are other ways to remove the Start Screen before Microsoft reveals the next major version of Windows.
Here’s how to turn off the Start Screen in Windows 8.1 so you can be more productive and work in a somewhat more familiar environment. This process has two steps. The second step will require you to have internet access to download a free third-party utility.
Get Rid of the Start Screen
Press the Windows key on your device’s keyboard to go. You can also place your cursor in the upper right corner of your screen and then click to reveal the Charms Bar.
Now click on the tile. If you don’t see it on your screen, click the arrow in the lower left corner of your screen and click it from the list of installed apps.
Now right-click on the taskbar at the bottom of the Desktop to reveal a drop-down menu.
Click on it from the menu.
Click .
Uncheck “Show charms when I point to the top right corner”.
Uncheck “Switch between my recent apps when I click the top left corner”.
Check “When I sign in on a screen or close all applications, go to the desktop instead of Start”.
Check the “Automatically show the Apps view when I go to Start” option.
Check “List desktop apps first in apps view when sorted by category”.
Click now.
This much. You’re done. Moving forward, your Windows device will take you to the Desktop the first time you log in. To be clear, this does not mean that users will automatically get the Start Menu back. Instead, you’ll have to install a separate app for this these days.
Get Start Menu Back
There are many desktop applications that allow users to do this, but one of the most popular Classic Shell.
First you need to download Classic Shell to your device. Click the blue button.
Now wait for the software to download and then click .
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Now when you click the Start button on the left side of your screen, you will see a new Start Menu similar to Microsoft’s Start Menu found in Windows 7. Click the Classic Shell option on your screen to customize what’s available.
Before disabling the Start Screen experience and adding the Start Menu, it’s important to understand that these are only workarounds for the actual problem. These steps will prevent you from seeing the Start Screen in certain situations, but you may need to go back to the Start Screen to use things like Notification settings. If you don’t necessarily hate the Start Screen, it might be a better idea to learn more about what it does and how it behaves rather than hiding it completely. maybe 5 Tips for Creating Moyens I/O’s Start Screen can be helpful helpful. The tips we shared included finding suitable Windows Store apps to populate the Start Screen and provide you with relevant information.
Removing the Start Screen doesn’t mean the apps and games on the Start Screen are gone. Windows will continue to open these apps by default, taking you back to the full-screen Windows experience. Closing this app by dragging it to the bottom of the screen with your mouse or clicking the X in the top-right corner should then take you back to the Desktop.
These changes are not permanent. Removing Classic Shell from this area will allow you to switch between Desktop and Start Screen, and reversing changes made in the Taskbar properties area will enable the Start Screen’s Charms Bar and multitasking menus. That means you’ll be ready as soon as Microsoft announces and when it will bring the new Start Menu to all Windows users.
