How to boot to the desktop in Windows 8.1?

Question

I just installed Windows 8.1, but I can't locate the setting to disable the Metro start screen, and boot directly to the desktop instead.

So how do you configure Windows 8.1 to boot straight to the desktop?

score 25 · Accepted Answer · edited Oct 17 '13 at 17:26

25

Right-click on the Windows 8.1 taskbar, then choose Properties.
Click on the Navigation tab, then under the Start screen section, check the box next to "Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in."

edited Oct 17 '13 at 17:26

Sathyajith Bhat

62,374

answered Oct 17 '13 at 17:25

Chris Bruscato

296

score 9 · Answer 2 · edited Oct 17 '13 at 17:26

9

Just right-click on the taskbar and head to Properties → Navigation → When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start. This will also bring you back to the desktop whenever you close a Modern app, which is handy if you use one every once in awhile.

edited Oct 17 '13 at 17:26

Sathyajith Bhat

62,374

answered Oct 17 '13 at 17:25

Simon

4,481

How to boot to the desktop in Windows 8.1?

2 Answers2