How are YOU using your Start Screen?

[stefalopod]

I use the start screen as a live desktop. I have the calendar, mail, and weather app open where I can see them, thus being pretty constantly aware of what's on my agenda and how many new e-mails I have in the inbox. And use the start screen to launch my most frequent commands -- control panel, word and onenote, news republic, pirates <3 daisies, etc.
The only apps I launch from the desktop are the power/battery options, IE10 Desktop, and W8 file collector.

For most other apps I usually flick open the charms bar, select search, and then type the name of the app and touch to launch it.

 

[mickey megabyte]

one of my cats likes it when i scroll my mouse wheel.

(i really hope his claws don't scratch my screen.)

 

[whs]

I use the start screen as a live desktop. I have the calendar, mail, and weather app open where I can see them, thus being pretty constantly aware of what's on my agenda and how many new e-mails I have in the inbox. And use the start screen to launch my most frequent commands -- control panel, word and onenote, news republic, pirates <3 daisies, etc.
The only apps I launch from the desktop are the power/battery options, IE10 Desktop, and W8 file collector.

For most other apps I usually flick open the charms bar, select search, and then type the name of the app and touch to launch it.

You can launch the IE10 desktop version also from a tile. See Here: http://www.eightforums.com/browsers-mail/5350-set-ie10-tile-default.html

 

[stefalopod]

I use the start screen as a live desktop. I have the calendar, mail, and weather app open where I can see them, thus being pretty constantly aware of what's on my agenda and how many new e-mails I have in the inbox. And use the start screen to launch my most frequent commands -- control panel, word and onenote, news republic, pirates <3 daisies, etc.
The only apps I launch from the desktop are the power/battery options, IE10 Desktop, and W8 file collector.

For most other apps I usually flick open the charms bar, select search, and then type the name of the app and touch to launch it.

You can launch the IE10 desktop version also from a tile. See Here: http://www.eightforums.com/browsers-mail/5350-set-ie10-tile-default.html

Thanks, I have it pinned to the taskbar because I really only launch it when I'm already on the desktop (usually futzing with control panel settings, or running w8 file collecter. From metro I just launch IE10Metro (forgot to mention it on the list of things I have pinned to start and use frequently), which is my primary browser.

I haven't been an IE user since firefox launched a million years ago, but I'm finding IE10 to be completely usable in ways that previous versions of IE haven't been for many many years.

 

[IndyJones]

Without extensive customization, I find the Start screen to be essentially useless. No real work can be accomplished from it or by using any of the Previously-known-as-'Metro' Apps. I use none of them whatsoever. After a few hours at it, I managed to put on the Start screen some of the things that I might go immediately to when I startup my PC, but most of the time I only click right to the Desktop. I have all of my important stuff there on the taskbar.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Oh good! A revived thread from the archives. The OP of this:

www.eightforums.com/showthread.php?t=16379

 

[Vince53]

I like the News aps, and I've found a couple of good games. I use the Photo ap a lot.

 

[rmeigs]

I'm using the Start Screen primarily as a full screen start menu, but there are a couple of apps I'm enjoying, so I'll pop over also to use them. W8 is a transition OS, so I'm treating that way -- mostly using it like I would W7 while learning the new paradigm.

 

[labeeman]

I use Classic Shell to bypass the TOY start screen and see no use for APPS.

 

[pcRat]

6 of 1 and ½ dz the other. It all depends on if the day ends in y or not.

At first I used it as basic link to desktop. Even disabling the Metro IE.
Even taking the life out of Live Tiles with my trusty right-click shooter.

Customized start screen by uninstalling or unpinning all tiles except desktop, IE & store. Then pinning my favorite apps to it.
▬▬ Logoff Restart Shutdown etc.

▬ Also customized the desktop by pinning apps to taskbar File Explorer & Logoff (could pin Shutdown & Restart but afraid accidental clicks) (IE was there).
* Created shortcuts on desktop. Hid the desktop icons & navigated to my Desktop folder to create new folders with category names to sort desktop shortcuts into
▬▬ Moved taskbar to left edge & Added category toolbars to taskbar


Many people want different search options. To search from Desktop I can use File Explorer, Computer and type in Search Computer box. But it is a lot faster to hit the windows key, type one or more keys.
**If you don't believe me try this real quick ▬ hit windows key & then the W ▬ Wordpad, MS Word etc. starting with W pops out.

 

[whs]

If you have a lot of programs installed, the Start screen gets very messy. It requires a lot of maintenance. And the fact that all tiles are of the same dull color does not help - at least not me with only 40% vision.

I wish they would let us customize the colors of the tiles. Then one could assign colors to groups of programs. And I mean colors - not that washed out stuff they have now. E.g. the blue looks like left over jeans from WWII.

 

[rmeigs]

If you have a lot of programs installed, the Start screen gets very messy. It requires a lot of maintenance. And the fact that all tiles are of the same dull color does not help - at least not me with only 40% vision.

This is a good observation. I have to work at keeping my Start Screen from becoming a mess, just like I do on the desktop.

I wish they would let us customize the colors of the tiles. Then one could assign colors to groups of programs. And I mean colors - not that washed out stuff they have now. E.g. the blue looks like left over jeans from WWII.

There is a program called Decor8 which I believe will let you do this.

 

[dragon]

bought pin steam and pined all my steam games to start screen

 

[znod]

I want to ask this. How is everyone using their Start Screen? Is it becoming a separate Desktop or is it being used as a full screen Start menu?

I use it to get to the Desktop and never go back except when absolutely necessary.

 

[Coke Robot]

If you have a lot of programs installed, the Start screen gets very messy. It requires a lot of maintenance. And the fact that all tiles are of the same dull color does not help - at least not me with only 40% vision.

I wish they would let us customize the colors of the tiles. Then one could assign colors to groups of programs. And I mean colors - not that washed out stuff they have now. E.g. the blue looks like left over jeans from WWII.

There are a couple of third party tools, like Decor8, (check out Post your Start Screen in Customizations, you'll know what's up) that can let you do some real cool things with the Start Screen.

 

[Coke Robot]

Well then, this thread is a bit old!

So far, since the inception of this thread, I'm using it as my main launcher. I either can start my Music Info app, then go to Start and open Outlook 2013. Then, I will use Start to go to the immersive IE and do some tabbed browsing. Then I go back to Start and move the mouse pointer to the left (I use the Charms more than the old location of the start button) and hit the Outlook tile, which puts me back on the Desktop.

Thinking about it, it's more like a transit hub for me. I use it to go to the Desktop, or to a metro app, or back into a Desktop app that is already open.

 

[LovingWindows]

I use my Start Screen in combination with my desktop and taskbar shortcuts, I'll use both depending on the situation. I have my start screen all neat and organized, and have gotten muscle memory saved for how I have everything setup so it takes less than a second to press Win key and click whatever I need to open.

 

[Joan Archer]

I use it, still trying things out but I launch my most used apps from it at present. I haven't finished customizing yet, not enough time, but so far I like what I can do with it. I'm on my desktop machine at present but when I'm back on the laptop I'll take a picture of my Start Screen to show how I have it at the moment.

 

[slurp812]

one of my cats likes it when i scroll my mouse wheel.

(i really hope his claws don't scratch my screen.)

How many cats do you have? I'm trying to get a cat approval percentage!

 

[trishmac]

Classic shell ftw! I hate everything in full screen..and that damn charm bar and HUGE clock popping in no matter what I did