Start Screen - Reset in Windows 8

How to Reset Your Start Screen to Default in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to reset your Start screen in Windows 8 and 8.1 back to default with only any remaining pinned default Store apps left.

Reset = Automatically unpins all non-default pinned items from your Start screen leaving only any pinned default Store apps. If you unpinned any default Store apps, they will not be added back. If you installed any other Store apps (non-default), then they will be unpinned.

Restore = Restores all of your Start screen pinned items exactly to how they were when last reset.

Note   Note
By default, your pinned Start items are saved in the files at both hidden folder locations below. These files is what this tutorial will be renaming to back up before deleting to reset, and to restore for you automatically using a BAT file.

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms

C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms.bak


EXAMPLE: "Start" screen Before and Reset in Windows 8 and 8.1
NOTE: You will notice that only any previously still pinned default Store apps that came included with Windows 8 remain after resetting your Start screen.
Start.jpg
Reset_Start.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Reset Your Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1


1. Click\tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, then run it.​
Reset_Start.bat
download
2. If prompted, click\tap on Run.​
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.​
3. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.​
4. You're Start screen has now been reset.​



OPTION TWO

To Restore Your Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1


warning   Warning
This option will only work to restore your Start screen if you had previously used OPTION ONE above.


1. Click\tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, then run it.​
Restore_Start.bat
download
2. If prompted, click\tap on Run.​
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.​
3. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.​
4. You're Start screen has now been restored to how it was when last reset in OPTION ONE.​


That's it,
Shawn

 

Attachments

  • Reset_Start_.bat
    431 bytes · Views: 12,288
  • Restore_Start_.bat
    615 bytes · Views: 5,370
  • Start_Screen.png
    Start_Screen.png
    520 bytes · Views: 315
Last edited:
I just reseted the Start screen and after, the Microsoft apps shortcut names are changed.
2014.01.22_12h57m42s_001_.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hello Maliksaad,

The .bat file only affects the Start screen and doesn't do anything to the Apps screen that would affect that, so I'm not sure why your apps would be renamed like that.

See if doing a system restore using a restore point dated before this happened may be able to undo it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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