Apps - List Desktop or Store Apps First in Windows 8.1

How to List Desktop Apps or Store Apps First on Your Apps Screen in Windows 8.1

information   Information
The Apps screen in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 is the new version of Start Menu -> All Programs that was in Windows 7 and Vista. The Apps screen displays a list of all of your installed Store apps and desktop programs that can be sorted how you like.

This tutorial will show you how to list desktop apps or Store apps first on your Start screen in the Apps view when it's sorted by category in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.


EXAMPLE: Apps view with Desktop apps and Store apps listed first
Default.jpg
Desktop_Apps.jpg







OPTION ONE

List Desktop or Store Apps First in Apps using "Taskbar and Navigation properties"


1. From your desktop, right click or press and hold on the taskbar, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)​
taskbar_properties.jpg

2. In Taskbar and Navigation properties, click/tap on the Navigation tab, and do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshots below)​
3. To List Desktop Apps First in Apps View when Sorted by Category
A) Check the List desktop apps first in the Apps view when it's sorted by category box, and click/tap on OK.​

4. To List Store Apps First in Apps View when Sorted by Category
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Uncheck the List desktop apps first in the Apps view when it's sorted by category box, and click/tap on OK.​

List_Desktop_Apps_First_in_Apps_view-2.jpg






OPTION TWO

List Desktop or Store Apps First in Apps using a BAT File



Note   Note
The .bat files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage

DesktopFirst DWORD

0 = List Store apps first
1 = List desktop apps first


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​
2. To List Store Apps First in Apps View when Sorted by Category
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.​
List_Desktop_Apps_First_in_Apps_View.bat
download
3. To List Desktop Apps First in Apps View when Sorted by Category
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.​
List_Store_Apps_First_in_Apps_View.bat
download

4. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.​
5. If prompted, click/tap on Run.​
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.​
6. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.​




That's it,
Shawn


 

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Last edited by a moderator:
I really wish there was a way to bypass Microsoft's "Categories" :( I see that as long as there is ONE shortcut in one of the Start Menus, putting another one where you would like doesn't have any effect, as it only looks at the first (or original) entry for the Apps View. So for example if I put a shortcut of Internet Explorer in a Folder called "Internet" or "Browser" the categorized shortcut will always remain under the category Microsoft has chosen for IE: "Tools."

If anyone has any insight into getting around this or assigning/changing categories assigned to applications, I would love to know if there is a way. Not a big deal, just frustrating at the inability to customize completely. Thanks!:)
 

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