Solved Why can't we exit Metro/Tattoo with just the [Win] Key?

Win8fait

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I'm fine starting up in the Metro View. Panels and purple are friggin' great. Oh yeah. I love Windows 8.

But what is disproportionately annoying is that you HAVE to click on the [Desktop] panel with your mouse to get to the Desktop view that first time after a bootup. ???

Once you've done that, just once, THEN the Win key will work seamlessly to toggle back and forth – which is of course exactly how it should be.

Is it some kind of security protocol? Maybe if you delete the [Desktop] panel entirely you don't have access to the desktop view, thus allowing for some kind of Admin configuration for limited use?

Why? Is there a workaround? Is this a 8.1 thing and if I'd just shut-up the pain will go away in a couple months?

Thanks for your time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hello Win8fait,

By default, Windows 8 boots to the "Start" (metro) screen.

The Windows key toggles between the "Start" screen and the last active app. Technically "Desktop" is an app in Windows 8. When Windows 8 first startups, there are no apps running, so that's why the Windows key doesn't toggle anything other than the "Start" screen. The Desktop app isn't running until after the first time you click on the Desktop's tile from the "Start" screen.

If you like, the tutorial below can help show you how to quickly start the Desktop at startup.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/7449-desktop-boot-directly-windows-8-a.html

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

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
The desktop is an app...

Wow. The desktop is not "the OS" anymore. Okay. Now I see. Makes perfect sense now; how you have to hit it once before you can toggle back and forth to it.

Thank you for kindly resolving this itty conundrum for me!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
You're most welcome. :)
 

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
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
If the Desktop tile is the top left tile on the start screen, the <enter> key will take you straight to the desktop in my experience. I think it is the same in Windows 8.1 as in 8.0.

Which is in the tutorial that Brink posted a link to above. The tutorial section of this website is a great read.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
The desktop is an app...

Wow. The desktop is not "the OS" anymore. Okay. Now I see. Makes perfect sense now; how you have to hit it once before you can toggle back and forth to it.

Thank you for kindly resolving this itty conundrum for me!

Hello Win8fait. Welcome to Windows EightForums.

I'm glad you're enjoying the experience with 8. I found the Start Screen to be a breath of fresh air myself. Just a little bit more of a learning curve, though. You'll get there I'm sure. :)

Good suggestions on how to get the desktop running for to toggle, although Brink is correct in that the WinKey toggles between the Start Screen and the last app or program screen that was being used/viewed. It's basically the same as Alt/Tab. Placing the tile as first and hitting <Enter> is a good one. Being a shortcut keyer and avoiding the mouse as much as possible, I open the Desktop with WinKey/D. You may like that. I keep the Desktop tile on the right side of my first column on the Start Screen only to sneak preview the Bing pic of the day via using Bing desktop. The pic changes daily as you may know.

Technically the Desktop, which is being "treated" like an app so far as opening and closing is actually a portal to the Win32 side or Desktop UI of the OS. The Start Screen is the portal to the Modern/Metro side or Modern/Metro UI of the OS of which it so happens to boot to. Shawn's tute and 8.1 has options to boot to Desktop for those who want/like that.

All in all, I like the Start Screen with the live tiles for them conveying personal info such as amount of new emails and from whom, upcoming Calendar appointments or events, Notes, news headlines, etc., even my NETFLIX app is conveying my info > all on one screen. I estimated it took me at least 7 to 10 minutes to obtain the info in 7 that I now gain in a matter of a minute. That to me is only one beauty of 8.

Enough of my rambling. :D Again, welcome. It's good to have you aboard. Enjoy your stay. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
It just keeps getting better and better on this Winkey thing.

Now I can remove even the final Desktop panel, and just Winkey-D to get to the desktop the first time. When 8.1 comes out OEM I guess I can boot to the desktop view directly without even having to do that.

Right now I have a completely empty desktop (hidden Recycle bin & taskbar.) I like the idea of Winkey-xxx (searching via the Start page) to access everything. As soon as I get quick accessing my quickstart apps, and somehow date-time info, I may get rid of the taskbar use altogether as well. A complete study in minimalism visually, and minimal keystrokes to actuate most all function.

I think someday I may go for what you have described, with a perfectly personalized Start splash/welcome/ref., but right now I am REALLY digging more and more of nothingness – (delivered via IMAX - 40” HDMI. Can't say enough about that tack. The Quad-core 8GB Ram works wonders too. Lenovo desktop.)

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
You're quite welcome.

Some call it the "Two-Headed Monster", but I call it the best of both worlds > the old and the new. 8.1 is even better for those who want to boot and use the Desktop. Even use All Apps instead of the Start Screen. All Apps is actually the replacement of the Start Menu, not the Start Screen. I'm not knocking that at all if that's what users want. It's all a matter of personal preference.

Here's a thread I started while still dual booting with 7: http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/16379-real-quality-boot-time-8-verses-7-a.html

I'm big on Modern/Metro Store apps. They weren't very good at first so far as options and quality, but with time they've gotten a lot better. Admittedly they take time to learn, but so does my new Office 2013 coming from 2000. I dare say that if one wants to truly learn the new system, one has to learn the Store apps.

And who says that water and oil can't mix? While typing this I couldn't remember if it was "admittingly" or "admittedly", so I got the trusty new Store app called Sidebar Dictionary out and snapped it next to the Desktop. A screenshot below of Win32 Desktop IE10 while I'm typing and the Modern/Metro dictionary snapped to the right. And you should see this beauty. Highlight a word anywhere, click the dictionary, and it automatically looks it up. Sort of like an accelerator in IE.

View attachment 27411

And with that I'll post with Alt/S...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Even under Windows 7 and previous versions, right back to the very first Windows Desktop in Windows 95, the Explorer Desktop has been a "shell", in other words, an App. It is just the bit of the OS that you see and can interact with to run other Apps. In theory, you could use other Apps as your shell, like the Command console, or the Modern UI, but each has some limitations, and I believe that they all compliment each other. There's the beauty - you can use some or all of what's offered, and other developers can offer Apps to enhance your shell if you wish.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
You're absolutely correct, fafhrd, and thanks for adding to this. Just trying to explain my own words how the new system works. All shells or programs/applications that run from and to use the kernel. A window or portal to run other programs or applications. Of course the kernel is running or managing the entire machine (components and peripherals) with preliminary instructions from the BIOS. At least that's the way I understand it.

Admittedly I'm not as savvy as most members here. I'm not a professional in the field, although I've used computers heavily in my profession. Mostly Office (spreadsheets & databases) and estimating programs. Now nearing retirement I'm delving more into it.

I would say in reality that I rate myself between the professional and the commoner. Lol! Just as a middle child of 12, I'm the go between the young and the old. Sometimes they just don't get along! :D

I've heard said that variety is the spice of life and that's what I think 8 is offering. The old and the new. 8.1 has even more options to use either way. It depends on one's personal preference. Set it up the way one likes.

Anywho, what will win out? Only the market knows for sure. I'm just sitting back, watching the river flow, and personally enjoying the experience. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Whoa – I can add something.... : )

Windows 8 machines no longer use a “BIOS”. It's called UTF. (I think UTF-2.0 is UTFI.)

Full disclosure: I purchased this new Windows 8 machine with the idea I could rat hole the pristine HD, and stick in an extra I already have and run Linux Mint 15 Cinnamon for a while. Lenovo has a solid UTFI (..BIOS) interface but I was not able to get Linux to run – due to the whole chip-UTFI “security” interplay between them to preclude root-kit malware.

Ultimately, I wanted to dual boot – but from two completely different hard drives in the machine. I am still enamored by that vision – siloing the multi-personalities of a machine....

I was upset, that seemingly, Windows was making all Winodws 8 certified manufactures engineer their machines such that only Windows 8 would run on them, so I took the machine back – with my little storm in a teacup righteous indignation. (MS openness is one of the only things so clearly better than Apple (yeah, and cost!)

But the Linux forums inform me, after the fact, that it's just early days, and the various Linux distro developments and the UTFI development aren't quite in phase yet – but that it will come.

So I went back and got the same machine. (Hehehehe) … because the HDMI-out is too compelling for me – and Quad-core 8GB RAM ain't too shabby either. Hence I am Win8FATE – but spelled with such obscurity and intrigue, that even the NSA could not decode the larger implications. (The decode key actually being Mercyful Fate – if you can figure that one out. [“Is That You, Melissa?”])

But now … having drinketh from the Washtonian pool of purple – I'm all but certain I'll never look back.

That said, I think Microsoft has been providing the NSA complete access to any Windows machine on earth since 1995. Just like how a corporate administrator has full desktop access and logging on every employee. That's the problem. The US-Mil/Gov manages the entire internet like it's own private business property – which actually makes sense since that's exactly what it was originally. But I have zero doubt that “malware” signatures exist in American anti-virus software that identifies everything from full on terrorist activity to medium level dissident activity – posibly like this very post.

But we better not descend into the political. Not here. Much smaller dinner parties have been ruined over discussion of politics and OS religion.

It was just a full disclosure thing.

(Okay fine. Windows 8 is Melissa)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
FYI, it's UEFI, not UTFI. Unified Extensible Firmware Interface.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Hang one one cotton picking minute UTFI???!

These Four Letter Abbreviations (FLAs) are actually short for something and if they can be pronounced, can be further glorified with the title Acronym. UTFI is neither. 3/4 ain't good enuf.

Good old BIOS, a FLA(cronym) is the Basic Input Output System and UEFI also a FLA(cronym) is the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. Either of these simply introduces the hardware of the computer to the software of the OS.

UTFI is unpronounceable, thus, is a FLA(bbreviation) Unisys Technology Forum of India? University of Texas Film Institute? UUSIMAA Type Foundry Incorporated? All nopes.

Perhaps you are getting it mixed up with UTF-8?

UTF-8 (UCS Transformation Format—8-bit)
UCS -Universal Character Set
Represents all the characters in the Unicode character set with backwards compatibility with ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
not to be confused with ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

-but that's another story.

Melissa is another word for Apis mellifera, or Melissa officinalis, the lemon balm. They rarely ruin dinner parties, as that distinction is given to the common European wasp or Vespula germanica.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
Whoops....

Those rat bast***s took our BIOS. They deserve the slur.

Win8 = Melissa = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNLZF9hfayc

(But then, everyone knew that.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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