Desktop - Boot Directy to using a Scheduled Task

How to Boot Windows 8 Directly to Desktop using a Scheduled Task​

   Information

Personally I like the new Start Screen. For me it is more logical to use allowing more customization options than the Start Menu on previous Windows versions.

I like to see the Mail app live tile telling me about unread mail messages, the People app live tile notifying me when I have new messages on social media, my selected news app live tiles giving me brief summary of today's news.

However some users want to get directly to Windows desktop. This tutorial will show you how to boot Windows 8 directly to the desktop using a scheduled task to bypass the Start screen.

   Tip

In Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, see OPTION TWO in the tutorial link below instead now.

How to Go to Desktop or Start when You Sign in or Close Apps in Windows 8 and 8.1

Here's How:

1. Press Win + Q key to open Charms App Search or Win + W to open Charms Settings Search, type Schedule and hit Enter to start Task Scheduler. Alternatively press Win + X to open Windows Tools menu bottom left and select Computer Management, select Task Scheduler in the left pane

2. Click Create Task on Actions pane:

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3. Name the Task as you wish, select Configure for: Windows 8, click OK:

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4. Select the Triggers tab

- Click New​

- Select At log on from Begin the task drop down list​

- Select Enabled​

- Click OK​

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5. Select the Actions tab

- Click New​

- Select Start a program from the Action drop down list​

- Type C:\Windows\Explorer.exe to Program / Script text field​

- Click OK​

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6. Laptops / Notebooks only: Select the Conditions tab

- Unselect Power: Start the task only if the computer is on AC power​

(this takes care of that the task is run also when logging in using battery power)​

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That's it. Now every time you log in to Windows, it bypasses the Start Screen entering directly to Desktop, with File Explorer open showing your Libraries.

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To again boot to Start Screen instead of Desktop, open the Task Scheduler as told above (step 1.), select Task Scheduler Library, right click your task and select Disable:

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Kari

Related Tutorials

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• How to Go to Desktop or Start when You Sign in or Close Apps in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Restore Missing "Desktop" Tile on Start Screen in Windows 8
• How to Have Windows 8 Log On to a User Account Automatically at Startup

 

[Barman58]

Kari,

Can I assume that this will work with other executables, such as iExplorer.exe, or Winword.Exe, or is it confined to actually running explorer.exe, would be useful for some to start-up in the application they use everyday.

If it's limited to running explorer I suppose a second Task, set to run after this one and set to run the app of choice would work.

Also it should be possible to add parameters to the task, maybe, have the OS boot straight into www.eightforums.com

 

[Kari]

Kari,

Can I assume that this will work with other executables, such as iExplorer.exe, or Winword.Exe, or is it confined to actually running explorer.exe, would be useful for some to start-up in the application they use everyday.

I have been testing with almost every thinkable application, seems Explorer is the only one which causes Windows to enter directly to desktop. All other applications, including browsers wait until the user has clicked the Desktop tile before executing the task.

Just now I am playing with an idea to create two tasks. First to launch Explorer as told in this tutorial adding the /separate argument. As you know the command explorer.exe /separate launches a separate second Explorer instance, so we can kill this second instance without meddling with the first Explorer instance.

Now the second task would then launch command C:\Windows\System32\Taskkill.exe /IM explorer.exe, killing our second Explorer instance launched with Task Scheduler, leaving a nice and empty desktop. The issue is timing: This Taskkill task must be delayed to let the Explorer task run first. If delay is set to 2 seconds I get it working on one vm and one physical desktop PC and not working on two vms and a laptop I have tested.

If it's limited to running explorer I suppose a second Task, set to run after this one and set to run the app of choice would work.

Also it should be possible to add parameters to the task, maybe, have the OS boot straight into www.eightforums.com

On Action tab (tutorial step 5.) you can add other actions, launch for instance your browser on Eight Forums. One scheduled task can include several actions. If you add actions here it is important to set delays for each action so the resulting application windows open in correct order, the one you open last will be on top of all others. Of course you can also set these other apps to open minimized, in Taskbar (create a shortcut > Properties > Run minimized).

Kari

 

[Barman58]

Thanks for the insight Kari,

Will have to find some time to sit down and seriously play with eight, just don't get enough time at the moment

 

[Hopachi]

I followed the link from one of those debate-threads.

Great work Kari! I'll give it a go on my laptop. I'm testing some speed scenarios (how fast I get to desktop/start, it's about loading)

Thanks a lot.

 

[Kari]

You are welcome, Hopachi.

I'm very keen to hear suggestions, I'm still testing how to boot to EMPTY desktop. At the moment this is the only solution I get to work on every PC, going to desktop with Libraries open.

 

[davehc]

Typing "task" doesn't take me to the task scheduler, only the task manager.

 

[Kari]

Typing "task" doesn't take me to the task scheduler, only the task manager.

Sorry. My bad, a typo. It should say "Type Schedule".

Tutorial edited.

Kari

 

[davehc]

I don't think so. Maybe it works for your config, but for me, it will not work unless you have also enabled the Admin tools through the charms - settings.

 

[Kari]

I don't think so. Maybe it works for your config, but for me, it will not work unless you have also enabled the Admin tools through the charms - settings.

I really do not understand what's your purpose of this?

To show you something, I just installed Windows 8 fresh on a test machine and recorded following using the Windows built-in Problem Step Recorder (Win + W, type PSR in normal Windows 8 machines, do not know what you need to type to find it).

First, here are the steps I PSR recorded. Please keep in mind this is an absolutely new, fresh install, in fact this PSR was the first app ever launched in this setup as I installed Windows 8 now only to make this recording:

Recording Session: ‎16/‎04/‎2013 14:15:55 - 14:16:22
Recorded Steps: 8, Missed Steps: 0, Other Errors: 0
Operating System: 9200.16551.x86fre.win8_gdr.130306-1502 6.2.0.0.2.49
[COLOR=#b22222][B]Step 1: User left click on "Start Screen (list item)" in "Start Screen"[/B][/COLOR]
Program: Windows Explorer, 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247), Microsoft Corporation, EXPLORER.EXE, EXPLORER.EXE
UI Elements: Start Screen, Start Screen, ImmersiveSwitchList
[COLOR=#b22222][B]Step 2: User left click on "Settings (button)" in "Charm Bar"[/B][/COLOR]
Program: Windows Explorer, 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247), Microsoft Corporation, EXPLORER.EXE, EXPLORER.EXE
UI Elements: Settings, TouchButton, CCharmBarElement, Charms, NativeHWNDHost
[COLOR=#b22222][B]Step 3: User left click on "Tiles (list item)" in "Settings"[/B][/COLOR]
Program: Windows Explorer, 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247), Microsoft Corporation, EXPLORER.EXE, EXPLORER.EXE
UI Elements: Tiles, SettingsButton, ItemList, TouchScrollViewer, Settings, SettingsUI, Element, Charm window, FlyoutElement, Settings, Shell_CharmWindow
[COLOR=#b22222][B]Step 4: User left click on "Back (button)" in "Tiles"[/B][/COLOR]
Program: Windows Explorer, 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247), Microsoft Corporation, EXPLORER.EXE, EXPLORER.EXE
UI Elements: Back, BackButton, Tiles, Element, Charm window, FlyoutElement, Tiles, Shell_CharmWindow
[COLOR=#b22222][B]Step 5: User left click on "Close (button)"[/B][/COLOR]
Program: Windows Explorer, 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247), Microsoft Corporation, EXPLORER.EXE, EXPLORER.EXE
UI Elements: Close, Shell_LightDismissOverlay
[COLOR=#b22222][B]Step 6: User keyboard input on "Start menu (pane)" in "Start menu" [... Win-W][/B][/COLOR]
Program: Windows Explorer, 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247), Microsoft Corporation, EXPLORER.EXE, EXPLORER.EXE
UI Elements: Start menu, CHostElement, Start menu, ImmersiveLauncher
[COLOR=#b22222][B]Step 7: User keyboard input on "Search (pane)" in "Search" [...][/B][/COLOR]
Program: Windows Explorer, 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247), Microsoft Corporation, EXPLORER.EXE, EXPLORER.EXE
UI Elements: Search, SearchPane, Search, SearchPane
[COLOR=#b22222][B]Step 8: User left click on "Schedule tasks (edit)" in "Settings Search"[/B][/COLOR]
Program: Windows Explorer, 6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247), Microsoft Corporation, EXPLORER.EXE, EXPLORER.EXE
UI Elements: Schedule tasks, RichText, Schedule tasks, CFileSystemElement, Project to a second screen, GridGroup, GridContent, TouchScrollViewer, Grid View, GridRoot, Results List, UIExplorerBrowser, Settings Search, UIFileSearchApp, Settings Search, FileSearchAppWindowClass

And the important screenshots created by PSR:

Step 4: Clicking Tiles to show admin tools are disabled:



Step 7: Typing Schedule to Charms Settings Search clearly show Schedule Tasks as first search result > hitting Enter will open Task Scheduler:



Complete PSR recording with all screenshots: View attachment PSR.zip (You need to use IE to read the zipped .mht file)

Keenly waiting your next move!

Kari

 

[Hopachi]

At the moment this is the only solution I get to work on every PC, going to desktop with Libraries open.

At the moment this does the job well. :thumb:

 

[davehc]

Sorry Hopachi. As I said, I need to enable the Admin tools in the settings, in order to get a result from search. It may be my particular configuration. It is not my intention to discredit your tutorial.- You do have to reboot after enabling or disabling, but this is what I get. As you can see, if I have the Admin tools disbled, like this:


I get this:

If I enable the Admin tools, and reboot, I get this:

 

[Kari]

Have you tried the settings search as told in tutorial, WIN + W?

Anyway, both search terms Task and Schedule finds Task Scheduler on my systems using app search (Win > Search or Win + Q > Search), and searching Scheduler in settings search finds it, with or without admin tiles.

Task Scheduler should also be found in All Apps.

 

[Hopachi]

seems Explorer is the only one which causes Windows to enter directly to desktop. All other applications, including browsers wait until the user has clicked the Desktop tile before executing the task.

Hmmm... Interesting.

Metro and the Start Screen are part of Explorer so Explorer always stared first, showing what it has to show.

 

[Kari]

Yes, it is interesting. I would have thought other basic native Windows tools would also take user directly to desktop if launched on logon as a scheduled task but for instance Command Prompt behaves as I described: logon stops in Start Screen and cmd.exe (as scheduled task) is only launched when user clicks Desktop tile.

Most fascinating is that my tests with two tasks, launch Explorer in a separate task first on logon, then wait a few seconds and launch Taskkill to terminate this second Explorer process resulting an empty desktop works in one of my desktops and one vm. On all other rigs, physical and vm I have tested the logon stops at Start Screen, then when desktop tile is clicked the Explorer opens and immediately closes as these two tasks are launched.

But, it's OK. I like this challenge. If you have some ideas to test, please tell.

Kari

 

[Hopachi]

Dave, the search on the start is bumpy sometimes, can't figure out why. Some items need to be placed as shortcuts by force...

Going through the classical Control Panel (click anywhere in an open Explorer and go tho Desktop, then Control Panel) helps.
I see that those Admin tools are pinnable all at once but I didn't needed this in my config just to confirm.

My apologies if I missed some details.

If you've already fixed the issue then great job.

 

[Hopachi]

Yes, it is interesting. I would have thought other basic native Windows tools would also take user directly to desktop if launched on logon as a scheduled task but for instance Command Prompt behaves as I described: logon stops in Start Screen and cmd.exe (as scheduled task) is only launched when user clicks Desktop tile.

Most fascinating is that my tests with two tasks, launch Explorer in a separate task first on logon, then wait a few seconds and launch Taskkill to terminate this second Explorer process resulting an empty desktop works in one of my desktops and one vm. On all other rigs, physical and vm I have tested the logon stops at Start Screen, then when desktop tile is clicked the Explorer opens and immediately closes as these two tasks are launched.

But, it's OK. I like this challenge. If you have some ideas to test, please tell.

Kari

No ideas for the moment but what you posted here is really worth knowing.

Compared to Win7's Explorer, in 8 the new UI which is mostly part of Explorer, adds some new rules we can even tell just from watching boots and tests.

Cheers!

 

[davehc]

Tks for the response, Hopachi. As you say, the search is, sometimes, a little hit or miss. I did try several times with Admin on and off, and got the same result.
But, as you have read, there is still a couple of glitches with going straight to the desktop.
Like yourself, I find the Admin tools, on the modern screen, a waste of space, so prefer to do without. A quick visit to the CP is more practical.
For the moment, I find clicking the desktop icon is the fastest way to get to the desktop.

Keep at it!

 

[provaid82]

Hi all
i use this tutorials to do a short cut of my desktop

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}

,than in step "action" (start program) in program/script fild just paste not browse just paste location of your short cut with extinsion (.lnk) in my case Desktop.lnk
And it is work for me
sorry for my bad English

 

[Hopachi]

Hi all
i use this tutorials to do a short cut of my desktop

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}

,than in step "action" (start program) in program/script fild just paste not browse just paste location of your short cut with extinsion (.lnk) in my case Desktop.lnk
And it is work for me
sorry for my bad English

Great!

I tried the shell entry in the arguments path under the action but it doesn't work that way.

You get to the point where you make the path to the command/script:

%windir%\explorer.exe

Then, as extra, under arguments in the scheduler window:

shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}

Doesn't seem to work, rebooted twice...

And without that extra argument it works well.
Strange... Maybe that shell it's not meant as an normal executable argument.

Thanks for letting us know the shortcut way works. :thumb: