Desktop - Restore Missing Tile on Windows 8 Start Screen

How to Restore Missing "Desktop" Tile on Start and Apps Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to restore the default Desktop app tile on the Start and Apps screen if missing in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

EXAMPLE: Desktop Tile on Start Screen in Windows 8

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Here's How:

1. Open the "Apps" screen, and look for the Desktop app. (see screenshot below)

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2. If the Desktop app is not there, then go to step 4 below.

3. If the Desktop app is listed, right click or press and hold on the Desktop app to check it, click/tap on Pin to Start, and go to step 11 below. (see screenshot below step 1)

4. Click/tap on the download button below to download the Desktop.zip file below.

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5. Save the .zip file to your desktop, and unblock the .zip file.

6. Open the .zip file, extract (drag and drop) the Desktop shortcut to your desktop.

7. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, copy and paste the path below into Run, and click/tap on OK.

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%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs​

8. Copy and paste the Desktop shortcut (step 6) into the Programs folder (step 7). (see screenshot below step 10)

9. If prompted, click/tap on Continue and Yes (UAC) to approve the copy. (see screenshot below)

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10. Right click or press and hold on the Desktop shortcut, and click/tap on Pin to Start. Close File Explorer. (see screenshot below)

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11. Open your Start screen, scroll all the way to the right until you see the Desktop tile, then drag and drop the tile to where or what group you like on your Start screen.





That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Create a "Show Desktop" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• Change Your Desktop Background and Slide Show in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Go to Desktop or Start when You Sign in or Close Apps in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Boot Windows 8 Directly to Desktop using a Scheduled Task
• How to Restore Missing "Store" Tile on Start and Apps Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Restore Modern Internet Explorer on Start and Apps Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Reset Your Start Screen to Default in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Fix and Restore PC settings and "Change PC settings" in Windows 8.1

 

[MrShowdown]

Nice one, Brink!
Some users complaining about that on the net.

 

[Brink]

Thank you sir.

 

[MrShowdown]

Wow, sir level is too high for me, please don't call me "sir"

 

[Brink]

LOL, okey doke.

 

[vsheen]

That's awesome. Thanks a lot.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome vsheen, and welcome to Eight Forums.

 

[JenD]

Did this, still doesnt show up on start up screen, nor does any other app like Hyper V. Nothing new shows up on start up screen ever since desktop icon disappeared? Please help? Nor when i search for installed app's like cisco vpn. Nothing shows...

 

[Brink]

Hello Jen, and welcome to Eight Forums.

After adding this, you may need to scroll the Start screen all the way to the left side and drag the desktop tile back to where you like.

 

[JenD]

Yes done that, still nothing shows, nor with other app's.

 

[Brink]

In that case, go ahead and run a sfc /scannow command to see if that may help. You may need to run it a few times followed by restarting the PC after each time.

If that doesn't help, then you may need to refresh Windows 8.

 

[SwaggDaddy]

Thank you for posting this!! It worked flawlessly.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Brian, and welcome to Eight Forums.

 

[ethnicland]

Hi!
This way of dealing with the missing program-icons, which suddenly disapeared from my Start-screen, worked for me today.
What does your download-file do, more than change permission for the Start Menu\Program-folder?
Without downloading your reg-file, I manually changed the permission for C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\-folder(note, not the Program-subfolder) and subfolders and granted my Administrators account full access (my user account already has administrator rights).
Before, I was used to run sfc /scannow, but suddenly it stopped working. No matter how often I ran it.

From my point of view, this is not good enough. Users have to know why this happens!
I have noticed that following of an action, made by Windows 8 itself in the background, this may hapen, icons disappear.
That can be acceptable, but only in the case I knew the exact action was made plus all other actions made at the same time.

So can anyone tell me or guess, what exactly makes Windows 8 to change permissions for the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs?

I look forward to know or read your suggestions

 

[Brink]

Hello ethnicland, and welcome to Eight Forums.

The download in the tutorial is just a clean copy of the missing "Desktop" shortcut that should be at that location by default. It doesn't change or do anything else.

So can anyone tell me or guess, what exactly makes Windows 8 to change permissions for the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs?

Sorry, but this is almost always due to user error instead.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Dyno]

TNX a lot. it worked. well done.

 

[Brink]

Glad it could help Dyno, and welcome to Eight Forums.

 

[Dyno]

Thanks. it worked as well as you POSTed.

is there any sort of this shortcut or link for other TILEs, such as Finance/Calender/Messaging/Mail/Weather etc. ?!
if it would be,please post it.

THANKS in Advanced.

 

[Brink]

Dyno,

If you have tiles for apps from the Store missing on your Start screen, then you could just check on your Apps screen to see if they are listed to "Pin to Start" like in steps 1-2.

If the app is not listed, then you would just need to reinstall the app from the Store.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5270-apps-install-metro-apps-windows-8-store.html

 

[Dyno]

Thank you Brink. I tried it. and the link you post , was helpful.