No booting straight to desktop in Windows 8, apparently

Leaked builds of Microsoft's Windows 8 are providing more clues as to what kinds of user behaviors will and won't be permitted. Skipping Metro is right out.

If you were one of those business users counting on being able to circument the new tiled Windows 8 start menu, you may be disappointed.

The final release-to-manufacturing (RTM) builds of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 have been leaking to the Web for last few days. Those with access to the final builds are discovering the final tweaks Microsoft made to the product since the last public test build, Windows 8 Release Preview, was delivered.

One of those tweaks is the decision to block users from setting up their Windows 8 machines to boot straight to the Desktop, circumventing the tiled Start screen, formerly known as the Metro screen.

Read more at:
No booting straight to desktop in Windows 8, apparently | Windows 8 - CNET Reviews

   Note

You will still be able to use the method below to boot directly to the desktop though.

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

 

[FSeal]

Well we'll see if Start 8 will still do it (however they were doing it before).

 

[Mike Lonewolf]

^5 Brink!!! Bahahahahahahaha @ Microsoft. LoL

 

[SIW2]

Classic shell still does the job - brief glimpse of the start screen on the way to the Main UI.

 

[legacy7955]

Microsoft has lost their minds! Not to offer the direct boot to desktop selection choice.

Sure perhaps in the basic version I could understand but no choice in the Pro or Enterprise versions? HAHA

Bill needs to kick Ballmer's butt out the door !!!!!!!

 

[davehc]

POV. You do have the choice still. One click of the desktop icon. I feel there biggest omission is not reinstating the legacy start menu, if that is your preference.

 

[Mustang]

How many companies are "Ballmer busted" so far. Maybe he's just trying to keep his reputation intact?

No direct boot, no legacy Start Menu ... what a schmozzle!

 

[pparks1]

Sure perhaps in the basic version I could understand but no choice in the Pro or Enterprise versions? HAHA

I never would have imagined in a million years that the pro or enterprise version would have worked any different. However, it did seem people wanted to hold out hope.

 

[Phone Man]

Has anyone used Start8 from Startdock on RTM? Mary Jo Foley stated it still works on RTM. I have it on RP and works OK. It has an option to boot to desktop and the Start Screen flashes by. It doesn't replace the Start Screen but adds a Start Button that has Shutdown button. Also the original W8 rollover Start corner still functions so its just an add-on and not a replacement.

Jim

 

[Morpheus]

Why do you hate Start screen so much? Desktop is just one click away. Is it so hard to move your mouse in the upper left part of the screen and click?

 

[pparks1]

Why do you hate Start screen so much? Desktop is just one click away. Is it so hard to move your mouse in the upper left part of the screen and click?

One example, I often run scripts in command prompt windows. To switch back to the darn Start Screen, means everything that was running on my desktop is now gone from view. With the existing start button, I could comb through the applications and menus, all while still seeing my command prompt view which had been moved to the upper right of my screen. Perhaps this would be less of an issue on a dual screen Windows 8 setup, which I haven't been able to test yet..

 

[Mustang]

Why do you hate Start screen so much? Desktop is just one click away. Is it so hard to move your mouse in the upper left part of the screen and click?

It's not that it's so hard to do, it's just an unnecessary extra imposition forced on us by MS every single time you boot up .... forever! Rather than ask how hard it is, ask why MS have done this when it's so easily avoided!

I want to push the start button on my tower, walk away and have a coffee and come back to my desktop. Not to a face full of tiles.

 

[Soundtweaker]

Simple reason. Money. The more people are in the Tile UI the more money they will spend on apps. I can bet that if MS allowed boot straight to desktop they wouldnt have been able to sell Win8 for 40 bucks.

 

[pparks1]

Simple reason. Money. The more people are in the Tile UI the more money they will spend on apps. I can bet that if MS allowed boot straight to desktop they wouldnt have been able to sell Win8 for 40 bucks.

Ummm...I'm not likely going to buy any apps. I don't buy any on my phone. Everything I use is free.

 

[Mustang]

Ummm...I'm not likely going to buy any apps. I don't buy any on my phone. Everything I use is free.

for my Android

 

[Soundtweaker]

Well not everyone like flashing ads in their apps.

 

[Kodi]

Why do you hate Start screen so much? Desktop is just one click away. Is it so hard to move your mouse in the upper left part of the screen and click?

Just press the Windows Key on your Keyboard and you are there.

 

[pparks1]

Well not everyone like flashing ads in their apps.

Not all of us use all that many applications.

 

[lehnerus2000]

You can't see what's on the Desktop

Why do you hate Start screen so much? Desktop is just one click away. Is it so hard to move your mouse in the upper left part of the screen and click?

One example, I often run scripts in command prompt windows. To switch back to the darn Start Screen, means everything that was running on my desktop is now gone from view. With the existing start button, I could comb through the applications and menus, all while still seeing my command prompt view which had been moved to the upper right of my screen.

Why is it so difficult for Metro fans to understand that when you are on the Metro Screen, you can't see what's on the Desktop?

I have to assume that they never have more than one program running on their PCs.

 

[Brink]

Why is it so difficult for Metro fans to understand that when you are on the Metro Screen, you can't see what's on the Desktop?

I have to assume that they never have more than one program running on their PCs.

That's true if you only have one display. If you have multiple displays, then the Start (Metro?) screen is only on the main display, and the desktop still shows on the other displays. However, if you do only have one display, the Windows key and/or Windows+D will allow you to easily toggle back and forth.