Start Screen - Open to Start or Apps View in Windows 8.1

Set to Show "Start" or "Apps" View when Opening Start Screen in Windows 8.1​

   Information

The Start screen is a new feature in Windows 8 and Windows RT that replaces the Start Menu from previous Windows. You can pin Store apps, programs, folders, drives, files, contacts, and websites to Start to quickly access what you use most. All of your apps—both apps you install from the Windows Store and desktop apps—are available from the Start screen. You can organize, group, and name categories of apps to how you like on the Start screen. Tiles and notifications show what’s new so you can get important info and updates at a glance.

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 set to show either the Start or Apps view automatically when you open the Start screen in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

   Tip

For more details about Windows 8.1 Preview, see: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27188-windows-8-1-preview-download-install.html

EXAMPLE: Start and Apps views on Start screen in Windows 8.1

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OPTION ONE

Set to Show Start or Apps from "Taskbar and Navigation properties"

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

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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)​

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3. To Show "Apps" View when you go to Start Screen​

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A) Check the Show the Apps view automatically when I go to Start box, and click/tap on OK.​

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4. To Show "Start" View when you go to Start Screen​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Uncheck the Show the Apps view automatically when I go to Start box, and click/tap on OK.​

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OPTION TWO

Set to Show Start or Apps using a BAT File

   Note

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

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

MakeAllAppsDefault DWORD

0 = Show "Start" View when you go to Start Screen
1 = Show "Apps" View when you go to Start Screen

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1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Show "Start" View when you go to Start Screen​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Show_Start_View_on_Start_Screen.bat​

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3. To Show "Apps" View when you go to Start Screen​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.​

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Show_Apps_View_on_Start_Screen.bat​

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4. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.​

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5. If prompted, click/tap on Run.​

NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.​

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6. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• Set Start Screen to Open on Last or Main Display when Pressing Windows key in Windows 8.1
• How to Completely Disable the Windows Key
• How to Open the "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• How to Open the "Apps" Screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• How to Go to Desktop or Start when You Sign in or Close Apps in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Sort Items on Your Apps Screen in Windows 8.1
• How to List Desktop Apps or Store Apps First on Your Apps Screen in Windows 8.1
• How to Allow or Prevent Users from Customizing Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Turn On or Off Show more apps in Apps view in Windows 8.1 Update
• How to Enable or Disable Start Screen Animation in Windows 8 and 8.1