How to Reset Your Start Screen to Default in Windows 8 and 8.1
InformationThis tutorial will show you how to reset your Start screen in Windows 8 and 8.1 back to default with only any remaining pinned default Store apps left.
Reset = Automatically unpins all non-default pinned items from your Start screen leaving only any pinned default Store apps. If you unpinned any default Store apps, they will not be added back. If you installed any other Store apps (non-default), then they will be unpinned.
Restore = Restores all of your Start screen pinned items exactly to how they were when last reset.
Reset = Automatically unpins all non-default pinned items from your Start screen leaving only any pinned default Store apps. If you unpinned any default Store apps, they will not be added back. If you installed any other Store apps (non-default), then they will be unpinned.
Restore = Restores all of your Start screen pinned items exactly to how they were when last reset.
NoteBy default, your pinned Start items are saved in the files at both hidden folder locations below. These files is what this tutorial will be renaming to back up before deleting to reset, and to restore for you automatically using a BAT file.
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms.bak
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms.bak
EXAMPLE: "Start" screen Before and Reset in Windows 8 and 8.1
NOTE: You will notice that only any previously still pinned default Store apps that came included with Windows 8 remain after resetting your Start screen.
OPTION ONE
To Reset Your Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
1. Click\tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, then run it.
Reset_Start.bat
2. If prompted, click\tap on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.
3. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.
4. You're Start screen has now been reset.
OPTION TWO
To Restore Your Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
Warning This option will only work to restore your Start screen if you had previously used OPTION ONE above.
1. Click\tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, then run it.
Restore_Start.bat
2. If prompted, click\tap on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.
3. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.
4. You're Start screen has now been restored to how it was when last reset in OPTION ONE.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Backup and Restore Start Screen Layout in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Pin or Unpin a App, Folder, or Drive on the "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Add or Remove "Pin to Start" Context Menu for Files in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Reset and Clear All Pinned Apps on Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Restore Missing "Desktop" Tile on Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Restore Missing "Store" Tile on Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Restore Modern Internet Explorer on Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Allow or Prevent Users from Customizing Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Reset Quick Access Toolbar for File Explorer to Default in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Enable or Disable Start Screen Animation in Windows 8 and 8.1
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