Start Screen Shortcut - Create in Windows 8

How to Download a "Start" Screen Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will provide you with a Start button shortcut that will open your Start screen directly on your main display in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Here's How:

1. Click/tap on wither the icon or Download button below for what you want to use for your Start shortcut, and to download it's ZIP file.

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2. Save the .zip file to your desktop.

3. Open the .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the Start.exe file to your desktop.
NOTE: This is a standalone .exe file that has a digital certificate and does not install or add anything to your computer.

4. You can now move the .exe file to where you would like to keep it saved at, then Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, or create a shortcut from the .exe file.

NOTE: If you create a shortcut from the Start.exe file, then you could also assign a keyboard shortcut to the created shortcut.

   Tip

If you create a shortcut from the Start.exe file, then you will also be able to change the shortcut's icon to be any one of the included icons or a custom icon of your own.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Open the "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• How to Add or Remove "Pin to Start" Context Menu for Files in Windows 8
• How to Pin or Unpin a App, Folder, Library, or Drive on the "Start" Screen in Windows 8
• How to Pin and Unpin Websites from IE10 to Start Screen in Windows 8
• How to Change Number of Apps Rows on "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Resize Windows Store Apps Tiles to be Smaller or Larger in Windows 8 "Start" Screen
• How to Name or Rename a Group of Apps in Windows 8 "Start" Screen
• Change Your Start and Sign in Screen Background and Color in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• How to Restore the Start Menu in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Set Start Screen to Open on Last or Main Display when Pressing Windows key in Windows 8.1
• How to Allow or Prevent Users from Customizing Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[Narayan]

Very Very Nice Tutorial Shawn......

It will help many people who want to keep their Metro Start menu but want a shortcut to it so that they don't require to click the hidden place at the corner.

Nice tutorial......

 

[Brink]

Thank you Narayan. I'm glad you like it and find it helpful.

 

[maiki]

Thank you, Shaun, except I am unable to download the start.exe file. When I click on one of the .png files, then I see a page with only the .png file. I can then of course right-click on the .png file to download it, but there is no .zip file there, only the icon. Could you please provide a link to download the start.exe file, or the .zip files?Thank you.PS Was the start.exe file your creation? Thanks for it.

 

[Brink]

Hello Maiki,

I added download buttons under the icons as another option to use. Please see how they work for you to download the .zip file.

 

[maiki]

Thanks, Shaun. I just downloaded it that way. Will try it out.Is it customizable, like the start menu in xp or 7? Can one add and delete and rearrange folders, etc.? If so, what folder can one find the links and folders, etc.?

 

[Brink]

Thanks, Shaun. I just downloaded it that way. Will try it out.Is it customizable, like the start menu in xp or 7? Can one add and delete and rearrange folders, etc.? If so, what folder can one find the links and folders, etc.?

That's great news Maiki.

This is just a shortcut to open the same default "Start" screen in Windows 8.

The only thing customizable for this shortcut is the icon you can use for it.

The "related links" at the bottom of the tutorial can help you customize the Start screen more. In addition, look under "Start Screen..." in the tutorial index at the link below for more Start screen related tutorials to help.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6795-windows-8-tutorial-index-2.html#post185904

 

[maiki]

Oh, I see. It is not a Start Menu (as in earlier versions of windows) replacement. I don't really see why one would want a shortcut to get to the Windows 8 Metro Start screen? One can very easily get there by pressing the Windows key. Also in the far left bottom corner of the desktop, I think an icon appears for the start screen.

Thanks, Shaun. I just downloaded it that way. Will try it out.Is it customizable, like the start menu in xp or 7? Can one add and delete and rearrange folders, etc.? If so, what folder can one find the links and folders, etc.?

That's great news Maiki.This is just a shortcut to open the same default "Start" screen in Windows 8.The only thing customizable for this shortcut is the icon you can use for it.The "related links" at the bottom of the tutorial can help you customize the Start screen more. In addition, look under "Start Screen..." in the tutorial index at the link below for more Start screen related tutorials to help. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6795-windows-8-tutorial-index-2.html#post185904

 

[Brink]

Yeah, the shortcut is mostly for those that just want one, want one where they like instead of the left corner, or could be more useful on touch screens.

If you like, the tutorial below can help with a Start Menu.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8528-start-menu-restore-windows-8-a.html

 

[pcRat]

Shawn— Thanks for all your tutorials.
but all of a sudden I can't get this 'Start screen shortcut' to work.
I download, unblock, open , Pin to taskbar. Then it won't work . Avast antivirus gives me option to ignore it but wants info about its manufacturer ...

I'm having same problem with others as well. Logoff, Shutdown & Restart

 

[Brink]

Shawn— Thanks for all your tutorials.
but all of a sudden I can't get this 'Start screen shortcut' to work.
I download, unblock, open , Pin to taskbar. Then it won't work . Avast antivirus gives me option to ignore it but wants info about its manufacturer ...

I'm having same problem with others as well. Logoff, Shutdown & Restart

Hello Ron,

Did you keep the .exe file where it was saved at before pinning it to the taskbar? If not, then it would break the shortcut on the taskbar.

If you haven't already, double check to make sure that these .exe files are added to Avast's exclusion list to see if that may help. It sounds like Avast may be blocking them still.

Avast Internet Security - Create an exclusion

 

[pcRat]

Thanks Brink.
My goofy pill wore off and I set Avast to ignore it.

 

[Brink]

Anytime Ron.

 

[aph]

Going through the exe it's a compiled AutoIt script. Can you post the script for people who prefer to run it themselves? Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hello aph, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Yep, it's just an AutoIt script.

I'd prefer not to post the script though to help prevent it from being copied everywhere.

 

[TBugReporter]

It's too bad that no one's found the way to do this yet that doesn't involve faking a keystroke (and there has to be one), because I think the Start Screen and its live tiles would make a perfect screen saver.

 

[aph]

Hi, thanks. All you're doing is Ctrl+Esc anyway. That doesn't work for anyone using a start button replacement, which is a prime reason this would be needed

There is a way that doesn't involve keystrokes but it's involved. I did a stack trace of the start screen shortcut that comes with StartIsBack and it involves elevating the security context into a background console session on the local host so that process can invoke the start screen, on its own like it would normally. The process is then run as the current user so it shows up on your screen. Not exactly a Ctrl+Esc but give that a download if you want to check it out

 

[Brink]

Hey Aph,

Sure, I'll have a look.

Usually if you don't change what the Windows key opens to in the 3rd party Start menu program settings, the shortcut should still work to open the modern Start screen.