The simplest way to boot Windows 8 directly to Desktop

By veternan
in The Fast Ring (Insider Previews)

 Share

Recommended Posts

Community Regular

veternan

Posted
Posted

As much as people may like Windows 8, most just cannot get used to the idea of NOT seeing the desktop, once Windows 8 boots. We have been regularly sharing details and tips about Microsoft?s upcoming operating system, viz. Windows 8. We had developed an app which could allow you to boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop.

Our said Metro UI Tweaker allowed you to tweak Windows 8 DP to boot directly on to the Desktop, disabling the Start Screen ? but this tweak was disabled by Microsoft in its further releases. Maybe Microsoft does not want users to bypass the start screen ? maybe they want users to get used to the Windows 8 Metro Start Screen.

We have earlier posted about how you can boot directly into the desktop mode of Windows 8 using explorer script. But not many may want to try it really! There is always the option of using the latest version of Classic Shell that allows you to do so.

Today, in this article, I?m going to share you a simple but working, reliable and awesome tip, that will let you boot directly into Windows 8 RP Desktop directly, without using 3rd party tool or using any script.

21oq3h2.png

Actually I found out this way accidentally. I then searched on the Internet and found that no one had really come across it or written about it!

Boot Windows 8 directly to desktop

Well to do so, follow these simple instructions!

1. The core part of this trick lies on the position of Desktop tile.

Move the Desktop Tile and place it in the top left corner of the Metro Start Screen, just below the Start text.

5b2xpu.jpg

2. Reboot your Windows 8 and you will see the login screen. As usual, type in your local accountor Windows Live account password. Just enter the password, don?t press the Next arrow or Enterkey here.

15nu34w.png

3. Now press AND hold down the Enter key. In a few seconds, you will see your Windows 8 desktop appear Thus will have skipped Metro Start Screen smartly!

Alternatively, as soon as you are logged in and the Start Screen appears, simply hit Enter and you will see your desktop. You no longer need to search for the Desktop tile and click on it.

What is happening is simple, the Desktop being the first tile on the Start Screen, the click of Enter keyboard key, affects it and the Desktop opens fluidly.

Well, till such a time that another way is found, I think this might be the best way to boot Windows 8 directly into the desktop mode.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com

:happy: Thank You Kapil

Grand Master

metallithrax

Posted
Posted

I don't have to search for my desktop tile, I know where it is. And what's the problem with clicking 1 tile once to get to the desktop.

I get the feeling that a lot of people are just up each others arses in the hate of metro/start screen.

Grand Master

Max Norris

Posted
Posted

Never really had the need myself, typically the first thing I'd do at the desktop is bring the start screen back up and launch something anyway.. but if I insisted on this behavior I'd probably just go with Classic Shell or create a login script.

Community Regular

veternan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Don't upgrade to Windows 8 if you hate Metro so much and only want to use the desktop. Life can be so simple sometimes.

Yep, I stick to my Windows 7; Found this method so shared it here for you my friends. That's all.

Grand Master

xendrome

Posted
Posted

OKAY :pinch:

What is your "OKAY" about.. if someone wants to skip the start screen, then what good is it if you can't access your start screen apps. So using Start8 RTM version will allow you to boot to the desktop instead, and have a functional start button. I don't see the problem, if someone wants to use it, let them. No one is telling you how to setup your system..

Grand Master

+pmrd Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted

Wow is it really so hard to click on the Desktop tile.. You guys are getting so lazy, it's pathetic. Soon you people will be complaining you have to press the power button to start the computer.

Grand Master

theyarecomingforyou

Posted
Posted

For some reason my Windows 8 RP system automatically boots to the desktop and I haven't modified any system files or settings. I think it's a desktop app that launches at startup. It doesn't really bother me one way or the other.

Grand Master

.Neo

Posted
Posted

Wow is it really so hard to click on the Desktop tile.. You guys are getting so lazy, it's pathetic. Soon you people will be complaining you have to press the power button to start the computer.

Why do you care? Does this affect you in any way on a personal level?

Contributor

NitramX9X

Posted
Posted

Right click desktop, new Shortcut, put %windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257} in location, name it whatever you want and put it in \AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup , everytime windows start it will automatically go to the desktop, no need to press anything.

Grand Master

Knife Party

Posted
Posted
Wow is it really so hard to click on the Desktop tile.. You guys are getting so lazy, it's pathetic. Soon you people will be complaining you have to press the power button to start the computer.

that's not the point. The point is some want to have the option to choose preferable to boot either into desktop or metro screen mode. It is that hard for MS to acknowledge is little bit of consumer choice....especially considering the price tag they want to justify? Do yourself a favour, go somewhere else and post pointless sarcasm....

Grand Master

+pmrd Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted

that's not the point. The point is some want to have the option to choose preferable to boot either into desktop or metro screen mode. It is that hard for MS to acknowledge is little bit of consumer choice....especially considering the price tag they want to justify? Do yourself a favour, go somewhere else and post pointless sarcasm....

I think you don't understand the meaning of sarcasm. And what's the point of going directly to the desktop? You're going to launch an app eventually why not just pin it to the start menu and click it, problem solved.

Grand Master

farmeunit

Posted
Posted

Here's a crazy idea: Don't upgrade to Windows 8 if you hate Metro so much and only want to use the desktop. Life can be so simple at times.

Yeah, because Win8 doesn't bring anything else at all to the table . . .

Grand Master

Knife Party

Posted
Posted
I think you don't understand the meaning of sarcasm. And what's the point of going directly to the desktop? You're going to launch an app eventually why not just pin it to the start menu and click it, problem solved.

ok, so let's go back a few steps then. You said " Soon you people will be complaining you have to press the power button to start the computer." because of the Metro complaint. That's called sarcasm, because you are taunting or 'having a go' at those who want choice. Let me wiki that for you to if you don't understand -> sarcasm . Pin it to the start menu? People want choice, yes choice. How about an option to boot to desktop first and then launching pinned apps? anyways, I just had a look at your 'Lovin the Metro' sig, so nuff said....

Veteran

rfirth

Posted
Posted

This is an interesting idea, actually. If you put the desktop tile as the first tile, you can go directly to the desktop from any metro app by pressing win-key + enter. Yes, ctrl+d works, but I like this way better.

Edit: If you do this from the desktop, you'll open Narrator... oops :p

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Posts

    • Ford execs say they made a mistake when they replaced human engineers with AI

      By David Uzondu · Posted

      Ford execs say they made a mistake when they replaced human engineers with AI by David Uzondu Ford recently announced that over the last three years, it's had to rehire about 350 "gray beard" engineers to mentor younger staff and reprogram diagnostic systems and AI tools that were failing to meet up to quality expectations. The company's VP of vehicle hardware engineering, Charles **** said that leaders overlooked the deep experience of veterans who survived many product cycles. **** admitted that simply replacing them with AI was a huge mistake, and that while AI is "a fantastic tool," it remains "only as good as the information you use to train it." The rehired engineers now run mandatory meetings to troubleshoot vehicles and reprogram automated engineering software and AI tools to prevent glitches before production. These technical specialists hunt for failure points before parts ever reach the plant floor, helping prevent the massive recalls and defects that previously cost the company billions as it aims to cut one billion dollars in expenses this year. In last year's JD Power Quality Survey, an annual study that measures the quality of a car during the first three months of ownership, Ford finished 10th among mainstream brands and scored below the industry average. But this year, JD Power ranked the automaker as the top mainstream brand, placing it above the likes of Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Ford attributed this massive improvement directly to the expertise of these returned engineers. Ford's realization that AI cannot magically design and test quality vehicles without senior human oversight is just the tip of the iceberg. When Careerminds looked at companies that conducted AI-driven layoffs, researchers found out that 35.6% of those companies had to rehire more than half of the employees they previously fired. Another 32.7% had to rehire between 25% and 50% of them. In 2024, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Klarna, proudly announced that its new chatbot was doing the work of 700 full-time customer service agents. As a result, the fintech company froze hiring and cut hundreds of positions. But by mid 2025, and into 2026, Klarna was scrambling to recruit human agents again because customer satisfaction had plummeted. It turns out, while AI is very good at answering basic questions like how to check an account balance, when faced with complex customer issues that require nuance, the thing usually resorts to the unhelpful, robotic corporate jargon we all know and love.
    • Microsoft updates Visual Studio Code with chat cost tracking and multi-agent chats

      By The Werewolf · Posted

      Free AI in IDEs is shifting to paid models Or you know, you could just learn to actually design and code apps, use frameworks to handle the repetitive parts and not use AI at all - and voila... free for life!
    • EU says AWS and Microsoft Azure should be treated as DMA gatekeepers

      By +Sledge · Posted

      In a sane world US antitrust laws wouldn't even allow these companies to be in the position to be subjected to EU directives. As you say, better than oligarch nothing.
    • Apple reportedly has a second-generation iPhone Fold planned for 2027

      By The Werewolf · Posted

      Apple reportedly has a second-generation iPhone Fold planned for 2027 Good grief, Apple hasn't even released a first folding phone and the Apple faithful is already obsessing over the sequel? Seriously people, go out and touch grass... because this level of obsession is borderline stalkery/neurotic.
    • Microsoft Authenticator - Constant Login Approval Requests

      By jbarcus81 · Posted

      I checked on the IPs associated with every login and they're all mine... And whenever I get a new prompt, there is no activity to show for it. 

  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      xvvxcvv earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      xvvxcvv earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Enthusiast
      Xonos went up a rank
      Enthusiast
    • Conversation Starter
      Admir earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • First Post
      The_Focal_Point earned a badge
      First Post

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      405
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      169
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      129
    4. 4
      neufuse
      69
    5. 5
      Xenon
      68
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!