How to Boot to the Desktop in Windows 8.1

This article explains how to boot to the desktop in Windows 8.1 and how to show the Apps view automatically at Start. You can only make Windows 8 boot directly to the desktop if you've updated to Windows 8.1 or greater.

How to Boot to the Desktop in Windows 8.1

If you're someone who clicks or touches the Desktop app every time you start your computer, you'll be happy to know that configuring Windows 8.1 to skip the Start screen altogether is an easy change to make.

Here's how:

1. Open Control Panel. Doing so from the Apps screen is probably the quickest way via touch, but it's also accessible via the Power User Menu (WIN+X) if you're used to using that.

   If you're using a keyboard or mouse and are already on the desktop, which seems likely considering the change you're wanting to make here, right-click the taskbar and choose Properties, then skip to Step 4.

2. Select Appearance and Personalization.

   You won't see this applet if your Control Panel view is set to Large icons or Small icons. If you're using one of those views, choose Taskbar and Navigation and then skip down to Step 4.

3. Choose Taskbar and Navigation.

4. Select the Navigation tab along the top of the window that's now open.

5. Check the box next to When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start. This is located in the Start screen area.

   Also here is an option that says Show the Apps view automatically when I go to Start, which is something else to consider if you're not a fan of the Start screen.

6. Select OK to confirm the change.

From now on, after logging in to Windows 8 or closing your open apps, the Desktop will open instead of the Start screen. This does not mean that the Start or Apps screens have been turned off or are disabled or inaccessible in any way. You can still drag the Desktop down or select the Start button to show the Start screen.