How to Build a Desktop Start Menu Replacement for Windows 8.1

How to Build a Desktop Start Menu Replacement for Windows 8.1

As we know, Windows 8.1 have a great improvement on bringing back the Start Menu. However, due to the complicated modern interface, you probably can not boot to the desktop directly. So this post will illustrate to you how to build a desktop Start Menu replacement for Windows 8.1.

How to Build a Desktop Start Menu Replacement for Windows 8.1 with Apps View

Actually, you can boot to the desktop natively. Just follow the steps by Settings.

• 1. Go to the desktop, right-click the taskbar and select "Properties".
• 2. In the "Taskbar and Navigation properties" window, switch to the "Navigation" tab and under "Start screen", select the option "When I sign in or close all applications on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start".

  

• 3. Also check the option "Show the Apps view automatically when I go to Start" in the "Taskbar and Navigation properties" window.

  Tips: This way, your desktop Start button will not open the Start screen, but the Apps view.

  

• 4. Check the option "List desktop apps first in the Apps view when it's sorted by category". Since your goal is to avoid the Modern UI and the Start screen, you might also want to avoid Modern apps.

  

• 5. Hit OK and the next time you log into Windows, you should land at the desktop.

By doing these, your Start menu replacement might look like right now. Then you have successfully turned Apps view into a Start Menu replacement.

Added Information on Fixing up Your Apps Menu

After you have turned Apps view as your Start Menu replacement, you should learn to fix up your App Menu. Whenever you install a new program, Windows dumps shortcuts for all of the added files onto your Apps screen. To clean up this cluttered mess and build a useful Start Menu replacement, you need to follow the steps below.

• 1. Right-click an item you would like to remove and select "Open file location from the menu at the bottom".

  

• 2. This will open the respective shortcut in its folder. Windows Explorer reveals the location where all those shortcuts are stored.

  

Thus, you can delete all the items you do not wish to see in your new Start Menu, otherwise known as Apps view.

Knowing how to build a desktop Start Menu replacement for Windows 8.1 computer, make your Windows 8.1 become more useful. Note that we have already introduced 5 Start Menu replacements for Windows 8. Click to learn more.

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