Windows 8.1 could let you skip the Metro Start screen and go straight to desktop

By Gloria Sin April 15, 2013

twitter windows 8 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Unless you have a touchscreen on your Windows 8 device, the colorful tiles on the home screen is not the most intuitive to navigate with just your touchpad or mouse, especially if you just want to jump right into Desktop Mode to use your computer beyond the latest social media updates. But with the Windows 8 Start screen as it is currently designed, you have to take that extra step of tapping on the Desktop tile to access the rest of your device.

If the beta code found in a recent build of Windows 8.1 is any indication, the upcoming update to Windows 8 will allow users to boot right to the desktop, while keeping the tiled interface as an alternative home screen for touch devices. (In case you’re confused, Windows 8.1 is expected to be the official name for the next iteration of Windows 8; you might be more familiar with its code name Blue.)

leaked win8.1 code_microsoft portal — Image used with permission by copyright holder

According to the Russian tech site Microsoft Portal, there is apparently a line of beta code in a build of Windows 8.1’s “twinui.dll” file that is “responsible for disabling the Start Screen,” and after disabling or modifying the code, it makes the system “go to the desktop automatically,” as reported by WinBeta. We tried visiting its source but it seems the page no longer exists. That said, the above photo of the code seems to back up what the Russian site initially published.

Who knows if this code will make it to the final release of Windows 8.1, but at least you know Microsoft is certainly aware of your gripes and it is working on ways to better cater to how you actually use the operating system, rather than force you to make extra clicks to get to your desktop. Besides letting you boot directly to desktop mode, what other navigation improvements would you like to see in Windows 8.1?

[Image originally posted Microsoft Portal, via WinBeta]

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gloria’s tech journey really began when she was studying user centered design in university, and developed a love for…

Computing

Best Buy laptop deals: Cheap laptops starting at $159

Apple M1 MacBook Air open on a desk with plants in the background.

If you’re looking for an affordable laptop, Best Buy is a great outlet to turn to. It carries some of the best laptops on the market, and often you’ll find many of the best laptop deals taking place at Best Buy. And while it’s a great place to land some savings on almost any device, including tablet deals, headphone deals, and smartwatch deals, the Best Buy laptop deals you can shop right now are worth taking a look at. Among them you’ll find many quality laptop options at some of the best prices we’ve seen, so read onward for more details. And if Best Buy doesn’t have what you’re looking for, you can check out some of the best Amazon deals and best Walmart deals, where you’ll also find a discounted laptop or two.
HP 14-inch laptop — $159, was $180

The HP 14-inch laptop is a fast and fun computing device. It's a great option for anyone searching the best laptops for high school students or the best laptops for college. It has an Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of system RAM that combine to push through homework assignments, work presentations, and hours upon hours of binge watching. The 14-inch screen sports HD resolution and makes this HP laptop a great way to enjoy movies, photos, and other digital content. The HP 14-inch laptop is able to reach up to 14 hours of battery life on a single charge, making it a great all-day option for people who like to do their work on the go.

Computing

Surfshark CleanWeb merges ad blocking and a VPN to stop hidden digital horrors

Surfshark CleanWeb combines a VPN and an ad-blocker for maximum privacy

While one could argue that internet browsing has never been anonymous or completely safe, there's no argument against the point that it's getting worse. Intrusive advertisements, corporate and e-commerce trackers, traffic tied to your home IP address, and phishing scams are just a few of the major headaches waiting for you when you browse. It's device-agnostic, as well. You'll be tracked and bombarded no matter what your device is, from a smartphone to a desktop computer. Worse yet, the tracking jumps between platforms in most cases, which is why you often see advertisements on social media and other websites for products you've viewed in the past. A VPN or virtual private network can help, but it won't stop everything. That is unless you use Surfshark CleanWeb, an excellent and more comprehensive online tool than free ad blockers and most comparable solutions. It blends the support of a powerful ad blocker and a VPN to give you some of the best coverage out there. Let's explore further, and we'll also discuss how you can save over 80% on one-year and two-year plans and get two months free.

What can Surfshark CleanWeb block?
Forget about intrusive ads and pop-ups on your devices — the Surfshark ad blocker stops them. It can also prevent annoying video ads on smart TVs, repeated cookie requests and pop-ups from your browser(s), and more. For example, once installed, Surfshark's CleanWeb 2.0 browser extension can warn you to prevent you from visiting malware-filled fake websites and protect you from hidden website data breaches.

Mobile

Best iPad deals: Save on iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad Mini

iPad Pro 2020 Screen.

For years the Apple iPad has been setting the standard for the best tablets, and despite its more premium nature, you can generally find some great iPad deals among the best tablet deals. That’s certainly the case right now, as there are a lot of iPad deals to shop. And while many of the best Apple deals include fan favorites like iPhone 15 deals, MacBook deals, and even AirPods deals, the current iPad deals have a lot to choose from. We’ve rounded up all of the best iPad deals worth shopping right now. Reading onward you’ll find discounts on everything from budget iPads to recent releases, as well as some some savings on iPad accessories.
Apple iPad 10.2 (9th Gen) 64GB Wi-Fi -- $249, was $329

Apple's A13 Bionic chip is no M1 or M2, but it still offers 64-bit architecture and neural engine support for excellent performance. In other words, this 10.2-inch iPad is incredible value. It has a 10.2-inch Retina display, 64GB of storage, supports Touch ID and Apple Pencil (1st Gen), and it's size, plus all-day battery life make it an excellent choice for anyone with an on-the-go lifestyle.