An Easy Way to Return to Desktop Once You Close Apps in Windows 8.1

Posted in Windows • 11 years ago • Written by Hammad Rafique • Comments Off

One of the most irritating features of Windows 8.1 is that the system takes you to the Metro UI when you close any app in the App Section. It does not take you to the desktop. Actually it has been added to Windows 8.1 for the convenience of users so that they can directly open another app when they have closed one app, but it becomes annoying sometimes for the users and they look for its solutions here and there. For example, sometimes you have opened “Weather”. When you will close it, you will not see your desktop. Instead, you will be again at the start screen, where you can conveniently open another app and what if you do not want to use any other app? Every time you have to click the desktop icon to return to the desktop. This is so irritating.

Here is an easy way for the users of Windows 8.1 by following which they can easily get rid of this annoying feature. It is quite simple method and you can apply it within a few seconds.

Precaution: You cannot use it in the Windows 8.1 Preview. It works only with Windows 8.1 RTM. So it is necessary for you to upgrade your Windows 8.1 Preview to RTM before using this technique. It does not only work on Windows 8.1 desktops, but also on Windows 8.1 tablets and laptops.

So, let’s start the method without wasting time.

Steps to get “Return to Desktop Once You Close Apps” Feature

Step 1: You need to right-click to the taskbar on the desktop where you will see the option “Properties”. You should select it.

Properties Option in Taskbar Step 2: Now you will see the “Taskbar and Navigation Properties” window where there will be some tabs. You should select “Navigation” tab here.

Step 3: In Navigation Properties, you will see a class “Start Screen” where you have to check the box before “When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start” option. Once you have done with it, just click “Apply” to apply these settings. Now you will not return to the “Start Screen” in Windows 8.1. You will return to the desktop.