Finding Your Apps on the Start Screen

Jan 16, 2015 | Apps, General Interest, Windows 8.1

With the update to Windows 8.1 offering users the ability to boot directly into Desktop mode, the Start Screen has gone largely unused by many business users. However, you will still have to use it eventually, and some users have found that the tile-based layout of the Start Screen does offer some benefits. One issue is that it can be tricky to actually find your apps via the Start Screen.

How to find all of your installed apps from the Start Screen

When you install a new app on your computer, regardless of whether it is a Metro style app, or a traditional desktop style app, you are going to need to be able to find and open it. Because we often install a large number of programs on our computers, it can be a challenge to actually locate these apps via the file explorer used in Windows.

The easiest way to find your apps is to:

[list style=”bullet”][li]1. Switch to the Start Screen if you are currently in desktop mode. This can be done by tapping on the Windows key.[/li][li]2. Hover your mouse over the lower-left of your screen.[/li][li]3. Click the arrow that is pointing down.[/li][/list]

 

You can also access the apps screen by hitting: Control + Tab from anywhere in the Start Screen. Once open, you should see a list of all the apps you have installed. Apps that have been recently installed will have a NEW tag beside the name.

If you would like to sort your apps differently, such as by name or date installed, click the drop-down arrow beside APPS at the top of your screen and select the sorting option you prefer. Should you have a large number of apps installed and want to quickly find an app, click on the magnifying glass at the top-right of your screen and enter the name of the app you are looking for.

Adding apps to the Taskbar or the Start Screen

When 8.1 was introduced, Microsoft removed the feature where tiles were automatically created in the Start Screen and apps were automatically pinned to the taskbar. If you would like to either pin an app to the Start Screen or the taskbar you can do so by:

[list style=”bullet”][li]Opening the Apps menu via the Start Screen.[/li][li]Searching for the app you would like to pin, either by scrolling through the list, or clicking the magnifying glass and entering the name.[/li][li]Right-clicking on the app.[/li][li]Selecting either: Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar[/li][/list]

 

This will subsequently pin the app to the taskbar on the desktop, or create a new tile on the Start Screen.

If you are looking to learn more about Windows 8.1 and how it can be used in your business effectively, contact us today.

Recent Posts

Cloud Use Cases for Small and Growing Businesses

Cloud Use Cases for Small and Growing Businesses

As you may have heard, the cloud is a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet. But for businesses the world over, the cloud represents the next step in technological evolution. The cloud unlocks speed, flexibility, scale, and cost savings that businesses of...

2023 Cybersecurity Trends for Small Business

2023 Cybersecurity Trends for Small Business

The threat of cybercrime continues to grow each year, and small businesses are particularly vulnerable. The latest cybersecurity trends indicate that organizations of all sizes must remain vigilant in order to protect their valuable data.  In this article, we'll cover...

Security in a Co-Managed IT Environment

Security in a Co-Managed IT Environment

Security in a co-managed IT environment looks a little different than in a traditional environment. Don’t be alarmed. When leveraging a partner to co-manage your environment, you’ll actually have better, more robust security in most cases than if you were to manage...

Five Signs you Need Better IT Support

Five Signs you Need Better IT Support

IT systems can make or break any business. They provide an avenue for communication and collaboration, help with organizational efficiency, and drive improved customer service. Without proper IT support, businesses are often left in despair and experience hindering...

Co-Managed IT Services for Financial Services

Co-Managed IT Services for Financial Services

Financial services companies are faced with the challenge of keeping up with technology because they cannot sacrifice data security or compliance. As a result, more organizations are turning to co-managed IT services as an option that provides a balance between cost...

Co-Managed IT Services for Oil and Gas

Co-Managed IT Services for Oil and Gas

The Oil and Gas industry is an ever-evolving sector that operates in a highly competitive global market. Companies must stay ahead of the competition to remain profitable, which means keeping up with the latest technologies and trends. One way to do this is with...