How to Switch from the Start Menu to the Start Screen in Windows 10

One of the most controversial aspects of Windows 8 is the touch-friendly Start Screen interface, a drastic departure from the traditional Windows look and feel that has persisted since Windows 95. With the hope of winning back desktop and business users, Microsoft is introducing a new Start Menu in Windows 10 which aims to blend the best aspects of the traditional Windows Start Menu with the live tile functionality of the Windows 8 Start Screen.

Note: Microsoft has changed the Windows 10 layout since this article was published. Click here for updated instructions.

Windows 10 Start Menu
Microsoft has stated that the new Start Menu will replace the Start Screen in certain Windows 10 configurations, primarily desktops and non-touch laptops where a user will likely interact with the operating system via a mouse and keyboard. But with Windows 8 now on the market for about two years, some users may have grown accustomed to the “Metro” Start Screen and, dare I say, even prefer it to the Start Menu.
Thankfully, Microsoft has made it simple to switch back to the Windows 8-style Start Screen with just a single checkbox. The following instructions are based upon the first Windows 10 Technical Preview. Although the exact method to switch from Start Menu to Start Screen is subject to change — and we’ll let you know if it does — Microsoft’s public statements make it likely that users can expect the option to persist when Windows 10 makes its official debut in mid-2015.
To switch from the Start Menu to the Start Screen in Windows 10, head to your Windows Desktop, right-click on the Taskbar, and choose Properties. In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window, navigate to the Start Menu tab and find the checkbox titled “Use the Start menu instead of the Start screen.” As you can guess from its description, uncheck this box to restore the Windows 8-style Start Screen interface in Windows 10.
Windows 10 Show Start Screen
Click OK to accept the change and close the window. Switching from the Start Menu to the Start Screen in Windows 10 requires the user to sign out before the change will take effect. A dialog box will appear to notify you of this. If your work is saved and you’re ready to sign out, click Sign out and change settings to complete the process.
Windows 10 Show Start Screen Confirm
When you log back into Windows 10, click the Start Button or press the Windows key on your keyboard. Now, instead of the new Windows 10 Start Menu, you’ll see the familiar Start Screen appear, with functionality currently identical to that in Windows 8.
Windows 10 Start Screen
To change back to the Start Menu, simply hop back to the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window and check the aforementioned box to “Use the Start menu instead of the Start screen.”

10 thoughts on “How to Switch from the Start Menu to the Start Screen in Windows 10”

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Bianca de Reus says:
Thank you for the tips 🙂
Unfortunately, I don’t have the option; the tab ‘Start Menu’ isn’t visible in the properties. How do I get that tab?
TekRevue says:
Hi Bianca,
Microsoft changed the way this is done since this article was written. I’ll get an updated post released later today, but in short, you can use Start full screen by going to Start > Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle the option called Use Start full screen.
Robin Tropper says:
But this is no good…. in windows 8, you could arrow-down to get a
full-screen list of applications: in windows 10, the applications list
is so narrow, it’s almost unusable! And in windows 8 you could just
start typing to start the search, in windows 10, you have to actively
click the search text input (it should automatically focus, at least)….
Karen Cary says:
What if you don’t even have that option under taskbar properties? That’s the problem I’m having. I want the start screen back and have no idea how to do it. Also, I can’t left click on the windows icon, use the search box or left click on any of the icons on the far right (volume, calendar, etc.). I can right click and bring up menus, but that’s it.
Petros Peregrinus says:
Okay what help do you need? Please explain?
Diane Eichmann says:
I have been looking for the start menu option and so have a lot of others. They commented that it was only for beta and it went away. I don’t have it either. When I go into settings and turn on the option to use full start screen, it won’t change it. I have tried everything.
Tigerfaninelvalledelsol says:
Thanks for the info but when I click on properties I don’t have the tab which says Start Menu – any other ideas.
Victorino Machava says:
Go to Start Menu -> Settings -> Personalization -> Start. Look for “Use Start full screen” and switch to On.
Hope this helped.
Santiago Matamoros says:
The 8.x Start screen is gone from 10, and with it, the ability to customize tiles with OblyTile.
Unless this ability is restored, I’ll stick with 8.x.
Victorino Machava says:
Hi Santiago!
Go to Start Menu -> Settings -> Personalization -> Start. Look for “Use Start full screen” and switch to On.
Hope this helped.
TekRevue says:
It’s an image by user Funerium over at deviantART. You can grab it here.
YOURNA says:
Thanks!
Bo Barry says:
That option is not shown on my Technical preview verson! (9226 I think)
Rahul says:
Thanks foR the guide on changing back to windows 8 style. My 4 year daughter did not like the win 10 style start menu and she was very upset.
jamesluis95 says:
‘Comment: Here are the features window 10 have and why it is best http://www.mobilekin.com/814/whats-new-windows-10

Comments are closed.

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