When my computer boots, the default is to open to the start menu. I want to see the Desktop. Here are my settings for Start:
I've clicked and unclicked that button that is supposed to start it stop it to no avail. How can I permanently change this default. I'm used to seeing icons on the desktop, and don't really want to change to the start menu. I had this fixed, but it no longer works.
Thanks
Carl
Not in tablet mode, I don't think. Setting says use appropriate setting for my hardware. I have a Dell E2414 wide monitor connected to a desktop HP.
Try the Start Menu Troubleshooter.
Start Menu Troubleshooter in Windows 10
Also see
Reset Start Layout in Windows 10
Re-register Start Menu in Windows 10
I have tried everything you mentioned until I found a solution that worked, at least for closer to what I want. I think it was a combination of two things that fixed it, but still unsure. I turned off Tablet Mode, and I also did the Re-Register the start Menu in Windows 10.
Now, when I reboot, it comes up with the Start menu, but all I have to do is hit the button once, and it will toggle to the Desktop.
BTW, it also solved another problem I had - all my icons had disappeared from the desktop, but they came back.
And, of course, it caused another problem - the Start Menu, which I occasionally used, lost all my customizations and it's not working correctly. I was trying to ease into using it to see if I liked it, and I never did finish getting all my icons on it. So, if you have any ideas on that problem, let me know.
{rant} To me, I think Windows 10 went too far. I've been using computers since 1980 when I got my first Sinclair. I first got enamored with computers in 1961 when my math skills allowed me to be chosen with about 10 other classmates (9th grade), to go to a special class at Sperry Univac. They built a computer within a computer of theirs, and then they taught us how to program that computer. I'll never forget that class, started part of my career. But now, at the age of 72, technology has passed by me in the fast lane at 100 mph. I was happy with Windows 3. Now I'm just frustrated and confused with Windows 10. Ever book I've gotten is too simple, or too complicated. I'm not ever going to get a new computer or OS, and probably not any new software. I have all I need, thank you very much. Thanks for listening, and thanks for being patient with me. {/rant}
Hi, do you have Home or Pro?
There is a group policy which defines whether a PC boots to desktop or start screen, but it says it's only applicable to win 8, 8.1, or server 2012 - a leftover.
if you have Home, I might guess the equivalent registry key is what's doing this.
So far I haven't found a GUI option which allows this choice, although it was a taskbar option in Win 8 it seems.
Just to be sure, please advise your Windows build:
Windows key + r, winver
Can you confirm that the start screen you see when your PC boots is not full screen, but a normal start screen (from bottom left corner, partial screen)
Note: Personally I (and many other members here) don't normally use Win 10's built-in start menu. I use Open Shell (free) - was Classic Shell.
Combines the best features of XP and Win 7 menus, full drag 'n drop, configurable search, and supports large categorised start menus using a deeper folder structure (which no Win 10 style menu can). Skinnable, and can optionally expand in columns across the screen.
I have Home 10 ver 1903. I don't know if it makes any difference or not, I have a 64 bit machine.
When I reboot now, it starts with the start menu, not the full screen. it has settings, on and off, etc on the left. And it has a few default tiles, but not the ones that I have previously set up. I have no idea where they went to.
At this point, everything is in inverted colors, and it defaults to Tablet mode every time.
So, what I have to do is start the magnifier to get rid of the inverted colors, then right click the start button, and click the desktop button, and everything is almost the way I want it. The only remaining problem is to get rid of the default to the start menu, and not starting in inverted colors.
Thanks for hanging in there with me to solve this idiocy.
Carl
You may have a setting that inverts the colours- perhaps related to accessibility or a high contrast theme. Have you ever made any such changes?
But that seems you have 2 problems now- colour inversion and the start menu opening when you log in.
Note that if you put the PC into sleep mode using the button on the Start Menu, the Start Menu will appear on resuming from sleep.
Please confirm your exact logon sequence- if you cold boot, from power up, do you see the lock screen and login screen? Do you enter a password? Or have you change that sequence?
See:
Windows 10 Desktop Colors stuck on Inverted, how to reset? - Super User
but note Win Ctrl C doen't work for me
Other things to try:
Let's check if it's user profile-related or not.
Please create a new user for test purposes. Log in as that user and note what you see.
Then try booting to Safe mode- you can try both users- and note what you see.
Back in normal mode, try a clean boot and compare the outcome.
Could you also post a screenshot of the abnormal start menu? A good photo would do.
To post a screenshot please use the Insert Image icon above your post.
History: when did this start to happen? E.g.
- after the upgrade to 1903
- after an update
- after I ....Please see if the start of this correlates with any change listed in your Update History- including driver updates at the bottom.
Sorry I've been incommunicado lately. Family issues, and just haven't had time.
I think we finally solved the inversion problem - Win Ctrl C seemed to work.
When I boot, I get asked for a password. After the password, it boots fairly normally, starts the programs that I want, and the colors are correct. It boots on the desktop, and the desktop has all my icons in the right place. If I put it to sleep, it will wake up where I left off, using the sleep button on the keyboard, or the sleep button on the start menu.
So, I think I still have 2 problems.
1. I've lost the personally configured start menu.
2. I still have to put in my password every time I reboot. I didn't have to do this before.
Thanks for your help.
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