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How to boot directly to the desktop in Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 has some new features, including bypassing the Start screen at log-in, so you can go straight to the desktop. We'll show you how to enable it.

Ed Rhee
Ed Rhee, a freelance writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is an IT veteran turned stay-at-home-dad of two girls. He focuses on Android devices and applications while maintaining a review blog at techdadreview.com.
Ed Rhee
Windows 8.1 final desktop
Windows 8.1 adds back the Start button and lets you boot directly to the desktop. Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNET

Update, October 21, 2013:This post was updated to reflect a change in the description of the setting, in the final release of Windows 8.1.

The Windows 8 Start screen is a good starting point for Windows 8 devices with touch screens, but on PCs with standard screens, you might prefer to boot directly to the desktop. Previously, you could bypass the Windows 8 Start screen with Start8, but Windows 8.1 now lets you do it natively. Here's how:

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows 8.1 taskbar, then choose Properties.

Step 2: Click on the Navigation tab, then under the Start screen section, check the box next to "When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start."

Windows 8.1 navigation settings
Screenshot by Ed Rhee/CNET

The next time you boot Windows 8.1, you'll go straight to the desktop without ever seeing the Start screen.