Using the Start Screen

Using the Start Screen

Hi guys.      o((*^▽^*))o

Welcome back to my blog. This post will be regarding how to navigate the Start Screen. As you guys probably know, the Start Screen is the face of Windows 8 and you will inevitably run into it eventually.

The first thing to note about the Start Screen is how to navigate the Start Screen is also mouse friendly. Simply scroll up and down on the mouse to move left and right along the Start Screen.

Scrolling with Mouse

The Start Screen also makes use of sensitivity points around the Start Screen. There are 4 sensitivity points; 2 each for different functions.

Calling these individual functions is quite simple. Move your mouse to that corner of the screen and simple move it up (or down) to reveal the bar on the screen.

Calling Charm Bar



Calling Apps List

Like the Start Menu, you can also access all your programs from the Start Screen. Unfortunately, if you are using Windows 8, there is no start button (until Windows 8.1 is installed).

To access all your apps,

1.       You will need to right click on an empty part of the Start Screen. This brings up an option bar at the bottom of the screen.

Option Bar

2.       Select the option ‘All apps’. While it says apps, it includes your programs like the Start Menu.

The app/program menu is arranged with apps starting on the left and programs following after, in alphabetical order. However, you can change the arrangement of apps according to categories and preferences by selecting 'by name'  and changing accordingly.

Another features obvious to the Start Screen is the introduction of tiles to Windows. Tiles represent different programs, apps, and folders on your computer, similar to how the Start Menu works. Try to use this portion to maximize accessibility to programs or commonly used folders. You can add new programs to the Start Menu by pinning it up. Simply Right Click on the program or folder and select ‘Pin to Start Menu’.

Pinning Programs

Adding Folders

In my opinion, the Start Screen is the Start Menu stretched out across your entire screen. Use it as such; if you frequently use ‘My Documents’ pin it up like how it is on the Start Menu. If you like to play a certain game or know you need to quickly access your note-taking software, pin it up. Since you are stuck with a Start Screen, try to maximize it's potential and make it work to your needs.

I hope this post has helped you to better understand the basic on the Start Screen. The next post should be on shortcuts and possibly the Charm Bar interface. Please leave feedback about how I can improve for future articles and whether the use of gifs has helped with understanding how to use the different functions.  ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ