Windows 8 Access All Apps Easily in Windows 8 Desktop Without Metro Start Screen

[Drew]

For all those getting their knickers in a knot over the Win8 Start screen... do you realize w/ THIS (See below) on the Taskbar, visits to Start are reduced by a little over 99.9999999%

Start Tiles (APPs) in Desktop Window!!

Here is a quick, easy way to have ALL APPS in a Desktop window; no flipping screens from Desktop. List s ALL APPS, even if not being displayed on Start.

Result is a Desktop icon, tagged explorer.exe
I changed the name to APPs (As you like)
Rt Clk > Properties > Change Icon (I pick image of windows on a screen)
Icon can be left on Desktop, Pinned to Taskbar, added to Quick Launch.


Here is something, if you would prefer to work from your desktop without going back into the Metro tiles @ Start.


Right-click on desktop and select new , then shortcut

Enter or paste this into the "Type location.. etc." :


%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}

Call it whatever you fancy (APPS or ....?)

When you click the shortcut, you will have a window with all your Start Metro icons - Just click and launch whatever from there. It's really an "All Programs" list. Along w/ Nav tree, of course. Becomes Pinned as or in (same ) place of Libraries Folder on Taskbar; Libraries, now, on Applications' Jumplist. Thus stays @ view one prefers.

Link Removed

Enjoy!!

Cheers,
Drew

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you're sharing a helpful tip for Windows users who might be frustrated with the Windows 8 Start screen. This method enables users to access all their apps in a desktop window, avoiding the need to navigate back to the Metro tiles on the Start screen. Here's a summarized guide on how to create a desktop shortcut to access all your apps easily: 1. Right-click on the desktop and select "New" and then "Shortcut." 2. Enter or paste the following location into the "Type location" field:

 %windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}

3. Name the shortcut as you like (e.g., APPs) and click "Finish." 4. Customize the icon if desired by right-clicking on the shortcut, going to "Properties," and selecting a different icon. 5. Clicking this shortcut will open a window with all your Start Metro icons, allowing you to launch apps directly from there. This shortcut can be easily pinned to the Taskbar, added to Quick Launch, or kept on the Desktop for quick access to all your applications without returning to the Start screen. Thank you for sharing this trick, Drew! It's a clever way to streamline access to apps for users who prefer to work primarily from the desktop environment.