This article describes an update that adds the Start Menu and other features to Windows RT 8.1. The following new features are available for Windows RT 8.1 users.
Start menu
The Start menu completely replaces the modern Start screen, while preserving complete access to all Windows RT 8.1 applications.
Areas of the Start menu
There are six main areas visible when the Start menu first appears. The following screen shot is an example of US English version that displays six main areas of the Start menu:
- Header. This is where the user account picture and power button appear.
- Pinned List. Apps that are pinned for easy access appear here.
- Most Frequently Used applications list (MFU). Apps that are frequently used but not pinned anywhere else will appear here.
- All Apps button. Selecting this button displays the All Apps list.
- Search text box. Typing here begins a search.
- App grid. Both Immersive and Win32 apps can be pinned, unpinned, and resized in this area.
To Enable or Disable the Start menu
- From the desktop, press and hold (or right-click) the Taskbar, and select Properties.
- Select the Start Menu tab.
- Select the check box that's labeled Use the Start menu instead of the Start screen.
- If the check box is selected, the Start menu will be enabled.
- If the check box is cleared, the Start screen will be enabled.
- Select OK on the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box.
- Select Sign out and change Start on the Change Start dialog box that appears.
- If you select Cancel, no changes will occur.
To Pin or Unpin apps to the Start menu App grid
- Locate the app that you want to pin.
- Select All Apps to search for the apps.
- Search the Most Frequently Used apps list.
- Use Search to locate the app.
- Press and hold (or right-click) the app, and then select Pin to Start.
- To unpin an app, locate it on the Start Menu list, press and hold (or right-click) it, and then select Unpin from Start.
To Pin or Unpin apps to the Start menu Pinned List
- Locate the app that you want to pin.
- Select All Apps to search for the apps.
- Search the Most Frequently Used apps list.
- Use Search to locate the app.
- Hold down the Shift key, press and hold (or right-click) the app, and then select Pin to Start list. Or, you can drag the apps to the Pinned List directly.
- To unpin an app, locate it in the Pinned List, press and hold (or right-click) it, and then select Remove from this list.
To Unpin apps from the Most Frequently Used apps list
- Locate the app that you want to unpin.
- Press and hold (or right-click) it, and then select Remove from this list.
To Resize apps on the Start menu App grid
- Locate the pinned app that you want to resize.
- Press and hold (or right-click) it, and then select Resize.
- On the Start menu, select the size that you want the app to appear.
To Rearrange apps on the Start menu App grid, Pinned List, or MFU
- Locate the app that you want to move.
- Drag the app to the new location directly.
How to
Use the following methods to return to the Desktop and to use both desktop and immersive Internet Explorer at the same time.
How to return to the Desktop
There are two ways returning to the Desktop quickly:
- Go to the extreme right edge of the Taskbar to show the desktop.
- In All Apps, locate Desktop. Then, press and hold (or right-click) it, and then select Pin to Start.
- You can now return to the Desktop by opening the Start menu and selecting Desktop.
Circular Frames for User Account Pictures
Selected areas of the Windows RT 8.1 UI are improved to present user account pictures in circular frames. These areas include the following:- The Logon screen
- Start screen and Start menu
- User Accounts Control Panel
- The immersive dialog box that appears when you add a new local account or Microsoft Account (MSA) to the system or when you link an existing local account to an MSA.
- The Account pictures in PC Settings > Personalize and PC Settings > Accounts.
- The Windows Security credential dialog box.