How to boot to the desktop in Windows 8.1? [duplicate]

  • Right-click on the Windows 8.1 taskbar, then choose Properties.

  • Click on the Navigation tab, then under the Start screen section, check the box next to "Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in."


Just right-click on the taskbar and head to Properties → Navigation → When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start. This will also bring you back to the desktop whenever you close a Modern app, which is handy if you use one every once in awhile.