How to boot directly to the desktop in Windows 8.1

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

Windows 8.1 adds back the Start button and lets you boot directly to the desktop.

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows 8.1 taskbar, then choose Properties.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 2: 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."

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