The Start screen replaces the Start button and menu in Windows 8 and Windows RT.

You can pin apps, contacts, and websites to Start to easily access what you use most. All of your apps — both apps you install from the Windows Store and desktop apps — are available from the Start screen. You can organize, group, and name categories of apps in whatever way makes sense to you. Tiles and notifications show what’s new so you can get important info and updates at a glance.

Getting to the Start Screen

If you're on the desktop or in an app, you can get to the Start screen by using one of the following methods:

• Press the Windows key on your keyboard (between CTRL and ALT or FN and ALT).
• Swiping in from the right side of the screen and tapping the Start charm (touchscreen).
• Swiping in from the right side of the touchpad and selecting the Start charm (touchpad).
• Move the mouse to the upper-right corner of the screen and click the Start charm.
• Move the mouse to the upper-left corner of the screen, then move the mouse down along the left edge of the screen and click the Start charm.
• Hold the Windows key and press the "c" key and selecting the Start charm.

Toggle between Start Screen and apps

If you're on the Start screen, you can select the Start charm to go back to the last app you were in by using the same methods as above.

To view and select open apps move the mouse to the upper-left corner of the screen, then move the mouse down along the left edge of the screen to view open apps as well as the Start charm.

Control Panel

In Windows 8, there are a few different ways to find and change your settings.

• Control Panel
• Settings charm
• PC settings
• Search

Most of the settings that you'll want to change can be found in PC settings.