How To Put Apps On Desktop Windows 8

Are you a Windows 8 user looking to customize your desktop experience? Did you know that you can easily put apps on your desktop in Windows 8, making it more convenient to access your favorite programs? Instead of searching for apps in the Start menu or on the taskbar, you can have them right on your desktop for quick and easy access. In this guide, we will show you how to put apps on your desktop in Windows 8, allowing you to personalize your computer and improve your productivity.

To put apps on your desktop in Windows 8, you can follow a few simple steps. First, navigate to the Start screen by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard or clicking the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen. From there, find the app you want to add to your desktop and right-click on it. In the context menu that appears, select "Pin to taskbar" or "Pin to Start" depending on your preference. If you choose "Pin to taskbar," the app will be added to the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. If you choose "Pin to Start," the app will be added to the Start screen. Finally, to move the app to your desktop, simply right-click on it again and select "Pin to desktop." Voila! Now you have your app conveniently located on your desktop in Windows 8. With this method, you can easily access your favorite apps without searching through menus or cluttering your taskbar.

Introduction: Putting Apps on Desktop in Windows 8

Windows 8 introduced a new user interface with a Start screen filled with colorful tiles representing various apps. While this change was initially met with mixed reactions, some users preferred having their favorite apps on the desktop for easy access. If you're one of those users looking to put apps on the desktop in Windows 8, you've come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you through the process of placing your favorite apps directly on the desktop, allowing for a more seamless and convenient experience.

Option 1: The Classic Desktop Shortcut

The most straightforward way to put apps on the desktop in Windows 8 is by creating desktop shortcuts. This method allows you to access your favorite apps with a single click, just like any other desktop application. Here's how:

Step 1: Find the App

Begin by locating the app you want to place on the desktop. You can either find it in the Start screen by scrolling through the tiles or by using the search function. Once you've found the app, right-click on it to reveal a options menu.

Step 2: Create a Desktop Shortcut

In the options menu, look for the "Open file location" or "Open file location in File Explorer" option. Clicking on this will open Windows Explorer with the app's shortcut selected. Right-click on this shortcut and choose the "Create shortcut" option. A desktop shortcut will be created for the app.

Step 3: Move the Shortcut to the Desktop

With the shortcut created, you can now move it to the desktop for easy access. Simply click and drag the shortcut from the Windows Explorer window to the desktop. Release the mouse button, and the shortcut will be placed on the desktop.

Step 4: Customize the Shortcut

By default, the shortcut on the desktop will have the same icon as the app. However, you can customize the shortcut's appearance to differentiate it from other shortcuts. Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties" from the context menu. In the properties window, click on the "Change Icon" button to choose a different icon from those available. Once you've customized the icon, click "OK" to save your changes.

Option 2: Pinning Apps to the Taskbar

Another way to have quick access to your favorite apps is by pinning them to the taskbar. The taskbar, located at the bottom of the screen, is a convenient place to keep frequently used apps within easy reach. Here's how you can pin apps to the taskbar:

Step 1: Open the App

Start by opening the app you want to pin to the taskbar. You can do this by finding it in the Start screen or by using the search function. Once the app is open, it will appear on the taskbar as a separate button.

Step 2: Pin the App to the Taskbar

Right-click on the app's button on the taskbar to reveal the options menu. In the menu, click on the "Pin to taskbar" option. The app's button will now remain on the taskbar, even when the app is closed.

Step 3: Rearrange the Apps

If you have multiple apps pinned to the taskbar, you can rearrange their order for easier access. To do this, simply click and drag the app's button to the desired position on the taskbar. Release the mouse button, and the app's position on the taskbar will be updated.

Option 3: Using Third-Party Tools

If you prefer a more advanced and customizable solution, you can use third-party tools to put apps on the desktop in Windows 8. These tools often provide additional features and options for managing and organizing your apps. Here are a few popular tools you can consider:

• Stardock Start10: A powerful tool that brings back the classic Start menu and allows you to pin apps to the desktop.
• Classic Shell: Similar to Stardock Start10, Classic Shell restores the traditional Start menu and enables desktop app pinning.
• Fences: Fences allows you to create customizable desktop containers to organize your apps, files, and folders.

These tools offer a range of customization options, allowing you to personalize your desktop and optimize your workflow. However, it's important to note that third-party tools may require additional installation and configuration.

Exploring a Different Dimension: Modern Apps on Desktop in Windows 8

In addition to placing traditional desktop applications on the desktop, Windows 8 also allows you to run modern apps in a windowed mode on the desktop itself. This feature provides a seamless integration of modern touch-based apps with the traditional desktop interface. Here's how you can use modern apps on the desktop in Windows 8:

Option 1: Snapping Modern Apps

The Snap feature in Windows 8 allows you to display a modern app alongside a traditional desktop application. This feature is particularly useful when you need to multitask or refer to information from both the modern app and a desktop program simultaneously. Here's how you can snap modern apps:

Step 1: Open the Modern App

Start by opening the modern app you want to snap. You can do this by finding it in the Start screen or using the search function.

Step 2: Enable Snap

Once the modern app is open, move the mouse cursor to the top of the screen until it turns into a hand icon. Click and drag the app to the left or right side of the screen. The screen will split, and the modern app will be displayed in a smaller window alongside the desktop.

Step 3: Adjust the App Size

To resize the snap area, move the mouse cursor to the center of the divider. The cursor will turn into a double-headed arrow. Click and drag the divider to adjust the size of the modern app's window. This allows you to allocate more or less screen space to the app as per your preference.

Step 4: Use Both Apps Simultaneously

With the modern app snapped, you can now use both the modern app and a desktop program side by side. This allows for efficient multitasking and improved productivity.

Option 2: Modern App Launchers

If you frequently use modern apps and prefer a more integrated experience with the desktop, you can consider using modern app launchers. These tools provide a menu or a dock-like interface that allows you to launch and manage your modern apps directly from the desktop. Here are a few popular modern app launchers:

• StartIsBack: This tool restores the traditional Start menu and allows you to customize it to include modern app shortcuts.
• Start Menu 8: Similar to StartIsBack, this tool brings back the classic Start menu and includes options for adding modern app shortcuts to the menu.
• OblyTile: OblyTile lets you create custom tiles on the desktop that can launch modern apps with a single click.

These modern app launchers provide a convenient way to access your favorite modern apps directly from the desktop, eliminating the need to switch between the Start screen and the desktop. They offer customization options, allowing you to organize and personalize your app launcher based on your preferences.

Conclusion

By following the methods outlined in this article, you can easily put apps on the desktop in Windows 8, whether it's through creating desktop shortcuts, pinning apps to the taskbar, using third-party tools, or exploring modern app integration. These techniques provide flexibility and convenience, allowing you to access your favorite apps without navigating through the Start screen. Choose the method that suits your workflow, and enjoy a more streamlined and efficient desktop experience on Windows 8.

Putting Apps on Desktop in Windows 8

If you are a Windows 8 user, you may find it more convenient to have your favorite apps directly on your desktop for quick access. Here's how you can put apps on the desktop:

Method 1: Pinning Apps

1. Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon at the bottom left of your screen.

2. Locate the app you want to put on the desktop.

3. Right-click on the app and select "Pin to Taskbar" or "Pin to Start".

4. The app will now appear on your desktop.

Method 2: Creating Shortcuts

1. Open the Start menu and locate the app you want to put on the desktop.

2. Right-click on the app and select "Open file location".

3. A folder with the app's shortcuts will open.

4. Right-click on the app shortcut and select "Send to" > "Desktop (create shortcut)".

5. The app shortcut will now appear on your desktop.

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you can easily put your favorite apps on the desktop in Windows 8. This will save you time and make it more convenient to access your most used applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some commonly asked questions about how to put apps on desktop in Windows 8:

1. Can I add apps directly to the desktop in Windows 8?

Yes, you can add apps directly to the desktop in Windows 8. Here's how:

1. Right-click anywhere on the desktop and select "New" from the context menu.

2. Choose "Shortcut" from the sub-menu.

3. In the "Create Shortcut" window, click on the "Browse" button and navigate to the location of the app you want to add.

4. Select the app's executable file (.exe) and click "Next".

5. Enter a name for the shortcut and click "Finish". The app shortcut will now appear on your desktop.

2. How can I organize the apps on my desktop?

You can easily organize the apps on your desktop by following these steps:

1. Click and hold on an app shortcut on the desktop.

2. Drag the shortcut to where you want it to be placed.

3. Release the mouse button to drop the shortcut in the new location.

By moving and arranging the shortcuts, you can create custom layouts and organize your apps according to your preferences.

3. Can I remove apps from the desktop in Windows 8?

Yes, you can remove apps from the desktop in Windows 8. Here's how:

1. Right-click on the app shortcut you want to remove.

2. Select "Delete" from the context menu.

3. Confirm the deletion by clicking "Yes" in the confirmation window that appears.

The app shortcut will be removed from your desktop.

4. Can I pin apps to the taskbar in Windows 8?

Yes, you can pin apps to the taskbar in Windows 8 for easy access. Follow these steps:

1. Locate the app you want to pin in the Start screen or the Apps view.

2. Right-click on the app's tile or icon.

3. Select "Pin to taskbar" from the context menu.

The app will now appear as a shortcut on your taskbar, allowing you to quickly launch it whenever you need.

5. Can I resize the app shortcuts on my desktop?

No, you cannot resize the app shortcuts on the desktop in Windows 8. The size of the shortcuts is determined by the system and cannot be changed. However, you can change the size of live tiles on the Start screen for a more customized layout.

So, in conclusion, adding apps to your desktop in Windows 8 is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. First, open the Start screen by pressing the Windows key or clicking the Start button. Then, locate the desired app and right-click on it.

A menu will appear, and from there, you can select the option to "Pin to taskbar" or "Pin to Start". Choosing "Pin to taskbar" will add the app to your taskbar for easy access, while selecting "Pin to Start" will place the app as a tile on your Start screen. That's it! You can now quickly launch your favorite apps directly from your desktop in Windows 8.