How To Change Windows 8 Start Screen

Are you tired of the default Start Screen in Windows 8? You're not alone. Many users find the layout and design of the Start Screen to be frustrating and unintuitive. But fear not, because changing the Windows 8 Start Screen is easier than you might think.

To change the Windows 8 Start Screen, simply go to the Settings menu and click on "Personalize." From there, you can choose a new background image, rearrange and resize the tiles, and even add or remove apps from the Start Screen. With just a few simple steps, you can transform the look and feel of your Windows 8 Start Screen to suit your personal preferences and make your computing experience more enjoyable and efficient.

Customizing the Windows 8 Start Screen

Windows 8 introduced a new Start Screen, replacing the traditional Start menu. The Start Screen provides a more modern and customizable interface for accessing apps, programs, and settings. If you're using Windows 8 and want to personalize your Start Screen, this guide will walk you through the various options available.

Changing the Start Screen Background

The first step in customizing your Windows 8 Start Screen is changing the background. By default, Windows 8 uses a set of preloaded background images, but you can easily choose another image or even use a solid color.

To change the Start Screen background, follow these steps:

• Go to the Start Screen by pressing the Windows key or clicking the Start button.
• Move your mouse cursor to the bottom-right corner of the screen to bring up the Charms Bar, or press Windows key + C.
• Click on "Settings" and then select "Personalize" from the options.
• In the Personalize settings, click on "Start Screen."
• Here, you can choose a new background image from the available options or use a solid color by selecting "Solid color."
• If you want to use your own image as the background, click on "Browse" and select the image from your computer.
• Once you've made your selection, close the Personalize settings.

Your Start Screen background will now be updated with your chosen image or color.

Changing the Start Screen Accent Color

In addition to changing the background, you can also customize the accent color of your Windows 8 Start Screen. The accent color is used for tiles, borders, and other elements on the Start Screen.

To change the accent color, follow these steps:

• Go to the Start Screen and bring up the Charms Bar by moving your mouse cursor to the bottom-right corner of the screen or pressing Windows key + C.
• Click on "Settings" and then select "Personalize."
• In the Personalize settings, click on "Color."
• You'll see several color options to choose from. Click on the one you prefer, or click on "Show color mixer" to create a custom color.
• Once you've chosen your accent color or created a custom one, close the Personalize settings.

Your Start Screen will now display the new accent color you selected.

Rearranging and Resizing Tiles

One of the key features of the Windows 8 Start Screen is the ability to arrange and resize tiles to suit your preferences. Tiles can be rearranged within groups or moved between groups, and their sizes can be customized to fit your needs.

To rearrange and resize tiles, follow these steps:

• Go to the Start Screen.
• To rearrange a tile, click and hold it, then drag it to the desired position within its group or to a different group.
• To resize a tile, right-click on it or press and hold it. Then, click or tap on the "Resize" option and choose a size: small, medium, or large.
• The resized tile will automatically snap into place, and you can repeat the process for other tiles.
• To create a new group, drag a tile to an empty space on the Start Screen. This will create a new group, and you can place other tiles in it.
• If you want to rename a group, zoom out by pressing the "-" button on the bottom-right corner of the screen, right-click on the group, and select "Name group."

By rearranging and resizing tiles, you can organize your Start Screen to have quick access to your most frequently used apps and programs.

Customizing the Start Screen Snap View

The Start Screen Snap View is a feature in Windows 8 that allows you to view and interact with two apps side by side. By default, Snap View automatically uses a fixed ratio for displaying apps. However, you can customize this behavior to determine how much space each app takes up.

To customize the Start Screen Snap View, follow these steps:

• Go to the Start Screen.
• Click on the app you want to use in Snap View and drag it to the left or right edge of the screen.
• Drag the divider between the two apps to adjust the amount of space each app takes up. You can resize the apps to be 50-50, 75-25, or any other ratio.

Customizing the Start Screen Snap View allows you to multitask effectively by having two apps visible at the same time.

Enhancing Your Windows 8 Experience

In addition to customizing the Start Screen, there are other ways to enhance your Windows 8 experience and make it more personalized.

Installing Desktop Themes

Windows 8 allows you to install desktop themes that can change various aspects of your operating system, including the desktop background, sounds, icons, and more. Installing a desktop theme can give your Windows 8 a fresh new look.

To install a desktop theme, follow these steps:

• Go to the desktop by clicking on the desktop tile on the Start Screen or pressing Windows key + D.
• Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select "Personalize."
• Click on "Get more themes online" under the Aero Themes section.
• This will open the Microsoft website where you can browse and choose from a variety of themes.
• Click on the theme you want to install, and it will be downloaded and applied to your desktop.

Once the theme is installed, you'll see the changes applied to your desktop, including the background, sounds, and icons.

Customizing Lock Screen

In Windows 8, you can also customize your lock screen, which is the screen that appears when your computer is locked or in sleep mode. Customizing the lock screen allows you to add a personal touch to your Windows 8 experience.

To customize the lock screen, follow these steps:

• Go to the desktop.
• Press Windows key + I to open the Settings charm.
• Click on "Change PC settings" at the bottom of the Settings charm.
• In the PC settings, click on "Lock screen."
• Under the Background section, you can choose a background image, a slide show, or a solid color.
• You can also customize the apps that can display notifications on the lock screen.

Customizing the lock screen allows you to showcase your favorite images and have relevant information at a glance.

Using Dynamic Lock Screen

Windows 8 also introduced the Dynamic Lock Screen feature, which changes the lock screen background automatically based on a selected theme or album.

To use the Dynamic Lock Screen, follow these steps:

• Go to the desktop.
• Press Windows key + I to open the Settings charm.
• Click on "Change PC settings."
• In the PC settings, click on "Lock screen."
• Under the Background section, select "Windows spotlight."
• This will automatically change your lock screen background with new images from Windows spotlight.

The Dynamic Lock Screen keeps your lock screen fresh with new images without the need for manual customization.

In Conclusion

Customizing the Windows 8 Start Screen is a great way to personalize your computer and make it reflect your style and preferences. By changing the background, accent color, rearranging and resizing tiles, and exploring other customization options, you can create a Windows 8 experience that is both functional and visually appealing. Additionally, enhancing your Windows 8 experience by installing desktop themes and customizing the lock screen adds a personal touch to your computer. Take advantage of these customization options to make Windows 8 truly your own.

Change Windows 8 Start Screen

Changing the Start Screen in Windows 8 is a simple process that allows you to personalize your computer and make it more efficient for your specific needs. Here are the steps to change the Windows 8 Start Screen:

• Click on the Windows icon located at the bottom left corner of your screen to open the Start Screen.
• Right-click on the Start Screen and select "Customize" from the menu.
• You can choose from various customization options such as changing the background color, adding or removing tiles, resizing tiles, and organizing them into groups.
• To change the background image, right-click on the Start Screen again and select "Personalize" from the menu. Choose a pre-installed wallpaper or browse for your own image.
• Once you have customized the Start Screen to your liking, you can close the customization menu.

By following these steps, you can easily change the Windows 8 Start Screen to suit your preferences and make your computer experience more enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Changing the Windows 8 Start Screen can help personalize your computer and make it more convenient for you to access your favorite apps and tools. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about how to change the Windows 8 Start Screen.

1. How do I change the background image of the Start Screen?

To change the background image of the Windows 8 Start Screen, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start Screen and select "Personalize".

2. Click on "Background" in the Personalization settings.

3. Choose a background image from the available options or click on "Browse" to select a custom image from your computer.

4. Click "Apply" to save your changes and see the new background image on your Start Screen.

2. Can I change the size of the tiles on the Start Screen?

Yes, you can change the size of the tiles on the Windows 8 Start Screen. Here's how:

1. Right-click on a tile that you want to resize.

2. Select "Resize" from the options menu that appears.

3. Choose the desired size for the tile: small, medium, or large.

4. Repeat these steps for each tile you want to resize.

3. How can I rearrange the tiles on the Start Screen?

To rearrange the tiles on the Windows 8 Start Screen, follow these steps:

1. Click and hold a tile that you want to move.

2. Drag the tile to the desired position on the Start Screen.

3. Release the mouse button to drop the tile in the new position.

4. Repeat these steps for each tile you want to rearrange.

4. How do I add or remove tiles from the Start Screen?

To add or remove tiles from the Start Screen in Windows 8, follow these steps:

To add a tile:

1. Right-click on an empty space on the Start Screen.

2. Select "All Apps" from the options menu that appears.

3. Right-click on the app you want to add as a tile.

4. Select "Pin to Start".

To remove a tile:

1. Right-click on the tile you want to remove.

2. Select "Unpin from Start".

5. Is it possible to customize the colors on the Start Screen?

Yes, you can customize the colors on the Windows 8 Start Screen. Here's how:

1. Right-click on the Start Screen and select "Personalize".

2. Click on "Colors" in the Personalization settings.

3. Choose a color from the available options or click on "Customize" to select a custom color.

4. Click "Apply" to save your changes and see the new colors on your Start Screen.

To change the Windows 8 Start screen, follow these steps:

First, right-click on the taskbar and select "Properties". Then, go to the "Navigation" tab and check the box that says "Show the Apps view automatically when I go to Start". This will change the Start screen to the Apps view, which displays a list of all your installed apps instead of the tiled interface.

If you prefer to customize the Start screen even further, you can right-click on any app or tile and select "Unpin from Start". This will remove the app or tile from the Start screen. You can also resize and rearrange the tiles by clicking and dragging them. To add new apps or tiles to the Start screen, simply right-click on them and select "Pin to Start".

Finally, if you want to personalize the Start screen with your own background image, go to the Settings charm by moving your mouse to the top-right corner of the screen. Then, click on "Change PC settings" and navigate to the "Personalize" section. From there, you can choose a new background image for the Start screen.

By following these steps, you can easily change and personalize the Windows 8 Start screen to suit your preferences and make your computer experience more enjoyable and efficient.