By default Windows 8 boots to the app screen. Fortunately with the Windows 8.1 release you can now boot directly to the desktop. It is not turned on automatically so you will have to follow a couple quick steps to make the change.
- Go to the desktop if you are in Apps mode.
- Right click on a blank spot on the taskbar and select Properties. (this is the bar at the bottom of your screen)
- Click on the Navigation tab.
- Check “Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in.”
- Click Ok.
If you don’t see the option to make the changes above you are probably still on Windows 8 and not the Windows 8.1 update.