How to customize "Start screen" of Windows 8

One of the added features in Windows 8 is the presence of "Start screen" instead of start menu which can be customized according to the requirements and preferences of the user. Read on to know how you can re-size, re-organize, re-arrange, "pin it", "un-pin it", add personal pictures, group and categorized Tiles on the start screen of Windows 8 for more personalized experience.

Windows 8.

Microsoft has launched its new Windows 8 operating system in which we could observe a lot of changes compared to the previous versions of windows.  It is more powerful, fast and user-oriented then the previous versions. One of the drastic changes we observe in Windows 8 is the presence of what is known as “Start screen” instead of “start menu”.  

Start Screen in a Windows 8 and Windows RT OS is nothing but a mere replacement of ‘start menu’ of Windows 7. One of the most interesting features of this screen is that we can customize it according to our preferences and likes. So, now why to be welcomed by the same old generalized screen each time we opens the system? Why not get a bit adventurous and unique with the new customized welcome screen? Let us see how we can go about it.

We know that the Start Screen in windows 8 is dynamic in nature and consist of a number of blocks or tiles. These tiles are actually shortcut links to your favorite app or website or documents or Folder. When you select any one of the tile by clicking on it, you will be taken to that particular app/site/folder. But if you do not prefer this new interface on your screen, you can anytime return back to the familiar Desktop screen. Start screen is alive and consist of all the latest-updates, app info, contact details, website info etc stacked at one place as tiles.

Microsoft has tried to make Windows 8 more appealing to the users by giving them the option to customize their start screen. Though some of us may not get into it at the very start but it is indeed a welcomed option.

There are some favorite websites and pages that we visit frequently; with Windows 8, we can create a customized tile on the Start screen to open it with just a single click within no time. We call it as pined to the “Start screen”.

Now let us see how we can customize the start screen of Windows 8 according to our like and requirements.

How to add a Tile or ‘Pin it’ to the start screen of Windows 8:

Start by tapping or clicking the “start” tab of your system. You will find it in the right side edge of your screen.

Now go to “App Command” and select by clicking “Pin to Start” tab and the desired website will be pinned to the Start screen of Windows 8.

For adding a personal Folder to the Start screen of Windows 8, open it in the “File Explorer”. Now right click it; there you will have “Pin to Start” tab, click it and you will have your folder pinned to the Start screen.

To add a tile to the start screen for a new App, open your welcome or Start screen and look for the “search charm”. Next you may click on your favorite app to open its ‘Commands’. In there you will have “Pin to Start” tab, which you need to click to have a new tile for it in the start screen of Windows-8.

In the same way you can re-organize and re-arrange the tiles. You can also change the size of the tiles according to your comfort.

How to Resize Tiles in start screen of Windows 8

To resize dynamic tiles in the start screen of Windows 8, you just need to pinch the tile with two fingers and squeeze out to increase the size of the tiles and pinched in to decrease their size. To re-size the tiles, make use of “app commands”.

In the same way if you want to group or categorize the tiles on the Start screen of Windows 8, you need to select all those tiles which you want to include in one group and select “Name group” tab. Enter the name you want to give to this newly created group and you are done. You can have as many as you like group of well defined related info/folders.

When you want to remove a tile from the start screen of Windows 8, it can be easily carried out using “Unpin from Start” command.

You can further customize your start screen in Windows 8 by changing the background image, colour, fonts, size etc. according to your choice and mood.  You can even make your personal picture as the background image. This is carried out by using “Charm” in Windows 8

which is a new powerful addition in Windows 8.

How to add a personal picture to your Windows 8 screen

For adding a personal picture/image to your screen, select the “Charm settings” and there tab on “Change PC setting”.

Now select “personalize” tab to do the needful changes; you can either get a background image stored in your PC or can also upload a latest one.

In the same way you can change the color and theme of your Start screen. Now don't wait and start customizing the start screen of your system.