Windows 8.1 Split Screen

snips86x · 1 Jul 2014 at 16:43

It would seem MS have updated window 8 and I can no longer split my monitor between app and desktop.

Have I missed something or do you have the same issue?

Glaucus · 1 Jul 2014 at 16:48

Your issue. Nothing to do with any updates.
As far as I know there's not even an option to disable split screen.
Other than that I can't help. Other than it works fine on both my systems.

snips86x · 1 Jul 2014 at 16:54

They must have updated as there is no longer the 'Desktop' option on the metro screen and you can close apps using the red X in the top right corner!

demonix · 1 Jul 2014 at 16:58

Windows 8.1 update 1 didn't remove the desktop app from the metro screen, so it's likely that someone else had done it (you should be able to find the desktop app in the all programs section so you can pin it back on the start screen).

snips86x · 1 Jul 2014 at 17:19

demonix said:
Windows 8.1 update 1 didn't remove the desktop app from the metro screen, so it's likely that someone else had done it (you should be able to find the desktop app in the all programs section so you can pin it back on the start screen).

Thanks for your help Demonix, but I know how to restore these. They are simply not there!

Glaucus · 1 Jul 2014 at 19:29

As said, desktop was not removed in any update. Nor was split screen. You can not keen remove the desktop icon, from all app screen. So something your end is very broken.

Ploppy2k3 · 1 Jul 2014 at 19:43

dunno where it went but heres how to put it back

http://winaero.com/blog/fix-desktop-tile-is-missing-on-the-start-screen-in-windows-8-1/

snips86x · 1 Jul 2014 at 19:46

Glaucus said:
As said, desktop was not removed in any update. Nor was split screen. You can not keen remove the desktop icon, from all app screen. So something your end is very broken.

Your theory is partially correct and the below solves 1 of 2 issues!!

Actually Desktop tile shown at Start Screen is a special type of shortcut which is present in "Programs" folder and if the shortcut gets deleted from the folder, it also disappears from Start Screen and you'll not find it in "All Apps" page as well.

Desktop_Shortcut_Missing_Programs_Folder.png

To restore Desktop tile at Start Screen, you just need to copy Desktop shortcut in "Programs" folder again and it'll reappear at Start Screen.

Ploppy2k3 said:
dunno where it went but heres how to put it back

http://winaero.com/blog/fix-desktop-tile-is-missing-on-the-start-screen-in-windows-8-1/

Thanks for the tip

I know how to restore it from the apps list, but when its not listed, its impossible to restore!

Resolution: SFC /SCANNOW <<---- run this as admin and all seems to be well!!

Ploppy2k3 · 1 Jul 2014 at 20:01

I have had people at work bring me (or try to) their personal laptops with this issue but because I cant drop everything and sort it there and then they go elsewhere so I never got a chance to take a good look, but it does seem to be a common issue.

snips86x · 1 Jul 2014 at 20:06

If I had known there was a link between the program's a list and the metro screen, I wouldn't have deleted the icons. At least I know now and useful for future issues.