Understand Windows Desktop vs. the Start Screen

The Windows 8.1 supports the following two app
types:
• Desktop apps. These run in the context of the
desktop in the same way they did in previous
versions of Windows operating systems.
• Windows Store apps. These are full-screen,
touch-optimized apps that run in the context
of the Start screen.
           The Windows desktop has been the traditional tarting point in Windows client operating systems for almost 20 years. In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, the Start screen provides a new startup experience for the end user. The Start screen contains tiles, which represent apps that are installed on the computer. These tiles can be static, or they can provide live information from the application. For example, the tile for a weather app might provide the current temperature in your area. The Start screen is designed to provide quick access to commonly used apps on your computer.

Starting Windows 8.1 to the Desktop
           If your organization does not use any Windows Store apps, or if it has the majority of its applications hosted in the desktop environment, you might want to start Windows 8.1 computers to the desktop rather than the Start screen. To configure a Windows 8.1 computer to start to the desktop, use the following procedure:
1. On the desktop, right-click the taskbar, and then click Properties.
2. On the Navigation tab, in the Start screen section, select the Go to the desktop instead of Start
when I sign in check box.