On Windows 8 laptops, Start lives in the bottom-left hot corner or on the Windows key; in Windows 8.1 a taskbar Start button toggles the Start screen.
If you’re staring at the desktop and can’t spot a Start icon, you’re not alone. Windows 8 hid it. Windows 8.1 brought a small logo back on the taskbar, but it still works differently than older versions. The quick answers below help you open Start right away, then show every reliable way to reach it with a mouse, keyboard, or touch.
Quick Ways To Open Start Right Now
Press The Windows Key
Tap the key with the Windows logo on your keyboard. That opens the Start screen on both Windows 8 and 8.1. It’s instant and works even if apps are full-screen.
Use The Bottom-Left Corner
Move the pointer to the extreme bottom-left edge of the display. On Windows 8 you’ll see a small Start thumbnail; click it to switch to Start. On Windows 8.1 you’ll see the new Start icon on the taskbar; click it to toggle between desktop and the Start screen. If your taskbar is on another edge, the hot corner still lives at the bottom-left of the screen area.
Right-Click The Start Area For Power Tools
At the bottom-left, right-click to open the “Power User” menu (also opens with Win+X). This menu gives quick links to Device Manager, Power Options, Settings, Task Manager, and more. If the menu doesn’t appear on Windows 8.1, Microsoft documents fixes for cases where the shortcut menu fails to show up.
Why The Button Looks Different On These Versions
Windows 8 shipped with no Start button on the taskbar. You relied on hot corners, keyboard shortcuts, and the Charms bar. Windows 8.1 added a Start icon on the taskbar that switches between desktop and the Start screen. Right-clicking that icon opens the Power User menu. The classic, nested Start menu did not return until later Windows versions.
Not Sure Which One You Have?
Press Win+R, type winver, and press Enter. The dialog shows “Windows 8” or “Windows 8.1”. The steps in this guide call out any differences.
All The Reliable Ways To Reach Start
Keyboard Actions
- Win — opens the Start screen. Press again to return to the previous view.
- Ctrl+Esc — opens Start if your keyboard lacks a Windows key.
- Win+X — opens the Power User menu at the Start area; handy for shutdown, Device Manager, or Settings.
- Win+C — opens the Charms bar (includes a Start charm icon). Click the Windows logo charm to switch to Start.
Mouse Actions
- Bottom-left corner — hover until you see the Start tip (Windows 8) or the taskbar Start icon (Windows 8.1), then click.
- Right-click bottom-left — open the Power User menu with shortcuts to common system tools.
- Taskbar Start icon (Windows 8.1) — click to go to Start; right-click for tools.
Touch Actions (Tablets And Touch Laptops)
- Start charm — swipe in from the right edge to open Charms, then tap the Windows logo charm to go to Start.
- Hardware Windows logo — some devices have a capacitive Windows logo below the screen; press it to toggle Start.
Taking An Alternate Route: Apps View And Search
You can jump straight to all your apps or search without hunting for the Start icon.
- Open Search with Win+Q and type the app’s name.
- Open the Apps view by clicking the down-arrow on the Start screen (Windows 8.1). From there, launch what you need or pin it to Start.
- Pin favorites to Start so the tile is only one tap or click away.
Near-Match Keyword Section: Start Button Location On Windows 8 Laptops — Practical Notes
This section gathers quick tips that save time on common setup quirks that make the Start area feel “missing.”
Taskbar Auto-Hide Hides The Start Tip
If the taskbar is set to auto-hide, the visual Start icon in 8.1 may be off-screen until you nudge the pointer to the edge. To check: right-click the taskbar > Taskbar properties > clear “Auto-hide the taskbar.”
Multiple Monitors Change The Edge Behavior
On dual displays, the hot corner is still the bottom-left of the primary screen. Move the pointer all the way to that corner, not just the general area. If the taskbar is shown on both displays in 8.1, the Start icon appears on the main taskbar.
Touchpads With Edge Gestures
Many touchpads map a right-edge swipe to Charms. If Charms opens by accident, brush in deliberately and tap the Start charm to switch screens.
When The Start Area Or Menu Doesn’t Respond
If right-clicking the Start area on 8.1 doesn’t open the Power User menu, or the icon doesn’t respond, it’s often a shell glitch. Microsoft documents a fix path for cases where the Start button shortcut menu fails. Keyboard shortcuts still work in most cases, so try Win to open Start or Win+X to reach system tools.
Also, Windows 8.1 is no longer supported, which means no security fixes. If a fresh user profile or an in-place repair doesn’t help and you rely on this PC, plan an upgrade to a supported Windows release.
Fast Checks Before You Rebuild
- Restart Explorer — press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, open Task Manager, find “Windows Explorer,” click “Restart.”
- Try a second keyboard — if Win doesn’t work but Ctrl+Esc does, the Windows key may be faulty.
- System File Checker — open an elevated Command Prompt and run
sfc /scannow. If it reports repairs, restart and test again. - New user profile — create a test account and sign in. If Start works there, migrate your files to the new profile.
Clean Navigation Habits That Make Start Easier
Pin The Apps You Use Daily
Open Start, right-click any app tile, and choose “Pin to Start” or “Pin to taskbar.” Keep the first row for daily tools so they’re always in reach.
Use The Power User Menu On Desktop
Press Win+X for quick access to Settings, Device Manager, Network Connections, Disk Management, and Shutdown. It’s faster than hunting through tiles.
Boot Straight To Desktop (Windows 8.1)
If you prefer landing on the desktop, open Taskbar and Navigation properties, then enable “When I sign in or close all apps, go to the desktop.” You can still hit Win anytime to reach Start.
Open-Start Methods At A Glance
The table below condenses the reliable ways to reach Start on laptops and tablets.
| Method | Action | Works In |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard | Press Win (or Ctrl+Esc) | Windows 8, 8.1 |
| Mouse | Bottom-left corner, then click | Windows 8 (Start tip), 8.1 (taskbar icon) |
| Right-click | Win+X or right-click Start area | Windows 8, 8.1 |
| Touch | Swipe from right edge, tap Start charm | Windows 8, 8.1 |
| Hardware Logo | Press the Windows logo below the screen | Touch devices that include it |
Fixes When The Corner Doesn’t Show Anything
If hovering at the bottom-left shows no tip on Windows 8, check these:
- Full-screen app is stealing focus — press Win to switch out, then try the corner again.
- Display scaling — set the desktop to its native resolution in Screen Resolution settings; stretched modes can make the corner missable.
- Multi-monitor aim — move the pointer into the very corner of the primary screen until it “sticks,” then click.
Shut Down Without Hunting Through Tiles
Many users open Start only to shut down. The Power User menu is faster:
- Press Win+X.
- Press U to open the Shut down or sign out submenu.
- Press U again to shut down, R to restart, or S to sleep.
When You Should Plan An Upgrade
Windows 8.1 ended support on January 10, 2023. That means no security updates. If this laptop goes online, plan a move to a supported release. You can still use the tips in this guide to get work done today, but upgrading keeps patches coming and reduces risk.
Source Notes & Further Reading
Microsoft documents a case where right-clicking the Start area on Windows 8.1 fails and outlines the fix path. Also, Microsoft’s notice confirms the end of support for Windows 8.1. Both links open in a new tab:
Recap: Where To Click Or Press
On Windows 8, Start isn’t a fixed button. Use the bottom-left corner, the Charms Start icon, or the Windows key. On Windows 8.1, the taskbar Start icon toggles Start, and Win still works. Add pins for daily apps, lean on the Power User menu for system tools, and you’ll spend less time hunting and more time doing.