Hands-On with Windows 8.1: Use Desktop Wallpaper on the Start Screen

With Windows 8.1, Microsoft is finally giving users the option to use their desktop wallpaper as their Start screen background, easing the transition between the two environments. Of course, the trick is finding out how to enable this useful feature.

To enable this option, right-click a blank area of the taskbar and choose Properties. Then, in the Taskbar and Navigation properties window that appears, display the Navigation tab.

Now, simply check the option titled Show my desktop background on Start.

When you do, the results are predictably excellent.