By default, Windows 10 tablets start up in tablet mode, which displays the tiled Start screen and the virtual keyboard. Windows 10 computers fire up in desktop mode, which serves up the Start menu. But regardless of form factor, you can use your device in either mode. Let's take a look.
First, you don't even have to futz around with tablet mode if all you want to do is choose between the Start menu or Start screen. To set your Start environment, click on the Start button > Settings > Personalization > Start. On the right pane of the Personalization window you'll see an option called "Use Start full screen." Make sure that option is turned on.
Click on the Start button, and the tiled Start screen appears and acts as your go-to environment.
If you return to the Personalization window and turn "Use Start full screen" off, the Start menu pops up whenever you fire up Windows and Click on the Start button.
Okay, that's fine, but we can take things a step further with the tablet mode and desktop mode options. Yes, Windows 10 chooses which mode to adopt based on whether you're using a PC or a tablet. However, you can default to either tablet mode or desktop mode when you launch Windows regardless of your device. Click on the Start button > Settings > System > Tablet mode.
On the right pane of the tablet mode window, click on the drop-down menu for the "When I sign in" setting. You have three choices: "Use tablet mode," "Use desktop mode," or "Use the appropriate mode for my hardware."
The first option automatically opens Windows 10 in tablet mode no matter what type of device you have. The second option does the same thing, except it opens Windows in desktop mode. And the third option lets Windows choose which mode to use depending on the device—PC or tablet.
If you have a hybrid PC that can switch between laptop and tablet mode, you can turn off that capability or ask Windows to prompt you before it switches modes. On the right pane of the tablet mode window, click on the drop-down menu for "When this device automatically switches tablet mode on or off." You face three choices: "Don't ask me and don't switch," "Always ask me before switching," and "Don't ask me and always switch."
The first option leaves Windows always in its current mode. The second option prompts you to switch between tablet and desktop mode depending on the state of your hybrid machine. And the third option automatically switches between tablet and desktop mode without prompting you.
For example, let's say you turn on your hybrid device in laptop mode. But after Windows has launched, you flip the screen back 360 degrees to transform it into a tablet. With the third option, Windows asks if you want to switch from laptop mode to tablet mode and also asks if you want to remember your response and not be asked again.
Two more options remain. In the right pane of the Tablet mode window, the setting for "Hide app icons on the taskbar in tablet mode" when turned on removes any icons for applications on the taskbar. Otherwise, your taskbar is fully populated with all the app icons you've set up.
And when turned on, the setting for "Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode" displays the taskbar only if you swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen. Otherwise, the taskbar always is visible in tablet mode.
