How to Fix Tiles Display Instead of Desktop in Windows 10

Sometimes, when starting Windows 10, you may see a tile-based interface, similar to the Start menu or "Tiles" mode, instead of your regular desktop with icons. This can happen due to system settings or a configuration error. Below are some methods to help you restore the traditional Windows 10 desktop.

1. Check if Tablet Mode is Enabled

One common reason for seeing tiles instead of the desktop is accidentally enabling Tablet Mode. To disable it, follow these steps:

  • Open the Action Center in the lower right corner of the screen.
  • Look for the "Tablet Mode" icon and make sure it is turned off.

Once Tablet Mode is disabled, the system should revert to the standard desktop view.

2. Adjust Settings in System Preferences

If toggling Tablet Mode in the Action Center doesn’t help, try setting desktop preferences directly through system settings:

  1. Go to Settings — open the Start menu and select “Settings” (gear icon).
  2. Navigate to “System” and then select “Tablet”.
  3. In the Tablet settings, set the option to “Always use desktop mode”.

After making these changes, restart your computer and check if the desktop view is restored.

3. Check Registry Settings (For Advanced Users)

If the previous steps didn’t work, you can try modifying the Windows registry. Be sure to create a system restore point before making any changes, as incorrect adjustments can affect system functionality.

  1. Open the Registry Editor: press Win + R, type regedit, and click “OK.”
  2. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer.
  3. Find the parameter TabletMode and set its value to 0 (if it exists).

After modifying the registry, restart your system.

4. Check for Windows Updates

Interface issues can sometimes result from update errors. Check if any new updates are available for Windows 10:

  1. Open Settings and go to “Update & Security”.
  2. In the “Windows Update” section, click “Check for updates.”

Installing the latest updates may help restore the desktop’s normal functionality.

5. Perform a System Restore

If none of the above methods work, try restoring your system to a previous point when the desktop was displaying correctly:

  1. Open the Start menu, find and open “Control Panel”.
  2. Select “Recovery” and then click “Open System Restore”.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to revert the system to a previous working state.