For many people who upgrade from earlier versions of the system, Windows 8 and its colorful Start screen can be a little overwhelming. The Start screen, like the Start menu in older Windows editions, is meant to be the go-to place for all the computer's files and programs. Like the Start menu, the Start screen can be customized according to personal needs and tastes.
The Start screen's tiles - those colorful, clickable squares that serve as shortcuts to files, folders, programs, bookmarked Web sites, contacts, games and more - can be dragged around the screen into an order that makes more sense to the individual user. Tiles can also be sorted into new groups, resized or even removed so the most important things are more easily found. Microsoft has more tips and a demonstration video for customizing the Windows 8 Start screen on its site.
