Windows – Search just the apps in Windows 8.1

start-menuwindows 8windows 8.1windows-search

Is there a way to search just the applications installed in Windows 8.1?

In Windows 8 I could do this but the 8.1 search is much wider scoped. I can do things like press Win+W to search settings but there doesn't seem to be an option that will effectively search the shortcuts in the start menu hierarchy.

My PC is almost seven years old – it runs fine with Windows 8.1 but finding things in the start screen is frustratingly slow.

I've tried defragmenting and have had a little improvement by turning off the Bing integration.

Best Answer

Here's how to search only apps when you hit the Windows key in in Windows 8.1:

  1. Right click the Taskbar and go to Properties.
  2. Change to the Navigation tab
  3. Check the "Show the Apps view automatically when I got to Start" box
  4. Uncheck the "Search everywhere..." box right below it.

Now if you hit the Windows Key and start typing, it should only search apps.

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