'Desktop Mode' is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you can use it when referring to a mode of operation in which all windows are displayed on the desktop and can be accessed through icon shortcuts. For example, "We switched our computers to Desktop Mode to access the necessary programs."
Only available in Desktop mode.
In desktop mode, a taskbar will let you pin an app as a Favourite, not just those in desktop mode.
Windows RT has no desktop mode and no legacy software.
For those using Windows 8's desktop mode, right-click the taskbar and in the Properties box, click the Jump Lists tab.
There is a more conventional "desktop" mode for running Microsoft Office and older programs, though there is no way to permanently switch to it.
Mr. Nielsen said they appeared to become especially confused when shifting back and forth between the modern Windows 8 mode and the desktop mode.
Even so Silver thinks the changes will only offer the chance to start the machine purely in the desktop mode, bypassing the tiles; he doesn't expect the Start button back.
The company this month showed off a desktop mode for its upcoming Galaxy S8 phones, which lets you plug your phone into a $150 dock and use it with a monitor, keyboard and mouse for a more desktop-like experience.
The other frustrating thing about Windows 8 is how often we're still forced to jump between the Metro interface and the standard Desktop look, because a setting or an app only ran in Desktop mode.
Mr. Harris said most test users did not have trouble juggling the two modes — and regardless, workers were more likely to operate in desktop mode if they wanted to see many applications simultaneously.
(With the addition of free programs like Classic Shell, which restores the Start menu, you can almost get away with using only the desktop mode on your PC, as before. Almost).
