Windows 10: Unable to minimize to desktop; sends me to start menu instead

My apologies if this isn't the right category; I wasn't really sure where to put this. Not very good with these things, honestly.
Anyway, for one thing my start menu is stuck on full-screen, despite the fact that I never set this to happen and the settings say it isn't on. Second (and more importantly), minimizing all windows does not take me to the desktop as it should, and sends me to the start menu. It seems that the desktop is completely inaccessible, at that. It also automatically sends me to the start menu when I close the application/file I'm looking at. I can still access the files there through the file explorer (the files linked to shortcuts can be found elsewhere and non-shortcut files are in the 'Desktop' folder), but it's very bothersome and disorienting and I'd be much happier if I could put it back.

:)

 

Windows 10 -Disk Usage on PC

This thread is done. It is what it is. I'm sorry to say the response were appreciated, but actually insulting. I was just suggesting everyone should check theirUSER'
folders, and see how many files and folders are
duplicated. Please mark this as a closed question..

 

Windows 10 -Disk Usage on PC

Yes, I am confused too. Wouldn't it be easier to just rename the User folders ?

 

Hi, have you ever had your start menu behaving normally, or has it been full screen since you installed/upgraded to Win 10? If so, what happened before it was displayed full screen?

Have you tried changing the setting to full screen and then back again?

As a possible convenience fix, try installing one of the replacement start menus- (essential in my view if you're primarily using the desktop) e.g. Classic Shell (which has a setting that allows you to launch the Win 10 menu with Shift Win). That may give you a 'fix' to use your desktop normally.

Finally, do you have any disk images or system restore points prior to when the problems occurred? (Assuming you did have a normally working start menu at some point).

I'm sure someone will have a more specific suggestion..

 

Sounds like you're set to Tablet Mode.