Google maps won't start. Tapping on the icon brings up the app page, then goes back to my desktop screen.

Go to apps go to maps and hold down for a second than drag to screen

Hopefully UR talking bout win 8, Please goto the link below. Windows 8 won stop flashing between desktop and start menu screens

Windows8 im assuming....personally hate it. However if you move your pointer to the top left corner of the screen it will display all your previous pages including the desktop or click the Windows logo on the bottom left side and on the main page choice your desktop icon.

can you see a tiny sign in the left upper corner indication downloading? Just wait for it to complete

If you want a shortcut to Google Maps, it should be enough to right click the desktop, select "New" and "Shortcut", then past
http://maps.google.com/
into the box for the location.

1. While on the Start screen, swipe up to switch to the Apps screen. With a mouse, click on the downward-facing arrow icon to bring up the same screen.
   
2. On the Apps screen, swipe or scroll to the right and find the Windows System category.
   
3. Press or click on the Control Panel icon under Windows System.
   
4. Windows 8 will switch to the Desktop and open the Control Panel.

mcdevito75 here, You can try to simply use your mouse arrow anywhere on the screen to bring back the icons and start task bar. You can also try to press the Alt key and F4 key together to bring them back.

Right click on the icon and look at the properties to see where it is telling the system to go...maybe that will give you a clue

Windows has eaten itself - again.
You need to enter via the 'Safe Mode' to try to locate the problem.
As soon as you hit the power button, start tapping first F5 and if that doesn't work, reboot and tap F8. Once of these should bring up a short menu with a couple of selections; choose the 'Safe' mode. This limits the number of files loaded during boot and is mostly successful in giving you limited access.
Try this and give us a shout back how it goes.  

Hi, Answers to your 2 questions 1 and 2 . ...... 1/ go into PREFERENCES , hit right arow key till you see MANAGE MAPS , Tap that MAP icon and in there will be all the maps you have on the SD card. Select the map you require by tapping the screen. ............................................. 2/ YES , backup the SD card to your PC first. ( you should save everything on the card as it is ) Then delete the Europe map off the SD card and replace it with the USA map . You will need the authorisation code for the USA map in order to activate it. When you return you can swap the maps back again.