how do I disable full screen apps in windows 8

Anonymous
2013-02-13T23:14:09+00:00

For instance - I read a PDF file, and it fills my 24 inch monitor with 1 file. I really only need it to fill about a third of my screen so I can see the pdf while I create the Word file I am working on. I also want several browser windows, a power point window, and an excel window, all in WINDOWS, not in full screen. I NEVER do anything in fullscreen since it is so limiting.

Start with something simple - like PDF reader? How do I make it NOT be full screen, since I NEVER want it to be fullscreen?

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Anonymous
2013-03-06T17:58:53+00:00

Windows 8 has a built-in MS PDF reader, which always defaults to fullscreen, and cannot be changed. The "issue" here comes from the MS implementation of the Windows 8 Tiled apps.

Download an external app, like Adobe Reader, and open the PDF with that app, and you can open the PDF in a window just fine.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-07-24T05:14:29+00:00

    Easiest thing to do is to Window Key and arrow button.  This will at least make the app half the screen and your still able to work with your other screen.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-05-13T21:47:40+00:00

    I had the same problem.  As a graphic designer, I need my PDF source materials viewable in windows around my 27" monitor -- not full-screen in that awful app.  I also couldn't edit or delete the PDFs half the time, because they were still open in minimized Reader.

    By default, Windows opens PDFs in the Reader app.  Change the default program to Acrobat (Pro or their free Reader version.)  This solved my problem, and I'm back to having PDFs in separate windows I can move around my screen.

    1. Right-click on a PDF file, choose Open With > Choose default program
    2. Check "Use this app for all .pdf files"
    3. Select Adobe Acrobat, or Adobe Reader, etc. (Not the Windows "Reader" app with the red book icon)

    Enjoy!

    Windows 8 has a built-in MS PDF reader, which always defaults to fullscreen, and cannot be changed. The "issue" here comes from the MS implementation of the Windows 8 Tiled apps.

    Download an external app, like Adobe Reader, and open the PDF with that app, and you can open the PDF in a window just fine.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-04-30T22:05:26+00:00

    Have to agree... so now we pay a monthly fee for support and the support is worse than ever... i guess i should actually say "what support?"

    I am fortunate enough to be working with 2 screens... i cannot imagine using this with just one screen without have my head burst out in spontaneous combustion!!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-04-16T17:40:21+00:00

    The Answer is:

        Its called "WINDOWS for a reason"  Multitasking. APPS are Lame in Full screen mode

    SOLUTION:

    http://www.gizmag.com/windows-81-modern-ui/29552/

    If you want to use some of the Metro apps while working in the desktop, check out ModernMix from Stardock

    Make Win 8 function like Win 7:  http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4469

    Problem solved.

    Dear Microsoft,   Six pages of complaints on this one issue alone.

    Here I come you your rescue again.   Remember the Vista Search function that did not work.

    This is at least the third time you have screwed with the familiar standard and lost.  Do not screw with what works. Their is little room for improvement of any future OS over Win 7.

    ******@gmail.com

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