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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?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
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.
Your solution seems to be different from the problem at hand Timmy. There is no solution for Metro apps. They are always fullscreen.
I too ran into this problem. The best solution I've found is to right click on the icon that opens the app and go down to properties. Switch over to the "Compatibility" tab and change the compatibility mode to Windows 7. Click apply and attempt to reopen the app. It should run windowed just fine now.
Totally agree with you though. How this ever got through user testing is beyond me.
TDR
They open full screen because the apps are designed for small 'touch' screens.
BUT, there is also a Windows 8 desktop for those who don't use 'info only' apps, have larger screens that the average tablet, and there is no rule which states that Windows 8 users have to make do with apps only.
There is enough 3rd party desktop stuff available, including a classic Start Menu or two, such that nobody ever has to visit the tiles. Skype is available as a desktop app too. I use it in place of MSN/WL Messenger. Anybody upgrading from Windows 7 will know all about adding programs and utilities because Windows 7 was pretty much devoid of anything 'out of the box'.
Re Windows 8, for many users who only ever email or Facebook, the IE10 tile is all that they need. Signing up for Protopage, a home page can be set up with links, news, cartoons etc.
Add Libre Office, and now they can read, look at any attachment that might ever be sent to them.
The biggest problem is knowing how to work the Windows 8 Modern UI from scratch. If Blue brings back the X to shut down the apps, that is as much as many will ever need. I suspect that Blue will do this..
Completely agree. I posted a similar question in November 2012 (Why do Windows 8 applications (like Skype) open in full screen?) and received a similar answer.
I just hope Windows Blue corrects the annoying full screen issue which does not fit PC user habitudes.
