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
    2014-05-12T21:28:58+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?

    http://blog.chron.com/helpline/2013/11/prevent-windows-from-automatically-maximizing/

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-17T00:03:11+00:00

    And after a year, the question still remains "how do I disable full screen apps in windows 8?"

    The question was not what 3rd party program must I download to get window to act like windows, but that is nice additional information since there seems to be no answer.

    I despise this feature- it takes the windows out of windows.  I hate windows 8.  I own a desktop and windows 8 is not good for a desktop and especially one that does not have a touch screen.  I routinely need to have 3-4 windows open simultaneously and with this non-windows windows it makes it impossible to do my work.  These are computers; not smart (?) phones!!!!

    I could go on, but it seems to fall on deaf ears at microsoft.  I really wish they would bring back 7 as I had no problem with it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-08T01:54:51+00:00

    Whilst it's not the definitive guide, this article may get you started:

    http://www.zdnet.com/the-metro-haters-guide-to-the-windows-8-1-preview-7000018398/

    The one Metro app I foremost wanted to delete is not able to be deleted; namely IE internet explorer. Instead, I use the search charm for "default app settings" and altered the Web Browser entry to Google Chrome.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-08T02:03:47+00:00

    On a separate note, what is the feature called when you click-and-drag your desktop (at the top-most area) and it resizes / relocate the desktop as if split-screen?  Moreover, what is the point of that feature?

    Circling back to answer my own question: Desktop Split-screen ... and it's loathed by many, not unlike all things Windows Metro.

    http://answers.microsoft.com/.../how-to-disable-split-screen-in-windows-8.1

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