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?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Email and communications

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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
    2014-04-25T04:27:33+00:00

    A big round of applause to Microsoft for listening. [snip] ...they have resolved a major issue and now Windows 8.1 has turned into a much better experience.

    I agree; the UI changes in the latest Win8.1 patch is much better than Win8, as of 2014-April.  I especially like the ability to right-click the start (button? flag? orb?) and have access to many favorite management options.

    The biggest frustration with Win8.1 at this time, if to only list one, is that IE (internet explorer) seems to have a "desktop version" which opens full screen (metro?) when a link is clicked.  As prior commenters have posted, I can manually open the "regular" IE and drag the link into the app window to have it open normally.  I would prefer to disable permanently the metro version of IE, as it's completely useless in full-screen mode by default.

    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?

    Thanks!

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-15T12:01:31+00:00

    A big round of applause to Microsoft for listening. By integrating the taskbar across Start,  Apps and the Desktop in the April 2014 update, the environment has become much more integrated for desktop only users. Ok they've forced me away from some of their Apps (e.g. Reader) because they were full screen only and it would be better if they had appeared as windows on the desktop but they have resolved a major issue and now Windows 8.1 has turned into a much better experience.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-12T13:04:22+00:00

    I completely agree!  This is making me insane as well.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-26T18:58:33+00:00

    HAHAHA really?

    Cause, the OS couldn't do a quick check to see if it is installed on a desktop or on a phone?

    It's super annoying that I can't have any window on the edge of the screen or it automatically goes fullscreen. Christ, if I wanted full screen I'd push the button to make it full screen. :3

    So sad that we can't use the programs that came with windows because the OS was designed specifically for handhelds.

    They should have made Win8-tablet and win8-desktop if that's the case, or simply like I said make a little scan on os install that checks weather it is on a desktop or not and allows various functionality to engage.

    Yawn.

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