How to disable split screen in windows 8/8.1

Anonymous
2013-08-14T22:08:11+00:00

Hello all,

I run several computer labs and we are about to introduce a boat load of windows 8 machines. The split screen mode allows a unique method for getting around our pc management system.  Does anyone know a way to turn off the split screen feature?

Thanks

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Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Desktop, Start, and personalization

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T04:46:04+00:00

    Woah. Talk about fast replay. Really? Does it work for apps because I was talking about a app chrome. If so than that's grate. Also I will download it when I have some more time on my hands, my internet is somewhat slow and seeing how upgrade is 3.some GB it will take few hours. Anyways thanks so much.

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  2. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-10-23T04:53:46+00:00

    Yes indeed, any app that has title bar (so basically any desktop application).  Even a maximized Notepad window will block the hand from appearing.  At that point, the top of the screen works just like Windows 7:  you can drag Notepad back down where it snaps back to a smaller size, but you won't begin dragging the "entire desktop" as a whole.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-06T14:31:27+00:00

    This conversation ended without a resolution to the initial question. Windows 8 introduced a split screen functionality that is only useful if you use Metro apps (i.e. you can split the screen between the regular desktop and a metro app, or between two metro apps). Yes, Windows 8.1 made this feature less obtrusive, but it did not resolve the issue. Out of the hundreds of business users I support, no one uses any metro apps. Can you please provide a solution to disable the split screen feature?

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  4. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-11-06T14:44:11+00:00

    Sorry but as far as I know there's not a way to stop users from opening more than one program and arranging them how they please, regardless of whether those apps are metro/desktop: the distinction doesn't matter because  they're both still just programs, and they both are allowed to be arranged, resized, or positioned by the user.  But if they don't use metro apps, they'll never see them.  Windows will never force a user into the metro environment: the user has to go there on their own if they want it.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-11-06T16:20:10+00:00

    You are still not understanding the fundamental request here. Obviously you can't stop users from re-sizing applications in the desktop interface.

    What I want to disable is the "docking" ability. The screenshot below shows how you can "dock" the desktop as if it is a single application. If you never use metro apps, this ability does not provide any value. You will never want to "dock" the desktop to split the screen with a metro app if you never use metro apps. This functionality is simply an annoyance.

    Can this "docking" or "split screen functionality" be disabled?

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