How do I disable split screen for opening links?

I am running Win 8.1 on a TABLET.  I have about 9 inches of screen real estate to work with.

If I click a link in, say, the Mail app, it will launch IE in 50/50 mode with the existing mail app (which then rearranges itself to only show the single message I was looking at).

This is not at all helpful.  This gives me a four inch web browser, which isn't big enough to see clearly at all.  The controls are all too close together to operate by touch, etc.  I am then forced to manually drag to expand the IE window to full screen.  Unfortunately, the control to do this is also rather small, and I usually miss the first two times.  It typically takes me about 10-15 seconds between clicking a link in email and being able to read the corresponding web page.

Windows 8 handled this correctly.  I would like to revert to the behavior of always opening apps in full screen mode.  How can I accomplish this?

I know it should be possible.  If I hold the tablet in portrait mode, the annoying split window thing does not happen.  (It's not natural for me to hold it this way all the time.)

Is there a registry setting or something for "Always open new apps in full screen mode"?

Has anyone figured out how to turn this feature off.  It's extremely annoying.

I also have this problem on a 14" laptop using a touchpad and a mouse. Seriously, opening links full screen was great. Left swift on the touchpad to go back to the previous app, really neat. I'd like to be able to opt out of automatic split screen (note guys, if you change app behavior, give people who are already using them heavily the option to revert back, seems fair).

A lot of apps have built-in browsers to quickly read something so if I open in IE I expect the full screen experience, which is great (touchpad controls are even better with 8.1, though tab management needs more input but anyway).

I think I've never needed to split windows on Win8. The touchpad swift or win+tab are efficient enough. When I'll have a 20" tablet, that probably will change but we are not there yet.

The full screen design is for some people, really awesome. I'd like to be able to write email full screen again too. After years of small boxes in browser tabs, it feels too good. Soothing almost.

Anyway, waiting for the "always open new apps in full screen mode" switch too!

Thanks for the suggestion.  I was quite hopeful when I saw it.

Unfortunately, I just tried it, and it did NOT work.

Links continue to split the screen 50/50 and open side by side.

So the problem persists even with this setting.

Do you have any other suggestions?

​Hi,

I would suggest you to try the following steps and check if it helps.

a. Press/tap Windows + X key and click/tap Control Panel.

b. Open Ease of Access Center.

c. Click/tap "Make the mouse easier to use".

d. Check the option "Prevent Windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of screen" under "Make it easier to manage Windows".

e. Click/tap on Apply and Ok to save changes.

Please reply with the status of the issue, so that we could help you better.