Mouse stickiness change with multiple monitors after Windows 8.1 Update 1: Bug or feature?

Yep I have this exact same problem, while I'm not sure it is a "bug" per se, I think it might have been intended to be a design to help with the newer UI aspects of Windows 8, I do believe the programing logic on how and when it happens is broken.

Like others have found out, it's definitely related to having Metro apps "opened", but I know that I've had times when I force closed all Metro apps and it remains, as well as I've had a few times with Metro apps being open and the mouse catching didn't happen.

The most consistent way to reproduce is to open a Metro app; if that isn't enough, try switching/minimizing between the desktop and that app(s).

The two biggest problems I have with it are: 1) it's inconsistent on when it activates; if due to having a Metro app opened/close/minimized etc., and 2) there seems no way to turn it off.

I actually believe this function might be useful... if it correctly understood when a Metro app was actually open and more importantly in *focus*. If it was designed solely to help with activating the charms bar or metro app switcher, even when Metro apps are not open, I would greatly desire the ability to disable it when I'm strictly on the desktop or even when metro apps are technically "open" but are minimized.

Regardless of its intended purpose and the fact that the programing logic is inconsistent/broken, there needs to be an option, a simple check box, to turn it off and return it to how 8.0/8.1 pre-update worked.

I assume there's a registry edit we can make to turn it off, but if there truly is no setting/check box a normal user can access to turn it off, then I am highly disappointed in the WinDiv team who implemented this without considering such things.

For an update that's supposedly meant to help desktop users enjoy Windows 8 more and even maybe encourage them to adventure further into Metro apps, this change (while seemingly intent on being helpful) adds a great deal of annoyance and making simple multi monitor tasks infuriating.

If this somehow is just a weird bug that no one actually designed, where the mouse pauses at the edge of a monitor and only breaks through at a certain speed threshold... then that really is an impressive bug and hopefully a fix will be out soon.

If not, and this is just a "feature" with inconsistent activation... then please fix that activation logic and.... even better yet, give us the option to turn it off.

I have 3 PCs/Laptops set up with dual monitors (1 to TV) and unfortunately I cannot duplicate your problem, all flow thru each monitor seamlessly.

I accept that this does not solve your problem, but it does not appear to be a general W8.1 bug,

Question: Are your monitors of the same specs (Resolution, touch or non-touch)?

Try this:

Go to 'Display' - 'Screen Resolution' and ensure the monitors are aligned side by side correctly, as they are physically in front of you. Once they are set up correctly select 'Apply"

Where ever the two monitors touch, is where they will allow the cursor to move between the screens

I hope I have explained this OK.

I have 3 PCs/Laptops set up with dual monitors (1 to TV) and unfortunately I cannot duplicate your problem, all flow thru each monitor seamlessly.

I accept that this does not solve your problem, but it does not appear to be a general W8.1 bug,

Question: Are your monitors of the same specs (Resolution, touch or non-touch)?

Try this:

Go to 'Display' - 'Screen Resolution' and ensure the monitors are aligned side by side correctly, as they are physically in front of you. Once they are set up correctly select 'Apply"

Where ever the two monitors touch, is where they will allow the cursor to move between the screens

I hope I have explained this OK.

Hello,

I have double checked what you suggested and it is unfortunately aligned. Although I have found some things upon further testing. I'd also like to reiterate that this happens only after the latest Windows 8.1 update, Update 1

Upon trying to duplicate the problem, I found out that this only happens sometimes. The only requirement for all instances that occurred was to have a Metro app running.

There are a couple ways to duplicate this problem.

The easiest is to open a Metro application, and try to drag it to another screen. You will see the issue that I linked to in my original post.

A second way is to swap from desktop to a Metro application. It does not matter how you do it. While the header bar is displayed, the issue will occur. When it disappears, the issue also disappears.

The above two ways don't always work, but when trying it, the issue happened most of the time.

Playing around with the issue, I realized that I need the same amount of mouse speed to go to the other monitor when the "Task Manager" or Charms bar is open.

From this, I deduce the issue has to do with the new header bar in Metro applications and the protection of the mouse going onto the other monitor while the "Task Manager" or Charms bar.

I believe Windows 8.1 Update 1 is falsely detecting that the "Task Manager" or Charms bar is open, and it is prevent my cursor to go to the other screen unless I apply a reasonable amount of speed.

I hope this helps the people that fix these issues,

PhamAP

That's interesting, I wish I had another monitor so I could try it out.

I have one guess based on the new behavior of the taskbar though.  Try this:  go up to the edge, and stop, then move through the break again.  Basically go up to the edge, pause, then push past it.

The new taskbar behavior is like this. If you move to the bottom of the screen completely, the taskbar doesn't appear, but then if you push again (not back up and go again fast, just continue pushing the same direction after a brief pause) it will show up.  I'm curious if the monitors do this too.

Hello,

Thanks for the quick reply. I tried what you suggested, and it still does not work, unless I go through quickly. Compared to showing the taskbar while in a Metro app, I have to apply a relatively faster speed to move my cursor to the other monitor.

Upon trying to duplicate the problem, I found out that this only happens sometimes. The only requirement for all instances that occurred was to have a Metro app running.

There are a couple ways to duplicate this problem.

The easiest is to open a Metro application, and try to drag it to another screen. You will see the issue that I linked to in my original post.

A second way is to swap from desktop to a Metro application. It does not matter how you do it. While the header bar is displayed, the issue will occur. When it disappears, the issue also disappears.

The above two ways don't always work, but when trying it, the issue happened most of the time.

Playing around with the issue, I realized that I need the same amount of mouse speed to go to the other monitor when the "Task Manager" or Charms bar is open.

From this, I deduce the issue has to do with the new header bar in Metro applications and the protection of the mouse going onto the other monitor while the "Task Manager" or Charms bar.

I believe Windows 8.1 Update 1 is falsely detecting that the "Task Manager" or Charms bar is open, and it is prevent my cursor to go to the other screen unless I apply a reasonable amount of speed.

I hope this helps the people that fix these issues,

PhamAP

That's interesting, I wish I had another monitor so I could try it out.

I have one guess based on the new behavior of the taskbar though.  Try this:  go up to the edge, and stop, then move through the break again.  Basically go up to the edge, pause, then push past it.

The new taskbar behavior is like this. If you move to the bottom of the screen completely, the taskbar doesn't appear, but then if you push again (not back up and go again fast, just continue pushing the same direction after a brief pause) it will show up.  I'm curious if the monitors do this too.