Windows 8.1 tablet, turn off screen while keeping tablet on?

Anonymous
2014-02-17T04:44:09+00:00

just got a new windows 8.1 tablet ( omni 10 if you need to know for some reason ) and i keep finding myself wanting to turn off my screen while keeping the tablet from turning off or sleeping. i usually us my tablet to download OS updates for my android phone, or other large files, but whenever i push the power button the tablet goes into "sleep" mode and stops downloading everything. the only solution i can find is to keep the screen on, but id rather not do that to keep it from killing the battery faster that it needs to. also cant find anything in the power options about screen power off timer... only sleep timer :/

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-12-12T14:51:38+00:00

    One other (annoying) issue is with the Internet Explorer App, as it is very limited - does anyone know if there are any plans to update this so that it can run extensions (i.e. silverlight) in the 'app' mode?

    HI

    Yes.... If you use Windows 8.1 tablet (not windows RT) you can download Firefox or Chrome and disable or uninstall IE app.

    Regards.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-12-12T10:24:23+00:00

    Hi,

    If there is any issue with the Windows sleep feature, you may run the Power troubleshooter and restart the computer to check the results.

    Further, on the “Power option settings” screen, click on “change plan settings”. Select “never” for “turn off the display” and “never” for “put the computer to sleep”. Once this is done, click on “save changes”.  These options will ensure that the computer display does not turn off and the computer does not go to sleep.

    Thank you.

    I have just brought a winpad (windows 8.1 tablet). Overall I am happy with the device, as the performance seems better than a Nexus or iPad tablet for the price paid.

    However, if I knew about this lack of perhaps the most basic feature required in a mobile device I wouldn't have purchased a windows tablet.

    I use my tablet to mainly browse the internet, download files/documents, stream music through spotify and play videos through DLNA to my big screen tv.

    Obviously, for the latter two there is NO need for the screen to be on, yet there is no way of turning the screen off without putting the entire device to sleep.

    Very poor, as this has been a staple of phones and other mobile devices for the last 12 years+!!!

    One other (annoying) issue is with the Internet Explorer App, as it is very limited - does anyone know if there are any plans to update this so that it can run extensions (i.e. silverlight) in the 'app' mode?

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-12-12T04:27:00+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for the reply.

    • Were you able to run the power troubleshooter? If yes reply with the status of the issue.

    I was actually letting you know that in the change plan settings there are 2 options available and in that you need to ensure that the time is minimal for the display to turn off. Once this is done you will continue to listen to the music and the display also would be turned off.

    Keep us informed to help you further.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-12-11T10:33:09+00:00

    This has become such a basic feature, something we all grew to expect from a mobile device. So, having Windows as an operating system than runs on mobile devices, we also expect to see such common behavior there. Or not?

    p.s.

    Not a direct reply to the post but a continuation of the thought.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-12-11T07:47:26+00:00

    This isn't the issue of the device not being able to sleep, it sleeps fine. The issue is not being able to turn off the screen while not sleeping the device. Hence turning off the screen (tapping the power button) sleeps the device and stops any music from playing. This is the issue. Disabling the "turn off the display" and "put the computer to sleep" features is pointless.

    On an android device, you can turn off the screen without sleeping the device which allows music or anything playing in the background to continue playing. Excellent for Spotify.

    Kind Regards, Shaun.

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