Windows Blue - How to snap multiple apps to the side?

ksdixon

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So I downloaded the leaked Windows Blue... Don't worry, I bought the Win8 upgrade for my main desktop pc, this is just for experimenting on a junky old laptop. Basically I want to check out Blue without having to wait so long.

One of the main things I was looking forward to in Blue was the multiple app snapping as shown below. I can't seem to get it to work though no matter what I do. Can anyone help?

snapviewwinblue1_1020_verge_super_wide-1-640x214.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
first thing, what is the resolution of your laptop? At 1920×1080, three apps can be shown side-by-side; at 2560×1440, this goes up to 4. The flexible split is maintained.

at 1366x768, it's 2 apps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
Screen resolution is 1024x768 (Reccomended), with the drop down box greyed-out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I'm not sure you can snap the apps at that resolution. I remember there was a hack to allow it but I think the hack no longer works. is that the true resolution of that laptop? is the Microsoft Basic Display driver being used (which is limited to 1024x768)?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
It did seem a little small for a 17" laptop screen.
It seems Microsoft Basic Display driver is indeed being used, according to dxdiag.
Disabled it, restarted, but it didn't change anything.

Edit: Snapping does work on this laptop, even with MS Basic Display Driver being used, although at the moment I'm only able to get two to snap.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
try and see if you can change the basic display driver to a driver that's specific for your graphics system. the basic display driver is the modern day VGA driver which is only meant to get your system up and running.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
Found them, installed them by putting the installer into Vista Compatability Mode, and restarted.
The screen resolution is now 1440x900 (reccomdended) which is the biggest size, and the dropdown list works for smaller dimensions.
However I still cannot get more than 2 apps to snap to the side, unfortunatly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
sorry to hear that.

there is a third-party app from Stardock called Modern Mix. you might want to see that program's features.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
Gah! It's a damn shame. I mostly wanted to have 'Messaging' and 'People' snapped side by side whilst I worked in Windows. That way I could keep up with cconversations and social updates on the side without having to flip between the two. I kinda like having them snapped to the side where I can essentially glance one eye accross, whereas with Modern Mix I will be covering them up with the other windows I'm working in, which seems just as cumbersome as having to flip between the two as the only snapped app like I do on Win8 currently.

I mean my desktop pc which uses a 40" screen will probably be able to snap the two apps once Win8 Blue gets released properly and I buy it if it's sold and not given out for free. But it's a shame this old laptop won't do it. I suspect the Microsoft Surface Pro I'm eyeing up, being about a 10 inch screen won't be able to snap two apps once Win8 Blue releases either.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
well, if you fully turn on notifications, that can help you out. have the messaging app be one of your side apps. then have your main app. then you'll see notifications if things change in your people app.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
I suspect the Microsoft Surface Pro I'm eyeing up, being about a 10 inch screen won't be able to snap two apps once Win8 Blue releases either.

well, the Surface Pro has a 1920x1080 screen which means you can have 3 snapped apps (3 Modern apps or 2 Modern apps + 1 desktop). yeah, it'll be small on a 10.6" screen. but it's the resolution, not the size of the screen that dictates the number of apps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
You can then snap two windows together on the Desktop with the Desktop snapped next to an app...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
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