Split screen doesn't work in Windows 8.1 metro mode.

metatrix

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I was initially very excited to hear that windows 8.1 allowed users to split the screen in any ratio they want (not just 80:20) in metro mode. However, no third-party apps seem to be compatible with this feature. Only Microsoft apps will expand to any ratios other than 80% or 20%. All third party apps will remain in the narrow 20% view even when you try to expand them to, say, take up 50% of the screen. This is a huge disappointment, and I haven't found this problem addressed anywhere.

Any thoughts?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 RT
    Computer type
    Tablet
This is probably because it is up to the app developer to incorporate in their design. Because 8.1 is still in beta, the versions of the apps that include the code for the 50:50 version aren't in the store yet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    All of them. From 2k, to server 2012 R2 beta
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Just as a test, I opened one MS app and one 3rd party app, and both ran Split Screen. But it's windows 8, installing 8.1 aqs a VM right now... But the way I see it in 8, you open up several apps, and then you can drag em down one by one into the Start Screen area. Limited to 2 in 8, is this supposed to work the same way in 8.1?

Ok, you guys got me, finally installing 8.1 heh.
 

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System One

  • OS
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    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I was initially very excited to hear that windows 8.1 allowed users to split the screen in any ratio they want (not just 80:20) in metro mode. However, no third-party apps seem to be compatible with this feature. Only Microsoft apps will expand to any ratios other than 80% or 20%. All third party apps will remain in the narrow 20% view even when you try to expand them to, say, take up 50% of the screen. This is a huge disappointment, and I haven't found this problem addressed anywhere.

Any thoughts?

Does anyone have an answer to this? Every link I click on in emails, opens the browser alongside the email in 50:50 view. I lose half the mail app and the web page is too small to read. This view is totally useless to me so how do I make it default to opening links full-screen?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo, Yoga 13
I was initially very excited to hear that windows 8.1 allowed users to split the screen in any ratio they want (not just 80:20) in metro mode. However, no third-party apps seem to be compatible with this feature. Only Microsoft apps will expand to any ratios other than 80% or 20%. All third party apps will remain in the narrow 20% view even when you try to expand them to, say, take up 50% of the screen. This is a huge disappointment, and I haven't found this problem addressed anywhere.

Any thoughts?

Does anyone have an answer to this? Every link I click on in emails, opens the browser alongside the email in 50:50 view. I lose half the mail app and the web page is too small to read. This view is totally useless to me so how do I make it default to opening links full-screen?

Whoever wrote the app specifies how it behaves with the split screen feature. If you notice the apps that came with your OS will give you greater freedom in this. But those you get from the app store that are authored by 3rd party vendors don't. This is for one of two reasons. 1. The different ratios in the split screen interfere with important features of the app rendering the app useless or "buggy", or 2. the app developers were cutting corners and didn't want to spend a crap load of time for something that a handful of users might use. The 50:50 is an easy default to incorporate into an app, the other options get a little tricky and can cause a litany of problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    All of them. From 2k, to server 2012 R2 beta
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Whoever wrote the app specifies how it behaves with the split screen feature. If you notice the apps that came with your OS will give you greater freedom in this. But those you get from the app store that are authored by 3rd party vendors don't. This is for one of two reasons. 1. The different ratios in the split screen interfere with important features of the app rendering the app useless or "buggy", or 2. the app developers were cutting corners and didn't want to spend a crap load of time for something that a handful of users might use. The 50:50 is an easy default to incorporate into an app, the other options get a little tricky and can cause a litany of problems.

I'm talking about the standard 'Mail' app that comes with Windows 8.1. I can see no setting allowing me to override this split screen feature. The Mail app in Windows 8 didn't behave like this - links in emails opened fullscreen. Is there any way to reinstall the Windows 8 Mail app in preference to the Windows 8.1 Mail app?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo, Yoga 13
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