Start Screen - Metro Apps - Change Number of Rows in Windows 8

How to Change Number of Apps Tile Rows on Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to increase or reduce the number of default apps rows of tiles that are displayed on your Start screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.

   Note

By default, Windows 8 and 8.1 automatically detects what your current screen resolution is, and then automatically sets how many rows will be for the apps and other pinned items on the Metro Start screen based on the screen resolution size. This is usually only 3 to 5 rows by default.

For example: If you have a 1920 x 1080 (horizontal x vertical) screen resolution, then you would have 6 rows by default. You could either reduce the number of rows to a minimum of 1 row, or increase it up to a maximum of 6 rows for this screen resolution size.

See table under step 6 in OPTION THREE below for more on this.

EXAMPLE: Apps Rows Set from 5 to 6 on Start Screen
NOTE: This is with a 1900 x 1080 screen resolution.

OPTION ONE

Change Number of Apps Tile Rows on "Start" Screen using "Show More Tiles"

   Note

This option is only available in Windows 8 and 8.1 if your screen resolution is set to 1920 X 1200 or above, and available on Surface tablets. If not, then you will need to use OPTION TWO or OPTION THREE below instead.

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1. If you have not already, turn off "Make everything on your screen bigger".​

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2. Go to your Start screen.​

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3. While on your Start screen, open the Charms bar, and click/tap on the Settings charm. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: You could also press the Windows + I keys while on the Start screen to open the Settings charm directly.​

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4. Click/tap on Tiles at the top of the right "Settings" flyout. (see screenshot below)​

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5. Do step 6 or 7 below for what you would like to do.​

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6. To "Show more tiles" on Start Screen​

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A) Move the Show more tiles slider to the right to say Yes, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)​

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7. To Not "Show more tiles" on Start Screen​

NOTE: This is the default setting.​

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A) Move the Show more tiles slider to the left to say No, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)​

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8. You can click/tap on a empty area of the Start screen to close the Tiles flyout.​

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OPTION TWO

To Change Number of Apps Tile Rows on "Start" Screen using VBScript File

   Note

This option only works in Windows 8, and no longer works in Windows 8.1.

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1. If you have not already, turn off "Make everything on your screen bigger".​

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2. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.​

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Change_Number_of_Apps_Tile_Rows_on_Start.vbs​

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3. Save the .vbs file to your Desktop.​

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4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .vbs file to run it.​

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5. If prompted, click/tap on Open.​

NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Open prompt by unblocking the downloaded .vbs file.​

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6. Follow the instructions in the vbscript dialog pop-up boxes until finished. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: You'll notice that the script will let you know what range you are able to set for your specific PC to help.​

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7. If this did not help, then also try changing the DPI scaling for the Start screen. It may take a bit of experimenting to find the scale that works best for you though.​

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OPTION THREE

To Change Number of Apps Tile Rows on "Start" Screen in Registry Editor

   Note

This option only works in Windows 8, and no longer works in Windows 8.1.

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1. If you have not already, turn off "Make everything on your screen bigger".​

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2. Press the Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box.​

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3. In Run, type regedit, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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4. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​

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5. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Grid

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6. In the right pane of Grid, double click/tap on Layout_MaximumRowCount. (see screenshot above)​

NOTE: If you do not have the DWORD Layout_MaximumRowCount, then right click on an empty space in the right pane of Grid, click/tap on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value, then type Layout_MaximumRowCount and press Enter.​

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7. Using the table below as a guide, type in how many apps tile rows you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)​

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   Note

The table below will give you the default and maximum number of apps tile rows you can usually set with your current screen resolution. Generally, the larger the vertical resolution the more app tile rows you are able to have.

   Note

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• The minimum amount of apps tiles rows must be 1.
• The maximum amount of apps rows in the table below is determined by the value of the Layout_MaximumAvailableHeightCells DWORD in the same registry location from step 5.

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Screen Resolution (HxV)	Default	Max	Min
800 x 600	3	3	1
1024 x 768	4	4	1
1152 x 864	5	5	1
1280 x 720	4	4	1
1280 x 900	5	5	1
1280 x 960	5	6	1
1280 x 1024	5	6	1
1400 x 1050	6	6	1
1440 x 900	5	5	1
1600 x 900	5	5	1
1680 x 1050	6	6	1
1900 x 1080	5	6	1
1920 x 1080	6	6	1
1920 x 1200	6	7	1
2560 x 1920	6	10	1

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8. Close regedit.​

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9. Sign out and in to apply.​

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10. If this did not help, then also try changing the DPI scaling for the Start screen. It may take a bit of experimenting to find the scale that works best for you though.​

OPTION FOUR

To Restore Default Number of Apps Tile Rows on Metro Start Screen

   Note

This option will work no matter if you used OPTION ONE, OPTION TWO, or OPTION THREE above.

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1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and run it.​

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Restore_Default_Number_of_Apps_Rows.bat​

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2. If prompted, click/tap on Run and Yes (UAC).​

NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.​

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3. You will now notice your screen flash as explorer is restarted to apply the registry changes.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Open the "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• Change Your Start and Sign in Screen Background and Color in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change Start Screen Tile Icon and Name in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Pin or Unpin a App, Folder, or Drive on the "Start" Screen in Windows 8
• How to Pin and Unpin Websites from IE10 to Start Screen in Windows 8
• How to Name or Rename a Group of Apps on "Start" in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• How to Resize App Tiles to be Smaller or Larger on "Start" in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Organize Apps into Groups on "Start" in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• How to Turn "Make everything on your screen bigger" On or Off in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Download a "Start" Screen Shortcut in Windows 8
• How to Change the DPI for Modern UI in Windows 8
• How to Sort Items on Your Apps Screen in Windows 8.1
• How to List Desktop Apps or Store Apps First on Your Apps Screen in Windows 8.1

 

[Brink]

Hi,

I am using Windows 8.1 on a notebook with a native resolution of 2560x1440. I have the options "Smaller" and "Show More Tiles". From start up i have 6 rows of tiles in Windows 8.1, sometimes i have 7 and last days i had one situation where i had 10. And everything on the same display.

I saved the grid file from registry of 10 rows, but it didnt work. I only have 6 or 7 now anymore.

Does anyone know if there is a trick like in Windows 8 for WIndows 8.1 ?

For those who are interesd, Registry Grid File with 10 Rows is in attachement.

Hello Daniel, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You might see if toggling between the Larger and Default settings below may help to show more tiles.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6894-make-everything-your-screen-bigger-turn-off.html

 

[Daniel290881]

Hi,
Thanks again, but i tried this already and there was no change. I thinkmfor more rows you need my options smaller and show more tiles.

 

[Brink]

Correct that would be the usually setting like in OPTION ONE on the first page to use to get more tile rows on the Start screen in Windows 8.1.

I'm just not sure why it would be auto adjusting it like that for you in you screenshot while still using these same settings.

 

[Daniel290881]

It must be a fault with the resolution 2560x1440.

The next thing which is driving me nuts:
When i use my notebook with 2560x1550 and and extended monitor, i have on both 6 rows. When i click on the extended monitor on metro start screen on th arrow for All Apps, i have suddenly 7 rows of tiles on the notebook

Next thing i just have realized: When i use my notebook with 2560x1440, smaller and "Show More Tiles" i cant scroll down on the facebook app from windows store. When i switch from small to normal, i can scroll It seems that windows 8.1 has some problems with the new screen resolution of 2560x1440. And i use already the newest intel driver for graphic 5100: 10.13.10.3379

Hope that Microsoft fixes this soon ... or someone else finds a solution

Anyway, thx for your help and your great site!

 

[Brink]

Hopefully it will change when the next Intel driver comes out. Please keep us posted.

 

[Daniel290881]

I am sure its a Microsoft Problem and not an Intel Problem

 

[Brink]

Most likely some sort of aspect ratio issue, but you'll be amazed what issues could come with drivers in the mix as well.

 

[Mrsevic]

Hello there, I have acer notebook with 1280 x 800 resolution 15.4" screen. None of the methods in original posts is working. I would like to have five rows of tiles which requires 1280 x 900 display which is kind of pitty. Did anyone got it working on resolution lower than full hd?

I have Windows 8.1 Update 1 Rtm installed.

 

[Brink]

Hello MrSevic,

I'm afraid the methods will not work since your screen resolution doesn't meet the requirements for 5 rows.

 

[Kutsuu]

Hello Brink, Do you have an option for windows 8.1 with screen resolution of 1366x766? increasing rows in start menu. I wanted to make it 5.

 

[Brink]

Hello Kutsuu,

I'm afraid not.

 

[koesherbacon]

Hello! This is my first post here, so I hope I'm asking this question in the correct area.


I wanted to change the number of rows in my Windows 8.1 Start Tiles from 5 to 4 I first tried using this page's VBS script from "Step 2", which did not work.

I then tried editing the registry as detailed in Step 3, but that too didn't work.

I have made certain that "Show More Tiles on the Start Screen" is turned off (this option seems to have taken the place of the "Make everything on your screen bigger" option at the time when this post was written.)


Does anyone have any ideas why I'm not able to change my rows from 5 to 4? My laptop's monitor's resolution is 1920x1080, if information could help troubleshoot my problem here.


Thanks a whole lot! I really want to have only 4 rows, but if it seems like it'll be way more trouble than it's worth, sticking with 5 isn't a huge deal.

 

[Brink]

Hello koesherbacon, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Yep, unfortunately Option Two and Option Three no longer work in Windows 8.1.

If you turn on Make everything on your screen bigger, it may cause you to have less rows on your Start screen.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6894-make-everything-your-screen-bigger-turn-off.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[koesherbacon]

Aw, so there's no way for me to customize it to show fewer icons per row, although there is an option to show much, huh? Bummer

 

[Brink]

Yeah, not sure why they removed this in Windows 8.1. Make everything on your screen bigger may be about the only thing that may reduce them.

 

[IownAmoneyPit]

Brink I'm currently using 1400 x 1050 screen resolution and it defaults to 6 rows. (Don't see it posted)

 

[Brink]

Brink I'm currently using 1400 x 1050 screen resolution and it defaults to 6 rows. (Don't see it posted)

Added. Thank you.

It's the 1050 vertical part of the resolution allowing the 6 rows of tiles.