How to Change the Number of Apps Rows in Windows 8 Metro Start Screen


information   Information
This will show you how to increase or reduce the number of default Apps rows that are displayed on your Metro Start screen in Windows 8.

Note   Note
By default, Windows 8 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 screen resolution, then you would have 5 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.

The table below will give you the default and maximum number of apps rows you can set for the screen resolution you have set. All screen resolutions can only have a minimum of 1 apps row.

Screen Resolution 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 960 5 6 1
1280 x 1024 5 6 1
1440 x 900 5 5 1
1600 x 900 5 5 1
1900 x 1080 5 6 1
1920 x 1080 and above 6 6 1



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

Click image for larger version
Click image for larger version







OPTION ONE
To Increase or Decrease Number of Apps Rows on "Start" Screen


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


2. In Run, type regedit and press Enter or click on OK. (see screenshot below)

Name: run.jpg Views: 1095 Size: 26.5 KB


3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.


4. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Grid


Click image for larger version


5. In the right pane of Grid, double click on Layout_MaximumRowCount. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If you do not have the DWORD Layout_MaximumRowCount, then right click on a empty space in the right pane of Grid, click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value, then type Layout_MaximumRowCount and press Enter.


6. Type in how many rows you want, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: See note box at top of tutorial.

Name: reg2.jpg Views: 1093 Size: 24.4 KB


7. Close regedit.


8. Log off and log on to apply.








OPTION TWO
To Restore Default Number of Apps Rows on Metro Start Screen


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

Restore_Default_Number_of_Apps_Rows.bat

download
2. If prompted, click on Run and Yes (UAC).
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.

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




That's it,
Shawn