Workaround for metro apps not launching and enabling side-by-side apps

matejdro

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Minimum resolution for fully working Metro UI is 1024x768. But most current touch devices out there have resolution of 1024x600 or smaller, which means that we could not enjoy testing new metro UI.

Fortunately, Intel added a feature into their drivers that allows you to get bigger resolution on same screen. Of course enabling that means odd looking screen (due to aspect ratio differences) and slightly reduced performance. But I guess It's OK for testing until we get something better. This works only for Intel graphics, so ION or any other non-intel graphics users, you are out of luck. Let's start:

1. Install latest drivers for your graphics. Windows 8 may already have latest drivers installed, but it's better to play safe and install latest drivers. Of course pick Windows 7 ones, since there are no drivers specifically for Windows 8 available yet.

2. Swipe left from right side of the screen to get little menu. Select "Search".

3. In search menu select "Apps" and type "regedit" (without quotes) into search box.

1.png

4. On left side you should get one result with text "regedit". Tap on it. If you get any UAC dialogs, accept it.

5. Registry Editor will open. Go to Edit --> Find and enter "Display1_DownScalingSupported" into search box. Make sure that all 3 checkboxes are checked (Keys, Values and Data). Start search.

3.png

6. After some seconds of searching, it should find an entry. On the right pane, you should see Display1_DownScalingSupported entry. Double tap on it, enter 1 under "Value data" and press OK.

If you are using Consumer Preview, skip points 7-9. It does not work anymore.

7. On the left pane scroll to the top and then find HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\AppPositioner (tap on arrow next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER, then on arrow next to Software etc.)

8. If you see "AlwaysEnableLSSnapping" on the right side, double click on it. Otherwise right click on the pane (hold your finger until you see square appear around it) and select New --> DWORD Value. Name the new value "AlwaysEnableLSSnapping" (without quotes) and double click on it.

2.png

9. Like in step 6, enter 1 under "Value data:" and confirm.

10. Reboot your computer.

11. Go into display options. You should now see new resolution options. Select any resolution that is 1024x768 or higher and you should get fully working metro UI :)

4.png
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Interesting. Thanks for posting :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
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    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
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    ASUS Z87-Plus
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    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
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    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
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    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
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    IE, FF, Chrome
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    Some wired stuff
This should be very handy for all those users that want to get 8 working on a tablet. Great post! :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Dev Preview x64
    CPU
    i7 950 3.06GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage III
    Memory
    G Skill 4GB DDR3 2000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX570 1.25GB DDR5
    PSU
    Antec ATX TruePower 750W
    Case
    Antec Lanboy Air Red
Very nice. ;)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64/Windows 8 Consumer Preview x64/Ubuntu 11.04
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    Custom Build
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    Intel Pentium Dual Core E6700 3.2GHz
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    ASUS P5G41T-M LX
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    Strontium 8192MB DDR3 1333Mhz
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    msi GeForce N560GTX-M2D1GD5 1GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    CHIMEI CMV 221D 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 3.5'' 2TB HDD/WD Elements External 1TB HDD
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    SHAW Viper-1500w Gaming PSU
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    Black eMaxx ATX Mini Tower Case
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    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 1000
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    Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2000
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    100GB @ 4.76Mbps
Great post!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WCP
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    HP
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    2@ 4.9 Hz
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    64 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9600
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    300gig internal and a bunch ext
    Cooling
    not much
    Keyboard
    Built-in
    Mouse
    Logitch Anywhere Mx wireless mouse
    Internet Speed
    50 down 1.5 up
i tested that on my aspire one d255 netbook but no luck piano opens sits in there for a while....then screen goes green nothing happens then i tap touchpad green screen is gone and back to start menu idk why.... i have updated my media controller driver though :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Build 9600
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba,Acer(2 notebooks)Asus G1S
    CPU
    Intel i5 2400 @3.1 ghz/i3 4th gen
    Motherboard
    GA-Z77M-D3H
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire, AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Screen Resolution
    1360x760
    Internet Speed
    40mbps
i tested that on my aspire one d255 netbook but no luck piano opens sits in there for a while....then screen goes green nothing happens then i tap touchpad green screen is gone and back to start menu idk why.... i have updated my media controller driver though :(
I did have the same problem and found out the RMClock program was the cause, I used the program for undervolting, while I was using it I couldn't play Piano, you could try disabling programs one by one and find out which program conflicts with Piano and let us know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
i just solved my problem hehe :D i just logged in using my live id account and piano worked :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Build 9600
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba,Acer(2 notebooks)Asus G1S
    CPU
    Intel i5 2400 @3.1 ghz/i3 4th gen
    Motherboard
    GA-Z77M-D3H
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire, AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Screen Resolution
    1360x760
    Internet Speed
    40mbps
i just solved my problem hehe :D i just logged in using my live id account and piano worked :D
Nice!
I hadn't tried the Piano App recently because, when I first installed Win8 8102 DP back in September, it didn't work.
I have, in the interim, acquired a Live ID but didn't bother to check out the Piano App again ... until reading your post.

It does, indeed, now work. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8, x64, DP8102 - Win7 Ultimate x64, Dual Boot
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo T5500
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 965
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop 17", Gateway 20"
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 (x2)
i just solved my problem hehe :D i just logged in using my live id account and piano worked :D
Nice!
I hadn't tried the Piano App recently because, when I first installed Win8 8102 DP back in September, it didn't work.
I have, in the interim, acquired a Live ID but didn't bother to check out the Piano App again ... until reading your post.

It does, indeed, now work. :)
glad i helped somehow :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Build 9600
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba,Acer(2 notebooks)Asus G1S
    CPU
    Intel i5 2400 @3.1 ghz/i3 4th gen
    Motherboard
    GA-Z77M-D3H
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire, AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Screen Resolution
    1360x760
    Internet Speed
    40mbps
I can't find "Display1_DownScalingSupported" anywhere through regedit... It says Finshed searching through the registry.. And "Display1_DownScalingSupported" is still not found. Help?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Developer Preview x86
I can't find "Display1_DownScalingSupported" anywhere through regedit... It says Finshed searching through the registry.. And "Display1_DownScalingSupported" is still not found. Help?

First try installing your graphics driver im in acer notebook so you might wanna look it in your notebook manufacturer website and find a graphic driver install it...then try searching in the registry again
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Build 9600
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba,Acer(2 notebooks)Asus G1S
    CPU
    Intel i5 2400 @3.1 ghz/i3 4th gen
    Motherboard
    GA-Z77M-D3H
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire, AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Screen Resolution
    1360x760
    Internet Speed
    40mbps
okay your welcome :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Build 9600
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba,Acer(2 notebooks)Asus G1S
    CPU
    Intel i5 2400 @3.1 ghz/i3 4th gen
    Motherboard
    GA-Z77M-D3H
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire, AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Screen Resolution
    1360x760
    Internet Speed
    40mbps
i cannot find "AppPositioner" after "ImmersiveShell"....why??...i follow ur insrtuction n try search it many times but same result...:(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 ( 64bit )
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel Core i3
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61-M-LX
    Memory
    Kingston 4gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Nvidia GT 430
Seems broken in release preview, my screen remains black, tried it a bunch of times on x86 and x86-64, inputs work, machine has clearly booted etc, but from the boot logo on the screen remains pitch black.

Anyone managed to get it to work on RP? It's a bad solution anyway imo, makes the screen look odd, I wish there was a more clear-cut way to just force metro apps to work, instead of making the screen the wrong resolution.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ulti, Win8 CP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Mine
    CPU
    Q6600
    Motherboard
    Rampage Formula
    Memory
    8GB DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus 6970
I stopped using that, because I don't use metro apps anyway (they are very inferior to desktop alternatives).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I stopped using that, because I don't use metro apps anyway (they are very inferior to desktop alternatives).

Agreed, except on a tablet, which is what I have.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ulti, Win8 CP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Mine
    CPU
    Q6600
    Motherboard
    Rampage Formula
    Memory
    8GB DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus 6970
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