- Nov 7, 2012
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Since day one, I've had this theory that metro apps will one day not only run in fullscreen mode, but in windowed mode too.
The entire interface is built around 'scaling'. The api supports multiple events for handling window resizing. And under the hood, it's implementation in explorer.exe is more similar to legacy apps than one would think.
The reality is, almost everything needed for windowed metro apps already exists. The switch is simply turned off. Why? Because a redesign of a operating system this large scale is very complex. It takes an extreme amount of planning and prioritizing. For productivity, metro apps need to support windowed mode. Everyone here knows this. Microsoft knows this. But with legacy support, there wasn't an immediate need for it and there were much more important areas of the operating system to focus on. Do you really think a company like Microsoft does not consider these things?
If the rumors are true and Windows Blue brings app unification between the ecosystem, then you can be sure windowed mode will come along with it or follow soon after. The form factor and display size will be the main differentiation between how apps are used on different devices. Simply put, smaller screens only need fullscreen mode and larger screens need the option for fullscreen or windowed mode.
I have been saying this since the start of Windows 8 and I have no sources for my information.
However, I now have something to show as proof that the functionality exists: RetroUI ? Enhancing Windows 8 and Bringing Back the Start Menu
If you have any other information that supports/dismisses my theory I would love to hear it.
The entire interface is built around 'scaling'. The api supports multiple events for handling window resizing. And under the hood, it's implementation in explorer.exe is more similar to legacy apps than one would think.
The reality is, almost everything needed for windowed metro apps already exists. The switch is simply turned off. Why? Because a redesign of a operating system this large scale is very complex. It takes an extreme amount of planning and prioritizing. For productivity, metro apps need to support windowed mode. Everyone here knows this. Microsoft knows this. But with legacy support, there wasn't an immediate need for it and there were much more important areas of the operating system to focus on. Do you really think a company like Microsoft does not consider these things?

If the rumors are true and Windows Blue brings app unification between the ecosystem, then you can be sure windowed mode will come along with it or follow soon after. The form factor and display size will be the main differentiation between how apps are used on different devices. Simply put, smaller screens only need fullscreen mode and larger screens need the option for fullscreen or windowed mode.
I have been saying this since the start of Windows 8 and I have no sources for my information.
However, I now have something to show as proof that the functionality exists: RetroUI ? Enhancing Windows 8 and Bringing Back the Start Menu
If you have any other information that supports/dismisses my theory I would love to hear it.
