Windows 8.1 w/ Multiple instances

Is anybody annoyed at Microsoft Windows 8.1 OS? 

 

Particularly the lack to support two windows of a specific program to be opened in separate instances.

  • Editing the registry will not work with the "8.1" service pack.
  • (right)Clicking while in the startscreen and selecting 'Open new window' will not work.
  • Dragging the upper window of the instance will not work.

 

How to actually get some productivity out of the new Microsoft OS...

 

  1. Right click on program,
  2. go to properties,
  3. navigate to the Compatibility tab,
  4. activate compatibility mode.
  • Windows 7

 

 

Do not do this unless you're running on a desktop/gaming station/notebook with an extended workspace. You may lose the new instances depending on your display defaults.

The reason I am sharing this is because I was about to return my OS due to frustrating lack of productivity.

 

notes: 

  • CTRL+N opens a new window
  • The program tile will no longer work at opening the program from the startscreen.
  • I love that I have been contacting Microsoft tech support, and they had no clue... hence the failed examples of what doesn't work.
  • I'm sure this feature is taken away from the OS for a good reason (under-powered machines running the OS) don't break it.

I hope this helps you guys, you won't find this anywhere lol

What applications are you having trouble with?

I do this all the time with MS Office without any problems.

Actually had major problems with networking applications and Cad apps. Visual studio worked before the service pack, but not after.

 

I bet once there's a new Office for win8 ... not that MS would invest in that direction until win8.2 aka win9 ... it won't open up for you.

But if the program reads to win7 native, it would theoretically work from the windows screen.

What this helps with , is running multiple instances on dynamic workspaces, whereas 8.1 won't allow that with the updated programs.

Not having any of the problems you are describing

 

Running 8.1 since release, never had this.

Are you sure it's not some kind of a bug?

... hmm... could you all run chrome on two(or five) screens at once? If you can do that out of the box, then I guess it was a bug.

Like I said, I messaged the MS tech team over this to no avail. So it may just be me.

I very often (by that I mean every day) run Chrome on 3 monitors without incident.

HA! then it was just me. I couldn't get multiple instances for my life, in any of the above programs. Damn was I livid.

...Granted, I'm not using add-ons or any such mods. Can't as this is my work and play machine.

With web browsers like firefox and chrome, browsers themselves decide how they manage their windows. As in, firefox keeps all windows in one process no matter how many you open, while chrome has a process for every tab.

I can easily run multiple instances of programs that allow it, from notepad to visual studio.