News - Microsoft brings more multi-monitor support to Windows 8

[HEXUS]

The upcoming Windows 8 Release Preview is not just a carbon copy of the Consumer Preview.

Read more.

[Biscuit]

Hmmmm... i like these features. Maybe i will jump on board with windows 8 earlier.

[scaryjim]

I was thinking it might work nicely if you can default all Metro apps to a small touchscreen secondary monitor, but looking on Google you still get charged £100 for a 7" USB touchscreen monitor: given you can get a 7" touchscreen android tablet for less than that I'm not sure what gives...?

[funke_munke]

This is good news, as these niggles put me off using multiple monitors regularly in Win7. Plus now I'm using music editing software a lot, it's becoming difficult on one monitor so this is most welcome. Logical things that should have been in place an age ago, but welcome nonetheless!

[Jonj1611]

Is it going to be possible to move metro off both monitors completely? lol

[dangel]

Is it going to be possible to move metro off both monitors completely? lol

Yes, you click "desktop" or press the start key

[Jonj1611]

Ah, I must have missed something, so if I do that I don't have to have metro at all and can have a normal desktop?

I use 2 monitors so the changes that are being made are handy for sure and have some features I have been looking for. While I don't want to bang on about metro, if I can get rid of that completely then windows 8 maybe a go-er.

[Scribe]

Ah, I must have missed something, so if I do that I don't have to have metro at all and can have a normal desktop?

I use 2 monitors so the changes that are being made are handy for sure and have some features I have been looking for. While I don't want to bang on about metro, if I can get rid of that completely then windows 8 maybe a go-er.

The normal desktop is essentially one big Metro app, whilst you can't physically remove metro from the system, you can stop using it and have only desktop screens. Hopefully someone will bring out a startbar mod that emulates the good old Start button, bringing the last remaining piece of the puzzle back to us.

[Andeh13]

Poor old Ultramon is going to be hit hard by this.... Ultimate dual screen bit of aftermarket software to be replaced by an OEM one capable of doing it all!

[TheAnimus]

Hopefully Andehh they will innovate and make something more innovative.

[dangel]

The normal desktop is essentially one big Metro app, whilst you can't physically remove metro from the system, you can stop using it and have only desktop screens. Hopefully someone will bring out a startbar mod that emulates the good old Start button, bringing the last remaining piece of the puzzle back to us.

Not quite:

- The start menu now fills the screen
- "Metro" apps also fill one screen (but you don't have to use them)
- Desktop apps all run as normal
- The only time you are 'forced' into metro is to launch something from the start menu.
- None of this particularly bothers me in several weeks of use seeing as in Win7 I only used start to launch things mostly by typing the appname in (search) which still works just fine in 8. I'm using W8 on dual monitors - 1600x1200 and 1920x1200 side by side for reference.

It's Windows, therefore it'll be customizable. Remain calm.




Ultramon was always massively overpriced in my eyes anyway!

[Jonj1611]

Remain calm.

I can't help it, I am already sweating and shaking, damn you Microsoft, damn you!!!

[dangel]

I can't help it, I am already sweating and shaking, damn you Microsoft, damn you!!!

I'm baffled by the uproar - but it's useful in the sense MS are making changes based on feedback (they've already talked about some of them on their blog) and not so much in that it obscures all the great bits and bobs in 8 that I really like.

Don't get me wrong, on a desktop metro feels 'odd' and atm a bit pointless but i'm willing to see how it'll work in the final product. Problem is every discussion on W8 ends up being about Metro and nothing else...

[TheAnimus]

Problem is every discussion on W8 ends up being about Metro and nothing else...

A men!

Can't even talk about windows phone without people moaning about desktop metro........

[Jonj1611]

Yeah its a real shame people hate it so much. My original comment wasn't actually a moan, it was supposed to be a tongue in cheek comment.