One of the major features of the new Windows 8 platform is its Metro UI. This new style, a feature already present in the Windows Phone 8, uses tiles on the display screen. However, old netbooks that run Windows 8 cannot view these tiles properly, and this causes a pop up error every time the computer is turned on. This mainly stems from the fact that having the minimum required screen resolution recommended by Microsoft is necessary for the Metro UI to work seamlessly. In addition, Windows 8 drivers need to be compatible with the user’s netbook.
However, most netbooks, once hailed for having a small size and low weight, are not compatible to run the Metro feature. The minimum screen size recommended by Microsoft is 1024*768, while most netbooks only have a maximum screen size of 1024*600 pixels. This is a shame because; Windows 8 tiles are large, use every square inch of your screen and is extremely touch friendly. But your system does not need to have a touch interface for Windows 8 to work, but will lose a few touch friendly features and cool graphic effects.
How to run Windows 8 Metro style
Run the “Registry Editor” by typing in “regedit” without the quotes, on the start screen of Windows 8. Tap the Registry Editor when it appears on the left side of the screen
- To adjust the display settings so as to accommodate the Metro UI, in the Registry Editor, hit “Ctrl+F” key together to launch the find tool. Find an entry called “Display1_DownScalingSupported” without the quotes. Once you find the entry, double click on the entry to bring up a box and change the value from 0 to 1. Click “OK” when you are done.
- Again, search for other entries having the same name, and if found, repeat the same procedure as above. Once all the Display1_DownScalingSupported entries have been changed, exit the Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer for these effects to take place.
- Next, right click on the desktop after clicking on the Desktop button from the Start Screen.
- Finally, select “Screen resolution” and from the drop down menu, choose a new resolution that is compatible with Windows 8 like 1152*864 or 1024*768.
After the last step, visit the Start Screen to find the Internet Explorer, Weather, and other apps fully functioning with the new resolution. This shows that, applying a few tweaks to the Windows 8 drivers, the user can experience all the functions of Windows 8.
So now, any netbook user, following a few steps carefully, can have a fully functional Metro user interface along with their Windows 8 operating system.
