Classic Shell: Forum

So I recently upgraded to windows 8.1. Before I was running windows 8.

After the update, the resolution in which The classic shell is running is really poor. this continues when I open other programs, eg excel, powerpoint, a browser etc

The screen resolution (1600 x 900 on Lenovo Yoga), is just fine when landing on the Metro screen, and when running any metro apps. As soon as i go to the classic shell, the resolution completely changes, and it looks like i am working on a really old screen. Below the image

First what do you mean by "resolution in which Classic Shell is running"? It's the Desktop. All Classic Shell is/does is it puts a Start Menu and some Explorer/IE plugins. It is not a full shell or desktop replacement and it does not change the resolution or other system behavior. However, what you are describing is I think a change done in Windows 8.1. Starting with Windows 8.1, it automatically increases the DPI if the display supports it.

You can right click in any empty area of the Desktop -> click Screen resolution and switch any resolution you want. Then click on 'Make text and other items larger or smaller'. Check the box called "Let me choose one scaling level for all my displays" and switch it to 100% DPI. That should make things look "normal" like Windows 8.

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Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Also from your screenshot your desktop icons are somewhat large, you can right click the desktop and go to view, then select small icons (if thats what your refering to)

thx for the feedback. More seems to be going on than just a desktop setting... See attached for another screenshot, where there is referred specifically to something compatibility related.

In summary: since updating my pc to win 8.1, my desktop is unsharp / hazy. It goes further than just the desktop: everything launched from the desktop is hazy as well.

Only the metro interface, and all the applications have a good 'sharpness' level, just a i used to have prior to the upload.

Did you try setting your DPI to 100% as I mentioned above? You will have to log off after changing the DPI. The screenshot doesn't seem to be at 100% DPI.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

It appears that the "Program Compatibility Assistant" is not DPI-aware, so the system stretches it up, blurring the text. It is also possible to achieve this effect by having multiple monitors with different DPI settings (a new feature for Windows 8.1), then launching a program on one monitor then moving to another. If the program is not multi-DPI-aware, then it will be scaled on one of the monitors.

BTW, It appears you are trying to run an old version of Classic Shell (like 3.6.7) that is not compatible with Windows 8.1. The recommended version is 4.0.2.

Hi Gaurav & Ivo,

Thx for the advice. Going through the steps Gaurav described, made things look "normal" like Windows 8 again.

I have also reinstalled classic shell, and all seems to be fine now.

Cheers!