In Windows 8, Microsoft added new application types. Called Windows Store apps, these are little bits of software that Windows 8 users flock to when they want a touchscreen experience or want to use any of Microsoft’s latest and greatest products.
These Windows Store apps aren’t like any other apps you might be used to, and working with them is definitely a different first-time experience. Their interface may make them look less powerful than Desktop apps like iTunes, but they are not. One thing they do by default is take over users’ entire screen, leaving most Windows 8 tablet, desktop and laptop users with the idea that they can only open one at a time.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Any device with Windows 8 can run multiple applications. Also, devices upgraded to Windows 8.1 can run multiple apps at the same time, provided they have sufficient screen size.
Here’s how to Multitask in Windows 8.1 with Windows Store apps so you can multitask without diving into the desktop experience. Windows 8.1 is a free update for all Windows 8 devices. If your device has an internet connection, you should have already received the update.
Seeing All Open Applications and Switching Between Applications
Windows 7 and older versions of Windows use the taskbar at the bottom of the screen to quickly and easily switch between open applications. By default, this bar is not hidden when users open an app. Instead, it’s located next to all open Desktop apps.
with mouse
Windows 8.1 does not include a taskbar for Windows Store apps. Instead, there’s a multitasking screen that slides from the right side of the screen. To access this multitasking menu in Windows 8.1 mouse you have to take your cursor and place it over your screen, then slowly
by touch
Gestures are roughly the same for Windows 8.1 tablet users. Place your finger on the screen and slide your finger to reveal the multitasking menu.
with keyboard
Tapping or clicking any of the apps shown in the menu will open them immediately. Keyboard users can simultaneously press the T button to open the menu and quickly switch between recently used apps.
Every app you’ve recently opened will appear here – that’s every Windows Store App. Desktop apps like iTunes and Spotify won’t show up here individually. Instead, they are simply grouped together in one entry called Desktop.
Running Two Windows Store Apps Simultaneously
It’s a little easier now that you’ve learned how to open the multitasking menu that runs Windows Store apps side-by-side.
with mouse
Press on your keyboard to return to the Start Screen and open the app you want to run. In this case, we’re using Microsoft’s Xbox Music app.
With your mouse, on top of the app. So left click on it and don’t release your left mouse button. Now drag it to the left or right edge of your screen.
Press on your keyboard to return to the Start Screen and open the app you want to run. This time we are using Internet Explorer.
Windows 8.1 will open on the opposite side of the app you had previously opened.
Nor do you need to keep diving into the Start Screen to do this. Let mouse and keyboard users decide which apps to stick to the edge of their screen by right-clicking on any open application in the multitasking menu we opened earlier.
by touch
Many Windows 8.1 devices now come with a touchscreen. Opening two apps on these devices is not the same as a mouse, but they are very similar.
Press the Windows button at the bottom of your device’s screen to go back. Select the app you want to run and tap on it. In this case we are using the Contacts app.
Tap and hold the app with your finger. Then to the left or right edge of your screen.
Press the Windows button again and open the second app you want to run. By default, it will automatically open on the opposite side of the app you pasted on your screen earlier.
with keyboard
Open an app from the Start Screen and press and open the first app you want to run.
With the app open, press the left or right arrow on your keyboard at the same time.
Now go back and open the second app you want to run.
Here he is. This is multitasking in Windows 8.1. It’s important to remember a few important things first. Because an app appears in the multitasking menu does not mean that it consumes system resources and should be shut down, Windows 8.1 monitors Windows Store apps to make sure they are not consuming resources when not in use. Second, there are applications where multitasking is not necessary or necessary remotely. For example, Xbox Music will play whether it’s turned on or not. The same is true for most audio apps.
In these examples, we’ve only shown two apps running side-by-side, but that’s actually not a hard limit. Windows 8.1 users can run six more apps at the same time, each of which is minimized. Another thing to keep in mind is that users can change how much of each app they see. Dragging the separator that separates each app gives users more or less every app displayed.
Finally, it’s important to remember that multitasking apps aren’t always a given. Windows Store opened with Windows 8. Some very old Windows Store apps cannot multitask in Windows 8.1 as this operating system does not support split-screen multitasking on startup.
