How do I run a game in Windowed Mode?


  1. Posts : 61
    Windows 7 64-Bit
       #1

    How do I run a game in Windowed Mode?


    I read some tutorials that say to add "-window" to the end of the Location address, but in this particular case with the game "Tony Hawks Underground 1" I can not.

    Here's a screenshot:


    Also, the game uses a "Launcher" if this is any help: http://puu.sh/EH6K

    I have given myself full control of the program in Security to see if it helps, and it does not.
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  2. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #2

    First of all the shortcut would need to see the "target" line while many game installers tend like Steam create a url type desktop shortcut. That's when you look in either the Start>Programs for the game folder if view setting for it is set to appear as a folder or in the Program File(x86) game folder for the main executable in order to create a new shortcut that offers the target line.

    That's where the "-window" switch is added in and then you click on the apply button for that shortcut's properties screen. But will a particular game title run in a windowed mode? is another factor entirely! Many games will simply stall if the mouse clicks on anything outside of the full screen mode's own menu or while in a game map. Older titles going back roughly 8 to 10yrs. tend to fare better in that regard overall.

    For many real old titles hitting the Alt-Enter key combination will automatically switch from full screen to a windowed mode while much newer titles seem to go into a hibernation. For each game title a separate test is needed to see if this will work.
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  3. Posts : 61
    Windows 7 64-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Doesn't seem to work =(
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  4. Posts : 279
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #4

    Is there an .ini configuration file that might offer a Window setting, such as 0 for full screen and 1 for windowed?

    Also, if the game resolution matches OS resolution, there might not be an option. A game resolution reduction might enable a window mode.
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  5. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #5

    Most game titles will have a set of screen resolutions to some extend to choose from as well as auto detecting the native resolution to a certain point that is with the more recent as well as new and latest. Anything Steam drive will simply go black when full screen and you simply go to click on something.

    Yet at the same time many VALVe/Steam as well as other Steam driven games are able to see a windowed mode available. One ISP provides a Windowed Mode List

    You'll notice the list only covers a select few compared to the actual number of just Steam only titles. Besides one about.com guide for this instructing the "-window" addition on the target line another eHow guide also adds in that if that doesn't work you can also try using "-w" instead. How to Play a Game in Windowed Mode | eHow.com
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  6. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #6

    Go go the games options then their should be an option: Windowed

    If you want this to happen all the time you boot your game. Sadly, you cannot do this.


    Sorry.
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