Most of the netbooks that are available today come with 1024×600 or lower screen resolution. As some of you know, Windows 8 Metro-style apps require a minimum of 1024×768 screen resolution, which means that you can’t run Metro-style apps on-screen resolutions lower than 1024×768.
So, a big chunk of netbook users won’t be able to experience one of the core features of Windows 8.
Users who have already installed Windows 8 on a netbook with a screen resolution lower than 1024×768 probably have noticed that Windows throws “The screen resolution is too low for this app to run” error when you attempt to run an app. Though there are third-party applications available to run legacy Windows applications in a fake resolution, one can’t use these applications with Metro-style apps.
Users who have installed Windows 8 on a netbook would be glad to know that Metro-style apps can be run on your netbook with a small workaround. Paul has suggested a little workaround that will help all Windows 8 netbook users enjoy Metro apps without any issues.
Run metro apps on lower screen resolutions in Windows 8/8.1
Step 1: Open Registry Editor. To do this, open Run dialog (use Windows + R keys), type regedit.exe in the box, and then press Enter key. Click Yes for the UAC (User Account Control) prompt.
Step 2: Once the Registry Editor is launched, press Ctrl + F keys to open Find box. In the Find box, type display1_downscalingsupported in Find what box, check Match whole string only box, and then click Find Next button.
You may get only one or several results.
Step 3: Double-click on display1_downscalingsupported entry and change its value from the default “0” to “1”.
NOTE: If you have two or more display1_downscalingsupported entries in the registry, you need to modify all of them.
Step 4: Exit Registry Editor and reboot your PC.
Step 5: After rebooting PC, right-click on desktop, select Screen Resolution. You should now see the 1024×768 resolution. Select 1024×768 or higher resolution (if available), and then click Apply button. Click Keep changes when you see the confirmation box. You are done! You should now be able to run Metro-style apps on your netbook.
