ModernMix 1.14 Beta with Windows 8.1 Update 1 Support Now Available

The ModernMix 1.14 Beta with support for Windows 8.1 Update 1 is available now for download.

Registered users can download the latest beta from their store accounts page at http://download.stardock.com. New users can begin a 30-day, fully functional trial of ModernMix by downloading https://stardock.cachefly.net/ModernMix_1.14_beta_setup.exe.

 New in this update:

  • Performance optimizations and fixes for Windows 8.1 Update [April 2014]
  • Added option to suppress overlay when running full-screen Modern apps
  • Added support for windowed apps to continue to play sound on x86 (was already present on x64)
  • Please note that taskbar items that were pinned prior to Windows 8.1 Update 1 will need to be recreated after the ModernMix upgrade install finshes (needs a reboot to complete).

 

21,722 views 18 replies
Reply #1 Top

it seems to be working as advertised. good job, Neil!

Reply #2 Top

As near as I can tell... since the new update to 8.1 you now have the ability to close your modern ui apps using a traditional "X" on the tooolbar.

The only thing that Modern Mix offers now is the ability to run the modern ui apps in a window.

Reply #3 Top

Quoting Phoon, reply 2

As near as I can tell... since the new update to 8.1 you now have the ability to close your modern ui apps using a traditional "X" on the tooolbar.

The only thing that Modern Mix offers now is the ability to run the modern ui apps in a window.
End of Phoon's quote

Running in a window is quite a big thing and in fact the main purpose for ModernMix.

Plus the ability for background apps to continue to play sound.

Reply #4 Top

Running modern apps in a window is the primary purpose of ModernMix.

Reply #5 Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 4

Running modern apps in a window is the primary purpose of ModernMix.
End of Frogboy's quote

And a very much needed purpose!  MM rox!

Reply #6 Top

>:( >:( i don't understand what did this update do because to me it did nothing!!! the windows 8.1 update 1 close and minimize button is still there with "modernmix" and if i close it with the win 8.1 update 1 close button it stays on the background how i know this because i use task manager to see what in the background:annoyed: why stardock didn't fix this issue thats the first thing they should of done and windows mode on modernmix don't even work with win 8.1 update 1 doesn't close the metro apps it stays on the taskbar smh!!.......

Reply #7 Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 4
Running modern apps in a window is the primary purpose of ModernMix
End of Frogboy's quote

True, and it IS a nice feature. However, with the task bar and start button now usable within a metro app it lessens the NEED for it somewhat.

Reply #8 Top

Thanks for the good work.

I have two problems with this new version though. First, some apps don't seem to work with ModernMix anymore. The two that I'm having this problem with are 'Nextgen Reader' and 'Mindgames'. They run maximized as if ModernMix is not installed. Clicking the F10 shortcut does nothing and the new overlay is not removed even though I've turned it off in settings. I only tried a handful of apps, so this problem could be present in a lot more than those two. The native windows 8 apps seem to be working just fine though.

The second problem is that when I close an app it stays on the taskbar. If I disable 'show apps on taskbar' from properties, the icons don't show at all anymore. And the 'keep closed application in left hand switcher' is unchecked. This wasn't a problem with the previous version.

Thanks again,

Reply #9 Top

ok, it seems a new delevopment has occured today. when i attempt to close a 'modern' app by clicking on the traditional X in the title bar, the app doesn't close per se. it's almost as if it the action is a hybrid of closing and minimizing. the window closes but the app remains active with the pinned taskbar icon. by that, i mean the icon is framed as if the app was minimized instead of closed. when i click on the framed icon again to open the app, the app behaves as if it is opening and not restoring from a minimized state. i hope y'all can understand what i'm describing. i sometimes have a difficult time explaining things so others understand. :)

Reply #10 Top

Quoting wissamktb, reply 8
The second problem is that when I close an app it stays on the taskbar
End of wissamktb's quote

Ditto.

Reply #11 Top

It works great, but you have to do something unintuitive to make it work correctly.

On the General settings page, uncheck "Show ModernMix control overlay". When you do, the ModemMix window options will be incorporated in the new Windows toolbar. Instead of just having minimize and close option that you have by default in Windows 8.1 update 1, you will now have a window option right in the toolbar.  Sooner or later they'll add that to the help file, but that seems to be what you need to do.

Reply #12 Top

The windowed mode option is automatically added to the 8.1 update 1 titlebar regardless of other settings in ModernMix.

Reply #13 Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 10

Quoting wissamktb, reply 8The second problem is that when I close an app it stays on the taskbar

Ditto.
End of RedneckDude's quote

I'm guessing this is a Windows problem and not a ModernMix one.

 

Reply #14 Top

Nope, although I had to just go to confirm it again.  With 8.1 update, you only get close and minimize, along with letting it show it running in the taskbar.  Windowed option only exists when running it with ModernMix.  

Great discussion here: http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-update-1-modernmix.  Key quote:

There's just one problem: When you switch to a Modern app from the desktop, it still runs full-screen, and you can't see the taskbar or any other running mobile apps and desktop applications, let alone the Windows desktop. I reported previously, however, that Microsoft will be adding the ability to run Modern mobile apps in windowed mode on the Windows desktop. (See "Threshold" to be Called Windows 9, Ship in April 2015 for more about that important release.) So by the time Windows 9 hits, we should have a more complete integration between the desktop and Modern apps.

However, you may also recall a wonderful little utility from Stardock called ModernMix. (If not, check out two of my posts, Windows 8 Tip: Run Metro Apps in Windows on the Desktop and Windows 8.1 + ModernMix for more information.) That tool lets you run Modern apps in windowed mode on the desktop right now.

With 1.14 beta, the upper windows title bar mentioned in the article disappears - just the windowed option remains.

Reply #15 Top

Quoting jbsinnott, reply 14
With 1.14 beta, the upper windows title bar mentioned in the article disappears - just the windowed option remains.
End of jbsinnott's quote

For me, I see the titlebar when I move my cursor to the top of the screen in a full screen mode. In windowed mode, I get the WB titlebar, as usual.

Reply #16 Top

Quoting jbsinnott, reply 14

Nope, although I had to just go to confirm it again.  With 8.1 update, you only get close and minimize, along with letting it show it running in the taskbar.  Windowed option only exists when running it with ModernMix.  

Great discussion here: http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-update-1-modernmix.  Key quote:

There's just one problem: When you switch to a Modern app from the desktop, it still runs full-screen, and you can't see the taskbar or any other running mobile apps and desktop applications, let alone the Windows desktop. I reported previously, however, that Microsoft will be adding the ability to run Modern mobile apps in windowed mode on the Windows desktop. (See "Threshold" to be Called Windows 9, Ship in April 2015 for more about that important release.) So by the time Windows 9 hits, we should have a more complete integration between the desktop and Modern apps.

However, you may also recall a wonderful little utility from Stardock called ModernMix. (If not, check out two of my posts, Windows 8 Tip: Run Metro Apps in Windows on the Desktop and Windows 8.1 + ModernMix for more information.) That tool lets you run Modern apps in windowed mode on the desktop right now.

With 1.14 beta, the upper windows title bar mentioned in the article disappears - just the windowed option remains.
End of jbsinnott's quote

I think there has been some confusion.

ModernMix adds that option to the 8.1 Update 1 titlebar, but this is always enabled in ModernMix.  There is no setting to disable this so you didn't need to change any ModernMix settings to enable it.  Also the 8.1 Update 1 titlebar when an app is maximized remains enabled with ModernMix installed, again there is no option to remove it.  The only difference is the bar is not shown to you on app open as this was pointless.

Reply #17 Top

Well, to my way a thinkin, an option that can't be disabled isn't an 'option'.

Carry on.