Advantages /disadvantages between window and full screen mode

[hmar 0]

Regarding the recent utility for borderless FSX in windows from Overflow. What are the advantages and/or disadvantages for FSX in a full-screen window or in full screen mode?

 

Hugo

[Kosta 122]

The big difference for me is the smoothness. In light of the vsync tweaks available in my guide and on the forums, I found that windowed mode is still a bit stuttery when compared to full screen mode, which is perfectly smooth when FPS is kept at 30 (according to the laws of vsync tweaks).

[mabe54 17]

Full Screen, nothing but FSX matters. Do or Don't.

 

Cheers,

[alepro 15]

I used to run FSX full-screen only, but eventually gave up since I suffered from the black-screen issue when switching windows. For me the sim is a lot more stable running in windowed-mode.

[TheGrunt 44]

Actually I haven't run FSX in windowed mode, but I use Prepar3D in windowed mode all the time. I started to use it mainly because of the annoying ATC window flash in fullscreen mode which made ATC pretty much useless and could eventually lead to OOMs. I use autohotkey and macro from library to get "pseudo" fullscreen and it works perfectly. As for performance, I don't notice any differences.

 

I actually like windowed mode more than fullscreen as it is a lot easier to jump to windows and browse internet or put some music playing in the background. As I said, I haven't experienced any sort of negative aspects using windowed mode. If I'd start to use FSX again, I for sure would test the windowed mode first and if I don't notice any negative things It would be my choice, even though ATC Window doesn't cause trouble in FSX.

[FloG 148]

I have to agree with Alex, my sim is more stable when I run it in windowed mode, too.

 

Regards,

Flo

[PIC007 82]

Window mode here too. I use 2 monitors and it allows me to use the desktop if needed, as well as better FSX performance for me.

 

One thing to mention though, be sure that the FS window does not touch the taskbar or perfromance will suffer. I move it to my second monitor when flying, you can also set it to 'autohide'.

[xplanery 250]

Always using windowed mode here too, mainly because it allows me to use my browser while cruising & look for weather and route and similar stuff too.

[Clutch Cargo 388]

I am very interested in trying this new utility as I run in Surround. From my experience one has to run in Window mode with P3D when using Surround (same as FSX), so this could be a nice feature to eliminate the borders. Curious to see what happens to the task bar as mine will no longer "hide" when running Surround.

 

Regarding performance, I cannot detect any difference between Window or Full with P3D. 30FPS is 30PFS either way - no stutters. I too, actually prefer Window mode as it allows me more freedom to work with other items when simming.

[duckbilled 310]

Full screen always. It just seems a little smoother.

[1st fltsimguy 468]

Windowed mode allows users to access other programs like Plan-G while still flying, Or pdf charts of a larger airport for approach runway info etc.

 

I occasionally will do full screen for bush flying especially if I know where I'm at and doing VFR.

 

I'm tuned up so that stutters are almost a never happens experience in either mode.

[francesco.doenz 2]

Interesting to read all these opinions, when I run P3D in windowed mode I get around 100-120 FPS, in full screen I get only 30-40 FPS!? Any explanations??

I run windows 7 64.

[simmerhead 885]

Windowed mode kills immersion for me, but it is more practical, so I reched a compromise and use an iPad for map, checlists, charts, surf the net and play music.

[Tierborn 198]

In windowed-mode .. be sure to right click the taskbar and autohide under properties menu

[bendig105 0]

Windowed here too.