Changing Windows metric value without the need of logoff/reboot

Question

_{Friday, September 15, 2017 12:45 PM}

Hi,

I need applying those value on Windows 8.1 directly on registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics]

"BorderWidth"="0"

"PaddedBorderWidth"="0"

This is not a problem. However, I need a reboot/logoff to make the change taking force.

Is it a way to enforce this value without the reboot/logoff need. Such rundll32 or other powershell code?

I tried killing explorer process with no success.

Thanks,

François

All replies (10)

_{Monday, September 18, 2017 7:03 AM}

Hi François,

Based on my research, these changes made in the registry are not effective until you log off and then log on again. Using PowerShell script is actually modifying the registry, so logoff and logon also needed.
In order to effective immediately, you could have a try changing these setting in the control panel. For example, in Windows 7, you could navigate to All Control Panel Items > Personalization > Windows Color > Item: Border Padding.

For more information, please refer to the following article:
BorderWidth
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc978630.aspx

If you need further help, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,
Albert Ling

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_{Monday, September 18, 2017 7:31 AM}

A program can send a windows message to all applications running including the desktop to notify the programs that the configuration has changed.  Some programs may not apply yhr settings because they only apply these settings on start.  Better designed programs "listen" for this message and act accordingly.

See the Windows SDK documentation on MSDN for more on how notify the session that settings have been changed.

\(ツ)_/

_{Monday, September 18, 2017 10:38 AM}

Hi,

In Windows 8.1 The interface you mention is no more existing.

Thanks,

_{Monday, September 18, 2017 10:43 AM}

Hi,

In Windows 8.1 The interface you mention is no more existing.

Thanks,

What interface are you referring to?

\(ツ)_/

_{Monday, September 18, 2017 10:50 AM}

https://technet.microsoft.com/sr-latn-rs/library/ms632650

\(ツ)_/

_{Monday, September 18, 2017 10:53 AM}

This is how metrics are handled: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn469266(v=vs.85).aspx

Programs that are not written to handle this will not change without a restart of the session.

\(ツ)_/

_{Monday, September 18, 2017 4:05 PM}

Hi,

This interface:

https://winaero.com/blog/how-to-reduce-window-border-size-in-windows-8-windows-7-and-windows-vista/

_{Monday, September 18, 2017 6:08 PM}

Hi,

This interface:

https://winaero.com/blog/how-to-reduce-window-border-size-in-windows-8-windows-7-and-windows-vista/

Not the same issue.

\(ツ)_/

_{Tuesday, September 19, 2017 9:54 AM}

Hi,

You asked me which interface was removed in Windows 8 so I showed you. Actually, the only way to change border size is with registry key as MS removed the Windows interface.

I tried Killing explorer process, changing the default user registry key and everytime, for a new profile, I need a reboot or a logoff.

Thanks,

_{Tuesday, September 19, 2017 9:59 AM}

Hi,

You asked me which interface was removed in Windows 8 so I showed you. Actually, the only way to change border size is with registry key as MS removed the Windows interface.

I tried Killing explorer process, changing the default user registry key and everytime, for a new profile, I need a reboot or a logoff.

Thanks,

Which has nothing to do with the original question which was how to get the change to take -- no matter how it is implemented -- without a session restart.

To get changes to take the programs must receive and use the change notification.  If you change the registry then you must send the notification in code.  The UI does this for you.  Most programs do not and cannot honor the change message because they are not written to do this.  There is nothing you can do about these programs except logoff and on.  Some elements of Windows will respond to changes but many will not.

In Win 10 all of the colors and borders are set by the theme nd you cannot edit a theme.  You can create a new theme set the way you want and select it.  All Aero apps will respond to theme changes immediately.  Older Windows apps will not.

In W8 and earlier you could just set the "Classic" Windows theme and all things could be edited independently.  This capability no longer exists.

\(ツ)_/