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If you have multiple monitors, here's a great alternative for running FSX or P3D. It's called "Borderless". What is it, and how to achieve it?
Important: this article is primarily for Classic/Boxed FSX or P3D pilots who have multiple monitors but display FSX/P3D on only one of those monitors, using their other monitor(s) for something else like maps or tracking software. It is also based on my experience with FSX and Windows 7 with 2 screens, not with Windows 8, with P3D or with more than 2 screens. It is not directed at pilots who are running FSX/P3D across multiple monitors, nor at pilots with only one monitor, or who use Steam.
Normally, pilots run FSX/P3D in one of two modes: windowed or full screen. (Additionally, windowed mode can be maximized or non-maximized.) To recap on each:
The advantages of full-screen are:
Conversely the advantages of windowed are:
What is "Borderless"?
Borderless aims to give you the best of both worlds. Your main FSX/P3D screen is displayed full-size. Your other screen(s) is not blank, and you still have access to it/them.
How do I access my taskbar in Borderless?
Click on your other screen and the taskbar appears at the bottom of your main FSX/P3D screen. Click back on your main FSX/P3D and the taskbar disappears.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Borderless?
The advantages of Borderless are:
How do I install Borderless?
Can I get it from elsewhere?
The license states "This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version." so it would seem that it could also be hosted in the msflights vault or on someone's OneDrive etc.
How do I run FSX/P3D in Borderless mode?
Click on the Borderless shortcut icon instead of the normal FSX icon.
How do I uninstall Borderless?
Just remove the .exe file.
Does Storm recommend Borderless?
I run it all the time now. I can't believe I've been running for years without it!
Update: This has now been added to the vault!
Important: this article is primarily for Classic/Boxed FSX or P3D pilots who have multiple monitors but display FSX/P3D on only one of those monitors, using their other monitor(s) for something else like maps or tracking software. It is also based on my experience with FSX and Windows 7 with 2 screens, not with Windows 8, with P3D or with more than 2 screens. It is not directed at pilots who are running FSX/P3D across multiple monitors, nor at pilots with only one monitor, or who use Steam.
Normally, pilots run FSX/P3D in one of two modes: windowed or full screen. (Additionally, windowed mode can be maximized or non-maximized.) To recap on each:
- Windowed: FSX/P3D runs on your main screen. It's not quite full-size on that screen as you can still see the taskbar at the bottom of the screen, with the start button on the left and the time/date and system tray on the right. Your other screen(s) can be used for maps, tracking software, browsers, or non-flight-related applications. It's possible for FSX/P3D to run in a smaller than maximum size frame, and as with all frames you can toggle between the two by clicking the box(es) next to the X at the top-right of the FSX/P3D frame.
- Full-screen: FSX/P3D runs on your main screen. It is full-size. You can no longer see the taskbar. It is the only active screen, so if you have, for example, two screens, the other screen is blank.
The advantages of full-screen are:
- More immersive.
- No distractions.
- Screenshots are full-size.
- Frame rates may be better.
- You can't display or access pilot aids, browsers or other apps.
- You're 'wasting' a whole screen.
Conversely the advantages of windowed are:
- You can display and access pilot aids, browsers or other apps.
- Less immersive.
- Screenshots are slightly smaller than full-screen.
- Frame rates may be slightly poorer.
What is "Borderless"?
Borderless aims to give you the best of both worlds. Your main FSX/P3D screen is displayed full-size. Your other screen(s) is not blank, and you still have access to it/them.
How do I access my taskbar in Borderless?
Click on your other screen and the taskbar appears at the bottom of your main FSX/P3D screen. Click back on your main FSX/P3D and the taskbar disappears.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Borderless?
The advantages of Borderless are:
- More immersive.
- Screenshots are full-size.
- You can display and access pilot aids, browsers or other apps on your second screen.
- Frame rates may be better.
- Some people report fewer FSX crashes.
- Useful if you stream etc.
- You can't see the time/date clock (normally bottom right). If you need an on-screen clock, you must put one on your second screen.
How do I install Borderless?
- Go to the AVSIM library and search for fsx-p3d-borderless.zip (requires a free AVSIM account).
- Download and unzip it.
- Put the appropriate .exe in the top level application folder. For example, put FSX-Borderless.exe in C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X
- Create a shortcut for the .exe you've just installed and put on your desktop (or start menu, or taskbar).
Can I get it from elsewhere?
The license states "This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version." so it would seem that it could also be hosted in the msflights vault or on someone's OneDrive etc.
How do I run FSX/P3D in Borderless mode?
Click on the Borderless shortcut icon instead of the normal FSX icon.
How do I uninstall Borderless?
Just remove the .exe file.
Does Storm recommend Borderless?
I run it all the time now. I can't believe I've been running for years without it!
Update: This has now been added to the vault!
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