Windows Help Does Not Save Maximized Window Position

ID: Q107199

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

Windows Help does not retain its maximized window position when you restart it.

CAUSE

Windows Help screens save their settings on closing by writing their window positions to the [Windows Help] section of the WIN.INI file. Help screens that you have maximized do not retain a maximized window position when you restart Help. The screens open up in a large framed window rather than full screen and shift to the right on the desktop.

WORKAROUND

NOTE: The following workarounds require that the Help screens remain in a window and are not maximized.

Use the mouse to drag the borders of the Help window to the desired size, then close the window.

-or-

Edit the [Help] section of the WIN.INI file with the following statements for your video mode:

1024 x 768 SVGA:


   [Windows Help]
   H_WindowPosition=[266,200,266,200,0]
   M_WindowPosition=[0,0,1024,768,0]

800 x 600 SVGA:


   [Windows Help]
   H_WindowPosition=[266,200,266,200,0]
   M_WindowPosition=[0,0,800,600,0]

640 x 480 VGA:


   [Windows Help]
   H_WindowPosition=[266,200,266,200,0]
   M_WindowPosition=[0,0,640,480,0]

640 x 350 EGA:


   [Windows Help]
   H_WindowPosition=[266,200,266,200,0]
   M_WindowPosition=[0,0,640,350,0]

Any attempt to maximize the Help screen by using the maximize button or by double-clicking the title bar overwrites the changes in the WIN.INI file. Window placement must then be changed with the mouse or by editing the WIN.INI file. A comment or REM line containing the proper values can be added to the WIN.INI so that these values are readily available if the Help window is accidentally maximized. For example:


   [Windows Help]

   H_WindowPosition=[266,200,266,200,0]
   ;H_WindowPosition=[266,200,266,200,0]
   M_WindowPosition=[0,0,1024,768,0]
   ;M_WindowPosition=[0,0,1024,768,0]

NOTE: To achieve the exact size and position of the desktop for the Help window, the WIN.INI file must be edited. Using the mouse for placement leaves a slight border of the desktop outside the Help window or places the Help window border slightly off the desktop.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the products at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: 3.10 3.11 Help WIN.INI maximize

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :