Windows mode day to day
When you’re not using it
Section titled “When you’re not using it”Windows mode only works hard while a Windows app is open. A minute after you close the last one, it steps back. What it does is set in Settings > Windows apps > Windows mode > When no Windows app is open:
| Choice | What happens | Next Windows app opens in |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic (recommended) | Pauses in memory, using no processor time. On battery, or when less than a quarter of memory is free, it saves itself to disk instead and hands all its memory back. | About 1 second when paused, about 5 when saved |
| Keep ready in memory | Always pauses in memory. Fastest to come back, but keeps its memory. | About 1 second |
| Save to disk | Always saves to disk and frees its memory. | About 5 seconds |
From completely off, Windows takes about 30 seconds to start.
Settings shows what Windows mode is doing right now: Running, Paused, Saved to disk or Off, with how much memory and space it’s using.
Matches your desktop
Section titled “Matches your desktop”Windows programs follow your light or dark theme and your accent colour, and change with them. See appearance.
Sound from Windows programs plays through your speakers or headphones like any other app.
The full Windows desktop
Section titled “The full Windows desktop”You shouldn’t need it, but if you want to change something inside Windows itself, go to Settings > Windows apps > Windows mode > Troubleshooting and open Windows desktop. The whole Windows desktop appears in a window.
Before you shut down
Section titled “Before you shut down”Save your work in Windows programs before you shut down or restart, as you would on Windows. Keeping unsaved work safe through a shutdown is still being finished.