DXWnd – Force almost anything into a windowed mode

Posted on 16th October 2007 - 80 Comments

2007-10-16_201052 DXWnd Version Tested : 1.20
Compatibility : Unsure

Description : A very simple app that forces a number of full screen games into windowed mode. Only works if game uses Direct X

It’ an odd post for today. Sorry about the recent lack. explanation to come. Anyway, DXWnd. I found this when I decided trying to run Final Fantasy in an emulator was not the way to go. So I borrowed FF 8 off a friend, however, to my horror, only full screen mode. I searched and searched to find a way to force it into a windowed mode, and came across one working solution.

All you do is add the exe and then run it, which forces the windowed mode. It claims to also work with Maple Story, but it’s quite an old project now, dead in fact, so I have no idea if it will work with MS or not. I had a go at MS a while ago, but uninstalled due to lack of HD space at the time.

I have the funny feeling this may also work on more recent games as well. Direct X is quite common in many games. Most full screen games have some functionality to go windowed, but some games limit the use due to fear of hacks and the like.

Running games in windowed mode does take up more resources though, so be ware of that if you don’t have a high end computer. Of course, I would expect the likes of yourself to have something fairly substantial.

Conclusion : Simple, efficient, easy. No mess, No fuss. Forces windowed mode without asking for a billion options.

Website : N/A. Official site quoted in the app has been shut down. Does link to another website, but no mention of DXWnd.

Download : I re packaged the download into a 7z file. download HERE or if you want it in a .zip or .rar, please see this post HERE, which will change the zip type for you. 7zip is the most compressed mind you!

Due to the high traffic for these links, I have had to change the links an advert based hoop. Click “skip add” when the page loads in the top right to continue.


80 Responses to “DXWnd – Force almost anything into a windowed mode”

  1. Oh, it works with Maplestory. In fact, this is one of the most popular third party programs for Maplestory, and I’ve never had any problems. This was actually created by a fan of the game, based upon an even older program that used to be used for the same purposes, though the name escapes me, just now.

    And yes, Maplestory is one hell of a bloated game, storage wise.

    bonekhan said this on November 10th, 2007 at 3:38 pm

  2. I’m playing maple story, and did as the above instructed. The DXwnd isn’t working for me at all. It just goes directly to full screen mode. =P

    JOJOMON11 said this on December 5th, 2007 at 1:05 pm

  3. I’d really like to know where to find this program for my Mac. Google doesn’t really offer any help finding it. So if anyone knows where to get it, that’d be great.

    jez said this on February 1st, 2008 at 1:30 pm

  4. Would really appreciate if any download link would be posted.

    WildwestGoh said this on March 18th, 2008 at 8:25 am

  5. Link please XD

    Byakuya said this on March 29th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

  6. Re first comment bonelkhan, the name is to do with direct x. Direct X, windowed, wnd. see?

    relequestual said this on March 30th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

  7. Kramer auto Pingback[...] The website has moved, to see the rest of the post and the download link, please click here [...]

    DXWnd - Force almost anything into a windowed mode « Appaholic said this on April 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 am

  8. Awesome. Works like a charm. Also, thanks for hosting the file.

    @Jez: native Mac games don’t use DirectX, so this program is useless to you. I’ve heard of an app called OpenGL Profiler that can do this for you. Good luck :)

    Justin said this on April 3rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm

  9. LEARN HOW TO READ
    1) THIS ENTIRE SITE DOESN’T SUPPORT MAC STUFF AT ALL
    2) IT DOESN’T WORK FOR ALL GAMES – IT’S ALSO OLD
    3) IT CLEARLY SAYS “DOWNLOAD HERE”

    jackass said this on May 2nd, 2008 at 5:17 pm

  10. Kramer auto Pingback[...] there is still a way to run SMAC in a window. Try DXWnd. You can find it at the end of this article. The only problem is that you cannot see the cursor. Although there are some options to fiddle [...]

    SMAC in XP windowed mode - Apolyton Civilization Site Forums said this on June 8th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

  11. Kramer auto Pingback[...] 100% Guaranteed. Sponsored by: http://www.RegistryEasyCleaner.com &#149 Found on Ads by Yahoo! DXWnd – Force almost anything into a windowed mode | AppAholic @Jez: native Mac games don’t use DirectX, so this program is useless to you. … SMAC in XP [...]

    force windowed mode in xp directx - Dogpile Web Search said this on July 18th, 2008 at 12:55 am

  12. Kramer auto Pingback[...] hier gibt es ein programm mit dem man die meisten spiele in den windowed mode forcieren kann. das einzige problem ist dass ich nicht weiss ob es mit windows kompatibel ist da der screenshot nach mac aussieht. kanns grad auch nicht probieren weil ich in der arbeit bin. ich werds heute abend mal probieren und den post bei erfolg editen. [...]

    PC-Version von FF7 unter Vista 64bit nutzen - Multimediaxis said this on August 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

  13. Trojan.Swizzor-82 detected in the exe file by ClamAV antivirus.

    I use “http://www.virustotal.com/” to test the exe file.

    jojo said this on September 4th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

  14. Yes, I just got the same, however, I suspect this is because of a windows hook to manipulate the window. 1 out of 36, I don’t consider this a threat personally, however use at your own risk.

    relequestual said this on September 4th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

  15. Kramer auto Pingback[...] Your page is on StumbleUpon [...]

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  16. Kramer auto Pingback[...] hier gibt es ein programm mit dem man die meisten spiele in den windowed mode forcieren kann. das einzige problem ist dass ich nicht weiss ob es mit windows kompatibel ist da der screenshot nach mac aussieht. kanns grad auch nicht probieren weil ich in der arbeit bin. ich werds heute abend mal probieren und den post bei erfolg editen. __________________ Derzeit am zocken: Final Fantasy XII Meine AMV’s: FFVII:CC FFVII: AC FFVII,VIII,X und DoC FFVII FFVII,VIII und X Ge

    PC-Version von FF7 unter Vista 64bit nutzen - Multimediaxis said this on November 22nd, 2008 at 10:10 am

  17. Kramer auto Pingback[...] handful of utilities that force Direct3D/DirectDraw-based games to a window. A quick Google yields this, however it’s not the one I was looking [...]

    win95/DOS games in XP windowed mode - PC - Gaming - Whirlpool Broadband Forums said this on February 23rd, 2009 at 1:48 am

  18. Kramer auto Pingback[...] can’t use a virtual PC since I’m on a Home Premium version of Vista64 I even loving tried using DXWnd but that didn’t even loving work. Apparently both of these programs lack the ability to properly [...]

    Navyfield: Return to North America to stop the South American Invasion - The Something Awful Forums said this on March 2nd, 2009 at 12:01 am

  19. Kramer auto Pingback[...] Im pissed I got it for PC and I cant run windowed mode DAMN IT! You could try using DXWnd. [...]

    RE4 PC Mods - NeoGAF said this on March 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm

  20. Kramer auto Pingback[...] Hernan » Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:04 am You can use dxwind Puyo Puyo Youtube channel! [...]

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  21. Kramer auto Pingback[...] 19 April 2009 (EDT) Hum, looks like another Vista problem… Do you have the problem when using DXWnd? I use the following settings (but I’m under [...]

    User talk:Seb76 - UFOpaedia said this on April 21st, 2009 at 2:53 am

  22. Not working…bets app for windowed games is D3D Windower

    n said this on April 29th, 2009 at 4:22 pm

  23. tried for diablo1 and didn’t worked same for d3d

    aLe said this on May 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 am

  24. Kramer auto Pingback[...] [Found on Windows Live, Yahoo! Search] 5. DXWnd – Force almost anything into a win… … Description : A very simple app that forces a number of full screen games into windowed mode. [...]

    Dogpile UK - Web Search: run game Windowed mode said this on May 9th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

  25. Kramer auto Pingback[...] handful of utilities that force Direct3D/DirectDraw-based games to a window. A quick Google yields this, however it’s not the one I was looking [...]

    win95/DOS games in XP windowed mode - PC - Gaming said this on May 10th, 2009 at 9:21 am

  26. Kramer auto Pingback[...] Hernan » Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:04 am You can use dxwind Be back in a few weeks. [...]

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  27. Kramer auto Pingback[...] by peregrinite » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:46 pm This should solve alot of problems we’ve been having getting our games to work. It’s an application that will force any game that uses Direct X into windowed mode. The only game I’ve tried it on so far is Dracula 3 Path of the Dragon. Works like a charm though Here’s the link:http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd … owed-mode/ [...]

    Acer Aspire One User Forum • View topic - Found a way to force any game into Windowed Mode!!!!! said this on June 17th, 2009 at 3:25 am

  28. Kramer auto Pingback[...] [...]

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  29. [...] picture when playing on a wide screen. So I downloaded a cool program I’ve used in the past called DXWnd and tried playing in window mode. No change, except now everything is smaller and the things that [...]

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  30. Kramer auto Pingback[...] Because it’s so freakin’ ancient. It’s like 10 years old now. And you can always use DXWnd. http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dx…windowed-mode/ __________________ [...]

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  31. Kramer auto Pingback[...] DXWnd – Force almost anything into a windowed mode Posted on 16th October 2007 – var pubId=3268; var siteId=3269; var kadId=2928; var kadwidth=468; var kadheight=60; Version Tested : 1.20 Compatibility : Unsure [...]

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  32. tried this with Silent Hill Homecoming, using DX9… it’s fine but… the mouse keeps on hovering around, and everytime it hovers in the taskbar, it switches to the explorers… hope there’s a fix…

    dead_executive05 said this on August 27th, 2009 at 7:21 am

  33. Kramer auto Pingback[...] Going to try to force the game into window mode with this:http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd-force-almost-anything-into-a-windowed-mode/ [...]

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  35. Kramer auto Pingback[...]

    Force windowed mode - .aNiMe//GR Forums said this on September 6th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

  36. Kramer auto Pingback[...] try DXWnd? it is supposed to force DX8 and DX9 games to run in windowed mode. http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dx…windowed-mode/ [...]

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  37. Kramer auto Pingback[...] know Hateworkboy used one for Fallout, but I forget the name. Quick google search came up with this:http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd … owed-mode/Only works for games that use DirectX, though. _________________Break wrote:Nate wrote:What does [...]

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  38. Kramer auto Pingback[...] seems to be so many different versions of dxwnd and no official site? http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd-force-almost-anything-into-a-windowed-mode/ [...]

    How do you debug a full screen program? said this on October 22nd, 2009 at 10:37 pm

  39. This worked at SW Force Unleashed :D :D:D:D:D

    Razvan said this on November 17th, 2009 at 4:11 am

  40. but i can’t find the cursor, hjx :(

    student said this on November 17th, 2009 at 6:22 am

  41. Kramer auto Pingback[...] – maybe there is something also for windowed mode resolution hidden somewhere… than try this: http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dx…windowed-mode/ __________________ WOK pan? You sure mean WOG… Equilibrium? You sure mean Equlibris… [...]

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  42. Kramer auto Pingback[...] Or try DXWnd [...]

    Force game to run in window? - Super User said this on November 30th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

  43. A more detailed analysis of what your options are is on http://pomax.nihongoresources.com/index.php?entry=1244302766 (lists four possible window-force methods)

    Pomax said this on December 7th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

  44. Wow :) very nice blog man .. and usefull information on it.

    OvidiuS said this on December 7th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

  45. Kramer auto Pingback[...] http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd-fo…-windowed-mode/oppure prova con DosBox, essendo vecchi giochi dovrebbe funzionare. [...]

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  46. Kramer auto Pingback[...] There is some software out there which claims to run any DirectX game in Windowed mode.http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd-fo…-windowed-mode/ [...]

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  47. Kramer auto Pingback[...] there is a (quite old) tool out there that will allow you to do this. Enter DXWND, an application that will force games into Windowed [...]

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  48. Kramer auto Pingback[...] VISTA我沒試過)下載位置: http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd-force-almost-anything-into-a-windowed-mode/設定步驟1 – 用管理員身份來執行DXWnd步驟2 – DXWnd設定完成~玩NF前先執行DXWnd, [...]

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  49. [...] Try using DXWNnd. There’s a program out there that’s called “dxwnd.” This program intercepts [...]

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  50. Kramer auto Pingback[...] they look great on my current monitor in 1280x. However, you may wish to check out this post: http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd-force-almost-anything-into-a-windowed-mode/ as this has an English-ified version of the Japanese program I used called dxwnd. I’ll have a [...]

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  51. [...] http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10…nto-a-windowed-mode/ [...]

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  52. Kramer auto Pingback[...] DXWnd – Force almost anything into a windowed mode | AppAholi..DXWnd – Force almost anything into a win

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  54. Kramer auto Pingback[...] the target to -w-w means windowedhttp://compsimgames.about.com/cs/firstt … ndowed.htmEDIT : http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd … owed-mode/StartupFullscreen=0If all doesnt work It would be really cool if you still provide us values for the [...]

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  55. Kramer auto Pingback[...] Thanks to everyone who replied and tried to help!! Thanks Toothless!!! I got it to work, does the command line +windowed 1 work for all games, just fear, just steam games or what. Something else: I found a program that will put almost any game in a windowed mode, (it didn't work on fear 2) here it is if anyone is interested. http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dx…windowed-mode/ [...]

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  56. Kramer auto Pingback[...] in Windowed Mode, then try using these Tools, which I'm giving. Follow the instructions carefully. http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10…nto-a-windowed-mode/http://www.3dfxzone.it/dir/tools/3d_analyze/download/For 3D-Analyze: DL this program, and then [...]

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  60. i will try

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  63. Kramer auto Pingback[...] -w, -window, -windowed, alt+enter. anyone got any ideas? Ok, I may have a solution: donwload the DXWnd Tool. It worked for me at least, but you can't really drag the window around. Open [...]

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  66. Kramer auto Pingback[...] that you mentioned in your youtube video. I only say this because you can make it windowed with DXwnd. I remember using it a couple years ago and it worked great.http://appaholic.co.uk/wp-content/uploa [...]

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  68. Kramer auto Pingback[...] If the app uses directX you can use DXWnd (to force the directX render into a window). Here: http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dxwnd-…owed-mode/ Or if that doesn't work try running the app with "-w" as an argument. There isn't a catch all [...]

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  70. Kramer auto Pingback[...] Try hitting “ALT-Enter” 2. Try altering the command line switch 3. Try using DXWNnd. 4. “Sizer” lets you automatically resize a window. 5. Virtualization [...]

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  75. [...] fix the problem I would appreciate it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWpKBFryn-A I once tried http://appaholic.co.uk/2007/10/16/dx…windowed-mode/ which is an application that forces almost any game into a windowed mode. It did force the game [...]

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    Blizzhackers • View topic - How do you debug a full screen program? said this on November 5th, 2010 at 2:24 pm

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    how can i put the game split second velocity in windowed mode? said this on December 12th, 2010 at 11:36 am

  80. Hello there
    We are trying to use DXWnd for Splinter Cell Conviction it’s starts but the problem is
    that the window is up in the top right of the screen we cannot move it to the center of the
    screen the cursor will not go outside the game window even alt=tab will not work the game
    crashes we are tyring switch between the game and a walkthrough but cannot switch windows.
    How can we fix this please?

    Thanks

    shaun said this on December 26th, 2010 at 12:10 pm

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