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First let me confirm that this process is reversible but it requires you manually editing your registry files. If you are comfortable with that process then please proceed!

It also appears this tweak does not work on the Surface Pro thanks to the testing of my friend @FreddyFuentes. If anyone knows how to make this tweak with on a Surface Pro please let us know in the comments. Otherwise, us Surface RT owners will enjoy this tweak all to ourselves!

Screenshot (120)

Standard Surface Start Screen display with three rows of tiles.

Screenshot (119)

Modified Surface Start Screen display with four rows of tiles.

As you can see from the screenshots the tiles and text are smaller but still very readable and functional. I have not noticed any detrimental impact on the operation of Surface since adding this registry tweak either.

So interested in expanding the real estate on your Surface Start Screen?

There are two ways to do this and that is to manually create the registry file that will add the tweak or use my ready made registry file to add it to your system. Ultimately your choice with what you feel most comfortable with. Whichever method you use a restart is required once you merge the new registry entry into your systems registry for the new layout to work.

To create the text file just start Notepad and place the following text in the file and save it with whatever name helps you remember its purpose:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerScaling]
“MonitorSize”=”12.1”

Or you can download the file from here – Surface RT Display Four Tile Rows Tweak (371 downloads) (1KB).

Enjoy and let us know how this goes on your Surface device.

Sources: WinSource and XDA Forums