Introduction

How to Set WordStar to Use More Than a 25-Line Display

WordStar can be set to show more than the default 25 lines of 80 characters each; some of which will be consumed by WordStar's menus, status line, and line status indicators.

There are two stages to needed to set this under Microsoft Windows:

1. Set WordStar to use more lines
2. Set the Windows' DOS window to use more lines. The steps for this are slightly different for Windows 9x, and for Windows XP

WordStar Settings

1. Start WSCHANGE and give a new name to the second option in the start-up screen so that your existing WordStar settings can still be used. For example: type WS.EXE for nthe first option, and WS50 for the second - assuming you're going to choose a 50-line display setting.
2. Select A Console
3. Select A Monitor
4. Select C Screen sizing
5. Select A Height
6. Type the number of lines you want. Use 25, 43, or 50 if you're using Windows.
7. Type X, X, X, X, Y to exit all menus and save settings

You now need to create and set up a Windows shortcut to run WordStar with the new settings.

Windows 9x Shortcut Settings

1. Right-click the desktop, then in the pop-up menu click New, and then click Shortcut
2. Browse for the modified ws.exe created above, or just type it's path and filename into the Command line box
3. Click Next
4. Give the shortcut a new name that means something to you: e.g., WordStar 50-Lines
5. Click Finish
6. Right-click the new shortcut
7. In the pop-up menu, click Properties
8. Click the Program tab
9. Check the Close on exit check box to close the DOS window when you exit WordStar
10. Click the Change Icon button
11. Click OK in the warning that WS.EXE doesn't contain any icons
12. Select an icon from the options shown, or click the Browse button to locate another icon file (try browsing to your WordStar directory and select an icon from there)
13. With the chosen icon highlighted, click Open, then click OK.
14. Select the Font tab and choose Auto
15. Select the Screen tab
16. Choose whether to start WordStar in a window or full-screen. You can switch between these two options when WordStar is running by holding down the ALT key and pressing the Enter key
17. Set the Initial size to match the number of lines you set in WSCHANGE
18. Click OK

Windows XP Shortcut Settings

1. Right-click the desktop and in the pop-up menu, click New, and then click Shortcut
2. Browse for the modified ws.exe created above, or just type it's path and filename into the Type the location of the item box
3. Click Next
4. Give the shortcut a new name that means something to you: e.g., WordStar 50-Lines
5. Click Next
   
6. Choose an icon from the selection offered - you can change this later if you wish
7. Click Finish
8. Right-click the new shortcut
9. Select Properties on the pop-up menu
10. Select the Program tab
11. In the box at the top, retype the meaningful name you gave the shortcut before.
12. Check the Close on exit check box to close the DOS window when you exit WordStar
13. Click the Change Icon button.
14. Select an icon from the options shown, or click the Browse button to locate another icon file (try browsing to your WordStar directory and select an icon from there)
15. With the chosen icon highlighted, click Open, then click OK.
16. Select the Font tab and choose Auto. This will allow you to resize the window if you want to
17. Select the Screen tab
18. Choose whether to start WordStar in a window or full-screen. You can switch between these two options when WordStar is running by holding down the ALT key and pressing the Enter key
19. Click OK