Are you tired of dealing with windows that refuse to go full screen on your Windows 10 device? Do you find yourself constantly adjusting the size of your windows to get the most out of your screen real estate? If so, you’re not alone. Many Windows 10 users struggle with this issue, but fortunately, there are several solutions that can help. In this article, we’ll explore the different methods for forcing full screen on Windows 10, including keyboard shortcuts, settings tweaks, and third-party software.
Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
One of the simplest ways to force full screen on Windows 10 is by using keyboard shortcuts. Here are a few shortcuts that can help:
- F11 key: Pressing the F11 key will toggle full screen mode on and off. This shortcut works for most applications, including web browsers, media players, and document editors.
- Windows key + Up arrow: This shortcut will maximize the current window, making it full screen. To restore the window to its original size, press the Windows key + Down arrow.
- Windows key + Left/Right arrow: These shortcuts will move the current window to the left or right side of the screen, allowing you to easily compare two windows side by side.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts with Multiple Monitors
If you’re using multiple monitors, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts to move windows between screens:
- Windows key + Shift + Left/Right arrow: These shortcuts will move the current window to the left or right monitor.
- Windows key + Shift + Up arrow: This shortcut will maximize the current window on the current monitor.
Method 2: Tweaking Settings
In addition to using keyboard shortcuts, you can also tweak your Windows 10 settings to force full screen mode. Here’s how:
Enabling Full Screen Mode in the Settings App
To enable full screen mode in the Settings app, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I.
- Click on the “System” icon.
- Click on the “Display” tab.
- Under the “Display” section, toggle the switch next to “Full screen” to the “On” position.
Enabling Full Screen Mode in the Registry Editor
Alternatively, you can enable full screen mode by editing the Windows Registry. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- Create a new DWORD value named “FullScreen” and set its value to 1.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Software
If you’re not satisfied with the built-in methods for forcing full screen on Windows 10, you can try using third-party software. Here are a few options:
AutoHotkey
AutoHotkey is a popular scripting language that allows you to automate tasks on your Windows device. You can use AutoHotkey to create a script that forces full screen mode on your windows. Here’s an example script:
autohotkey
^f11::
WinGet, win, ID, A
WinSet, Style, ^0xC00000, , ahk_id %win%
return
This script will toggle full screen mode on the current window when you press Ctrl + F11.
Actual Window Manager
Actual Window Manager is a third-party software that allows you to manage your windows more efficiently. With this software, you can force full screen mode on any window, as well as customize the behavior of your windows in other ways.
Method 4: Using the Windows 10 Taskbar
Finally, you can also use the Windows 10 taskbar to force full screen mode on your windows. Here’s how:
Using the Taskbar to Maximize Windows
To maximize a window using the taskbar, follow these steps:
- Click on the window you want to maximize.
- Right-click on the taskbar and select “Show windows side by side.”
- Click on the window again to maximize it.
Using the Taskbar to Restore Windows
To restore a window to its original size using the taskbar, follow these steps:
- Click on the window you want to restore.
- Right-click on the taskbar and select “Show windows stacked.”
- Click on the window again to restore it to its original size.
Conclusion
Forcing full screen on Windows 10 can be a bit tricky, but there are several methods that can help. Whether you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, tweaking settings, or using third-party software, there’s a solution out there for you. By following the methods outlined in this article, you should be able to force full screen mode on your windows and get the most out of your screen real estate.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Here are a few additional tips and tricks for managing your windows on Windows 10:
- Use the Windows key + Tab to cycle through your open windows. This shortcut will display a list of your open windows, allowing you to easily switch between them.
- Use the Windows key + D to show your desktop. This shortcut will minimize all of your windows, allowing you to access your desktop.
- Use the Windows key + E to open File Explorer. This shortcut will open File Explorer, allowing you to easily access your files and folders.
By following these tips and tricks, you should be able to manage your windows more efficiently and get the most out of your Windows 10 device.
What is the difference between full-screen mode and maximized window mode in Windows 10?
Full-screen mode and maximized window mode are two different display settings in Windows 10. Full-screen mode allows an application or a window to occupy the entire screen, hiding the taskbar, title bar, and other desktop elements. On the other hand, maximized window mode makes a window as large as possible within the desktop area, but it still displays the taskbar and title bar.
While both modes provide an immersive experience, full-screen mode is ideal for applications that require the user’s undivided attention, such as games, video players, or presentation software. In contrast, maximized window mode is suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, emailing, or working with documents.
How do I force full-screen mode on a Windows 10 application that doesn’t support it natively?
Some applications may not have a built-in full-screen mode, but you can still force them to run in full-screen mode using the Windows 10 settings. To do this, press the Windows key + P to open the Projector window, and then select the ‘Computer only’ or ‘Second screen only’ option. This will make the application window full-screen, but it may not hide the taskbar or title bar.
Alternatively, you can use third-party software like AutoHotkey or DisplayFusion to create custom hotkeys or scripts that can force an application to run in full-screen mode. These tools offer more advanced features and customization options, but they may require some technical expertise to set up.
Can I force full-screen mode on multiple monitors in Windows 10?
Yes, you can force full-screen mode on multiple monitors in Windows 10. To do this, press the Windows key + P to open the Projector window, and then select the ‘Extend’ option. This will allow you to extend your desktop across multiple monitors, and you can then force a full-screen application to span across all monitors.
Alternatively, you can use the Windows 10 settings to configure your multiple monitors. Go to Settings > System > Display, and then select the ‘Multiple displays’ dropdown menu. From here, you can choose to extend your desktop, duplicate your desktop, or show only one desktop on multiple monitors.
How do I exit full-screen mode in Windows 10?
To exit full-screen mode in Windows 10, you can press the F11 key or the Windows key + Up arrow key. This will restore the application window to its original size and display the taskbar and title bar.
Alternatively, you can move your cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the title bar, and then click the ‘Restore Down’ button (represented by two overlapping squares). This will also exit full-screen mode and restore the application window to its original size.
Can I force full-screen mode on a Windows 10 game that doesn’t support it natively?
Yes, you can force full-screen mode on a Windows 10 game that doesn’t support it natively. To do this, you can use the Windows 10 settings to configure the game’s display settings. Go to Settings > Gaming > Game bar, and then toggle the ‘Use Game bar for full-screen games’ option to On.
Alternatively, you can use third-party software like FRAPS or DxWnd to force a game to run in full-screen mode. These tools offer more advanced features and customization options, but they may require some technical expertise to set up.
How do I force full-screen mode on a Windows 10 application that is stuck in windowed mode?
If a Windows 10 application is stuck in windowed mode, you can try forcing it to run in full-screen mode by pressing the F11 key or the Windows key + Up arrow key. If this doesn’t work, you can try restarting the application or reinstalling it.
Alternatively, you can use the Windows 10 settings to configure the application’s display settings. Go to Settings > System > Display, and then select the ‘Display adapter properties’ option. From here, you can adjust the display settings to force the application to run in full-screen mode.
Are there any risks or limitations to forcing full-screen mode on a Windows 10 application?
Forcing full-screen mode on a Windows 10 application can have some risks and limitations. For example, some applications may not be optimized for full-screen mode, which can result in display issues or performance problems.
Additionally, forcing full-screen mode can also limit your ability to multitask or access other desktop elements, such as the taskbar or system tray. Therefore, it’s essential to weigh the benefits and risks of forcing full-screen mode on a Windows 10 application before doing so.