Maximizing windows and entering full-screen mode is a common task for productivity, gaming, video watching, or presentations. Windows 11 offers a variety of keyboard shortcuts, mouse actions, and system-level features to toggle between windowed and full-screen modes across applications, browsers, games, and the desktop.
This guide will walk you through every major method to enter or exit full-screen mode, with expert insights and key considerations for each step.
🧩 Overview of Full-Screen Modes in Windows 11
Before diving into shortcuts, it’s important to understand that there are three primary types of full-screen behavior:
- Window Maximization (Desktop Apps) – Makes an application fill the screen but still shows the taskbar.
- True Full-Screen Mode (Games, Media Players) – Hides everything including the taskbar and borders.
- Exclusive Full-Screen (Modern Apps & Games) – Takes over the entire display, often bypassing the desktop environment.
Each has different behaviors and keyboard shortcuts.
🎯 Section 1: Universal Keyboard Shortcuts for Full Screen
These shortcuts work across most applications and are essential for daily use.
✅ Shortcut 1: F11 — Toggle Full Screen (Most Apps)
Use Case: Browsers, File Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Word Online, etc.
Steps:
- Open an application that supports full-screen view (e.g., Microsoft Edge).
- Press the F11 key once to enter full-screen mode.
- Press F11 again to exit.
🔍 Expert Notes:
- Works best in modern apps and web browsers.
- May not function on laptops without pressing the Fn key unless Function Lock is enabled.
- Some websites or applications may override this shortcut.
✅ Shortcut 2: Windows + Up Arrow — Snap/Maximize Window
Use Case: Desktop apps like Notepad, Settings, File Explorer, etc.
Steps:
- Click on any resizable window.
- Press Windows + Up Arrow to maximize the window to full screen (fills the screen except the taskbar).
⚠️ Key Considerations:
- This is not true full screen, as the taskbar remains visible.
- Useful for productivity apps where visibility of other UI elements is needed.
✅ Shortcut 3: Windows + Shift + Enter — Launch App in Maximized Mode (If Supported)
Use Case: Applications launched from Start Menu or Search.
Steps:
- Open the Start Menu.
- Search for an app (e.g., Notepad).
- With the app selected, press Windows + Shift + Enter to launch it maximized.
🔍 Expert Notes:
- Not all apps support this command.
- Especially useful for legacy applications that don’t auto-maximize.
🎮 Section 2: Game and Media Player Full-Screen Shortcuts
For immersive experiences like gaming or video playback, these shortcuts are crucial.
✅ Shortcut 4: Alt + Enter — Toggle Full Screen in Games & Media Players
Use Case: DirectX-based games, VLC, media players, etc.
Steps:
- Run a game or open a video in a player like VLC.
- While running, press Alt + Enter to switch between windowed and full-screen mode.
⚠️ Key Considerations:
- Only works if the application supports switching via this shortcut.
- May not work in newer UWP apps or exclusive fullscreen apps.
- If unresponsive, try using the app’s own settings to change display mode.
✅ Shortcut 5: Windows + G → Fullscreen Capture Button (Xbox Game Bar)
Use Case: Capturing screenshots or videos while gaming.
Steps:
- Press Windows + G during gameplay to open the Xbox Game Bar.
- Click the Capture icon (or press Windows + Alt + R) to start recording.
- Use the fullscreen capture button to take a screenshot.
🔍 Expert Notes:
- Xbox Game Bar only works with DirectX-compatible apps.
- Not a full-screen toggle per se, but useful for capturing full-screen content.
🖥️ Section 3: Display and Presentation Shortcuts
Perfect for presentations, multi-monitor setups, and external displays.
✅ Shortcut 6: Windows + P — Switch Between Display Modes
Use Case: Presentations, dual monitors, projectors.
Steps:
- Connect an external monitor or projector.
- Press Windows + P to bring up the projection menu.
- Choose from:
- PC Screen Only
- Duplicate
- Extend
- Second Screen Only
⚠️ Key Considerations:
- “Second Screen Only” effectively puts your presentation or game in full screen on the external display.
- Ideal for presenters, streamers, and multi-display users.
✅ Shortcut 7: Windows + Ctrl + F — Legacy Fullscreen Toggle (Not Always Functional)
Use Case: Older applications or legacy systems.
Steps:
- In older versions of Windows, this was used to toggle full screen.
- In Windows 11, functionality varies depending on app compatibility.
🔍 Expert Notes:
- Most modern apps ignore this shortcut.
- Still functional in some enterprise software or virtual machines.
🧪 Section 4: Advanced Full-Screen Management
For power users and developers who want more control.
✅ Shortcut 8: Windows + Z — Activate Layout Context Menu (Snap Layouts)
Use Case: Multitasking with multiple apps.
Steps:
- Maximize a window by pressing Windows + Up Arrow.
- Press Windows + Z to activate snap layout options.
- Select a layout to place other windows alongside the current one.
🔍 Expert Notes:
- Enhances window management without fully exiting full screen.
- Great for hybrid workflows where partial full-screen is preferred.
✅ Shortcut 9: Windows + M / Windows + Shift + M — Minimize / Restore All Windows
Use Case: Quickly returning to the desktop.
Steps:
- Press Windows + M to minimize all windows to the desktop.
- Press Windows + Shift + M to restore them.
⚠️ Key Considerations:
- Not full screen per se, but useful for quick desktop access.
- Often used before launching a full-screen application.
📱 Section 5: Touch and Tablet Mode Shortcuts
For 2-in-1 devices and tablets running Windows 11.
✅ Gesture: Swipe Up from Bottom Edge (Touch Devices)
Use Case: Tablets and hybrid devices.
Steps:
- On a touchscreen device, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
- Hold briefly to maximize the current app to full screen.
🔍 Expert Notes:
- Mimics Android-style gesture navigation.
- Works well in tablet mode with touch-optimized apps.
🛡️ Expert-Level Tips and Best Practices
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Customize Function Keys Behavior | Go to BIOS/UEFI or manufacturer settings (like Lenovo Vantage) to set F1–F12 keys as default instead of multimedia keys. |
| Use Auto-Hide Taskbar for Immersive Experience | Right-click the taskbar > Taskbar Settings > Set “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode” to ON. |
| Check Application-Specific Settings | Some apps (like Steam games or Adobe Premiere) have their own full-screen settings inside Preferences or Display options. |
| Avoid Overlapping Shortcuts | Some third-party apps (like Discord, OBS, or Steam Overlay) can intercept system-wide shortcuts. Disable overlays temporarily if full-screen controls stop working. |
🧰 Summary Table of Full-Screen Shortcuts in Windows 11
| Shortcut | Action | Use Case | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
F11 | Toggle Full Screen | Web browsers, apps | Easy |
Windows + Up Arrow | Maximize Window | Desktop apps | Easy |
Windows + Shift + Enter | Launch App Maximized | Any app from Start Menu | Medium |
Alt + Enter | Toggle Full Screen in Games | DirectX apps | Medium |
Windows + P | Change Display Mode | Presentations, dual monitors | Medium |
Windows + Z | Snap Layout Menu | Multitasking | Medium |
Windows + M / Shift + M | Minimize / Restore All Windows | Quick desktop access | Easy |
| Swipe Up (Touch) | Maximize App | 2-in-1/Tablet mode | Easy |
✅ Final Thoughts from an Expert
Mastering full-screen shortcuts in Windows 11 can significantly improve both efficiency and immersion, whether you’re gaming, working, or presenting. These tools give you granular control over how applications behave on your screen, especially when combined with Windows 11’s enhanced multitasking features.
However, keep in mind that not all apps respond the same way due to differences in development frameworks, APIs, or user interface designs. Always check an app’s documentation or settings if a shortcut doesn’t behave as expected.
By understanding and applying these shortcuts strategically, you’ll be able to optimize your workflow, enhance visual immersion, and reduce distractions—all with just a few keystrokes.
📌 Pro Tip: Combine Windows + Up Arrow with Windows + Left/Right Arrow for powerful snap layouts and window positioning.