Learning how to make games full screen on pc is a common first step for a better gaming experience. Making games run in full screen on your PC can usually be configured within the game’s own display or video options. This mode dedicates all your system’s resources to the game, reduces input lag, and can often improve performance and visual quality.
However, it’s not always a simple toggle. Sometimes games launch in a window, a borderless window, or the full screen option might be grayed out.
This guide will walk you through every method, from in-game settings to Windows tweaks and graphics driver controls, to ensure your games fill your entire monitor.
How To Make Games Full Screen On Pc
The primary and most effective method for running a game in full screen is always to check the game’s own settings first. This should be your go-to starting point for any game giving you display trouble.
Developers build these options directly into the game, so they are typically the most stable and compatible. The exact location of the setting can vary slightly depending on the game’s genre, age, and engine.
Navigating In-Game Display Settings
Almost every modern PC game will have a “Settings,” “Options,” or “Configuration” menu. Inside, you need to look for tabs or sections labeled “Video,” “Graphics,” or “Display.”
Here’s what you should look for once your in that menu:
- Display Mode: This is the most critical setting. It will typically have dropdown options for “Fullscreen,” “Windowed,” “Borderless Window,” and sometimes “Fullscreen (Exclusive).”
- Resolution: Ensure this is set to your monitor’s native resolution (e.g., 1920×1080, 2560×1440). A mismatch can cause the fullscreen to look blurry or not work properly.
- Aspect Ratio: This should usually match your monitor’s aspect ratio (like 16:9 for most widescreen monitors).
To apply the changes, you will often need to click “Apply” or “OK.” The game screen may flicker or go black for a moment as it switches modes. Some games require a restart for the change to take full effect, so pay attention to any on-screen prompts.
The Difference Between Fullscreen And Borderless Window
Understanding the difference between “Fullscreen” and “Borderless Window” is key to choosing the right mode for your needs.
- Fullscreen (Exclusive): This is the traditional full screen mode. The game takes complete control of your display output. This usually provides the best performance and lowest input lag, as Windows dedicates resources to the game. The downside is that alt-tabbing to another window can be slower and may cause the game to minimize or stutter.
- Borderless Window: This mode makes the game window cover the entire screen without any borders or title bar, but it’s technically still a window. Alt-tabbing is much faster and smoother, which is great for multitasking. However, it can sometimes introduce slightly higher input lag or a small performance hit because Windows is still managing the desktop composition in the background.
For competitive gaming where every millisecond counts, classic Fullscreen is often preferred. For casual gaming where you check guides or Discord frequently, Borderless Window offers great convenience.
Applying Changes And Troubleshooting In-Game Issues
If you change the setting but the game still doesn’t go full screen, try these steps:
- After applying, press Alt + Enter on your keyboard. This is a universal Windows shortcut that toggles many applications between windowed and fullscreen states.
- If the setting seems to apply but the game remains windowed, restart the game completely. Exit to the desktop and launch it again.
- Check if the game has a configuration file outside of the game. Some older or simpler games use text files (like .ini files) for settings. You can sometimes edit these files directly to force fullscreen mode, but be sure to back them up first.
Using Windows System Settings And Shortcuts
When the in-game menu fails you, Windows itself provides several tools and shortcuts to force or encourage full screen behavior. These are system-level fixes that can work across many different programs and games.
Keyboard Shortcuts For Full Screen Toggle
The most famous and widely supported shortcut is Alt + Enter. This command tells most DirectX and OpenGL applications to switch between windowed and fullscreen modes instantly.
If Alt + Enter doesn’t work, try F11. The F11 key is the standard full screen toggle for web browsers and many other desktop applications, and some games also respect this key. It’s always worth a quick press to see if it triggers the change.
Another useful shortcut is the Windows Key + Shift + Enter. This starts Windows 10 and 11’s “Magnifier” app in full screen, which isn’t what you want for gaming, but it’s good to avoid pressing accidentally.
Configuring Display Scaling And Resolution
Incorrect Windows display settings can interfere with games. To check them, right-click on your desktop and select “Display settings.”
- Under “Scale & layout,” ensure the “Scale” is set to a recommended value (usually 100%). Some games have trouble with 125% or 150% scaling.
- Under “Resolution,” make sure it is set to your monitor’s “Recommended” resolution.
- Also, click on “Advanced display settings” at the bottom and verify the refresh rate is set correctly (e.g., 144Hz, 60Hz). A mismatch here can cause stuttering even in full screen.
For multiple monitors, try setting the game to run on your primary display in Windows settings. Sometimes running a game full screen on a secondary monitor can cause issues if the monitors have different resolutions or refresh rates.
Graphics Driver Control Panel Settings
Both NVIDIA and AMD provide powerful control panels that can override game settings. These are especially useful for older games or games with broken display options.
For NVIDIA users, open the NVIDIA Control Panel. Navigate to “Manage 3D settings” on the left. You can either change global settings or, more precisely, use the “Program Settings” tab to customize options for a specific game.exe file. Look for settings like:
- “DSR – Factors” (should be off unless you’re using it intentionally).
- “Preferred refresh rate” set to “Highest available.”
For AMD users, open the AMD Radeon Software. Go to the “Gaming” tab, select your game, and then click on “Graphics.” Look for the “Display” section where you might find options to override the display mode. The exact layout varies between software versions, but the functionality is similar to NVIDIA’s.
Intel Arc and integrated graphics users can access similar settings through the Intel Graphics Command Center, usually found by right-clicking the desktop.
Fixing Common Full Screen Problems And Errors
Sometimes, getting a game to run full screen requires specific troubleshooting. Here are solutions to the most frequent problems players encounter.
Game Starts Minimized Or In Background
If a game launches but you only see it on your taskbar or it flashes and minimizes, it’s often a focus issue. First, try clicking on the game’s icon on the taskbar to bring it forward.
If that fails, try this method: open the game, let it minimize. Then, right-click the game’s icon on the taskbar, right-click the game’s name in the pop-up menu, and select “Maximize.” This can sometimes force the window into a proper state.
Another cause can be other applications stealing focus. Close unnecessary background programs, especially overlays like Discord, Xbox Game Bar, or recording software, before launching the game.
Black Borders Around The Screen
Black bars (letterboxing) mean the game’s aspect ratio doesn’t match your monitor’s. First, check the in-game resolution and aspect ratio settings, as mentioned earlier.
If those are correct, the issue may be your graphics driver scaling. In the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to “Adjust desktop size and position.” Under the “Scaling” tab, try setting “Perform scaling on” to “GPU” and ensure “Override the scaling mode set by games and programs” is checked. This often removes borders for older games.
For AMD, in Radeon Software under “Display,” look for the “Scaling Mode” option and try setting it to “Full Panel.”
Full Screen Option Is Grayed Out
A grayed-out full screen option is frustrating. This is often caused by one of three things:
- The game is running in compatibility mode for an older version of Windows. Right-click the game’s .exe file, select “Properties,” go to the “Compatibility” tab, and uncheck “Run this program in compatibility mode.”
- Your desktop resolution or refresh rate is set higher than the game supports. Try lowering your Windows desktop resolution temporarily before launching the game.
- There’s a conflict with an overlay. Disable the Xbox Game Bar (search for “Game Bar settings” in Windows and turn it off) and any other game overlays from Steam, Discord, or your GPU software.
Advanced Solutions For Stubborn Games
For very old games, indie titles, or emulated games, you might need to dig a little deeper. These advanced methods can force full screen when all else fails.
Editing Game Configuration Files
Many games store their settings in plain text configuration files, often found in your “Documents” folder or within the game’s installation directory. Look for files with extensions like .ini, .cfg, or .xml.
Before editing, always make a backup copy of the file. Open the file with Notepad and search for lines containing “Fullscreen,” “Windowed,” “Width,” and “Height.” You might see entries like:
- Fullscreen=0 (Change the 0 to a 1)
- WindowMode=2 (Values vary; try changing it to 1 or 0 for fullscreen)
- ResolutionWidth=1920
- ResolutionHeight=1080
Save the file and set it to “Read-only” (right-click > Properties) to prevent the game from overwriting your changes when it launches.
Using Compatibility Mode And DPI Settings
Right-click the game’s shortcut or .exe file and select “Properties.” Go to the “Compatibility” tab. Here, you can try a few things:
- Check “Run in 640×480 screen resolution” for very old games from the early 2000s or 1990s.
- Click “Change high DPI settings.” Then check “Override high DPI scaling behavior” and select “Application” from the dropdown menu. This prevents Windows from scaling the game’s window incorrectly.
Be aware that compatibility mode can sometimes cause more problems than it solves, so use it as a last resort for ancient software.
Third-Party Software And Borderless Gaming Tools
If you want a borderless full screen window for a program that doesn’t support it (like an emulator or older game), third-party tools can help. Applications like “Borderless Gaming” (available on Steam or GitHub) can force any window to behave like a borderless full screen window.
These tools work by hooking into the Windows window manager and removing the borders and title bar while maximizing the window. They are generally safe to use but, as with any third-party software, download them from official sources.
Optimizing Performance In Full Screen Mode
Once you’ve achieved full screen, you can take steps to ensure you’re getting the best possible performance and stability from your games.
Setting Correct Refresh Rates
A high refresh rate monitor (e.g., 144Hz, 240Hz) will only run at that speed if both Windows and the game are configured correctly. In Windows Display Settings > Advanced Display, verify the refresh rate.
Then, inside the game’s video settings, look for a “Refresh Rate,” “Hz,” or “Vertical Sync” option. Set this to match your monitor’s maximum refresh rate. Enabling V-Sync can prevent screen tearing but may introduce input lag; many competitive players prefer to leave it off and use other sync technologies like G-Sync or FreeSync if their monitor supports them.
Managing Background Applications
Background programs consume CPU, RAM, and sometimes GPU resources. Before launching a demanding game, close:
- Web browsers with many tabs
- Video streaming apps
- File transfer programs
- Unnecessary system tray utilities
You can use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to see what’s using resources. Also, consider disabling startup programs you don’t need to keep your system clean for gaming sessions.
Updating Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers are a leading cause of display issues, crashes, and poor performance. Regularly updating your drivers ensures you have the latest fixes and optimizations for new games.
You can update them manually by visiting the NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel website and downloading the latest driver for your specific graphics card model. Alternatively, you can use the respective software (GeForce Experience, Radeon Software) to check for and install updates automatically. A clean installation is recommended if you are experiencing persistent problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Make A Game Full Screen On My Computer?
Start in the game’s own video or display settings menu and look for “Display Mode.” Change it from “Windowed” to “Fullscreen.” If that doesn’t work, try pressing Alt + Enter on your keyboard while the game is focused. Also, check your graphics driver control panel for override settings.
Why Won’t My Game Go Full Screen On Windows 10/11?
Common reasons include incorrect in-game resolution, outdated graphics drivers, conflicts with Windows display scaling (like 150% zoom), or interference from other software overlays like Xbox Game Bar or Discord. Disable overlays and ensure your desktop resolution matches the game’s.
What Is The Shortcut For Full Screen On PC?
The most common shortcut is Alt + Enter. The F11 key also works for many applications and some games. These are quick toggles you can try before digging into settings menus.
Is Full Screen Or Borderless Window Better For Gaming?
Traditional full screen (exclusive mode) usually offers the best performance and lowest input lag, which is crucial for competitive gaming. Borderless window provides much faster alt-tabbing and is better for multitasking, but may have a slight performance cost. Choose based on your priority: pure performance or convenience.
How Do I Fix A Game That Opens In A Small Window?
First, check the game’s display resolution setting. If it’s set very low (like 800×600), increase it to your monitor’s native resolution. Then, ensure the display mode is set to “Fullscreen,” not “Windowed.” If the problem persists, try the Alt + Enter shortcut or update your graphics drivers, as outdated drivers can sometimes cause this issue.