Applications sometimes launch in a small window, but making them full screen is usually just a quick click or keyboard shortcut away. If you’ve ever wondered how to make full screen on pc, you’re in the right place. This guide covers every method for Windows and Mac, across browsers, games, and any program you use.
Full screen mode removes distractions, giving you more space to work or play. It’s a simple trick that can improve your focus and immersion. Let’s get started.
How To Make Full Screen On Pc
The most common way to enter full screen is with a keyboard shortcut. This works in most web browsers, video players, and many applications. It’s the fastest method once you memorize it.
For Windows users, the primary shortcut is F11. On a Mac, you often use Command + Control + F. However, some programs use different keys, like F or Alt + Enter.
If the keyboard shortcut doesn’t work, look for the full screen button. It’s usually in the top-right corner of the application window, represented by a square or diagonal arrows. Clicking this will maximize the window to fill your entire monitor.
Using The F11 Key On Windows
The F11 key is your go-to for full screen in web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. It’s a toggle, meaning pressing it once enters full screen, and pressing it again exits.
- Open your web browser or supported application.
- Simply press the F11 key on your keyboard.
- The title bar and tabs will disappear, leaving just the webpage.
- To exit, press F11 again or move your mouse to the top of the screen to reveal the exit button.
Note: On some laptops or keyboards, you may need to hold the Fn (Function) key while pressing F11 if the key has a dual purpose.
Using The Maximize Button
Every window has a set of controls in the top-right corner. The middle button, which looks like a square, is the maximize button. Clicking it will make the window fill the screen, though it may not be true “full screen” like F11 mode.
- For a true borderless full screen, use F11 or the application’s dedicated full screen option.
- The maximize button is perfect for quickly making a window larger without hiding the taskbar.
- You can also double-click the title bar of the window to maximize it.
Full Screen Mode On Mac Computers
MacOS handles full screen a bit differently. The green traffic light button in the top-left of a window often toggles full screen mode. For a standard full screen that hides the menu bar and Dock, use the keyboard shortcut.
- Click the green button in the window’s title bar, or
- Press Command + Control + F on your keyboard.
- To exit, press the same keys again or move your cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the menu bar and click the green button.
Some applications, like Safari, have there own full screen option under the “View” menu. Always check there if the shortcut doesn’t work as expected.
Keyboard Shortcuts For Specific Programs
Different software sometimes uses unique shortcuts. Here is a quick reference list for common programs:
- Most Video Players (VLC, Windows Media Player): Press F.
- Steam Games: Often Alt + Enter.
- Microsoft PowerPoint Slide Show: Press F5.
- YouTube on Web Browser: Press F (while the video is focused).
- Many PC Games: Check the settings menu under “Graphics” or “Display” for a full screen option.
How To Make A Game Full Screen
Getting a game to run in full screen can boost performance and immersion. The method varies depending on where you launch the game from and its own settings.
Using In-Game Settings Menus
This is the most reliable method. Most PC games have a display or graphics settings section where you can set the window mode.
- Launch the game.
- Open the Settings or Options menu.
- Navigate to “Graphics,” “Video,” or “Display.”
- Look for “Display Mode,” “Window Mode,” or “Screen Type.”
- Change the setting from “Windowed” or “Borderless” to “Full screen.”
- Apply the changes. The game may restart to take effect.
Forcing Full Screen Through Shortcuts
If a game is stuck in a window, you can try forcing it. The universal Windows shortcut for many games is Alt + Enter. Pressing this combination while the game window is active will often switch it between windowed and full screen modes instantly.
For games on platforms like Steam, you can also modify the launch options. Right-click the game in your Steam library, select “Properties,” and in the “Launch Options” field, you can try commands like `-fullscreen` or `-windowed -noborder`. The exact command depends on the game.
Adjusting Graphics Driver Settings
Your graphics card control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software) can override application settings. You can force full screen scaling here, which can help with games that have black bars or display issues.
- For NVIDIA: Right-click desktop, open NVIDIA Control Panel. Go to “Adjust desktop size and position” and choose “Full-screen” under scaling.
- For AMD: Right-click desktop, open AMD Radeon Settings. Go to “Display” and adjust the GPU Scaling option.
These settings ensure the image stretches to fill your entire monitor, which is useful for running older games on modern screens.
Making Your Web Browser Full Screen
Browsing the web in full screen gives you a cleaner view, perfect for reading articles or watching videos. As mentioned, F11 is the standard, but there are other ways.
Browser Menu Controls
Every browser has a menu option. It’s usually under the “View” menu. For example, in Chrome, you click the three dots, go to “Zoom,” and you’ll see “Full screen” listed. In Firefox, it’s under “View” > “Full Screen.” Using the menu is helpfull if you forget the keyboard shortcut.
Chrome And Edge Specific Tips
Chrome and Edge, both based on Chromium, behave very similarly. You can also enter a “immersive” full screen for a specific tab by clicking the square icon in the bottom-right corner of a YouTube video. For a presentation mode that hides the address bar as well, you can use the Chrome extension “Fullscreen Anything.”
Firefox And Safari Specific Tips
Firefox also uses F11. Safari on Mac uses Command + Shift + F. A unique feature in Firefox is its ability to hide the toolbar in full screen automatically, giving you even more vertical space. You can adjust this in Firefox’s settings under “General.”
Full Screen For Videos And Media Players
Watching movies or videos is one of the most common reasons to use full screen. Media players and streaming sites make this easy.
On Streaming Websites
Sites like YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu have a dedicated full screen button on their video player controls. It’s the icon that looks like four diagonal arrows pointing outward, usually in the bottom-right corner of the video player. You can also simply double-click the video to toggle full screen on most sites.
Using Dedicated Media Player Software
Programs like VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player, and QuickTime offer robust full screen controls. In VLC, pressing the F key is the shortcut. You can also right-click the video and select “Full screen” from the menu. These players often let you adjust aspect ratio and zoom even in full screen mode, which is great for non-standard video files.
Advanced Full Screen Management On Windows
Windows 10 and 11 have built-in features to help you manage multiple windows and full screen states efficiently.
Using Snap Layouts And Snap Assist
While not traditional full screen, Snap Layouts let you quickly organize windows side-by-side, making effective use of your screen real estate. Hover over a window’s maximize button to see layout options, or use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Z. This is excellent for multitasking without manually resizing windows.
Taskbar Auto-Hide For A Cleaner View
To make any full screen experience even more immersive, you can set your Windows taskbar to auto-hide. This makes it disappear when you’re not using it, giving you a few extra pixels of screen space.
- Right-click an empty area on the taskbar.
- Select “Taskbar settings.”
- Turn on the toggle for “Automatically hide the taskbar.”
Now, the taskbar will slide out of view until you move your mouse to the very bottom of the screen.
Adjusting Display Scaling And Resolution
Sometimes, an application might not fill the screen correctly because of your display settings. You can adjust this in Windows Settings.
- Right-click your desktop and choose “Display settings.”
- Under “Scale & layout,” ensure the scaling is set to a recommended value (like 100% or 150%).
- Also check the “Display resolution” is set to your monitor’s recommended resolution (often labeled “Recommended”).
A mismatch here can cause programs to appear blurry or not use the entire screen.
Troubleshooting Common Full Screen Problems
Sometimes, full screen mode doesn’t work as intended. Here are solutions to frequent issues.
Game Or Application Won’t Go Full Screen
If pressing F11 or Alt + Enter does nothing, first check the in-app settings as described earlier. If that fails, try running the program as an administrator. Right-click the application’s shortcut or .exe file and select “Run as administrator.” This can resolve permission issues that prevent display mode changes.
Another common fix for games is to update your graphics drivers. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of display problems, including full screen failures.
Black Bars On The Sides Of The Screen
This usually indicates an aspect ratio mismatch. The content is a different shape than your monitor. Go into the game or video player’s settings and look for an “Aspect Ratio” option. Set it to match your monitor (common ones are 16:9 or 16:10). You can also adjust this in your graphics driver control panel, under scaling settings, as mentioned previously.
Full Screen Mode Is Blurry
Blurriness in full screen often points to a resolution problem. The application is likely running at a lower resolution than your desktop. Ensure the program’s display settings are set to your monitor’s native resolution. Also, check Windows display scaling; if it’s set to something like 125%, try setting it to 100% to see if clarity improves for that specific app.
How To Exit Full Screen When Stuck
If you can’t exit full screen using the normal methods, don’t panic. The universal escape plan is to press the Escape (Esc) key. This works in many browsers and applications. If that fails, try Alt + Tab to switch to another window, which may force the full screen app to minimize. As a last resort, pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc will open the Task Manager, where you can end the task of the stuck application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Make My Computer Full Screen Permanently?
You cannot make your entire desktop interface full screen permanently in the traditional sense, as the taskbar and window borders are part of the operating system. However, you can set individual applications to always launch in full screen. Some programs have this option in their own preferences. You can also use auto-hide for the taskbar and set your desktop background to a solid color for a minimalist, distraction-free environment.
What Is The Difference Between Maximize And Full Screen?
Maximizing a window makes it as large as possible while still showing the Windows title bar, borders, and the taskbar. Full screen mode (like F11 in a browser) removes all of those elements—the menu bars, toolbars, and taskbar are hidden, allowing the content to use every single pixel on your monitor. Full screen is more immersive.
Why Won’t My YouTube Go Full Screen?
If the full screen button on YouTube is grayed out or doesn’t work, try these steps: First, refresh the webpage. Second, ensure you have the latest version of your web browser. Third, try disabling any browser extensions, as some ad-blockers or script blockers can interfere with the video player. Finally, try using the keyboard shortcut F while the video is playing.
How Do You Get Full Screen On A PC Without F11?
If the F11 key is broken or your keyboard lacks function keys, you have several options. Use the application’s menu (often under “View”). Look for the full screen icon in the program’s interface (the square with arrows). Try alternative shortcuts like Alt + Enter for some programs. For browsers, you can often right-click a tab and select “Enter Full Screen.”
Can I Make Start Menu Full Screen?
Yes, in Windows 10 and 11, you can set the Start Menu to use a full screen layout. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Personalization > Start and turn on “Use Start full screen.” In Windows 11, the Start Menu is centered by default, but you can make it larger by dragging its edges, though it doesn’t have a true traditional full screen mode like Windows 10 did.