Disable Fullscreen Optimizations in Windows 10

Recent Windows 10 builds include a new feature for gamers. It is called "fullscreen optimizations". When enabled, it allows the operating system to optimize performance of games and apps when they are running in full screen mode. However, some users have noticed that this optimization might not work properly and doesn't improve performance app performance as expected. If you are getting side effects like performance hits for your games with this feature enabled, you can try to disable it.

The Fullscreen Optimizations feature is enabled by default. It is available starting with Windows build 17093.

As you may already know, Windows 10 comes with a special Game Mode feature which is made especially for gamers. When enabled, it boosts the performance and priority of games. It prioritizes CPU and graphics (GPU) resources to make the game run faster and smoother. The new Fullscreen Optimizations feature is part of the game optimizations in Windows 10.

If you have issues with gaming performance with the Fullscreen Optimizations feature enabled, there are several ways to disable it. You can use either Settings, a Registry tweak, or compatibility options for classic (non-Store) games. Let's review these methods.

To disable Fullscreen Optimizations in Windows 10, do the following.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System - Display.
3. On the right, to the Advanced graphics settings link("Graphics settings").
4. On the next page, turn off (uncheck) the option Enable fullscreen optimizations.

You are done. The change will be applied for all apps you use under your user account in Windows 10 on the current device.

Alternatively, this option can be enabled or disabled with a Registry Tweak.

Enable or Disable Fullscreen Optiminizations with a Registry tweak

1. Open the Registry Editor app.
2. Go to the following Registry key.

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\GameConfigStore

   See how to go to a Registry key with one click.

3. On the right, modify or create a new 32-Bit DWORD value GameDVR_FSEBehavior.
   Note: Even if you are running 64-bit Windows you must still create a 32-bit DWORD value.
   A value data of 0 will enable the feature. Set the GameDVR_FSEBehavior value to 2 to disable it.
4. To make the changes done by the Registry tweak take effect, you need to sign out and sign in to your user account.

Finally, you can disable the Fullscreen Optimizations feature for individual apps. It is applicable to classic games which are implemented as Desktop apps.

Disable Fullscreen Optimizations for Specific Apps

1. Right-click the executable the for the app you want to disable Fullscreen Optimizations for.
2. In the context menu, select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Enable the option Disable fullscreen optimizations.

This will disable fullscreen optimizations for the specific app for the current user only. It is possible to disable them for all users. Here is how.

Disable Fullscreen Optimizations for all users

1. Right-click the executable the for the app you want to disable Fullscreen Optimizations for.
2. In the context menu, select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Click on the Change settings for all users button.
5. Check (turn on) the Disable fullscreen optimizations option.

That's it.

Support us

Winaero greatly relies on your support. You can help the site keep bringing you interesting and useful content and software by using these options: