How to Make Apps Full-Screen in Windows 11

In this post, we will see how to open apps in full-screen mode in Windows 11. We will see how to get this done for Store apps, web browsers, and games.

For many Windows versions, you could easily maximize many of running apps, but only a few can actually go full-screen. In full screen mode, the app takes the whole screen area, covering all the icons, Desktop, and the taskbar. When a program enters full-screen mode in Windows 11, the operating system removes the title bar and the taskbar, providing users with additional screen real estate for some useful content.

In addition, specific built-in Windows apps did not support full screen mode, and some could not be maximized. With UWP apps in Windows 8, Microsoft introduced full-screen support for modern built-in and third party apps. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, this capability was further improved.

Here are a number of ways to make an app full-screen in Windows 11.

Make Apps Full-Screen in Windows 11

The procedure is slightly different for Store apps, regular apps, and games. In the following chapters, we will review most of them.

Switch a Microsoft Store app Full Screen

1. Open a Store app of your choice.
2. Once the app opens, press Win + Shift + Enter.
3. This will remove the title bar and hide the taskbar for the app.
4. Use the same key sequence in to leave full-screen mode.

Done! Keep in mind that that will not work in all applications. The trick works mostly in UWP apps from the Microsoft Store.

Tip: If a program does not support full-screen mode with Win + Shift + Enter, you can reclaim some space by turning on the “Automatically hide the taskbar” setting in Windows 11.

Make Games and Command Prompt Running Full Screen

Many gamers know that you can toggle between a windowed and full-screen mode in games by using the Alt + Enter shortcut. The same trick also works with certain built-in apps. For example, the classic "cmd.exe" command prompt can go full screen with Alt + Enter. Finally, its modern version, Windows Terminal, also support the same hotkey.

To switch Windows Terminal full screen, do the following.

1. Open Windows Terminal.
2. Press Alt + Enter. It will take the whole screen area.
3. Press Alt + Enter once again. It will return back to the windowed state.

Now, let's review how to make a web browser running full screen. The below reviewed method also works for File Explorer.

Switch Web Browser and File Explorer Full Screen

1. Open your favorite web browser, say Microsoft Edge.
2. Press F11 on the keyboard. The browser will instantly go full screen.
3. Also, you can press the same hotkey in File Explorer. It will also run full screen.
4. To leave the full screen mode, press F11 once again.

Done. It is worth mentioning that not only Edge but almost every modern browser has a built-in full-screen mod. It lets you get extra space by pressing the F11 button.

How to exit app full-screen mode in Windows 11

Exiting full-screen mode in apps on Windows 11 might confuse some, considering there are no obvious toggles or buttons for such a task. If you have found yourself stuck with a full-screen app in Windows 11, you have three options:

1. To exit full-screen mode in Windows 11, press Win + Shift + Enter. That’s all.
2. If you use a mouse, move the cursor to the upper-left corner of a window. That will reveal the title bar with traditional “Minimize,” “Maximize,” and “Close” buttons. To exit full-screen mode, press the middle button with two arrows pointing at each other.
3. Alternatively, if you use a Windows 11 PC with a touchscreen, tap the upper part of the app and drag it down. That will not exit full-screen mode but rather close the app.

And that is you how to open apps in full-screen in Windows 11 and exit full-screen mode in Windows 11.