Most of the time, when a user launches an application, they make it full screen. In full screen, users get the maximum benefit and the workspace they need. Instead of doing it manually every time, you can choose to launch some of them as full-screen applications. This post guides you on how to make all windows open maximized always in Windows 11/10
How to always open maximized windows in Windows 11
Before we start, the Full Screen of any application means you don’t see any buttons or address bar at the top. You only see the content of the application. So, even if your app or window takes up the whole screen, it still isn’t full screen.
- Using Windows Settings
- Using Registry Editor
- Launch Program using a Shortcut
- Use Maximize Always tool
- Using Keyboard shortcut.
1] Using Windows Settings
To always open maximized windows in Windows 11, take these steps:
- Press Win+I to open Windows Settings
- Open Accessibility settings and then go to Visual Effects
- Turn ON the Open apps maximized setting.
That’s all.
2] Using Registry Editor
To make all windows open maximized or full-screen always in Windows 11 using Windows Registry, take these steps:
- Press Win+R, type regedit, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor
- Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Accessibility - Locate MaximizeWindowsByDefault on the right.
- If you can’t find it, create a new DWORD value and name it MaximizeWindowsByDefault
- Double-click MaximizeWindowsByDefault and give it Value data of 1 to enable it
- Click OK and exit.
To disable it, type 0 and click OK.
3] Launch Program using a Shortcut
This method works only for applications for which you can create a shortcut.
- Find the program in the Start
- Right-click on it > More > Open File location
- Once you find it, right-click on it, and select Send To > Desktop (Create Shortcut)
- Now right-click on it, select properties.
- Under the Shortcut tab, click on the dropdown next to the Run section in the Properties window.
- Select Maximised and then apply the changes.
Once done, double-click the shortcut to launch the program maximized.
This method works with most applications, including Microsoft Office products. However, it helps if you create the shortcut from the original EXE file. It also won’t work with Microsoft Store apps.
4] Use Maximize Always tool
Maximize Always is a free tool that can launch almost any application in the full screen once you add it to the list. Once installed, you can name the application and then add it to the program. After that, you can right-click the application in the system tray and select the program to launch.
So that’s the only downside of the process. Use this every time you want to launch an application in full screen. If you do not want to do that, launch it from the Start menu or Taskbar.
You can download it from 4dots-software.com.
5] Keyboard shortcut
If you want to have more control over your application opens, then a single key on your keyboard can make any window or at least supports the Maximize option. Press F11 on the keyboard and any application will go completely full-screen.
If you are using a laptop or keyboard with a special Function key (Fn), you may need to use Fn+F11.
For your information, you cannot have two full-screen applications side by side on one monitor. But you can split the application to run it side by side. Tools like PowerToys include a split-screen feature, and you can use it for free.
Bonus Tips:
- To minimize all the open windows, you can use Win+M.
- Press Win+Shift Key+M for maximizing them all.
- If you only want to minimize the current window, hold down the Windows Key and press the down arrow key.
- To maximize the same window, hold the Windows Key and press the Up Arrow key.
I hope the post helps you open applications in full-screen mode when you launch it.
How do I run Microsoft Store apps in full-screen mode in Windows 11?
To run Microsoft Store apps in full-screen mode in Windows 11, open the Microsoft Store app and click on the Maximize button. Then press the Win+Shift+Enter keys. The Microsoft Store app will go full-screen! To exit full-screen mode, press Esc or Win+Shift+Enter again.
