Learning how to go full screen on Windows 11 and Windows 10 is straightforward once you know which method applies to the application you are using. Start with F11, especially when working with a web browser or File Explorer. If you are watching a video, use the player’s Full Screen button. For games, open Display or Graphics settings and select Fullscreen.
If F11 does not work, try Fn + F11 on a laptop, or check whether the application supports Alt + Enter or another dedicated shortcut. When true full screen is unavailable, using Maximize can still give you considerably more working space.
The key thing to remember is that full screen is controlled partly by Windows and partly by the individual application.
Once you identify which type of program you are using, choosing the right method becomes quick and easy.
In this guide, you will learn how to go full screen on Windows 11 and Windows 10, how to exit full screen, and what to do when a shortcut does not work.
How to Go Full Screen on Windows 11 & 10 [Complete Guide]
There is not one universal full screen command that works with every Windows application. Instead, Windows and individual applications use different methods. The easiest approach is to identify what you are trying to make full screen and then use the appropriate method.
Below are the most useful methods, starting with the simplest option.
1: Use F11 to Enter Full Screen Mode
The F11 key is one of the easiest ways to activate full screen mode on Windows 11 and Windows 10. It is commonly supported by web browsers and File Explorer, making it a great first option to try.
Start by opening the application or window where you want to use full screen. If you are using Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or another compatible browser, open the webpage you want to view.
Press F11 on your keyboard. If the application supports the shortcut, it should immediately switch to full screen mode. Browser toolbars, tabs, and other interface elements may disappear, giving you more room for the webpage.
On some laptops, the function keys are assigned to hardware controls such as volume and screen brightness. In that situation, pressing F11 by itself may not work.
If that happens, press Fn + F11 instead. The Fn key is normally located near the bottom-left area of a laptop keyboard.
To return to the normal window, press F11 again or use Fn + F11 if your laptop requires the Fn key.
2: Make a Web Browser Full Screen
If your goal is to make Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or another web browser fill the entire screen, F11 is usually the fastest solution.
Open your browser and navigate to the webpage you want to view. Then press F11.
For example, in Microsoft Edge, you can use F11 to hide the normal browser interface and give the webpage more screen space.
You can also access the browser’s menu when you are not using the keyboard shortcut. In Edge, go to Menu > Full Screen when the option is available. In Chrome, open Menu > Full Screen to activate the browser’s full screen view.
Once full screen is active, move your mouse toward the top of the display if you need to access browser controls. Press F11 again when you want to return to the normal browser interface.
This method is especially useful when you are reading a long webpage, viewing an online presentation, or trying to eliminate distractions.
3: Use the Full Screen Button for Videos
When you are watching a video, you normally do not need a Windows keyboard shortcut. Most modern video players include their own Full Screen button.
Open the website or application containing your video and start playback. Move your mouse over the video player to display its controls.
Look for the Full Screen icon, which is usually represented by four outward-facing corners. Click that button to expand the video across your display.
For example, while watching an online video, go to the Video Player > Full Screen button.
The exact location of the button can vary depending on the website or application, but it is commonly located near the bottom-right corner of the video player.
To leave full screen, move your mouse over the video and click the Exit Full Screen button. You can also press Esc in many video players.
This approach is often better than pressing F11 because it makes only the video full screen rather than changing the entire browser view.
4: Use Windows + Shift + Enter for Supported Apps
Some Windows applications support a dedicated keyboard shortcut for switching between windowed and full screen modes.
When supported, press Windows + Shift + Enter.
This shortcut can work with certain Windows applications, particularly apps designed around the Microsoft Store or Windows app environment. However, it is not a universal Windows shortcut, so do not be concerned if nothing happens when you use it in a particular program.
If the shortcut works, the application should expand into a full-screen presentation. Press the same shortcut again when you want to return to the previous view.
Because support depends on the application, the best approach is to try this shortcut only after checking whether the program supports it.
5: Make a Game Full Screen
Games usually have their own display mode settings, so the most reliable way to make a game full screen is through its graphics or video settings.
Launch the game and open its settings menu. Look for a section named Settings > Graphics, Settings > Display, Options > Video, or something similar.
Find the setting called Display Mode, Window Mode, or Screen Mode.
Change the setting from Windowed to Fullscreen. Some games may also provide Borderless Fullscreen, which gives you a full screen appearance while behaving somewhat like a maximized borderless window.
After selecting Fullscreen, apply or save the changes.
The game should now use the entire display. If the game supports a full screen keyboard shortcut, it may also respond to Alt + Enter, although support varies between games.
If the game does not switch immediately, check its display resolution and monitor settings. A mismatch between the selected resolution and your display can sometimes affect how the game appears.
6: Use Alt + Enter in Supported Programs
Another shortcut worth knowing is Alt + Enter. Some applications and older PC games use this keyboard combination to switch between windowed mode and full screen mode.
Open the application and press Alt + Enter.
If the program supports the shortcut, it should switch to full screen. Press Alt + Enter again to return to windowed mode.
Keep in mind that Alt + Enter is application-dependent. It is not a guaranteed full-screen command for every Windows program.
This shortcut is particularly useful when working with older games, command-line applications, emulators, and certain programs that support traditional Windows display behavior.
7: Maximize a Window When Full Screen Is Not Available
Sometimes an application does not offer a true full screen mode. In that situation, you can maximize the window to use as much of the display as possible.
Open the application and look at the top-right corner of the window. You should see the Maximize button, which looks like a square.
Click Maximize.
You can also double-click the application’s title bar to maximize it.
Another keyboard method is Windows + Up Arrow. With the application active, press Windows + Up Arrow to maximize the current window.
Go to Application Window > Maximize if you prefer using the mouse.
A maximized window is not technically the same as true full screen because Windows may still display the taskbar and other interface elements. However, it is useful when the application does not support full screen mode.
Exit Full Screen Mode
Knowing how to leave full screen is just as important as knowing how to enter it.
The most common method is to press F11 again if you entered full screen with F11.
If you are watching a video, press Esc or click the player’s Exit Full Screen button.
If you are using a game, check the game’s display settings or try the same shortcut you used to enter full screen.
For supported applications, you can also press Alt + Enter to switch back to windowed mode.
If none of these methods work, press Esc first. Many applications use Esc as a general command for closing overlays and leaving immersive modes.
Fix Full Screen When F11 Does Not Work
If F11 does not make Windows 11 or Windows 10 full screen, do not assume that your keyboard is broken. The application may simply not support the shortcut.
First, check whether your laptop requires Fn + F11. If that does not work, test F11 in another supported application, such as your web browser.
If F11 works elsewhere, the original application probably uses a different full-screen command.
You can also check the application’s settings. Go to Application > Settings > Display or Application > Settings > Graphics and look for Fullscreen, Window Mode, or Display Mode.
If your function keys are behaving differently than expected, check whether your laptop has a Fn Lock feature. Some keyboards allow you to switch between standard function keys and special hardware controls.
FAQs
How do I make Windows 11 full screen?
Windows 11 does not have one universal full screen shortcut for every application. Press F11 in supported applications such as many browsers and File Explorer. For videos, use the player’s Full Screen button. For games, select Fullscreen from the game’s display settings.
What is the shortcut for full screen on Windows 11?
The most commonly used shortcut is F11, although it depends on the application. On some laptops, you may need to use Fn + F11. Some applications also support Alt + Enter or Windows + Shift + Enter.
How do I exit full screen in Windows 11?
Press F11 if you entered full screen with F11. For many video players, pressing Esc also exits full screen. Games and specialized applications may require you to use their own display settings or shortcuts.
Why is F11 not working on my laptop?
Your laptop may require Fn + F11, or the application may not support F11. Try the shortcut in a web browser first. If it works there, check the original application’s display settings for a dedicated Fullscreen option.
How do I make a game full screen?
Open the game’s settings and go to Graphics, Video, or Display. Find Display Mode or Window Mode, select Fullscreen, and apply the changes. Some games also support Alt + Enter.
Can I make File Explorer full screen?
Yes, supported versions of Windows can use F11 to switch File Explorer into a more immersive full screen view. Press F11 again to return to the standard interface.
Is maximized mode the same as full screen?
No. A maximized window uses most or all of the available desktop area but can still display Windows interface elements. True full screen mode is controlled by the application and can hide elements such as the taskbar and title bar.