“Full screen” can mean three different things in Windows 10: a maximized window, an application’s own full-screen mode, or a display that is incorrectly sized because of resolution, scaling, projection, or graphics-driver problems. The right fix depends on which symptom you have.
Start with the quick fixes below, then use the matching section if the taskbar remains visible, the screen has black borders, or the display is frozen.
Quick fixes to restore full screen
- Click the affected app so it has focus.
- Press F11. In Microsoft Edge, this toggles full-screen mode. In File Explorer, it maximizes or minimizes the active window. On some laptops, use Fn + F11.
- If the app is simply in a normal window, press Windows + Up Arrow. You can also double-click its title bar or click the square-shaped Maximize button in the upper-right corner.
- For a game or older desktop application, try Alt + Enter. This only works when the application supports the shortcut.
Press F11 again to leave full-screen mode in apps that support it. To restore a maximized window to its previous size, press Windows + Down Arrow or click the Restore Down button.
These states are not identical:
| Display state | What you normally see | Who controls it |
|---|---|---|
| Maximized | The app fills the desktop but may retain its title bar and the taskbar. | Windows and the app |
| Application full screen | The title bar and often the taskbar disappear. | The application |
| Incorrect display sizing | Black borders, a small centered image, stretching, or the wrong monitor. | Windows display settings and the graphics hardware |
Windows does not have one command that forces every application into full-screen mode. Microsoft documents F11 for File Explorer and Edge, but its effect differs: it maximizes or minimizes File Explorer’s active window, while Edge uses it to toggle full-screen mode. See Microsoft’s Windows keyboard shortcuts for the documented behavior.
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Use the application’s full-screen setting
If a game or program ignores F11 and Alt + Enter, open its Settings, Options, or Video/Graphics menu. Look for one of these display modes:
- Fullscreen or Exclusive Fullscreen
- Borderless Fullscreen
- Windowed
Choose the desired mode and apply the change. The exact wording differs between applications. A game set to Windowed will not become full-screen merely because Windows’ resolution is changed.
For an older program that stopped displaying correctly after an update, right-click its shortcut or executable file, choose Properties, and open the Compatibility tab. Use the compatibility options provided for that particular program. Avoid registry edits or treating Disable fullscreen optimizations as a universal fix; compatibility settings are application-specific.
Make Microsoft Edge full screen
In Edge, press F11 to enter or leave full-screen mode. You can also open the Settings and more menu and select the full-screen command. Press Esc to exit when Edge allows the full-screen state to be closed that way.
If the page itself is too large or too small, the problem is probably browser zoom rather than full screen:
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- Press Ctrl + 0 to reset zoom.
- Press Ctrl + Plus (+) to zoom in.
- Press Ctrl + Minus (-) to zoom out.
Zoom changes the size of web content; it does not maximize Edge or hide its interface. Microsoft lists these controls in its Edge keyboard shortcuts.
Hide the taskbar when it remains visible
A visible taskbar does not always mean full-screen mode failed. Some programs use a maximized or borderless window rather than exclusive full screen.
To change Windows 10’s taskbar behavior:
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.
- Select Taskbar settings.
- Turn Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode on or off.
When automatic hiding is enabled, move the pointer to the bottom edge of the screen to reveal the taskbar. If the taskbar is stuck over a game, leave and re-enter the game’s full-screen mode first. If that does not help, restart Windows Explorer using the steps below.
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Fix a display that does not fill the monitor
Choose the correct projection mode
This is useful when using a laptop with a TV, projector, dock, or second monitor:
- Press Windows + P.
- Press P repeatedly to cycle through PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, and Second screen only.
- Press Enter when the correct mode is highlighted.
A wrong projection mode can make the display appear to be missing, show on another screen, or use the wrong monitor.
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Correct resolution and scaling
- Open Start > Settings > System > Display.
- Scroll to Scale and layout.
- Under Change the size of text, apps, and other items, choose the value marked Recommended, if available.
- Under Display resolution, choose the resolution marked Recommended.
If multiple monitors are connected, select the affected monitor at the top of the Display settings page before changing its settings. A resolution below the monitor’s native resolution can produce a small centered picture, black edges, or a stretched image.
To check refresh rate, go to Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings. Select the affected monitor if necessary, then choose a supported value under Refresh rate. The available rates depend on the monitor and graphics hardware.
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Recover from a black, frozen, or distorted full-screen display
Reset the graphics driver
Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B.
Windows will reset the graphics driver. You may hear a beep or see the screen flicker briefly. This can recover a black, frozen, or corrupted display, but it does not change an application’s full-screen preference.
Restart Windows Explorer
If the desktop or taskbar is missing, frozen, or displayed over an application:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
If Windows Explorer is not listed, select File > Run new task in Task Manager, enter explorer.exe, and select OK or press Enter.
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Restarting Explorer restores the Windows desktop shell. It does not repair a game’s graphics settings or force that game into full screen.
Windows Terminal has its own full-screen command
Windows Terminal supports a launch option that is separate from normal Windows windows and games:
wt –fullscreen
You can also use its short form:
wt -F
These commands apply to Windows Terminal only. They do not make File Explorer, Command Prompt, or another desktop application full screen.
What not to rely on
- F11 is not universal. It works where the application implements it. In File Explorer it maximizes or minimizes the active window; Edge uses it to toggle full-screen mode.
- Alt + Enter is not guaranteed for every game. It is application-dependent and is primarily documented for console-window behavior.
- Maximize is not the same as full screen. A maximized window can retain its title bar and taskbar.
- Changing resolution does not normally change an app from windowed to full screen. It addresses sizing and monitor problems instead.
- Restarting Explorer does not repair the game itself. It only reloads the Windows shell.
Windows 10 version 22H2 was the final general Windows 10 release, and standard Windows 10 editions reached the end of support on October 14, 2025. LTSC editions follow separate lifecycle dates. This does not change the full-screen steps above, but it matters when deciding whether a display problem may be related to unsupported software or drivers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
What is the keyboard shortcut to restore full screen in Windows 10?
Press F11 when the affected application supports it. For a normal window, press Windows key + Up Arrow to maximize it. Games and older applications may support Alt + Enter, but Windows does not guarantee that shortcut in every program.
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Why does F11 not work in my Windows 10 app?
F11 is controlled by the application, not Windows globally. It is documented for File Explorer and Microsoft Edge, but its effect differs between them. Another app may use a different shortcut or provide a Fullscreen option in its Settings, Options, or Video/Graphics menu.
How do I make a game full screen?
Open the game’s Settings, Options, or Video/Graphics menu and select Fullscreen, Exclusive Fullscreen, or Borderless Fullscreen. You can also try Alt + Enter if the game supports it.
Why is the taskbar still visible in full screen?
The application may be using a maximized or borderless window rather than exclusive full screen. Enable automatic taskbar hiding through Taskbar settings, then exit and re-enter the application’s full-screen mode. If the taskbar is stuck, restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager.
How do I fix black borders or a small image around the desktop?
Open Start > Settings > System > Display and choose the Recommended value for both Scale and layout and Display resolution. If the wrong monitor is active, press Windows key + P and select the appropriate projection mode.
What should I do if full screen turns black or freezes?
Press Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver. If the desktop or taskbar is unresponsive, open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and restart Windows Explorer.
The Bottom Line
Use F11 first in apps that support it; in File Explorer, F11 maximizes or minimizes the active window, while Edge uses it to toggle full-screen mode. Press Windows + Up Arrow if the window only needs maximizing. For games, select a full-screen mode inside the game. If the image has borders or appears on the wrong monitor, correct projection, resolution, and scaling instead. A black or frozen display may need a graphics-driver reset or an Explorer restart.
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