The quickest way to full screen depends on what you're using

Most programs on Windows and Mac let you press F11 to hide the menu bar and toolbars and expand the window to fill your screen. In some applications — particularly web browsers and media players — this is the standard shortcut. If F11 doesn't work, try Alt+Enter or look in the View menu for a full-screen option. On Mac, pressing the green button in the top-left corner of any window will usually maximize it, though true full screen (which hides the dock and menu bar) often requires a dedicated full-screen button or the keyboard shortcut Control+Command+F.

The method varies slightly between browsers, games, and desktop applications, so the sections below cover the most common scenarios. If you're working in a specific program and the standard shortcuts don't work, the process's menu bar usually has a full-screen toggle somewhere visible.

Key Takeaways

  • F11 is the most common full-screen shortcut across Windows browsers and applications, though Alt+Enter works in many games and media players.
  • On Mac, Control+Command+F enters true full screen in most applications, while the green maximize button only enlarges the window.
  • Web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all use F11 to hide the address bar and tabs, though pressing Escape exits full screen when ready.
  • Games often require Alt+Enter or a graphics settings menu to switch between windowed and full-screen modes.
  • If keyboard shortcuts don't work, check the View menu or right-click the window title bar for a full-screen option.

Full screen in web browsers

Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all respond to F11 to enter full-screen mode. This hides the address bar, tabs, and bookmarks toolbar, leaving only the webpage itself visible. Pressing F11 again, or pressing Escape, exits full screen and restores the browser interface.

If you want to hide just the browser controls but keep the tabs visible, some browsers offer a separate "presentation mode" or "reader mode." In Chrome, you can also press F12 to open developer tools, which has its own full-screen option for inspecting web pages. On Mac, Safari uses Control+Command+F for full screen, which also hides the menu bar and dock.

Full screen in games

Most games let you toggle full screen using Alt+Enter while the game window is active. This switches between windowed mode (where you can see the desktop around the game) and full-screen mode (where the game fills the entire monitor). Some games also have a graphics or display settings menu where you can choose full screen as a permanent option.

If Alt+Enter doesn't work, check the game's settings menu for a "Display Mode" or "Screen Mode" option. Some games default to windowed mode and require you to change this setting before launching. If you're playing an older game that won't go full screen, right-click the game's .exe file, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and check "Run this program in full-screen mode."

Full screen in media players

VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player, and most video streaming applications use F (just the letter F, not F11) to toggle full screen. Pressing F again, or moving your mouse, exits full screen. Some media players also display a full-screen button (usually a square icon) in the playback controls that you can click instead.

YouTube and other web-based video players have a full-screen button in the bottom-right corner of the video player itself. Clicking it expands the video to fill your screen. Pressing Escape exits full screen on these platforms.

Full screen on Mac

Mac applications handle full screen differently than Windows. The green button in the top-left corner of a window maximizes it to fit the available space, but this is not the same as true full screen. True full screen hides the menu bar at the top and the dock at the bottom, giving the process complete control of the display.

To enter true full screen on Mac, use Control+Command+F, or look for a full-screen button (usually a small square icon) in the top-right corner of the window. Not all Mac applications support true full screen, but most modern ones do. Pressing Escape or using the same keyboard shortcut exits full screen.

Troubleshooting when full screen won't work

If the standard shortcuts don't work, the process may have its own full-screen method. Check the View menu at the top of the window — most applications have a "Full Screen" or "Presentation Mode" option there. You can also right-click the window's title bar (the bar at the very top where the window name appears) to see if a full-screen option appears in the context menu.

On Windows, if an process is stuck in windowed mode and won't respond to Alt+Enter, try pressing Alt+Tab to switch away from it and back, then try the shortcut again. If you're using an external monitor, make sure the process window is on the monitor you want to fill before pressing the full-screen shortcut. Some applications remember which monitor you used last and will expand to that one.

For older or less common applications, full-screen mode may not be built in. In that case, you can maximize the window (usually by double-clicking the title bar or clicking the maximize button) to make it as large as possible without hiding the taskbar or menu bar.

Full screen and multiple monitors

If you have two or more monitors connected to your PC, full-screen mode typically expands the process to fill only the monitor where the window currently sits. If you want a full-screen process to use a different monitor, move the window to that monitor first (by dragging the title bar), then press the full-screen shortcut.

Some games and applications have settings that let you choose which monitor to use for full screen. Check the graphics or display settings menu before launching the process. If you're streaming video or presenting, you may want to use full screen on one monitor while keeping your taskbar or notes visible on another — in that case, maximize the window instead of going full screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I exit full screen?

Press the same key you used to enter full screen (usually F11, Alt+Enter, or F), or press Escape. Moving your mouse in a media player often brings up controls with an exit button. On Mac, press Control+Command+F again or click the full-screen button in the top-right corner.

Why won't my game go full screen?

Check the game's graphics or display settings menu for a "Screen Mode" or "Display Mode" option and make sure it's set to full screen rather than windowed. If the setting is already correct, try Alt+Enter while the game is running. For very old games, right-click the .exe file, select Properties, go to Compatibility, and check "Run this program in full-screen mode."

Can I use full screen on a web browser while keeping the taskbar visible?

No — F11 full screen hides everything except the webpage. If you want to keep the taskbar visible, maximize the browser window instead by double-clicking the title bar or clicking the maximize button. This fills the screen but leaves the taskbar accessible.

Does full screen improve performance in games?

Full-screen mode can sometimes improve game performance slightly because the graphics card doesn't have to render the desktop and other windows. However, the difference is usually small on modern hardware. If you're experiencing lag, check your graphics settings and frame rate cap before relying on full screen to fix it.

What's the difference between full screen and maximized?

Maximized means the window fills the available space but the taskbar (Windows) or dock (Mac) remains visible. Full screen hides the taskbar, menu bar, and all other interface elements, giving the process complete control of the display. Full screen is more immersive; maximized is more practical if you need quick access to other windows.