The quickest way to fullscreen depends on what you're using

Most programs on Windows and Mac let you fullscreen with a single keystroke: press F11 on Windows or Control + Command + F on Mac. If that doesn't work, look for a fullscreen button — usually a small square or rectangle icon in the top right corner of the window. Clicking it expands the program to fill your entire screen. Some programs use different shortcuts, so if the standard ones don't respond, check the program's menu under "View" or "Window."

The method you use matters because different programs behave differently. A web browser fullscreens one way, a video player another, and a game a third. Knowing which shortcut works for what you're doing saves you from hunting through menus.

Key Takeaways

  • Press F11 on Windows or Control + Command + F on Mac to fullscreen most programs when ready.
  • Look for a fullscreen button (usually a small square icon) in the top right corner of any window if keyboard shortcuts don't work.
  • Web browsers often use F11, but some video players and games use different shortcuts — check the program's menu if the standard key doesn't respond.
  • Exit fullscreen by pressing the same key again, clicking the fullscreen button, or pressing Escape on most programs.

Fullscreen in web browsers

Press F11 to enter fullscreen mode in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari on Windows. This hides the address bar, tabs, and all browser controls, leaving only the webpage visible. Press F11 again to exit and return to normal view.

If F11 doesn't work, look for the menu button (three horizontal lines in the top right corner) and select "Fullscreen" from the dropdown. You can also right-click anywhere on the page and look for a fullscreen option, though this is less common in modern browsers.

On Mac, use Control + Command + F to fullscreen Safari. In Chrome and Firefox on Mac, the same shortcut works, or you can use the green maximize button in the top left corner of the window and then press F11.

Fullscreen for video players

Most video players — including YouTube, Netflix, and Windows Media Player — show a fullscreen button directly on the video itself. Move your mouse over the video and look for a small square icon in the bottom right corner. Click it to expand the video to fill your screen.

If you don't see the button, try pressing F while the video is playing. This works on YouTube, Vimeo, and many other web-based players. Press F again or click the fullscreen button to exit.

For desktop video players like VLC, look for the fullscreen button in the player controls at the bottom of the window, or double-click the video itself. Double-clicking is often the fastest way to toggle fullscreen on and off.

Fullscreen for games

Game fullscreen behavior varies widely depending on the game and your graphics settings. Many games automatically run fullscreen when launched, but if yours doesn't, check the settings menu inside the game. Look for "Display," "Graphics," or "Video" settings and find the option labeled "Fullscreen," "Windowed," or "Borderless Windowed."

Some games use Alt + Enter to toggle between windowed and fullscreen modes. Try this first if the settings menu doesn't have a fullscreen option. If that doesn't work, check the game's documentation or support page — less common games sometimes use custom shortcuts.

Running a game in fullscreen mode usually gives you better performance than windowed mode because your graphics card doesn't have to render the desktop behind it. If your game feels slow or stutters, switching to fullscreen in the settings may help.

Fullscreen on Mac

Mac has a dedicated fullscreen feature separate from browser fullscreen. Click the green maximize button in the top left corner of any window to enter fullscreen mode. This hides the menu bar and dock, giving the program the entire screen. Press Control + Command + F to toggle this on and off, or click the green button again.

This is different from F11 fullscreen in browsers — Mac's fullscreen mode is a system-wide feature that works with any program. You can swipe left or right with three fingers on your trackpad to switch between fullscreen programs, or press Control + Up Arrow to see all open fullscreen windows.

Exiting fullscreen and troubleshooting

Press the same key you used to enter fullscreen to exit. If you used F11, press F11 again. If you used Control + Command + F on Mac, press it again. For video players and games, click the fullscreen button a second time or press Escape.

If Escape doesn't work, try moving your mouse to the top of the screen — many programs show their controls when you do this, including an exit button. If you're stuck in fullscreen and can't get out, try Alt + Tab on Windows or Command + Tab on Mac to switch to another program, then switch back.

Some older programs or games may not respond to standard fullscreen shortcuts. In these cases, check the program's help menu or official documentation. You can also try right-clicking the program's title bar or window to see if a fullscreen option appears in the context menu.

Fullscreen vs. maximized window — what's the difference

A maximized window fills your screen but still shows the taskbar (Windows) or dock (Mac) and any window borders. A fullscreen program hides everything except the program itself. Fullscreen gives you more usable space and is better for watching videos or playing games. Maximized is better when you need to switch between programs quickly.

On Windows, click the maximize button (the square icon in the top right corner) to maximize a window without going fullscreen. On Mac, the green button in the top left corner enters fullscreen mode, not just maximized. If you want a maximized window on Mac, drag the corner of the window to resize it manually, or double-click the title bar to auto-fit the window to its content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't F11 work on my program?

Some programs use F11 for a different function — for example, some text editors use it to toggle a feature panel. Check the program's menu under "View" or "Window" for a fullscreen option, or try Alt + Enter if you're in a game. If neither works, the program may not support fullscreen mode.

Can I fullscreen a program on a second monitor?

Yes. Fullscreen mode uses whichever monitor the program window is currently on. Move the program window to your second monitor first, then press the fullscreen shortcut. The program will expand to fill that monitor only, leaving your main monitor unchanged.

Does fullscreen improve game performance?

Usually yes. Fullscreen mode lets your graphics card focus entirely on rendering the game without also rendering the desktop behind it. If your game feels slow in windowed mode, switching to fullscreen in the game's graphics settings may improve frame rates.

How do I fullscreen a program that has no fullscreen button?

Try F11 first, then Alt + Enter. If neither works, check the program's menu bar — look under "View," "Window," or "Display." If the program still has no fullscreen option, it may not support the feature, and maximizing the window is the closest alternative.

What's the difference between fullscreen and presentation mode?

Presentation mode (common in programs like PowerPoint) hides all menus and toolbars and often disables keyboard shortcuts so you can't accidentally close the program. Fullscreen just expands the window to fill the screen but keeps normal controls active. Presentation mode is designed for showing content to an audience, while fullscreen is for personal use.