Are you tired of being limited by the size of your windows? Do you want to make the most of your screen real estate and focus on a single task without distractions? Making a window full screen with the keyboard is a simple yet powerful trick that can boost your productivity and enhance your overall computing experience. In this article, we’ll explore the various ways to make a window full screen using only your keyboard, covering different operating systems and browsers.
Why Make a Window Full Screen?
Before we dive into the instructions, let’s take a step back and examine why making a window full screen is beneficial. In today’s digital age, we’re constantly multitasking, switching between multiple windows and tabs to complete tasks efficiently. However, this can lead to distractions, decreased focus, and a cluttered workspace.
Making a window full screen allows you to:
- Eliminate distractions: By filling the entire screen, you can focus on a single task without being tempted by other open windows or tabs.
- Improve readability: A full-screen window enables you to read and explore content without unnecessary scrolling or resizing.
- Enhance productivity: With a larger workspace, you can work more efficiently, completing tasks faster and with greater accuracy.
Windows Full Screen Keyboard Shortcut
The most common and widely supported method to make a window full screen using the keyboard is by pressing the F11 key. This works on most operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Windows Full Screen Shortcut on Windows
On Windows, press the F11 key to toggle a window between its original size and full screen. This shortcut works on all versions of Windows, from Windows XP to Windows 10.
Windows Full Screen Shortcut on macOS
On macOS, the equivalent shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + F (Command + Shift + F on newer MacBooks). This will toggle the current window to full screen. Note that some applications, like Safari, may use the Ctrl + Cmd + F (Command + Cmd + F on newer MacBooks) shortcut instead.
Windows Full Screen Shortcut on Linux
On Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora, the F11 key works similarly to Windows. Press F11 to make a window full screen and press it again to revert to its original size.
Browsers Full Screen Keyboard Shortcut
If you’re working within a web browser, you can use a different set of keyboard shortcuts to make the browser window full screen.
Google Chrome Full Screen Shortcut
In Google Chrome, press the F11 key to toggle the browser window between its original size and full screen.
Mozilla Firefox Full Screen Shortcut
In Mozilla Firefox, press the F11 key or use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F (Command + Shift + F on Mac) to make the browser window full screen.
Microsoft Edge Full Screen Shortcut
In Microsoft Edge, press the F11 key or use the shortcut Windows Key + Up Arrow to make the browser window full screen.
Alternative Full Screen Shortcuts
While the F11 key is the most widely supported shortcut, some operating systems and browsers offer alternative methods to make a window full screen.
Windows 10 and Windows 11
In Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can use the Windows Key + Up Arrow to maximize a window to full screen.
macOS Sierra and Later
On macOS Sierra and later, you can use the green “zoom” button in the top-left corner of a window to toggle it to full screen.
macOS High Sierra and Earlier
On macOS High Sierra and earlier, you can use the shortcut Ctrl + Cmd + F (Command + Cmd + F on newer MacBooks) to make a window full screen.
Customizing Full Screen Shortcuts
If you’re not satisfied with the default full screen shortcuts, you can customize them to suit your preferences.
Windows
In Windows, you can remap the F11 key to a different shortcut using the Windows Registry Editor or a third-party utility like AutoHotkey.
macOS
On macOS, you can use the Keyboard preferences in System Preferences to remap the Ctrl + Shift + F (Command + Shift + F on newer MacBooks) shortcut to a different combination.
Conclusion
Making a window full screen with the keyboard is a simple yet powerful trick that can enhance your productivity and overall computing experience. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Linux, or working within a web browser, there’s a keyboard shortcut available to help you maximize your screen real estate and focus on a single task. By mastering these shortcuts, you’ll be able to work more efficiently, eliminate distractions, and make the most of your screen space.
What is the benefit of making a window full screen?
Making a window full screen allows you to maximize your view and focus on the content without distractions. It is particularly useful when you need to concentrate on a task, watch a video, or browse a website without being interrupted by other windows or notifications. By making a window full screen, you can also increase your productivity and efficiency.
Additionally, making a window full screen can also enhance your overall user experience. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in the content and enjoy a more cinematic experience when watching videos or playing games. Moreover, it can also help you to better appreciate the details and graphics of a website or application.
What is the keyboard shortcut to make a window full screen?
The keyboard shortcut to make a window full screen varies depending on the operating system you are using. On Windows, you can press the F11 key to toggle full screen mode on and off. On Mac, you can press the green zoom button in the top left corner of the window, or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + F.
Alternatively, you can also use the Windows key + Up arrow to maximize a window on Windows, or use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + > to zoom in and make a window full screen on Mac. These keyboard shortcuts can save you time and effort, and allow you to quickly switch between full screen and normal mode.
How do I exit full screen mode?
To exit full screen mode, you can simply press the F11 key again on Windows, or press the Esc key on Mac. This will return your window to its original size and position. Alternatively, you can also click on the restore button in the top right corner of the window to exit full screen mode.
It’s also worth noting that you can move your cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the toolbar and click on the restore button to exit full screen mode. This method can be useful if you are using a touchscreen device or prefer not to use keyboard shortcuts.
Can I make multiple windows full screen at the same time?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to make multiple windows full screen at the same time on most operating systems. When you make a window full screen, it will occupy the entire screen and hide all other windows and taskbars. However, you can use multiple monitors or virtual desktops to display multiple full screen windows simultaneously.
One workaround is to use a window management tool or software that allows you to customize your window layout and create a split-screen setup. This can be useful if you need to multitask and view multiple windows at the same time.
Will making a window full screen affect its performance?
Making a window full screen typically does not affect its performance. The window will continue to function normally, and you can interact with it as you would in normal mode. However, if you are running multiple resource-intensive applications or have limited system resources, making a window full screen may cause a slight decrease in performance.
In general, modern operating systems and computers are designed to handle full screen mode smoothly, and most applications are optimized to work well in this mode. However, if you notice any performance issues, you can try closing other resource-intensive applications or upgrading your system resources.
Can I customize the full screen mode experience?
Yes, you can customize the full screen mode experience to some extent. On Windows, you can use the Windows key + Shift + > to zoom in and make a window full screen, and then use the Windows key + Shift + < to zoom out and return to normal mode. On Mac, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + > to zoom in and Command + Shift + < to zoom out.
Additionally, some applications and browsers may offer custom full screen mode experiences, such as hiding toolbars or menus, or providing a distraction-free reading mode. You can check the application’s settings or preferences to see if such options are available.
Is making a window full screen safe?
Making a window full screen is generally safe and does not pose any security risks. It is a built-in feature of most operating systems and is designed to provide a better user experience. However, as with any feature, it’s always a good idea to be cautious when using full screen mode, especially when accessing sensitive information or using public computers.
You should also be mindful of phishing scams or malicious websites that may try to trick you into making a window full screen and then prompt you to enter sensitive information. Always make sure you are accessing legitimate websites and applications, and be cautious of any suspicious activity.