- There are multiple keyboard shortcuts you can use to switch to full screen on a computer.
- On Windows, F11 is the go-to keyboard shortcut to enter full screen, but you can also use Windows + Up arrow key to maximize a window.
- On a Mac, you can use the Command + F shortcut or Ctrl + Command + F shortcut if the former one doesn't work.
Switching to full screen on your PC makes consuming content a tad bit immersive. Each operating system has different and multiple ways of switching to full screen. Additionally, the method of switching depends on the type of application you’re using, whether it be when playing a video in a browser or playing a game. In this guide, let’s look at Windows’ full screen shortcuts that can help you full screen a window.
How to Full Screen on Windows
The most common full screen keyboard shortcut is F11. If F11 doesn’t work, use the FN + F11 keyboard shortcut. The Function or FN key on your keyboard is typically found beside the Space bar and right Alt keys.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + Up arrow key to maximize the Window in focus to make the Window utilize the total screen estate.
Windows Full Screen Keyboard Shortcuts
Here’s a rundown of all the shortcuts you can use to go full screen.
| Description | Keyboard Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Enter full screen on browser and/or when watching videos | F11 / Fn + F11 |
| Make the app window use the entire screen estate | Windows + Up arrow / Maximize button |
| Enter full screen on YouTube | f |
| Make windowed game full screen | Alt + Enter |
Full Screen a Game on Windows
There are times when a game opens in windowed mode because you changed the settings and forgot to revert them, or you mistakenly pressed other keys. The full screen keyboard shortcut for games is Alt + Enter. It needs to be pressed when the game’s window is in focus.
How to Exit Full Screen on Windows
When it comes to apps other than browsers, you need to press F11 to exit full screen. However, if you’re using a browser like Chrome or Firefox, you can try pressing the F11 key or the Esc key.
Or if you use Chrome, you can hover at the top of the video to bring up an X icon and click on it to exit full screen. Similarly, you can also click the Resize button found in most online and offline media players to exit full-screen. If you prominently watch YouTube, you can find the resize option on the lower right side of the player.
If you want to exit, but the program isn’t responding, you can force close it using the Task manager. Once you launch it, select the program that isn’t responding, and click End process.
And those were the ways to go full screen using on Windows. Full screen is mostly used when consuming content on a browser like Chrome; Chrome has many shortcuts that can help you stay productive. Similarly, if you’re running a Chromebook, you can use the dedicated full screen key (F4). Similarly, there are ChromeOS shortcuts that make it easier to navigate the UI.
