Gaming is a popular pastime for people of all ages. Whether you’re playing on a console, PC, or mobile device, there’s a game out there for everyone. However, one of the most frustrating things about gaming is when you can’t seem to get the game to fill the entire screen. This can be especially annoying if you’re playing a game that requires a lot of precision, such as a first-person shooter or a racing game. So if you’re looking for a way to make your gaming experience more enjoyable, then you’ll want to learn how to full screen games.
There are a few different ways to full screen games, and the method you use will depend on the game you’re playing and the device you’re using. However, most games will have a setting in the options menu that allows you to toggle between windowed mode and full screen mode. If you can’t find this setting, you can try pressing the F11 key. This keyboard shortcut will typically toggle between windowed mode and full screen mode in most games. Additionally, some games may also have a setting that allows you to set the game to run in “exclusive full screen” mode. This mode gives the game exclusive access to your graphics card, which can result in better performance and visuals.
Once you’ve found the setting to full screen the game, simply click on it and the game will switch to full screen mode. You can then adjust the game’s resolution and graphics settings to your liking. If you’re playing a game on a PC, you may also want to enable V-Sync to reduce screen tearing. V-Sync synchronizes the game’s frame rate with the refresh rate of your monitor, which can help to eliminate screen tearing and make the game run smoother. Once you’ve made your adjustments, you can start playing your game in full screen mode and enjoy the immersive experience that only a full screen game can provide.
Launch the Game in Windowed Mode
To launch a game in windowed mode, follow these steps:
- Check the game’s settings or configuration files for an option to enable windowed mode. This setting is often found in the game’s graphics or video options.
- If the game does not have a built-in option for windowed mode, you can try using a borderless window utility. These utilities allow you to run full-screen games in a window without affecting the game’s performance.
- Some graphics cards also provide a control panel that includes an option to force windowed mode for games that do not support it natively. This setting can typically be found in the graphics card’s display or advanced settings.
Once you have enabled windowed mode for the game, you can resize the game window to fit your desired screen resolution. You can also move the game window to any position on your desktop.
Note that windowed mode may have a slight performance impact compared to full-screen mode, as the game has to render both the game and the desktop environment.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Mastering keyboard shortcuts can not only save you time but also enhance your gaming experience. Here’s a detailed guide to using keyboard shortcuts to switch to full-screen mode in popular games:
Windows Games
| Game | Full-Screen Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Apex Legends | Alt + Enter |
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | Ctrl + Shift + F |
| Minecraft Java Edition | F11 |
| Valorant | Esc + Enter |
Mac Games
| Game | Full-Screen Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Diablo III | Cmd + F |
| Fortnite | Cmd + Enter |
| Hades | Ctrl + Cmd + F |
| StarCraft II | Ctrl + Cmd + F |
General Keyboard Shortcuts
There are also a few general keyboard shortcuts that work across multiple games:
- Alt + Tab: Toggles between open windows and games.
- Windows Key + M: Minimizes all windows, including games.
- Windows Key + Shift + M: Restores all minimized windows, including games.
Utilize Third-Party Apps
If you’re looking for a more robust solution, there are several third-party apps available that can help you achieve full-screen gaming on your Windows PC. These apps provide a wide range of features and customization options, allowing you to tailor your gaming experience to your specific needs.
Some popular third-party apps for full-screen gaming include:
| App | Features |
|---|---|
| Borderless Gaming | Forces windowed games to run in borderless mode, eliminating the need for Alt+Tabbing. |
| DXWnd | A more advanced app that allows you to modify the behavior of DirectX games, including setting them to run in full-screen mode. |
| Windowed Borderless Gaming | Similar to Borderless Gaming, but with a more customizable interface and additional features like game-specific settings. |
To use these apps, simply install them on your PC and configure them according to the instructions provided. Once the apps are set up, you can launch your games and they will automatically run in full-screen mode. Some apps may require specific settings to be applied to individual games, but most will work out of the box with most popular titles.
Adjust Game Settings
In the game’s settings menu, there is usually an option to change the display mode from windowed to fullscreen or vice versa. While this is the most common method, some games may not have this option.
Change the Game’s Resolution
If the game does not have a dedicated fullscreen option, try changing the resolution. When you select a resolution that matches your monitor’s native resolution, many games will default to fullscreen mode automatically.
Alt + Enter Hotkey
Most games on Windows support the Alt + Enter hotkey to toggle between windowed and fullscreen modes. Simply press Alt + Enter while the game is running to switch to fullscreen.
Editing Game Configuration Files
Some games store their settings in configuration files located in the game’s installation directory. These files can be edited manually to force the game to run in fullscreen mode, even if the in-game settings do not provide this option. However, this method is not recommended unless you are comfortable editing such files, as incorrect changes can cause the game to become unstable or even prevent it from running at all.
To edit a configuration file, open it with a text editor and look for a setting related to display mode or resolution. Once you have found the appropriate setting, change its value to “fullscreen” or enter your desired resolution.
Below is a table summarizing the methods for adjusting game settings to enable fullscreen mode:
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Game Settings | – Open the game’s settings menu. – Find the display mode option. – Select “fullscreen”. |
| Game Resolution | – Open the game’s settings menu. – Select a resolution that matches your monitor’s native resolution. |
| Alt + Enter Hotkey | – Press Alt + Enter while the game is running. |
| Game Configuration Files | – Find the configuration file in the game’s installation directory. – Edit the configuration file and change the display mode or resolution setting to “fullscreen”. – Save the changes and launch the game. |
Modify Configuration Files
This method involves editing the game’s configuration files to force it to run in full screen mode. Here’s how to do it:
1. Locate the Configuration File
Look for the game’s configuration file within its installation directory. It typically has an extension of “.cfg”, “.ini”, or “.user”.
2. Open the File with a Text Editor
Use a simple text editor like Notepad or TextEdit to open the configuration file.
3. Find the Resolution Settings
Scroll through the file to find the section that defines the game’s resolution. It usually looks like this:
resolution_width = [width]
resolution_height = [height]
4. Change the Resolution
Modify the width and height values to match your monitor’s resolution. For example, to set the game to 1920×1080, you would change it to:
resolution_width = 1920
resolution_height = 1080
5. Advanced Options
Depending on the game, there may be additional settings within the configuration file that can impact full screen mode. Consider the following:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| fullscreen | Set to “true” to force the game into full screen mode. |
| borderless | Set to “true” to enable a borderless windowed mode that resembles full screen. |
| windowed | Set to “false” to disable windowed mode completely. |
Disable Dual-Monitor Mode
Disabling dual-monitor mode can often resolve full-screen gaming issues. Here’s how to do it:
Windows 10 and 11:
- Right-click on the desktop and select “Display Settings.”
- Under “Multiple displays,” select “Disconnect this display.”
Windows 7 and 8:
- Right-click on the desktop and select “Screen Resolution.”
- Click on the “Multiple displays” drop-down menu and select “Show only on 1.”
- Click “Apply” to save your changes.
After completing these steps, restart your game and check if the game is now running in full screen.
**Additional Tips for Disabling Dual-Monitor Mode:**
- If you have multiple monitors connected, disconnect all but the one you want to use for gaming.
- Ensure your graphics card drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues.
- Try changing the display resolution of your monitor to match the game’s recommended resolution.
Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Full screen optimizations is a feature in Windows that can improve the performance of games in full screen mode. However, it can also cause problems with some games. Here’s how to disable fullscreen optimizations:
Check Graphics Card Drivers
Outdated graphics card drivers can cause games to run in a windowed mode instead of fullscreen. Updating your drivers can often resolve this issue. Here’s how to check for and update your graphics card drivers:
Checking for Driver Updates
Open the Device Manager by searching for it in the Windows search bar. Expand the “Display adapters” section. Right-click on your graphics card and select “Properties.”
Go to the “Driver” tab and click on the “Driver Details” button. In the “Driver File Details” window, check the “Driver version” field.
Updating Graphics Card Drivers
- NVIDIA Graphics Cards: Visit the NVIDIA website and enter your graphics card model in the search bar. Download and install the latest driver.
- AMD Graphics Cards: Visit the AMD website and select your graphics card from the list. Download and install the latest driver.
- Intel Graphics Cards: Visit the Intel website and detect your graphics card. Download and install the latest driver.
Restart your computer after updating the drivers. When you relaunch the game, it should run in fullscreen mode.
| Graphics Card Manufacturer | Website |
|---|---|
| NVIDIA | NVIDIA website |
| AMD | AMD website |
| Intel | Intel website |
Update Game to Latest Version
Many games automatically update to the latest version when you launch them. However, some games may require you to manually update them. To update a game manually, follow these steps:
- Open the game’s launcher or platform.
- Navigate to the game’s settings or options menu.
- Look for an option to check for updates or install the latest version.
- Click the button to check for updates or install the latest version.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the update.
Once the game is updated to the latest version, check if you can now play it in full screen.
Troubleshoot Compatibility Issues
If you’re unable to fullscreen your game, there may be a compatibility issue between your game and your operating system or hardware. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve compatibility issues.
Check System Requirements
Ensure that your system meets the minimum system requirements for the game. If your system doesn’t meet the requirements, you may not be able to run the game.
Update Drivers
Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues. Update your graphics card drivers to ensure compatibility with the game.
Run the Game in Compatibility Mode
Run the game in compatibility mode for a previous version of Windows. This can resolve compatibility issues with older games.
Disable High DPI Scaling
High DPI scaling can cause display issues in games. Disable high DPI scaling in the game settings or in Windows.
Run the Game as Administrator
Running the game as administrator can resolve permission issues that prevent it from fullscreening.
Tweak Game Settings
Certain game settings can affect fullscreen mode. Try adjusting the following settings:
- Fullscreen mode resolution
- Windowed or fullscreen mode
- Graphics quality
Verify Game Files
Corrupted game files can cause display issues. Verify the game files through your game launcher to repair any corrupted files.
Reinstall the Game
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, try reinstalling the game. This will replace any corrupted files and ensure a fresh installation.
Uninstall and Reinstall the Game
If none of the above solutions work, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the game. This will delete all of the game’s files from your computer, so make sure to back up any important saves or settings before you proceed.
Uninstall the Game
- Go to the Control Panel.
- Click on “Programs and Features”.
- Find the game in the list of installed programs.
- Click on “Uninstall”.
- Follow the prompts to uninstall the game.
Reinstall the Game
- Go to the game’s website or online store.
- Download the game installer.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts to install the game.
- Once the game is installed, launch it and check if it is now running in full screen.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This method will usually fix any problems that are preventing the game from running in full screen. | It can be time-consuming to uninstall and reinstall the game. |
How to Make Games Full Screen
Playing games in full screen mode can be a more immersive and enjoyable experience. It allows you to see more of the game world and eliminates distractions from your desktop or other windows. Here’s how to make games full screen on different platforms:
- PC (Windows):
- Press the “Alt” and “Enter” keys simultaneously.
- Right-click on the game window and select “Full screen” from the menu.
- PC (Mac):
- Click on the green “Maximize” button in the top-left corner of the game window.
- Press the “Command” and “F” keys simultaneously.
- PlayStation 4:
- Press the “Options” button on your controller.
- Select “Settings” from the menu.
- Go to the “Screen” tab.
- Select “Display Area Settings”.
- Adjust the slider to set the display area to “Full Screen”.
- Xbox One:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Select “Settings” from the menu.
- Go to the “Display & sound” tab.
- Select “Video output”.
- Set the “Display” option to “Full screen”.
- Nintendo Switch:
- Press the “Home” button on your controller.
- Select the game you want to play.
- Press the “R” button to enter full screen mode.
People Also Ask
1. How do I make my game full screen on Windows 10?
Press the “Alt” and “Enter” keys simultaneously. Alternatively, right-click on the game window and select “Full screen” from the menu.
2. How do I make a game full screen on Mac?
Click on the green “Maximize” button in the top-left corner of the game window. Alternatively, press the “Command” and “F” keys simultaneously.
3. How do I make a game full screen on PS4?
Press the “Options” button on your controller, select “Settings”, go to the “Screen” tab, select “Display Area Settings”, and adjust the slider to “Full Screen”.
