One feature you can enjoy in Windows 11 is the full-screen mode, which lets you maximize your screen space by hiding unnecessary elements, such as the taskbar, menus, and address bar.
Full-screen mode can enhance your experience when using apps, watching videos, playing games, or surfing the web. Full-screen mode can also help you focus on the content you’re viewing or working on, without distractions from other things around you.
There are several ways to enter full-screen mode in Windows 11, depending on the app or content you’re using. In this article, we will describe some of the most common and easy methods to enable full-screen mode in Windows 11, as well as ways to exit the mode if you want to return to normal viewing.
How to Enter Full-Screen Mode with F11 Key
The easiest way to enter full-screen mode in Windows 11 is to press the F11 key on your keyboard. This key serves as a keyboard shortcut for full-screen mode in most apps and services.
You can press the F11 key while using a web browser, Microsoft Store apps, Microsoft 365 programs, and some parts of Windows (for example, File Explorer, Command Prompt, and Control Panel). Some third-party programs will also trigger full-screen mode when this button is pressed.
To enter full-screen mode with the F11 key, follow these steps:
- Open the app or service you want to use in full-screen mode.
- Make sure the application or service window is active (select it to focus on it).
- Press the F11 key once to enter full-screen mode. You’ll notice that all elements on the screen disappear, except for the content you’re viewing.
- To exit full-screen mode and return to normal mode, press the F11 key again.
Note: If the F11 key does not work, you may need to press Fn + F11 to enter full-screen mode. This depends on your keyboard settings.
How to Enter Full-Screen Mode with Other Buttons
If the application or service you are using does not respond to the F11 keyboard shortcut, the next option is to look for a special key for full-screen mode. For example, if you’re viewing widgets in Windows 11, you can use the expand button to make the panel take up the entire screen.
Video streaming services like YouTube and Netflix also have their full-screen buttons. The F11 still works to trim unnecessary parts of the web browser, but the best way to watch videos on full screen is to press the button. This applies equally to all websites.
To enter full-screen mode with a dedicated key, follow these steps:
- Open the app or service you want to use in full-screen mode.
- Look for buttons that show square, arrow, or full-screen symbols. Usually, this button is in the lower right or upper corner of the screen.
- Click the button to enter full-screen mode. You will notice that the content will fill your entire screen.
- To exit full-screen mode, click the same key again or press the Esc key on your keyboard.
Note: Some apps or services may have other keyboard shortcuts for full-screen mode other than F11. For example, when playing games or working in Terminal, you can use Alt + Enter to enter full-screen mode.
How to Enter Full-Screen Mode by Hiding the Menu
Some programs do not support full-screen mode. If F11 doesn’t work, another option is to hide the different elements on the screen so that the app can be expanded as much as possible. Google Sheets (and Docs, etc.) is a good example. Pressing the small arrow in the formatting bar will hide everything above it, including the menu bar and sharing options.
To enter full-screen mode by hiding the menu, follow these steps:
- Open the app or service you want to use in full-screen mode.
- Look for the option to hide the menu bar, toolbar, or other elements on the screen. Typically, this option is in the View, Settings, or other menus.
- Click the option to hide unnecessary elements. You will notice that the app will take advantage of the larger screen space.
- To reshow hidden elements, click the same option again or press the appropriate key on your keyboard.
Note: Some apps or services may have the option to switch to full-screen mode in their settings. For example, in Spotify, you can click the gear icon in the bottom right corner and enable the Full-Screen option under Display.
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How to Enter Full-Screen Mode by Hiding the Taskbar
If all the above methods don’t work, you can try hiding the Windows 11 taskbar to make more room for the apps or services you’re using. The taskbar is a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen that displays the Start button, app icon, notification area, and more. You can hide the taskbar automatically or manually, depending on your preference.
To enter full-screen mode by hiding the taskbar, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar Settings.
- In the Settings window that opens, scroll down and find the Automatically hide taskbar option in desktop mode.
- Enable the option by sliding the switch to the right. You will notice that the taskbar will disappear from your screen.
- To display the taskbar again, hover your cursor over the bottom of the screen and the taskbar will reappear.
- If you want to hide the taskbar manually, you can press Windows + T on your keyboard. It will hide or show the taskbar with one click.
Note: If you are using tablet mode in Windows 11, you can hide the taskbar by enabling the Automatically hide taskbar in tablet mode option in Taskbar Settings.
Conclusion
Full-screen mode is a useful feature in Windows 11 that can improve your experience when using certain apps or services. There are several ways to enter full-screen mode in Windows 11, such as using the F11 key, a special key, hiding the menu, or hiding the taskbar. You can try the method that best suits your needs and enjoy uninterrupted content on your screen.
Hope this article will be useful for you. Thanks for reading.