When I first started using Windows 11, I found myself constantly frustrated with how windows would open in random sizes. Sometimes they were maximized, sometimes just a little bit bigger than the default, and occasionally they would open in a tiny window that I’d have to resize manually. This inconsistency was annoying, especially when I was trying to get work done quickly. So, I decided to figure out how to make all windows open maximized or in full-screen mode by default. After some research and experimentation, I discovered a few methods that worked effectively for me.
First, I tackled the issue by exploring the settings available within Windows itself. The most straightforward approach was to maximize each window manually and then close it. Windows 11 and 10 remember the size and position of the windows when you close them, so if you manually maximize a window and then close it, the next time you open that application, it should open maximized. This method works for many applications but not all, and it can be tedious if you have to do it for multiple applications.
For applications that don’t remember their window size and position, I looked into using third-party software. One popular tool I found is called “DisplayFusion.” This software provides a lot of advanced features for managing windows, including the ability to set up rules to open applications in specific ways. After installing DisplayFusion, I went into its settings and created a rule that forces all windows to open maximized. It took a bit of tweaking to get everything working perfectly, but the results were worth it. Every time I opened an application, it was maximized automatically, which significantly streamlined my workflow.
Another method I explored was modifying the properties of application shortcuts. I right-clicked on the shortcut of the application I wanted to always open maximized, selected “Properties,” and under the “Shortcut” tab, I adjusted the “Run” option from “Normal window” to “Maximized.” This change ensures that whenever I open that particular application using that shortcut, it will always start in a maximized state. While this method is useful for applications that are frequently used, it doesn’t apply universally to all applications or windows, especially those that don’t have a shortcut or are launched in other ways.
I also delved into the Windows Registry Editor for more advanced customization. This method involves editing system settings at a more granular level, so I had to be cautious and back up the registry before making any changes. By navigating to the appropriate keys in the Registry Editor, I could tweak settings related to window management. For instance, I found settings related to window size and position that I could adjust to influence how new windows are handled. While this approach provided more control, it required a good understanding of the registry and the risk of making unintended changes that could affect system stability.
In addition to these methods, I explored using Windows PowerToys, a suite of utilities designed to enhance productivity on Windows. One specific tool within PowerToys is called “FancyZones,” which allows users to create custom window layouts and manage how windows snap to different zones on the screen. By configuring FancyZones, I could set up a layout where windows would always open in a maximized zone. This tool offered flexibility in how windows are managed, and while it wasn’t exactly the same as making all windows open maximized by default, it provided a similar effect by ensuring that windows were arranged in a way that made my workspace more efficient.
Overall, through a combination of manual adjustments, third-party tools, shortcut modifications, and registry edits, I managed to achieve a setup where most of my windows open maximized or full-screen. Each method had its strengths and limitations, so I ended up using a combination of approaches to address different scenarios. This solution greatly improved my productivity and made my computing experience much more enjoyable, as I no longer had to waste time resizing windows every time I opened a new application.