How to disable windowed mode? How to run the game in windowed mode: all the ways.

In a number of programs, switching between screen modes occurs when you enter the Alt and Enter key combinations, however, this combination is not always effective. Most often, the question of how to disable windowed mode is of concern to players. If the game is not running in full screen mode, the controls become inconvenient, you have to adjust and use additional keys to perform a simple action. There are several ways to fix this.

Instruction

The settings of most games allow the user to choose which mode the application should run in: full screen or windowed. To disable windowed mode, call the game menu. Enter the settings (Options) related to interface management.

For each game, the names of menu items and commands may be different, look for an option in which it is possible to switch to the Window / Full Screen type (“Window”, “Full Screen”). Confirm the new settings with the Enter key or the "Accept" button ("Change" and the like). If the changes didn't happen right away, restart the game.

In some cases, the game settings window is called not in the game itself, but from the directory where the game is installed. Before starting the game, open this window through the Start menu or go to the folder with the game files and click on the corresponding icon. Make the necessary changes and apply the new settings.

Another option assumes that the user himself initially set the windowed mode for the program by writing this in the shortcut of the application launch file. Check if the file extension in the launch file name is not just .exe, but is displayed as follows: .exe" –w.

To bring back full screen mode, you need to edit the extension. Right-click on the shortcut for the game's launch file, select "Properties" from the drop-down menu by left-clicking on it. Go to the "Shortcut Properties" tab and remove the extra entry at the end of the line located in the "Object" field.

The edited entry must end with the .exe extension. Click on the "Apply" button in the properties window for the new settings to take effect. Close the window by clicking on the OK button or on the X icon in the upper right corner of the window. Your application will now launch in full screen mode.

Windowed mode is the best conspiracy. Why play in windowed mode at all? It is from him that it is easiest to switch to another window when the boss, wife, parents or a cat suddenly entered the room, which is very against your pastime. But seriously, this question may be relevant for fans of old games. As a rule, such games have a very low resolution and look terrible when expanded to full screen. In addition, windowed mode is convenient for switching to other tabs, allowing you to instantly return back to the game, without a long wait for textures, locations, and so on to “load”.

But how to run the game in windowed mode? Full screen mode in some games can be disabled in the graphic settings of the game itself, with others you will need to apply a couple of tricks. In this article we will talk about all known methods.

In the game, press ALT+Enter. This is a classic combo that works in a lot of fullscreen applications and puts the game in windowed mode.

Some games use other hotkeys, which can be found in the control settings menu.

Using the "-" propertywindow»

If the game does not respond to hotkeys, you should try the following steps:

1. Save changes and enter the game.

If that doesn't work, try "-w" instead of "-window".

With this property, launching the game using this icon will be done in windowed mode. To open the game in full screen again, you just need to delete the entered condition.

Game settings

Some games support switching to windowed mode through the settings menu - you just need to check the graphic settings menu and the game will open in a window.

Using Third Party Programs

The most common program for forcing a game into windowed mode is the Chinese D3DWindower, quite old, but working.

In order to play in the window with it, you must:

1. Download the program, install it and run it.
2. Click on the "plus" and select the file with the game - it will appear in the program list.
3. Select the game and click on the closed folder icon - the settings window will open, where in the first tab you will need to:
   • set the desired width and height of the window - in the first two input fields, respectively;
   • make sure that there is a checkmark to the right of them;
   • press the button on the right at the bottom of the window, then select from the folder with the D3DHook.dll program;
   • save the settings and click on the third button on the right in the main menu of the program.

If everything is done correctly, the program should open the game in windowed mode.

Attention: on the way to D3DWindower there should be no Cyrillic characters!

Using the emulator

If this program did not help you, you can try using system emulators, however, this method is very demanding on computer resources and is not suitable for everyone.

In order to run the game through the system emulator, you can use Windows Virtual PC or Vmware, which can be downloaded from the links from the official sites. Such programs create a so-called virtual machine - "a computer in a computer" and usually work in windowed mode, so any game launched in this way will be in the window of the emulator program. This method requires a lot of configuration, and the virtual machine takes up quite a lot of hard disk space, so we recommend using this method only if you are already working with it. Setting up the emulator just for the sake of running the game in windowed mode is too time consuming and time consuming.

However, if you still decide to try, then you will need an OS installation image, best of all, Windows, since it is compatible with most games, an emulator distribution kit, time and patience. You will need to do the following:

1. Install one of the above programs and run it.
2. Following the instructions, indicate to the program the path to the image of the installation disk with the OS, set the amount of disk space allocated to the virtual machine (as a rule, 20 GB of free space is enough for the emulator to work correctly, but in our case everything will depend on the size of the game you want in it run).
3. Wait for the installation of the OS, complete it, following the instructions of the installer.
4. Reboot the virtual machine.
5. Install the game on it and all the necessary additional software (Visual C ++, DirectX, etc.).
6. Run and hope that your computer has enough performance.

It is worth remembering that playing in windowed mode, especially using third-party software (especially through a virtual machine), requires more resources, and therefore may slow down, freeze and work incorrectly, especially if you play on a weak computer or a large number of others are running in parallel. programs.

Not everyone knows how to run the game in windowed mode, but most users have come up with a similar idea. Sometimes due to the inconvenience in terms of switching between other programs, since each time turning off one game to look in another place does not always have a positive effect on the nerves of the player. Sometimes, due to the lack of the ability to take a screenshot in a particular game using PrtScrn and Paint, because some copy only black windows instead of a full-fledged image. Sometimes due to the small screen resolution provided by the game, because of which you have to look at an imperfectly sharp image, provided that your monitor is much larger. Sometimes for other, more compelling reasons. In any case, from the article you will learn how to run the game in windowed mode, for whatever purpose you need this knowledge.

Method 1: keyboard shortcut

The first thing you can try to do is to press Alt + Enter at the same time. This is not only the easiest way, but also the most efficient, since this is how most games can be switched to the mode we need. If you get tired of it, just press the aforementioned keyboard shortcut again and the full screen mode will return, and you can continue the game as before.

This method is convenient and easy, for which it is appreciated by everyone who knows it. Another thing is that not all games support such a command. In this case, you can also try pressing other keys that are similar to "Alt+Enter": F11 or Ctrl+F.

Method 2: Label Properties

This method is the most unreliable, because with many games (at least modern ones) it simply does not work. However, you still need to know the "how". You can also start the game in windowed mode by adding a certain inscription to the game shortcut, which in most cases is located on the desktop. Most often, "-window" works. When this does not work, you can try to insert the "-w" or "-win" command.

So, where and how to enter. We go to the desktop and right-click on the shortcut of the desired game to go to the "properties". There we see a highlighted line called "object", which shows the location of the game itself and added "exe" at the end. That's where we need to write our commands. At the very end, you put an extra space, after which you add "-window" (without quotes, of course). Then click "OK" and open the game in windowed mode, if it really worked.

Method 3: settings

Since the windowed mode in games is of interest to many users, the creators notice this, and therefore strive to make the conditions for their customers as comfortable as possible. In this case, you do not have to press keys or change the properties of the shortcut. Sometimes it’s enough just to go into the game settings and rummage through them in search of something interesting.

So, most often the screen settings are located in the "graphics" or "video" section. It is there that you can see the inscriptions "Full screen", "In the window", "Windowed mode", etc. with the presence of a checkmark, which can be both checked and unchecked. Sometimes you need to restart the game for the new settings to take effect, keep this in mind and try to change the settings not at the moment when you have an important unsaved mission at stake.

Some games offer to choose immediately when you start the game. However, if you wondered "how to run the game in windowed mode", then it is unlikely that your toy offers this to you.

Conclusion

That's it, now you know how to make a windowed game mode, and you can try to apply the information received in practice. However, I would like to remind you that some games “eat” more when they are launched in this mode, i.e. full requires less power. If you understand that the windowed mode of your computer does not pull, it's better not to risk it. However, not all games react this way, but only some, so you simply have to try it out. Remember how to start the game in windowed mode, because this can come in handy later on even if you are not an avid gamer.

Each of the modern programs automatically adjusts to the resolution of the monitor display. But, if someone decides to install a game that was popular many years ago, it may turn out that it is only partially displayed on the monitor. Accordingly, there is a need to make the game full screen.
There are several reasons why the game is only partially shown on the display. However, you should not be upset in such a situation, as there are ways to bring everything back to normal and play in full screen mode.

Method 1. Using "hot keys"

The easiest way to put the game in full screen mode is to press both "Alt" and "Enter" buttons at the same time. It helps not only in games released 10 or 15 years ago, but also in modern applications. For example, in WoT. By the way, if you press these two keys again in full screen mode, the windowed mode will return.

Method 2: Change launch options

There are situations, especially when playing on someone else's computer, that the game starts in windowed mode due to the fact that the "-windows" parameter is selected in the settings. It is worth getting rid of this inscription and the game will immediately appear in full screen mode.

Difficulties can also arise in a situation where the game is simply incompatible with the existing operating system. There is a solution in this case too. Go to the properties of the shortcut and find the "Compatibility" tab there. Select the operating system from the list corresponding to the one installed on the computer.

But the list of operating systems on the list is not as huge as we would like. The last on the list will be Windows Vista, and the 10 version of this OS is no longer available.

Method 3. Setting up a video card

It is possible that the reason that the game does not want to run in full screen mode is the presence of outdated drivers. It will be enough to update them or reinstall them. The menu of one or another graphics card manufacturer may be displayed in different ways.

For example, if installed Nvidia graphics card, then the user will have to go to the Control Panel, where to select nVidia. Here you can find the scaling. Mark it and the game will automatically expand to full screen.

If your computer is equipped with an ATI graphics card, you will need to launch the Catalyst Control Center application. The most difficult thing will be for those who have a computer with an integrated Intel Graphics graphics card. Very often it is equipped with laptops.

Method 4. Setting up the game

A number of games allow you to set the full screen mode in the graphic settings. This feature has games that for one reason or another, by default, do not run in full screen mode.

The problem is solved simply:

• you should go to the settings;
• find the item where the windowed or full-screen mode is set;
• start the desired mode.

When the settings are changed, you will have to restart your computer. A reboot will be required regardless of the type of operating system and screen resolution.

Method 5. Change permission

It is possible that the methods listed above did not help in a personal case. Most likely, the computer is running the Windows 7 operating system.

Now there is only one way to fix the problem - choose a different screen resolution. However, this method also has side effects. For example, other programs designed for previously set parameters may not be available.

So, after playing this or that time in old game, return the monitor to its previous resolution.

It is possible that the game only functions at a resolution of 640x480, and the monitor simply cannot support this mode. Then you have to select it by opening the compatibility tab.

Attention! This function, after the game has been turned off, returns the normal resolution automatically

Solving a problem on a laptop

A similar problem can also appear when running games on laptops running on Windows. The reason is most likely expressed in incorrectly set parameters in the settings of the Intel Graphics video card. To fix the problem you need:

1. Use only software from the card manufacturer. If not, then correct the situation accordingly;
2. Go to graphic characteristics;
3. Go to the "Display" section. If it is absent, then, by default, the maximum resolution is used.

You need to reduce the resolution and then you can change the monitor screen settings. After that, set the scaling option. This will enable full screen mode.

Take into account that each application will now stretch to full screen. As a result of this, there is a chance that the clarity of the picture will noticeably deteriorate.

Summing up

Now the user is perfectly familiar with the ways that will help open the game in full screen mode. All of them are intuitively simple, and everyone can understand them. As a rule, it will take no more than 1-2 minutes to set up the game in full screen mode.

Since each program has its own differences in interface, it may not be obvious to users what to do to perform a particular function. Below we will cover the most common problems with exiting full screen mode.

How to exit full screen mode in Firefox

Most often, the full-screen mode of the browser gets accidentally. Having met with an unusual display, users are in a hurry to return to the usual, without having tried all the advantages of an undeservedly ignored function. It is noteworthy that firefox supports full-screen mode on any technology, from miniature netbooks to huge HD displays, allowing you to use all the functionality of the technology to the maximum. If you do not have enough of the usual toolbar - just move the cursor to the edge of the window and the menu items will be displayed.

• to return to the usual view, go to “Settings” in the upper right corner of the browser and click inside on the “Full screen” button (a second click will return the full screen mode);
• an alternative way to exit is to press the F11 button on the keyboard (for laptops it can be Fn + F11, if there is a compact type of button placement).

How to Exit Full Screen Mode in Google Chrome

The popular browser from Google, which has proven itself among Windows users, can spontaneously go into full screen mode on OC Ubuntu. This causes PC owners a lot of inconvenience and requires additional clarification. So, in order to “wean” Chrome to open in full screen mode (it will also work on Windows), we will perform the following sequence of actions:

• launch the Chrome browser;
• if the window expands to full screen, switch to another monitor;
• on the latter, we launch another copy of the browser;
• return to the first monitor and close the first copy by right-clicking on the bottom panel with a list of open windows;
• go to the adjacent monitor, with a “double” of Chrome, which should start in a regular window (or put it in windowed mode through the settings \ buttons in the upper right corner);
• close the windowed copy, launch Chrome again - the problem should disappear, the browser remembers the last windowed launch and restores it in each new session.

How to exit full screen mode in games?

Switching to windowed mode can make a gamer's life easier in many ways. This makes it easier to interact with other programs running at the same time. In windowed mode, games require less PC resources, some stop giving out a “dark screen”, “slow down” or create other problems. Switching the game to windowed mode is as easy as shelling pears - usually this feature is turned on and off in the options by simply checking the checkbox. If the developers, for various reasons, did not provide for this feature, for Windows there are universal key combinations that put any program into windowed mode. Try pressing Esc, F11, or Alt+Enter one by one to determine which buttons work with which software.

Despite the fact that only two browsers were considered in the article, all other programs function in exactly the same way. To switch to windowed mode and back from any program, use the indicated hotkey combinations or carefully examine the program settings to find the option you need.