Have you ever been watching a video or giving a presentation and wished the content would just fill your entire screen? That distracting taskbar at the bottom or the browser tabs at the top can pull you out of the experience. Using full screen mode is a simple trick that can make your viewing more immersive and your work feel more focused.
Luckily, making an application go full screen on your laptop is usually very straightforward. Whether you’re using a Windows PC, a MacBook, or a Chromebook, there are a few universal methods that work across most programs.
The Universal Keyboard Shortcut
This is often the fastest way to go full screen. Simply locate the F11 key on the top row of your keyboard. Pressing it once will typically make your web browser or many other applications expand to fill the whole screen. Pressing F11 again will return you to the normal windowed view. On some Mac keyboards, you might need to press Fn + F11.
Look for the Full Screen Button
Many applications have a dedicated button for this. In video players like YouTube or VLC, you’ll usually see a small square icon with arrows pointing outwards in the corner of the video. Clicking this icon will launch the video into full screen. In programs like Microsoft PowerPoint, you can find a similar icon in the bottom right corner of the slideshow view to present without any menus.
Using the Application’s Menu Bar
If you can’t find a button, the menu bar is a reliable place to check. At the top of your screen, click on View. In the dropdown menu that appears, look for an option labeled “Enter Full Screen,” “Full Screen,” or sometimes “Full Screen Mode.” Selecting this will achieve the same effect. This method works consistently in web browsers and many desktop applications.
When Full Screen Gets Stuck
Occasionally, you might find yourself stuck in full screen mode. Don’t worry; this is easy to fix. The first thing to try is pressing the Esc key (Escape) on your keyboard. This is the universal “exit” command for most full screen situations, especially in browsers and games. If that doesn’t work, try moving your mouse to the top or bottom of the screen to reveal a hidden menu with an exit option.
Making an application full screen is a simple habit that can greatly improve your focus and enjoyment. With these quick keyboard shortcuts and menu tips, you can easily switch between a cluttered desktop and a clean, distraction-free view whenever you need to.
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