How to Manage Your Fullscreen Windows: A Comprehensive Guide

Many users often find themselves in situations where they need to manipulate the size and position of their windows, especially when using fullscreen features. Understanding how to perform these actions correctly can greatly enhance your productivity and user experience with your device.

Understanding Fullscreen and Window Management

Fullscreen refers to a window that occupies the entire screen, excluding taskbars and other elements that might otherwise be present. Managing fullscreen and window sizes may seem straightforward, but it often involves a few nuanced steps. Users should be aware that 'full screen' and 'move' actions are mutually exclusive unless the display dimensions are significantly larger than the screen size. This means that you cannot physically move a fullscreen window.

Resizing a Fullscreen Window

Unfortunately, you cannot directly move a fullscreen window due to the definition of fullscreen: it entirely covers the screen. However, if you are working with a browser window in fullscreen mode, there are a few steps you can take to adjust the window size:

Click on the '...' (three dots) or the 'X' icon located in the window's corner. These icons are often visible as long as the display isn't fully maximized. If the window is maximized, you can press the F11 key to toggle the screen back to its normal state, which will reveal the resize options. If you can't see the resize options, it's possible that the window has been maximized by mistake. Press the F11 key again to restore the window's borders, allowing you to resize it. If the window is already maximized without borders, you can minimize it by pressing F11 once more, and then use the resize options to adjust its size.

Alternative Methods for Window Management

For users who frequently need to switch between different windows without resizing, there are a few useful keyboard shortcuts:

ALT TAB: Pressing ALT and TAB together will open a preview window showing all open applications. Continue pressing TAB to cycle through the preview window to the desired application, and press both keys again or click on the desired application to switch to it. ALT LEFT/RIGHT ARROW: For users of Mac systems, the ALT key and arrow keys can be used to reorder windows without minimizing or maximizing them. CTRL ESCAPE: On Windows systems, pressing CTRL and ESCAPE will bring up the 'Task Manager,' which allows you to kill processes, close applications, and manage your system's resources.

Additional Tips for Effective Window Management

Here are some additional tips to help you better manage fullscreen and windowed applications:

Keyboard Navigation: Learn and familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts to avoid using the mouse, which can be time-consuming. Window Arrangement: Utilize window management tools or software (such as Tiling Window Managers or Snipping Tool on Windows) to arrange your windows in a more efficient layout. Group Similar Windows: Group similar applications or tasks together for easier access and management. Use Hot Corners and Widget Pads: On Mac systems, you can customize hot corners and widget pads to quickly minimize windows, launch applications, or display content.

In conclusion, mastering the art of fullscreen and window management can significantly enhance your daily computing experience. By understanding the nuances of these features and utilizing various keyboard shortcuts, you can streamline your workflow and increase your productivity.