Enable or disable fullscreen optimizations in Windows 11

If you use Windows 11 to play games, watch videos, or work with multiple applications at once, sooner or later you'll run into the infamous Fullscreen optimizationsThis feature can enhance the experience, but it can also cause performance or compatibility issues in some games and programs, so it's not uncommon to wonder whether it's better to enable or disable it.

Before randomly checking boxes in the compatibility tab, it's important to understand exactly what this feature does and in what situations. It's worth leaving it activated and when it's best to disable it. Furthermore, you'll see that there isn't a system-wide switch: you'll have to decide program by program, which creates even more confusion, especially if you see other users selecting different options for the same game.

What are fullscreen optimizations in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, many programs can run in full-screen mode so you can focus solely on that window. When this mode is active, the system can apply calls Fullscreen optimizations, a feature designed to improve the visual experience and performance.

Simply put, these optimizations make Windows 11 prioritize CPU and GPU resources towards the application that is in full screen. The idea is that the game or video player will run more smoothly, with less stuttering, fewer frame jumps, and, in general, a more stable feel.

This system also takes advantage of internal Windows changes related to display mode, how the screen buffer is managed, and how overlays are displayed (e.g., the Game Bar, FPS counters, etc.). Therefore, on many modern computers, have full-screen optimizations enabled It is usually beneficial.

However, it's not all good news: in some games, especially competitive or older titles, FPS drops, minor stutters, or latency issues have been reported when this feature is enabled. That's where the option to manually disable it comes in.

How full-screen mode works in Windows 11

In Windows 11, not all applications behave the same way when you put them in full-screen mode. Some have a dedicated mode within their settings, others react to a keyboard shortcut, and others simply... They do not support true full screen. and only allow you to maximize the window.

For example, most browsers support the classic shortcut of F11 to switch between normal mode and full screen, like when put full screen in google chromeThere are also programs that allow the exclusive full-screen mode, typical in many video games, where the game takes direct control over the screen and resolution.

However, applications like Thunderbird (the email client) don't have a true full-screen mode. In these cases, you can only maximize windowwhich is not the same as full screen at a technical level, and therefore full screen optimizations are not applied in the same way.

All apps in the Microsoft Store, including those that come pre-installed with Windows 11, usually support some form of full-screen mode, although sometimes there is no obvious buttonMicrosoft also maintains several keyboard shortcuts in the system to force this mode in many applications.

Shortcuts to put any application in full screen

Although each program may have its own option, Windows 11 offers some generic shortcuts that allow you to try full-screen mode even when the application doesn't clearly display it.

Most useful shortcuts for full screen in Windows 11:

• Alt + EnterIn many apps and games, it switches between windowed and full screen.
• Windows + Shift + Enter: Additional shortcut to force full screen mode in many UWP and Microsoft Store apps.
• F11: very common in web browsers, but it may also work in some other programs.

If you want to check it, open Paint 3D, for example, make sure the window is active and press Alt + EnterYou'll see it go full screen, filling the entire monitor. If you repeat the shortcut, It will return to normal mode..

These shortcuts work in most Microsoft Store apps and many Windows windows in general. They may even work in certain video games, though not all. In older or very specific Win32 programs, It's possible they won't do absolutely anything.So in the end it's a matter of trying things out.

Interestingly, not all system applications support these shortcuts: Notepad, for example, doesn't support a full-screen shortcut, while Calculator does. This reinforces the idea that, in Windows 11, each app's behavior in full-screen mode depends heavily on how it's programmed.

Enable or disable full-screen optimizations for a specific program

Windows 11 does not offer a master switch to enable or disable full-screen optimizations. for the entire system at onceThis configuration is managed per application, which means you have to go through them one by one depending on your needs.

The process is always similar, whether it's a game or a conventional desktop program:

1. Locate the shortcut or executable file (.exe) of the program or game you want to adjust.
2. Right click on it and select Show more options if you are in the modern context menu of Windows 11.
3. In the classic menu that appears, choose Properties.
4. In the properties window, go to the tab Compatibility.
5. In section Configurationlocate the box Disable full screen optimizations.
6. Check or uncheck the box depending on what you want to do and press Accept To save the changes.

Here's the key point: if Check the box next to "Disable fullscreen optimizations"You are telling Windows not to apply this function to that program. If the you leave it unmarked, the optimizations will remain active.

It is important to remember that these changes only affect the user you are logged inIf you want to apply the same settings to all users of the computer, within the Compatibility tab you must click the button Change settings for all users and repeat the adjustment in the new window.

Check or uncheck "Disable fullscreen optimizations"?

Here's the big question: when you see the compatibility tab and find that box, what do you do? Do you check it or leave it as is? To decide, it's helpful to understand what each option means in practice.

Si leave the box uncheckedFullscreen optimizations will remain active for that program. This is usually the default setting in Windows 11 and, in many cases, It is the recommended optionespecially if you're not experiencing performance issues, crashes, or anything unusual.

Instead, yes you check the boxYou're instructing Windows not to use that optimization mechanism with that game or application. This can be useful when you notice:

• Sudden FPS drops or unstable performance when entering full screen.
• Stuttering, small jerks or a feeling that the game is "stumbled".
• Problems when using overlays (Discord, Steam, GeForce Experience, etc.).
• Conflicts with resolutions, secondary monitors or slow alt-tabbing.

In practice, in competitive games (like online shooters such as CS:GO, Valorant, etc.) many users prefer to disable fullscreen optimizations for a more consistent experience, especially if they notice anomalies with the option enabled. There's no hard and fast rule, but if you see strange behavior, it's one of the first things you should try.

Why do some users also select "Override high-resolution scaling"?

In the same Compatibility tab where you find "Disable fullscreen optimizations", there is another option related to modern displays: "Override high-resolution scaling" (or similar text, depending on the Windows version).

This setting relates to how programs scale on high-resolution monitors (e.g., 1440p or 4K displays) and with text scaling levels of 125%, 150%, or higher. When an application's interface appears blurry, too small, or poorly proportioned, This option can help force different behavior.

Some users only check "Disable fullscreen optimizations," others check both boxes, and still others leave both options unchecked. The main reason is that not all games and programs handle fullscreen optimizations well. high resolution scalingespecially older monitors, and in certain combinations of monitor + resolution + full screen mode, visual glitches occur.

Selecting "Override high-resolution scaling" may:

• Fix interfaces that look too blurry or poorly scaled.
• Avoid tiny text at very high resolutions.
• Fix problems with windows not fitting properly in full screen.

The downside is that, in some cases, forcing this behavior can lead to new visual artifacts or make the application look different than intended. That's why some users only check this box when they actually encounter scaling problems.

Why do you see different settings for other users?

It's quite common to go into gaming forums or subreddits (like those dedicated to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive) and see screenshots of the .exe path—for example, C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\common\\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\\game\\bin\\win64— with people showing different compatibility settings.

Some only have the box checked. "Disable fullscreen optimizations"Some also select "Override high-resolution scaling," while others leave everything unchecked. This doesn't mean one is correct and the rest are incorrect, but rather:

• Each computer has a different combination of hardware (CPU, GPU, monitor, refresh rate).
• Graphics card driver versions greatly influence behavior.
• The resolution and scaling settings in Windows 11 change the way games are displayed.
• Some users prioritize pure performance, others prefer stability or compatibility.

Therefore, it is logical to take these configurations as starting points for your own testsThese are not universal solutions. It's best to test the game or program with the default settings and only adjust these options if you notice clear performance, stability, or scaling issues.

Relationship with screen and sleep settings in Windows 11

Although not directly related to full-screen optimizations, it's worth mentioning that Windows 11 has changed default screen off and sleep settings to reduce energy consumption when the device is idle.

From Start > Settings > System > Power > Display, sleep, and hibernation timeouts You can adjust parameters such as:

• Turn off my screen afterHow long does the system wait before turning off the screen when you are not using the device, both on battery and plugged in?
• Put my device to sleep after: time before the device goes into sleep mode if there is no activity, again differentiating between battery and plugged-in.

These times have been reduced in many modern configurations (Modern Standby, S3 devices, etc.) to save power. While they don't directly affect full-screen optimizations, they do influence the general experience when you leave a game or video pausedIf you're one of those people who gets up from their PC without closing the game, you'll want to check these settings so your session doesn't end sooner than you'd like.

When is it advisable to leave full-screen optimizations enabled?

In most everyday scenarios, especially with relatively modern equipment, the most reasonable thing to do is Do not disable fullscreen optimizations unless you have a specific reason to do so.

It is advisable to keep them active when:

• You don't notice any performance or stability problems when entering full screen mode.
• You use modern apps, especially from the Microsoft Store, designed for Windows 10/11.
• You play video in full screen (streaming, current media players).
• You play recent titles that are already designed to coexist with this feature.

In these cases, optimization usually helps the program to receive resource prioritization and more efficient screen managementIf everything is running smoothly, there's no point in changing anything: the default settings are precisely what Microsoft expects will work best for most users.

When is it a good idea to disable fullscreen optimizations?

There are certain contexts where it makes sense to try disabling this feature by checking the "Disable fullscreen optimizations" box in the executable properties.

It makes particular sense to do so when:

• You play competitive titles where every millisecond of latency counts.
• Notes FPS drop when switching to full screen, but not in borderless windowed mode.
• You're having trouble Alt+Tabing between the game and the desktop, with crashes or long delays.
• Conflicts occur with overlays (Steam, Discord, capture tools, etc.).
• You're using older games that don't "understand" the new full-screen modes in Windows 11.

In these cases, Check the box to disable optimizations It can revert the behavior to something more like previous versions of Windows or prevent system interference with the game's full-screen mode.

However, even here the decision is based on trial and error: disabling the feature might solve your problems, or you might not notice any difference. That's why it's a good idea to change only one option at a time, test it for a while, and if nothing improves, revert it to its original state.

Ultimately, full-screen optimizations and high-resolution scaling options are tools that Windows 11 puts on the table to fine-tune the full-screen experience program by program. Understanding what each option does, why some users select one, others both, and still others neither, and knowing how to force full-screen mode with shortcuts like Alt + Enter or Windows + Shift + Enter allows you to tailor the system to your gaming and work style. By testing these options thoughtfully, sticking with the default settings when everything is working well, and disabling features only when you encounter real problems, you can find the combination that performs best on your PC without getting bogged down in compatibility menus and hidden settings.

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Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.