Configure an app to open with a normal, minimized or maximized window in Windows 11

If you're familiar with opening a program and it coming out in a strange size, you're not alone: ​​many of us experience an application launching maximized, minimized or in a “normal window” without following a clear criterion. Windows has offered an option to set this behavior for years, but in Windows 10 and 11, some apps occasionally respect it, while others seem to ignore it.

In this article you will find the step by step to force the window state from shortcuts, keyboard shortcuts to manage them on the fly and, above all, Solutions when settings do not take effect (cases like File Explorer or apps pinned to the taskbar). We also include a diagnostic plan with system tools and a free third-party utility for the most stubborn scenarios.

Why some apps don't respect "Normal Window", "Minimized" or "Maximized"

For many versions of Windows, you have been able to choose how an application opens when you run its shortcut: Normal, Minimized or Maximized windowThis has been around since at least Windows XP, but in Windows 10 and 11, there are inconsistencies; it's not so much that the feature has disappeared, but rather that some modern apps manage their own window state separately.

Users have reported situations where browsers like Edge open at full size almost always, but sometimes they open at a tiny size, something like 1/16 of the screen. It's also been mentioned that "Normal Window" used to remember the last size upon closing, but now it's not reliable; instead of remembering the last size, it reverts to that smaller window. Others have noticed the same thing with File Explorer and clients like Thunderbird.

To top it all off, there are usability details that don't help: trying to maximize by double-clicking on the title bar is sometimes interpreted as a double-click on the top edge and the system maximizes only verticallyIt's a small extra gesture, but added to the above, it can be annoying if you open and close windows all day.

Traditional shortcuts vs. apps pinned to the taskbar

A common source of confusion is that changing the properties of a classic shortcut It doesn't always affect how the app opens from the taskbar. In a real-life case with Notion, pinning the shortcut opened from Start to "Maximized" and launching it from there caused the app to open in full screen. but from the pinned icon I was still starting out at an intermediate size.

This happens because taskbar pinning is based on the identity of the executable and its AppID; sometimes the shortcut you modify is not the one you want. the bar used to start the appIn fact, when repinning, a second (identical) icon may appear, reflecting the new behavior, while the first remains "disconnected." Deleting the first and leaving the second causes it to fail again after a reboot.

What does this mean? You must either locate the actual executable the app uses when launched from the taskbar and tap its properties, or assume that certain pinned apps won't respect the "Run: Maximized/Minimized" preference. This behavior is especially common in modern or packaged applications and in some based on frameworks like Electron.

Configure the window state from the shortcut properties

While it doesn't always work for pinned apps, this is still the standard method and works with most traditional shortcuts. The steps are simple and should be repeated for each app you want to tweak. locating the correct shortcut in each case:

– Open Start and search for the application. – Right-click it, select “More,” and choose “Open file location.” – Right-click the shortcut or executable you see and select “Properties.” – Go to the “Shortcut” tab and look for the “Run” field. – Select “Normal window,” “Minimized,” or “Maximized,” click “Apply,” and then “OK.” Repeat with each app that interests you..

When the correct shortcut is the one you use daily (for example, the one on the desktop or a custom path), this setting is usually respected. If you launch from the taskbar and notice it doesn't change, try unpinning and repinning the icon from the executable you just modified.

Keyboard shortcuts to tame windows in seconds

While you are adjusting shortcuts or when something fails, the Windows shortcuts to manage windows They are a lifesaver for working quickly without letting go of the keyboard:

• Win + M: Minimizes all windows and displays the desktop.
• Shift + Win + M: Restores windows minimized with Win + M.
• Win + D: Toggle showing/hiding the desktop with one press.
• Win + Up Arrow: Maximizes the active window.
• Win + Down Arrow: Restores or minimizes the active window.
• Win + Left/Right Arrow: Docks the window to the corresponding half of the screen.

Also, double-clicking the title bar toggles between restored and maximized, although it's best to hit the center area to avoid the system interpreting that you're on it. the edge and only maximize verticallyIt's a minor detail, but you'll notice the difference if you do this gesture often.

When Explorer Won't Open Maximized: Useful Tweaks and Tests

A particular case that has been repeated is that of File BrowserThere are some devices where, no matter how much you maximize and close the system, it reopens "center" and is restored. Before considering drastic measures, it's worth trying these settings and checks:

– Go to Settings > System > Multitasking and activate “Docking windows”. Although it shouldn't be necessary, sometimes this change “reactivates” window behaviors that have frozen. Afterward, restart your computer (it's better to restart than to turn it off/on). – Open Explorer, maximize it, close it, and reopen it several times to see if it now respects the status.

If it persists, you can open Event Viewer to check for warnings or errors pointing to interfering shell extensions or system components. Press the Windows key, type "Event Viewer" and enter; in the left column, go to Custom Views > Administrative Events, wait for it to load and sort by Date and Time to review the most recent entries.

When nothing changes: Repair system files and try a clean boot

If your Windows settings aren't consistently respected, there may be corrupted system files or something in the background that's interfering. Here, it's a good idea to use built-in tools: DISM and CFS.

1. Open a symbol of the system as administrator (search for “Command Prompt”, right click, “Run as administrator”).
2. Run: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestorehealthThis process takes a few minutes.
3. When it indicates that the operation was completed successfully, run: sfc /scannow. Wait for 100% and then close with exit. Restart the computer and check the behavior.

If it continues the same, perform a clean boot To rule out interference from third-party services or programs: – Press Windows, type “msconfig” and open System Configuration. – On the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services” and click “Disable all”; “Apply”. – On the Startup tab, click “Open Task Manager” and disable all enabled items (make a note of which ones to restore them later). – Close the Task Manager, in “Start” of msconfig press “OK” and restart. Now test if the windows respect the state. Then, revert to the clean boot to get back to normal.

Important: If your computer is on a network with corporate policies, some options may be blocked. Use msconfig only with clear instructions if you're unsure; Misuse can leave the system unstable.

Create a new user profile to rule out profile corruption

In some teams, the problem is linked to the User profile. Testing with a new profile is quick and allows you to verify if the issue is local to your account. To create a local account in Windows 11: - Home> Settings > Accounts > Family & other users (or “Other users”). – Under “Add another user,” tap “Add account.” – Select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in info,” then “Add a user without a Microsoft account.” – Assign a name, password, and security questions. Sign in with the new account and test the behavior.

If you need to give them admin permissions: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > choose the account, “Change account type,” and under “Account type,” select “Administrator.” Then sign out of the original account and try the new one if the windows open as you have set.

Reset your PC? Only if there are more errors and with a previous backup.

Resetting Windows 11 with the “Keep my files” option is usually reserved for when there are multiple problems piling up. You can do this in System > Recovery > Reset this PC, choosing to keep your personal data. Note: Microsoft Store apps can be reinstalled with your account, but Classic desktop programs are not preserved.

Before you get to that point, it's highly recommended that you exhaust the previous options (DISM/SFC, clean boot, new account). And if you decide to reset, make a full backup; it never hurts to be cautious when you're going to touch the system thoroughly.

Set your own keyboard shortcuts to launch your favorite apps

In addition to defining whether an app opens maximized or minimized, you can speed up its startup with a custom combination. In the same shortcut where you changed "Run," you'll find the field “Shortcut key”Click on it and press the combination you want (for example, Ctrl + Alt + N for Notion). From there, you'll be able to open the app quickly, and if the shortcut respects the window settings, it will be applied every time.

This is especially useful if you've decided to ditch the taskbar and use traditional shortcuts. While Windows 11 encourages pinning apps, the traditional shortcuts remain more predictable in how they respect the configured window state.

When the taskbar “resists”: specific tricks

If you want to force a pinned app to open maximized and there's no way, try this sequence: – Open Start, find the app, “More” > “Open file location”. – In that shortcut, under “Shortcut > Run”, choose “Maximized” and apply. – Run from that same shortcut and verify that opens maximized. – Now, with the app open and maximized, right-click the active icon in the taskbar and choose “Pin to taskbar.” – Close the app and test the pinned icon. If it doesn’t respect the maximized option, unpin it and repeat the pinning. from the correct instance (sometimes the app creates multiple processes with different AppIDs).

It's not an exact science (some apps won't obey), but you'll improve the percentage of cases where the preference is maintained. In apps like Notion, which have caused trouble on several devices, this "re-pinning" from the instance that does open maximized is the most effective trick.

AdvancedRun (NirSoft): the wildcard when Windows doesn't command

If none of the above works for a particular application, you can resort to Advanced Run, a free, portable utility from NirSoft. It allows you to launch any program with advanced parameters, including window status, without having to install anything.

How to use it: 1) Download the ZIP from the NirSoft website, unzip it, and run AdvancedRun.exe. 2) In “Program to Run,” select the executable or shortcut of the program you want to control. 3) In “Main Window State,” choose “Normal,” “Minimized,” or “Maximized.” 4) Click “Run” to try it out. If you like it, you can create a new one. direct access to that profile and use it instead of the usual icon (or pin it to the taskbar if that's convenient for you).

It's an elegant solution for cases where the app decides on its own. And because it's portable, it leaves no trace on the system; if your scenario changes, just remove access and return to standard settings.

Realistic limits and expectations

It's important to understand that not everything can be completely "tamed." There are applications that manage the window state internally and apply it at startup, bypassing WindowsOthers restore their last size (even if you requested a maximized version), and some modern apps prefer to open in their own layout.

To live with this without wasting time: – Prefer classic shortcuts when you want to control the window state. – Use keyboard shortcuts to adjust the window instantly. – Keep AdvancedRun handy for “rogue houses.” – And, if you notice widespread inconsistencies, use DISM/SFC and the clean boot to rule out system causes.

These tweaks cover everything from the basics (Properties > Run) to the tricky stuff (Explorer not remembering its size, unruly pinned apps, or programs that insist on opening tiny). If you work with multiple screens, the combination of dock windows and shortcuts will give you a very fluid flow even when the app does not respect the initial state.

All of the above should leave you with a clear roadmap: set the status from the appropriate shortcut, validate with shortcuts if something fails, try system fixes if the problem persists, and use AdvancedRun for stubborn cases. With this sequence, most users go from the frustration of Windows running on fumes to consistent startup. fast and without surprises, just as you need to focus on what's important.

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Master Snap Groups and Snap Layouts in Windows 11: Advanced Window Organization

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.