How To Enter Full Screen Mode for Edge and Other Apps on Windows 10
UPDATE: Starting with Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709), you can open Edge in full-screen mode using the F11 key. That’s the usual way for classic desktop apps, but with Edge and some other modern apps, it can be a bit tricky because they sometimes ignore F11. Turns out, Edge and some other Windows Store apps don’t respond to F11 by default — because they’re built differently. Instead, Microsoft baked in a different shortcut for them that’s not always obvious.
For ages, Windows has supported full-screen mode for distraction-free browsing or working. Normally, pressing F11 makes your active window go full-screen, hiding the taskbar and title bar. But when it comes to Microsoft Edge, pressing F11 might not do anything, which is kinda frustrating if you’re used to that shortcut working everywhere. Turns out, you need to use a different key combo — Windows logo + Shift + Enter. Yep, together. This shortcut is a little hidden gem, especially if you don’t read the tiny print in forums or are expecting F11 to do the trick.
To get Edge into full-screen mode, just press Windows logo + Shift + Enter. If you wanna leave full-screen, hit the same combo again, and it’ll revert back. Easy enough once you know it, but a lot of folks miss this because they’re expecting the F11 key to do the job — which it doesn’t for Edge and some other modern Windows apps. It’s kind of weird, but that’s how MS curves these days.
This shortcut works not just for Edge, but also for other modern apps like Photos, Mail, or the Windows Store — they all sometimes behave weirdly with F11. So, if F11 isn’t working, try the Windows+Shift+Enter combo. Not sure why, but it seems to be a built-in workaround, at least for now. On some setups, it might take a couple of tries or a reboot before everything clicks, especially if some system updates changed keyboard shortcuts.
Just a heads-up: You won’t see the taskbar or window borders once you’re in full-screen, so it’s pretty immersive. But unlike classic apps, you can’t toggle full-screen with F11—this combo is your best bet. Because Windows likes to make it a bit more complicated than necessary, of course.
Opening Edge and other apps in full screen mode
If you’re trying to get Microsoft Edge in full screen, remember, don’t rely on F11. Instead, hit Windows logo + Shift + Enter. You’ll see the browser fill the entire screen, no taskbar, no title bar, just the webpage. When you’re done, hit that same combo again and everything’s back to normal.
This trick also works for other modern apps that don’t respond to F11, so it’s worth trying when you’re stuck.
Summary
- For classic windows, F11 works to toggle full-screen mode.
- Modern apps like Edge sometimes ignore F11.
- Use Windows logo + Shift + Enter to toggle full-screen for Edge and similar apps.
- If it doesn’t work immediately, reboot or try the shortcut a couple of times—Windows can be quirky.
Wrap-up
This whole thing is kind of annoying because, of course, Windows has to make it harder than just ignoring the F11 shortcut for some apps. But now at least, knowing the alternate trick of Win + Shift + Enter makes life a little easier if full-screen is needed for Edge or other modern apps. Just another little hidden gem in the Windows world — hopefully this shaves off a few minutes for someone.