Windows 7: Window won't maximize fully

I just got this computer 3 days ago & it was never normal.

Sorry I gave you an useless suggestion.

I did so based on what you wrote ... " .....and it WAS normal before."

Yea, I am getting the same results as the other guy. My monitor is unable to change refresh rates so I am stuck at 60. I don't have any system restore points because my computer is very new.

Try a program called (windows maximiser) it worked for me.

No, that didn't work either because the picture included DOES show that the window is maximized. The problem is not that it won't maximize, it is that when it IS maximized, it doesn't fill the screen.

Try unlocking the task bar, moving it up to the top, then back down again. Absurdly enough, it worked for me. I had the exact same strip across the top that would remain unfilled when I maximized my windows, yet could be filled by standard windows moved up into that space, as well as support the mouse moving through them. Hope that helps.

PS. I found this fix elsewhere, but if you want to thank me, I won't stop you.

Another possiblity:Check what the monitor's native resolution is versus what you're using. There is a difference between 1280x768 and 1280x800.

Same problem here. There are no Windows 7 drivers for my Dell 2001FP monitor so Windows is using a Generic PnP Monitor driver. I'm guessing this is not uncommon and usually does the same job but it might not properly support as many resolutions as the actual manufacturer's driver? I was having trouble with the 1280x960 resolution btw (caused a 1 cm gap above maximized windows). In the end I just switched to a slightly different resolution (1152x864) and it works properly.

I just solved this problem. Like others, this problem happened to me immediately after receiving a new Dell Inspiron N4050 laptop. After four hours search this problem on Google with, I broke down and contacted Dell technical support. The support agent downloaded and installed a new video driver and a new BIOS update. This fixed the problem.

Needless to say, I am glad the problem is now solved. But I am angry I wasted an entire day on a problem that never should happen with a new PC.

Hope this information helps someone else.

I originally posted that the solution to this problem was outdated video drivers and BIOS firmware. That turned out not to be the case. The problem came back after a little bit. So, I called Dell Support again. Turns out that the preinstalled program Dell DataSafe recovery software causes the problem. I was informed that there is a patch coming soon. But I just decided to uninstall it instead.

Not a very good experience with a new PC. Disappointed.