Registry Setting for Windows to Open Full Screen

I have been all over the net on this problem which apparently annoys quite a lot of users. MS MVP's usually say something like, "don't be so lazy; just maximize the window". Not very helpful.

Now before I did a reinstall, all my Explorer or Program windows when clicked on opened to a Full Screen. Now after the reinstall, they open to only Partial Size. And, yes, I find that very annoying.

Question: Does anyone know Which Registry Entry to modify so that All Windows Open to Full Screen - and not to partial size that must be enlarged to full screen?

I do own Display Fusion and Dexpot for multiple monitors. Should I be looking for an answer in those? (I will of course do so but think this is a Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit problem that should be fixed in Regedit.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell]

There's a difference between Maximized and Full Screen. It sounds to me like you mean Maximized. If this is true, then the programs and windows should open Maximized if you closed them while they were Maximized. If they always reopen in the Normal Window regardless of closing them while Maximized, then it could be a conflict with some other software. I would go further to say it could be a conflict if it re-opens in a Normal Window even after closing it in a very odd shape (which I recommend trying). The idea is to see if it's remembering anything about the last size, shape and position when you close it and re-open it.

Now, there might be hope. This is normally done by changing the Shortcut's properties. So for a program's shortcut, right-click the shortcut and choose Properties. Then look for the drop-down menu named "Run" where the current option selected is "Normal window" and change it to "Maximized". If you're working with pinned items on the Taskbar, then Shift+Right-Click them while they are closed.

I have Windows Explorer pinned to the Taskbar, but this does not work for it. My only solution for that (outside of having dozens of Windows on the Quick Launch toolbar for you to change the properties of) is to always close it while it's Maximized. If Windows is not remembering the way you had any explorer windows opened, then there may be a conflict of some kind.

SIW2 said:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell]

Nice. So what subkeys should be changed and to what?

You will have to maximise one explorer window, then export the key for future use.

eg :

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell]
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).left"=dword:000000a5
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).top"=dword:00000046
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).right"=dword:00000508
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).bottom"=dword:0000025c

Thank you so much for all the helpful suggestions.

Here is what I found:

1) If I open a file and it is partially minimized and then maximize it to full screen, then close it, it will then open to full screen. That is apparently why I did not have the problem in the past, because I had already maximized all the windows of programs I actually used.

2) TC,

If you're working with pinned items on the Taskbar, then Shift+Right-Click them while they are closed.

This makes perfect sense but did not work for me. Only after I had opened "Control Panel", for example, which I have on the taskbar, then maximized it, did it again open maximized. Setting it to open maximized in Properties did not work for some reason.

3) I think

You will have to maximise one explorer window, then export the key for future use.

eg :

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell]
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).left"=dword:000000a5
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).top"=dword:00000046
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).right"=dword:00000508
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).bottom"=dword:0000025c

this also makes good sense, especially since I requested a Registry Fix - so Thanks.

Since the open --> maximize > close --> reopen to maximized seems to work, that is what I will do.

You guys have been great. Can you imagine that, although this problem has been bandied about on the MS forums and other supposedly authoritative forums, you are the only ones who made suggestions that actually work!

Much appreciate.

incurablegeek said:

Thank you so much for all the helpful suggestions.

Here is what I found:

1) If I open a file and it is partially minimized and then maximize it to full screen, then close it, it will then open to full screen. That is apparently why I did not have the problem in the past, because I had already maximized all the windows of programs I actually used.

2) TC,

If you're working with pinned items on the Taskbar, then Shift+Right-Click them while they are closed.

This makes perfect sense but did not work for me. Only after I had opened "Control Panel", for example, which I have on the taskbar, then maximized it, did it again open maximized. Setting it to open maximized in Properties did not work for some reason.

3) I think

You will have to maximise one explorer window, then export the key for future use.

eg :

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell]
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).left"=dword:000000a5
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).top"=dword:00000046
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).right"=dword:00000508
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).bottom"=dword:0000025c

this also makes good sense, especially since I requested a Registry Fix - so Thanks.

Since the open --> maximize > close --> reopen to maximized seems to work, that is what I will do.

You guys have been great. Can you imagine that, although this problem has been bandied about on the MS forums and other supposedly authoritative forums, you are the only ones who made suggestions that actually work!

Much appreciate.

Are you saying that none of those people know that all you have to do is close a window while it's Maximized in order for it to open Maximized the next time? I mean, are you saying that they don't know that Windows is supposed to remember your last window position, size, and shape?

Are you saying that none of those people know that all you have to do is close a window while it's Maximized in order for it to open Maximized the next time? I mean, are you saying that they don't know that Windows is supposed to remember your last window position, size, and shape?

Yes sir, that is exactly what I am saying.

Google the problem if you have doubts. The best suggestion I found was Automatically Resize Your Programs - AutoSizer which only works on 32 bit Windows (and who the heck uses that!).

Here are just a few:

1) How do I set Windows 7 to open each program full screen, all the - Microsoft Community

1: Grab the corners of the window and drag it to full screen size. Do not use Maximize. Close all other windows first via the Taskbar and this one last. Windows will remember the size used of the last window closed the next time you open the program.

2) Download IE New Window Maximizer For Free - MajorGeeks

3) and straight from MS --- more "I dunno, maybe try this" https://social.technet.microsoft.com...-2b9d57f96fc4/

4) and lots of talk - seasoned nicely with a bit of empathy Windows 7 how do I get permenant fullscreen?

I repeat: The only place where I found definitive answers and No Blown Smoke was here on SevenForums!

What I have learned in my brief time on this earth is that there are lots of Computer Experts on the net who don't know ****!

That's why I only come to SevenForums, OCN and Win7Vista when I have a problem. I either get an "I really don't know" or a clear-cut answer. I always prefer an I don't know to Blown Smoke.

So thanks again to SIW2 and TwoCables!

My mind is blown. I am also speechless.

Either way, you're very welcome.

SIW2 said:

You will have to maximise one explorer window, then export the key for future use.

eg :

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell]
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).left"=dword:000000a5
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).top"=dword:00000046
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).right"=dword:00000508
"WinPos1440x900x96(1).bottom"=dword:0000025c

To start....any help would be great. Looking to get my Explorer window to open MAXIMIZED again. It is set that way in properties, I have a shortcut in the quicklaunch and nothing I do will make it open MAXIMIZED. This is a NEW issue. Used to be that if there was a problem, I could maximize the window and then close and next time it would open maximized again. I'm guessing something is obviously up because when I go to the registry, I only show

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVerison]

the [...\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell] IS NOT SHOWING.

I tried to restart and look at the registry before submitting the post and no change....WT???

Thanks in advance for any helpful replies!