This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off always open apps maximized by default for your account in Windows 11.
You can manually maximize an app window in Windows 11 to "fit to screen" or "fill the screen" with the window.
Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.9550 (24H2), build 26200.9550 (25H2), and build 26300.9550 (26H2), Microsoft is introducing a new accessibility setting, Open apps maximized, that automatically maximizes app windows when they open, so you no longer have to do it yourself every time. This small change removes a bit of everyday friction, whether you use a screen reader or magnification, work in tablet mode, or simply prefer a consistent, full-screen workspace.
Once enabled, Windows maximizes app windows for you as they open. You can still restore app windows back to their original size and position if wanted.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Open Apps Maximized in Settings
- Option Two: Turn On or Off Open Apps Maximized using REG file
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Accessibility in the left pane, and click/tap on Visual effects under the "Vision" section. (see screenshot below)
3 Turn On or Off (default) Open apps maximized for what you want. (see screenshot below)
4 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.
2 Turn On Open Apps Maximized
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_ON_open_apps_maximized.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Accessibility]
"MaximizeWindowsByDefault"=dword:000000013 Turn Off Open Apps Maximized
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_OFF_open_apps_maximized.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Accessibility]
"MaximizeWindowsByDefault"=dword:000000004 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
