Used Task Manager to force a window to Maximize, now can't restore to default


C

Cuheru

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Used Task Manager to forcibly maximize a window that by all other means had maximize greyed out, but now the program is stuck like that or completely minimized, with no option to restore it to its default.

Also apparently by doing this with Task Manager, it now opens automatically maximized. This is a problem because its idea of maximized is actually larger than my screen and resolution(2160), though I did try changing my resolution around to see if that solved it, to no effect.

I've tried all sorts of listed hotkeys or combinations to restore it, and none have worked and there is no off/restore button to select in Task Manager's right-click drop-down menu just:

Switch To
Bring to Front
Minimize
Maximize
End Task
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 23H2 (OS Build 22631.3737)

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Reverse what you did in the Task Manager
Option 8 in this link
www.elevenforum.com

Maximize Window in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you different ways to maximize an open window for your account in Windows 11. You can maximize a window in Windows 11 to "fit to screen" or "fill the screen" with the window. When the window is maximized, you can restore it back to its original size and position when...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

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Spunk said:
Reverse what you did in the Task Manager
Option 8 in this link
www.elevenforum.com

Maximize Window in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you different ways to maximize an open window for your account in Windows 11. You can maximize a window in Windows 11 to "fit to screen" or "fill the screen" with the window. When the window is maximized, you can restore it back to its original size and position when...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for the quick response.

However, clicking on maximize again does nothing. I may be doing a stupid and missing something obvious though.
 

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The other steps in the tutorial linked are other ways to reverse the Maximize step.
Or you can do a System Restore to a time before you Maximized the app.
 

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Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742Intel Core i7 9700K 3.6016 GBnVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
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Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742
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Gigabyte Z390 UD
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Intel Core i7 9700K 3.60
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Gigabyte Z390 UD
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Grab the window's Title Bar with your mouse and pull it down out of it's maximized state...

giff.gif
 
Last edited:

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Shut Down and restart ? :unsure:
 

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Exactly. Size it manually. Windows should remember the size it was when the window is closed and open that size next time. If your window is so large you can't grab the edges with the double ended arrow, Use the snap feature to position the window to one of the smaller sizes. Drag that small window to the center of the screen and then drag edges of window to what size you want. I never advise anyone to open a window maximized anymore but to size them yourself. Opening Windows maximized went by the wayside for me when Windows 10 came out. It causes all kind of weird stuff, especially if one hides his taskbar..
 

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In the Window, press the Alt key + Space bar, choose Minimize

If the windows is viewable but you can't move it from the toolbar, you can also choose Move from that menu, then one of the Arrow keys, and you will get the 4 Cross arrow where you can grab the window and drag it where you want.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742Intel Core i7 9700K 3.6016 GBnVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
OS
Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Gigabyte Z390 UD
CPU
Intel Core i7 9700K 3.60
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z390 UD
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
Sound Card
onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Two 27" Dell 4K monitors
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
M.2 NVME SSD, 500 GB; Two 2TB Mechanical HDD's
PSU
850w PSU
Case
Cyberpower PC
Cooling
Water cooled
Keyboard
Backlit Cyberpower gaming keyboard
Mouse
Backlit Cyberpower gaming mouse
Internet Speed
1 GB mbps
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Brave
Antivirus
Windows Security
Spunk said:
The other steps in the tutorial linked are other ways to reverse the Maximize step.
Or you can do a System Restore to a time before you Maximized the app.
Click to expand...
System Restore worked, though none of the other options did.

Thanks for the help man, sorry if I asked stupid questions or ignored anything obvious. :-)
 

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Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
For completionist's sake, will also say that, at least for those of the other options given that I tried before I started the restore and walked away from my computer:

@Edwin That didn't work for me, just dragged around the forcibly maximized window.

@MitchInHome Also Didn't work, tried it twice.

@glasskuter Program Window did not allow itself to be sized manually(with the edge drag arrows anyway) to begin with, would have started there if I could.

@Spunk regarding the hotkey solution: None of the normal hotkeys were able to help me.

Thankfully, System Restore sorted out whatever the problem was. I appreciate everyone taking the time to chime in. :-)
 

My Computer My Computer

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OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Not to bump a solved topic, but just for future readers…

Hover over taskbar instance of window, when the thumbnail populates, right click on it and choose restore or resize. It will auto move your mouse to the correct location. *also good to do when a window is on a screen you cannot access. Just choose the move option and click and drag it back (or win+shift+arrow). Ok. Rant over.
 

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Windows 11 Pro
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