How to Always Open Emails in Maximized Windows

Tired of squinting to see your email? Try this helpful trick

Overhead view of man working on laptop with huge monitor
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by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated August 21, 2019

If you want to optimize the use of your monitor while reading email messages, you can maximize the message window. If you don't want to have to do so with each message you open, use this trick to make it happen automatically each time.

The trick is based on how Microsoft Windows saves and reuses window size information. The following instructions explain how you can resize the default window size so message windows open at the size you prefer.

These instructions apply to the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Open Email Messages in Maximized Windows

  1. Open any email message by double-clicking or double-tapping it.

    Email message open in Outlook

  2. Make sure the window isn't already maximized. If it is, in the top-right part of the window, select the Restore Down icon (next to the X) to minimize the window.

  3. Move the window to the top left corner of the screen, as far to the corner as you can get it.

    Email window moved into top-left corner of the screen

  4. From the bottom right side of the window, drag the corner to the bottom right corner of your screen. You're essentially manually maximizing the window without actually making it fit the screen perfectly.

    Email window nearly maximized

  5. Close the email window and reopen the same one or a different email. The email should open in this semi-maximized state each time.