Enabling and Disabling Full Screen Mode in Microsoft Edge

Full screen mode lets you see more of the web and less of the browser

By
Joli Ballew
Joli Ballew
Writer
Joli Ballew is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and Microsoft MVP, Lynda.com trainer, Microsoft Press author, and college professor.
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Joli Ballew
Updated November 15, 2019

In Windows 10, you can view web pages in Microsoft Edge in full-screen mode to hide the tabs, Favorites bar, and Address bar. Once you are in full-screen mode, no controls are visible, so it's important to know how to both enter and exit this mode. There are several options.

This article applies to ​Windows 10 operating systems.

Full screen and maximized modes aren't the same. Full screen mode takes up the entire screen and shows only what's on the web page itself. The parts of the web browser you might be used to, like the Favorites bar, Address Bar, or Menu Bar, are hidden. Maximized mode is different. Maximized mode also takes up your entire screen but the web browser controls are still available.

01
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Use the F11 Toggle

Screenshot of the Microsoft Edge icon on the Start Menu

To use Microsoft Edge in full screen mode, first, open the Edge browser. You can do this from the Start menu and perhaps the Taskbar. 

Once open, press F11 on your keyboard to enter full screen mode. It doesn’t matter if your browser is maximized or only taking up part of the screen; pressing this shortcut key will cause it to enter full-screen mode. When you are finished using full screen mode, press F11 on the keyboard again, as F11 acts as a toggle.

02
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Use Windows + Shift + Enter

On-screen keyboard with all keys showing

The key combination Win + Shift + Enter also works to put Edge in full screen mode. In fact, this key combination works for any “Universal Windows Platform” app, including the Store and Mail. Win + Shift + Enter is a toggle.

To use it this key combination to enter and exit full-screen mode:

  1. Open the Edge browser.
  2. Hold down the Windows and Shift keys, and then press Enter.
  3. Repeat to leave full screen mode. 
03
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Use the Zoom Menu

Screenshot showing the Edge Settings and More menu

You can enable full screen mode from a menu available in the Edge browser. It’s in the Zoom settings. You use this to enter full screen mode. When you’re ready to exit though you must locate the full screen icon, but this time from somewhere other than the menu (because it’s hidden). This trick is to move your mouse to the top of the screen.

To use the menu option to enter and exit full screen mode:

  1. Open your Edge browser.
  2. Select the Settings and More option, represented by three horizontal dots in the upper right-hand corner of the browser window. This opens a drop-down menu.
  3. Position your mouse over the Zoom option and then select the full screen icon. It looks like a two-headed diagonal arrow.
  4. To disable full screen mode, move to the top of the screen and select the full screen icon. Again, it’s a two-headed diagonal arrow. 
04
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Use Combinations to Enter and Exit Full Screen Mode

All of the ways described here for enabling and disabling full screen mode are compatible. Here are a few ways you can use them interchangeably:

  • Press F11 on the keyboard to enter; click the full-screen mode icon at the top of the window to exit.
  • Press Win + Shift + Enter to enable full-screen mode: use F11 to exit.
  • Click the Settings and More menu and click the full screen mode icon to enter; press Win + Shift + Enter to exit.
  • Press F11 to enter; press Win + Shift + Enter to exit.
  • Click Settings and More to enter; press F11 to exit.