How to set Internet Explorer to always start in full-screen mode or to never start in full-screen mode

Warning

The retired, out-of-support Internet Explorer 11 desktop application has been permanently disabled through a Microsoft Edge update on certain versions of Windows 10. For more information, see Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ.

Sometimes, Internet Explorer may not open in full-screen mode. This happens after you close Internet Explorer when it is not in full-screen mode.

This article helps you make Internet Explorer always open in full-screen mode or never open in full-screen mode, regardless of how it was closed previously.

Original product version:   Internet Explorer
Original KB number:   968870

Always start Internet Explorer in full-screen mode

Method 1: Edit the registry to make Internet Explorer always start in full-screen mode

Important

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, see How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

  1. Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue. Then, click OK.

  2. Locate and then click the following subkey in Registry Editor:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

  3. Locate and then double-click FullScreen in the right pane.

  4. Type yes in the Data data field, and then click OK.

    Note

    If the FullScreen value does not exist in the right pane, manually create a new string value with Value name as FullScreen and Value data set to Yes.

  5. Exit Registry Editor.

Method 2: Use the Group Policy Object Editor to make Internet Explorer always start in full-screen mode

  1. Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.

  2. Expand Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, and then click Internet Explorer.

  3. In the right pane, double-click the Enforce fullscreen mode setting.

  4. Click Enabled, and then click OK.

  5. Exit the Group Policy Object Editor.

Never start Internet Explorer in full-screen mode

Method 1: Edit the registry to make Internet Explorer never start in full-screen mode

Important

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, see How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

  1. Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue. Then, click OK.

  2. Locate and then click the following subkey in Registry Editor:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

  3. Locate and then double-click FullScreen in the right pane.

  4. Type no in the Data data field, and then click OK.

  5. Exit Registry Editor.

Method 2: Use the Group Policy Object Editor to make Internet Explorer never start in full-screen mode

  1. Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc in the Open box, and then click OK.

  2. Expand Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, and then click Internet Explorer.

  3. In the right pane, double-click the Enforce fullscreen mode setting.

  4. Click Disabled, and then click OK.

  5. Exit the Group Policy Object Editor.