how to exit full screen mode on your computer using simple keyboard shortcuts and menu options. Say goodbye to being stuck in full screen!
Full-screen mode helps you focus on the content by hiding interface elements. But there are also opposite situations when it is inconvenient to use software without control buttons. From our material, you will learn how to exit full-screen mode in web browsers, video players, and other software for Windows and macOS.
How to exit full screen mode in browser
Most web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge, offer a full-screen mode for comfortable browsing of websites or working with web applications.
Windows
- Press F11 – this is a universal way to switch from full screen to normal mode;
- If F11 doesn’t work, try the Fn + F11 combination (on laptops or keyboards without a function row of keys);
Move your cursor to the top of the screen and click the exit full screen icon (if available);
Close your browser using Alt + F4 and then reopen it.
macOS
- Press Command + Control + F;
- Move the cursor to the top of the screen and click the green button in the upper left corner of the window;
- Close the browser using the keyboard shortcut Command + Q and open it again.
How to exit full screen mode in video player
Most media players, including VLC, Windows Media Player, QuickTime, and built-in browser players, support full-screen video viewing.
Windows
- Press Esc to exit full screen mode;
- Try pressing F11 (for some video players)
- Use the Alt + Enter combination (in some applications, such as Windows Video Player);
- Move the cursor and press the exit full screen button on the player control panel.
macOS
- Press Esc to exit full screen mode;
- Use the keyboard shortcut Command + Control + F;
- Click on the exit full screen button in the upper left corner of the player.
How to exit full screen mode in other apps
Some programs, such as games, office applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel), code editors, and virtual machines, can also run in full screen mode.
Windows
- Use Alt + Tab to switch to another app, then close the full-screen app;
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Task Manager and close the desired application;
- Some programs can be exited by pressing F11 or Alt + Enter.
macOS
- Use Command + Tab to switch between applications;
- Press Command + Option + Escape, select the program and click Force Quit;
- If the app supports system commands, try “Command + Control + F”.
As you can see, in most cases it is enough to press Esc, F11 or use system key combinations to exit full-screen mode. If standard methods do not work, you can try to close the program or switch to another window using the operating system hot keys.
