Windows 11 Tests Toggle for Maximized Apps on Small Screens

Microsoft is testing a new Windows 11 toggle that would let users force apps to open maximized by default, a change aimed at improving usability on small-screen devices like handheld gaming PCs and compact tablets. The option, spotted in recent preview builds, appears in the accessibility section of Windows Settings under the label “Automatically open app windows maximized when they open.” When enabled, every app launches full screen, so users no longer need to resize each window manually.

The feature isn’t entirely new. Windows 11 previously forced apps to open maximized on small screens, but that behavior was later removed. The new toggle restores control to users, letting them enable maximized windows on any display size rather than relying on automatic detection.

The practical targets here are devices with screens under 13 inches, where windowed mode becomes less practical. The benefit grows on displays of 10 inches or less, such as the Surface Go lineup and PC handhelds like the ROG Ally X, which packs a 7-inch screen. Reporters note that Windows isn’t well optimized for these small sizes, and running apps full screen meaningfully improves the experience.

This could also help people who connect their PC to a television. When the screen sits far across the room, juggling small windows gets tedious fast, so a default-maximize setting removes that friction.

For anyone who’s tried to use a standard Windows app on a 7-inch handheld, the difference is noticeable. Without maximized windows, interface elements shrink, touch targets get harder to hit, and the whole experience feels cramped. Automating the full-screen state removes a repetitive manual step, which matters more on devices where precision input isn’t available. The setting sits in the accessibility section, which signals that Microsoft views this as an accommodation rather than just a convenience.

It’s a small but practical shift for users who struggle with window management on constrained displays. The toggle is currently limited to Windows 11 preview builds and hasn’t reached the stable channel. The outlet frames this as part of a broader push to make Windows 11 more customizable, following recent tweaks to the Start menu and context menus.

Microsoft hasn’t said when the feature will ship to the general public, and the company notes it may change before general availability. The X user phantomofearth was the first to spot the option in the builds. For now, it’s a promising sign for handheld owners who’ve grown tired of fighting windowed layouts on tiny screens. Whether it survives the preview process intact remains to be seen, but the direction is clear enough.