Unlocking Borderless Windowed Mode: Your Games, Minus the Borders
Ever want your game to ditch the window borders? You’re in luck! Let’s explore borderless windowed mode. It blends into your desktop. It looks like fullscreen and acts like a window. It combines the best of both worlds.
What Exactly IS Borderless Windowed Mode?
Borderless windowed mode, or fullscreen windowed mode, is a hybrid. It’s like wearing pajamas for a Zoom call – neat above, relaxed below. The game runs in a window but fills your screen. It hides the annoying borders. It feels like fullscreen, without the hassle.
Why Bother Going Borderless?
The magic of borderless windowed mode lies in its flexibility. Imagine being deep in your game, then needing to check Discord or look for a guide. In fullscreen mode, switching apps can lead to black screens or crashes. Borderless windowed mode resolves this.
Since it acts as a window, switching to another app is quick and smooth. No jarring transitions or crashes when you move your mouse. It’s perfect for multitasking gamers, especially with multiple monitors. Switching between your game, chat, and browser becomes effortless.
Forcing the Borderless Hand: Methods to Make it Happen
Some games don’t provide the option for borderless mode. Don’t worry! We have tricks to force the issue. You can enjoy your borderless gaming bliss.
Third-Party Tools: Your Borderless Best Friend
Need a way to enforce borderless mode? Try third-party programs like Borderless Gaming. These tools make games go borderless, even if they refuse on their own. They work with a simple hotkey or through an app interface.
Game-Specific Tricks: When F4 is Your Friend
Some games have hidden keys to toggle borderless mode. For example, certain games let you activate borderless by pressing F4 while playing. A quick search can reveal secret key combos for your game that unlock borderless play.
Minecraft in Borderless: A Blocky Paradise, Border-Free
Minecraft players, celebrate! Borderless windowed mode can improve your building adventures.
Vanilla Minecraft: Simple Toggles
Vanilla Minecraft has easy options for display modes. Want windowed? Go to video settings and uncheck “Fullscreen Mode.” Alternatively, hit the F11 key to switch between fullscreen and windowed modes.
Minecraft Mods and Resource Packs: Adding Borderless Options
The modding community leads the way. Some mods introduce startup flags, like `–borderless`, for launching directly into borderless mode. This shows the community’s commitment to customization.
Some tools detect running Minecraft instances. Choose your Minecraft window and click a “Go Borderless” button to change it to borderless easily. Many tools also include a “Restore Window” option to revert back when necessary.
If you’re curious about “borderless glass” in Minecraft – that’s typically a visual effect via Optifine or resource packs in Java Edition. It’s aesthetic, not related to windowed mode.
For true borderless fullscreen in modded Minecraft, find a “Borderless” option in Video Settings, usually near “Fullscreen.” Some mods add a third choice for “Borderless.” You may also set a hotkey, like Shift+F11, to toggle borderless fullscreen easily.
Troubleshooting Borderless Blues (and Other Window Woes)
If things don’t go smoothly, here are common issues and solutions.
The Case of the Non-Working Alt + Enter
If `Alt + Enter` doesn’t toggle fullscreen, don’t worry. First, check your accessibility settings; they might interfere with shortcuts. Temporarily disable third-party keyboard software, as they can cause conflicts. If needed, boot into Safe Mode to test `Alt + Enter` and see if it works there.
Window Off-Screen Adventures
Ever had a window disappear off-screen? Windows has tools for this! Right-click the taskbar, then select “Cascade windows” or “Show windows stacked.” Either option rearranges open windows and brings lost ones back into view.
The Maximized Mystery
If a window won’t maximize correctly, try this: press `Alt + Spacebar`. This opens the system menu for the window. Check for a “Maximize” option. If it’s unavailable and “Move” is greyed out, select “Restore,” then try `Alt + Spacebar` again to see if “Maximize” becomes active.
Related Concepts: Optimizations and VSync
Borderless windowed mode connects to broader display options. Let’s discuss related concepts.
Optimizations for Windowed Games
Windows includes a setting to enhance performance for windowed games. To enable it, go to Start > Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings. Toggle “Optimizations for windowed games” to “On.” This may boost performance in borderless or regular windowed mode.
VSync: The Visual Smoother (with a potential cost)
VSync (Vertical Sync) aligns the game’s frame rate with the monitor’s refresh rate. This eliminates screen tearing and enhances visuals, especially for graphically intensive games. However, VSync may add input lag – a delay between action and on-screen response.
This lag can be an issue for fast-paced competitive games where timing matters. It’s a trade-off you must weigh based on your game and priorities.
Now you have your guide to mastering borderless windowed mode. Go forth, game borderlessly, and enjoy seamless multitasking!
