How to Put Minecraft in Windowed Mode
Learn how to put Minecraft in windowed mode across Windows, macOS, and Linux. This step-by-step guide covers keyboard shortcuts, launcher options, and practical tips for a stable windowed gaming experience.
To run Minecraft in windowed mode, toggle fullscreen with F11, then resize the game window to your preferred size. Start from the Minecraft launcher, confirm you’re using the correct edition for your OS, and adjust the in-game video settings for the chosen resolution. This quick guide covers Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What windowed mode means for Minecraft
Windowed mode shows Minecraft as a resizable window within your desktop environment, rather than occupying the full screen. For players juggling other tasks, this is a boon. According to Craft Guide, windowed mode can improve multitasking and allow quicker switching to a browser or mod manager without minimizing the game. The concept varies slightly between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, and between Windows, macOS, and Linux. In practice, windowed mode is simply running the game with a resizable window instead of a borderless fullscreen. When you adjust the window size, Minecraft will re-crop its render area to fit the new dimensions, which can affect clarity and performance if the resolution demands are high. The Craft Guide team found that most players report a smoother, more productive workflow when using windowed mode during creative builds or modding sessions.
Editions and prerequisites
Minecraft comes in Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. Both can run in windowed mode, but the steps and available options differ. Java Edition relies on the Java runtime and generally uses the standard OS window manager; Bedrock Edition on Windows 10/11 uses the universal Windows windowing system and can behave differently when toggling fullscreen. Before you begin, confirm you have the correct edition installed for your platform from the official launcher. Also verify your operating system meets the basic requirements: Windows 10/11, macOS 10.12 or newer, or a compatible Linux desktop environment. If you’re playing on a laptop, consider whether you have a secondary monitor to keep development tools visible while Minecraft runs in a window. The key point is to choose the right edition and ensure your machine isn’t constrained by background processes that could throttle performance when resizing the render window.
Platform-specific considerations
On Windows, Windows Manager and the taskbar can influence window sizing, but you can simply drag the Minecraft window edges to adjust. On macOS, you may need to press F11 or use the green maximize button, depending on your Mac’s settings; Fn keys may be required on some keyboards. Linux users can rely on their desktop environment window manager (GNOME, KDE, etc.) to snap and size windows, but some window managers may override fullscreen differently. In all cases, if Minecraft opens in fullscreen, pressing F11 toggles back to windowed mode; if not, use your OS controls to resize. Ensure the launcher runs in a standard window and that you haven’t enabled any global hotkeys that conflict with F11.
Toggling fullscreen and windowed mode with shortcuts
Use F11 to toggle fullscreen in most Minecraft setups. If your keyboard uses a function lock (Fn Lock), press Fn+F11 or disable the Fn lock in the BIOS/keyboard settings. Some laptops map fullscreen toggling to a dedicated key—check your manufacturer’s guide. If F11 toggling fails, try using the in-game menu: escape to open Settings, then look for a window mode option; not all builds expose this, but many do. For multi-monitor setups, ensure the primary display hosts the game window by dragging it there, then toggle fullscreen again to confirm the windowed mode persists. The goal is a stable windowed render that you can resize without disrupting your workflow.
Adjusting resolution and aspect ratio in-game
Open Settings > Video in Minecraft and set the Render Distance and Resolution to a value that matches your window size. In windowed mode, the game will render at the resolution you specify, then scale to fit the window. If you find blur or stretched textures, reduce the resolution or switch to a 16:9 aspect ratio to match your monitor. Some players prefer a fixed window size like 1280x720 for readability; others opt for 1920x1080 or higher on larger screens. Be aware that higher resolutions raise GPU load; in windowed mode, you may see slightly different performance than fullscreen, depending on the OS windowing system.
Using OS-level window management to stabilize your window
You can use the operating system’s window snapping features to lock in a size. In Windows, snap the Minecraft window to a corner or the left/right half of the screen, then maximize to windowed mode if needed. On macOS, use Mission Control to arrange windows, then drag to the desired size. On Linux, use your desktop environment’s tiling or snapping features. Saving the current size might require manual recall from memory; some launchers or window managers support remember window position and size across sessions. The takeaway is to rely on OS tools to maintain a comfortable, repeatable window size.
Multi-monitor setups and moving Minecraft between screens
When you have multiple monitors, put Minecraft on your main display and reserve your browser or editor on the secondary screen. Windowed mode makes this easy: drag the edge to widen across monitors or constrain to one display. If you use a hotkey, be mindful that different monitors may register the same shortcut differently. If you frequently switch displays, consider setting a window size that works across both screens, or use per-monitor scaling settings to preserve clarity. In high-DPI setups, test at multiple zoom levels to avoid blurriness at your chosen render resolution.
Common issues and fixes when switching to windowed mode
Sometimes Minecraft reverts to fullscreen after focus loss or alt-tabbing. If this happens, disable any conflicting hotkeys in your OS or launcher, then reapply windowed mode using F11. If you see a black bar or clipping on the edges, adjust the game’s resolution to slightly less than your window’s width, or try a different aspect ratio. Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date; outdated drivers can misreport video modes and cause improper scaling. For Mac users, ensure you’re on a supported macOS version and that the launcher isn’t forcing fullscreen via a separate setting.
Performance considerations and tips for stable windowed play
Windowed mode can sometimes impose a minor performance penalty compared to fullscreen, due to secondary framebuffer management by the OS. If you notice choppiness, reduce the in-game resolution, limit FPS in VSync, or enable fast render offloading if your hardware supports it. Use fixed window size rather than dynamic resizing; frequent resizing can temporarily spike GPU usage. Regularly update your graphics drivers and keep the game version aligned with your OS updates. Craft Guide analysis shows players who keep a consistent window size and stable frame rate report a smoother experience during creative builds and modding sessions.
Best practices and next steps for comfortable windowed play
Plan your windowed setup before a long session: pick a resolution, set a static window size, configure VSync if your GPU supports it, and ensure the Minecraft launcher uses a standard window. If you share your computer, create separate user profiles to keep your windowed settings consistent. Remember: a good windowed setup balances clarity, performance, and multitasking. Before you move on to heavy tasks, test the size by playing for a few minutes, then adjust as needed. The Craft Guide team recommends using windowed mode as a productivity helper for builders and modders, not just a cosmetic preference.
Tools & Materials
- Minecraft installed (Java or Bedrock edition)(Confirm you’re on the edition you intend to play and that the launcher is up to date.)
- Keyboard with F11 (and Fn as needed)(Fn lock can disable F11; disable or use Fn+F11.)
- Mouse for precise resizing(Optional but helpful for fine-tuning window edges.)
- Supported OS with a window manager(Windows, macOS, or Linux with a desktop environment.)
- Optional second monitor(Useful for multitasking while Minecraft runs.)
- Updated graphics drivers(Keep GPU drivers current for best scaling.)
- Backup of video settings(Record your preferred resolution for quick recovery.)
Steps
Estimated time: 10-15 minutes
- 1
Check edition and OS
Verify you’re running the correct Minecraft edition and know your operating system. This ensures the right keyboard shortcuts work and the game window can be properly resized.
Tip: If unsure which edition you have, check the launcher or splash screen. - 2
Launch Minecraft from the launcher
Open the Minecraft Launcher and press Play. Ensure you’re on the latest available version for your OS.
Tip: Enable launcher hints to quickly locate window mode options if available. - 3
Enter windowed mode with F11
In-game, press F11 to toggle fullscreen off. The game should appear in a resizable window.
Tip: If F11 does nothing, check for Fn lock or keyboard remaps. - 4
Resize the window
Drag the window edges to your desired size. The render area will adjust accordingly, so choose a size that fits your multitasking needs.
Tip: Use OS window snapping to set precise dimensions quickly. - 5
Set in-game resolution
In Settings > Video, adjust the Resolution to match your window size for crisp rendering.
Tip: Lower resolution can improve performance in windowed mode. - 6
Snap and stabilize
Use OS window snapping to lock the size, then verify the window remains stable when you switch focus.
Tip: Avoid frequent resizing during long sessions. - 7
Test on a secondary monitor
If you have two displays, move Minecraft to the primary screen and test windowed behavior there.
Tip: Ensure scaling is consistent across displays. - 8
Save and re-open
Close and reopen the game to apply the windowed size consistently in future sessions.
Tip: Note the window size in your memory memory for quick setup. - 9
Troubleshoot issues
If you encounter issues, update graphics drivers and disable conflicting overlays.
Tip: Check for launcher updates and stable game version. - 10
Review readability and performance
Ensure text and UI are readable at your chosen size; adjust UI scale if needed, and monitor frame rate stability.
Tip: Aim for a balance between clarity and performance.
People Also Ask
How do I switch Minecraft to windowed mode on Windows?
Press F11 to toggle fullscreen off, then resize the window to your preferred size. If needed, adjust the Minecraft video settings to match the window dimensions.
Press F11 to exit fullscreen, then resize the window. If that doesn’t work, check your keyboard settings or Fn lock.
Does windowed mode affect performance?
Windowed mode can have a small performance impact due to how the OS handles the window. If you notice stuttering, reduce resolution or enable VSync to stabilize frame rates.
There can be a minor performance hit in windowed mode. Lower the resolution or enable VSync to smooth things out.
Can I force a specific resolution when windowed?
Yes. Set a fixed in-game resolution in Settings > Video that matches your window size, and use OS window snapping to maintain that size.
Set the in-game resolution to match the window, and use window snapping to keep it stable.
What should I do if Minecraft won't exit fullscreen on Mac?
Ensure F11 is mapped correctly or use the green maximize button to enter windowed mode, then confirm window size. If issues persist, check macOS display settings.
Try the F11 toggle or the window controls to return to windowed mode, and adjust from there.
If F11 doesn't work, what else can I try?
Check your keyboard’s Fn lock, remapped keys, or try the game’s Settings window mode option if available. Restart the launcher if needed.
Make sure Fn lock isn’t intercepting F11, or use the in-game option if present.
Is Bedrock edition different for windowed mode?
The concept is similar, but steps may vary by edition and platform. Use the edition-specific settings and OS window controls to achieve a stable windowed mode.
Bedrock follows similar controls, but check edition-specific windows and shortcuts.
Watch Video
The Essentials
- Choose the right edition and OS.
- Use F11 to toggle fullscreen quickly.
- Match in-game resolution to window size for clarity.
- Leverage OS window management for consistency.
- Test across monitors if using multi-display setups.
