A small window leaves you with less room to read or work. Press Windows+Up Arrow on Windows, Fn-Control-F on a Mac running macOS Sequoia 15 or later, or Alt+= on a Chromebook to maximize it. Here are the shortcuts for each desktop, plus alternatives when your app doesn't respond.
Maximize a Windows window with Windows+Up Arrow
On Windows 11, press Alt+Tab to select the window you want to enlarge. The shortcut acts on the active window.
Press Windows+Up Arrow to maximize it. This works with windows that support maximization.
If the window hasn't reached its maximized size, press Windows+Up Arrow again.
If that still doesn't work, try the Windows window menu method below.
On a Mac, use Fill
With your window active, press Fn-Control-F to fill the desktop. Apple calls this action Fill in the macOS window-tiling interface, which is available in macOS Sequoia 15 or later.
To undo the tiling and restore the window's previous size, press Fn-Control-R. This performs Return to Previous Size.
If the shortcut doesn't work, choose Window > Fill in an app that supports the command.
For a pointer alternative, hover over the green window button to reveal its controls.
Select the Fill icon under Fill & Arrange to fill the desktop in a supported app.
Want full screen instead? Press Control-Command-F to enter or leave full screen in a supported app. That's a different window state from Fill.
When a Chromebook hides your tabs instead
Pressing the Chromebook's Full screen key hides tabs and the launcher because it activates full screen instead of ordinary maximization.
To maximize a window, first select the window you want to enlarge.
Press Alt+=, holding Alt while pressing the equals key. This combination applies to standard English QWERTY keyboards.
If the shortcut doesn't work, select Maximize at the top right of a window that supports maximization.
For a customized keyboard binding, open the Shortcuts app and go to Windows and desks to locate the relevant action. Locked actions cannot be changed.
If the action is editable, choose its edit control and select Add shortcut.
Press your new combination, then release it.
Select Done to finish assigning the shortcut.
If an action already has a customized shortcut, use Restore defaults to recover its default binding.
Try the Windows window menu
The window menu provides another keyboard route when Windows+Up Arrow doesn't work.
Press Alt+Tab to select the app window.
Press Alt+Spacebar to open its window menu. This method requires an app with the standard window menu.
Use the arrow keys to highlight Maximize. The command must be available in that menu.
Press Enter to apply it.
You can also reach the window menu by holding Shift and right-clicking the app's taskbar icon. This route combines keyboard and pointer input.
Choose Maximize if the menu offers it.
Use your Linux desktop's maximize shortcut
On Linux, the shortcut depends on your desktop. These are the defaults for GNOME and KDE Plasma; distributions can override them.
In GNOME, press Super+Up Arrow with the window active to maximize it.
To restore its previous size, press Super+Down Arrow.
For an alternative in GNOME, press Alt+F10 to maximize the active window.
Press Alt+F10 again to restore it.
To assign a different combination in GNOME, open Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > View and Customize Shortcuts > Windows.
Select Maximize window or Toggle maximization state to assign your preferred combination. Distribution customization may change the defaults.
In KDE Plasma, press Meta+Page Up to maximize the active window.
Repeat Meta+Page Up to restore it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does F11 maximize a window?
In Chrome on Windows or Linux, F11 toggles browser full screen. It isn't a universal maximize shortcut. Use your operating system's maximize shortcut to retain the normal browser window interface.
Can I make a Windows window taller without changing its width?
Yes. Press Windows+Shift+Up Arrow to stretch a desktop window to the top and bottom while retaining its width. This is vertical maximization.
Does Windows+Z maximize a window?
Windows+Z opens Snap layouts in Windows 11. These layouts generally divide the desktop between windows. Windows+Up Arrow maximizes one window.
Why won't Windows-key shortcuts work on my work computer?
Administrators can block Windows-key shortcuts on managed devices through the “Turn off Windows Key hotkeys” policy. When that policy is Enabled, it blocks those shortcuts; Disabled or Not Configured permits them. Ask your IT team to check the policy.