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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Start in the game’s own Display, Video, or Graphics settings and choose Windowed. If you cannot reach those settings, try Alt+Enter on Windows or use a launch option documented for that specific game. None of these methods works across every title: game settings and official support instructions take priority over generic shortcuts or guessed commands.
How to switch a game to windowed mode from its settings
- Open the game’s Display, Video, or Graphics settings.
- Find the screen or display mode setting and select Windowed. Some games also offer Borderless or Fullscreen as separate choices.
- Select Apply or Save if the game prompts you, then check whether it stays in a window.
Menu names and available modes depend on the game. For example, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption PC instructions say to press Escape, open Options → Graphics, and change Screen Type. A game’s own menu is generally the most direct way to change its mode.
What the display modes mean
| Mode | What to expect | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Windowed | The game runs inside a desktop window. Whether it has borders or can be resized depends on the game. | You want the game visibly contained in a window. |
| Borderless windowed | A distinct mode in games that offer it. Implementation and behavior vary by title. | You want to use this mode as the game describes it; do not assume it behaves exactly like ordinary windowed mode. |
| Fullscreen | A separate mode in many games. Available behavior and shortcuts vary by title. | You want the game’s fullscreen presentation rather than a desktop window. |
If you are unsure which option you need, use the game’s label and documentation. Windowed mode does not guarantee a performance improvement: one game manual says it may run better on some systems, but that does not establish a general benefit.
Does Alt+Enter switch a game to windowed mode?
On Windows, focus the game and press Alt+Enter. Bethesda lists the shortcut in its fullscreen support guidance, so it is worth trying as a quick toggle. It is not universal: Rockstar says the shortcut is disabled in Red Dead Redemption on PC and directs players to the game’s Graphics menu instead.
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If nothing happens, use the game’s display settings or check its official support page. A shortcut that fails may simply be unsupported or deliberately disabled for that title.
How to use a Steam launch option
Use a launch parameter only when the game’s developer or official documentation supports it. Steam’s launch-option instructions describe this path:
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- Open your Steam Library.
- Right-click the game and choose Properties.
- Under General, find Launch Options.
- Enter the option documented for that game, then close Properties and start the game.
Steam lists -windowed and -sw for GoldSrc and Source engine games, and explicitly warns that those options apply only to those games—not most third-party titles. Do not assume they work for every Steam game, and do not combine guessed flags.
What to do if the game still starts fullscreen
- Reopen the game’s display settings and confirm that Windowed was applied or saved.
- Check whether the game has separate Windowed and Borderless choices; select the mode you actually want.
- Remove a launch parameter that the game does not document or that has no effect.
- Look up the title’s official support instructions. For example, Facepunch’s Garry’s Mod startup guidance provides game-specific window and border options.
- If the problem remains, consult the developer’s support team. Steam notes that configuration varies by developer and recommends contacting game support for unresolved resolution issues.
If you cannot reach the settings because the game immediately opens fullscreen, try Alt+Enter once, then consult the game’s own support guidance for a documented launch parameter or another supported way to open its settings. Avoid editing configuration files or installing third-party utilities as a first step unless the developer recommends them.
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What information to check before following title-specific steps
Instructions can differ between games and versions. Before applying a workaround, identify the game title and version, the launcher you use, and your operating system. Then confirm that the shortcut or launch option is intended for that title and setup.
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