[Fix] Can’t Unmaximize or Restore Down Programs in Windows 10
Recently an AskVG reader contacted me regarding this weird and annoying issue encountered in Windows 10. He upgraded his computer from Windows 7 to Windows 10. After upgrade, he was unable to unmaximize or restore down program windows in Windows 10. By default, all program windows were opening in maximized mode (or full screen mode) automatically and if the user was trying to restore down program windows by clicking on the middle (2 overlapping squares) button present on the extreme end of the titlebar, nothing happened. The program windows were stuck in maximized mode and were not restoring down to normal small window size.
Normally when a program window is maximized, we can click on the second button present in the titlebar’s top-right corner to restore down the window so that we can move it anywhere on our computer screen.
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I suggested him to use ALT+Spacebar keyboard shortcut to access titlebar menu to use Restore option but it also didn’t help. Although the Restore option was available (not grayed out) in the menu but it was not doing anything. The program windows were forced to open in maximized mode.
Initially the user thought that the maximize or restore down problem was only present in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc but later he realized and reported that the problem was also occurring in File Explorer and other apps and programs in Windows 10.
After some research and troubleshooting, finally the problem was solved and the user was able to unmaximize or restore down programs windows without any issue.
The culprit behind this irritating issue was “Tablet Mode” feature in Windows 10 which was turned on or activated in user’s device automatically or manually after the upgrade process. When Tablet Mode in enabled in Windows 10, all programs windows open in maximized mode and users can’t restore down them.
If you also face this issue in your Windows 10 computer, following steps will help you in fixing the issue:
1. Open Action Center by clicking on Action Center icon present at the end of Taskbar. Alternatively, you can launch Action Center by pressing WIN+A keys together.
2. Now click on Tablet Mode tile (or quick action button) to disable or turn off it.
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It’ll immediately turn off Tablet Mode and your problem will be solved. Now try to restore down any program or app and it’ll unmaximize the program window without any problem.
If you can’t see Tablet Mode option in Action Center, you can access it using Settings app as mentioned in following steps:
1. Open Settings app from Start Menu or by pressing WIN+I keys together.
2. Now go to “System -> Tablet mode” section.
PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:tabletmode” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.
3. In right-side pane, select “Use desktop mode” option from drop-down list given under “When I sign in” setting.
Select “Don’t ask me and don’t switch” option from drop-down list given under “When this device automatically switches tablet mode on or off” setting.
That’s it. Restart or log off and Windows 10 will no longer activate and enable Tablet Mode on your device without your permission. Your device will always use Desktop Mode and you’ll be able to maximize and restore down program windows.
Also Check:
[Fix] Apps and Programs Automatically Minimize in Windows 10
I have been searching for hours for an answer to the exact same problem. This is the only action I have found that works. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you!!!!! Took 1 min to fix.
Thank you so much, I’ve been searching high and low how to fix this.
Thank you SO MUCH for this information! Quick fix. It’s been frustrating not being able to tile and not knowing why.
Thanks a ton Vishal. After an hour of troubleshooting, I finally landed to your article and got the resolution. YOU ROCK!!!!!!
Thank you for the great tip. Typically I have to search for hours for a fix without satisfactory results. Thank you, thank you, thank yoU!
Thanks a lot! Other search results got me doing all sorts of scans and tests on my OS. Yup, this really took less than a minute! LOL
It worked – been driving me nuts for weeks. Thank you
Thank you so much, greatly appreciate it.
Thank you so much for this advice. It took a couple of seconds and worked straight away. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thanks soooo much for this quick fix!
thank you so much!
I love the creator thank u so much ! :}