How to maximize a window on a Mac (without full screen)
The green button makes a window full screen in its own Space, which is not what most people want. Four ways to fill the screen and keep the menu bar and Dock.
Click the green button and the window disappears into its own full screen Space. Often you just wanted it bigger, with the menu bar and Dock still there.
Four ways to fill the screen
- Double click the window's title bar. What happens is set in Desktop & Dock, Double-click a window's title bar to; choose Fill.
- Hold
⌥and click the green button to zoom instead of going full screen. - Drag the window to the top edge of the screen (macOS 15 and later).
- Press
fn⌃F(macOS 15 and later).
Why maximised windows still pile up
A maximised window covers everything. Open three and you are back to ⌘ Tab roulette.
Full width without covering anything
In ClutterFreeMac, ⌃ ⌥ F makes a window full width in its place on the strip. The windows either side are not covered; they are just past the edge, one swipe away. Press it again to go back to the width it had.
Questions
How do I make a Mac window fill the screen without full screen?
Hold `⌥` and click the green button, double click the title bar with Fill chosen in settings, or press `fn` `⌃` `F` on macOS 15 and later.
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Full screen or maximised: which is better on a Mac?
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