How To Adjust Full Screen Optimization Settings In Windows 11 Advanced App Properties

How to Access App Properties in 🪟 Windows 11

Accessing app properties in Windows 11 requires right-clicking the main program file or desktop shortcut and selecting Properties from the menu. You can then click the Compatibility tab to view advanced display settings like full-screen optimizations for that specific game or program. This works easily for traditional desktop programs, though store apps require a different method.

Most traditional desktop programs have a main file ending in .exe that you can click on easily. However, apps downloaded from the store are hidden deep inside your system folders to keep them secure. Here are the steps to find and open the properties window for a standard desktop app:

1. Find the shortcut icon for your game or app on your desktop, or open the file explorer 📁.
2. Right-click the app icon or its main program file.
3. Select Properties from the menu that pops up on your screen.
4. Click on the Compatibility tab at the top of the properties window.

The Compatibility tab contains several checkboxes and options for managing how Windows runs the app. This is where you can tell Windows how to handle your app.

Step-by-Step: Disabling Full-Screen Optimizations for Specific Apps

Disabling full screen optimizations for specific apps in Windows 11 helps fix stuttering and mouse lag in games. To turn it off, open the app properties window, click the Compatibility tab, and check the box that says disable fullscreen optimizations. Click apply and save your changes so the game runs in traditional exclusive full screen mode.

Follow these simple steps to change the setting for an individual app:

1. Open the folder where your game or app is installed, or right-click its desktop shortcut.
2. Click on Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Look for the section containing various checkboxes.
5. Check the box next to Disable fullscreen optimizations.
6. Click the Apply button at the bottom right.
7. Click OK to close the window.

The next time you open that app, Windows will bypass its modern display tricks and run the program using older, traditional methods. If this fixes your stuttering or lag, you can leave the box checked.

Handling Microsoft Store Apps

Managing full screen optimizations for Microsoft Store apps is tricky because these programs are hidden inside secure system folders. Unlike regular desktop games, you cannot right-click a store app icon to find a compatibility tab. You often need to use in-game video settings or find the hidden executable file to adjust these display options.

If you experience full-screen optimization problems with a Microsoft Store app, you cannot use the standard properties menu. Instead, you must rely on global system settings or use specialized tools to locate the hidden program files. Switching global display settings is the safest way to resolve store app issues without compromising system security.

Managing Global Windowed Game Optimizations

Managing global windowed game optimizations in Windows 11 lets you turn on or off display tweaks for every app at once. Open the main Settings app, go to System, click on Display, and open the Graphics menu to find the default settings. You can then change the global toggle to control how your computer handles games running in windowed mode.

You can turn full screen optimizations on or off for all apps on your Windows 11 computer by opening the Windows Settings app, going to the System menu, and selecting the Display settings. Full screen optimizations help games and apps run better by making them run directly on your screen without extra steps, but you can turn the feature off if you notice stuttering or lag.

1. Click the Start button and open the Settings app.
2. Click on System in the left-hand menu.
3. Click on Display.

   

4. Scroll down and click on Graphics.

   

5. At the top of the graphics page, click on Change default graphics settings.
6. Find the option labeled Optimizations for windowed games.
7. Set the toggle to On or Off depending on your setup.

Turning this global setting off helps if you experience widespread display issues across multiple games. However, leaving it on generally provides smoother alt-tabbing and better power efficiency for laptops.

Expert Tips for Better Gaming Performance in 🪟 Windows 11

Improving gaming performance in Windows 11 involves combining display tweaks with helpful built-in system features like Game Mode. Turning on Game Mode tells your computer to prioritize your game over background tasks for smoother gameplay. You can also keep your graphics drivers up to date and turn off hardware accelerated GPU scheduling if you experience frame drops.

Always enable Game Mode in Windows 11. You can find this by opening your Settings, clicking on Gaming, and selecting Game Mode. Turning this feature on tells Windows to give your game top priority over background apps and tasks.

Summary

Full screen optimizations in Windows 11 are built-in display features designed to help games switch quickly between windowed and full screen modes. While full screen optimizations help with multitasking, full screen optimizations can sometimes cause lag or stuttering in certain games. You can turn full screen optimizations off through the app properties menu as a quick way to fix performance issues and get smoother gameplay.