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Enter windowed mode. Computer storiesstories in detail about computer parts

Not everyone knows how to run the game in windowed mode, however, most users came up with a similar idea. Sometimes due to the inconvenience of switching between other programs, since minimizing one game every time to look in another place does not always have a positive effect on the nerves of the player. Sometimes due to the lack of opportunity in a particular game to take a screenshot using PrtScrn and Paint, because some people only copy black windows instead of a full image. Sometimes due to the small screen resolution provided by the game, which is why you have to look at an imperfectly clear image, provided that your monitor is much larger. Sometimes because of other, more compelling reasons. In any case, from the article you will learn how to run the game in windowed mode, for whatever purpose you need this knowledge.

Method 1: Keyboard shortcut

The first thing you can try is to press Alt+Enter at the same time. This is not only the easiest way, but also the most effective, since this is how we can switch most games to the mode we need. If you get tired of it, just press the above-mentioned key combination again and the full screen mode will return and you can continue the game as before.

This method is convenient and easy, for which it is appreciated by everyone who knows it. Another thing is that not all games support such a command. In this case, you can also try pressing other keys that are similar to “Alt+Enter”: F11 or Ctrl+F.

Method 2: Shortcut Properties

This method is the most unreliable, since it simply does not work with many games (at least modern ones). However, you still need to know the “how”. You can also launch the game in windowed mode by adding a certain inscription to the game shortcut, which in most cases is located on the desktop. Most often "-window" works. When this doesn't work, you can try inserting the "-w" or "-win" command.

So, where and how to enter. We go to the desktop and right-click on the shortcut of the desired game to go to “properties”. There we see a highlighted line called “object”, which shows the location of the game itself and adds “exe” at the end. This is where we need to register our commands. At the very end you put an extra space, after which you add “-window” (without quotes, of course). Then click “OK” and open the game in windowed mode, if this really worked.

Method 3: Settings

Since the windowed mode in games is of interest to many users, the creators notice this, and therefore strive to make the conditions for their clients as comfortable as possible. In this case, you do not have to press keys or change the properties of the shortcut. Sometimes it’s enough just to go into the game settings and rummage through them in search of interesting things.

So, most often the screen settings are located in the “graphics” or “video” sections. It is there that you can see the inscriptions “ Full Screen", "In a window", "Windowed mode", etc. with a checkbox that can be checked or removed. Sometimes you need to restart the game for new settings to take effect, take this into account and try to change settings not at the moment when you have an important unsaved mission at stake.

Some games offer you to choose immediately when you start the game. However, if you asked the question “how to run the game in windowed mode,” then it’s unlikely that your toy offers you this.

Conclusion

That's it, now you know how to make a windowed game mode, and you can try to apply the information received in practice. However, I would like to remind you that some games “eat” more when launched in this mode, i.e. full-fledged requires less power. If you understand that your computer cannot handle windowed mode, it is better not to take risks. However, not all games react this way, but only some, so you simply must try it. Remember how to run the game in windowed mode, because this may come in handy later even if you are not an avid gamer.

Many users prefer to play in windowed mode. This way you can quickly minimize the application and go to work, or run the game at a lower resolution if you have a weak computer. Anyway this opportunity will be extremely useful to everyone, and knowledge of how to enable it will be useful to any PC user. Let's figure out how to run the game in windowed mode on different platforms.

All ways

All options for launching games in a window can be divided into the following categories:

  • Using key combinations;
  • Using the command in the properties of the executable file;
  • Using the game functionality;
  • Through third party software.

We will analyze all the methods in the form of step-by-step instructions.

Standard combinations

Let's look at the keyboard shortcuts that are used in the Windows and MacOS operating systems. The most common and standard option is to press Alt+Enter. You must launch the game and go to its window. Then press Alt+Enter, after which the application will switch to windowed mode.

There are also other keyboard shortcuts in the Windows operating system. You can press F11 or Ctrl+F to enable windowed mode in games in Windows 7, 8 or 10.

MacOS uses a different shortcut because the keys mentioned are not on the Apple layout. Here you just need to press command + M. After this, any application will switch to windowed mode.

However, all the specified key combinations may not help in some cases. The fact is that in most modern games the standard window switching does not work. Let's figure out how to run the game in windowed mode using third-party methods.

Entering parameters

It is worth noting right away that this option works with old games in most cases. To do this, you will need the application shortcut and its properties. Right-click on the icon and go to the “Properties” section in the menu.

Open the Shortcut tab and find the “Object” field. Here you need to enter the -window command. Some games accept the -w or -win parameters. The only way to find out which of them is applicable to your application is through experimentation. If the command is not suitable, the game will also start in full screen mode.

Another option for running the game in windowed mode is to work with the compatibility settings. In the same window with the shortcut settings, go to the “Compatibility” tab. In the tab, find the item “Disable full screen optimization” and check the box next to it.

Switching in game settings

If all the above options did not help, then you should look at the list of settings in the application itself. Most games provide the ability to switch to windowed mode at any supported resolution.

Usually this parameter located in the graphics or gameplay settings section. Before running the game in windowed mode, select the appropriate screen resolution. After setting the parameters, be sure to apply and save the changes so that the application launches with the specified settings next time.

But what to do if there are no such settings in the parameters within the game or they are not activated/do not work correctly? In this case, you can try setting parameters in the configuration files.

Almost all games store a list of settings in separate configuration files. They can be found in the file folder or in the save directory. They are often called config or similar words. They must be opened using standard Windows Notepad and changes must be made.

Before opening the game in windowed mode using this method, make backup copies of your save and configuration files so that you can return all settings to their original state. Then open the configuration and look for lines called windowed or similar. After the = sign, you need to set 1 instead of 0. If you found the fullscreen parameter, then here you need to change 1 to 0. One enables one of the modes, and zero disables it. After that, try running the application in the window again.

Third party software

If you do not know how to open the game in windowed mode using the methods described above, then try the functionality of third-party programs. One of these is the Chinese utility D3DWindower. You can download it for free on the Internet. Launch the program and follow these steps:

  • Click on the + icon.
  • In the window, select the folder with the right game, after which it will appear in the list.
  • Click on the closed folder icon to go to settings.
  • Next, specify the width and height of the window.
  • Check the box.
  • Click the button in the lower right corner and select the D3DHook.dll file.
  • Save your changes and start the game again.

Now the application should be forced to open in windowed mode, even if such a setting is not provided by the developers.

However, if this method does not help you, then you should search the Internet for a solution for a specific game. Often projects are released with their own features, modes and bugs. If you are planning to play a game, you should know about all the key bugs and features. There you will also read about windowed mode and whether it can be configured. Try all the methods from our instructions before looking for other methods on the Internet. Now you know how to make windowed mode in the game using keys, programs and using parameters.

Any computer user plays games at least sometimes. Some people do it after work or instead of it. Others purchase a new PC with the goal of playing computer games. No matter how powerful the computer is, a problem can always happen when installed game won't start. There are many reasons for this.

Let's delve into the topic in more detail and find out why this happens. this problem and how to deal with it.

Checking the requirements

Firstly, you need to look system requirements for Game. They will either be on the box or on the official website. It often happens that a game is made for processors certain brand AMD or Intel or for a specific video card. Then there may be problems running on another hardware. Or the game requires a certain amount random access memory , let’s say you need 8 GB, and there are only 2 of you, then the game will not work.

You can check your processor model and amount of RAM in the computer properties.

Checking and updating drivers

Drivers are programs that control hardware connected to a PC. They are needed constantly update to keep your computer working properly. Of course, the system will continue to work and no updates, But modern games, often require the latest versions of drivers.

Most often, the driver is important for games video cards. Some refuse to start until the latest version is installed. How can you check what driver versions you have? Very simple:


Now we need to update it. There are several ways to do this:

  • Download latest version from the official website.
  • If you only know the identifier, then you need to visit the site http://devid.info and enter it into the search bar.
  • For convenience you can find there are utilities on the Internet that will automatically determine the versions of your drivers and offer to update them in automatic mode. That is, all you need to do is scan and select which drivers should be updated.

Checking system components

Often games may not launch if any of the components listed below are missing. Sometimes even installing the latest version doesn't help. The game may require exactly the one for which it is made.

DirectX

This is a critical component, just like the video card driver. For the game to launch and work correctly, you need exactly the right version of DirectX under which game created. Often this component is already included in game installer, but sometimes not. The latest version can be downloaded from https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/Download/confirmation.aspx?id=35.

Net Framework

This component is needed so that programs written in different languages programming. Basically, he's already built in into the system. But if not, you can download it from official website https://www.microsoft.com/net/download/framework.

Visual C++

It is a development environment in which various programs are created. Often this component is already included in the game installer. If not, then go to the official website and download latest version.

https://www.microsoft.com/net/download/framework - the link is the same as for the framework. You can also download Visual here.

Checking for viruses


Programs for cleaning and fixing errors

There are programs that will clean the system and eliminate registry errors. After all, because of all this, the game may also not work.

CCleaner


Glary Utilities

This is a program that contains a whole complex to clean the system of debris, as well as its settings. She can do everything, and clean the registry, and defragment disk and registry, fine-tune the system and much more.

Instructions

Try the easiest way to switch from full-screen to windowed mode - with the game running, press the Alt + Enter key combination. If it does not work, check whether the manufacturer has used other fairly common analogues of this command - the F11 key and the Ctrl + F combination for Windows OS or Command + M for MacOS.

Another way to avoid manually editing game properties is to use the switch to windowed mode from the program settings. This option is also not available in all games, but it’s worth checking - in the running application menu, go to the Settings section and look for the “Windowed mode” setting or something similar. If such a setting exists, check the box and save the changes.

If you can’t get by with the controls of the game itself, try adding the appropriate modifier to the program launch line. To do this, right-click its shortcut on the desktop and select “Properties” from the context menu. If you use an item in the main OS menu to launch, then do the same with the line in the menu. As a result, a window will appear on the screen with a highlighted line in the “Object” field.

Go to the end of this line (End key) and add the -window modifier separated by a space. Then click OK and launch the application. This method allows Counter Strike,Warcraft, Mass Effect etc. If it doesn’t work in your game, try changing the modifier - for example, windowed mode in Sims 2 by adding -w, and in addition to this option -win is possible.

This option can also be enabled through the settings file, if, of course, it is provided by the manufacturer. To find out, go to the game folder and look for the text Fullscreen or Windowed in the files. In Windows 7, this can be done using the search box in the upper right corner of the Explorer window by clicking the “File Contents” icon after entering text. The Fullscreen installation must be disabled in the settings file, i.e. assign it the value 0, and enable Windowed, i.e. assign 1.

note

Computer game You don't have to close it to switch to another program. You can minimize it and simultaneously open the window of another running application by pressing the Alt + Tab key combination - this allows you to solve the problem in many cases without launching the game in windowed mode.

Sources:

  • [Guide] launching the game in 2 windows

Sometimes the user needs to run his favorite game in a windowed mode and there are many reasons for this: from the simple convenience associated with a high screen resolution, to hiding the game from the authorities if their representative accidentally enters the office. There are many ways to perform this operation.

You will need

  • Computer game.

Instructions

The easiest and most accessible way is to press the Alt + Enter key combination. In most Windows platform applications, this command is used to change the display mode. But in terms of games, this method is not the most effective, so most likely it will not suit you.

You can also set windowed mode using software the game itself. How to do it? This setting is usually located in the game menu, section “Settings” (Options). Because exists a large number of games, this option is called differently: “Windowed Mode”, “Play in a Window”, FullScreen Mode, etc. After closing the settings menu, the game window will automatically change in size.

Next, you can take advantage of the ability to change the data of the launched file, or, to be more precise, change the game launch parameters. If you add a window operator to an executable file, there is a chance that windowed mode will be displayed. Right-click on the game shortcut and select "Properties".

In the window that opens, go to the “Object” floor and add the “-window” operator without quotes. For example, initially we have a line like “C:Program FilesAlawar.ruMagic BubblesSkyBubbles.exe”, after changing it it will look like this: “C:Program FilesAlawar.ruMagic BubblesSkyBubbles.exe” -window. To restore the full-screen game mode, just remove the added operator or replace it with “-full screen” without quotes.

If all the methods somehow failed to cope with the given task, it is recommended to contact the original source - the developer of this gaming complex. You can ask such a question on the official website or forum or use a search to find the answer. But not all games support windowed mode, so you may encounter this situation.

IN Lately there is a great abundance simple games, which are called logical. Availability of such a game on the computer office worker says that he sometimes wants to rest. But not every boss of the organization in which this employee works accepts the launch of games during the work process. To hide the running game from the boss in time, you can use the Alt + Tab key combination, but, as a rule, the application cannot be minimized quickly in this way. Looking for specific solution this task was created next way launch the game in a windowed mode.

You will need

  • Editing game settings.

Instructions

Of course, the fact of using games during the work process, especially when you come across the boss, is not the most pleasant. It may happen that they come to work important people from a regional city or from the capital, which can significantly “tarnish” your reputation.

If you understand the game settings a little, you can use the windowed mode of the running game. To do this, after launching it, just go to the settings, which are located in the main menu of the launched one. If your game is not, then try the options in the settings, which may contain the following: Window, full screen. Once you have found such elements, try to activate them. Some games require a restart to see the changes made to the settings.

There are games, there is no mention of them in the settings mode. In this case, you will need to find the shortcut for your game. If it is not on, then it can be found in installed programs, information about which is located in the Start menu. Right-click on the game shortcut and select “Properties” from the menu that opens. In the window that opens, pay attention to the file launch path, it may be like this: “C:Program FilesRockstarGrand Theft Auto 3gta3.exe”.

The "-window" parameter is required at the end of this line. As a result, we will get the following line: "C:Program FilesRockstarGrand Theft Auto 3gta3.exe" –window. After clicking on the "OK" button, open the game - it should launch in a windowed mode.

There are a number of games that, after this conversion, no longer run in full screen mode. Replace the "-window" value at the end of the line with "-full screen".

In some cases it may be convenient to run game in the window mode. For example, if you want to quickly switch between windows or play old games, most of which do not support the high resolution of modern monitors. There are several ways to switch to windowed mode in the Windows operating system.

Running the game in window mode is relevant in cases where new OS old games are installed. This is when resolution issues arise as apps released years ago run in terrible quality when fully deployed. Another reason why the game is often switched to windowed mode is secrecy. Quickly switching between windows if you suddenly get distracted from work in the office - nothing could be easier. Let's take a closer look at how to run the game in windowed mode, what methods exist for this today, and what applications they can be used for.

Keyboard shortcuts for windowed mode

The simplest and in an accessible way For most games, launch using the Alt+Enter key combination. But few other games recognize different keyboard shortcuts. You can find out about them in the “Game Settings” section.
If the game does not respond to the specified key combination, and no others are specified in the settings, then use the following method.

Right-click on the application shortcut. In the address line, write “-window”. In order for the changes you specify to take effect, you must save them. Some games may not respond to a changed address - then add the “-w” object to the cell.

Through the settings you can find out the hotkeys that will allow you to minimize the game to a window. They may also contain special fields, by checking which boxes you will close the game.

Third party programs and emulators

If none of the above methods allows you to minimize the game to a window, then you can resort to help additional programs, specially designed to minimize the application without delay. Among the most effective is the Chinese development of D3DWindower. To use it to force an application to close, do the following:

  • Download the distribution package and follow all installation instructions.
  • By clicking on the plus and selecting the file with the game, you will thereby add it to the program.
  • Click LMB on the program name, then click on the closed folder - and the settings will open.
  • Specify the width and height of the window yourself in the settings.
  • In the lower right corner, click on the button and select the folder with the D3DHook.dll file.
  • Save the parameters you have specified and click on the third button in the corner of the window.

If all operations were performed correctly, the program will immediately launch the game on its own in windowed mode.

Another option that will allow you to run the game in windowed mode is an emulator. But this method is not suitable for everyone, since emulator programs make serious demands on the capabilities of your PC and operating system.