How To Enable Or Disable Fullscreen Optimizations For Games In Windows 11

Windows 11 is designed to enhance the gaming experience with various features, including Fullscreen Optimizations. This feature aims to provide a smooth, borderless gaming experience by enhancing frame rates and overall performance when running games in fullscreen mode. However, some gamers may encounter issues such as stuttering or input lag, which makes disabling fullscreen optimizations a better option in certain cases.

In this guide, we’ll explain what Fullscreen Optimizations are, and walk you through the process of enabling or disabling them for games in Windows 11. Whether you want to improve performance or troubleshoot gaming issues, we’ve got you covered.

What Are Fullscreen Optimizations?

Fullscreen Optimizations is a feature in Windows 10 and 11 that allows games and apps to run in a borderless fullscreen mode while utilizing the benefits of fullscreen performance. Essentially, it combines the best of both worlds: the performance of fullscreen mode and the multitasking ease of windowed mode.

While this feature is useful for most modern games, certain older titles or specific system configurations may experience problems, including:

• Input lag
• Reduced frame rates
• Stuttering during gameplay

For this reason, some users prefer to disable Fullscreen Optimizations to ensure a smoother gaming experience.

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How to Enable or Disable Fullscreen Optimizations for Individual Games

If you are experiencing performance issues with a specific game, you can disable or enable Fullscreen Optimizations for that particular game.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Locate the Game’s Executable File (EXE):
   • Right-click on the game’s shortcut on your desktop or in the Start Menu.
   • Select Open file location. If the shortcut isn’t available, manually navigate to the game’s installation directory (commonly located in C:\Program Files or via Steam’s local files).
2. Open the Properties Menu:
   • Once you find the game’s executable file (e.g., game.exe), right-click on it and select Properties.
3. Access the Compatibility Tab:
   • In the Properties window, click on the Compatibility tab at the top.
4. Enable or Disable Fullscreen Optimizations:
   • Under the Compatibility tab, you’ll see a checkbox that says Disable Fullscreen Optimizations.
   • To disable Fullscreen Optimizations, check this box.
   • To enable Fullscreen Optimizations, leave the box unchecked.
5. Apply the Changes:
   • Click Apply and then OK to save your changes.
   • Restart the game for the changes to take effect.

How to Enable or Disable Fullscreen Optimizations Globally

If you want to enable or disable Fullscreen Optimizations for all apps and games on your Windows 11 PC, you can do so through the system settings.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open the Settings App:
   • Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to System Settings:
   • In the Settings menu, select System, then click on Display from the left-hand menu.
3. Access Graphics Settings:
   • Scroll down and click on Graphics under the Related settings section.
4. Change Default Graphics Settings:
   • Scroll down to Default graphics settings and click on it.
5. Enable or Disable Fullscreen Optimizations:
   • In the Default graphics settings menu, toggle Optimizations for windowed games on or off, which will enable or disable fullscreen optimizations globally.
6. Apply and Restart:
   • Once you’ve toggled the setting, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

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Verifying if Fullscreen Optimizations Are Active

To ensure that Fullscreen Optimizations are enabled or disabled as intended, you can check if your game is running in fullscreen exclusive mode or borderless windowed mode. Here’s how:

1. Use the Xbox Game Bar:
   • Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar while the game is running.
   • Click on the Performance widget to monitor frame rates and system performance.
   • If you notice a significant change in performance after enabling/disabling Fullscreen Optimizations, this confirms whether the feature is active.
2. Check Game Settings:
   • Some games may have a setting in their own graphics options to run in windowed fullscreen or exclusive fullscreen mode. Adjusting these settings can help you observe how Fullscreen Optimizations affect performance.

When Should You Disable Fullscreen Optimizations?

While Fullscreen Optimizations generally enhance the gaming experience, there are situations where it might be beneficial to disable it:

• Input Lag: Gamers may experience input lag, especially in competitive or fast-paced games where quick reactions are essential.
• Stuttering Issues: Certain games may stutter or drop frames when Fullscreen Optimizations are enabled.
• Older Games: Legacy games might not be fully compatible with this feature, resulting in reduced performance or visual glitches.
• Streaming: If you are streaming or recording your gameplay, you might notice performance hits with Fullscreen Optimizations enabled.

Disabling Fullscreen Optimizations for these scenarios can help alleviate these issues and improve your gaming experience.

Conclusion

Fullscreen Optimizations is a helpful feature in Windows 11 designed to improve performance in games and apps. However, it may not be suitable for every game or system configuration. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily enable or disable Fullscreen Optimizations either globally or for individual games, ensuring the best possible experience for your needs.

Remember to monitor performance before and after making changes, so you can decide whether this feature enhances or hinders your gaming experience.