Introduction:

Do you ever crave the immersion of fullscreen gaming and the convenience of quickly switching between windows? If so, then borderless windowed mode is your perfect solution!

This mode lets you play your games in a window that stretches to fill your entire screen, eliminating the need to constantly switch between fullscreen and windowed modes.

This guide will equip you with several methods to force How to force Borderless Windowed Mode on Windows, even for games that don’t natively support it. Get ready to experience seamless multitasking and uninterrupted gameplay!

How to force Borderless Windowed Mode on Windows – Finding Option In-Game

Navigating In-Game Settings for Windowed Mode

Many games these days understand the gamer’s desire for both immersion and multitasking. That’s why a good chunk of them offer a built-in option for Borderless Windowed Mode within the game’s settings. Here’s where to look:

1. Fire Up Your Game: Launch the game you want to play in borderless windowed mode.
2. Seek the Settings Menu: Navigate through the game’s menus to find the options or settings section. This is often denoted by a gear icon, a cogwheel, or the words “Settings” or “Options.”
3. Explore Graphics or Display: Within the settings, look for a submenu related to graphics or display. These terms can vary depending on the game, but common names include “Graphics,” “Display,” “Video,” or “Visuals.”
4. Spot the Borderless Hero: In the graphics or display settings, look for options labeled “Borderless,” “Windowed Borderless,” or similar terms. Some games might use abbreviations like “BW” or “WB.”
5. Enable and Enjoy: Once you locate the Borderless option, activate it! This will usually involve clicking a checkbox, toggling a switch, or selecting it from a dropdown menu.

Identifying Display Options: Fullscreen, Windowed, and Borderless

Understanding the differences between display modes is essential for choosing the right one based on your needs:

• Fullscreen Mode: In fullscreen mode, the game occupies the entire screen, often providing the best performance since the game has complete control over your display. However, this mode can be disruptive if you frequently need to alt-tab to switch between applications, as it can cause the game to minimize or lag.
• Windowed Mode: Running the game in windowed mode lets you multitask more quickly, but the presence of a title bar and window borders can be visually distracting. Additionally, this mode may limit the size of the game window, depending on your screen resolution.
• Borderless Windowed Mode: This is the ideal middle ground for most users. You get the fullscreen experience without the distractions of a title bar or borders, and you can switch between applications without minimizing the game. This mode is handy for streamers or multitaskers who need to access other windows while playing.

Common Games With Built-In Borderless Windowed Support

Many popular games have borderless windowed mode built into their settings. Here are a few examples of how to enable it in some well-known titles:

• Overwatch:
  • Go to Options > Video.
  • Set Display Mode to Borderless Windowed.
• Fortnite:
  • Go to Settings > Video.
  • Set Window Mode to Windowed Fullscreen.
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt:
  • Open the game’s Options menu and navigate to Video > Graphics.
  • Set Display Mode to Borderless Windowed.
• League of Legends:
  • In the game client, go to Settings > Video.
  • Choose Borderless under Window Mode.
• Grand Theft Auto V:
  • Navigate to Settings > Graphics.
  • Set Screen Type to Borderless.

The Magic of Alt+Enter: A Shortcut to Borderless Bliss (Maybe)

How Alt+Enter Can Toggle Fullscreen and Borderless Mode

For many gamers, the Alt+Enter shortcut is a shortcut to convenience. This handy key combination can, in some games, instantly switch you between fullscreen and windowed borderless mode.

Here’s how to try it:

1. Get In-Game: Launch your desired game and ensure it’s running in windowed mode (not minimized).
2. Prepare for the Toggle:  While the game is actively displayed on your screen, position your fingers over the keyboard.
3. The Key Combination: Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard. This key is usually located on the left side of the space bar.
4. Engage the Enter Key:  While holding down Alt, press the Enter key. This key is typically positioned on the bottom right corner of your keyboard.
5. Voila! (Hopefully): If the game supports borderless windowed mode and Alt+Enter is the designated shortcut, your game window should instantly expand to fill your entire screen while retaining the ability to switch between windows without minimizing the game.

When and Why Alt+Enter Might Not Work

While Alt+Enter seems like a quick-fix solution, it’s not guaranteed to work with all games or software. The success of this shortcut depends on how the game or program is coded. Some games, especially older titles or those with custom engines, might not recognize the command at all. Here are a few reasons why Alt+Enter might not work:

• The game doesn’t support borderless windowed mode: Some games only offer fullscreen or windowed modes without the borderless option. In such cases, pressing Alt+Enter may only toggle between these two.
• Driver or GPU restrictions: Your graphics card or drivers may not support the command in certain games, primarily if the game uses an outdated or proprietary engine.
• DirectX or OpenGL limitations: Some graphics APIs, such as DirectX or OpenGL, may have limitations or bugs when switching display modes using Alt+Enter.
• Conflict with other hotkeys: If another application or your operating system has assigned Alt+Enter to a different function, this might override the game’s use of the shortcut.

Important Note: It’s crucial to remember that Alt+Enter doesn’t universally activate borderless windowed mode. This shortcut primarily functions as a toggle between fullscreen and the game’s previous mode (windowed or borderless windowed, depending on the game’s design).

If Alt+Enter doesn’t deliver the borderless experience you crave, don’t fret! In the next few steps of this guide, we’ll explore alternative methods.

Modifying the Shortcut for Borderless Glory (For Specific Games)

Modifying Game Config Files for a Seamless Experience

This method delves a bit deeper and involves tinkering with the game’s shortcut. It’s effective for certain games that can be nudged into borderless windowed mode through a particular command-line argument.

Here’s how to potentially unlock borderless freedom:

1. Locate the Game’s Shortcut:  Navigate to wherever you have the game installed on your system. This is usually your Program Files folder or the location you chose during installation. Find the shortcut icon you use to launch the game.
2. Right-click the Shortcut:  Once you’ve spotted the game’s shortcut icon, right-click on it with your mouse.
3. Delve into Properties:  A context menu will appear. From this menu, select “Properties.” This will open a new window with details about the shortcut.
4. Target the Target Field:  In the properties window, locate the field labeled “Target.” This field displays the path to the game’s executable file.
5. Find the Final Quote:  Pay attention to the text within the “Target” field. Look for the ending quotation mark at the very end of the text. This mark signifies the closure of the path to the executable.
6. Add Space and Command (Carefully!):  Just after the closing quotation mark, place a single space. Then, carefully type “-popup window” (without quotes). This is a standard command-line argument that can trigger borderless windowed mode. However, some games might use a different flag or argument. If you’re unsure, consult the game’s documentation or online resources to find the specific flag required for your game.

How to Force Borderless Mode Using Command-Line Parameters

It’s vital to be precise when adding the command. Adding incorrect information or placing it in the wrong spot can potentially prevent the game from launching altogether. Double-check everything before applying the changes.

7. Apply and Launch: Once you’ve added the space and the command-line argument (or flag) to the Target field, click the “Apply” button to save the changes.
8. Now, try launching the game using the modified shortcut. If everything works as intended, the game should launch in borderless windowed mode, granting you the desired functionality.

Third-Party Tools for Borderless Might (Advanced Users)

For games that stubbornly resist our previous attempts at borderless bliss, there’s a squad of third-party tools ready to join the battle.

These tools, designed for more adventurous users, can often force borderless windowed mode even on applications that don’t inherently support it.

Here’s a glimpse into this realm of possibilities:

Borderless Gaming as a Champion:

One prominent tool in this category is Borderless Gaming [Borderless Gaming tool]. This tool boasts the ability to nudge many applications, including games, into borderless windowed mode.

The Download and Installation Drill:

It’s important to remember that using third-party tools comes with a slight added layer of complexity. Here’s a general roadmap for using Borderless Gaming (or a similar tool):

1. Download the Tool: Go to the internet and download Borderless Gaming (or your chosen tool) from a reputable source. Be cautious while downloading software and only use trusted websites.
2. Installation Time:  Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file and run the installation process according to the tool’s instructions. This will typically involve following an on-screen wizard.
3. Unleashing Borderless Power:  With Borderless Gaming (or your tool) installed, launch the program.  The specific way you force borderless windowed mode will vary depending on the tool. Borderless Gaming usually presents a list of running applications. You can select the game you want to play in borderless mode and activate the option within the tool.

Conclusion: 

The quest for seamless multitasking and immersive gameplay can finally end! With the methods explored in this guide, you’re now armed with a diverse arsenal to tackle the challenge of achieving borderless windowed mode.

• Try the in-game settings first – many games offer this option naturally.
• The Alt+Enter shortcut can be a quick and convenient way to toggle between modes (if supported).
• Modifying the application shortcut with a specific command-line argument can work for certain games.
• For the truly determined, third-party tools like Borderless Gaming can often force borderless windowed mode even on uncooperative applications.

No matter your preference, there’s a solution waiting for you. So, choose your method, conquer those pesky borders, and get ready to experience the perfect blend of immersion and multitasking freedom in your favorite games!

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