Launch Google Chrome in Fullscreen mode

Question

How can I launch Google Chrome in fullscreen mode from a shortcut?

I have tried the CLI arguments --start-maximized and --kiosk, but both do not activate the regular fullscreen mode (i.e. when you press F11).

If only there was a way to automatically press F11 once Google Chrome was open...

Solution 1

Update:

I've worked on a more complete solution based on the script below. It is called FEleven and it is hosted on GitHub: https://github.com/iglvzx/FEleven

One of the main benefits of FEleven over the the solution below is that I've included built-in support for Google Chrome and other browsers, allowing you to omit the window-title parameter, i.e.:

feleven "path\to\chrome.exe ..."

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If only there was a way to automatically press F11 once Google Chrome was open...

There is! With a little help from AutoHotkey we can launch Google Chrome in fullscreen mode. Now, F11 is pretty standard as a fullscreen keyboard shortcut, so we will write a script that can work with any program we throw at it! Let's begin...

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1. Setup

So, one little known feature about AutoHotkey is that you can call scripts from the command line (and with parameters). We will be compiling the following script; I named mine Fullscreen.exe.

#SingleInstance, Force
#NoTrayIcon
SetTitleMatchMode, RegEx

Title = %1%
Title := Title . "$"
Target = %2%

Run, %Target%

WinWaitActive, %Title%
Send, {F11}

ExitApp

If instead you would like to maximize the window instead of pressing F11, replace Send, {F11} above with:

Send, !{Space}
Send, x

Outline:

1. Launch the Target

2. Once we have an active window whose title ends with our Title, send F11 to enable fullscreen mode.

Note: If don't want to install AutoHotkey or compile your own script, I have uploaded a compiled script for you on my server:
ahk.igalvez.net/Fullscreen.exe, 772 KB

Alternative for maximizing the window:
ahk.igalvez.net/Maximize.exe, 772 KB

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Demonstration:

Now, you can launch an application in fullscreen by calling the .exe like so:

Fullscreen "Title" "Target"

Assuming that you are currently in the directory where Fullscreen.exe is located, or Fullscreen.exe is in a %Path% directory.

Example:

Fullscreen "- Google Chrome" "%LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"

Use it in shortcut (.lnk) or a batch (.bat) file!

Solution 2

The app mode should do the trick: it launches your instance of chrome in a full screen, separate window.

chrome.exe --app=https://my_url.com

Solution 3

The following works for me using Chrome 50.0.2661.102 m under Windows 10.0.10586 64-bit:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --start-fullscreen http://www.example.com/

Note the double dash in the --start-fullscreen option.

Solution 4

1. Close all Chrome Windows.
2. Open One Window.
3. Click on upper right of Window (3 horizontal lines)
4. From Drop Down Menu - Go to the Bottom and Click - EXIT

Fixed!

Solution 5

From small trail I did the command chrome.exe --kiosk http://your-site.com start the site in Presentation Mode which is full screen.

View more solutions

Comments

[Dennis]

Clever! I don't really use the fullscreen mode, but the general idea (open X and send Y to the window) will come in handy.

[Antoine Lizée]

And I think is quicker than the accepted answer :-) (Even though FEleven can be used for anything, which makes it super useful)

[DavidC]

This works the first time for me but if I resize the window and close and then open again it is no longer full screen.