Learn how to switch a PC flight simulator between windowed, borderless and full-screen modes, plus fix black screens, blur and wrong-monitor issues.
To run a flight simulator in windowed or full-screen mode, open its Graphics or Display settings and choose Windowed, Full Screen, or Borderless Window, then apply the change. For full screen, select your monitor’s native resolution. On Windows, Alt+Enter also toggles modes in many simulators, including Microsoft Flight Simulator and FSX.
Menu names vary between simulators, and some modern titles implement their Full Screen option as a borderless window. That is normal: the screen is filled even though Windows still treats the simulator as a window.
Which flight simulator display mode should I use?
Borderless window is usually the most convenient choice, while exclusive full screen remains useful for some older simulators and windowed mode is best for multitasking.
| Display mode | Choose it when | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Windowed | You need charts, utilities, developer tools or other applications visible beside the simulator. | Borders and the taskbar consume screen space; a smaller window may also make instruments harder to read. |
| Borderless window | You want the simulator to fill the monitor while retaining quick switching to other applications and overlays. | It normally follows the Windows desktop resolution rather than changing display resolution independently. |
| Full screen | You use an older simulator that handles exclusive full screen well, or you need a resolution different from the desktop. | Switching applications can cause a delay, a black flash or minimisation. |
How do I switch between windowed and full screen?
Use the simulator’s display menu whenever possible because it also lets you select the correct monitor, resolution and refresh rate.
- Open the graphics settings. Look under Graphics, Display, Video or General Options for a setting named Display Mode, Window Mode or Full Screen.
- Select the mode. Choose Windowed, Borderless Window or Full Screen. In windowed mode, you can usually resize the simulator by dragging its borders.
- Check the display. Select the intended monitor and use its native resolution for the sharpest image.
- Apply and confirm. Accept the new display configuration before any confirmation timer expires. Some older simulators must restart before the change takes effect.
On Windows, give the simulator focus and press Alt+Enter if it supports the standard display-mode shortcut. Microsoft Flight Simulator users can follow our MSFS windowed and full-screen switching steps. For older Microsoft titles, we also cover the FSX and FSX: Steam Edition controls and black-screen fixes.
X-Plane 12 manages each display through its Graphics settings rather than relying on a universal shortcut. Our X-Plane 12 full-screen configuration instructions explain the relevant monitor options.
Why will my flight simulator not enter full-screen mode?
Full-screen failures are most often caused by lost keyboard focus, an unsupported display configuration or the simulator opening on the wrong monitor.
Alt+Enterdoes nothing: Click inside the simulator first. If the shortcut is intercepted by an overlay, remote-desktop session or keyboard utility, change the mode through the simulator’s menu instead.- The screen goes black: Wait for the simulator’s confirmation dialogue to restore the previous setting. If it does not return, press
EscorAlt+Enter, then restart and choose a resolution and refresh rate supported by the monitor. - Full screen opens on the wrong monitor: Switch to windowed mode, move the window onto the intended display, and enable full screen again. If that fails, select the monitor inside the simulator or temporarily make it the main display in Windows.
- The taskbar remains visible: A maximised window is not the same as borderless or full-screen mode. Select the actual borderless or full-screen setting and click inside the simulator to restore focus.
- The picture is blurry or stretched: Match the monitor’s native resolution and aspect ratio. Our guidance on choosing a flight simulator screen resolution covers scaling, ultrawide displays and performance trade-offs.
- Add-on windows disappear: Legacy gauges, menus and utility windows can open behind exclusive full screen. Use borderless or windowed mode when an add-on depends on separate pop-up windows.
- No display-mode option exists: Console editions run as full-screen console applications and do not provide PC-style windowed mode.
Does full-screen mode improve flight simulator FPS?
Full-screen mode does not guarantee higher frame rates in a modern flight simulator. Borderless and full screen often perform similarly; resolution, render scaling, clouds, scenery detail and CPU load have a much greater effect.
A smaller window can increase FPS because the simulator renders fewer pixels, not because windowed mode is inherently faster. When comparing modes, keep the resolution, render scale, V-Sync and frame-rate limit identical. Otherwise, the test measures changed graphics settings rather than the display mode itself.