How to make any game in windowed mode. How to open the game in windowed mode? Key Features and Functions

Using a large number of Windows windows allows you to solve several tasks at the same time. The user gets the opportunity to watch videos, chat, search for information or play. Often, gaming applications By default they use full screen mode, which does not allow you to switch between multiple windows. Below are several ways toHow to run the game in windowed mode.

This format has a number of advantages: you can easily collapse it when necessary; do not waste time waiting for the login to load; control the process happening on the screen.

After reading this article, you will find outhow to run the game in a windowdifferent ways.

Using Hot Keys

The fastest and easiest way is to use the ALT + Enter key combination. This combination works almost flawlessly. Just click on the shortcut tolaunch the game, and when it opens, press the necessary keys.

Changing the properties of a shortcut

To change settings,without entering the game , click right click mouse on the shortcut, then go to properties, find the line with the game address and add “-window". Click “apply” and exit.

Next launch will pass V windowed mode.If you have a question,how to make full screen in gameback, we answer:just remove the modifier “-window” you wrote earlier. Then the settings will return to their original settings.

Interface settings

Some developers took this nuance into account, leaving us the opportunity to change the appearance through the settings. The graphical settings department will allow youdo display in the window, you just need to find the appropriate item and put a tick there.

Using Third Party Applications

One of the best programs forsolution to this issue remainsD3DWindower. The algorithm for working with it is quite simple.

Download the program and install it. After launch, press the “plus” button, where you will need to add the desired game to the list. It is possible to adjust the height and width of the window as appropriate.

Important point: the path to D3DWindower must not contain Cyrillic characters!

Installing emulators

It is worth using this method if the above points did not help you cope with the task. Emulators create a virtual computer on yours, and all the applications it opens are automatically displayed as windows. As a rule, emulators are demanding on computer resources, and therefore setting up a virtual machine just to play is impractical.

If you decide to use this method, you will need an OS installation image. The ideal option would be Windows, as it is highly compatible with a wide range of applications.

We recommend using Windows Virtual PC or Vmware. After installing one of the programs, point it to the path to the OS image, allocate the required amount of disk space and wait for the operating system to install. Reboot the emulator, then install the gaming application with all related programs. Now, to start the game, just turn on the emulator. But remember that this method requires a computer with sufficient power, and its lack will slow down the process. Is it worth it?

If the process of reading the article brought up the question of how to make the game full screen, we are happy to inform you that the first three points are universal, which means they will help both times.

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. In any case, this feature 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 go 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 team 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.

Typically this parameter is located in the graphics settings section or gameplay. 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 don't know how to open the game in windowed mode using the methods described above, then try the functionality 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.

Windowed mode is the best secrecy. Why play in windowed mode at all? It is from this that it is easiest to switch to another window when your boss, wife, parents or cat suddenly enters the room and is very against your time spent. But seriously, this question may be relevant for fans of old games. Typically, these games have very low resolution and look terrible when expanded to full screen. In addition, windowed mode is convenient because it allows you to switch to other tabs, allowing you to instantly return back to the game, without a long wait for textures, locations, and so on to “load.”

But how to run the game in windowed mode? Full-screen mode in some games can be disabled in the graphics settings of the game itself; with others you will need to use a couple of tricks. In this article we will talk about all known methods.

In the game, press ALT+Enter. This is a classic combination that works in many full-screen applications and puts the game into windowed mode.

Some games use different hotkeys, which can be found in the control settings menu.

Using the "-" propertywindow»

If the game does not respond to hotkeys, you should try the following:

1. Save your changes and enter the game.

If that doesn't work, try replacing "-window" with "-w".

With this property, the game will be launched using this icon in windowed mode. To open the game in full screen again, you just need to delete the entered condition.

Game Settings

Some games support switching to windowed mode through the settings menu - you just need to check the box in the graphics settings menu, and the game will open in a window.

Using third party programs

The most common program for forcing a game into windowed mode is the Chinese D3DWindower, quite old, but working.

In order to play in a window using it, you must:

1. Download the program, install it and run it.
2. Click on the “plus” and select the file with the game - it will appear in the program list.
3. Select the game and click on the closed folder icon - a settings window will open, where in the first tab you will need to:
   • set the desired width and height of the window - in the first two input fields, respectively;
   • make sure there is a check mark to the right of them;
   • click the button on the right at the bottom of the window, then select D3DHook.dll from the folder with the program;
   • save the settings and click on the third button from the right in the main menu of the program.

If everything is done correctly, the program should open the game in windowed mode.

Attention: on the way to D3DWindower There should be no Cyrillic characters!

Using the emulator

If this program does not help you, you can try using system emulators, however, this method is very demanding on computer resources and is not suitable for everyone.

In order to run the game through a system emulator, you can use Windows Virtual PC or Vmware, which can be downloaded from links from official sites. Such programs create a so-called virtual machine - “a computer within a computer” and usually work in windowed mode, therefore any game launched in this way will be in the window of the emulator program. This method requires lengthy setup, and the virtual machine takes up quite a lot of space on your hard drive, so we recommend using this method only if you are already working with it. Setting up an emulator just to run the game in windowed mode is too labor-intensive and time-consuming.

However, if you still decide to try, then you will need an OS installation image, preferably Windows, since it is compatible with most games, an emulator distribution, time and patience. You will need to do the following:

1. Install one of the above programs and run it.
2. Following the instructions, indicate to the program the path to the installation disk image with the OS, set the amount of disk space allocated to the virtual machine (as a rule, 20 GB of free space is enough for the emulator to work correctly, but in our case everything will depend on the size of the game you want in it run).
3. Wait for the OS to install and complete it following the instructions of the installation program.
4. Reboot the virtual machine.
5. Install the game and all the necessary additional software on it (Visual C++, DirectX, etc.).
6. Launch and hope that your computer has enough performance.

It is worth remembering that playing in windowed mode, especially using third-party software (especially through a virtual machine), requires more resources, and therefore may slow down, freeze and work incorrectly, especially if you play on a weak computer or a large number of other computers are running in parallel programs.

There is a game shortcut on the table if there is none. If there is a shortcut, you will operate with it. Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu. Add “-window” to the game address line. For example:
It was – “D:\Games\Data\Gothic.exe”;

It became “D:\Games\Data\Gothic.exe -window”.

Click on the “Apply” button and exit. Now launch the game using the edited shortcut. It is worth noting that some games continue to run in a window even if you remove the “-window” inscription. Here you need to enter another inscription, namely “full screen”.

The third method is built-in. The fact is that many modern games provide windowed mode. You just need to activate the appropriate option in the game settings and that’s it.

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.

Instructions

Before trying different ways to start windowed mode, check if the game has a similar setting. To do this, launch the game and go to the “Settings” menu. Select "Video" and find the appropriate function. If it is missing, then you can try other options.

Launch the game. Once it has fully loaded, press the Alt and Enter keys on your keyboard at the same time. As a rule, many games then switch to windowed mode. If this method does not help, then you will need to try more complex options.

Find your game's shortcut on your desktop. If it is not there, then open the game folder and find the file to launch it. Right-click it and drag it to the desktop. A menu will appear in which you need to select the “Create shortcut” command. You can also simply right-click on the file and select “Create shortcut”, and then move it to the desired location.

Call the Properties menu for the game shortcut. Find the “Object” item, which indicates the path to the game, select it and add window at the end. For example, there was a value: C:/Games/Counter-Strike 1.6 Condition-Zero/hl.exe, but it will become: C:/Games/Counter-Strike 1.6 Condition-Zero/hl.exe – window.

Save the settings and launch the game from the shortcut. If you want to run the game in full screen again, simply delete the entry you made. In some cases, the launch will still occur in windowed mode; to fix this, write - full screen instead of -window.

Look for information about the windowed mode of your game on forums and sites dedicated to its settings and playthroughs. Some games require you to enter special codes or commands, while others have special additional programs to run in a window. Be very careful when doing this. If you are playing

Many of us sometimes want to remember the past and play classic computer applications. In this case, the question often arises of how to run the game in a window.

Unfortunately, most older applications are not easy to make work correctly on modern PCs running Windows 7 or later versions of Microsoft software.

For example, the screen resolution could be 640x480 or even less. On modern HD monitors, this resolution looks terrible, to put it mildly.

To solve the problem, you need to run the application in windowed mode. Some games offer the user a built-in feature to launch the application in a window. But what about programs whose developers did not provide for this possibility?

There are several solutions to the problem that will help you run not only old, but also new applications in windowed mode.

First of all, you need to try holding down the Alt and Enter key combination on your keyboard while the program is running in full screen mode. This is the easiest way to solve the problem. As a result, some games may automatically enter windowed mode, but not all.

Many applications can be switched to windowed mode using internal settings.

Any game has a start menu, where there is always a “Settings” or “Options” item. There is usually a sub-item “Video Settings” or “Graphics Settings”, in which application developers often provide a function to disable full-screen mode. For example, in the Dota 2 game this function is located in the “Video / Audio” sub-item.

Some programs contain files with the extension .ini, in which you can configure the game before it starts. If you're lucky, among the launch options there may be a mode for playing in a window. .ini files are usually located in the root folder of the game (exactly in the location on the computer’s hard drive where the application was installed).

Another possible solution to the problem is to write certain commands in the program shortcut.

To do this, right-click on the icon that launches any game and try adding one of the following commands to the “Object” field:

• -window;
• -windowmode;
• -f resolution;
• -f 1024×768.

Editing the properties of a shortcut may cause the program to malfunction.

There is no need to delete everything that is written in the “Object” line by default. You just need to add a command to what you already have. Additionally, you may need administrator rights to change the shortcut. If you do not have such rights, you should contact the owner of this PC.

Emulators

There are special emulator programs that allow you to run Windows games on the Apple Mac platform (including in windowed mode). Not all applications are successfully transferred from one platform to another without losing functionality, but it’s worth a try. The most popular emulators today are DirectX OpenGL Wrapper, DxWnd and Glide.

If you want to run a very old toy running under the DOS operating system, then it is best to use the DOSBox emulator. This program is quite easy to use and allows you to run the game in windowed mode. Just run the emulator to see how the games are emulated.

Owners of the Windows 7 operating system can also try Windows XP Mode - an official utility from Microsoft that allows you to not only emulate XP, but also run the game in a window. Alternative emulators can be programs such as VMware or VirtualBox.

They are capable of emulating various operating systems and displaying the game in windowed mode. Accordingly, all programs launched through these emulators will also be launched in a window.

The situation when you have to use several programs at the same time is a common occurrence for a computer user. Application programs run in windowed mode, and switching from one window to another is easy. But if one of these programs is computer game, everything turns out to be a little more complicated due to the fact that applications of this type run in full screen mode by default.

Sponsored by P&G Articles on the topic "How to open a game in windowed mode" How to run a game in windowed mode in Windows How to open a game in a window How to enable a game in a window

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 you to run in a window 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 is enabled 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. How easy it is

Hi all! Today's article will talk about how to run the game in windowed mode, and what can be used for this. Windowed mode is extremely convenient for fans of not the most latest games, as the image quality will be terrible. Quick switching of clutches without long waits is available when selecting this mode. Some games allow you to disable the mode full screen through the settings, and somewhere you can’t do without a trick.

Most games react by changing full-screen mode to windowed mode by pressing ALT+Enter. If this combination does not work, you need to go to the settings.

Properties of "-window"

If you were unable to find valid combinations, or the game simply does not respond, you can do the following:

If this option doesn't work, instead of the whole word, enter "-w". This property will help you open the game in windowed mode. Its cancellation is carried out by deleting the entry.

Applying settings

There are games that allow you to enter graphic settings and check the box to set windowed mode.

How to run the game in windowed mode using third-party programs

Now let's look at using auxiliary programs.

One of the most popular and effective programs is D3DWindower. To use it you need to do:

1. Download the program, install it and run it.
2. Click on the “+” icon and select from the drop-down list necessary game. Next, click on the closed folder symbol. In the settings window that opens, you need to do the following:
3. set the required window parameters using 2 input fields;
4. check that there is a check mark next to them;
5. There is a button at the bottom of the window that you need to click.
6. select D3DHook.dll from the program folder;
7. We approve saving the settings and click on the third button in the main menu.

We use a system emulator

A fallback option for the desired transformations would be to use emulators. Everything would be fine, but here you need to take into account the capabilities of your PC, since the requirements for its resources will be quite high.

To start the game, use the programs Windows Virtual PC or Vmware. A game launched through an emulator program will appear in its window. This method will require a lengthy setup process and will require a lot of space for the machine. I recommend that you use it if you are going to work with it directly. I consider downloading for the sake of the game simply inappropriate.

If you decide to use this method, you will need an installation image of the operating system, time and desire to complete everything. Next we do the following:

• Install the program.
• Follow the prompts, specify the path to the OS image and install the required amount of space for the emulator to work. 20 GB will be enough, however, you need to take into account the size of the game itself.
• Wait until operating system will be installed from the disk, reboot the virtual machine.
• Use it to install the game and everything you need software.
• Launch

Remember that launching a game through a virtual window using additional programs requires a lot of performance from your computer. The game may slow down or not be displayed very correctly, especially when you have several tabs open or you have turned on the game on the default setting. weak computer.

The usual practice of working on a computer involves using several programs at the same time. They are opened in window mode, then switching from one to another is not difficult. But gaming applications are often launched immediately in full screen mode, which prevents them from working in parallel with other windows. Fans of old games also find the full-screen version inconvenient; at low resolutions, everything looks ugly and blurry. It is inconvenient to take screenshots; if you exit the application, then you have to wait for it to load again, which wastes time. Therefore, it is advisable for users to set windowed mode in games, for which there are different ways.

Certain key combinations help solve the problem of how to switch the game to windowed mode. The simplest trick when the application is running in full screen is to press Alt+Enter. Similarly, you can press F11 or Ctrl+F in Windows, or Command+M in MacOS. Perhaps in the settings you will find other combinations specifically for your application. The method is easy and effective, because pressing the keys again will open the full screen mode.

The first and easiest way is to use a shortcut

2. Changing settings

Perhaps there is an option in the settings to switch to another mode, check. Go to the settings section (Options), look at them to see if there is a “Windowed mode” or a similar function: “Play in a window”, “Windowed mode”, other analogues. When you find it, select it by checking the box or activating it in another way provided by the program, and save the change.

3. Applying a modifier

If the option for on-screen deployment of the game is missing, add it using a special modifier.

• Right-click on the launcher shortcut and click on “Properties”. You can also open the Properties window from the main menu of your OS.
• Go to the “Object” line, at the end of the line (using the End key).
• Leave a space and enter “–window”.
• Click Apply - OK, run the application.

In this way, the launch of various games, for example, the popular Warcraft, Counter Strike, Mass Effect, is edited. In other programs, a slightly different modifier may be used, in Sims2, for example, you need to add “–w”, in some applications “–win” works. Try it for yourself different variants modifier.

It will be possible to run the game in a windowed version; to return to the old settings, simply delete the entered modifier.

4. Settings file

If this option is enabled by the manufacturer, proceed as follows:

• Go to the installed program folder.
• Find the texts “Windowed”, “Fullscreen” in the files (if you have Windows 7, enter the text in the search box in Explorer, click on “File Contents” in the right corner).
• For Fullscreen, set the value to 0 to disable it. For Windowed, set the value to 1 to enable it. You can now launch the application.

5. Third party programs

The above methods are applicable if such capabilities are included in the settings. How to run any game in windowed mode when the manufacturers did not provide for this? Third-party programs will help.

You can forcefully switch to the desired launch option in games by taking the old Chinese program D3DWindower; it copes with this task, although it is quite old. Install it, launch it, add your game to the list by clicking on the “plus” button. In the settings, set the desired height and width of the window.

6. Emulators

Emulators do not work on all computers; they are resource intensive. Download and run the emulator (Vmware, Windows Virtual PC). We recommend using official websites. You create a virtual “computer within a computer” running in a regular window size, and any program running in it will be within the emulator window.

The disadvantages are that a virtual computer requires a lot of disk space, and setting it up is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Installing an emulator just to run the game is irrational; use this method if you need it for work.

If the listed methods showing how to put the game in windowed mode did not help, try contacting the developers through the official website or support forum. In addition, when this option is not available at all, we recommend minimizing the full-screen application to switch to another program by pressing Alt+Tab, then you can simply expand it.