# How do I set the default size of a broswer window opened "in a new window" in IE? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 4, 2002, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262 "2002-05-04T16:21:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262/1 "2002-05-04T16:21:18Z")
When I browse through the SDMB I always open topics that seem interesting in a new window and then minimize them and keep browsing until I’ve caught up to everything I read the last time I was here. The only problem is that the new browser winow seems to randomly change in size from day to day. I like it when they take up about half the screen but right now they are _almost_ full screen. So…why does the size always change, and how can I change it manually? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262/2 "2002-05-04T16:36:44Z")
maximum the current window(s) in question and then FILE - CLOSE (not the “X” box) will set all subsequent opened windows to default to the maximum size of the last window closed. I think there are also some advanced windows defaults for windows sizing that are tucked into the explorer option menus but I forget where the are. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262/3 "2002-05-04T16:37:57Z")
maximum = Maximize ---
**Author:** ![SouprChckn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@SouprChckn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SouprChckn)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262/4 "2002-05-04T16:40:25Z")
I have yet to find a foolproof way, but this is how I do it. When you unmaximize the IE screen, this is the size of the window that opens when you “Open Link in New Window.” Size this unmaximized window to your desire. Then just maximize/unmaximize the screen like 10 times. Close from File. This usually works for me. Also, make sure you only have one IE window open to do this, otherwise, you may have to manually resize every open instance of IE. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262/5 "2002-05-04T18:47:56Z")
When you get the size you want, hold down the CTRL key and click the close button. That should make explorer remember its settings. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262/6 "2002-05-14T03:15:18Z")
Doesn’t work for me. I can’t stand it when there’s some pop up window that shows up and leaves it’s settings, so everytime I purposly spawn a new window, or even just open my browser, it come’s up with some oddball settings. Like half off the screen. I can’t figure out how to get it to memorize the right ones. The way it pops up seems to change here and there (Actually it changes fairly often). ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262/7 "2002-05-14T05:42:05Z")
If the new window is spawned using certain tricks it will be the size that the developer defines. ie. I can make a newly spawned window your default desktop size or 200x400 or whetever I want it to be and I’m pretty sure the solutions above don’t work if my code tells it what to do. But I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262/8 "2002-05-14T06:47:10Z")
But how come after I spawn a new window with it’s own size and location coded into it, it sometimes becomes the default for every new window. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2002, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-set-the-default-size-of-a-broswer-window-opened-in-a-new-window-in-ie/107262/9 "2002-05-14T09:44:53Z")
On my system (running Win XP), holding ctrl when closing, or using file-\>close is unnecessary. Windows open a la “Open Link in New Window” simply conform to the size of the most recent (unmaximised) window. YMMV, of course. (Ooh, and a tip I learned the other day. Instead of right-clicking and selecting “Open Link in New Window”, you can simply hold shift and left-click.)