# Links in XP...how to make full-size? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2003, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-xp-how-to-make-full-size/199672 "2003-09-05T05:29:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-xp-how-to-make-full-size/199672/1 "2003-09-05T05:29:30Z")
I’ve done a Google search, and I’ve done a search here…no luck. My question: When I receive a link to a web page in an e-mail, how do I make that link open up in a full-screen window? As a history, this USED to work on my computer until I took it in for service (to replace the power supply). When I got it back, links (ie the SDMB) open up in small windows instead of full-screen. Thus, I know it can be done, but after many hours of searching through Windows and IE menus I cannot find the place that will let this happen… Yes, it is just one more click for me to “maximize” every link, but…it’s EVERY link! Where oh where is the control for this located? ---
**Author:** ![Bromley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Bromley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bromley)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-xp-how-to-make-full-size/199672/2 "2003-09-05T07:05:43Z")
Well, I hope it’s fixed in XP. I’m running Win 98 and it’s a known problem that won’t/can’t be completely fixed by MS. I can only suggest that you search the [KB](http://www.microsoft.com/) and, if you can’t find a solution, that you email MS tech support. They really should have fixed this by now (and I don’t mean the right-click patch that they brought out). ---
**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:** [September 5, 2003, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-xp-how-to-make-full-size/199672/3 "2003-09-05T11:11:21Z")
Try making your browser window full size, without using the maximise button. Drag it out to full size. Then use File, Exit or File, Close. The next time you open a browser it ‘should’ open full size. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-xp-how-to-make-full-size/199672/4 "2003-09-05T14:19:10Z")
should, but doesn’t. It will make a new IE window launch full screen, but a link will still need to be maximized. My links are nearly full screen but I still need to maximize it juuuust that much. ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-xp-how-to-make-full-size/199672/5 "2003-09-05T15:19:18Z")
**Caught@Work** that did it…thank you. Windows’ “memory” of how you had the window sized last time drives how it opens up for new windows…except that it doesn’t remember “maximize”. Typical. And I’ve stretched it out far enough that I can’t tell that it isn’t really maximized. ---
**Author:** ![Chicago\_Faucet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chicago_faucet/32/13910_2.png) [@Chicago\_Faucet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicago_Faucet)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-xp-how-to-make-full-size/199672/6 "2003-09-05T18:06:28Z")
If you have been scouring through all these menus, then you probably have already run across this, but try it anyway. Open up Internet Explorer. Tools -\> Internet Options -\> Advanced tab. Here you will see a whole list of registry-style options to choose from. One of them, I know, is paraphrased as, “Open all links maximized.” Make sure there is a check mark in that box and hit OK. This should, from now on, maximize a link every time you click on it to open it up. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-xp-how-to-make-full-size/199672/7 "2003-09-05T18:09:46Z")
Do you have a 3-button mouse ? If so, download software from Logitech and program your middle mouse button (or scroll button) to work as the “Maximize Window” command. It’s a whole lot easier and faster than clicking on Maximize for each and every window. ---
**Author:** ![Mann\_Slaughter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@Mann\_Slaughter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mann_Slaughter)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/links-in-xp-how-to-make-full-size/199672/8 "2003-09-06T02:27:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by xash \* > \*\*Do you have a 3-button mouse ? If so, download software from Logitech and program your middle mouse button (or scroll button) to work as the “Maximize Window” command. It’s a whole lot easier and faster than clicking on Maximize for each and every window. \*\* Thanks for the info. Works like a charm. However there’s no need to download any extra Logitech software. If you’re using a MS mouse or trackball the most recent versions of their software supports this as well.