How to Maximize a Window in Mac OS

November 13, 2012 at 2:00 am Chad Upton 4 comments

By Chad Upton | Editor

One of the most annoying Mac OS traits is the inconsistent behavior of the maximize (aka “zoom”) button.

Some native apps, such as iCal, Mail, iPhoto, behave as you might expect and completely fill the screen when the maximize button is clicked. But, many other applications do not fill the screen, instead they the button maximizes the height of the window, but not the width.

But, there is another trick that maximizes some other applications, such as Chrome. Holding down shift while clicking the green maximize button, will maximize the window to fill the screen.

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Entry filed under: Computers and Internet. Tags: fullscreen, green, mac, maximize, plus, window.

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4 Comments Add your own

1. Ric Turley | November 13, 2012 at 8:04 am

Green button behavior on my Mac appears to be application dependent: Mail, Software Update and Terminal fill the screen, Safari fills vertically and Finder lengthen and narrows the window.

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2. Robert | November 13, 2012 at 1:53 pm

Not sure what Mac you’re using, but the shift key does not affect any of my programs. Firefox and iCal also fill the screen (without the shift key).

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3. luapphotography | November 16, 2012 at 10:46 pm

Yeah, this does not work on my mac book, circa 2008, with Snow Leopard…

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- 4. Chad Upton | November 17, 2012 at 4:36 pm
  
  What applications did you try?
  
  Reply