Windows 7 Games won't run in fullscreen mode, shrink to taskbar

[guy327]

I'm going mad here trying to solve this one. I'm new to Windows 7. I've just installed it 3 weeks ago, and I'm still in the process of installing all my software and small mini-games (shooters, arkanoid-type stuff, bejeweled, etc). I've had virtually no trouble getting my applications to run properly, but I'm having major difficulty getting my games to run.

While many do run fine, a major problem I'm having is that many of the small games I'm trying to run won't stay in fullscreen mode. If the particular game has an option to run in a window, it runs, but if I select fullscreen, the screen goes black for an instant while the game tries to switch to fullscreen, then it goes to my desktop, and the game ends up as an icon in the taskbar. If I click the icon, it comes up and tries again, and the same thing happens.

I've tried switching resolutions (my monitor is 1680x1050 22"), tried using my Nvidia control panel to use different scaling methods, and I'm getting nowhere. I'm running as an administrator with UAC disabled right now. My graphics card is the Geforce GTX275.

It's weird because it's only some games that won't run fullscreen, but it's quite a few, and some run in windowed mode, so I know Windows 7 can run the games. What could possibly be happening?

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're experiencing a common issue with running games on Windows 7, particularly related to fullscreen mode problems. This problem can occur due to various reasons related to graphics settings, compatibility issues, or even system configurations. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the fullscreen mode problem with your games:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Compatibility Mode:
   • Right-click on the game's shortcut or .exe file.
   • Go to Properties > Compatibility tab.
   • Check the box "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and select a previous Windows version.
   []Run as Administrator:
   • Right-click on the game's shortcut or .exe file.
   • Choose "Run as administrator" to give it the necessary permissions.
   []Graphics Settings:
   • Update your graphics card drivers to the latest version.
   • Adjust the graphics settings within the game itself to match your monitor's resolution.
   []Disable Desktop Composition:
   • Right-click on the game's shortcut or .exe file.
   • Go to Properties > Compatibility tab.
   • Check "Disable desktop composition" under Settings.
   []Check Graphics Card Settings:
   • Open Nvidia Control Panel.
   • Adjust settings like display scaling and resolution to match your monitor.
   []Taskbar Settings:
   • Auto-hide the taskbar to prevent it from interfering with fullscreen applications.
   []Check for System Updates:
   • Ensure Windows 7 is fully updated with the latest patches and updates.
   []Virtual Machine:
   • Consider running the game in a Windows 7 virtual machine to isolate any compatibility issues.
   []Check Game Settings:
   • Some games have specific settings related to fullscreen mode. Look for options within the game settings.

     Additional Tips:​

     • You can also try running the game in different compatibility modes or in windowed mode if that works.
     • Make sure your DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributable packages are up to date.
     If you've tried these steps and are still facing issues, it might be worth checking the game's community forums or support page for any specific issues related to that game running on Windows 7. Let me know if you need further assistance or if any of these steps help resolve the problem!