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How to Fix Microsoft Store Games Not Playing in Full Screen on Windows 11

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to fix an issue where downloaded Microsoft Store games launch in a narrow strip in the center of the display and refuse to enter full-screen mode.

Product: Microsoft Store Games
Device & OS: Windows 11 (HP Laptop)
Scenario: Attempting to play Microsoft Store games such as Solitaire, Jigsaw Escapes, and Mahjong in full-screen mode on a new laptop.
Observed behavior: The games appear in a narrow vertical strip in the center of the screen, completely ignoring the full-screen control buttons and system resolution changes.

Before you start

Ensure your Windows 11 system is fully updated and temporarily close any background overlay applications or external monitor management software before adjusting display settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Windows Scaling and Use the Full-Screen Shortcut

Use the built-in Windows display settings and keyboard shortcuts to correct basic scaling mismatches and force the application into full screen.

Often, high-resolution screens on newer laptops use a default display scaling factor (like 150%) that older or specific casual games from the Microsoft Store do not handle correctly.

Check Game Settings

Launch the game (such as Solitaire or Mahjong) and look for an in-game 'Options' or 'Settings' menu. Toggle the display mode to 'Full Screen' or 'Borderless Windowed' if available.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

While the game window is active and selected, press 'Alt + Enter' on your keyboard. This is a universal Windows shortcut that forces many applications to toggle between windowed and full-screen modes.

Adjust Windows Display Scaling

Right-click on your Windows 11 desktop and select 'Display settings'. Scroll down to 'Scale & layout' and ensure the 'Scale' dropdown is set to the 'Recommended' percentage, or temporarily test 100% to see if the game renders correctly.

Microsoft Store Apps Troubleshooter: You can also navigate to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, and run the 'Windows Store Apps' troubleshooter to automatically detect display anomalies.

Solution 2

Override High-DPI Scaling Behavior

Modify the specific game's compatibility settings to prevent Windows from incorrectly scaling the application window.

Solution 3

Update Graphics Drivers and Adjust GPU Scaling

Outdated display drivers or incorrect GPU control panel scaling preferences can cause games to display in a narrow strip instead of stretching to fit the screen.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do older Microsoft Store games launch in a small window?

Many older or casual games have hardcoded resolution limits or aspect ratios. When played on modern high-resolution screens (like 1080p or 4K displays), the game renders at its original pixel count, causing it to appear as a small box or narrow strip unless scaled by the GPU.

Does the Alt+Enter shortcut work for all Microsoft Store games?

While 'Alt + Enter' is a universal Windows shortcut for toggling full-screen mode, some Microsoft Store apps (UWP apps) may block this command depending on how the developer coded the game's window behavior. If it fails, you must rely on in-game settings or Windows scaling options.

Can my laptop's GPU control panel override game scaling?

Yes. Integrated graphics control panels (like the Intel Graphics Command Center found on many HP laptops) have overriding scaling options. Setting the GPU scaling to 'Scale full screen' will force the graphics card to stretch the game image to the edges of your monitor, though it may alter the original aspect ratio.

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