Settings panel always opens full screen

I will of course stand corrected, but I thought from looking at your previous three topics on this issue, you had established it was some manner of setting etc, somewhere within your account profile, as I think you said on a new account the problem did not exist.

In May last year when you were on 1809, I think you posted that the settings panel size was corrected when you restored to a Macrium image from an earlier date.

Then in another topic on the same issue later - in July 2019 now on 1903 you posted

OK. Its my account that is hosed up. I created a new account and Settings panel is "normal" size.

Then on another topic of the same issue, again in July last year you posted asking for a solution apart from creating a new account - namely

I suspect a registry entry is the cause of the Setting screen default size but I have no information on where or what the values should be. Just resizing the screen only works until its booted again (I wish it was that simple).

It was of course that topic to which you did not receive any suggestions.

I think I can assure you, that you are very unlikely to receive a reply telling you which key it is.

I believe that in earlier editions of Windows it could be set via
HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell

HOWEVER from a topic here, with a post by Brink (Admin) post 8 refers you will see that, although NOT exactly for what you are asking - even the boss does not know which key controls which window
Set Default Folder View for all Folders in Windows 10

So in essence I. certainly do not know, which registry key, it is and as I said, I think you may safely presume you are not going to find it.

I do not know your level of experience in the registry searching and modifying values etc., HOWEVER I would caution you against trying, even with a reg backup.

IMHO it is far easier to simply have it open as you say for the size you set on each session, and then repeat that simple, one click set size, when you next boot after a shutdown.

That to me is such a minor exercise that the search for a registry key and its possible attempted modification, with the risks attached is most inadvisable.

In case you are not aware there are a couple at least of third party apps that purport to do what you are seeking.
I have not attached links to them, as I have not found one that is reported as totally reliable.

A couple of points that may already been tried, one is that Full Screen, reached by pressing F11, is different from Maximized, middle icon in upper right corner of a window. The F11 will toggle Full Screen on or off, the middle icon will Maximize or Restore down. I usually get it on the Restore down and can manually resize using the mouse and dragging an edge or move the window by grabbing the Title bar. Full Screen hides most toolbars.

Once I have a window size/location set I hold down the Windows key while clicking the X to close. It sometimes a couple three tries to "train" Windows to retain the setting through reboots/startups. On the larger screen I may want a window smaller but with 13" and smaller Maximized is better.

I just cannot understand, why ONE window, which after its initial opening on full screen, then stays at size chosen, however many times it is opened during a session, that window, then requiring only one click to repeat that sequence of events, after a shutdown, is an issue that is so concerning to you.

After three previous topics on the issue, one finding that a restore to a previous state by Macrium Image corrected the issue, and one finding that it was a OK on another user account, and then the last, before this one, seeking the registry key to change, received no replies (Probably I would think because no one knew the answer) It is my humble opinion, that your best way forward is to leave it as is.

In view of the fact that most applications store their data and settings in a user-specific application data folder, so each user can have their own program settings and data, and the problem does not exist on another user account OR on the Macrium Image. I suspect it is NOT actual corruption on your user account, but as indicated above an app, and in that regard I suspect a third party app.

If you are determined to solve this minor issue, I strongly recommend against trying a registry key modification, even if you could find the key.


My recommendation is to examine the inclusions in your current USER account for apps etc, against the said inclusions in your Macrium image

Good luck with it.
My best wishes
Stay safe in this current crisis