This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(64, 13%, 16%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hello,
i just reinstalled my surface go 3 tablet. Since then, EVERY window, app or explorer i open ALWAYS starts in maximized mode. How can i turn that off? Iam currently running windows 11 25h2.
Thanks for help!
UPDATE:
I found a solution, i created a windows 11 23h2 install stick, install stick, not a recovery stick and installed win11 23h2 on my surface go 3. After that i used the windows 11 update tool (because windows update was not able to find 24h2 nor 25h2) to go to 25h2 and my surface is now working fine.
Moved from: Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(150.4, 46%, 24%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EHM%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hi,
Your Surface Go 3 is opening everything maximized because Windows 11 (especially after a reinstall) defaults to tablet-friendly layouts and remembers the last window state incorrectly. It assumes full-screen is best for touch.
Here’s what you can try:
Turn off Snap windows in Settings → System → Multitasking.
Change app shortcuts to Run: Normal window.
Resize File Explorer and close it Windows will remember.
This restores normal window behavior.
Let me know how it goes, Happy to help!
Hi,
i went into Settings -> System -> Multitasking and was able disable Snap completly
Then i created a shortcut for the task manager
I checked the box and it was already set to Normal window
I used the shortcut to open task manager, it was full screen maximized, i turned into normal mode and changed the size, closed it.
Then i tried the shortcut again, but the task manager opend again maximized
After that i tried the same for the explorer, that worked. But only until i did a restart. After Restart explorer opens again maximized until i change the size.
I tried some other apps like the clock, the windows store and the windows settings app and they continue to start maximized without any change.
Here’s what you can try next:
Switch to Desktop mode under Settings > System > Tablet.
Adjust display scaling to reduce full-screen preference.
If you want full control, use a utility like WinSizeRestore to remember window sizes.
If these steps don’t fully resolve it, the only permanent solution is forcing Desktop mode or using a third-party tool, because Windows 11 tablet profile prioritizes maximized windows.
Let me know how it goes, Happy to help!
"Switch to Desktop mode under Settings > System > Tablet."
I checked System, but there is no tablet Menu.
@Harold Milan "Your Surface Go 3 is opening everything maximized because Windows 11 (especially after a reinstall) defaults to tablet-friendly layouts and remembers the last window state incorrectly. It assumes full-screen is best for touch." Really? I've never seen this on the 7 Surface tablets I currently own.
@Barb Bowman @Harold Milan just letting you both know i found a solution. Just look at my updated post. However thanks for your help!
If you used generic install media (as opposed to the official recovery image for your Surface) that might be involved. If you did NOT used the official recovery media - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface-recovery-image - suggest you try that and then use Windows Update to bring up to date. I'm never seen this behavior myself on the different Surface tablets I own.
Hi,
i used the build in recovery feature of the windows 11 settings menu. At some point he asked me if i want to use the build in image or download an cloud image, i choose the latter. So i guess iam fine here?
AndKal,
Yes, you should be. You might try running the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/fix-common-problems-using-the-surface-app-and-surface-diagnostic-toolkit-f61d8d18-37a9-863d-f8d0-1982eb16f7b5
I found a solution, i created a windows 11 23h2 install stick, install stick, not a recovery stick and installed win11 23h2 on my surface go 3. After that i used the windows 11 update tool (because windows update was not able to find 24h2 nor 25h2) to go to 25h2 and my surface is now working fine.
