Microsoft is quietly introducing a new window management option to Windows 11, though it remains buried for now. The latest Windows Insider Preview Experimental build 26340.9212 includes a hidden toggle labeled Open apps maximized. When enabled, this setting forces every application to launch in a maximized state, overriding Windows 11’s habit of remembering the last window size and position you used.
According to reports, the feature is currently live for a subset of Insiders on the Experimental channel. However, Microsoft has not issued an official announcement regarding the addition, suggesting the toggle is still in early testing stages. The setting appears alongside other display preferences in the Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects menu, sitting next to controls for transparency and animation effects.
What the ‘Open apps maximized’ setting does
The functionality is straightforward: it removes the need to manually click the maximize button every time you open an application. In standard Windows 11 behavior, the OS remembers the dimensions and location of a window when you close an app, restoring it to that state upon reopening. This new toggle bypasses that memory, ensuring every launch starts at full screen.
Testing indicates the feature applies globally to all apps. When the toggle is active, File Explorer, Settings, and third-party applications all open maximized regardless of their previous state. Disabling the toggle does not immediately revert apps to their prior behavior; Windows continues to remember the last window state used, even if the setting is turned off.
The feature was first identified by Windows watcher phantomofearth, who noticed the toggle in the build’s strings. Community discussion has already highlighted potential demand for related options, with users requesting a corresponding setting to open apps centered on the screen rather than maximized.
How to enable the hidden toggle
Because the setting is currently hidden, it will not appear in the Accessibility menu even if you are running the correct build. To access it, you need to use a third-party utility called ViVeTool, which allows users to enable or disable features based on their feature IDs.
If you are on Experimental build 26340.9212 and do not see the toggle, follow these steps:
- Download ViVeTool from its official GitHub repository.
- Extract the downloaded folder to a location on your drive.
- Open Command Prompt or Windows Terminal as an administrator.
- Navigate to the ViVeTool folder using the
cdcommand. - Run the following command to enable the feature:
vivetool /enable /id:62915050 - Restart your PC to apply the change.
After restarting, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects to find the new Open apps maximized toggle. To disable the feature later, run vivetool /disable /id:62915050 in an elevated terminal and restart again. Note that this feature ID is specific to the current Experimental build and may not function in future releases if Microsoft moves the feature to a different channel.
Who benefits most from this feature?
While the setting is useful for anyone who prefers full-screen apps, it offers the most value for users with smaller form factors. On a 27-inch monitor, many users keep certain apps in windowed mode to utilize available screen real estate. However, on laptops with 13-inch or 14-inch displays, maximizing apps by default is often the preferred workflow.
The feature is particularly relevant for owners of compact devices like the Surface Pro series with 12-inch screens, as well as Windows gaming handhelds. On touch-first devices, the maximize button can be difficult to hit precisely with a finger, making a global toggle a significant quality-of-life improvement. It also benefits users who frequently switch between docked and mobile setups, though the current implementation lacks display-aware logic.
For now, the setting applies the same behavior regardless of the connected display. Users with multi-monitor setups or those who dock their laptops will find that the toggle forces maximization even on large external screens, which may not be ideal for everyone.
What this means for you
This addition highlights Microsoft’s ongoing effort to refine window management in Windows 11. While the OS has introduced various snapping and layout tools over the years, a global “open maximized” option has been a long-requested feature for users who find the default behavior inefficient.
For the average user, this feature is currently accessible only via the Experimental channel and requires manual intervention to enable. It is not recommended for production machines or users who rely on specific window arrangements. However, if you are an Insider interested in testing the latest changes, this is a welcome addition that could save you clicks over time.
Microsoft has not yet confirmed whether this setting will move to the Beta or Release Preview channels in the near future. The decision will likely depend on Insider feedback and stability testing. If you find the toggle useful, consider sharing your experience on the Windows Insider forums to help Microsoft gauge demand.
Source: Windows Latest
Over to you: Will you enable the Open apps maximized setting on your laptop, or do you prefer Windows to remember your window sizes?
