How do I get a Windows program to always open maximized?

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Summary: Some folks like to run programs maximized; taking up the entire screen. If a program doesn't do that automatically, here are some steps that may help.

Indeed it would. And while there are a couple of caveats, there's actually a fairly simple way to make this happen for most programs.

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Right click on the shortcut or menu item you use to start the program:

Now, click on properties:

Note the item labeled Run that's set to "Normal Window". Change that to "Maximized":

Hit OK.

The program should now start up maximized.

Naturally, you could also select "minimized" to have the program start that way instead.

As I said, there are a couple of caveats:

• Some programs override this. By that I mean that when they start, they explicitly decide whether they want to be minimized, maximized or "normal". The upshot is that they effectively ignore this setting. You'll need to check with that particular program if there's a way to alter this behavior.

• This works on programs, and shortcuts to program, but not documents or other files. For example if you have a shortcut to a Microsoft Word document on your desktop you will not see the Run option. However if you have a shortcut to Microsoft Word itself, you will.

• Shortcuts in your start menu count. By that I mean, if in your start menu you have a shortcut to an application, you can right click on that menu item and click on properties, just as if it were a shortcut on your desktop of somewhere else.

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