How Can I Make My WinForms Application Truly Full Screen?

Mastering Full-Screen Functionality in WinForms

Many WinForms applications require true full-screen mode for optimal user experience and visual immersion. This guide details how to achieve this, along with advanced techniques for maximizing screen real estate.

Simply setting FormBorderStyle to None and WindowState to Maximized expands the application's display area. However, the taskbar remains, reducing usable space. To achieve a truly full-screen experience, additional steps are necessary.

Eliminating the Taskbar

The following code snippet provides the solution:

private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // Bring the form to the foreground
    this.TopMost = true;
    // Remove the form's border
    this.FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.None;
    // Maximize the form to fill the entire screen
    this.WindowState = FormWindowState.Maximized;
}

TopMost ensures the form remains above other windows. Setting FormBorderStyle to None removes the form's borders, allowing it to extend to the screen's edges. Maximized then expands the form to its maximum size.

Dynamic MenuStrip Management

To further optimize screen space, consider hiding the MenuStrip when not actively used. This can be accomplished with the following code:

// Adjust to match your MenuStrip's height
private const int MENU_STRIP_HEIGHT = 24;

private void Form1_SizeChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // Hide the MenuStrip when maximized
    if (this.WindowState == FormWindowState.Maximized)
    {
        this.MenuStrip1.Visible = false;
        // Reduce form height to compensate for the hidden MenuStrip
        this.Height -= MENU_STRIP_HEIGHT;
    }
    // Show the MenuStrip when not maximized
    else
    {
        this.MenuStrip1.Visible = true;
        // Restore form height to include the MenuStrip
        this.Height += MENU_STRIP_HEIGHT;
    }
}

This utilizes the SizeChanged event to detect form resizing (including maximization). When maximized, the MenuStrip is hidden, and the form's height is adjusted. The reverse occurs when the form is not maximized.

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