Minecraft, a game beloved for its creative freedom and endless possibilities, can sometimes feel restricted by its windowed or fullscreen modes. Many players prefer a borderless fullscreen experience, which combines the immersion of fullscreen with the convenience of easily accessing other applications. This guide will walk you through several methods to achieve the perfect borderless fullscreen experience in Minecraft, regardless of your operating system or Minecraft version.
Why Choose Borderless Fullscreen?
Before diving into the how-to, let's quickly understand why borderless fullscreen is a popular choice among Minecraft players:
- Immersive Gameplay: It provides the visual benefits of fullscreen, minimizing distractions and maximizing the game's visual impact.
- Easy Alt-Tabbing: Unlike true fullscreen, borderless fullscreen allows you to easily switch between Minecraft and other applications using Alt+Tab without needing to exit the game. This is incredibly useful for checking emails, looking up recipes, or accessing other information without interrupting your gameplay.
- Improved Performance (Sometimes): In some cases, borderless fullscreen can offer slightly better performance than traditional fullscreen, particularly on systems with multiple monitors.
How to Make Minecraft Borderless Fullscreen: Different Methods
The method for achieving borderless fullscreen in Minecraft varies slightly depending on your operating system and whether you're using Java Edition or Bedrock Edition.
Method 1: Using Minecraft's In-Game Settings (Java Edition)
This is the simplest method, provided the option is available in your version of Minecraft.
- Launch Minecraft: Start your Minecraft Java Edition game.
- Open Options: Once in the main menu, click on "Options."
- Video Settings: Navigate to the "Video Settings" tab.
- Fullscreen: Look for the "Fullscreen" option. Some versions allow you to select "Borderless" directly. If you only see "Fullscreen" and "Windowed," proceed to the next method.
Method 2: Modifying the Minecraft Launcher (Java Edition)
If the in-game settings don't offer a borderless option, you can often achieve this by modifying the Minecraft launcher's settings. Note that this method involves modifying a configuration file, so proceed cautiously.
- Locate the Launcher Profile: This is typically found within the Minecraft launcher itself, usually under settings or profiles. Look for an option to edit the settings of your specific Minecraft profile.
- JVM Arguments: Locate the "JVM Arguments" field. These are additional commands passed to the Java Virtual Machine running Minecraft.
- Add the Argument: Add
-Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true
to the existing arguments. This argument often resolves fullscreen issues, frequently resulting in a borderless fullscreen experience. If you already have arguments, add this line with a space before it. - Save and Relaunch: Save your changes to the profile and relaunch Minecraft.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Tools (Java and Bedrock Editions)
Several third-party tools can force borderless fullscreen for Minecraft, regardless of version. However, always be cautious when using such tools, ensuring they come from reputable sources to avoid malware. Research thoroughly before using any such tool. (We cannot provide specific recommendations for third-party tools due to security and constantly changing availability.)
Method 4: Changing Display Settings (Windows)
This is a less precise method and might not work for everyone but is worth trying:
- Open Display Settings: Right-click on your desktop and select "Display settings."
- Scaling and Layout: Adjust your scaling settings. Sometimes, specific scaling percentages can inadvertently create a borderless fullscreen effect. Experiment with different settings to see if this works.
Troubleshooting Borderless Fullscreen Issues
- Game still runs in windowed mode: Check your video settings again carefully and make sure that you saved the changes to the JVM arguments if using method 2.
- Performance issues: If you encounter performance problems, reduce your Minecraft graphics settings.
- Third-Party Conflicts: Conflicting software or drivers can sometimes interfere with borderless fullscreen. Consider temporarily disabling non-essential programs or updating your graphics drivers.
By following these methods, you should be able to enjoy a smooth and immersive borderless fullscreen experience while playing Minecraft. Remember to always back up your configuration files before making any changes.